There is a certain hour, in the dead of night, when the orchid's scent can put you under a spell... Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Blue, returns with a tantalizing novel about one woman caught up in a secret nightclub that one can only reach through a certain florist on a cobblestone street. New York City, 1923. Zia De Luca's life is about to be shattered. Having lost her husband to The Great War, she lives with her son and in-laws in Little Italy and works at the public library. But when a quiet poetry lover is murdered outside the library, the police investigation focuses on Zia. After a second tragedy strikes even closer to home, Zia learns that both crimes are connected to a new speakeasy in Greenwich Village called The Orchid Hour. When the police investigation stalls, Zia decides to find her own answers. A cousin with whom she has a special bond serves as a guide to the shadow realm of The Orchid Hour, a world filled with enticements Zia has shunned up to now. She must contend with a group of players determined to find wealth and power in New York on their own terms. In this heady atmosphere, Zia begins to wonder if she too could rewrite her life's rules. As she's pulled in deeper and deeper, will Zia be able to bring the killers to justice before they learn her secret?

About the Author
Nancy Bilyeau, a former magazine editor, has written seven historical novels. After working at newsstand magazines ranging from ROLLING STONE to GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, she pursued her love of historical fiction by plunging into writing. In 2012, Nancy published her debut novel, THE CROWN, which was selected as a 'Page-Turner You'll Tear Through' by OPRAH magazine. She followed it with Tudor thrillers THE CHALICE and THE TAPESTRY before writing THE BLUE, an 18th century-set novel revolving around the porcelain and art world, and its sequel, THE FUGITIVE COLOURS. In 2020, Nancy published DREAMLAND, set in early 20th century New York City. Her latest novel, THE ORCHID HOUR, continues her novels set in the Big Apple. Born in Chicago and raised in Michigan, Nancy has lived in New York, and reveled in learning its history, since the 1990s.

Reviews
"Nancy Bilyeau has created a beautifully layered and utterly seductive tale... and, at its living, tender heart, a strong-willed and magnetic heroine." - Emilya Naymark, author of Behind the Lie, finalist for the 2023 Sue Grafton Award



Book Information
ISBN 9781839015182
Author Nancy Bilyeau
Format Paperback
Page Count 338
Imprint Lume Books
Publisher Lume Books