3.25
Part of "Fintan Dunne" series
"The Hour of the Cat" by Peter Quinn is a historical crime novel set in New York City during the 1930s. The protagonist, Fintan Dunne, is a private investigator and former police officer who is haunted by his past and struggling to make a living in a city suffering from the Great Depression. The novel begins with the murder of a wealthy businessman, and Dunne is hired by the victim's widow to find the killer. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of corruption and deceit that extends to the highest levels of New York society, including the police department and City Hall. Quinn's writing is rich and evocative, bringing 1930s New York to life in vivid detail. The city is depicted as a place of stark contrasts, where the wealthy and powerful live in luxury while the poor and marginalized struggle to survive. Dunne is a complex and compelling protagonist, a man who is both tough and vulnerable, and who is driven by a strong sense of justice. One of the strengths of "The Hour of the Cat" is its historical accuracy. Quinn has done extensive research on the period, and the novel is filled with authentic details about the politics, culture, and daily life of 1930s New York. The novel also explores larger themes, such as the corrupting influence of power and the importance of standing up for what is right. Overall, "The Hour of the Cat" is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that will appeal to fans of historical fiction and crime novels. Its intricate plot, well-drawn characters, and evocative setting make it a standout addition to the genre...
Caleb Carr
The Alienist
Fans of 'The Hour of the Cat' will enjoy 'The Alienist' for its historical setting and thrilling mystery. Set in 1896 New York City, a series of murders of boy prostitutes grips the city. Police commissioner Theodore Roosevelt calls on criminal psychologist (or alienist) Dr. Laszlo Kreizler to use the emerging discipline of psychological investigation to track down the killer.
Learn MoreDeborah Blum
The Poisoner's Handbook
For readers who enjoyed the historical and cultural aspects of 'The Hour of the Cat', 'The Poisoner's Handbook' offers a fascinating look at the dawn of forensic science in the 1920s and 30s. Through the lens of a medical examiner and a toxicologist, Blum explores how science and the legal system intersect in the fight against poisoners.
Learn MoreMichael Chabon
The Yiddish Policemen's Union
Fans of 'The Hour of the Cat' who enjoy historical mysteries with a twist of alternate history will love 'The Yiddish Policemen's Union'. Set in an alternate 1940s America where Jewish refugees have established a temporary settlement in Sitka, Alaska, detective Meyer Landsman investigates a murder that could have far-reaching consequences for the entire community.
Learn MoreErik Larson
The Devil in the White City
Readers who enjoyed the historical and cultural aspects of 'The Hour of the Cat' will appreciate 'The Devil in the White City' for its gripping narrative and vivid portrayal of the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Larson interweaves the stories of architect Daniel Burnham and serial killer H.H. Holmes, creating a thrilling tale of ambition, corruption, and murder.
Learn MoreDonna Tartt
The Secret History
Fans of 'The Hour of the Cat' who enjoy psychological thrillers with a strong sense of place will appreciate 'The Secret History'. Set in a small Vermont college, a group of classics students become obsessed with the rituals and mysteries of ancient Greece. When one of their members dies under mysterious circumstances, the group must confront the dark secrets they've been keeping.
Learn MoreUmberto Eco
The Name of the Rose
Readers who enjoyed the historical and cultural aspects of 'The Hour of the Cat' will appreciate 'The Name of the Rose' for its intricate plot and vivid portrayal of medieval life. Set in a Benedictine monastery in Italy, a Franciscan friar and his young apprentice investigate a series of murders that seem to be connected to a forbidden book.
Learn MoreChina Miéville
The City & the City
Readers who enjoyed the noirish atmosphere and complex plot of 'The Hour of the Cat' will appreciate 'The City & The City' for its imaginative world-building and intricate mystery. Set in the twin cities of Besźel and Ul Qoma, which occupy the same physical space but are separate political entities, a detective investigates a murder that may have ties to both cities.
Learn MoreMichael Connelly
The Lincoln Lawyer
Fans of 'The Hour of the Cat' who enjoy legal thrillers with a strong sense of character will appreciate 'The Lincoln Lawyer' for its gripping narrative and vivid portrayal of Los Angeles. Defense attorney Mickey Haller takes on a high-stakes case that could make or break his career, but when he discovers that his client may be
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