Ann Aptaker has written another fascinating look into the culture of New York City’s underworld in the 1950s. In this outing Cantor Gold, a successful art thief, is being stalked. She has no clue who she’s angered enough to not only kill one of the city’s leading retired mobsters, but his grown daughter as well. The circles those two associated with have nothing to do with Cantor. As the notes she receives, threatening not only her but the people she cares for, escalate, Cantor is desperate enough to work with her worse enemies, a cop, to stop the person out to get her.

Cantor is a flawed character and hasn’t changed from the first book in this series to this latest offering. From the way she thinks to the way she struts around, she could easily be an emotionally stunted teenager. Of course, she has her moments, but as much as her creator wants us to like, even love, Cantor, it’s hard to relate to her.

The storyline is fascinating because it delves into the gay culture as well as the world of criminals and those who pursue them. A lot of Cantor’s bravado fades as the killer continues his/her killing spree and she becomes more vulnerable. Aptaker increases the tension of Cantor’s situation as she moves through her story and keeps it ratcheted up until Cantor realizes who is out to get her.

If you are a fan of this author and the Cantor Gold series, you’ll undoubtedly love this sixth book in the series. If you’re new to the series, reading this book will introduce you to Cantor slowly but surely and you’ll not feel lost because you’re coming to the series late.

My thanks to Bywater Books and Edelweiss for an eARC. ( )