I did not manage to read this unfortunately, due to unforeseeable issues at home but I have preordered this book as I’m interested in reading it once I get the opportunity.

A murder mystery set in a hotel in California towards the end of WWII with a generous dose of history started out as a really interesting read, but I soon started to struggle and became overwhelmed.

I feel that the author tried to achieve too much and it became confusing and detracted from the plot. Politics, racism, family drama, the supernatural and sociology in the late 1940s. It was a lot.

Towards the end, the plot did become the focus again, which I was pleased about and the ending was well executed.

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Amy Chua and Atlantic for an ARC in return for an honest review.

1930, Berkeley, California. Little Iris Bainbridge is found dead at the bottom of the laundry chute in the Claremont Hotel. It was ruled to be a tragic accident…

1944. Failed Presidential candidate, Walter Wilkinson, is murdered in the Claremont. This was the second attempt – earlier that evening he’d been shot at, he claimed by ‘Commies’ who were out to get him. But Detective Al Sullivan isn’t convinced by the Commie explanation for the second attempt. For one thing the body had been left in a rather humiliating position; and for another, one of the maids swears she had seen a young woman leave his room at midnight. The maid, Juanita, says the woman was one of the “Bainbridge girls”, but doesn’t know which one. The Bainbridge girls are the two sisters and a cousin of the girl who died in 1930. But the Bainbridge girls are from a rich and powerful family while Juanita is a Mexican immigrant, so her word doesn’t count for much with the authorities. Al, however, is half-Mexican himself, though he can ‘pass’ for white, and he’s inclined to believe Juanita. But there’s another line of enquiry too, even more sensitive – Al has been told by a journalist that Wilkinson had been having an affair with Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, wife of the Chinese leader, who has been touring America seeking aid for the Chinese war effort.

The main bulk of the book is about the 1944 murder, but the death of little Iris, aged just seven when she died, casts a shadow over the Claremont and most of the characters. It’s told as a first person narrative from Al for the most part, but there are chapters throughout which are the transcript of the statement prepared for the police by Genevieve Bainbridge, the girls’ grandmother and matriarch of the family, when she is interviewed about Wilkinson’s death. These chapters slowly reveal the family’s history and how Iris’ death may have played a part in the present-day murder. The Bainbridge girls are spoiled rich kids, exploiting their rock-solid position in society to behave in ways they couldn’t get away with so easily if they were further down the food chain. Nicole, for instance, is playing around with a man the FBI suspect is a Communist agitator, and there is some suspicion that Nicole is a Communist too – not a good thing to be in 1944 America! All three girls are blonde and beautiful, which is why Juanita can’t say which one she saw.

Chua handles all the race elements well, not banging the reader over the head with it, but showing the way non-whites are treated as lesser beings. Al has a young niece, Miriam, who, unlike him, is fully Mexican in heritage. Her father is out of the picture and her mother is feckless and neglectful, so Al has to take on some of the duties of parent, while Miriam wants to take on the role of being Al’s detective partner. The Chinese strand lets Chua tell a little about the relations between China and America at this time, as well as the Tongs – the Chinese gangs. We also learn about the Japanese concentration camps in California, and about the expulsion of Mexicans in the Repatriation (an episode of which I was entirely unaware). The whole historical background is excellently researched and presented, full of interesting detail but never having the feeling of an info dump. Three times I checked things that felt anachronistic to me, and each time found that Chua was right and I was wrong, so from then on I decided to relax and trust the accuracy of the picture she was painting.

The writing is excellent. Al’s sections are written with a kind of hard-boiled tone but perhaps a little less stripped down than is usual in that style, while the chapters of Genevieve Bainbridge’s statement give a clear picture of her haughty pride and unconcern for anyone outwith her family. The plot is rather too complex, but Chua holds it together well so it’s relatively easy to keep on top of it all, and I found it completely absorbing. The ending goes a little too far over the credibility line in some of the detail, but the basic resolution is believable and quite satisfying.

I believe this is Amy Chua’s debut in fiction, but she is apparently the author of a hugely successful parenting memoir and some factual books, though she is unknown to me. While obviously fiction is different, it may be that past writing experience that makes this feel very assured and confident for a debut novel. I’m certainly hoping that she gives us more fiction in the future.

The Golden Gate by Amy Chua is a historical mystery that will draw you in and keep you turning pages late into the night. At its heart are timeless themes of power, justice, and social hierarchy that Chua skillfully weaves into a dark and mysterious tale. Though not without flaws, the story's rich setting and complex characters offer an escape into another world that mystery lovers will find hard to resist. With palpable tension and high stakes, The Golden Gate is an entertaining read worth 3.75 stars.

A historical mystery set in 1940s California that fellows detective Al Sullivan trying to solve the murder of a famous politician at Clairmont hotel, sifting through red herrings / lies, secrets, politics of the time to crack the case. The twists and turns left me hooked and I would recommend if you enjoy a suspenseful mystery books.

Thanks Netgalley and Corvus for the ARC

An atmospheric historical mystery set in 1944, Berkeley, California
It follows Al Sullivan, a detective and opens with the murder of a famous politician at the Clairmont hotel.
Sullivan has to sift through all the politics, lies and secrets - who is lying and who is telling the truth.
There are a whole cast of characters, who all have a motive.
Lots of twists and turns and subplots.
I found it a bit complicated towards the end but still an enjoyable read
Perfect for fans of L.A. Confidential with 1940s film noir vibes.
Thanks @amychua.author, @atlanticbooks & @netgalley for the eARC

I think there's a lot of potential in this story but there's also an overabundance of plot, subplots that made me feel confused at time and I was at risk of losing the thread of the main mystery
The main mystery was confusing and the historical background vivid and well done.
I liked the characters and the setting.
3.5 upped to 4
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A former presidential candidate is murdered in one of Berkeley's best hotels and Detective Sullivan is asked to head up the investigation. The suspects are three rich cousins, all associated with another tragedy at the hotel. However there is also politics at play, the US is at war with the Japanese and the wife of the Chinese leader is involved. Trying to balance the differing parties whilst solving a crime where no-one tells the truth pushes Sullivan to his limits. in addition he is carrying his own baggage.
I liked the sound of the blurb for this book and didn't realise it was by the non-fiction writer and 'tiger mother' Amy Chua. If I had known this I may not have picked up the book but I'm glad I did. The scope is huge, covering race, the war, the supernatural, insanity and revenge but it really works and I ended up loving the complex story and the cast of characters.

I wasn't sure what this novel was trying to be but it fell between historical and serious history with added
thrown in.

I realise this is historical and based on fact but there was a little too much of that for me. It felt very staid at times and I hated the ending - what on earth was that?

It was just too much of a mixed bag for me to realise what it was all about really.

A detective novel in the style of the golden age of detective fiction this debut novel is set in 1944 in California. 10 years earlier 7 year old Iris Stafford died in the Claremont Hotel. Her ghost is said to haunt the hotel. In the present Walter Wilkinson, a wealthy industrialist and former presidential candidate, is murdered in the same hotel. One of the Bainbridge girls is suspected of being the killer, but which one? With some historical fact, such as Madame Chiang Kai-Shek’s visit to San Francisco, mixed in with the fiction I found this a very enjoyable read. I liked the writing style and enjoyed the 1940’s vibe of the book.

Briefly, Detective Al Sullivan is investigating the case and all roads lead back to the 3 Bainbridge sisters, Iris's sister Isabella and cousins Cassie and Nicole. But their grandmother, Mrs Bainbridge, is adamant that they are innocent, and she will swear to that in court.

I loved the relationship between Al and his rather precocious niece Miriam and I though the racial and class prejudice prevalent at this time was well managed. The story had lots of twists and turns and I was constantly changing my mind about who murdered Wilkinson. I enjoyed the two threads of the court testimony of Mrs Bainbridge interspersed with Al’s investigation. All in all a very entertaining read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

The Golden Gate was one of those unexpected joys of a novel for me. I requested it after seeing an excellent review on twitter and found it to be a compelling, original, atmospheric and immersive novel.
It's set in 1944 in Berkeley California when Presidential candidate Walter Wilkinson is murdered at the Claremont hotel. When Detective Al Sullivan is put on the case he looks at the connection with the wealthy Bainbridge family who suffered their own tragedy at the same hotel many years before.
The style of writing immediately drew me in to the novel and I loved the character of Al Sullivan. His relationship with his niece Miriam is beautifully portrayed and I hope they both return. I really enjoyed the West Coast setting and the historical facts about San Francisco completely brought the novel to life for me. The plot moves along at a good pace for most of the novel and I was completely immersed in it over the course of a weekend.
4.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Set in 1944 Berkeley, mixed race Mexican/American homicide detective Al Sullivan gives this mystery its heart and soul. The novel starts with the assassination of presidential candidate Walter Wilkinson in the posh Claremont hotel.  Sullivan soon realizes that the powerful Bainbridge family is entangled not only in this death but has an unresolved,  mysterious death of one of their heiresses, Iris, who as a child was also found dead at the Claremont. 

The novel is cleverly constructed, many twist and turns, switching between the court testimony of the Bainbridge matriach and Sullivans investigation.  The most likeable characters in the mystery are Ad Sullivan and his half niece whose lives are testament how important  race, gender and social standing were during that time in order to be noticed. Not much has changed...Chua  borrows from actual historical events such as Madame Chiang Kai-Shek mysterious stay in California taking fictional liberties.  Really had a fun  reading  "The Golden Gate",  learning a few historical facts along the way which the author lists in the appendix.

Intricate Mystery..
Set against an evocative and atmospheric Berkeley, California, backdrop in 1944 comes an assassination of a former presidential candidate at the luxurious Claremont Hotel. As investigations commence, past and present collide to form an intricate and powerfully depicted mystery. Detailed and historically colourful, rich in social commentary, cleverly woven threads and populated with a credible cast with a most convincing backdrop.

A murder mystery set in 1940s San Francisco. The author paid a lot of detail to historical accuracy, which is something I truly appreciate. Yet the main story seemed to be overshadowed by the history of the place at times. Furthermore the characters lacked depth and I didn't quite care for them.

The Golden Gate by Amy Chua had the potential to be an intriguing tale, but unfortunately fell short of its promises. While the premise held the allure of twists and shifting ulterior motives, the execution left the narrative feeling scattered and convoluted.

One of the strengths of the book lies in its atmospheric setting. Chua paints a vivid picture of 1940s San Francisco, capturing the essence of the time period and its underlying social tensions. However, this attention to historical detail often overshadowed the main plot, causing the pace to lag and hindering the development of the mystery. As a result, the story felt secondary, making it somewhat less engaging and compelling. Additionally, the characters failed to leave a lasting impression. None of them truly stood out or connected with me as a reader. This lack of compelling characters further diminished my investment in the murder mystery and left me feeling lukewarm towards the story and its resolution.

A murder mystery set in the 1940s in Califirnia. I found it a bit slow for the first half but picked up pace eventually. I guessed the ending so not really a twist for me.

I enjoyed this one, the setting was very atmospheric. The little nuggets of history thrown in added to the story.
Some great characters.
I especially liked Sullivan and Miriam, and their relationship.
Took me a while to get the Bainbridge trio set in my head, but got there eventually.
Some nice twists along the way.