Everything Glittered

"Talley examines intense queer longing and self-discovery through a well-realized jaunt into Gilded Era high society, juxtaposing suffocatingly stiff etiquette with an undercurrent of misogyny and homophobia [in] this glitzy murder mystery."

Publishers Weekly

What really happened the night Mrs. Rose died?

That’s what seventeen-year-old Gertrude and her best friends, Milly and Clara, can’t stop wondering, especially as news articles and gossip about their headmistress’s demise fill the nation’s capital. Each story is more scandalous than the last, and Gertrude is done with rumors.

With the help of Milly and Clara, Gertrude vows to clear her beloved mentor’s good name – even if it risks her own. But it’s 1927 and the strict laws of Prohibition have done little to keep the streets clean. Grifters, bootleggers, and shady federal agents keep sidling up alongside Gertrude’s investigation – as do the pesky feelings she’s kept at bay for her two best friends.

A proper, upscale life is all Gertrude has ever known, but murder sure makes a gal think: Is all that glitters really gold?

Cover illustration by Kamin.
Designer: Gabrielle Chang
Art Director: Karina Granda

Praise for Everything Glittered

Talley (THE LOVE CURSE OF MELODY MCINTYRE) examines intense queer longing and self-discovery through a well-realized jaunt into Gilded Era high society, juxtaposing suffocatingly stiff etiquette with an undercurrent of misogyny and homophobia …. Tender explorations of Gertie’s burgeoning awareness of her queer identity drive this glitzy murder mystery.

Publishers Weekly

A Prohibition-era murder mystery with queer coming-of-age themes. … The streets of the nation’s capital in 1927 come alive through Talley’s well-researched descriptions. Gertie and her friends navigate streetcars, cabs, and wintry walks while trailing a slew of mysterious characters across historic neighborhoods. … Fans of Talley’s lesbian histories will enjoy her latest, and the page-turning mystery will appeal to new readers. … A compelling mystery grounded in a well-developed setting.

Kirkus Reviews

EVERYTHING GLITTERED is more than just a page-turning mystery that will keep you guessing; it is also a story of self-discovery, and a moving look at the struggle and resilience of queer subculture in the Roaring 20s. Another must-read from Robin Talley.

Caleb Roehrig

author of THE FELL OF DARK

Prohibition-era Washington DC springs to life in EVERYTHING GLITTERED which shimmers with Gatsby-glamour and mysterious intrigue – you’ll fall in love with Robin Talley’s gorgeous, feisty girls.

Ellie Marney

New York Times bestselling author of NONE SHALL SLEEP and THE KILLING CODE

An atmospheric thriller that shines a light on the enticing underbelly of the Prohibition era and the people who found freedom within it. Robin Talley expertly cloaks a heartfelt coming of age tale in secrets, scandals, and a very sharp knife.

Rebecca Kim Wells

author of BRIAR GIRLS

Talley is one of my favorites; stunning historical details, brilliant plotting -- everything she touches turns to gold.

Lev AC Rosen

author of LAVENDER HOUSE and THE BELL IN THE FOG