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The Birthday of Eternity
This atmospheric mystery is a must-read for fans of L.A. Noir and postwar historical fiction. Author A.D. Price deftly creates a vibrant postwar community of séances, psychics, mystics and their customers. . . . Readers can look forward to a jaw-dropping reveal in the book’s final act.BestThrillersThis is a captivating mystery rich in historical illustrations, con artists, and crime.Aurora Eliam for Reedsy Discovery
The Birthday of Eternity is a gripping tale of murder, mystery, and crime. A.D. Price's pageturner of a novel stuns you at every turn, with unexpected twists and curveballs you never see coming.Pikasho Deka for Readers’ FavoriteL.A. private investigators Kit and Henry become entangled in the city's robust post-WWII occult trade when they're hired to track down Lillian, the estranged wife of a prominent physician, and her spellbinding "spirit" lover Tashin. Fresh from her training in judo and “dirty fighting,” Kit poses as an eager recruit at a Hollywood cult run by the ambitious Reverend, while Henry takes on the city's séance circuit, which has reinvented itself in the wake of war. Assisting them are Kit's psychiatrist lover Luca and her combat veteran brother Stanley, who offer their own brand of expertise in unraveling the tricks of the conmen. Plunged into the strange and deadly world of mediums and gurus, Kit and Henry soon discover that surviving the spirit trade will take all of their cunning and a whole lot of luck.
The Birthday of Eternity is a gripping tale of murder, mystery, and crime. A.D. Price's pageturner of a novel stuns you at every turn, with unexpected twists and curveballs you never see coming.Pikasho Deka for Readers’ FavoriteL.A. private investigators Kit and Henry become entangled in the city's robust post-WWII occult trade when they're hired to track down Lillian, the estranged wife of a prominent physician, and her spellbinding "spirit" lover Tashin. Fresh from her training in judo and “dirty fighting,” Kit poses as an eager recruit at a Hollywood cult run by the ambitious Reverend, while Henry takes on the city's séance circuit, which has reinvented itself in the wake of war. Assisting them are Kit's psychiatrist lover Luca and her combat veteran brother Stanley, who offer their own brand of expertise in unraveling the tricks of the conmen. Plunged into the strange and deadly world of mediums and gurus, Kit and Henry soon discover that surviving the spirit trade will take all of their cunning and a whole lot of luck.
298 pages, Paperback
Published December 6, 2023
About the author
A.D. Price
4 books50 followersBorn in Washington, D. C., A. D. Price is an Emmy-winning screenwriter and author. Her publications (as Amy Dunkleberger) include educational books and feature articles on historical and arts-related subjects. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
January 27, 2024
This book started in an intriguing way. The prologue and epilogue were written perfectly. The gripping prologue hooked me to the story as I wanted to learn more about the character whose grandma died. It was captivating.
“Or was it? Was Gramma’s funeral occurring at the same time as a rare astronomical event a coincidence? Or had Fortuna influenced the scheduling somehow? What had I seen? What had I felt? Had I felt through that cold wind Gramma’s spirit heading for the Afterlife? Or was it the stirring of my own sorrow, blowing around me in warning? Or both?”
The post-war references and history related to the city, the atmosphere, and especially the MacArthur Park were very engaging to read. The historical facts and details laid the foundation of this novel and why all those events occurred.
The plot was well-planned and intellectual. I wasn’t able to find a single plot hole in it and the author did an amazing job in keeping the readers hooked till the end. The individual stories of all the characters and how they intertwined perfectly with the main plot was mind-blowing.
Although this book was excellent from every angle, what made this book unique from others is its ability to weave a narrative that’s relatable and relevant to what’s happening around the world for people, i.e., people willing to do everything to meet their loved ones that are dead. This also teaches us to value and cherish our loved ones because no one knows what fate has on the plate for the next day.
Kit and Henry were the main characters of this story who were clever, cunning, and courageous. Reading and viewing everything from their point of views and what train of thought they had, and how they observed everything was amazing to read.
Kit and Henry’s team was everything one wants in a team. Their members Luca and Stanley, with their fighting capabilities, made this book even more interesting.
The Birthday of Eternity was neither so fast-paced that readers would fall behind the plot nor so slow-paced that readers would become bored to death. Instead, this book was paced perfectly. The action and dialogues, with the intelligent story-building and narrative, made this book THE PERFECT read.
Overall, I recommend this book to historical mystery fiction lovers. I also recommend this to other fiction readers who want to get into a new genre as this is a pretty solid book to start this genre.
December 16, 2023
This atmospheric mystery is a must-read for fans of L.A. Noir and postwar historical fiction.
Set in Los Angeles one year after the end of World War II, private investigators Kit Comfort and Henry Richman have a new client: Hoyle Cooper, a.k.a. the Doctor to the Stars. Cooper wants to find his soon-to-be-ex, Lillian, who left him in March and served divorce papers the following month. According to Cooper, her decision to leave was the idea of her new soul mate, a supposedly reincarnated spirit named Tashin. Cooper will do anything it takes to avoid paying alimony.
The investigation takes Kit deep into the local spiritualism scene. Author A.D. Price deftly creates a vibrant postwar community of séances, psychics, mystics and their customers. After the deadliest war in world history, the entire city seems to be in a period of collective grief. The opportunity to connect with lost loved ones is desperately needed. But the scene is also filled with hustlers (Chief Detective Archie Wetherby: “As long as suckers were still being born, colorful con men were still luring suckers into their lairs”).
And where there’s money to be stolen, murder is never far behind. The deeper Kit and Henry get into the psychic scene, the darker the L.A. underworld becomes. Price inhabits that world with plenty of appetizing characters, not least of which is socialite Sheila Seaver, whose money – Sheila’s husband is a Hollywood movie producer – allows her to thoroughly explore her deep interest in the occult. Known for hosting seances for those in need, she goes to great lengths to create an atmosphere of trust – including swearing attendees to a vow of secrecy.
Seaver’s associates include Madame Zarzinzky, who is known to make objects levitate, and the Reverend, who runs The Temple – a former orphanage that has been transformed to serve the local spiritual community. But as Kit and Henry soon learn, the Reverend doesn’t simply think of himself as a local servant. He has far bigger things in mind. Readers can look forward to a jaw-dropping reveal in the book’s final act.
While The Birthday of Eternity is the second book in Price’s Comfort & Company series, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone story.
Set in Los Angeles one year after the end of World War II, private investigators Kit Comfort and Henry Richman have a new client: Hoyle Cooper, a.k.a. the Doctor to the Stars. Cooper wants to find his soon-to-be-ex, Lillian, who left him in March and served divorce papers the following month. According to Cooper, her decision to leave was the idea of her new soul mate, a supposedly reincarnated spirit named Tashin. Cooper will do anything it takes to avoid paying alimony.
The investigation takes Kit deep into the local spiritualism scene. Author A.D. Price deftly creates a vibrant postwar community of séances, psychics, mystics and their customers. After the deadliest war in world history, the entire city seems to be in a period of collective grief. The opportunity to connect with lost loved ones is desperately needed. But the scene is also filled with hustlers (Chief Detective Archie Wetherby: “As long as suckers were still being born, colorful con men were still luring suckers into their lairs”).
And where there’s money to be stolen, murder is never far behind. The deeper Kit and Henry get into the psychic scene, the darker the L.A. underworld becomes. Price inhabits that world with plenty of appetizing characters, not least of which is socialite Sheila Seaver, whose money – Sheila’s husband is a Hollywood movie producer – allows her to thoroughly explore her deep interest in the occult. Known for hosting seances for those in need, she goes to great lengths to create an atmosphere of trust – including swearing attendees to a vow of secrecy.
Seaver’s associates include Madame Zarzinzky, who is known to make objects levitate, and the Reverend, who runs The Temple – a former orphanage that has been transformed to serve the local spiritual community. But as Kit and Henry soon learn, the Reverend doesn’t simply think of himself as a local servant. He has far bigger things in mind. Readers can look forward to a jaw-dropping reveal in the book’s final act.
While The Birthday of Eternity is the second book in Price’s Comfort & Company series, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone story.
January 5, 2024
Mystery and intrigue abound in this climactic book by A.D. Price. Set in the gritty underbelly of postwar occult culture, The Birthplace of Eternity smartly weaves a world where seances are the norm and psychics have their secrets. This is a captivating mystery rich in historical illustrations, con artists, and crime.
The story centers around private investigators Kit and Henry, who are planted squarely in the middle of a thriving postwar paranormal culture. They are hired to find Lillian, who is missing along with her in-spirit lover, Tashin.
There is no shortage of gripping drama, intrigue, and mystery in The Birthday of Eternity. I thoroughly enjoyed the depth of the characters, and the author did an excellent job integrating each story into the whole. The believable and relatable stories make this an enjoyable and spellbinding tale. Readers who are interested in mystery, crime, and seances will enjoy the twists and turns that continually test the limits of the 3rd dimension.
I categorize this as a richly complex story that was enjoyable and thought-provoking. One of my favorite aspects is the description of the postwar time period, which was relevant and easy to imagine. The author added numerous details that set the story up as a captivating adventure for the reader.
While gripping and enthralling as a mystery novel, the interwoven relationships added even more depth to a great story. I would also categorize this as a tidy novel with no plot holes.
Of interesting note, I work as a psychic medium for humans and animals, and I deeply understand the relevance of mediums working today. Those of like-minded fields will see the impact con artists, crime, and mystery have had on the unseen spiritual (occult) world. That being said, readers who love a good mystery will enjoy the deeply immersive storyline.
The story centers around private investigators Kit and Henry, who are planted squarely in the middle of a thriving postwar paranormal culture. They are hired to find Lillian, who is missing along with her in-spirit lover, Tashin.
There is no shortage of gripping drama, intrigue, and mystery in The Birthday of Eternity. I thoroughly enjoyed the depth of the characters, and the author did an excellent job integrating each story into the whole. The believable and relatable stories make this an enjoyable and spellbinding tale. Readers who are interested in mystery, crime, and seances will enjoy the twists and turns that continually test the limits of the 3rd dimension.
I categorize this as a richly complex story that was enjoyable and thought-provoking. One of my favorite aspects is the description of the postwar time period, which was relevant and easy to imagine. The author added numerous details that set the story up as a captivating adventure for the reader.
While gripping and enthralling as a mystery novel, the interwoven relationships added even more depth to a great story. I would also categorize this as a tidy novel with no plot holes.
Of interesting note, I work as a psychic medium for humans and animals, and I deeply understand the relevance of mediums working today. Those of like-minded fields will see the impact con artists, crime, and mystery have had on the unseen spiritual (occult) world. That being said, readers who love a good mystery will enjoy the deeply immersive storyline.
May 20, 2024
“Happy New Year! Today I begin the story of my death. The story of my death and rebirth….” This was a captivating sentence to start the book with for all the readers. I love the start of the story with Daivika telling the story of her grandparents and how they loved in life and even in death😊That is such a sweet story, and it resonates with me and my family as I have a long marriage family history and even my own is still ongoing! Daivika is telling her story from a book excerpt every few chapters from 1948. And there are two other main characters named Kit and Henry who are detectives trying to solve a case. I can clearly resonate with the two MCs as a reader.
Kit and Henry have a new client named Hoyle and his wife left him and served him divorce paper shortly thereafter. The ex-wife has a new in spirt lover and Hoyle just wants to locate her. Kit and Henry must go undercover in some interesting areas of post war times, like a psychic! I love the story that the author told. I love postwar stories and as a reader you can perfectly picture the time that you are in as you follow Kit and Henry around town. And I also love a cult being involved in a book!
I would say that this book is a great read for historical fiction readers, fans of mystery and also paranormal fiction stories.
Kit and Henry have a new client named Hoyle and his wife left him and served him divorce paper shortly thereafter. The ex-wife has a new in spirt lover and Hoyle just wants to locate her. Kit and Henry must go undercover in some interesting areas of post war times, like a psychic! I love the story that the author told. I love postwar stories and as a reader you can perfectly picture the time that you are in as you follow Kit and Henry around town. And I also love a cult being involved in a book!
I would say that this book is a great read for historical fiction readers, fans of mystery and also paranormal fiction stories.
January 24, 2024
Book Sirens eARC. This atmospheric historical noir is set in post-war L.A., a time of adjustment and change as society works to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the war years. Retired homicide cop Henry and his young assistant Kit are building their P.I. agency one case at a time. Their search for a missing wife leads them to uncover other missing persons including a medium. They all had ties to an esoteric cult with a sinister charismatic leader. Their investigation stirs up a hornet's nest as they delve in the dark underbelly of the occult community. Kit and Henry are a duo of opposites making for an odd couple but they work well together. The cast of supporting characters add interest and the author portrays the period and culture well. The plot is solid although the subject is unusual with some unexpected twists. An entertaining read and would appeal to readers who enjoy history.
March 22, 2024
The combination of an older grizzly ex cop and a young, fairly naive assistant working together as PIs makes for a really interesting read. Set a year or so after the end of WWII in LA, with families still grieving their lost loved ones there is scope for unscrupulous con artists to take advantage, and they are.
The case takes the couple into the realm of Cults, Psychics and charismatic charlatans. All of which gives a nice storyline, although a bit confusing at times. There are nice back stories to both Henry and Kit, the story being told from several POVs, it races along nicely. I hadn’t read the first book in the series, and whilst this is a stand alone read, I think it would have been better to read them in order. However, still a good read. 3 1/2⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The case takes the couple into the realm of Cults, Psychics and charismatic charlatans. All of which gives a nice storyline, although a bit confusing at times. There are nice back stories to both Henry and Kit, the story being told from several POVs, it races along nicely. I hadn’t read the first book in the series, and whilst this is a stand alone read, I think it would have been better to read them in order. However, still a good read. 3 1/2⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 13, 2024
The Birthday of Eternity covers the world of seances and trickery. Much of the information shows the pros and cons of believing in seances and following a spiritual guru, and turning over your wealth to this leader. Murder Under the Red Moon by Harini Nagendra follows this same agenda. Maybe more novels will present the dangers of seances and admittance into these spiritual organizations. A D Price’s characters tend to mesh into one another due to Price not correctly labeling the character. Many back stories concerning the two detectives fall flat: Kit and Henry. But the reader only receives bits and pieces of these background stories. I will not continue reading Comfort and Company Mysteries.
January 28, 2024
This detective novel takes place in postwar L.A. There is an entertaining cast of characters that is a little too vast for the needs of a detective novel, but they are all well-drawn and interesting. The format of a detective novel does not require multiple POVs of all the minor characters, and there is some excess narration as well (we really don't need a whole chapter describing Kit's judo lesson). The investigation is interesting, taking us to the back rooms of seances, cult groups, and literary societies. The author excels at setting: LA in the years after WWII really comes to life. There were some twists and turns in the plot that made for fast reading, especially at the end. The different strands of the mysteries come together nicely.
April 3, 2024
Audiobook: I enjoyed book two of the "Comfort & Company" series. Private Investigators Kit and Henry were hired by a prominent doctor to find his missing wife and her "spirit" lover, Tashin. Drawn into the world of the occult, séances, and cults, this was their most dangerous case yet. The author's portrayal of the times painted a vivid picture of the world. This story was complex and convoluted. I enjoyed the characters of Kit, Henry, Luca, and Stanley. I hope that there will be more stories featuring these characters. Elizabeth Schmidt's narration was great, and her performance maintained the ambiance of the story. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review which reflected my own opinions.
January 3, 2024
I wasn't expecting this book to be about spiritualism and seances. I was expecting a full on PI thriller. It was slower than expected but well written and entertaining. A pretty good sense of time and place. The characters are all well described and easily identifiable from their acrtions. I shall probably read the first in the series as that sounds more like the story I was expecting here. And I do prefer to read series on published order. I will read the next in the series as it becomes avaiable. 4 stars
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader
January 1, 2024
I received a free copy of this book via The Niche Reader, and as an avid fan of noir and Post War novels, I am glad that I did. This engrossing--albeit a bit long-winded--novel provides an insightful look into the occult societies of Post War LA. The author also manages to keep the suspense, while exposing the fraudulent nature of these cults. Be prepared for a surprise...
February 9, 2024
Kit and Henry are hired to find a missing wife of a posh doctor in Hollywood. It brings them into a world of desperate people and the cult that seeks to enslave and fleece them. A dark novel with some exceedingly interesting characters. The plot is twisty and filled with surprises.
I won a print copy through a LibraryThing giveaway offered by the author. Yea, me!
I won a print copy through a LibraryThing giveaway offered by the author. Yea, me!
March 25, 2024
Engaging historical suspense mystery . Kit and Henry Private Detectives are hired to find a Doctor’s estranged spouse. A veritable page turner and well described and immersive experience of the era. Well written storytelling.
I was forwarded the book and my review is given voluntarily in my own words .
I was forwarded the book and my review is given voluntarily in my own words .
December 22, 2023
A well written story but one, unfortunately, that really didn't grab me that much. The characters were quirky but the plot didn't take off for me.
Thank you to The Niche Reader for a chance to read this
Thank you to The Niche Reader for a chance to read this
January 26, 2024
Wonderful read set just after WWII. This murder mystery… looking for the other lover was well written with awesome historical tidbits sprinkled throughout. I received an arc copy from booksirens in exchange for my honest review
January 2, 2024
Just to be clear, I've not read the first book in this series.
But no matter. It didn't make any difference to my enjoyment of this book. After getting a little bit into the story, I thought that this was going to be a matter of client wants investigator to find missing wife and her supposed "lover".
But this book was so much more. There was indeed an investigation into a missing wife, BUT.... It turned into so much more, with many twists and turns and so much action that I could barely set the book down, eager to know what happened next.
Ruby was a favorite (character) of mine, and helped out in a lot of ways with the investigation.
I can't really give any clues as this is a story you'll want to read for yourself. Trust me.
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my voluntary and honest review.
But no matter. It didn't make any difference to my enjoyment of this book. After getting a little bit into the story, I thought that this was going to be a matter of client wants investigator to find missing wife and her supposed "lover".
But this book was so much more. There was indeed an investigation into a missing wife, BUT.... It turned into so much more, with many twists and turns and so much action that I could barely set the book down, eager to know what happened next.
Ruby was a favorite (character) of mine, and helped out in a lot of ways with the investigation.
I can't really give any clues as this is a story you'll want to read for yourself. Trust me.
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving my voluntary and honest review.
January 1, 2024
I want to give it a 3.5 star rating but it won’t let me do half stars! This book was unique in its plot and format. Having never read the first book in the series, I was unfamiliar with the writers work so it was all new to me! You do not have to read the first book in the series to understand and enjoy this one but some of the characters backstory is not retold so I suggest at least reading a synopsis of the first one. I really enjoyed the time period the book was written in; the author gave a really good descriptions that put me right into the scenes! The inclusion of a spiritual way of living was really interesting to me and through the actions of the characters, it helped shape the mystery into something more sinister than it starts out to be. I did let out a few gasps and vocal responses to the twists towards the end. It definitely didn’t pan out as I expected and I love when a book can trick me! Overall, very good book and I would definitely consider reading the next in this series!
Thank you to The Niche Reader & A.D. Price for providing me a copy of this wonderful book! 😊
Thank you to The Niche Reader & A.D. Price for providing me a copy of this wonderful book! 😊
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews