Hey Bookworms, as I read through my 12 friend recommendations, I’m continuously grateful for online friends who give great book recommendations. Today’s entry is the sapphic noir mystery novella “Even Though I Knew the End”.
Author: C.L. Polk
Genre(s): Mystery (Noir), Historical Fantasy
Publisher: Tordotcom Publishing
Format Read: Physical
Source: Library Borrow
Year Published: 2022
Standalone
Cover Artist: Mark Smith
Synopsis
Helen, a magic-using private eye, only has three days left to live; she made a deal with the devil and her soul is due. But first, she’s offered one last, very dangerous, job and the payment is not one she can refuse: the chance to have a future with the woman she loves. She must find “The White City Vampire”, a notorious serial killer before her time runs out.
Even Though I Knew the End Review
Pace: Fast Paced, Mix of Character & Plot Driven
Tone: Mysterious, Moody
It’s unfortunate but I have to start with an obvious comparison because this book has a lot of elements that I liked from The Dresden Files. The private detective who can use magic and is a bit on the fringes of society? ✔ The urban setting complete with supernatural creatures that live among humans?✔ Only, Polk’s version of this type of story doesn’t include a misogynistic MC, does include a fantastic sapphic relationship, and is set in the 1940’s. An upgrade if I ever saw one!
I was very impressed with the author’s efficient use of language and space so here’s a list of what they achieved in about 130 pages:
- Established a breathing world with lore while organically drip-feeding us world-building details.
- Cemented an emotional connection to the characters.
- Created an engaging mystery that introduced clever twists I didn’t see coming.
- Expertly balanced the mysterious elements of the story with the interpersonal struggles of the MC.
“The moon peeped in our windows, but she was pretty good at keeping secrets.”
Even Though I Knew the End, C. L. Polk
Even Though I Knew The End
Helen’s POV is fun to read from; she’s confident, a problem-solver and has the right amount of spunk. Furthermore, she always does what she thinks is right (even if that means making a deal with the devil). Most of the secondary characters are well-fleshed out but due to spoiler reasons, I don’t think we got as much page time with Edith, Helen’s partner, as I would have liked. That’s my one very minor complaint.
In terms of the writing style, I enjoyed it and I look forward to reading more of C.L. Polk’s work. The author blended humour and grittiness seamlessly, and I found myself chuckling at the gumshoe language of the 1940s. It was immersive and entertaining without being cheesy.
Lastly, even though the setting is an alternate Chicago, it almost felt too real due to the sexist and queerphobic beliefs of the time. There were a couple of scenes in an asylum that were rage-inducing but they were supposed to be. It takes a lot of talent to draw out such strong emotions from readers in such an economical fashion. A few lines were all it took to get me misty-eyed at the ending.
Final Thoughts & Rating
Even Though I Knew The End now has the distinct honour of being the only noir detective book I’ve ever loved! It left me feeling conflicted; I craved more, yet found it flawlessly executed, an uncommon experience with novellas.
This book fulfills the prompt: “Book That Could Cure A Slump” for the Spring Equinox Magic Readathon.
| CAWPILE | Rating (0-10) |
|---|---|
| Characters | 8 |
| Atmosphere | 10 |
| Writing Style | 9 |
| Plot | 10 |
| Intrigue | 10 |
| Logic | 10 |
| Enjoyment | 10 |
Representation
Lesbian
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Murder, Gun Violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny,
Forced Institutionalization, Injury
Minor (Mention): Loss of Parents,
Car Accident
Let’s chat in the comments!
Do you prefer hard-boiled mysteries or cozy ones?
As for the preference, I think it would vary more on writing rather than setting — and mood, of course. I’d read Hammet or Chandler for the language even if I wasn’t necessarily in the mood for a detective novel. Sometimes a reader wants cozy: That’s certainly me this year, as I keep reading novels set in bookstores and coffee shops and the like, where human connection is more important than a mystery being solved or whatever.
That’s super valid and a great answer! I read Chandler’s The Big Sleep in university and unfortunately, I don’t remember many details! I think lately I have been preferring books that focus more on human connection (and this one certainly does that pretty well along with the mystery).
He has some great ones in Big Sleep — “I was clean, shaved, sober, and I didn’t care who knew it.”, etc. Helps to have Bogie voicing those same lines, of course.
Aha yes any great line shines even more with amazing acting, whether in movie or audiobook format! That is a pretty cool line.