Nearly hardboiled, Ladies from Long Island is a slapstick crime novel characterized by droll dialogue and a bright 1970s aesthetic. The mayhem includes lies, murder, intrigue and politics, although the narrative never becomes insipidly political. Gerry Burke has painted a setting so vivid, you might forget you're in the throes of a slick whodunit. You can feel the burn of cigarette smoke in your throat and hear the chatter and dings of mechanical typewriters in the background as the investigation moves throughout the city. The period parlance, retro social mores, and Mafia culture make for a highly entertaining trip back in time.