Product guide

A Murder on Long Island: Penelope Banks Mystery Book 1

Mystery: A Murder on Long Island is the first Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries book, set in 1925 Long Island. Pen Banks investigates the apparent suicide of a family friend after finding a locked-room death, a will, and a secret letter that cast doubt on the official ruling.

At a glance

The mystery opens with Agnes Sterling found dead in a locked bedroom, with poison and a handwritten note beside her.
Pen Banks uses her exceptional memory and knack for solving puzzles to investigate while attending the reading of the will.
The setting is New York in 1925, with Prohibition-era speakeasies, Jazz Age atmosphere, and a cozy-mystery tone.

Price

$2.49Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$4.99~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

A distinctive sleuth combines a strong memory with experience playing cards in clubs and speakeasies.
The locked-room circumstances, will, and secret letter give the investigation several connected clues to follow.
Customer feedback describes an engaging, suspenseful plot, humorous moments, and a quick read.

Technical specifications

11 specifications

Book details
Series	Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries
Series position	Book 1
Publication date	February 11, 2022
Language	English
Print length	264 pages
File size	1.3 MB

Kindle features
Screen Reader	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	Enabled
X-Ray	Enabled
Word Wise	Enabled
Page Flip	Enabled

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers looking for a historical cozy mystery set in the 1920s.
Those who enjoy a witty sleuth and a locked-room investigation involving family secrets.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.4 / 5 · 3,594 ratings

5 stars59%59%
4 stars30%30%
3 stars10%10%
2 stars1%1%
1 star0%0%

Customer feedback highlights an engaging, suspenseful plot, a memorable heroine, quick readability, humor, and period slang. Those reactions suit the book's stated cozy-mystery approach and 1925 setting. Aggregate ratings also lean positive, but ratings alone cannot show which elements readers valued or how every reader will respond.

Positive themes

Customers describe the story as engaging and quick to read, with suspense throughout.
Feedback also praises the heroine, comedic situations, and 1920s slang.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the first book in a series?

Yes. It is identified as Book 1 in the Penelope Banks Murder Mysteries.

What is the mystery about?

Pen Banks questions the apparent suicide of Agnes Sterling, who was found in a locked bedroom with poison and a handwritten note. The will and a secret letter deepen her suspicions.

When and where is the story set?

The story is set in Long Island and New York in 1925, against a Prohibition-era and Jazz Age backdrop.

What Kindle reading features are listed?

The listing says Screen Reader is supported and Enhanced typesetting, X-Ray, Word Wise, and Page Flip are enabled.