The New Deal

Starred review from December 15, 2015
Frank, a young bellhop at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, scrambles to stay one step ahead of the game in this richly layered tale of deception and thievery in 1930s Manhattan. Mostly content to skim a little off the top from the Waldorf's richest guests every now and then, Frank finds himself in over his head when Theresa, a maid at the hotel and the object of his flirtations, is accused of theft. When they find a hidden cache of valuables, the stakes are suddenly sky-high and neither of them is sure whom they can trust. Loads of fun and full of surprises, this mystery delivers top-notch storytelling with a delicate exploration of race, class, and unwritten social codes that cement it firmly in the era. Case's gray-scale illustrations perfectly capture the 1930s, from the ultraglamorous socialites to working-class apple vendors on slushy Manhattan streets, and many of his characters, Frank in particular, are drawn in a style reminiscent of '30s era comics. Case's keen eye for detail provides an authentic historical setting, while unusual angles and a range of panel sizes heighten visual interest. Exceptional in both vision and execution, this will have broad, enthusiastic appeal.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)