Reviews

Plenty of details
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2025
Format: Kindle
A fun read with plenty of details and engaging characters. I look forward to reading the further adventures of Nick Gazelle.

Mostly noir, clearing to scattered clouds by morning.
Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2025
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
A pleasant, easy read with a bit of mystery and a light touch of character building. Sacramento as a setting, but not so heavy one has to be from there to appreciate the town features. Would be a great palette cleanser for anyone between epic reads, or good evening-with-a-blanket read anytime. Looking forward to see what Nick finds himself up to next.

5.0 out of 5 stars An easy but adventurous read
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2025
Format: Paperback

As a retired criminal investigator I was interested to see how this book would turn out. Gave it a read and enjoyed it quite a bit. It's well written in an easy to read style. I'll be curious to see how the adventures of Nick Gazelle continue.

Like a Noir Comic Book Come to Life
5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2025
Format: Paperback
Dance Noir is short, sharp, and straight to the point—in the best way. The story moves fast and doesn’t waste time, which makes it an easy read. At the same time, it leaves you wanting the next adventure, much like a good comic book or superhero story. I look forward to where Nick goes next.

Really enjoyed this novella, the beautiful detail around the time period and the investigation was right up my street. The author captured me in such a brilliant invocation of the time. I love a good detective plot from 1920s/1930s so this immediately jumped out.

The writing is good, scene setting great and the detail is excellent. The story blends between a struggling private investigator and ex detective, a complex yet simple murder plot in different ways, crime family interest and good old fashioned friendship, family love and sexual chemistry. All of this in doses.

It’s a great read which I did in two evenings. Enjoyed a lot. Grateful to have received this advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

RC REVIEW⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

I absolutely loved this novella! From the very first page, I was fully immersed in the vibrant world of the 1920s/1930s. The author masterfully captured the essence of the time period, and the detailed writing brought everything to life in a way that felt both authentic and captivating.

The story revolves around a struggling private investigator and former detective, and I found the mix of a straightforward yet complex murder plot, crime family intrigue, and the rich layers of friendship and romantic tension to be incredibly engaging. The way these elements were woven together kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was thrilled to see how everything unfolded.

Honestly, I couldn’t put this book down and finished it in one sitting! It's the perfect blend of mystery, emotion, and nostalgia that will resonate with anyone who loves a good whodunit. I’m so grateful to have received an advanced review copy, and I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on it. This novella is definitely worth your time—trust me, you won’t regret diving into this brilliantly crafted story!

This is a good one, hugely enjoyable and I recommend you find a copy and devour it. Think Chandler, think Hammett and, why not, think H. Bogart in the role of the PI. The author gets the setting and the mood right for a 1930s gumshoe story and he tells a good tale. Will follow this author.

I received a copy via BookSirens and this is my independent review.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Dance Noir feels like slipping into a smoky jazz club sometime in the early 1930s—where the lights are low, the danger is high, and everyone is hiding something behind a carefully practiced smile.

From the first page, Tom Riggins commits fully to the noir tradition. Nick Gazelle, a down-on-his-luck private detective living on a boat and clinging to his office door as a symbol of better days, is a classic protagonist in the best sense of the word. He’s weary, observant, quietly principled, and just self-aware enough to know the world rarely rewards decency. The prose leans hard into atmosphere.

The 1930s Sacramento setting is a standout. It’s not just a backdrop; it breathes. From rail yards and river fog to elegant hotels and shadowy empty lots, the city feels lived-in and historically grounded. Riggins clearly enjoys the period, and that affection shows in the details—cars, clothing, social dynamics, and the lingering tension of Prohibition’s final days all add texture without becoming distracting.

Selena, the emotional center of the story, is more than a femme fatale cliché. While she initially appears through a very noir lens—beautiful, mysterious, damaged—she gradually reveals layers of fear, resilience, and ambiguity.

Dance Noir doesn’t rush to shock or over-explain. It trusts the reader to connect dots, sit with discomfort, and read between the lines. The mystery unfolds methodically. But, the pacing is slow, especially compared to modern, high-action crime novels. This is a story that lingers, circles, and observes—very much in the spirit of classic noir rather than contemporary thrillers.

I received an advance review copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

eviewed in the United States on January 18, 2026
Format: Kindle
What a delightful and breezy read! I could hear Bogey and McCall as the lead characters. As an author, Tom Riggins is solid. His depiction of the characters and the arc of the story never bogs down in verbosity. Dance Noir was a pleasure to read from start to finish. I will definitely be reading Mr. Riggins' future literary endeavors!

Good Start to a Possible Series
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2025
Format: Kindle
In Dance Noir: The Latin Beauty, Tom Riggins brings the 1930s to life. Under his skillful pen, Sacramento, California, comes alive with speakeasies, dancing, and life lived on a boat docked under a bridge. There's also Selena, a beautiful woman caught in a tough situation. Did she kill her husband as the police suspect? Can she be helped by Nick Gazelle, an aging former cop turned private investigator?

Riggins takes on gangsters and a mob-style killing with a very slight potential to start a gang war between Victor Reyes’ Sacramento gang and Juanita “the Duchess” Spinelli, who heads a mob in San Francisco. But is that true? Or is it an internal argument between Victor and his son, Luis?

I enjoyed this novella about Nick Gazelle. But I would have liked to see more tension between the rival gangs and more backstory about Nick Gazelle. Details about Gazelle and the other gang were somewhat sparse. It seems the other gang was mentioned only to create some slight tension in the story. Otherwise, tension within this novella was minimal.

Highly recommended ✨♥️
Reviewed in India on January 3, 2026
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Dance Noir: The Latin Beauty pulls you straight into the gritty world of Nick Gazelle, a private eye who lives on instinct and danger . From the moment a mysterious envelope arrives, the story locks you into a pulse-pounding chase through betrayal and secrets. The atmosphere is classic noir—dark, seductive, and impossible to escape.

As Nick steps deeper into the case, he faces a shattered couple, sloppy police work, and crime bosses who would rather bury the truth than reveal it . Every page tightens the tension, pulling you through a maze of motives, lies, and high-stakes danger. The writing keeps you guessing, never letting you relax for a second.

The heart of the story beats around the enigmatic Latin beauty—a woman named Selena wrapped in charm, danger, and unanswered questions . Nick must decide whether she’s an ally or a threat, and that suspense becomes one of the book’s most addictive elements. The twists keep hitting, each one sharper than the last.

With sharp dialogue, gritty streets, and a detective who follows his own rules, Tom Riggins delivers a story that feels both classic and fresh . Dance Noir is a must-read for fans of Chandler, Hammett, and anyone who loves a tough mystery filled with danger, seduction, and unforgettable.

Dance Noir feels like slipping into a smoky jazz club sometime in the early 1930s—where the lights are low, the danger is high, and everyone is hiding something behind a carefully practiced smile.

From the first page, Tom Riggins commits fully to the noir tradition. Nick Gazelle, a down-on-his-luck private detective living on a boat and clinging to his office door as a symbol of better days, is a classic protagonist in the best sense of the word. He’s weary, observant, quietly principled, and just self-aware enough to know the world rarely rewards decency. The prose leans hard into atmosphere.

The 1930s Sacramento setting is a standout. It’s not just a backdrop; it breathes. From rail yards and river fog to elegant hotels and shadowy empty lots, the city feels lived-in and historically grounded. Riggins clearly enjoys the period, and that affection shows in the details—cars, clothing, social dynamics, and the lingering tension of Prohibition’s final days all add texture without becoming distracting.

Selena, the emotional center of the story, is more than a femme fatale cliché. While she initially appears through a very noir lens—beautiful, mysterious, damaged—she gradually reveals layers of fear, resilience, and ambiguity.

Dance Noir doesn’t rush to shock or over-explain. It trusts the reader to connect dots, sit with discomfort, and read between the lines. The mystery unfolds methodically. But, the pacing is slow, especially compared to modern, high-action crime novels. This is a story that lingers, circles, and observes—very much in the spirit of classic noir rather than contemporary thrillers.

I received an advance review copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read!
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2026
Format: Paperback
I purchased this book directly from the author at a book sales & signing event.
Dance Noir was a fun quick read. Being from the Sacramento area, loved picturing the local sites mentioned. Slick writing Mr. Riggins!
Pleasure meeting you and hearing about the future books to come!