SECOND TIME AROUND is a wonderful book in how it captures the 1920s and time travel. The plot and setting is vividly caught in a neat style. However, there are few redeeming qualities about the narrator. He continually "grabs" his girlfriend (and gets quite possessive over her during one scene at a nightclub) and constantly refers to her beauty and the fact that they make love every night. He also likes to pat himself on the back a lot in his relations with people and comes across as patronizing rather than sincere. He "conveniently" solves Dorothy Parkers problems by "giving" her a man and fails to remember that there were women at the Algonquin Table as well as men. (This fact can be verified by several reference sources.)
It seems that he has confused being old fashioned (which is fine) with being ignorant (women arent helpless). Way too much time is spent on the fact that FBI director Hoover was gay, as if that were the reason he was corrupt.
While it is true that Althea is given the opportunity to help with the protagonists problems, she is often left behind and patronized. Hopefully, Mr. Danns third book in the third series (about World War 11) will give Althea her due. This storyteller is definitely talented and able to keep the reader glued to the page. Maybe next time hell leave out the subtle sexism and homophobia.
