It is set in 1950s San Francisco and tells the story of Lily Hu, a teenage daughter of Chinese immigrants as she begins to explore her sexuality.

The rights to the publication of Last Night at the Telegraph Club in North America were acquired by Dutton Books for Young Readers' editor Andrew Karre in early 2017, through Lo's agent Michael Bourret.

Called A Scatter of Light, it tells the story of Aria Tang West, who is connected to the two main characters from Last Night at the Telegraph Club.

They praised Lo's "queer positive" story and noted how well through her research the author "skillfully layers rich details" about the main character and Chinatown.

Williams also criticized the heavy focus of the story on worldbuilding, but praised the development of the main character's relationships, and concluded by calling Last Night at the Telegraph Club a "pensive, rich work of queer historical fiction".

"[15] During her acceptance speech, Malinda Lo talked about "diversity and inclusion and living in a time when many books are under siege from people advancing and attempting to enforce conservative views.

[16] In 2024 the book was banned in Texas by the Katy Independent School District on the basis that the novel is "adopting, supporting, or promoting gender fluidity"[17] despite also pronouncing a bullying policy that protects infringements on the rights of the student.