Mystery Monday

Happy Monday!!

Time for the mystery meme hosted by Ms. M. It's the opportunity to share a mystery you're reading or planning to read sometime soon.

  

Today I'm featuring a recent read, The Silver Gun, the first book in the Art Deco Mystery Series by L.A. Chandlar . . .

 

My thoughts:  The Silver Gun introduces readers to Lane Sanders, a talented and resourceful personal aide to legendary New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. Under LaGuardia's leadership, New York is a city of competing powers: gangsters and a corrupt political machine fighting each other for control of lucrative financial opportunities. The outspoken mayor's mission to rid the city of these negative influences has ruffled many feathers, and it isn't long before Lane lands in the cross hairs of dangerous operatives. Can she outwit these criminal forces without risking her own personal safety?

This novel is an impressive entry in the historical fiction/cozy mystery genre that includes an accurate depiction of New York City at a turbulent yet bustling time, and features famous New Yorkers including LaGuardia and Eleanor Roosevelt. I was initially drawn to the story for several reasons: it's the first in a series; it has a strong female lead who is ahead of her time; and it's set in 1930's New York. After fulfilling these desirable elements, The Silver Gun delivers an imaginative plot, solid historical research, and a satisfying tale.

The series is definitely off to a good start with multiple rich scenarios for further development, including Lane's childhood and tragic past, and several other interesting characters with story lines of their own. Book 2 in the series will be released on September 25, 2018 under the title, The Gold Pawn.

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From Goodreads:   New York City, 1936. In the midst of the Great Depression, the Big Apple is defiantly striving toward an era infused with art, architecture, and economic progress under the dynamic Mayor La Guardia. But those in City Hall know that tumultuous times can inspire both optimism and deadly danger . . .

It s been six months since Lane Sanders was appointed Mayor Fiorello "Fio" LaGuardia's new personal aide, and the twenty-three-year-old is sprinting in her Mary Janes to match her boss's pace. Despite dealing with vitriol from the Tammany Hall political machine and managing endless revitalization efforts, Fio hasn't slowed down a bit during his years in office. And luckily for Lane, his unpredictable antics are a welcome distraction from the childhood memories that haunt her dreams and the silver gun she'll never forget. 

When Lane gets attacked and threatened by an assailant tied to one of the most notorious gangsters in the city, even the mayor can't promise her safety. The corrupt city officials seem to be using Lane as a pawn against Fio for disgracing their party in the prior election. But why was the assailant wielding the exact same gun from her nightmares? 

Balancing a clandestine love affair and a mounting list of suspects, Lane must figure out how the secrets of her past are connected to the city's underground crime network before someone pulls the trigger on the most explosive revenge plot in New York history . . .

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This Mystery Monday post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution. Sharing this original post on Twitter, Google+ and/or other blogs with appropriate recognition is appreciated.

 

Mmm--Mystery Monday

Mmm--Mystery Monday 

Happy Monday!!

Time for the relatively new meme hosted by Ms. M. It's the opportunity to share a mystery you're reading or planning to read sometime soon.  Since mystery is one of my favorite genres, it's a perfect fit for me.  I'm hoping to see many of my blogger friends posting here as well.

 

Today I'm featuring a recent read, Alice and the Assassin, the first book in the Alice Roosevelt Series . . .

My thoughts:  A thoroughly entertaining historical mystery featuring the unconventional 17-year-old first daughter Alice Roosevelt, whose father Teddy has just become president after the assassination of William McKinley. In Koreto's imaginative novel, the highly inquisitive Alice takes it upon herself to investigate the vile act, and in the process finds herself drawn into the company of anarchists and other dangerous characters as she pursues conspiracy theories.

The story is told in the voice of Alice's Secret Service bodyguard Joseph St. Clair, himself a colorful character. A former Rough Rider who served with Teddy Roosevelt, the fictional St. Clair favors Stetson hats, cowboy boots and long riding coats, which make him stand out in Alice's social circle. The Wyoming lawman is a perfect match for young Alice, however, and the only one with a chance to keep her rambunctious spirit in check. 

Their adventurous investigation is action-packed, and even though they bring it to a successful conclusion, they must answer to the Roosevelt family for Alice's unorthodox behavior and St. Clair's role in aiding and abetting it. Will this dynamic duo survive the consequences? Book two in the series, The Body in the Ballroom, is sure to provide some answers.

This new mystery series delivers a solid whodunit, and a glimpse into the life of a famous historical family, New York society, and national affairs at a very significant time in American history.

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From Goodreads:  In 1902 New York, Alice Roosevelt, the bright, passionate, and wildly unconventional daughter of newly sworn-in President Theodore Roosevelt, is placed under the supervision of Secret Service Agent Joseph St. Clair, ex-cowboy and veteran of the Rough Riders. St. Clair quickly learns that half his job is helping Alice roll cigarettes and escorting her to bookies, but matters grow even more difficult when Alice takes it upon herself to investigate a recent political killing--the assassination of former president William McKinley.

Concerned for her father's safety, Alice seeks explanations for the many unanswered questions about the avowed anarchist responsible for McKinley's death. In her quest, Alice drags St. Clair from grim Bowery bars to the elegant parlors of New York's ruling class, from the haunts of the Chinese secret societies to the magnificent new University Club, all while embarking on a tentative romance with a family friend, the son of a prominent local household.

And while Alice, forced to challenge those who would stop at nothing in their greed for money and power, considers her uncertain future, St. Clair must come to terms with his own past in Alice and the Assassin, the first in R. J. Koreto's riveting new historical mystery series.

This Mmm--Mystery Monday post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for the blog, bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution. Sharing this original post on Twitter, Google+ and/or other blogs with appropriate recognition is appreciated. 

Mmm--Mystery Monday

Happy Monday!!

Today marks the first time I am participating in a relatively new meme hosted by Ms. M. It's the opportunity to share a mystery you're reading or planning to read sometime soon.  Since mystery is one of my favorite genres, it's a perfect fit for me.  I'm hoping to see many of my blogger friends posting here as well.

 

Today I'm featuring an upcoming read, the first book in the Rose Avenue Wine Club Series . . .

 

From Goodreads:  As the newest member of the Rose Avenue Wine Club, Halsey wants to expand her palate--not solve murders. But when a neighbor is found dead, it's up to her to pair the culprit with a deadly crime . . .

Leaving behind a failed marriage, New Yorker Annie "Halsey" Hall is ready to begin the next phase of her life in coastal Southern California. From the moment she arrives at her new digs on cozy Rose Avenue, she looks forward to joining the neighborhood ladies for their weekly Wine Club gathering. With only a rambunctious yellow lab puppy to keep her company, Halsey could really use a confidant--and a glass or two of her favorite white wine . . .

Unfortunately, she finds nothing but red at the Wine Club meeting--and judging by the dead woman lying face down in the backyard, it's not spilled merlot. Halsey accidentally stumbled into the wrong address at the wrong time, and with suspicions about her past on the rise, she must prove that she isn't a killer. Enlisting the eclectic talents of the Wine Club ladies, Halsey searches for the true criminal at large. But separating friends from foes isn't easy on Rose Avenue, and as she racks up a suspect list, Halsey can't shake the feeling that someone in her inner circle has a taste for murder . . .

Why I selected it:  So many reasons:  It's the first in a new series; it's a cozy mystery; it's set in Southern California; the main character is a relocated New Yorker; it's got wine . . . need I say more? I have a library copy of this book, and I'm hoping to read it soon. 

This Mmm--Mystery Monday Meme post was originally composed and/or compiled and published by Catherine for bookclublibrarian.com.  It cannot be republished without attribution.  Retweeting and sharing of this original work on Google+ and/or other blogs (with appropriate recognition) are appreciated.