On the eve of the heated presidential election of 1892, Miss Hattie Davish arrives in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a scenic resort town where those without the scent of whiskey on their breath have the plight of temperance on their tongues. Summoned for her services as a private secretary, Hattie is looking forward to exploring the hills, indulging her penchant for botany--and getting to know the town's handsome doctor. But it's hard to get her job done with her employer nowhere to be found. . .
An army of unassuming women wielding hatchets have descended on the quiet Ozark village, destroying every saloon in their path--and leaving more than a few enemies in their wake. So when their beloved leader, Mother Trevelyan, is murdered, it's easy to point fingers. Now that she's working for a dead woman, Hattie turns to her trusty typewriter to get to the truth. And as she follows a trail of cryptic death threats, she'll come face to face with a killer far more dangerous than the Demon Rum.
PARTICULARS OF THE BOOK :
Published by: Kensington
Pages: 304
Genre: Historical fiction/Mystery
Author: Anna Loan-Wilsey
Series planned
Find out more: Anna Loan-Wilsey
THE BOOKISH DAME REVIEWS :
On the eve of a presidential election in the late 1800's, the American Women's Temperance Coalition is hard at work in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Travelling secretary, Hattie Davish, has been called on assignment to work as the private secretary to the coalition's president, Mrs. Trevelyan. However, Hattie has difficulty locating her employer right from the start. And, right from the beginning, I'm hooked!
This is a great new time-specific mystery series and heroine! Hattie Davish is engaging and the perfect "private eye" character welding her wise, calculating mind and "only a typewriter." She's curious and adventurous but very professional and methodical...all the right ingredients for solving mysteries and crimes. Just love her snooping skills!
Ms Loan-Wilsey is very adept at creating not only characters that draw interest, but setting them in a fantastic timeframe. The town of Eureka Springs came to life in her capable hands, and the peoples were so enjoyable. I felt she'd really set me down in the 1890's. I also enjoyed the book in conjunction with our recent presidential election and the issues we faced in our own time.
This is a new author of what I think will be a wonderful and fun-filled series for historical mystery lovers. I had a very enjoyable afternoon's read!
4 stars Deborah/TheBookishDame
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