A while back I won a fun mystery book from one of my favorite blogs, Favorte PASTimes. Miss Fortune by Sara Mills is the first in a series based on Allie Fortune, private detective. I have to say that I've always loved this genre of detective stories. You know, the Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett kind of stuff. This is like that, only instead of Bogie being the detective, you've got Bacall.
The novel takes place in New York City a couple of years after World War II. Just like all the books in this type of genre, there is a knock at the door, a shaken client, and a case to solve. But what I liked about this series is that I really fell for Allie Fortune. She wasn't a P.I. Princess, even though that was her nickname. Instead, her character is level headed and quite human.
The reason why I'm going to keep reading this series is that Allie has her own personal mystery to solve. I don't want to tell you any spoilers but there is an interesting little love triangle and a couple of mysterious disappearances which are going to make me pick up the next novel, Miss Match.
Judging by this first book, the series isn't a gritty, dirty detective series that, say, Alan Furst may write, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Have any of you all read this series?
Which brings me to.......a GIVEAWAY!
I found a paperback copy at the New York Public Library's sale shelf so I'd love it if someone read this book and told me how they liked it.
The contest is open through May 10th. Please leave me a comment with a way to contact you if you win AND tell me if/how/and why you are a fan of this type of detective genre. For instance, my favorite Bogie/Bacall movie is The Big Sleep. Actually it's tied with Dark Passage.
Also Reviewed by:
Favorite PASTimes and Author Interview: Part One and Part Two
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No need to enter me, babe. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm excited to hear about this series! It sounds perfect! I enjoy reading detective and historical fiction. Over the last few years, I've gotten into the Masie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear and recently read the first book in a new series by Charles Todd, A Duty to the Dead. Both of these series feature female detectives in historical settings. I guess one of the reasons I like historical detective fiction is because detectives don't have access to all of the technology we have today. They have to think in a different way. And there are no instantaneous results. Regarding this period in particular, I just love the way women are portrayed as tough but still feminine. I guess nobody does it better than Bacall!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win a copy of this book - it's going on my reading list either way!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
I haven't read any of Mills' books. Sounds like they are worth a look as I quite like the genre.
ReplyDeleteI love the The Big Sleep. Somehow, and I am not quite sure how, I've not seen Dark Passage
Great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI like detective stories because I always try to found out who the dirty/evil one is.
Please count me in. Thanks.
avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it
Thanks for the giveaway! I enjoy the mystery genre, especially those whose main character is an independent woman. This one sounds interesting.
ReplyDeletemtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
I'd like to be counted in for this giveaway but I live overseas so do not know if I am eligible.
ReplyDeleteCame over from West of Mars Win a book.
mystica123athotmaildotcom
Love mysteries and love this time period! Being a former Long Islander, the location intrigues me too!
ReplyDeletejanemaritz at yahoo dot com
My favorite mysteries are the old Rex Stout "Nero Wolfe" ones. I also like Phil Rickman's current "Merrily Watkins" series.
ReplyDeleteI love this genre! I really like The Big Sleep too but The Lady in the Lake was slightly better.
ReplyDeleteLadytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com
i would enjoy reading this novel....thanks for the opportunity :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
I'd love to read this book because I love reading detective stories! And Miss Fortune sure sounds great!
ReplyDeleteaikychien at yahoo dot com
I'm a fan of mysteries and books with a strong female character. Sounds fun. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletemtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
I've been reading private detective books since i was young. yes i love mysteries, i love to read how they solve the riddle and problems.
ReplyDeleteand this one sounds great too. i would to try this :)
uniquas at ymail dot com
I just read and reviewed a mystery which is part of a series (which I had not read b efore) Who killed Bianca? I have done a mini review today and would love if you could come visit. I love mysteries in every form and this sounds good.
ReplyDeletemystica123athotmaildotcom