An intrepid 1930s Manhattan socialite uncovers deadly secrets during an assignment to the Hamptons in this riveting historical cozy mystery for readers of Victoria Thompson, Anne Perry, and Rhys Bowen.
Westhampton, 1938. To the dismay of her well-to-do family, Elizabeth “Biz” Adams is quickly establishing herself as a seasoned photographer over at the Daily Trumpet. Growing more confident in her decision to pursue a career, Elizabeth is thrilled when she and her reporter sidekick, Ralph Kaminsky, are sent to Long Island to cover the story of a young maid found dead in one of the glamourous summer homes in the devastating aftermath of the Great New England Hurricane—also known as the Long Island Express.
At first it’s assumed that the young woman was caught in the terrible storm, but when a suspicious wound is found on the side of her head, the police suspect murder. The maid’s death becomes even more tragic when it’s discovered she was pregnant, and with Elizabeth and Kaminsky at the scene of the crime, the Daily Trumpet scoops all the other papers in town.
The young woman’s boyfriend emerges as the likeliest suspect. But as Elizabeth follows the story, she begins to wonder whether someone in the household of the maid’s employers might be responsible—someone who’ll stop at nothing to keep the truth about the baby’s paternity hidden. . . .
My Review
Murder, She Uncovered tells the story of Elizabeth Adams, a press photographer in 1938 New York City. She becomes involved in solving the murder of a maid who died under mysterious circumstances on Long Island. A second case opens up, and she also works to solve that mystery. In between she juggles time in two very different worlds - with her potential love interest, a police detective, and with her society friends and family.
I wanted to read this mystery because it is both a cozy mystery and a historical mystery. I am fascinated by New York history (like the Bowery Boys podcast) and the 1930's NYC setting really appealed to me.
I am absolutely delighted to discover this series! This was my first read in the series, but I intend to go back and read the first book. I also greatly look forward to the next book, which looks like it might involve the 1939 New York World's Fair from the cover art.
The author did an exceptional job with period details. There are so many little details I loved, like Elizabeth waiting to read the new popular novel Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier, a reference to the new movie Bringing Up Baby, her mother listening to the Chase and Sanborn hour on the radio. There are details about old fashioned restaurants and nightclubs, and a fun scene where Elizabeth tries pizza - a food that is new to her. There is even a chapter set in Luna Park amusement park in Coney Island!
I really liked Elizabeth and her independence and determination. Her career as a photographer in the 1930's was fascinating. She also has an uncanny knack at unraveling mysteries! I liked Sal Marino, her boyfriend, as well. The difference in their backgrounds made their relationship especially interesting.
The mystery was well written and fast paced. It kept me guessing right up to the resolution, with several viable suspects.
I found Murder, She Uncovered to be an absolute delight from start to finish. I enthusiastically recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries and historical mysteries -- and especially to other readers who love both genres. Five stars!
Mystery writing lets Peg indulge her curiosity under the guise of “work” (aka research). As a kid, she read the entire set of children’s encyclopedias her parents gave her and has been known to read the dictionary. She put pen to paper at age seven when she wrote plays and forced her cousins to perform them at Christmas dinner. She switched to mysteries when she discovered the perfect hiding place for a body down the street from her house.
When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading, cooking, spoiling her granddaughter and checking her books’ stats on Amazon.
A former Jersey girl, Peg now resides in Michigan with her husband and Westhighland white terrier, Reg. She is the author of the Sweet Nothings Lingerie series
(written as Meg London), the Gourmet De-Lite series
, the Lucille series
, the Cranberry Cove series, 
and the Farmer’s Daughter ser
ies.
