May 1942: Geneva Alexander flees Philadelphia and joins the USO to escape the engagement her parents have arranged for her, only to wind up as the number one suspect in her betrothed’s murder investigation. Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, she must find the real killer before she loses her sight…or is convicted for a crime she didn’t commit.Set in the early days of America’s entry into WWII … into WWII and featuring cameo appearances from Hollywood stars, Murder of Convenience is a tribute to individuals who served on the home front, especially those who did so in spite of personal difficulties, reminding us that service always comes as a result of sacrifice. Betrayal, blackmail, and a barrage of unanswered questions… Murder of Convenience is the first in the exciting new “Women of Courage” series.
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The author has set this story in WWII and we are with a young woman who is working with a disability and succeeding at helping with the war effort, using her God given gifts.
This book has a bit of everything with the War, greed, arranging people lives, murder, and a bit of sweet romance, and throw in some sleuthing on the part of one who maybe the murderer.
A book that will keep you on your toes, and quickly page-turning to find the answers, and as you think you know the answers things seem to get more puzzling and you wonder whom can you trust.
An enjoyable read and a reminder of a different time in our past.
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
There are some great elements to this book that I want to point out. I loved the setting of the story in 1942 and was very intrigued about the USO. I don’t think I have read many books that talk about this great organization that helped those serving to keep us safe. To me it was the best part of the book. It highlighted something that has almost been forgotten. The author does a good job of explaining how valuable it was during the war.
Geneva was a good character who deals with Retinitis Pigmentosa which can hamper sight a great deal. I’m glad she didn’t use this to stop her from living her life. Her parents were mean, showed very little love towards Geneva and was very domineering over her. I can’t believe how low her father stoops to make money and the back lash will last for years to come.
The story is about the murder of a young man who has been selected by Geneva’s father to become her husband. Thurgood is as rotten as they come. The thought of Geneva being around him made me angry. I can’t think of one good thing to say about him. The author does a good job of making Thurgood a character everyone wants dead. It didn’t surprise me to learn that when Thurgood is found dead, Geneva is the main suspect.
I liked how Geneva took matters into her own hands and found a place to get away from the hold her parents had on her life. Talk about overbearing parents would be an understatement to describe them. The story does have quite a few people who I considered to be the killer, but I did’t figure it out till the end. I liked the faith element in the book and how Geneva must learn to trust again. Overall good story and a lesson in forgiveness and trust.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Geneva Anderson is twenty-three and seeing impaired and she feels stifled by her overprotective parents. She is livid when she learns that they have arranged for her to marry a man she doesn’t love because of their fear that she will one day be blind and alone; she is even more distraught when he informs her that he probably won’t remain faithful and that this will be a marriage of convenience only. When she hears about the USO she realizes that this could be her chance to break away and prove that she is capable of taking care of herself so she hurriedly leaves her home. The man that she is trying to escape follows her and is found murdered and suddenly Geneva finds herself facing the possiblility of being both blind and in jail. What follows is a story filled with mystery, intrigue, romance and history. Geneva gets a job as a singer with the USO and her sweet nature and beautiful voice make her popular with the soldiers. She also earns the attention of the musical director Devon Royal but she doesn’t believe that he could possibly be interested in someone who may one day be blind. As she struggles to prove her innocence she encounters many people with motives as she uncovers multiple clues and even becomes involved in an undercover sting operation with The Pinkerton Detective Agency. Devon steps in to help her and it is with his support and protection that the true killer is finally discovered.
I am a fan of history and it is apparent that the author did a lot of research of this time period. I enjoyed learning about the patriotism of the young women who joined the USO so that they could support the war effort and we see how very important that performing for the troops was to help the morale of the soldiers serving in WWII. There are mentions of popular entertainers such as Dinah Shore and Ann Miller who performed for the troops and Linda Shenton Matchett uses some of the popular slang of the period, such as “I’ll give you all the skinny” and “regular gumshoe” to make the story more realistic. She also mentions the rationing of food and there is one instance when Geneva puts on a pair of nylons and she wonders how the costume department was able to get them.
Matchett’s story also satisfied my love of mysteries and I was kept busy trying to figure out who did what and just how it was done. I was very surprised when I finally learn the killer’s identity.
And finally, this is a story of hope, faith and forgiveness, both human and divine. Geneva and Devon believe in the power of prayer and they often talk to God. The granting of forgiveness is shown through Geneva’s relationship with her parents and through a character who realizes that he has failed to live a life that is pleasing to God.
I thoroughly enjoyed Murder of Convenience and I recommend it to all who enjoy Christian fiction filled with history and mystery.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Murder of Convenience by Linda Shenton Matchett is set in Philadelphia during WWII.
Mr. Alexander has just told his daughter, Geneva that she is betrothed to Thurgood Mayfield. The trouble is this is not Regency England but America in 1942 and Geneva is of age. Her father is just trying to provide for his daughter because she has a degenerative eye condition that could find her blind. Or is that the real reason he wants Geneva to marry Thurgood?
Geneva rejucts the plan to marry and forges off on her own to Baltimore to apply for a job with the USO. There she meets Devon, the stage manager, doing what he can for the troops. He tried to enlist but has a medical condition of his own. There, Thurgood comes to take her back home to Philadelphia, but she refuses to go with him, loudly denying they are engaged. Later, when Thurgood is found dead….Geneva is considered a suspect. Together, she and Devon vow to try to find the real killer and clear her name.
Ms. Matchett writes a plucky heroine trying to overcome her infirmity and become her own person. She seeks answers from God through prayer. The hero is thoughtful, supportive and shows his Christian faith.
With an inside look at the USO during WWII, this cozy mystery has a great plot that will keep you guessing until the end.
*I received this ebook from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Murder of convenience
A man was murdered and the person who is the main suspect is innocent. Geneva has to prove she is innocent. I loved her character, even though she had an eye disease she didn’t let stop her. She joins the local USO to help entertain the service men. The book is set during WWII. I love books set in this time period, definitely a hard time in history. I did not figure out who do it but had my suspicions on several different characters. I kept thinking it was this one guy but I was wrong. Enjoyed the mystery but my favorite part was the USO. It was like I was there watching the show during rehearsals and the actual show.
I received an complementary copy of the book from the author through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
We are stateside with more and more troops heading for the war. The USO has been started to encourage the men before they ship out. Geneva, suffering from extreme tunnel vision, can’t volunteer to help in most areas, but with her beautiful voice, the USO is happy to have her. With an arranged marriage behind her, she suddenly finds herself the primary suspect in the murder of that same ex-fiancé. Becoming an amateur detective, she and her new friends, attempt to discover who really killed him. The author has done a great job making me suspect everyone except the one who really did it. I spent several most enjoyable hours reading this book!
I received this ebook as part of CelebrateLit and all impressions and opinions are my own.
Set during WWII, this book is a great read for those who enjoy historical fiction. We are given some insight into the USO and the girls who performed for our troops. It was nice to see the patriotism that drove them.
Murder of Convenience has almost anything a reader could ask for. History. Danger. Intrigue. And of course light romance. There is a mystery to be solved that kept me guessing to the end. I thought I knew “who dun it” but I was very wrong.
Character Geneva Alexander deals with a physical challenge that isn’t just ignored or swept under the rug by the author. We learn a bit about Retinitis Pigmentosa and what could be ahead for Geneva. Yet she perseveres through the challenge. Her strength to solve the mystery and to allow love into her life is encouraging to those facing struggles.
I really enjoyed this book! Matchett has great, real to life characters that you will appreciate. I recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Often I find myself reaching for books from specific periods in history – and most recently that period revolves around World War II. So when I found about this book, I knew I wanted to read it. It did not disappoint. With a lot of action, intrigue, suspense and yes – even murder, this book delivers.
Geneva Alexander, suffering from severe tunnel vision and facing the loss of her sight, inspires and amazes the reader with her dedication and determination to find a killer, despite putting herself at risk. Plot twists and turns abound throughout the story, including some that I felt were coming along with some I could not see coming.
Throughout the book, I thought I might know who the real killer was but still was not sure until the end. I loved how Geneva found many old acquaintances along the way and always demonstrated her love of Christ. Despite her limitations because of her sight, Geneva still manages to find a way to serve by becoming part of the USO. Her ability to sing is truly a gift. Her friends (old and new) who come beside her to support her and help prove her innocence provide an important backdrop for the story. I also love how the detective investigating the case strives to prove her guilty and innocent at the same time.
Devon Royal, the stage manager for the USO, proves to be a worthy protector and defender for Geneva. The two of them make a perfect pair for getting into mischief and finding themselves in harm’s way while investigating the murder. After all, who better to prove one’s innocence besides one’s own self.
I appreciate the amount of time and effort it must have taken to do the research to make this a believable story. So check out the first book of the Women of Courage series for yourself and let me know what you think about it.