A gutsy Manhattan socialite encounters murder and corruption at the World’s Fair in this captivating historical cozy mystery for readers of Victoria Thompson, Susan Elia MacNeal, and Rhys Bowen. New York City, 1939. A rising star at the Daily Trumpet, Elizabeth “Biz” Adams has been sent to the World’s Fair—billed as the “World of Tomorrow,” a look toward a brighter future even as the drumbeats of … even as the drumbeats of war grow louder—to cover a robbery. What she stumbles upon instead is a dead woman, dumped into the Aquacade’s pool with a nylon stocking wrapped around her neck.
Elizabeth snaps a photo as the police arrest Joey Dorman, a gentle young hot dog vendor who made no secret of his obsession with the murder victim. Even though she’s thrilled that her photo makes the front page, the fear and confusion evident on Joey’s face are haunting. So Elizabeth vows to prove his innocence—or his guilt—with her partner at the Daily Trumpet, Ralph Kaminsky. Meanwhile, her romance with Detective Sal Marino is heating up, and Elizabeth is more determined than ever to follow her heart.
But when Kaminsky’s efforts to expose the real killer land him in the hospital, Elizabeth is forced to continue the investigation on her own. And as she tries to narrow down the long list of suspects, she discovers a dark secret running through the Fair—a secret some would kill to protect.
Look for all of Peg Cochran’s delightful mysteries featuring Elizabeth Adams, which can be read together or separately:
MURDER, SHE REPORTED
MURDER, SHE UNCOVERED
MURDER, SHE ENCOUNTERED
more
Murder, She Encountered by Peg Cochran has Elizabeth “Biz” Adams visiting the New York World’s Fair with veteran crime reporter, Ralph Kaminsky when a woman is murdered. The police arrest hot dog vender, Joey Dorman for the crime but things do not add up. Ralph and Biz dig deeper into the case in the hopes of a big story. When Ralph ends up in the hospital with bronchitis, Biz continues to investigate. Unfortunately, someone is not happy with Biz’ questions and decides to help her cool off. Someone has a secret that they will kill for which is evident when a second victim turns up at the fair. Ralph springs himself from the hospital and rejoins Biz to get to the bottom of this perplexing case. Murder, She Encountered is the third in the Murder She Reported Series. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. However, I have enjoyed reading the series in order which has allowed me to get to know Ralph Kaminsky and Elizabeth “Biz” Adams. Elizabeth comes from a well-to-family, but she chafes at the endless rules and restrictions. Her mother, Helen does not understand Elizabeth’s desire to work. It is a good thing that Biz’ parents do not take the Daily Trumpet, or they would lock Elizabeth in her room. Ralph Kaminsky is a veteran crime reporter who grabs Biz whenever he goes out on a story. He is the gruff type with a heart of gold. You can tell that he cares for Elizabeth. Ralph and Elizabeth make a great team. Detective Sal Marino is Elizabeth’s beau and she is falling for the handsome detective. She can see a future with Marino, but Elizabeth cannot say the same for her mother. I found Murder, She Encountered to be well-written with steady pacing. I can tell that Peg Cochran has done her research. I enjoyed her descriptions of the World’s Fair taking place in New York in 1939. The lingo is accurate for the time period along with the clothing and types of conveyances. We get to see what it was like to take the subway in 1939. There are new inventions mentioned like nylon from Dupont and air conditioning. Elizabeth shocks her mother by going out in trousers which were made popular by Katherine Hepburn. Mr. & Mrs. Adams went out to view The Philadelphia Story and Kay Kyser’s “Three Little Fishes” was playing on the radio (FYI—Kay Kyser is a man). The mystery was complex and there was active investigating throughout the story. I like how all the pieces tied together. The author really thought out this multifaceted whodunit. The ending has me anxious for the next Murder She Reported novel. Murder, She Encountered is an engrossing cozy mystery with a mystifying mystery, exciting exhibits, soaring temperatures, a poorly reporter, meddlesome models, and a probing photographer.
This series remains top notch. It takes place in 1939 in and around New York and the world`s fir. Biz and Kominsky continue to make a great team and are fortunate (and smart) enough to scoop other papers regularly. They dig deep and even get to the crimes and criminals faster than the police.
This gives Biz a chance to leak information to her boyfriend, Detective Marino.
Although boyfriend may be too strong a word, their attraction continues. Surprisingly Biz`s parents seem to like her young man. Her mother confesses that she herself had an infatuation before getting married. I that what this is? Can two people from different sides of the track have a meaningful relationship?
Biz has time to ponder this as she also chases clues and finds herself in danger.
Typically working as a team, she finds herself investigating alone. When more than one murder occur, could they be linked?
Are Biz`s dreams of becoming a real reporter coming true? Is it time to leave the next and safety of her parents` home? Will what she find at the World`s Fair be anything like her own future?
Exciting as well as dangerous. The descriptions and references with intricate details make all the difference.
MURDER, SHE ENCOUNTERED by Peg Cochran
The Third Murder, She Reported Mystery
It’s 1939 and the World’s Fair has come to New York City. Elizabeth “Biz” Adams and her newspaper partner, Ralph Kaminsky, take the train to Queens to report on a robbery at the Fair, but what they find is a murdered woman. As the pair work to get the scoop, Kaminsky’s health takes a turn for the worse. Determined to make him proud, and to prove she can do things on her own, Biz continues the investigation while he recuperates. Surely, the hot dog vendor is innocent, especially when so many others look guilty. If the murder wasn’t perplexing enough, Biz also has the conundrum of her relationship with Detective Sal Marino. One thing’s for certain, Elizabeth Adams is ready to assert her independence and live her life on her own terms.
1939 was an amazing year, fantastic movies were released (THE WIZARD OF OZ and GONE WITH THE WIND are just two) and my dad was born. Needless to say I was pumped to read about Biz’s 1939 adventures at the World’s Fair. The descriptions of the Fair made me feel as if I was actually there, feeling the heat and venturing into the World of Tomorrow although I was eighty years in the past. This special setting made the mystery that much more intriguing. The mystery led Biz and Kaminsky into the lives of some very interesting characters, from the Dupont girls playing tug of war with nylon stockings to residents of Hell’s Kitchen. 1939 was also a historic year in Europe as Hitler invaded Poland. Hints of what was to come can be found on the pages, from a co-worker’s fear for his family to the comments made by Biz’s brother’s new girlfriend; hints that add authenticity along with a somber note for those of us who know the future.
I really like Elizabeth and would like to think we’d be good friends. She could have an easy life, but she eschews upper class convention and that gilded cage and instead makes a life for herself. Not only does she have a job, but she’s good at it. Biz is everything you want in a protagonist. She’s smart and resourceful as well as loyal and determined. She also has a few flaws. I like her developing relationship with Marino and, like her, wonder where it will lead. Times are changing and so is she.
MURDER, SHE ENCOUNTERED is an engaging mystery that captures the essence of the year 1939, from the optimism of tomorrow to the concerns in Europe, from sticking with tradition to striking out on one’s own.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
Murder, She Encountered by Peg Cochran, is an outstanding mystery with characters that have grit and substance set in historical New York, including the World Fair.
Murder at the World Fair, will Elizabeth and Kaminsky crack the case before police detective Marino?
Our Sleuth
Elizabeth Adams is a socialite and crime photographer for the Daily Trumpet. She is making changes to her life in this installment. Elizabeth lives a pretty sweet life with servants and money. Will she go it on her own? I believe that she will and that she will make it. However, her mother is not going to be happy about anything that Elizabeth wants.
I like that Elizabeth is smart, kind and she is a great photographer. Elizabeth’s relationship with Kaminsky is sweet, and the two of them make a great news team, plus they seem to take care of each other.
Detective Sal Marino
Marino and Elizabeth have an attraction, but they are from different parts of society. Marino doesn’t seem to mind. He introduced her to his family, and she to hers. Will Elizabeth give up her status to be with Marino? Seriously, does she have to give up anything, can’t she be who she wants?
Marino is intelligent, good looking, and is a great conversationalist. I like it when he introduces Elizabeth to foods that she hasn’t ever had before. I think that they are a fabulous couple and I hope they will make it.
The Mystery
There is a young lady murdered at the World Fair, and then a French sailor is killed at a local bar. However, are these murders related? The cause of death is different in each one. What could a working girl and a French sailor have in common? Then the young lady’s boyfriend ends up dead too. Elizabeth and Kaminsky are on the case. Kaminsky ends up in the hospital for a day or two, but he is like a dog with a bone. He and Elizabeth are going to break this story wide open.
Five Stars for Murder, She Encountered by Peg Cochran
I loved this story. Peg Cochran transported me to New York in the 1920s with this well-written mystery. The descriptions and the smells bring it all to life. So, it’s five stars for Murder, She Encountered by Peg Cochran. I am recommending this to all historical mystery readers out there.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Murder, She Encountered by Peg Cochran.
This Guest Review is for Baroness’ Book Trove. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book on your site and to the author for supplying this marvelous book.
~Jen
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I spent today reading Peg Cochran’s MURDER SHE ENCOUNTERED and enjoying time travel to the 1939 NYC World’s Fair, an excellent setting (I searched online for photos to extend the experience) and gripping adventure.
Elizabeth Adam’s mother doesn’t think it’s proper for a young lady to take photos of crime scenes, and mother doesn’t know the half of it. The adventures “Biz” and Kaminsky have in pursuit of news scoops are perhaps too risky, but they are hopeless to resist, incurably bitten by the “news bug.”
Elizabeth’s mother also thinks Detective Sal Marino, while charming, is merely Elizabeth’s fun flirtation before she settles down with “a suitable young man.” I’m willing to bet she’s wrong, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Tracking down the truth about a murder at the Fair proves difficult . . . so many lies, so many puzzles, so much danger. The search takes them on a thorough exploration of the Fair and the city, from low to high, savory and “un.” Through it all, good people look out for one another, even when told to “stop fussing,” which I liked. I also liked the inclusion of the Queen Mary, which I once toured, a nice memory.
I enjoyed the adventure, from ballroom to back alleys, vicariously, while I stayed safe and snug at home, and I do not regret neglected chores one bit. I do wonder, though, was John the competent water rescuer who I think he was? I’m going to say yes, but “you don’t have to take my word for it.” If you read series in order, this is book 3, but it could stand alone quite nicely, your call.
It’s 1939, and Daily Trumpet photographer Elizabeth “Biz” Adams and her partner Ralph Kaminsky are investigating a murder at the World’s Fair in the sweltering heat of a New York summer. When Kaminsky is sidelined with an illness, Biz is forced to handle most of the investigating on her own but that’s okay because Biz is brave, tenacious, spunky, and she works hard to get the job done. This book is the third in the series, and I really enjoy the setting of a simpler time in history. As an added bonus, Ms. Cochran’s storytelling is very reminiscent of the Golden Age of Mystery. Very enjoyable, and the mystery kept me guessing!
This is a historical cozy, set in 1939 at the World’s Fair. Biz (Elizabeth) is a woman of the future with a job as a photographer for a newspaper. She and her journalist partner Ralph Kaminsky, have been sent to the Fair to report on a burglary. While there, they stumble upon a murder. Kaminsky and Biz are sure there is more to the story. So they dig deeper.
This was a fun and easy to read. It didn’t keep me turning pages and I am not sure why. Perhaps the setting and time period? I liked Biz. She was trying to break out of the normal expectations for someone of her position. Her boyfriend is an Italian police officer, she works, and wants to move into her own apartment. Kaminsky is exactly what you imagine a journalist of the time to be. Hard as nails, smokes and drinks to excess and is always chasing a story.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and offer my honest opinion on this book.
Murder, She Encountered is the third book in the Murder, She Reported mystery series.
Elizabeth “Biz” Adams, photographer for the Daily Trumpet and reporter, Ralph Kaminsky gets a call to head out to the World’s Fair to report on the finding of a body in the Aquacade. As they are approaching the Aquacade they pass the police escorting Joey Dorman who has been arrested for the murder of Florence “Flo” Grimm. Flo worked at the DuPont exhibit, who was promoting their latest discovery…nylon hose, which Flo had been strangled with. Biz and Kaminsky don’t feel that Dorman is guilty and set out to learn who the killer might be. In their questioning of Flo’s co-workers, they are considering her boyfriend as a prime suspect, but soon they also have to start considering some of her co-workers.
Just as they are on the right path to solving the murder, Kaminsky needs to be hospitalized and Biz begins to wonder if the killer will be found. But then Biz realizes that she has been on several assignments with Kaminsky and decides that she just might be able to learn who the killer might be.
I love this series, not only are the books well written and told, but they also have a wonderful cast of characters. In addition, the reader also learns what life was like, in this book, 1939, living conditions and costs of various items. I also enjoy reading about Biz and how she deals with her mother. The mother wants Biz to find a young man from society and marry and give up her job at the paper. But Biz has met Detective Sal Marino and feels that he might be the man she would like to have a romantically involved with.
I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in this very interesting series.
I really liked Murder, She Encountered. Another good murder mystery by this Author. I have enjoyed all three books in this series. Elizabeth and Kaminsky are at it again chasing leads to quite a few murders at The World’s Fair. A good story with bold characters and a very good ending.
#MurderSheEncountered #NetGalley
I give Murder, She Encountered 4 stars for its good murder mystery.
I would recommend this book to Cozy Mystery Fans.
Elizabeth ‘Biz’ Adams wants to earn her way in life as a newspaper reporter and to live on her own, even if it means moving from the posh life she has grown up in to a cold water flat. She is a very good photographer and teams up with a veteran reporter, Ralph Kaminsky. One very hot summer day in 1939, they get a tip that there has been an armed hold up of a hot dog stand at the New York World’s Fair. Off they go, eager to scoop the other newspapers, having been told that they are the first to get this tip. Upon arriving at the fair they discover that the tip is a bust. As they start to leave there is some commotion and the police pass by with a young man in custody. When Biz looks into his eyes, she is certain he isn’t guilty of anything. With the hope of an even bigger scoop than a robbed hot dog stand, they track down the crime scene and the cop on the case is her boyfriend. A young woman, working at the DuPont exhibit demonstrating the new nylon stockings, is found floating in an exhibition pool, a nylon stocking wrapped around her neck. Now that is a huge scoop and Biz has taken lots of photographs, ready to land on the front page.
She and Ralph start to follow the case but soon Biz has to go solo when Ralph ends up in the hospital. No worries, she is intelligent, gutsy and clever. Investigating soon puts her in the killers crosshairs and tests all of her skills.
The setting of 1939 and the New York World’s Fair were, to my ear, pitch perfect – start to finish. The description of the Summer heat and the sights, sounds and smells of the activity at the fair were so real, they drew me in and kept me hooked. The mystery was well crafted and the characters were well developed. Having enjoyed each of the three books, so far, in this series, I hope there will be many more.
Murder, She Encountered by Peg Cochran is a terrific quasi-cozy mystery and a terrific read for anyone who likes WWII era fiction. One of the outstanding things about this book, which doesn’t always happen, is that the author kept us solidly in 1939 New York between speech patterns, history happening in real time, and social history as it was happening. The mystery was a good one, with the lead characters, a reporter and his female photographer. Ralph Kaminsky was a veteran crime reporter and his sidekick/photographer Elizabeth Adams was a society girl out to make a place in this world. They were a terrific pair, playing off each other constantly. Elizabeth worked hard throughout the book to become more independent, to put aside her parents’ expectations and make her own way in an era where status was everything, and woman stayed living in their parents’ home until they got married and moved to their husband’s home. Where nice girls didn’t date guys from the other side of the tracks. Cochran did a fabulous job keeping all this in the forefront of her novel. Too often authors set the stage in the beginning and then forget all about it as the novel progresses. No Cochran.
A young woman is found drowned/strangled floating in a pool with a pair stockings wrapped around her neck, important in an age where women still wore silk stockings and nylons were just at the cusp of usage. There were several other murders, seemingly not connected, but coincidental. It took the police and Kaminsky/Adams to unravel the whole thing, which they did in the end, through a lot of hoofing around New York City in an age before cell phones, Internet, and Uber. This was an excellent mystery and museum piece, both. I highly recommend it.
I received a free ARC of Murder, She Encountered from Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations expressed herein are solely my own. #netgalley #murdersheencountered
Another excellent addition to this series.
It’s delightful to see the characters developing professionally, personally, and romantically.
The World’s Fair makes an exciting and diverse setting for all the adventures.
Kaminsky is lucky to have a smart and forceful friend looking after him!
World’s Fair, NYC, murder investigation, murder, newspapers, reporter
I thought it was great! A woman with brains who isn’t afraid to use them and discovers her calling along the way. Biz was born into an upper class family but that’s just not a good fit for her. She’s been the camera person for an experienced newsman and they’re on the crime beat. On the grounds of the 1939 World’s Fair, the first body is in the show swimming pool and the sleuthing begins. There are other bodies that don’t appear tied to the original at first, an interesting police detective, red herrings, and plot twists. Don’t miss this one!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Random House Publishing Group – Alibi via NetGalley. Thank you!