A .38, a nip of gin and sensational legs get Depression-era private investigator Maggie Sullivan out of most scrapes – until a stranger threatens to bust her nose, she’s hauled in on suspicion of his murder and she finds herself in the cross-hairs of a crime boss with connections at City Hall.Moving through streets where people line up at soup kitchens, Maggie draws information from sources … sources others overlook: The waitress at the dime store lunch counter where she has breakfast; a ragged newsboy; the other career girls at her rooming house.
Her digging gets her chloroformed and left in a ditch behind the wheel of her DeSoto. She makes her way to an upscale bordello and gets tea – and information – from the madam herself.
A gunman puts a bullet through Maggie’s hat. Her shutterbug pal on the evening paper warns her off. A new cop whose presence unsettles her thinks she’s crooked. Before she finds all the answers she needs, she faces a half-crazed man with a gun, and a far more lethal point-blank killer.
If you like Robert B. Parker’s hard boiled Spencer series and strong women sleuths, don’t miss this one-of-a-kind Ohio detective from a time in United States history when dames wore hats — but seldom a Smith & Wesson.
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Not the type of book I typically enjoy. So, in all fairness, it may be for you.
It held my interest and was witty and engaging. I had a hard time with the prevailing attitude towards women, but that’s how it was back in the day…
Maggie Sullivan has become my new favorite historical PI. Discovered this series a week ago and am now on #5. Very well written and I love Maggie’s personality as well as her extreme moxie. Really like all the secondary chars. also especially young Heebs. There’s always something happening and she gets into so much trouble with her step by step …
The setting delighted me–just coming out of the great Depression. I got a kick out of the cost of living in that time. A good mystery nice plot twists. I also like a series book that can stand on its own!! I look forward to more from this author.
I enjoyed it.
A good read
4 the time. I thought it was a lot of fun at times it drug on with too much description but in the end I thought it was a good book
Written in the style of some 1930’s tough talk and gangster slang books and movies. Not great literature, but an entertaining read.
Great read. I couldn’t put it down.
Lady PI in 1940. Can she solve the case in time?
I liked the action and the lack of sexy scenes. I liked that the main character was a woman who acted rationally and realistic.
Pretty good but not great. Predictable.
uiv hghj
I found this book to be somewhat corny.
this book is shit
This was a fun read for anyone that would enjoy “The Fireside Theaters” “Nick Danger, Third Eye”.
The title kind of gives you a clue how the story is written. Sam Spade, only Sam is more like Samantha.