As WW2 rages, a lone vigilante takes to the streets of New York to wage war against a powerful crime syndicate. She’s the antihero the city needs, hidden in plain sight, with the perfect double life. But the past is catching up to her and it’s not going to be pretty…The Lady Vigilante Series is a delicious love triangle wrapped in dark comedy, with knives on the side…” (Review) ⠀Winner of the … side…” (Review) ⠀
Winner of the Scarlet Stilleto’s HQ Fiction Best Thriller Award.
Winner of the Kindle Book Review Reader’s Choice Award.
Betty Jones has a dark past, which she paints away each day with Avon cosmetics and a bright smile. She’s created a new life with her picture-perfect family, but old scars are beginning to itch.
When a series of heists leave a trail of dead soldiers and missing military cargo, Betty recognizes the calling card of her past demons. Blessed with gifts that make her more than human, Betty is unable to live with the continuing existence of the people who once ruined her, so she embarks on a cold-blooded vigilante mission to be rid of them once and for all. But her enemies are closing in, and Betty’s perfect life is beginning to crack.
In Episode #17, a riot in the slums exposes the seething undercurrent of criminals fighting for dominance on the streets. As Adina’s final court appearance looms, she finds unexpected friendship at St. Augustine’s Home for Unwanted Boys.
The Bowery Flophouse is the seventeenth episode in the thrilling vigilante crime serial readers describe as “An EXPLOSIVE laugh-out-loud story!” with the indomitable protagonist, Betty Jones, as “a female Jack Reacher”, “powered as all hell” and “Sassy, Smart and Deadly!”
About this Series
Set against the backdrop of World War 2 in New York City, this series features an unlikely heroine that you’ll fall in love with. You can find continuing new releases for this series on Amazon. Best read in order.
For fans of Kerry Greenwood’s Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, classic Film Noir like Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep and action superheroes like Marvel’s Avenger Black Widow, starring Scarlett Johansson.
It’s a blisteringly paced and stylish read that’s a mix of Batman and Agent Carter – with a dash of Tarantino… If you love ruthless revenge, kick-ass action and unforgettable characters, then you’ll love Hayley Camille’s bestselling serialized novel.
Lady Vigilante is a Crime Prize Winner, earning The Kindle Book Review ‘Reader’s Choice Award’ against an impressive cast of International Crime Drama novels and The Scarlet Stiletto’s HQ Fiction Award (HarperCollins) for Best Thriller, 2020. Infused with crime romance, mysteries and humor, the entire series is also available on Kindle Unlimited.
In the seedy underworld of 1940s New York, revenge tastes like cherry pie with a side of lipstick and perfume. This Avon Lady has murder on her mind…
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So very good!
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2020
Tightly written with excellent characters and an amazing story, this might be the best yet! Of course, I think that until the next one comes out . This story is fine as a stand alone, but do yourself a favor – read them from the beginning to appreciate all of the nuances of Betty and family. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
Non-stop action in this latest installment in this spot-on historical mystery series!
With the collapse of the Pinzolo crime organization, the criminal underworld in New York City is in a frantic state of flux with each gang trying to take over the number one spot. Adding to the havoc, the “Boudoir Butcher” is still at large, and no one but Mrs. Betty Jones has an inkling of what’s really going on. Betty tries to get the word on the street, starting with “Hell Cat Harry” Flynn and the Drowned Rats that the person behind the Butcher is Vladimir Malinov AKA “The Tin Man” and not a rival gang at all, but it is a slow, hard sell. “The Tin Man” plans to divide and conquer the gangs through suspicion and violence calculated to keep them at each others’ throats while he takes over.
Betty continues her search for the elusive “Tin Man” following a lead from Adina Sonberg at the local Boeing sub-assembly manufacturer. Among the thousands of women working shifts at the plant is a group of Russian girls who are believed to know Malinov’s history and whereabouts.
The gangs still clash, and a bloody and violent riot on the streets of the Bowery breaks out, drawing in the New York Police Department, including Betty’s lifelong friend, Jacob Lawrence. During the chaos, Betty saves Jacob from a burning flophouse when he becomes trapped under a fallen ceiling joist; however, she is seen using her super-human skills by Officer Malcolm Parker, finally confirming his suspicions about her.
In the meantime, FBI Special Agent Ratliff is looking to test Betty’s physical capabilities and lures her to an empty building at the World’s Fair’s former site. Finding herself surrounded by half a dozen of the FBI’s biggest guys, Betty must employ her unique skills to avoid being beaten. When Betty wins out, Ratliff threatens her family’s safety to attempt to get her under his thumb.
“The Bowery Flophouse” is the 17th episode in the wonderful “Avon Calling!” historical mystery series by Hayley Camille. As is true with the previous entries, the period’s tone is perfectly replicated, spot-on, and interesting tidbits from Camille’s extensive research into the time frame and place are incorporated to make for a delightful and robust story. The action is non-stop as Betty pursues the Tin Man and tries to keep her loved ones safe. Husband George’s letters home are poignant, and I find myself looking forward to them almost as much as Betty. The excitement of the investigation and the gang wars are not all this episode has to offer. Readers can look forward to some unexpected personal revelations for a couple of characters as well.
I highly recommend this entire series but especially this latest installment in Betty’s story. Readers should start at the beginning for the best experience.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
Betty Jones continues her Avon calling visits while also helping out some locals who get in over their heads. But in order to save an injured victim she has to use uncommon strength. So what happens if her secret is out? Have a rollicking good time sharing her escapades.
Avon Calling #17 – a review by Rosemary Kenny
Also titled as The Bowery Flophouse, episode #17 relates Betty’s latest vigilante mission to bring justice for the weak and vulnerable underdogs of society.
Betty Jones’s 17th outing is set in the early years of WWII in New York’s Bowery district. No longer willing to forgive and forget her past predators and manipulators, get ready to see the new and arguably even more enhanced all-action ‘wonder-woman’ supreme, bring a deadly and final fate to unrepentant miscreants everywhere.
Love her or not, don’t miss the chance to see the prettiest vigilante in old New York in action, in Hayley Camille’s latest Avon Calling concoction, by getting your copy of The Bowery Flophouse today!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book; I freely chose to review today. In addition, I bought a personal copy for my kindle library. The price is super affordable, so give this a go! This is number seventeen in the Avon lady’s forays. That said, it is possible to read the series out of order, but much more satisfying to read in order.
I make this observation for two reasons. The first is, as in any series, more information, characters, challenges and information is added in each successive book. Secondly, it has been a joy to watch the development of this author, Hayley Camille, since the beginning. She gets better with each release!
The writing is tight and concise; it builds the world of WWII New York which fools my brain as to how effortless it seems to be. I can imagine the sights, smells and sounds as I follow Betty on her bicycle whether she is making Avon house calls to her customers or going after a gangster or two in a back alley or on the waterfront.
There is plenty of action around Betty’s family, as well. What, you say? What sort of action? Simply put, it’s the authors’ privilege to give you the story. I try not to give plot spoilers! I marvel at the amount of research that must go into each book. This author knows her stuff from Avon products during the war to the layout of New York to how the police operated at that time to gangs, schools, music, bootlegging…well, you get the idea. These books are well done in every aspect.
If you want a fun read, appreciate great writing which tells a different sort of story for a reasonable price, give this a try. If you do, I guarantee you will want to read the others!