Rating: 3 Stars
Source: NetGalley
Description: Louise Pearlie is working her way through the war as a Government Girl and occasionally something more. So when she's summoned to a high ranking official's office and given the task on checking up on another employee she's not entirely surprised. She is surprised when she gets caught up in a world of lies and secrets and sometimes even murder.
Genre: Mystery
Why I Picked This Book: I had read an earlier book from this author in another series and had enjoyed it. I like books that are set during this time period.
My Impression:
Pros: This book really felt like it was set during World War 2. They talked a lot about housing problems and rationing as well as fears for what was going to happen to their chances of employment after the war was over. Louise was an interesting character. She's intelligent and curious as well as kind. The mystery itself was interesting and I definitely wanted to find out what had really happened and what a few characters were up to.
Cons: There was a lot going on in this book and at times it strayed into too much detail. It's a short book - around 200 pages - and in those 200 pages is crammed a well-developed setting, a large number of characters, lots of discussions on social reform, a murder mystery and a subplot involving Louise's landlord's son. It got to be a bit too jumbled for me and the mystery didn't get the detail I thought it deserved.
Overall: The setting on this was really interesting and I learned a little about what life was really like in World War 2 era Washington DC. I just wish there hadn't been so much extra detail.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Probably. While there were flaws overall I enjoyed this one and would probably get the next book.
Would I Recommend this Book?: If you enjoy books set on the home front during World War 2 I think you may like this one but I can't whole-heartedly recommend it.
The setting is definitely a draw for me, too, but it sounds like the author tried to do too much in just 200 pages. I might be curious enough to get it from the library...
ReplyDeleteThis series is unique enough that it's definitely worth a try even though it isn't perfect. I'd be interested in hearing what you think!
DeleteIt sounds like an interesting book that should perhaps have been longer. I'm glad you enjoyed it! But I think my TBR pile is probably big enough for now. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think it could have been a little longer and lost a subplot or two but it was an interesting read. I can guess what your TBR pile looks like so I'm not sure this is worth running out to get right now!
DeleteI'm usually not into the historical genre, but I do love World War 2 settings and I love mysteries. So, this sounds like a book I'd enjoy. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks! The World War 2 setting was interesting I just could have used less subplots.
DeleteThe setting appeals to me as do the interesting tidbits.
ReplyDeleteThe little tidbits were my favorite parts. There was so much about day to day life that I didn't know.
DeleteI'm so used to reading WWII books set overseas. This sounds like an interesting one, although busy!
ReplyDelete