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BOOK REVIEW: |
A couple of twenties, three sawbucks, a fin and a mitt full of singles or the grand sum of $83.00 makes up the retainer paid to Dexter Theroux, Jr. a/k/a Dex by Rita Heppelwaite to check up on her boyfriend who she thinks is stepping out on her. Katherine Panghorn, Dex’s secretary, is pleased with the retainer. Times are hard and Dex isn’t always able to pay Katherine on time.
Katherine’s father lost his fortune in the stock market crash. Katherine was not raised in such a way that she was qualified to step into the business world and earn a living. She lucked into the position at Dex’s private detective agency and although she sometimes waits for a paycheck, she is glad to have the position. Her father had signed the title of their family home over to Marcus and to Marjorie Oleg, the Panghorn’s chauffer and housekeeper. Although the couple has to rent rooms out to make ends meet, Katherine will always have a roof over her head.
Dex insists that he have a car to stake out Rita’s boyfriend’s home. Katherine contacts Mustard, the connection that always seems to be able to provide what is needed. Katherine decides that she will accompany Dex on the stakeout. This will be Katherine’s first step in the roll of female detective. Dex falls asleep on the stakeout. Katherine decides she will enter the residence of Harrison Dempsey, Rita’s boyfriend, and is shocked at what she discovers.
Dex drinks too much and Katherine a/k/a Kitty tries to keep him in line but it is not an easy chore. The case of Harrison Dempsey becomes more and more complicated to the point where Kitty is not even sure if he is dead or alive but she does know someone is dead.
The story takes many twists and turns up and down the California coast. Death Was The Other Woman is a wonderful, exciting book. When you final unravel all of the threads you will find a very surprising ending. I hope here will be future books involving Kitty and Dex. Mustard is a wonderful character that I would like to read more about. The author has captured a real feeling of the world during the 1930’s and gives the reader a peek into what it was like to be young and alive with very little money.
REVIEWED BY PATRICIA REID
DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE REVIEWER, PATRICIA REID
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