Murder in the Park
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
Introducing spirited female sleuth Elizabeth Fairchild in the first of the brilliant new Oak Park village mystery series, set in 1920s Illinois.
June, 1925. Having been widowed in the First World War, Elizabeth Fairchild lives a quiet life at the home of her wealthy parents in genteel Oak Park village, Illinois. Although she does her best to avoid emotional entanglements, determined never to be hurt again, Elizabeth forms a close friendship with gentle Mr Anthony, who owns the local antiques store.
But tragedy strikes when Mr Anthony is found stabbed to death in the alley behind his shop. Why would anyone murder a mild-mannered antiques dealer who simply loved beautiful things? A robbery gone wrong? A gangland execution? Or could it have something to do with the mysterious customer who bought a gold pocket watch from Mr Anthony on the day he died?
When one of her father’s oldest friends is accused of the crime, Elizabeth determines to expose the real killer. But her investigations soon attract unwelcome attention. With gangsters moving into the neighbourhood from nearby Chicago, Oak Park is no longer the safe haven it once was. Could Elizabeth be seriously out of her depth?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in 1925 Oak Park, Ill., this gripping series launch from Agatha Award winner Dams (the Dorothy Martin series) finds Elizabeth Fairchild, a wealthy young widow who lives with her parents, depressed and lacking confidence. After Mr. Anthony, the town's antique-shop owner and Elizabeth's friend, is found murdered, she rouses herself and announces publicly she's determined to find his killer. The revelation that Mr. Anthony was Italian triggers anti-Catholic bigotry to the extent of threats against Elizabeth for championing him. Her family's house is broken into, and a cross is burned on their lawn. It seems that a female contingent of the Ku Klux Klan is active in Oak Park. One of Elizabeth's few allies is real-life Grace Hemingway, Ernest's mother, whose strong-minded character's appearances are a highlight of the book. Elizabeth's attempts to pit local members of the KKK against gangsters affiliated with Al Capone alternate with domestic scenes that show her learning to brew coffee and arguing with her status-obsessed mother. While the plot lacks nuance and complexity, those interested in social justice issues will find the picture of a prosperous town riven by racism memorable.
