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A Tracy Truworth, Apprentice P.I., 1940s Homefront Mystery #1
Bad Day for a Bombshell
December 5th, 1941. Houston socialite, Tracy Truworth, is always on the lookout for something suspicious. Especially after growing up with her nose in the latest Katie McClue mystery novel, a series featuring a twenty-something female detective and her constant feats of derring-do. And for Tracy, escaping reality through reading couldn't come at a better time, since her own life isn't exactly going along like she'd hoped. Not with her overbearing mother determined to see Tracy marry Michael -- a lawyer likely to be a U.S. Senator someday -- in a wedding rivaling royalty. Yet everything changes for Tracy when she spots a bleach-blonde bombshell on the train home from Dallas after a shopping trip to Neiman-Marcus. Because something certainly seems amiss with the blonde, given the way she covertly tries to snare men into her lair, and considering the way she suddenly ceases all flirtations when a Humphrey Bogart look-alike appears . . . complete with a mysterious package wrapped up in newspaper and twine.
Then days later, Japan bombs Pearl Harbor, and just a few days after that, Germany declares war against the U.S. Rightly so, President Roosevelt returns the favor. Of course, Tracy immediately finds herself caught up in the War, just like the rest of the nation. But it's her curiosity that leads her on a collision course with a killer, and she arrives at the bombshell's apartment only moments after the blonde has been murdered. Though Tracy is accused of the crime at first, she quickly finds herself working as an Apprentice P.I., under the tutelage of a real private investigator. Soon, they're hot on the trail of the bombshell's murderer. Then from singing at the hottest nightclub around, to a car chase in her 1940 Packard, Tracy's investigation takes her far from her blue-blood upbringing. And it isn't long before she finds the War is hitting a lot closer to home than she ever imagined . . . and danger isn't much farther than her doorstep . . .
Then days later, Japan bombs Pearl Harbor, and just a few days after that, Germany declares war against the U.S. Rightly so, President Roosevelt returns the favor. Of course, Tracy immediately finds herself caught up in the War, just like the rest of the nation. But it's her curiosity that leads her on a collision course with a killer, and she arrives at the bombshell's apartment only moments after the blonde has been murdered. Though Tracy is accused of the crime at first, she quickly finds herself working as an Apprentice P.I., under the tutelage of a real private investigator. Soon, they're hot on the trail of the bombshell's murderer. Then from singing at the hottest nightclub around, to a car chase in her 1940 Packard, Tracy's investigation takes her far from her blue-blood upbringing. And it isn't long before she finds the War is hitting a lot closer to home than she ever imagined . . . and danger isn't much farther than her doorstep . . .
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2016
About the author
Cindy Vincent
14 books243 followersCindy Vincent, M.A. Ed., is the award-winning author of the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Capers, a mystery series for kids and cat-lovers that features the adventures of two black cat detectives. And yes, as she is often asked, Cindy used her own black cats, Buckley and Bogey, as the inspiration for the series, since they seem to run surveillance on her house each and every night. Cindy is also the creator of the Mysteries by Vincent murder mystery party games and the Daisy Diamond Detective Series games for girls, along with the Daisy Diamond Detective novels, which are a spin-off from the games. She lives in Houston, TX with her husband and an assortment of fantastic felines. Cindy is a self-professed “Christmas-a-holic,” and usually starts planning and preparing in March for her ever-expanding, “extreme” Christmas lights display every year . . .
Http://www.cindyvincent.net
http://www.buckleyandbogey.com
Http://www.cindyvincent.net
http://www.buckleyandbogey.com
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 29, 2016
What a fun and interesting read! certainly different from what I'm used to reading.
I like Tracy Truworth. She's an interesting character. She loves adventure and it always seems to find her!!!
I love her personality. She can make friends and enemies no matter where she goes! Mostly makes friends and unexpectedly finds one when she needs it most!!
I kind of thought Michael didn't measure up. He's always making excuses as to why he couldn't see Tracy. I don't blame Tracy for what she did or in this case both did. It was her mother that wanted the marriage. Her mother is a high socialite. In so very many ways, Tracy felt like she never measures in her mother's opinions. in other words, her mother isn't very nice. I thought she was kind of mean and selfish. She wasn't interested in Tracys well being only herself.
The blonde bombshell turns out to be nothing but trouble with a capital T! Shame on her but no one deserves what she got.
Let's just say that you reap what you sew.
I laughed until I cried in some places as Tracy tried to find her way out of some messes lol! wrong place at the wrong time!! However; some good did come out of it. She landed her first paying job.
I guess it came from reading all those Katie McClure mysteries. After all, Katie Mcclue was Tracys heroine.
I enjoyed this book because it had some ups and downs of our everyday life and the author has managed to bring them to life quite explicitly!
I also love her writing style!!! She brings humor in just all the right places. I also like how she put a some mystery in the story to keep it interesting.
I definitely was kept on the edge of my seat.
This happens to me quite often.
I enjoyed the backdrop of the story. I felt like I was there when Pearl Harbor got bombed. It is what drew America into the 2nd ww. (My grandfather served in that war)
I cried when that happened.
I liked Sammy immediately. I knew he wasn't a dangerous man. I thought he was interesting and a pretty special guy.
I like Tracy Truworth. She's an interesting character. She loves adventure and it always seems to find her!!!
I love her personality. She can make friends and enemies no matter where she goes! Mostly makes friends and unexpectedly finds one when she needs it most!!
I kind of thought Michael didn't measure up. He's always making excuses as to why he couldn't see Tracy. I don't blame Tracy for what she did or in this case both did. It was her mother that wanted the marriage. Her mother is a high socialite. In so very many ways, Tracy felt like she never measures in her mother's opinions. in other words, her mother isn't very nice. I thought she was kind of mean and selfish. She wasn't interested in Tracys well being only herself.
The blonde bombshell turns out to be nothing but trouble with a capital T! Shame on her but no one deserves what she got.
Let's just say that you reap what you sew.
I laughed until I cried in some places as Tracy tried to find her way out of some messes lol! wrong place at the wrong time!! However; some good did come out of it. She landed her first paying job.
I guess it came from reading all those Katie McClure mysteries. After all, Katie Mcclue was Tracys heroine.
I enjoyed this book because it had some ups and downs of our everyday life and the author has managed to bring them to life quite explicitly!
I also love her writing style!!! She brings humor in just all the right places. I also like how she put a some mystery in the story to keep it interesting.
I definitely was kept on the edge of my seat.
This happens to me quite often.
I enjoyed the backdrop of the story. I felt like I was there when Pearl Harbor got bombed. It is what drew America into the 2nd ww. (My grandfather served in that war)
I cried when that happened.
I liked Sammy immediately. I knew he wasn't a dangerous man. I thought he was interesting and a pretty special guy.
September 19, 2020
Cindy Vincent's Bad Day for a Bombshell was an intriguing historical mystery. Ms. Vincent seems to have done her research on the 1940's in America as she captured the feel of the devastation the characters felt after December 7th as well as the life and times of the time period. I liked Tracy and Sammy and I think they work together perfectly. I adore Tracy's grandmother, Nana. However, I confess that I did become tired of Tracy's constant thoughts referencing her favorite fictional heroine, Katie McClue. The plot was smoothly paced and there were several suspects for Tracy and Sammy to investigate. All in all it was a fun read and I'll be reading the next one in the series.
December 5, 2016
Tracy Truworth’s mother has very definite ideas about appropriate activities to occupy a young lady’s time, and detective work is not one of them. Neither is singing in a nightclub or with a swing band, for that matter, but Tracy does all three in this novel!
Bad Day for a Bombshell is a cozy mystery that is firmly rooted in its 1941 time setting. It even captures the spirit of the books and movies of the era with its slightly larger-than-life characterisation and its love of dramatic effect rather than striving to be strictly realistic at all times. But that’s not to say there aren’t some serious elements to the book. After all, there is a war going on, and Cindy Vincent doesn’t shy away from showing the emotional impact this has on her characters.
Tracy longs to follow in the footsteps of her literary heroine, Katie McClue (who sounds very much like a 1930s Nancy Drew), and luckily for her, many of the situations she finds herself in remind her of one of the numerous novels relating her heroine’s investigations. Titles such as The Case of the Shifty-eyed Stranger, The Case of the Terrifying Car Chase, and The Mystery at the Secondhand Store give Tracy all the inspiration she needs to spot a mystery in the making, and to know how best to proceed.
It also happens that she is recruited by Humphrey Bogart lookalike PI, Sammy Falcone – who was named by his mother long before Dalshiell Hammett wrote Sam Spade and The Maltese Falcon into existence, thank you very much! He sees a lot of potential in Tracy Truworth, and though she doesn’t always emulate Katie McClue quite as successfully as she would like, Sammy’s not disappointed. He and ‘the kid’ are set to become a detective team vastly superior to the local police force.
But the story isn’t all about the mysterious bombshell. There are some family issues plaguing Tracy too: A fiancé who might as well be non-existent for all the attention he pays her; and a mother whose only ambition for her daughter is to have her married to said fiancé. A very public altercation prompts Tracy to leave home for a time and take up residence in her best friend’s flat, which just happens to be in the same building as the bombshell. Tensions run high for Tracy on both the personal and the professional front as she and Sammy work to get to the bottom of who killed the bombshell... and why.
Although I felt the narrative could have been tighter and more economical at times, this was a fun read, and I have to say I was thoroughly surprised by the poignant ending to the mystery of who killed the bombshell. There is also a little hint of romance for Tracy during the story, which makes any story better if you ask me! All in all, I will be looking forward to reading more of Tracy’s adventures in the future!
I received a copy of this novel Singing Librarian Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.
Bad Day for a Bombshell is a cozy mystery that is firmly rooted in its 1941 time setting. It even captures the spirit of the books and movies of the era with its slightly larger-than-life characterisation and its love of dramatic effect rather than striving to be strictly realistic at all times. But that’s not to say there aren’t some serious elements to the book. After all, there is a war going on, and Cindy Vincent doesn’t shy away from showing the emotional impact this has on her characters.
Tracy longs to follow in the footsteps of her literary heroine, Katie McClue (who sounds very much like a 1930s Nancy Drew), and luckily for her, many of the situations she finds herself in remind her of one of the numerous novels relating her heroine’s investigations. Titles such as The Case of the Shifty-eyed Stranger, The Case of the Terrifying Car Chase, and The Mystery at the Secondhand Store give Tracy all the inspiration she needs to spot a mystery in the making, and to know how best to proceed.
It also happens that she is recruited by Humphrey Bogart lookalike PI, Sammy Falcone – who was named by his mother long before Dalshiell Hammett wrote Sam Spade and The Maltese Falcon into existence, thank you very much! He sees a lot of potential in Tracy Truworth, and though she doesn’t always emulate Katie McClue quite as successfully as she would like, Sammy’s not disappointed. He and ‘the kid’ are set to become a detective team vastly superior to the local police force.
But the story isn’t all about the mysterious bombshell. There are some family issues plaguing Tracy too: A fiancé who might as well be non-existent for all the attention he pays her; and a mother whose only ambition for her daughter is to have her married to said fiancé. A very public altercation prompts Tracy to leave home for a time and take up residence in her best friend’s flat, which just happens to be in the same building as the bombshell. Tensions run high for Tracy on both the personal and the professional front as she and Sammy work to get to the bottom of who killed the bombshell... and why.
Although I felt the narrative could have been tighter and more economical at times, this was a fun read, and I have to say I was thoroughly surprised by the poignant ending to the mystery of who killed the bombshell. There is also a little hint of romance for Tracy during the story, which makes any story better if you ask me! All in all, I will be looking forward to reading more of Tracy’s adventures in the future!
I received a copy of this novel Singing Librarian Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 24, 2016
This is a fun read set at the outbreak of WWII with a very engaging likeable heroine that you want to read more about. Tracy, a Houston socialite, is trying to break out from under her domineering mother. She is engaged to marry someone whom she hardly knows or likes. Besides he has no interest in her either. Tracy longs to be a modern girl like her heroine, Katie McClue, the main character in mystery novels that Tracy loves. The author does a good job of intertwining Tracy’s personal life and problems, current events surrounding the beginnings of WWII, and a real-life mystery that Tracy is in the middle of.
While on a train trip to Dallas with her mother shopping for her wedding Tracy is intrigued by a blonde bombshell and a mystery man who seems to be following her. After the trip Tracy is amazed to find that the bombshell has rented an apartment in the apartment complex which is managed by her friend Jayne. The bombshell is a singer at a Galveston club.
Tracy’s personal life becomes more complicated as her brother and father want to join the war effort, she decides she wants to break off her engagement, and Jayne decides to marry before her fiancé is sent to war. At the same time events surrounding the bombshell also become complicated. The mysterious stranger is still lurking about. There is talk of Nazi spies.
Tracy faces all these complications with lots of personal courage all the while asking herself what would Kati McClue do. The plot intertwines Tracy’s personal life, the mystery surrounding the bombshell, and world events. You don’t want to put the book down as you wonder what could possible happen next. At the end, you are ready to ready more about Tracy.
While on a train trip to Dallas with her mother shopping for her wedding Tracy is intrigued by a blonde bombshell and a mystery man who seems to be following her. After the trip Tracy is amazed to find that the bombshell has rented an apartment in the apartment complex which is managed by her friend Jayne. The bombshell is a singer at a Galveston club.
Tracy’s personal life becomes more complicated as her brother and father want to join the war effort, she decides she wants to break off her engagement, and Jayne decides to marry before her fiancé is sent to war. At the same time events surrounding the bombshell also become complicated. The mysterious stranger is still lurking about. There is talk of Nazi spies.
Tracy faces all these complications with lots of personal courage all the while asking herself what would Kati McClue do. The plot intertwines Tracy’s personal life, the mystery surrounding the bombshell, and world events. You don’t want to put the book down as you wonder what could possible happen next. At the end, you are ready to ready more about Tracy.
February 28, 2019
This is the first book in the Tracy Truworth series. We are introduced to Tracy as she and her mother are rushing to catch the train back to their hometown of Houston after a shopping expedition. While Tracy's mom drones on and on about how horrible Tracy is, Tracy notices a blonde bombshell entering their train car. After all, it is hard to not notice someone who is trying so hard to gain attention! Tracy also notices a mysterious man trying very hard to remain inconspicuous. She wonders what he is up to.
An arranged marriage, a drunk and abusive woman for a mother, talk of America being brought into the war, Nazi's around every corner, stumbling onto a murder, not to mention the Bogart look-alike mysterious man from the train and Tracy's life is just about to be turned upside down!
BAD DAY FOR A BOMBSHELL is set in the 1940's. I love the characters. Tracy's new boss and look-alike Humphrey Bogart is too much! You can just imagine him saying, "Here's lookin at you kid" in that Bogart voice! I enjoyed the adventure while learning a little bit about the unrest of the times. Where Nazi's were lurking around every corner, where women were called "doll" and nobody thought it was rude or demeaning, where nightclubs offered fun entertainment, and where Tracy becomes an apprentice P.I.
Throughout the whole story I imagined in the background old swing-dance music playing, Sammy with his "awww shucks" Bogart look and all the terror that people felt when the attack happened on Pearl Harbor. I loved the mystery of the story, it played out like a fascinating who-done-it. I read book 2 in the series first, so I was happy to read book 1 and see how it all started out. A fun and entertaining read that kept me interested throughout.
An arranged marriage, a drunk and abusive woman for a mother, talk of America being brought into the war, Nazi's around every corner, stumbling onto a murder, not to mention the Bogart look-alike mysterious man from the train and Tracy's life is just about to be turned upside down!
BAD DAY FOR A BOMBSHELL is set in the 1940's. I love the characters. Tracy's new boss and look-alike Humphrey Bogart is too much! You can just imagine him saying, "Here's lookin at you kid" in that Bogart voice! I enjoyed the adventure while learning a little bit about the unrest of the times. Where Nazi's were lurking around every corner, where women were called "doll" and nobody thought it was rude or demeaning, where nightclubs offered fun entertainment, and where Tracy becomes an apprentice P.I.
Throughout the whole story I imagined in the background old swing-dance music playing, Sammy with his "awww shucks" Bogart look and all the terror that people felt when the attack happened on Pearl Harbor. I loved the mystery of the story, it played out like a fascinating who-done-it. I read book 2 in the series first, so I was happy to read book 1 and see how it all started out. A fun and entertaining read that kept me interested throughout.
December 8, 2016
Bad Day for a Bombshell, by Cindy Vincent was a very well researched historical mystery. Taking place in the nineteen forties, right at the brink of the United States’ entrance into World War II, we follow the adventures- and misadventures- of Tracy Truworth on the home front. She’s a very likeable, relatable heroine dealing with family drama and a bad engagement as the world seems to fall apart around her. A mystery fan- especially of her esteemed Katie McClue- she starts to sense a mystery surrounding a beautiful, blonde woman she sees on a train. But even as the States get pulled into the war, she gets pulled into the mystery- even becoming an apprentice P.I. - and soon learns of the dreaded Bund, Nazi spies bent on taking over America. The book was a bit slower paced than I had expected, but comfortably so. I especially liked all the nineteen forties slang and references- no anachronisms here. I look forward to more in which I hope will be a series and to get to know our rooky P.I. better.
I was provided a complimentary book. I was not required to give a positive review and views expressed are my own.
I was provided a complimentary book. I was not required to give a positive review and views expressed are my own.
November 21, 2016
This is a fun and fascinating mystery set it in the earliest days of the U.S. involvement in World War II. The story opens right before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Tracy Truworth is a wealthy young woman from Houston, Texas. Her mother is a socialite who has arranged a high society marriage for Tracy to a successful lawyer. But that isn’t what Tracy wants. She wants a life of her own and a career of her own. She fantasies about solving crimes like Katie McClue, the heroine of her favorite mystery novels.
On the train back from a shopping trip to Dallas, Tracy is captivated by a blonde bombshell. With her bleached hair and elaborate costume jewelry, the bombshell knows how to draw attention to herself, and she seems to revel in being noticed. But then a shifty older man gets on the train, and the bombshell’s behavior changes completely. She shrinks into herself and seems to disappear into her seat. Tracy is intrigued by this change in behavior and tries to investigate. But, when he sees he’s attracted Tracy’s attention, the shifty man slips away. Tracy returns to Houston convinced she’ll never find out the bombshell’s story.
Once she’s back in Houston, Tracy tries to resign herself to the life as a lawyer’s wife that her mother has planned for her. But she hasn’t seen the last of the bombshell. It turns out the bombshell has rented an apartment in an apartment complex managed by Tracy’s friend Jayne. When the bombshell gets murdered, Tracy gets the chance to solve a crime just like her idol Katie McClue.
Meanwhile America is under attack, and the whole country is gearing up to defeat Japan and Germany. Tracy’s brother and Jayne’s boyfriend rush to enlist. Even men like Tracy’s father who are too old to enlist struggle to find a way to do their part. The war means the world is changing. As the young men go off to fight, young women like Tracy have an opportunity to fill the roles the men have vacated. It turns out the shifty older man from the train is a private investigator, and he enlists Tracy to help him solve the bombshell’s murder. Tracy will get the chance to work as an assistant PI, opening up the possibility that she will be able to get her own PI’s license someday.
The book has great period detail, an engaging plot, and compelling characters. I’m looking forward to reading the next Tracy Truworth story.
On the train back from a shopping trip to Dallas, Tracy is captivated by a blonde bombshell. With her bleached hair and elaborate costume jewelry, the bombshell knows how to draw attention to herself, and she seems to revel in being noticed. But then a shifty older man gets on the train, and the bombshell’s behavior changes completely. She shrinks into herself and seems to disappear into her seat. Tracy is intrigued by this change in behavior and tries to investigate. But, when he sees he’s attracted Tracy’s attention, the shifty man slips away. Tracy returns to Houston convinced she’ll never find out the bombshell’s story.
Once she’s back in Houston, Tracy tries to resign herself to the life as a lawyer’s wife that her mother has planned for her. But she hasn’t seen the last of the bombshell. It turns out the bombshell has rented an apartment in an apartment complex managed by Tracy’s friend Jayne. When the bombshell gets murdered, Tracy gets the chance to solve a crime just like her idol Katie McClue.
Meanwhile America is under attack, and the whole country is gearing up to defeat Japan and Germany. Tracy’s brother and Jayne’s boyfriend rush to enlist. Even men like Tracy’s father who are too old to enlist struggle to find a way to do their part. The war means the world is changing. As the young men go off to fight, young women like Tracy have an opportunity to fill the roles the men have vacated. It turns out the shifty older man from the train is a private investigator, and he enlists Tracy to help him solve the bombshell’s murder. Tracy will get the chance to work as an assistant PI, opening up the possibility that she will be able to get her own PI’s license someday.
The book has great period detail, an engaging plot, and compelling characters. I’m looking forward to reading the next Tracy Truworth story.
January 16, 2020
Discovering Your Inner P.I
Wow I believe I just read an old fashioned radio mystery with all the drama and caracters that came to life on the pages I was able to step back in time. I was able to see Tracy and Nan acting like young school girls getting into mistjuf, Jayne energetic tapatapa tap tap tapatapa, Sammy with his more mature Bogart appearance. It was swell being guided through the era of innocence before the nazis stole it all away. Ms. Vincent is an artist with words drawing you into a world of mystery and adventure so vivid ,so colourful then bringing it to an end with wild abandonment in a shocking fold of unexpected discoveries. Do aquier a copy and start enjoying the "Bad Day for a Bombshell "so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 🤔😉🙄☺ Kat
Wow I believe I just read an old fashioned radio mystery with all the drama and caracters that came to life on the pages I was able to step back in time. I was able to see Tracy and Nan acting like young school girls getting into mistjuf, Jayne energetic tapatapa tap tap tapatapa, Sammy with his more mature Bogart appearance. It was swell being guided through the era of innocence before the nazis stole it all away. Ms. Vincent is an artist with words drawing you into a world of mystery and adventure so vivid ,so colourful then bringing it to an end with wild abandonment in a shocking fold of unexpected discoveries. Do aquier a copy and start enjoying the "Bad Day for a Bombshell "so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 🤔😉🙄☺ Kat
July 23, 2017
Won this on Goodreads, and what can I say but "fun". Enjoyable reading. Love the characters, and the suspense it created. Easy read and "fun".
August 2, 2020
Fun period cozy mystery! It had me hooked very quickly.
December 10, 2016
Cindy Vincent’s novel Bad Day for a Bombshell is an excellent story for the mystery lover. In fact, mysteries are my favorite genre, so I highly recommend this text. It is filled with several important subplots and other various details that are so imperative to the message of the book. From the first few chapters, the reader will suddenly be immersed in the fears and challenges that so many Americans were facing following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and will see firsthand how courageous so many men were—they were ready and willing to sign up and fight for their country—no questions asked.
Tracy Truworth comes from a wealthy family that started with meager beginnings. She knows she can have anything her heart desires when it comes to material possessions, but she soon begins to learn that her life cannot follow the path others believe she should take. There are so many obstacles around her—both good and bad. Her mother despises her existence, her father is proud of her, her fiancé is a coward, and her best friend is in love. Thankfully, Tracy has her Nana to depend upon, which includes her grandmother's great wit and wisdom. And she will desperately need her Nana’s stable nature, especially after she discovers a dead body in a neighboring apartment. She quickly realizes she is the number one suspect in this young girl’s murder too. How will she get out of this type of trouble? And what happens when a strange gentleman comes to her aid pretending to know her? Tracy always believed her life was planned out—just like every other socialite she knows—but plans change and soon Tracy discovers God has other ideas regarding the blueprint of her life.
Sammy is the mystery man Tracy has been following. Who is he, and why is he following another woman? A woman that Tracy noticed on a train ride back from Dallas. His features seem familiar, and remind her of a detective movie, but Tracy knows life is never as simple as her favorite films. She must get to the bottom of this, because now too many people are involved not to investigate further. Yet, she fears she might have gone too far and unexpectedly finds herself in so much danger that she is unsure if she will survive.
This book has so many turns, and it will keep the reader entertained and in suspense with each passing scene. It is incredible to see how Vincent weaves true events with bits of fiction in order to create a captivating tale. This story must be put together puzzle piece by puzzle piece, and it is impossible to guess the end until you get there. You need each and every detail to understand the entirety of the text—simply brilliant! It was fascinating to read about each character in order to place them where they needed to be on the suspect list and where they should be in Tracy’s world. Some individuals are good and some are pretty ugly, but they all make up the fragments that ultimately come together to show the truth. Light always wins in the end.
If you are looking for a mystery novel that is set in another time period, which I personally always love reading about yesteryear, then this book is for you! I promise you will not be disappointed, and I just hope Vincent will write more stories that follow the adventures of Tracy Truworth, because I think her story is far from over. Happy reading and happy sleuthing!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to Singing Librarian Books for my copy.
Tracy Truworth comes from a wealthy family that started with meager beginnings. She knows she can have anything her heart desires when it comes to material possessions, but she soon begins to learn that her life cannot follow the path others believe she should take. There are so many obstacles around her—both good and bad. Her mother despises her existence, her father is proud of her, her fiancé is a coward, and her best friend is in love. Thankfully, Tracy has her Nana to depend upon, which includes her grandmother's great wit and wisdom. And she will desperately need her Nana’s stable nature, especially after she discovers a dead body in a neighboring apartment. She quickly realizes she is the number one suspect in this young girl’s murder too. How will she get out of this type of trouble? And what happens when a strange gentleman comes to her aid pretending to know her? Tracy always believed her life was planned out—just like every other socialite she knows—but plans change and soon Tracy discovers God has other ideas regarding the blueprint of her life.
Sammy is the mystery man Tracy has been following. Who is he, and why is he following another woman? A woman that Tracy noticed on a train ride back from Dallas. His features seem familiar, and remind her of a detective movie, but Tracy knows life is never as simple as her favorite films. She must get to the bottom of this, because now too many people are involved not to investigate further. Yet, she fears she might have gone too far and unexpectedly finds herself in so much danger that she is unsure if she will survive.
This book has so many turns, and it will keep the reader entertained and in suspense with each passing scene. It is incredible to see how Vincent weaves true events with bits of fiction in order to create a captivating tale. This story must be put together puzzle piece by puzzle piece, and it is impossible to guess the end until you get there. You need each and every detail to understand the entirety of the text—simply brilliant! It was fascinating to read about each character in order to place them where they needed to be on the suspect list and where they should be in Tracy’s world. Some individuals are good and some are pretty ugly, but they all make up the fragments that ultimately come together to show the truth. Light always wins in the end.
If you are looking for a mystery novel that is set in another time period, which I personally always love reading about yesteryear, then this book is for you! I promise you will not be disappointed, and I just hope Vincent will write more stories that follow the adventures of Tracy Truworth, because I think her story is far from over. Happy reading and happy sleuthing!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to Singing Librarian Books for my copy.
November 21, 2016
Bad Day for a Bombshell is an entertaining crime novel about a young woman who solves a murder she accidentally discovers. It takes place amidst the outbreak of World War II. Tracy Truworth, a Houston debutante, attends a country club dance intent on getting to better know her distant fiancé. The dance turns into a fiasco. Her fiancé initially ignores her but then gets furious when she amuses herself by dancing with other men and singing with the band. He yells at her and ends their engagement. Then Tracy’s mother slaps her in front of the whole room. Tracy runs away in the rain and accidentally discovers the body of a murdered woman. The police arrest Tracy for the crime. Her mother and her former fiancé wonder if she did it. But a mysterious man Tracy has repeatedly encountered arrives at the police station, announces he is a private investigator, and informs everyone Tracy is working for him. She is released and works with the PI to solve the murder. Together they explore the possibility that the crime is connected to a Nazi spy ring. This is a well-paced novel with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the very end.
Read
December 22, 2016As news of the tragedy of Pearl Harbor sweeps across the United States, Tracy Truworth, wannabe private eye, somehow lands herself in the midst of a murder mystery. Tracy has spent a lifetime trying to please her controlling mother, but by the end of the book she has grown into a true heroine. Still sweet and caring, but independent, courageous, and responsible.
Numerous possible murder suspects keep Tracy guessing, and the terrifying prospect of enemies in the homeland heightens the drama. Add in an inattentive fiance, a handsome admirer, family strife, a friend's hasty war-wedding, a high-speed chase, and ever-rising stakes, and you've got the start of a delightful new mystery series combining the undeniable charm of 1940's mystery movies with the quick pace and romance that please a modern reader.
Once I got a few pages into this story, I didn't want to put it down! Highly recommended.
Numerous possible murder suspects keep Tracy guessing, and the terrifying prospect of enemies in the homeland heightens the drama. Add in an inattentive fiance, a handsome admirer, family strife, a friend's hasty war-wedding, a high-speed chase, and ever-rising stakes, and you've got the start of a delightful new mystery series combining the undeniable charm of 1940's mystery movies with the quick pace and romance that please a modern reader.
Once I got a few pages into this story, I didn't want to put it down! Highly recommended.
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