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The Woman in the Wing
'The Woman in the Wing' is an entertaining historical mystery that takes place in a WWII defense plant in Chicago. Although fictional, it offers a glimpse into the lives of women who served at home during World War II, Rosie the Riveters, and sheds light on the seldom told stories of the women who ferried military planes from plants to air bases around the country—Women Airforce Service Pilots—the WASP.
268 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2008
About the author
Jean Sheldon
24 books31 followersJean Sheldon, born and raised in Chicago, spent the first half of her life as a fine and graphic artist. In 2004 she began another creative endeavor—writing mysteries. Her historical mystery The Woman in the Wing features women pilots (WASP) and factory workers (Rosie the Riveter) during WWII. Seven Cities of Greed involves a group of women of a 'certain age' on a quest for adventure and the mythical 'Seven Cities of Gold' in New Mexico, Jean's home for over twenty years. Mrs. Quigley's Kidnapping introduces Mattie Draper, a female detective in Chicago circa 1968, and Flowers for Her Grave is an old-fashioned whodunit in which two amateur sleuths in their early sixties, a gossip columnist and a gardener, solve a 20-year-old crime. The mystery An Uncluttered Palette is filled with art history, oil painting, forgery, and fun! She Overheard Murder, introduced the characters of the 'Nic & Nora Mystery' series—mysteries solved by lesbian amateur detectives in post-World War II Chicago. The second book of the Nic & Nora series, Puzzled by the Clues, follows both the blossoming relationship of Nic and Nora and that of Anna and Allen. Characters at the heart of the Owen gang and those on the perimeter, offer humor, wisdom, and the belief that there is always hope.
In 2015, Jean returned to her first love, and published a collection of poetry called Persistent.
In 2015, Jean returned to her first love, and published a collection of poetry called Persistent.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 21, 2016
Good read
Enjoyed the characters and a look into the WASP , WW2 women flyers. Plot line is about search for Nazi spies on their base and at an aircraft factory. Good historical fiction.
Enjoyed the characters and a look into the WASP , WW2 women flyers. Plot line is about search for Nazi spies on their base and at an aircraft factory. Good historical fiction.
August 25, 2025
Talk about woman being amazing, fiction, but based on a group of woman in WWII, WASPS, with well rounded characters and representation. Their bravery and passion is translated well in what was a page turner for me multiple times throughout the years.
April 18, 2021
Very good story about the WASP.
August 31, 2010
I am so excited by this book and very pleased to recommend it. It is well-written, intense, and true to itself. Jean Sheldon really knows how to tell a story. Taking place after the attack on Pearl Harbor, it is a work of fiction in a very realistic presentation. Based on the work of women in the United States during wartime, it centers around the work of the "Rosie the Riveters" as they came to be known, and the women pilots in the WASP. Jean Sheldon has given us an insight into the personal and work lives of these women, reflecting the attitudes of the time, and giving us a good dose of sabotage and espionage as well.
"The Woman in the Wing" grabbed my attention and held it until even after I finished the book. I think this is the longest I ever sat with one book trying to read it all at once. If it weren't for requiring nourishment and sleep, I'm sure I would have done just that. This is not something I say often.
There are not many works of fiction that feature the women, although the author gives some references on-line for non-fiction resources at the back of the book. I even found myself looking up some of the planes mentioned after reading the descriptions! The story primarily follows the paths of two very good friends and neighbours who want to fly and manage to get the training for it. But Char, our chief protagonist, has run into the male-domination theme so prevalent in the this era, and she is told she will not get her wings because of something distasteful to her which she flat out refuses. I, being a child of the 1940s, applaud Ms. Sheldon for incorporating this imbalance of humanity that was very current at that time and still persists in some ways today.
Enter the FBI searching for Nazi spies in the warehouses and hangars. There appear to be a number of them sabotaging the planes being built and those in use. Since Char is being "punished" for her refusal of the Major's proposal, she has been sent to be a riveter, along with her friend Max. They are soon required to watch out for suspicious behaviour and report it to the FBI. They know there are FBI agents working in the facility too, but they don't know who they are.
Accidents have increased in the facility over the past 3 months and are becoming more personal than just slowing production. It soon escalates to planes crashing, equipment falling, and murder, with deaths and injuries piling up, building from fear to terror for the women. Character-driven, the plot accelerates through the whole book until the reader may find he/she is out of breath. I highly recommend this book for its research, subject matter, characterizations, and its exciting, suspenseful finish.
"The Woman in the Wing" grabbed my attention and held it until even after I finished the book. I think this is the longest I ever sat with one book trying to read it all at once. If it weren't for requiring nourishment and sleep, I'm sure I would have done just that. This is not something I say often.
There are not many works of fiction that feature the women, although the author gives some references on-line for non-fiction resources at the back of the book. I even found myself looking up some of the planes mentioned after reading the descriptions! The story primarily follows the paths of two very good friends and neighbours who want to fly and manage to get the training for it. But Char, our chief protagonist, has run into the male-domination theme so prevalent in the this era, and she is told she will not get her wings because of something distasteful to her which she flat out refuses. I, being a child of the 1940s, applaud Ms. Sheldon for incorporating this imbalance of humanity that was very current at that time and still persists in some ways today.
Enter the FBI searching for Nazi spies in the warehouses and hangars. There appear to be a number of them sabotaging the planes being built and those in use. Since Char is being "punished" for her refusal of the Major's proposal, she has been sent to be a riveter, along with her friend Max. They are soon required to watch out for suspicious behaviour and report it to the FBI. They know there are FBI agents working in the facility too, but they don't know who they are.
Accidents have increased in the facility over the past 3 months and are becoming more personal than just slowing production. It soon escalates to planes crashing, equipment falling, and murder, with deaths and injuries piling up, building from fear to terror for the women. Character-driven, the plot accelerates through the whole book until the reader may find he/she is out of breath. I highly recommend this book for its research, subject matter, characterizations, and its exciting, suspenseful finish.
August 19, 2015
As a young girl I was fascinated with stories about pilot Amelia Earhart and read every book om my elementary school library about her. I then found out about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) and read about their role in World War II. When I heard that Jane Sheldon’s book The Woman in the Wing centered around some WASP I had to read it.
Sheldon has written an interesting historical mystery that follows several WASP on a military base where the commander is not favorable to the WASP and actually wants “favors” for the women to get their wings. Add to this one a deadly accident involving the death of a WASP where sabotage is expected and Nazi sympathizers are suspected and you have quite a thriller.
The main character, Charlotte Mercer experienced the sexual harassment on base and was given an opportunity to work at one of the airplane factories with a woman FBI agent, Ellie, as one of “Rosie’s riveters”. It was very physically demanding work attaching the parts of the wings using rivets, thus the name. Many “accidents” started to occur and as they learned the job they also got to know the women. They come to believe that there is a Nazi spy among them and somehow this is also tied into the sabotage at the base.
With the help of another FBI woman on base and Ellie’s FBI brother who coordinated everyone they put together the pieces of who is responsible for the sabotage on the base and at the factory.
Sheldon gives good insights into the women during World War II and the sacrifices they made for the war effort whether it was as a WASP or a riveter. Those women who stayed at home were also the first recyclers and learned how to use what they had. As a woman I was proud of those who went before me and paved the way for me.
This book was a very good mystery that kept me turning the pages but it also is great for those who are interested in history.
Sheldon has written an interesting historical mystery that follows several WASP on a military base where the commander is not favorable to the WASP and actually wants “favors” for the women to get their wings. Add to this one a deadly accident involving the death of a WASP where sabotage is expected and Nazi sympathizers are suspected and you have quite a thriller.
The main character, Charlotte Mercer experienced the sexual harassment on base and was given an opportunity to work at one of the airplane factories with a woman FBI agent, Ellie, as one of “Rosie’s riveters”. It was very physically demanding work attaching the parts of the wings using rivets, thus the name. Many “accidents” started to occur and as they learned the job they also got to know the women. They come to believe that there is a Nazi spy among them and somehow this is also tied into the sabotage at the base.
With the help of another FBI woman on base and Ellie’s FBI brother who coordinated everyone they put together the pieces of who is responsible for the sabotage on the base and at the factory.
Sheldon gives good insights into the women during World War II and the sacrifices they made for the war effort whether it was as a WASP or a riveter. Those women who stayed at home were also the first recyclers and learned how to use what they had. As a woman I was proud of those who went before me and paved the way for me.
This book was a very good mystery that kept me turning the pages but it also is great for those who are interested in history.
January 16, 2010
This is a historical whodunit and an enjoyable mystery very similiar to the Nancy Drew books I read as a kid. In this case, "Nancy Drew" is Char, a WASP in training getting her wings clipped due to her refusual to sleep with the Major. Her sidekicks (somewhat like George and Bess) are her longtime friend and fellow WASP, Maxi and an FBI agent, Ellie. Char and Ellie go to work at an aircraft factory riveting the wings of the C-54 Skymasters in hopes of apprehending suspected German spies that are causing mishaps within the factory. Some of these mishaps are costing lives. Meanwhile, Maxi is mistaken for another pilot and her life is almost ended prematurely when her plane goes down in a corn field. Another case of mistaken identity robs a fellow riveter of her life when she attains a screwdriver in her back meant for Ellie.
Can Ellie and Char discover the Nazi spies before one or both of them ends up with a screwdriver in their backs? If Char can succeed in this mission, will she be able to graduate with her fellow WASP and start working in a cockpit again rather than a wing?
Intriguing tale, but not quite 5 stars. There was a lot of repititon. An example would be when Ellie's brother Dave, an FBI agent himself finds out information, it all must repeated later (almost word for word) to Char and Ellie. There was no need to read it all twice. There were times it felt like the game of Clue. It had a "Hannah Brown in the hangar with a wrench".. kind of feel. It is a mystery, however.
Great attention to detail on the riveting process! The women working on the aircraft were just as important as the ones that flew them. I like how this novel shows us the women in the wings (literally IN the wings holding bucking bars!) as well as the women in the cockpits.
I recommend this to war and aviation buffs as well as young adults with similar interests. The novel is very clean and somewhat educational.
Can Ellie and Char discover the Nazi spies before one or both of them ends up with a screwdriver in their backs? If Char can succeed in this mission, will she be able to graduate with her fellow WASP and start working in a cockpit again rather than a wing?
Intriguing tale, but not quite 5 stars. There was a lot of repititon. An example would be when Ellie's brother Dave, an FBI agent himself finds out information, it all must repeated later (almost word for word) to Char and Ellie. There was no need to read it all twice. There were times it felt like the game of Clue. It had a "Hannah Brown in the hangar with a wrench".. kind of feel. It is a mystery, however.
Great attention to detail on the riveting process! The women working on the aircraft were just as important as the ones that flew them. I like how this novel shows us the women in the wings (literally IN the wings holding bucking bars!) as well as the women in the cockpits.
I recommend this to war and aviation buffs as well as young adults with similar interests. The novel is very clean and somewhat educational.
March 6, 2010
History, mystery and a little romance combine in Jean Sheldon's "The Woman in the Wing." It's 1940 and young Charlotte Mercer and her best friend Maxine enroll in a civilian flight training program at Northwestern University in Chicago. The two complete their training and in 1942 are invited to apply to the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) to fly military airplanes. As accomplished pilots, Char and Maxi are welcomed into the WASP training program where they soon become two of the WASP's best pilots. Char finishes her testing first in her class, but is denied her wings by the base commander when she refuses his advances. The commander instead orders her to work as a riveter at the Douglas Aircraft plant to assist the FBI in investigating possible spies at the airfield and plant.
Dave Frazier is the FBI agent Char works with on the investigation. Dave's sister, Ellie, also an agent, is assigned as Char's partner in the assembly plant. WASP pilots are going down in sabotaged planes and deadly accidents and murders are occurring at the plant. To uncover the saboteurs, Char and Ellie snoop into the lives of their fellow riveters.
"The Woman in the Wing," though fiction, contains much history of the WASP program and World War II. Author Sheldon keeps readers guessing as to the identity of the saboteurs. Her characters are engaging and Sheldon's story gives readers an inside look into the daily life of Americans at home during World War II. There are a few instances where sentences are repeated and a few scene transitions that come abruptly, but overall this is a great read for anyone who loves a mystery and is interested in the World War II era.
Dave Frazier is the FBI agent Char works with on the investigation. Dave's sister, Ellie, also an agent, is assigned as Char's partner in the assembly plant. WASP pilots are going down in sabotaged planes and deadly accidents and murders are occurring at the plant. To uncover the saboteurs, Char and Ellie snoop into the lives of their fellow riveters.
"The Woman in the Wing," though fiction, contains much history of the WASP program and World War II. Author Sheldon keeps readers guessing as to the identity of the saboteurs. Her characters are engaging and Sheldon's story gives readers an inside look into the daily life of Americans at home during World War II. There are a few instances where sentences are repeated and a few scene transitions that come abruptly, but overall this is a great read for anyone who loves a mystery and is interested in the World War II era.
May 13, 2010
Set in Chicago during WWII and focusing on the female contribution to the war effort, `The Woman in the Wing' is a finely crafted suspense thriller that had me turning the pages at a furious pace.
It's the summer of 1944 and Char is getting ready to graduate from Woman Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) training when she gets reassigned because she won't sleep with the Major. She finds out she will be working undercover at a defense plant with FBI agent Eleanor Frazier in an effort to locate some German spies that may be working at the plant. There has been an increase in "accidents" at the plant and the FBI believes the Germans may be trying to sabotage the war planes being built there. Char and Ellie become riveters at the plant alongside many other women, one of whom may be the ringleader of the German spies. Will they uncover the identities of the spies before it is too late and, if they do, will Char finally get her wings?
Author Jean Sheldon has written a well-researched story set in a period of US history that many people probably know very little about. The participation of women in the war effort during World War II wasn't often acknowledged but their support made it possible for the US to intervene in Germany and Japan and ultimately put an end to the war. I love that Ms. Sheldon uses this information as the framework for her novel and, in doing so not only entertains, but teaches us a bit of history. The story is fast paced and the characters are interesting and well-developed. I truly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes historical suspense.
It's the summer of 1944 and Char is getting ready to graduate from Woman Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) training when she gets reassigned because she won't sleep with the Major. She finds out she will be working undercover at a defense plant with FBI agent Eleanor Frazier in an effort to locate some German spies that may be working at the plant. There has been an increase in "accidents" at the plant and the FBI believes the Germans may be trying to sabotage the war planes being built there. Char and Ellie become riveters at the plant alongside many other women, one of whom may be the ringleader of the German spies. Will they uncover the identities of the spies before it is too late and, if they do, will Char finally get her wings?
Author Jean Sheldon has written a well-researched story set in a period of US history that many people probably know very little about. The participation of women in the war effort during World War II wasn't often acknowledged but their support made it possible for the US to intervene in Germany and Japan and ultimately put an end to the war. I love that Ms. Sheldon uses this information as the framework for her novel and, in doing so not only entertains, but teaches us a bit of history. The story is fast paced and the characters are interesting and well-developed. I truly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes historical suspense.
July 6, 2011
If you haven't read this book, you're in for a treat. The World War II background combines with the classic mystery to make an intriguing tale of sabotage, spies, and women pilots confronting discrimination in a sexist military. Char, a young woman, top of her WASP pilot training class, comes up against just such a situation. Refusing a proposition from a male officer, she is sent to work at an airplane assembly plant. In short, she will not get her silver wings! But fate in the form of an FBI agent steps in and Char is recruited for undercover work at the plant. Teamed with Ellie, an actual FBI agent, she must learn how to rivet airplane wings while watching for suspicious activity. When "accidents" continue to slow production, Char and Ellie know there's a mole in this particular woodpile. As their investigations proceed, several murders up the ante. Who is hiding behind an assumed identity and ferrying sensitive information to the Nazis? Who is ordering the so-called accidents? And will Char or Ellie be next on the killer's agenda. Stay tuned, buy a book, and find out!
April 19, 2013
Great read! The Woman in the Wing is a captivating story that drew me in immediately to a tale that centers around a female pilot, one of the few in the country during World War II. Her name is Charlotte and she battles stereotypes and limitations to become a pilot, then finds herself plucked off the tarmac and before long at work for the FBI. They need an inside woman at the plane factories. A Rosie the Riveter.
What intrigued me and held me along with the suspense of this novel -- and I won't give away any more of the story as it is too much fun to read and I don't want to spoil it for you -- is the very real recreation of the world of women in the 1940s.
Without lecturing and without forcing history, Sheldon gives us a story that, by the end of it, leaves us with a feeling of what life was like for women and men in the '40s. And we're left pondering and musing about Charlotte, her world, and how it was in the end of the book when... but I promised I wouldn't say.
What intrigued me and held me along with the suspense of this novel -- and I won't give away any more of the story as it is too much fun to read and I don't want to spoil it for you -- is the very real recreation of the world of women in the 1940s.
Without lecturing and without forcing history, Sheldon gives us a story that, by the end of it, leaves us with a feeling of what life was like for women and men in the '40s. And we're left pondering and musing about Charlotte, her world, and how it was in the end of the book when... but I promised I wouldn't say.
September 6, 2016
A great, nostalgic read. Sheldon weaves a very intriguing spy-mystery story, while at the same time seamlessly integrating in facts about women riveters and WASPs (Women's Airforce Service Pilots) and the sexism that I'm sure was all to common in such a branch as that. It's incredibly well researched, but not infodumpy, and it doesn't detract from the case at hand. All the characters were well written and Char, Ellie, and Dave were incredibly inspirational for a few story ideas that I've had swirling in my mind. The mystery itself isn't terribly convoluted and confusing, but at the same time, I really didn't have any clue as to who the spies were until the last few chapters. The style was casual and simple, but not in a demeaning way; it made for a casual, enjoyable, easy read, a cozy spy mystery of sorts.
Four stars, only because it wasn't an extremely amazing read, just an amazing read.
Four stars, only because it wasn't an extremely amazing read, just an amazing read.
April 19, 2011
Not my usual genre; I enjoyed it just the same. Jean Sheldon sends the reader back to a time when women were becoming more than housewives. The unfortunate truth shows that for all the ground we thought we had gained, much has fallen away.
The story has a build up of excitement and intrigue. Trying to figure out who the bad guys/women are, the reader is caught up in mystery.
My reason for giving it less than four stars is the dialogue. It seemed awkward at times. And maybe it was just me, but I found keeping track of who's who confusing all the way to the end. Maybe that is due to the lack of military training on my part. I need to understand ranking. So someone who has studied that may have better luck in reading this. Even still the story kept me interested.
The story has a build up of excitement and intrigue. Trying to figure out who the bad guys/women are, the reader is caught up in mystery.
My reason for giving it less than four stars is the dialogue. It seemed awkward at times. And maybe it was just me, but I found keeping track of who's who confusing all the way to the end. Maybe that is due to the lack of military training on my part. I need to understand ranking. So someone who has studied that may have better luck in reading this. Even still the story kept me interested.
March 30, 2012
If you are a fan of historical fiction, as I am, you will really enjoy The Woman in the Wing, a tale of the courageous, dedicated women who worked in defense plants and served with the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) on the American home front during World War II.
Jean Sheldon weaves a captivating wartime story of espionage, murder and intrigue. You will find yourself deeply immersed in the lives of these women who do their part every day to further the cause of freedom and stem the rising tide of fascism sweeping across the globe.
The Woman in the Wing reminds us that the contributions of those who are seldom given the spotlight are nonetheless vitally important to understanding where we are today.
Jean Sheldon weaves a captivating wartime story of espionage, murder and intrigue. You will find yourself deeply immersed in the lives of these women who do their part every day to further the cause of freedom and stem the rising tide of fascism sweeping across the globe.
The Woman in the Wing reminds us that the contributions of those who are seldom given the spotlight are nonetheless vitally important to understanding where we are today.
October 16, 2013
I really enjoyed learning about the role of women in WWII in Chicago. I only had a theoretical idea of what it was like. I knew that OHare was originally a defense plant but I knew practically nothing about the WASPs. I was appalled that they were considered a non-military branch, had no military benefits, but were under the control of the military. The wars we have fought would not have been won without these women.
Thank you, Jean Sheldon, for taking the time to enlighten us
Thank you, Jean Sheldon, for taking the time to enlighten us
June 23, 2016
This is a historical mystery that takes place in a defence plant in Chicago during World War II.
The dialogue is stilted and repetitive, poorly written, the plot is far-fetched with too many murders and silly accidents happening in a place where aircraft are built.
A disappointing read.
The dialogue is stilted and repetitive, poorly written, the plot is far-fetched with too many murders and silly accidents happening in a place where aircraft are built.
A disappointing read.
August 20, 2016
An interesting look at the life of WASPs
There was a real WASP that lived in my town for a long time. I was always interested in hearing about her flying time. She did say the men didn't like women flying.
There was a real WASP that lived in my town for a long time. I was always interested in hearing about her flying time. She did say the men didn't like women flying.
July 13, 2013
Very nice read about WW II and the WASP, women flyers and their role. As well as their role building the planes. Side mystery with German espionage
August 20, 2013
I always enjoy books in the World War II era. This was about WASP's or women ferrying pilots. It had espionage and a little romance.
May 24, 2014
Starts with a history lesson and has bad guy POV (something I always find detracts from the mystery aspects), but otherwise decent and interesting.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews