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Fortune Favours the Dead

(Pentecost and Parker #1)

Stephen Spotswood (Goodreads Author)

4.11 · Rating details · 679 ratings · 159 reviews

The first in the brilliant new Pentecost and Parker series, FORTUNE FAVOURS THE DEAD is a hugely entertaining murder mystery set in 1940s New York City.

New York, 1946. Lillian Pentecost is the most successful private detective in the city, but her health is failing. She hires an assistant to help with the investigative legwork. Willowjean Parker is a circus runaway. Quick- ...more

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Hardcover, 336 pages

Published November 12th 2020 by Wildfire (first published October 27th 2020)

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Oct 22, 2020 Paromjit rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-fiction, historical-fiction, netgalley, mystery

Set during the final years of WW2 in New York, Stephen Spotswood writes the first of a delightful historical murder mystery series featuring the famous female PI, Lillian Pentecost, with her detective agency and narrated by her assistant, the street smart Willowjean 'Will' Parker, an ex-cirky girl with an unusual skill set acquired after becoming a jack of all trades at the circus, after running away from home. It was her knife throwing skills that saved Lillian on their first meeting that led t Set during the final years of WW2 in New York, Stephen Spotswood writes the first of a delightful historical murder mystery series featuring the famous female PI, Lillian Pentecost, with her detective agency and narrated by her assistant, the street smart Willowjean 'Will' Parker, an ex-cirky girl with an unusual skill set acquired after becoming a jack of all trades at the circus, after running away from home. It was her knife throwing skills that saved Lillian on their first meeting that led to Will's new career direction, Lillian is suffering from the progressive disease of MS and badly needed help, training Will in the vital skills required in the profession. A wealthy woman, Lillian, feels the strong need to put back into the community, her well paying clients allow her to run the packed Open Saturdays, where those who cannot afford her services receive the requisite support, and Will runs her self defense classes for women often facing abuse and domestic violence, as a consequence the detectives have a wide network of informants to draw on for their cases.

The agency is called in when the wealthy Abigail Collins, wife of a steel magnate, Alistair, who switched to production of military weapons for the American war effort, is discovered murdered, a locked room mystery, at the annual Halloween Party celebrations that boasted the presence of fortune teller and spiritualist, Ariel Belestrade. Strangely, a year previously, Al Collins had committed suicide in the same room and rumours are rife that it was the dead man who was responsible for killing his wife with a crystal ball. It is a complex investigation, with a wide range of suspects that include the beautiful Collins twins, Randolph and Becca, and their beloved godfather, Harry Wallace, a good friend of their father. Will struggles to adhere to Lillian's order that she stay away from Ariel, only to find herself regretting not following her instructions. And why can't they find any information on Abigail before she arrived in New York?

Spotswood new series oozes charm and atmosphere, with its wonderful offbeat protagonists that immediately caught my interest, their relationship with each other is a joy to observe as they are always there for each other when required. I particularly liked Will, dressing like a man, unafraid of taking on men twice her size, with her sexual attraction to Becca, hardworking and determined, but a woman with her flaws. There are faint echoes of the Sherlock Holmes and John Watson dynamic, but Will is more of her own woman, and with Lillian's MS set to worsen, no doubt Will is going to have to increasingly step up in the future. This is such a promising beginning to the new series, so engaging and entertaining, that I cannot wait for the next in the series! Many thanks to Headline for an ARC. ...more

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Dec 03, 2020 Sunny rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, lgbtq-favorites

AN ABSOLUTE FUCKING DELIGHT I DEVOURED THIS BOOK

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Nov 17, 2020 Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kept-book, ebook, net-galley

“Fortune Favours the Dead” is a brand new exciting historical crime series from award-winning playwright and journalist Stephen Spotswood. Featuring Ms Lilian Pentecost and Miss WillowJean Parker - New York private detectives set in 1946 New York - these two wonderful characters form a fabulous strong female duo, who are both audacious, spirited and fearless. Narrated by WillowJean (Will), a circus runaway with a catalogue of talents, including knife throwing, wrestling and lock picking, we hear “Fortune Favours the Dead” is a brand new exciting historical crime series from award-winning playwright and journalist Stephen Spotswood. Featuring Ms Lilian Pentecost and Miss WillowJean Parker - New York private detectives set in 1946 New York - these two wonderful characters form a fabulous strong female duo, who are both audacious, spirited and fearless. Narrated by WillowJean (Will), a circus runaway with a catalogue of talents, including knife throwing, wrestling and lock picking, we hear the past events surrounding what looks like an impossible crime but with Lilian and Will on the case, there is no such thing and we are taken on a journey involving seances, murder, family secrets and a wide range of suspects.
Lilian’s health is failing, suffering from MS but thriving even through her bad days, determined to continue her work regardless. Enrolling Will into her business was a very smart move, she’s quick witted, sharp, bold and her sexual interest in women made the story modern and up to date. Her love of American dime store crime novels really completed the picture of her and her witty voice throughout the story made for a interesting and engaging read. The agency mostly deals with private investigations but matriarch Lilian also has an ‘open house’ policy on a Saturday, where for those who can’t afford help, go to her for advice and support, while Will offers self defence classes to to women.
Although the crux of the crime was a little confusing at times due to the number of possible suspects and long buried secrets, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this intriguing debut in a promising new series and thought the whole creation of Will’s queer character brilliant. There’s a very helpful cast of characters at the start of the novel, which explains who they are and their involvement in the story, to help aid any confusion.
The author’s evident inspiration for the novel is based on his love of classic detective stories, Holmes and Christie being his go to reads of his youth. His fascination with mid-century hardboiled American detective stories is what gave him the imagination and courage to introduce a series that looks into the corners of American culture that is so often forgotten.
A unique, highly entertaining and fun read which kept me utterly engaged and I would welcome any further books in the Pentecost/Parker series with open arms.

5 stars ...more

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Oct 15, 2020 Gail C. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the first in a proposed new mystery series that defines further genre identification. It has a strong female protagonist, and indeed some issues regarding equality for women running through it. It is also written in the hard-boiled style in terms of some of its sentence structure combined with some of the action that would find itself at home in many hardboiled novels. On the other hand, it has little violence and no typical “gun moll” or distressed female beauty seeking the help of a do This is the first in a proposed new mystery series that defines further genre identification. It has a strong female protagonist, and indeed some issues regarding equality for women running through it. It is also written in the hard-boiled style in terms of some of its sentence structure combined with some of the action that would find itself at home in many hardboiled novels. On the other hand, it has little violence and no typical “gun moll” or distressed female beauty seeking the help of a down on his luck but strong masculine detective.

Rather, the head of this detective agency is the very competent, very successful, Lillian Pentecost. While she is the head of the agency, the book is narrated by Willojean Parker, a young woman who has been brought up in the circus and who has been offered the opportunity of a lifetime; namely to work and apprentice with Pentecost, one of the premier investigators of the period. Pentecost needs Parker as she has MS which is slowly progressing and robbing her of some of her physical strength and ability. Together they create a formidable team with Pentecost teaching Parker the ins and outs of detective work, and Parker using the survival skills she learned growing up in a traveling carnival to enhance her skills in this new to her world.

The atmosphere of the book is skillfully drawn so the reader gets an in-depth flavor of the time period without feeling as if they are reading a history book. There is some humor here, enough to lighten the book and help move it along without being over-the-top. There are also just enough hints of violence to remind the reader that detective work can be dangerous while the book remains largely gore free. The reader can supply as much or as little with their own imagination when action becomes paramount.

The primary mystery is well crafted with all the clues laid out for the reader if they put them together in the right order. The solution is logical and satisfying without being tied up in one neat, shiny package. There are also minor mysteries that reach logical conclusions, at least one of which the reader may be unaware of having been a mystery. The result is a delightfully complex book with well-written characters that will leave most readers hoping this is, indeed, the beginning of a new series.

This is a book I could recommend to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted and well-paced mystery. My thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. The book is scheduled to be published on October 27, 2020; so you’ve got just enough time to order a copy from your local bookseller or get on the waiting list at your library.

...more

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Nov 12, 2020 Lou rated it it was amazing

Fortune Favours the Dead is the first instalment in the Pentecost and Parker Murder Mystery series, featuring Private Investigator Lillian Pentecost, who runs her own detective agency, alongside her assistant, intelligent and cultured Willowjean ”Will” Parker. It's 1942 and Will is a scrappy circus runaway whose knife-throwing skills have just saved the life of New York's best, and most unorthodox, private investigator, Lillian Pentecost. When the dapper detective summons Will a few days later, Fortune Favours the Dead is the first instalment in the Pentecost and Parker Murder Mystery series, featuring Private Investigator Lillian Pentecost, who runs her own detective agency, alongside her assistant, intelligent and cultured Willowjean ”Will” Parker. It's 1942 and Will is a scrappy circus runaway whose knife-throwing skills have just saved the life of New York's best, and most unorthodox, private investigator, Lillian Pentecost. When the dapper detective summons Will a few days later, she doesn't expect to be offered a life-changing proposition: Lillian's multiple sclerosis means she can't keep up with her old case load alone, so she wants to hire Will to be her right-hand woman. In return, Will is to receive a salary, room and board, and training in Lillian's very particular art of investigation.

Three years later, Will and Lillian are on the Collins case: Abigail Collins was found bludgeoned to death with a crystal ball following a big, boozy Halloween party at her home--her body slumped in the same chair where her steel magnate husband shot himself the year before. With rumors flying that Abigail was bumped off by the vengeful spirit of her husband (who else could have gotten inside the locked room?), the family has tasked the detectives with finding answers where the police have failed. But that's easier said than done in a case that involves messages from the dead, a seductive spiritualist, and Becca Collins--the beautiful daughter of the deceased, who Will quickly starts falling for. When Will and Becca's relationship dances beyond the professional, Will finds herself in dangerous territory, and discovers she may have become the murderer's next target.

This is a charming and utterly captivating historical murder mystery, set against the atmospheric backdrop of 1940s New York City. Lillian and Will are characters that are exquisitely wrought and who both have distinct personalities. I loved that they were instantly likeable and the dynamic they have together really worked. They're quirky, relatable, strong women, who don't shy away from backing themselves and each other in a sector dominated by men. I feel as though they very much came alive on the page they were so carefully and intricately built. The murder mystery aspect is superbly plotted, well written and chugs along at a decent pace while also allowing Spotswood the time necessary for series opener exposition. A compulsive, fun and entertaining read and one of the finest series starters I have read in a while. Sublime. Many thanks to Wildfire for an ARC. ...more

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Oct 01, 2020 Maine Colonial rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-or-digital-galley, mystery, hard-boiled-noir

I received a free advance review copy from the publisher, via Netgalley.

In his first mystery novel, Spotswood imagines that two of New York’s finest private investigators in 1946 are Lillian Pentecost, a late middle-aged woman fighting against the encroaching enfeeblement of multiple sclerosis, and her investigator, young Willowjean Parker, aka Will. Will is a young woman who ran away from home at 15, joined the circus, and was eventually taken on by Pentecost as her protegé.

Pentecost is hired t ...more

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Nov 20, 2020 Rachel Hall rated it liked it

Patchy period detail and an uninspiring plot let down a promising gender bending PI team.

Fortune Favours the Dead is an offbeat homage to hard-boiled American crime fiction and introduces a promising new gender bending detective duo. Lilian Pentecost is New York’s leading female detective but is suffering from a degenerative disease that is increasingly holding her back with the demanding legwork of the job. When she meets twenty-year-old circus girl Willowjean “Will” Parker at a crime scene and Patchy period detail and an uninspiring plot let down a promising gender bending PI team.

Fortune Favours the Dead is an offbeat homage to hard-boiled American crime fiction and introduces a promising new gender bending detective duo. Lilian Pentecost is New York’s leading female detective but is suffering from a degenerative disease that is increasingly holding her back with the demanding legwork of the job. When she meets twenty-year-old circus girl Willowjean “Will” Parker at a crime scene and sees that Will’s quick hands are accompanied by an even quicker head she hires her as an assistant and future replacement. Nobody’s fool and as ready for a street brawl as she is to pick locks and probe, Will is a fascinating one-off with a penchant for ladies at a time when attitudes to sexuality were openly hostile to anyone deviating from the norm. Three years into their time together in 1946 brings a threshold moment for the duo and a case with one heck of a fallout and the jaunty first person narrative of dynamic Will takes readers through it.

When the matriarch of a wealthy corporate family, Abigail Collins, is bludgeoned to death by a crystal ball at her very own Halloween party and her body found in the locked room it returns the family to the headlines. Just a year prior to this event Abigail’s steel magnate husband, Alastair, shocked everyone who knew him by taking his own life, leaving Harrison Wallace as acting CEO of Collins Steelworks and Manufacturing and to handle the critical renegotiation of military contracts. As godparent to the Collins twins, Rebecca and Randolph, who share a fractious relationship Wallace hires Lilian Pentecost to search for the truth where the NYPD are failing to make headway. The revelation that Abigail was seeing a high profile psychic whose methods Lilian is suspicious of combined with her mysterious background gives the duo more than a little food for thought. However it is only when Rebecca starts putting the moves on Will that things really start to kick off...

Whilst I adored Will and was a paid-up fan of her style and the narrative I felt a little short-changed that despite being the boss Lilian Pentecost didn’t bring much to the party not even in terms of Agatha Christie style deduction. The period detail is also patchy and it certainly doesn’t feel like the country is engaged in a war and despite the attitudes to homosexuality being spot-on it is harder to conceive of so many women flocking to the open Saturdays and taking Will’s self-defence lessons. My overriding issue with the novel however was my dismay at the dud mystery element, the anticlimactic series of reveals and the fudge of a solution to the promise of an original locked-room mystery. The denouement felt like the staggered revelation of several puzzles, none that particularly surprised me, and I will disappointed not to have felt more invested in the whodunnit element. In the end it was Will and her sexuality alone that kept me reading and it is Will that will see me return for a future second book in this series. ...more

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Nov 11, 2020 Meg rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 16, 2020 Samantha rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted anything as badly as I want to be best friends with Will Parker.

This book is about as close to perfect as it gets, and a huge part of that is the outstanding Miss Willowjean Parker, aka Will. As protagonists go, she’s as good as they get. And the surrounding cast? Also excellent, every one of them.

Spotswood’s exceptional cast of characters is just the tip of the iceberg of what makes this novel so wonderful. I went into this book thinking it was going to be a semi ...more

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Jan 03, 2021 Lata rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, 2021-read

This was fantastic! The energy, and dare I say it, the pluck, of main character Willowjean Parker shines through this narrative of her and her older partner and friend Lillian Pentecost.
Willowjean works as a Jack of all trades at a carnival, and meets Lillian one night. After saving Lillian’s life, Lillian offers Willowjean a job as her assistant.
Lillian suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS), and trains Willowjean in her work. Willowjean does the legwork and research, and though Lillian’s health ...more

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Dec 02, 2020 Grace W rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, lgbt, mystery

(c/p from my review on TheStoryGraph) 4.5 I was so looking forward to this book and I'm delighted that it did not disappoint. I was a little disappointed that I guessed a good chunk of the plot but I'm actually kind of fine with that as it doesn't take away from the quality of the writing nor the intent of the story. Also, the very last twist in the book made me go WAIT WHAT and was delightful. It feels very Sherlock and Holmes but better because they are treated as equals to each other. I would ...more

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Jul 14, 2020 Maxine rated it really liked it · review of another edition

After years as a roadie in the circus, Willowjean Parker aka Will has learned some valuable skills she puts to good use as the protege of private detective Lillian Pentecost. Now they are faced with their most difficult case when, after a Halloween party featuring a spiritualist and plenty of booze, the wealthy hostess is found bludgeoned to death with a crystal ball in a locked room - in fact, the same room and chair in which her husband had committed suicide the previous year. Could her husban ...more

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Oct 06, 2020 Erin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: galley, historical-mysteries, we-need-diverse-books

Many thanks to Netgalley for the early copy. I thoroughly enjoyed this title and am excited for the next book in the series already! The plot was straight forward and easy to follow, but still kept me guessing up until the very end. I loved Will and Lillian and found them to be likable, intelligent and well drawn characters that I would love to hang out with and have drinks. This book occurs right after World War 2 which is one my favorite time periods. I really appreciated how the author approa ...more

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Sep 17, 2020 Jan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-research, women-sleuths, nyc, murder-investigation, private-investigators, historical-fiction, post-ww2

WillowJean Parker has a lot of things in common with Archie Goodwin: swift critical thinking and a fun chameleonish personality, to start with. Having escaped from home she made the circus folk her family until they urged her to take the position offered her by the unimposing but famous lady detective in New York City who would use those practical talents and add even more to her repertoire. This case is a locked room mystery involving a wealthy family, a lot of secrets, and a woman who inveigle ...more

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May 02, 2020 Rebecca Speas rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2020-releases, mysteries, historical-fiction, lgbtqia

Good news, mystery readers, your new favorite sleuthing duo has arrived on the scene! Lillian Pentecost, an elegant lady detective, is not as steady on her feet as she used to be, so she enlists the unique skills of Willowjean Parker, formerly of the traveling circus, and together they take on New York City's most baffling cases. FORTUNE FAVORS THE DEAD is a refreshing update to a classic Golden Age mystery, serving hard-boiled thrills and laugh-out-loud wit with charm and panache. A fantastic r ...more

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Nov 25, 2020 Louise rated it it was amazing

They say don’t judge a book by it’s cover buy in all honesty I think it’s something that we’re all huilty of, whether intentionally or not. I’d seen this book, looked at the cover and decided it wasn’t to my taste so just kept on scrolling (as a side point – wouldn’t the world be a better place is more people decided to keep scrolling when they saw something they didn’t like). In case you’re interested, it was the bright yellow cover that I’d seen, maybe my interest would have been piqued if I’d ...more

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Nov 24, 2020 Susan Tunis rated it really liked it · review of another edition

3.5 stars. I liked the opening of this series starter. I was intrigued by the narrating protagonist's background in the circus, and the opening scene indicated that her unusual skill set would serve her well.

As it turns out, that wasn't as much of an element as I had hoped. The period mystery at the heart of the novel was fairly conventional. It was fine, nothing more. The writing, though, was strong throughout.

And Mr. Spotswood has created an interesting duo of female detectives. They're a quir ...more

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Dec 28, 2020 Dottie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 23, 2020 T. M. Kuta rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: queer-lady-fiction, historical-fiction, f-f, butch-mc

Okay, this book was good. REALLY good. Every plot point had a purpose. I learned a lot about telling yarns and characters voices, and dropping red herrings in amongst the bits. Highly recommend the book! I would heavily brand this book with a content warning of suicide, because it comes up several times.

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Aug 25, 2020 Mary McBride rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Great romp of a mystery in 1940s New York.
Instead of Sam Spade, you have two female Private Investigators.
Great characters and lots of smart twists.
Hope this one is the start of a new series!
Loved it!

4.5 ***

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Oct 30, 2020 Gail rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries-historical, mysteries, audio-book, suspense, mysteries-noir

This was amazing. Queer, fun, noir, and enjoyable. Problem; I read it the day it came out and I’ll have a long wait till the next one.

A female/queer Holmes and Watson...mmmm, more like a Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin with a lot more agency. Exceptionally good!

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Oct 31, 2020 Geonn Cannon rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Ice Storm Book 1. Not a bad book, and perfect for a single-sitting read. I'm still not sold on the overly pulpy cover, but I like the leass enough to revisit them (hopefully the author will cool it on the number of times he reminds us Will likes detective novels). Definitely worthy of a sequel. ...more

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Sep 08, 2020 MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book rated it really liked it · review of another edition

What a fun mystery read into 1940s NYC. I love the strong female leads, and the well paced story. Definitely a great read.

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Nov 23, 2020 RG rated it really liked it

A fun murder mystery set in 1940s NYC. Great characters, fun plotting and great setting. A great start to a new series. Kinda got Sherlock holmes and Knives out vibes

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Aug 21, 2020 Jennifer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks, extended-reviews

You know an author has a talent for creating likable characters when, only three chapters in, you begin mentally writing future scenes involving those characters. While none of the scenes I composed while walking my dog came to pass, Mr. Spotswood’s future scenes more than compensated. Fortune Favors the Dead is an exciting, absorbing, and sparkling debut that, one very much hopes, is the foundation of a new series.

In addition to being filled with terrific characters, the novel has a solid myste
You know an author has a talent for creating likable characters when, only three chapters in, you begin mentally writing future scenes involving those characters. While none of the scenes I composed while walking my dog came to pass, Mr. Spotswood’s future scenes more than compensated. Fortune Favors the Dead is an exciting, absorbing, and sparkling debut that, one very much hopes, is the foundation of a new series.

In addition to being filled with terrific characters, the novel has a solid mystery told at an unflagging pace, a sweet, daring-for-the-1940s romance, the requisite surprises and red herrings, and a tone that shifts easily and naturally between light and dark. It’s all set down by Will Parker, our indomitable narrator-heroine, in snappy, colorful, page-turning prose.

As is frequently the case, Conan Doyle’s template for private detective mystery novels is followed here. We have a Holmes, Watson, Lestrade, and even a potential Moriarty, though three of Spotswood’s four are females, and his Lestrade – Lieutenant Lazenby – is refreshingly far above the clueless inspector (and his kin in the genre) in competence. There’s even a version of the Baker Street Irregulars in the Saturday morning visitors Ms. Pentecost assists, and who in turn provide her with information relating to her cases. Interestingly, Ms. Pentecost* is a less clever Holmes (but who isn’t?), and her contributions to this murder mystery are generally secondary to those of Miss Parker, our Watson. But Parker (whose love of pulp detective fiction I identify with) is much more than just a narrator admiringly relating her employer’s feats – she is unmistakably the star of the show. Her immensely engaging personality, her resolve and resourcefulness, and her mistakes, drive the plot and keep our eyes glued to the pages.

I was initially drawn to Fortune Favors the Dead when I discovered that Stephen Spotswood is the husband of Jessica Spotswood, the author of the Cahill Witch Chronicles trilogy which I thoroughly enjoyed. Clearly, the Muses have favored the Spotswood household!

* I waited in vain for Lillian Pentecost to utter the phrase “the spirit moved me”.

(I would like to thank Doubleday Books and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of Fortune Favors the Dead in exchange for an honest review.)

(This review was also posted on the ReadLove blog: https://dawnreadlove.wordpress.com/ )
...more

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Dec 17, 2020 VickiLee rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: murder-mystery, wom-2020-reading-challenge, private-eye, historical-setting

This is a wonderfully written novel whose main characters are an older private eye who suffers from my multiple sclerosis and her new assistant, Willowjean Parker a.k.a. Will. The year is 1942 and it is quickly apparent of how social mores have changed since then. These women make wonderful partners and I do hope that there are more of these books written. Will deserves to have further development as a character. She’s interesting.

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Nov 15, 2020 Beck Mcclain rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was a lot of fun. A well-crafted debut mystery that I hope is indeed the start of a series.

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Jan 04, 2021 Dave rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A great mystery novel that doesn't quite stick the landing. But that didn't take away from my enjoyment.
It's 1946 and Willowjean (Will) Parker is working with Private Investigator Lillian Pentecost.
They are soon investigating a 'locked room' mystery.
Great characters and a good flow.
The end was a little busy for me, but again, that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story.
I look forward to the 2nd book in This series. ...more

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Nov 22, 2020 Dan Bassett rated it it was amazing

Lillian and Willowjean are the best private detectives in the city, but their latest case seems like an impossible crime...
Abigail Collins was found with a rather large crystal ball sized dent in her head during a Halloween party at her mansion.
Her body is found in the same chair her husband took his own life in the year before. The problem? The door was locked from the inside....
The police are stumped, and the family want answers....
You follow Willowjean Parker, an ex Circus worker who winds up ...more

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Dec 12, 2020 Marlene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Originally published at Reading Reality

I picked this up this week because I was a bit unsatisfied with the Holmes collection over the weekend. I was still left with a taste for a bit of classic mystery with a twist – or two or ten – and for something a bit more Holmes-like than that collection.

Fortune Favors the Dead turned out to be everything I wanted, even if in the end it was nothing I expected. And that’s a great thing!

The story here is about a detective duo at the very beginning of their p ...more

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About Stephen Spotswood

Stephen Spotswood

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Stephen Spotswood is an award-winning playwright, journalist, and educator. As a journalist, he has spent much of the last two decades writing about the aftermath of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the struggles of wounded veterans. His dramatic work has been produced nationwide and includes Girl In The Red Corner (winner of the 2017 Helen Hayes Award for Best New Play), In The Forest She Gre ...more