Flame and Fortune

Miss Fortune Mystery #22

by Jana Deleon

No smoke without a fire.

It’s New Year’s in Sinful, and the competition for the New Year’s Queen is heating up as the warring churches go head-to-head. Fortune Redding is not the sequined dress kind of woman, but reluctantly agrees to partake in the debacle so that Ida Belle and Gertie can best their nemesis, Celia, who’s put up former Sinful mean girl RJ Rogers.

RJ and her friend Brock Benoit left plenty of devastation in their wake when they fled Sinful after high school. So when they return and Brock is found dead, there’s no shortage of suspects. Fortune, Ida Belle, and Gertie know all too well what it’s like to live under suspicion of a crime with no resolution. When good people become the targets of gossip, they know they have to rush to unravel the tangled lives of RJ and Brock and expose a killer before the wrong person’s reputation is ruined. Or worse—they’re arrested for a crime they didn’t commit.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Humor, Audiobook, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit

290 pages, Paperback

First published March 27, 2022

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jana DeLeon was raised in southwest Louisiana among the bayous and gators. Her hometown is Carlyss, but you probably won't find it on a map. Her family owned a camp located on a bayou just off the Gulf of Mexico that you could only get there by boat. The most important feature was the rope hammock hanging in the shade on a huge deck that stretched out over the water where Jana spent many hours reading books.

Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.

Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.

She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, "Flame and Fortune" is a wonderful, laugh out loud, riot of an adventure. Swamp Team 3 is again on a case without a client but they are tenacious in the face of an innocent man who insists he is guilty.

When the Sinful Ladies Society needs someone to stand as their representative as their for Sinful's New Years Eve Queen, Fortune is drafted as their candidate. The prize money is good, really, really good, and it will have to be to get Fortune in a slinky sequin gown. But she still is not convinced until she finds out the competition is a former high school mean girl, RJ Rogers, sponsored by their arch nemesis, Celia. The chance to best both a mean girl and Celia has Fortune ready to go.

It has been ten years since RJ and her friend Brock Benoit roared out of Sinful, but the damage they left behind is still very real in this small town. Grudges run deep and lots of people are not happy that they are back. So there is no lack of suspects, both in town and from outside too, when Brock turns up dead in the seedy motel just outside town. Fortune, Ida Belle, and Gertie have their work cut out for them and finding the person who done it is more important than ever when the lives and reputations of an innocent people are on the line.

[Monica (is working the heck out of · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got the usual enjoyment I often do when reading these. They're an auto-buy because I love the characters and really, really, really appreciate how unlike Roarke(Robb) Carter is. Oh, he does the protective warning thing (something Fortune ignores), but he doesn't regulate her diet, pick her clothing or decide when she gets to work or for how long. It was refreshing in the ways these books always are, but I can't really rave about the mystery or anything because I called the killer almost immediately. Add to that the stagnation of the characters (well, most of them, anyway) and this was just a three star read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

This book started out a bit slow for me. But wow it sure picked up. And by the end it was so good. I just love reading about Fortune's adventures. And I can't believe that I only have a few books left to read.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been really fun having a new Miss Fortune to read.
First: You have Fortune Reading as a New Year's Queen contestant.
Can you imagine Fortune in a sequined dress and high heels?
Second: You have two people who left Sinful shortly after graduation returning,
one of them winds up dead and possible suspects that the Swamp Team are unwilling to accept.
Third: Then you have Gerti!

[Trudie Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love fortune and her swamp team.

I recommend starting at the book one of the series, and these never disappoint for a good read.
Caution, don’t drink hot drinks while reading about Gertie’s antics!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series never disappoints. This book is fun and full of action with a mystery full of twists and turns.

[Lucinda Garoutte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jana DeLeon has delivered another laugh out loud roller coaster ride of a book. If you haven't read this series yet, do it now! You will not be sorry!

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swamp Team 3 rocks!!

This is another action-packed, sometimes funny book in a series I love! Fortune, Ida Belle and Gertie fear nothing in the pursuit of justice - and beer and baked goods. And Ronald helping Fortune doll up for the queen contest was priceless! If you haven't read this series yet, give it a try! Too much fun and great mysteries to solve!

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always good to be back in the town of Sinful, Louisiana with the former CIA agent, Fortune Redding and her senior citizen compadre’s Ida Belle and Gertie.

This time Ida Belle and Gertie are trying to talk Fortune into agreeing to enter the Miss New Year’s pageant and wear sequins of all things. Of course Carter is laughing it up but when they explain the town’s Queen of evil, Celia has talked her niece, RJ into entering Fortune seriously is thinking about it especially when she learns RJ bullied Ally.

No pageant entrant can win without the proper dress so Fortune snags her cross dressing next door neighbor, Ronald, into helping her find one. No the only problem is where will she put her gun.

During the parade RJ’s flat catches fire but Fortune saves the day. She also has her suspicions as to who set the blaze. However, when her number one suspect is found murdered Fortune and the gang take on the case to find the culprit before someone they care about goes to jail.

This installment is so intriguing, funny and chocked full of memorable moments. It is never boring in Sinful and this installment proves that. My only complaint is I wish there were more Carter and Fortune moments in the books. We need a little more kissy face! Oh well, maybe the next book will feature this couple. One can only hope.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Dead bodies, mysteries that Fortune and her crew are supposed to stay out of but solve anyway, wrongs righted, happy endings, and Gertie. I just realized there was no mention of Gertie's foul-mouthed parrot or her pet alligator in this book. But she does have a grenade launcher.

[Gail Koger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. I highly recommend it.

[LoveYourShelf (LAB☺) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one! One of the best ones yet.

[Carie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Plus Extra Ending

As always by pg. 10, there's something that makes you grin & say, "Yup, I'm back with these 3 in Sinful!" By end of Ch. 14, Fortune & Ida Belle are watching Gertie in a "Gertie Situation" that SOMEHOW works out with Fortune pulling a gun, Gertie flashing most of the town, & an animal sulking for losing his food. Life in Sinful, LA!
But it's not all fun, laughter, with smart & witty banter. There are sad situations from the past involving the 2 bad apples who have returned to start tongues wagging again. Strangers also come from far away but who, exactly, is in danger?
Even with a new Assistant (poor assistant!), Swamp Team 3 struggles with this one until the puzzle gets turned around and then the pieces drop into place.
The "Plus Ending" makes this book my favorite this far. (And I try to get Jana's new books as soon as available & devour without stopping!)
Excellent!

[Mooncat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was bored by this one. Nothing new happening, same old character flaws and mishaps, case with too many draw outs, no noteworthy interaction with Carter.
Seriously. She should kill off Gertie - or at least get her glasses. And if I were Carter, I’d give Fortune the boot the way she’s lying to him, withholding information and interfering with his investigations.
Either way, high time to shake things up - or end this series.

[Per Gunnar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book in the A Miss Fortune Mystery series although, if I should be honest, I felt like I enjoyed this book just a tad less than the previous books in the series.

I guess that could also be because it is indeed book 22 in the series so maybe I am getting Miss Fortune fatigue?

Anyway, it was still a enjoyable book.

Sinful is gearing up for another spectacle, this time a parade and the selection of the New Year’s Queen, which Gertie and Ida Belle have “volunteered” Fortune for. Seriously? How many parades, events and spectacles does this town have every year?

Well, Gertie and a parade, nothing can go wrong, right?

So of course fast forward for some fun mayhem, Gertie misfortunes and… a murder.

What follows is the usual investigation by Fortune & Co as well as by Carter while he is persuading Fortune & Co to not “interfere”. To no one’s surprise he has limited success in the latter endeavor.

As always Fortune & Co prevails in the end much to the chagrin of Celia of course.

Oh, I skipped the part where Fortune’s crazy neighbor helps her select a dress for the parade. From being a pain in the arse this guy has become quite cool. Crazy as hell but fun.

Turns out the fancy dress shop in Sinful do not have models with space for weaponry though. What respectable dress shop do not have models for concealed weapons? You never know when a ex-assassin walks through the door after all.

Well, as I wrote above, a quite enjoyable book.

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

You will never be bored reading about Swamp team 3 in Sinful Louisiana. Flame and Fortune is another masterpiece by Jana Deleon. We get a brand new hilarious adventure with Miss Fortune, Gertie and Ida Belle and Carter of course but this is also the first time Roland the neighbor has played a really big part. They are having a New Year's eve parade in Sinful and some earlier residents are back stirring up trouble and murder. The girls can't keep their hands away from looking into it and then we are of. I always have a good laugh reading these crazy stories and can recommend them if you like mysteries and mayhem with lots of humor.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flame and Fortune by Jana Deleon is the 22nd book in the Miss Fortune Mystery series. Former CIA agent and now private investigator Fortune Redding enters the New Year's Queen competition in Sinful running against former Sinful mean girl RJ Rogers only to become involved in a murder investigation when RJs former partner is found dead. Very entertaining with plenty of laughs. We see more of Ronald, Fortune's cross dressing neighbour, in this book as he plays a pivotal role in readying Fortune for the competition. Plenty of action and an interesting mystery with a few twists and turns. This series never fails to get you laughing.

[Eva Belliston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swamp Team Three saves the day! Again

I love the ladies of Sinful LA. They are loud , proud and wicked smart. Keep it coming Jana, Fortune, Ida Bell & Gertie make my week! Adding the long suffering Carter and Walter to the mix makes the stories more balanced and less soap operie that others in this genre. Thank you for an excellent afternoon.

[Beatrice Followill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I love these characters , they make me laugh so much . Its New years Eve , theres quite a party , you dont want to ,iss it . Fortune, Ida and Gertie find themselves bored til theres a murder to look into , esp when someone is trying to pin on one of thier own . when it comes to these ladies , they will do anything to find out the truth!

[Carla Waddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best series around, in my humble opinion.

While the characters within the Miss Fortune series are fairly liberal and a tad wild, I have yet to read one of her books that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. This one was no different. Three women - an ex-CIA agent and two spies/soldiers from the Vietnam War era - work together to solve crimes and get one another into, and out of trouble.

The books in this series are full of life (and death,) delightful well-thought-out characters, and laugh out loud humor (even though the hubby is beside me asleep. If I'm not careful, in fact, the laughter is so spontaneous that it sometimes comes out as a snort.)

It is worth it though! I can hardly wait 'til the next in this wonderful series arrives!!!

[Tameka · Rating 4 out of 5]

These women will no doubt put a chuckle in your day. From the antics of the unscrupulous characters to these old ladies and the stripper pole.
The ending was especially surprising. Another great read for the beginning of the new year.

[Shawna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely love this series! This book in particular had me laughing hard.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Luisa Rua · Rating 4 out of 5]

EL FINAAAAL! Amo que Harrison este de vuelta y amo a Shadow.

Amo a estos personajes demasiado!!!

[Desiree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oooops, I accidentally read it out of order, but still enjoyable.
It's a 3.5

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romp, as always. However, I don’t know how much longer Fortune is going to fit into evening gowns, given the way she puts away baked goods. Eat some celery, girl! Those baked goods are going to make you sluggish.

In my experience with this series, the mystery always ends up being secondary to the shenanigans the main characters get up to. I finished this book a few days ago, and I’ve already forgotten who the killer was! Often in these books, it seems to end up being a character who is just mentioned in passing early on. Then there ends up being a big confrontation with this person we haven’t heard a peep from throughout the rest of the book.

No matter, though. I’m still going to read every book in this series because it’s like reconnecting with old friends.

[Amy Major · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love her books. It's been a while since I had read one and needed a fun light read and she never disappoints!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

The “not like other girls” was strong in this one. I really do love and enjoy this series and don’t want it to end, but there’s definitely some things I could do without.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a parade to elect the Queen of the New Year. Ida Belle and Gertie are trying to get Fortune to compete and there is a money prize but the bragging rights are even better. They do get Fortune to compete and all things start to happen at the end of the parade.
An old resident of Sinful has returned home and is competing but she and Brock who left Sinful are part of the new problem and mystery. Of course there is a murder but the story gets interesting with someone who wants to try being a detective and the past will bite two people really good. This story is mostly a mystery but there is a bit of past romance and the Swamp Team 3 still have some antics which will keep you interested.
I love this series of books and look forward to reading more of them!

[Mallory · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of my favorite miss fortune books. I always connect with Jana's better than the others but this one was above and beyond heart warming. From Ally and Mannie getting closer to the story of marigold and her eventual recompense, this one was a class act in Fortune's journey into becoming a Louisiana girl. I did miss a little of the crazy Gertie antics that make me laugh out loud, but everything else more than made up for it. And there was some still there so this was a definite Five 🌟 Fortune Fantastic for me.