This book, as far as I can tell is a woman's journey first to find solace that the person who convinced her to invest a lot of her money in a Ponzi scheme got what was coming to him. When a woman runs up to her on the street asking her for help and "remember me" then turns up dead Sarah can not let it go. She finally remembers where she met the woman and nothing about the death makes sense. She meets up with a Latin male who literally sweeps her off her feet and off to Tijuana in search of answers. He is not exactly what she believes him to be. Meanwhile her boyfriend from back home decides he is going to travel to see her and convinces his boss that he wants to do a news article. Another woman ends up dead. There are quite a few twists and turns and I didn't guess who the killer was until it was revealed. The one thing that really hit me was all the extreme prejudice from everyone to everyone else. That may have been what it was like back then--but it did bother me to constantly be reminded about it.
About the Book: (from Amazon)
Los Angeles, 1928. Oil, oranges and site of the C. C. Julian Petroleum stock scandal, a Ponzi type scheme to rival any in American history and a foreshadowing of the decade's looming, economic crash. As one of the scheme's victims, Ohio probate officer Sarah Kaufman--still reeling from the KKK murders she helped solve in Tennessee--is in the city to attend the trial of the perpetrators, in particular of the ''friend'' who convinced her to invest. Sarah is eager for justice and committed to seeing the trial through. She's glad she's alone, that her lover Mitchell isn't there, that after court she'll have time to herself. But when a Mexican woman she barely knows winds up dead, Sarah's plans are thrown upside down. Suddenly she finds herself in a nightmarish trial by fire, one that takes her from the glamour of Hollywood to the Tijuana frontier, tests her deepest beliefs and leads her to discover not only a killer, but a part of Los Angeles built on a terrible secret. Includes Readers Guide.
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About the Author: (from Amazon)
Picture from Goodreads)
ONA RUSSELL is a credentialed mediator and holds a PhD in literature from the University of California, San Diego, where she also taught for many years. She is the author of two previous Sarah Kaufman historical mysteries from Sunstone Press, O'Brien's Desk and The Natural Selection the last of which was a finalist in the prestigious California Commonwealth Club Book Awards. She has been widely published in other venues and is an accomplished public speaker, lecturing particularly on the topic of ''literature and the law.''
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I received a paperback edition of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.
34 comments :
This sounds like an interesting read, complicated but seems promising. I like the plot, it's a little dark but I'd want to know what happened with all those deaths.
This looks interesting (and a bit freaky) - especially with a Ponzi scheme woven into the plot. It's hard to believe that these sorts of financial schemes things STILL go on today.
Not only would I enjoy this book but my mother would as well. she share our favorite finds with each other.
Thanks for the great review. I am always looking for a new book to read. And, I like getting recommendations from others.
It sounds like it is a good book. I think I would be like you though and get tired of the prejudices being pointed out. I will still see if I can find a copy at the store and glance through to see if I would like to read it.
You know it is until very recently that discrimination, and all kinds of it was everywhere. Good thing that we are here and now. Still work needs to be done but so much better than before
That sounds very interesting!
When we were in DC last week, we saw an exhibit in one of the museums about Rosa Parks and I explained to my 7 year old what it was all about. It's so sad that something like that actually happened.
That sounds like a pretty shocking read. I usually can't handle anything with murder in it.
I'm a little disappointed the book isn't in Kindle format because it (and its predecessors) sound interesting. The second book is, so maybe the publishers will do all three eventually. I'll keep an eye out.
This one looks like a great read. I love when books are placed back in history.
Michelle F.
This book sounds like a really interesting read! It likely isn't something I would have picked up just browsing..but after reading your description I think I may have to check it out.
With all that's going on in the news, it sounds like the prejudice described in the book still remains. I like a little edge to my reading some days. Even though it's nothing like my own life, I get caught up. This sounds like something I wouldn't be able to put down.
I can't wait to read this one. What a great plot!
This sounds like a great book! I added it to my amazon wishlist so I will remember it. Thanks!
Oh yes...LOVE the ones where you can't figure out who the murderer is! (Sometimes I feel like they're all the same!)
I like good twists. Sound like an intriguing book. I;d love to read it
I think prejudice scenaro still exist till this day, I would love to read this though, sounds like full of twist and turns.
This sounds like a really interesting book. I like books that have a good twist to them.
I don't like books that repeat something over and over throughout the course of a book. Other than that feature, it does sound like a really good book.
I love historical fiction books like this one. They really do take you back in time.
This novel seems like an interesting read. The deaths make you want to read more.
Elizabeth O.
I love reading your book reviews. I'm not an avid reader but my MIL - she very much so is. I pass along the books that I think she'd really like. Thanks for the review.
Prejudice has come a long way in making improvements, that's for sure! I like that you couldn't guess who the killer was until the reveal.
Sounds like this book was one wild ride! Not sure if it's something I would read as the prejudice would probably be a little bit too much for me to handle. But it does sound like a really good book!
I'm curious about the "part of Los Angeles built on a terrible secret"! Sounds like an interesting read - a little off mainstream :)
A murder mystery novel is always exciting and thrilling. My kind of story even when it comes to films and TV shows.
Sounds like a rgreat read! I really like the books where you have to wait til the end to know who the bad guy is.
This sounds like a really great book!! Might just add it to my summer reading list!
This sounds like an interesting read indeed. I love the review and now I want to read to find out all the twist and turns. Thanks for shairng.
What an interesting read. It sounds like I would become completely engrossed by it!
Oh I love a good book with twists and turns. Definitely going to check this one out!
Thank you very much Miki for posting this review and to everyone for all the comments! I'd love to discuss the story with anyone who's interested. Much of the historical backdrop is true, and my sleuth was a real historical figure. Thanks again!
Ona Russell
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