Beacon Street Mourning

Doubleday no longer intends to publish series mysteries, and because of this, Fremont Jones has met an untimely end. And because of contractual matters, Day can't take the series to another publisher. So, enjoy this one, folks -- it's the last in the series. It's a real shame!

Those readers who love Fremont Jones mysteries because of the San Francisco setting might be a bit disappointed with this fifth book in the series because it is set in Fremont's home town, Boston. But, I suspect they won't be disappointed for long because this is one of the best (if not the best) crafted mysteries Day has written so far. The twists of the plot are much more compelling and I liked the way in which the book brought the Boston period of Fremont's life to a sad conclusion..Despite its Boston setting the book does include Michael Archer, Fremont's partner and lover, but he appears infrequently in this book as Fremont Jones reconnects with her father, loses him tragically, and solves the mystery of his death. Fans of Day's earlier works will like this one, too, but if you are new to the series I suggest you begin at the beginning (The Strange Files of Fremont Jones) to fully understand the book.

This really is the best book in the series. I do so enjoy the Fremont Jones books and I was very sorry to hear that this is the last one. I just started the series at the beginning of the this year and I have read all of them at least twice. Beacon Street Mourning is a wonderful addition to this collection. Get them while you can!!

Fremont Jones knows her stepmother is poisoning her father. The only thing is, no one believes he is being poisoned. If he were, sweet Augusta is the last person anyone would suspect. The doctors poo-poo Fremont, her father's bank partner questions her sanity, and even Michael, Fremont's lover, seems to fall under Augusta's sway.Dianne Day manages to convey 1908 Boston (the novel starts in San Francisco and moves to Boston) in both physical but especially the social and emotional senses. Fremont is unconventional (being a private detective), yet still bound by conventions. Day's style is a huge part of the book. Although there is certainly some complexity in the mystery, including whether there is a mystery at all, the chief joy in reading BEACON STREET MOURNING is in the reading itself.

Over four years ago, Fremont Jones, a prominent young woman in Boston high society, left her home to escape the social pressure fostered on her by the upper crust. She journeyed to San Francisco where she opened up a typing business. On the West Coast, Fremont met the love of her life, Michael Kossoff, a former(?) spy for both the American and Russian governments. They survived the first great twentieth century earthquake in the area and now manage a detective business, the J and K Agency.While recovering from some recent injuries, Fremont worries about not hearing from her East Coast father. She learns that he is probably dying. Fremont wonders if her detested stepmother Augusta is involved with her dad's failing health. She arranges for her father to go to the hospital and accompanied by Michael, heads east to visit him. While in Boston, Fremont sees her dad rallying. He leaves the hospital only to die from a sudden heart attack. Fremont and Michael investigate Augusta's activities as they expect foul play occurred until someone kills the wicked stepmother.Dianne Day is one of the better historical mysteries on the market today. Fremont is a great character struggling with gender discrimination in the first decade of the twentieth century. Her independence stamps her as unacceptably strange. BEACON STREET MOURNING is a thought-provoking tale that is an insightful social commentary as well as an in depth character study. Adding to the fun of this novel is that for the the first time in the series, the audience glimpses what drove Fremont to go west young lady. Fans will understand her demons and motives even as new readers search for previous tales in a fabulous series.Harriet Klausner