In the Mood for Murder

Kate Fallon is back. She has recently joined the Molly Pitcher Society, a group of women dedicated to doing their part to help the war effort. One morning, all the members of the group get threatening letters. Then, one by one, the members start to be murdered. With her position within the group, Kate starts to investigate her friends to find out who is behind it.This is a great book. I was drawn into the world of small town America during World War II from the first page. The characters are well constructed and interesting. And the plot is great. I was hooked, and completely surprised by the ending. If you enjoy a good who done it, pick up this book. You won't be disappointed.

This second of the Homefront Mystery series marches smartly along in the footsteps of its predecessor. America's involvement in the war is now nearly one year old, and the little town of Robinsville, Pennsylvania, is preparing for its traditional Thanksgiving celebration; the big football game, perhaps a trip to Philadelphia for the big parade, a community Thanksgiving service, and of course, turkey dinner with all the trimmings. In addition, the town will mourn those of its young men who went off to war and will not return.Eight women in the community, including young Kate Fallon, who has become an ace welder due to the shortage of young men left at home as part of the work force, have formed the Molly Pitcher Society, named after the Revolutionary War heroine. The mission of this new group is to aid the war effort in whatever way seems best. The first project is a servicemen's club, or canteen. Almost before anything can be accomplished, however, all eight women receive 'poison pen' letters, sent anonymously, of course. A suicide and two murders follow rapidly, disturbing the peace of the small town. A wrong arrest is questioned by Kate, who shrewdly analyzes the various parts of the puzzle before enacting her own Agatha Christie-type showdown. As in the first book, the research lends an aura of authenticity and nostalgia, and is seamlessly blended into the narrative. Only one problem looms--Robinsville is such a small town--if multiple murders are to keep Kate busy, the town will soon be decimated! Maybe she'll need to move to Philly to keep her skills intact until her soldier boy comes home again!

Eleven months have passed since Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. In Pennsylvania, the Fallon family contributes to the American war effort. The eldest daughter Kate works as a welder at the Manyon Precision Metals Company. Last year, Kate solved a double homicide case (see THE VICTORY DANCE MURDERS) but will not sit on her laurels. With seven other women, Kate forms the Molly Pitcher Society, an organization that supports the war by establishing a serviceman's club and canteen.An article appears in the local newspaper praising the eight women. However, soon after each one receives a poison pen letter filled with lies, innuendoes, and threats. No one takes the memos seriously until one of the eight commits suicide and another is found dead in her car with a bullet in her heart. Kate agrees with the police that the six survivors are targets. Unable to sit on the sidelines, Kate, encouraged by the police begins sleuthing before more tragedy occurs.M.T. Jefferson paints a vivid picture of small town America during the early stages of World War II. The point of view shifts between the eight women, making things a bit confusing while instilling a wider perspective once the reader adjusts. The entertaining mystery will appeal to those readers who are IN THE MOOD FOR MURDER inside a well-written historical cozy starring a brave amateur sleuth.