Reviewer Fran Lewis:
Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing
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she is the author of three children's books and a fourth Alzheimer’s
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Publisher: Stairway Press
ISBN-13: 978-1949267167
Author: Kay Kendall
Publisher: Stairway Press
ISBN-13: 978-1949267167
Walter McGregor /Wallie is the name she was given and the same one belonging to her father. Imagine growing up with a male name. But this did not hold back Wallie as she developed tough male and female attributes. Her mother passed away years ago but that did not stop her father from employing and enlisting the help of her two aunts liberal Aunt Hazel and structured and austere Aunt Ida. Things take on a difficult tone when Uncle Rory shows up out of nowhere in trouble. Having to find a safe place to stay and knowing that someone was after him, he briefly tells about his situation caused by making a play for someone’s wife and then having to flee. Added in Aunt Ida arrives and she and is upset that she was not aware of his arrival and then manages to steer herself up to Wallie’s room to give her fashion assistance for the student function she was going to supervise.
Things get more difficult when Wallie spies a man that looks like he might be watching her house and saunters up to him hoping to learn more about him only to find out he might be someone looking for Rory. The author presents each character in a distinct fashion allowing readers to get to know Rory, Wallie, Aunt Ida and of course her father, who is a judge and sticks to the rules. Each one presents a definite picture of their own but at times they do not seem to mesh.
Then the unthinkable happens while Wallie is chaperoning the event at the school and she is summoned home because Uncle Rory has passed on. But, was what happened to him murder or an accident? The Model T car crushed him to death but Wallie seems to feel it was not an accident and the sheriff, her uncle, the Doctor and other officials present discount her thoughts and think that she is over reacting but anyone that knows her knows that she will not give up until she learns the truth. Visitors coming to pay their respects, Aunt Ida wanting her to go on a road trip after the funeral and one simple clue that she thinks will help unravel the truth. This trip to help cousin Lucy take care of her ailing husband helped create a bond between Wallie and Aunt Ida. Finding three receipts and wanting to go to Galveston to learn more about Rory’s haunts and his past, what they come upon is the one person that can introduce him to Vivian his long-lost love. Wallie wants to be taken seriously and the two women are two forces to be dealt with and when faced with solving the death or Rory, gangsters and gangs wait and see just how they handle it. Women are taken seriously in 1923 and although they got the vote and Prohibition is still in effect, the Twenties and this time period, bootleggers, the mob and more brings back a great period in our history and the character of the Flapper is priceless.
This novel is the An Austen Starr Mystery Prequel and has been written to whet our appetites to wanting to learn more about this character, the time period and enjoy the writing of author Kay Kendall. What I love about Wallie is her determination to learn the truth about her uncle’s death, the fact that she loves investigating mysteries, loves Sherlock Holmes, and with a father who is a judge, she just might learn even more. Plus, you must adore Holler, her dog who is like a playful and unruly child who loves to get into everything, and he does. He adds spark and laughter into the plot at times when things seem tense. Wallie is determined to solve the murder and the result will surprise readers along with two suitors that can seem to stop calling or pestering Wallie. So, Dewey is polite and really a great guy, and Calvin is persistent and annoying. Which one will she choose if either?
Glenda is the flapper, but her boss became belligerent and angry when he saw Wallie and Aunt Ida inside his establishment and his treatment of her was rough and his behavior crass.
Things get dangerous as the gang members and mob bosses come into play and both Aunt Ida and Wallie deal with the Maceo brothers. Meeting Vivian her uncle’s love and learning more about his past brings to light his connection to Capone. When the pieces fit into place and the hidden secret about his love life comes to light and Aunt Ida relates something from her own past, Wallie takes the lead and learns even more.
Sometimes the truth is right in plain sight and a killer’s motive might be something no one ever suspected. Lives will forever be changed; another murder comes to light and Wallie must convince everyone that her suspicions were right. Face to face with the killer will she be his next victim? Author Kay Kendall keeps the suspense going and readers on edge until the final reveal comes about or Wallie’s Sherlock Holmes skills we hope wins.
Admonished for her actions and yet proud of her accomplishment Wallie faces both her Poppa and Aunt Ida for their final discords about her sleuthing skills. The ending will surprise you and the truths about many pasts are revealed as life will change for all of them since After You've Gone: An Austin Starr Mystery Prequel and hopefully more to come for Wallie!