I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Deco Dames, Demon Rum and Death
by Ellen Mansoor CollierSeries: Jazz Age Mystery #5
Published by DECO DAME PRESS on December 18, 2018
Genres: Historical Mystery
Pages: 251
Format: Kindle
Source: Great Escapes Book Tours
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Book Depository
When Galveston Gazette society reporter Jazz Cross hears rumors of grave robbers at the Broadway Cemetery, she and photographer Nathan Blaine investigate, hoping to land a scoop. The ambitious young newshawks witness meetings held by clandestine gangs and enlist her beau, Prohibition Agent James Burton, to help capture the hoods red-handed.
Meanwhile, the supernatural craze takes Galveston by storm, and Jazz is assigned to profile the society set’s favorite fortune teller, Madame Farushka. Sightings of a ghost bride haunting the Hotel Galvez intrigue Jazz, who sets up a Ouija board reading and séance with the spiritualist. Did the bride-to-be drown herself—or was she murdered?
Luckily, Sammy Cook, her black-sheep half-brother, has escaped the Downtown Gang and works at the Hollywood Dinner Club, owned by rival Beach Gang leaders. During a booze bust, the Downtown Gang's mob boss, Johnny Jack Nounes, is caught and Jazz worries: will Sammy be forced to testify?
Worse, when a trial witness is killed, Sammy is framed and Jazz must solve the murder to help clear his name. As the turf war between rival gangs rages on, Jazz relies on her wits and moxie to rescue her brother and pals before the Downtown Gang exacts its revenge.
Will Jazz save her brother, find a murderer, and figure out who the bootleggers are?
Deco Dames, Demon Rum and Death by Ellen Mansoor Collier is a delightfully thrilling ride set in Galveston Texas during the 1920s. The setting, combined with the attitudes and the slang used by the characters brought everything alive it was like watching an old gangster movie. Of course, in my head, everything is in color instead of black and white.
Jasmine “Jazz” Cross
Jazz is our heroine. She would like to be a crime reporter, but she is stuck as a society reporter because she is a woman. This is one of the things that Jazz, as many women from that time had to endure. Jazz wants to be like Nellie Bly, the famous woman crime reporter. I believe that she could do it if she put her mind to it.
Jazz’s beau is a prohibition agent, James Burton. Talk about keeping secrets. These two need to learn to trust each other’s profession, although I do think that they make an adorable couple.
As for Nathan, her partner in crime/photographer friend. The two of them get in quite a bit of trouble. Nathan doesn’t discriminate against Jazz at all, accepting that she is a professional and capable of taking care of things herself. They both pull each other into these scary situations. I like their camaraderie.
Mystery
The mystery or should say mysteries are solid. The clues are well laid out. I got wrapped up in the story and forgot to look for the clues to each crime. After the culprits are taken care of and the motives revealed, I can see how the crimes were completed.
What I liked
- I like the slang used and that there is a glossary of them at the end of the book.
- The relationship between Jazz and James is sweet and yet realistic. Their arguments reminded me of the spats that my grandparents used to have.
- Nathan is a bottomless pit. He seemed to be always eating. Well, when Jazz was feeding him at least.
- Jazz dressing as a rag-a-muffin, while investigating the gravediggers in the cemetery at night.
- Jazz’s concern for her older brother, Sammy’s safety is so true of her character.
- The Hollywood Club sounds like a fun and exciting place for dinner with live bands, dancing, fancy clothes, fights, and gang shoot-outs.
- The fortune teller, Madame Farushka is quite the actress. I loved the way she makes her entrance at the Moodys’ party but, her exit is the best. Who would have thought?
- Lily Leavenworth is a conniving but sweet thing. She has the biggest heart. Oh, and can she tell a whopper of a story.
4 Stars for Deco Dames, Demon Rum and Death by Ellen Mansoor Collier
My rating for Deco Dames, Demon Rum and Death by Ellen Mansoor Collier is four stars. I loved the story and of course, the history used in this fictional story. Who knew Galveston has such a seedy past. The characters are well developed, and the story flows well, with lots of excitement and intrigue.
I recommend this book to all cozy readers, especially if you like the historical mystery types.
Books in the Jazz Age Mystery Series
Tour Schedule
June 12 – Michelle’s Romantic Tangle – REVIEW
June 12 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT
June 13 – 4covert2overt ☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼ – SPOTLIGHT
June 13 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT
June 14 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW
June 15 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 15 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 16 – Cozy Up With Kathy – GUEST POST
June 17 – ❧Defining Ways❧ – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 18 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
June 19 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST
June 20 – Ascroft eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
June 21 – Ruff Drafts GUEST POST
June 22 – Author Teresa Watson – REVIEW
June 23 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
June 23 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW by Guest Reviewer
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Giveaway
Grand Prize: Grand Prize – (1) Flapper Pearls – Necklace, Faux Pearls, over 2 ft long (52”)
Prizes: (5) 1 Winner’s Choice – E-Book Copy of Each Title (Jazz Age Mystery Series) by Ellen Mansoor Collier
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Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Deco Dames, Demon Rum & Death by Ellen Mansoor Collier. If you have time, check out the other stops along with the other reviews of the series books:
Until the next time,
This Guest Review is for Baroness’ Book Trove. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book on your site.
About Ellen Mansoor Collier
Ellen Mansoor Collier is a Houston-based freelance magazine writer and editor whose articles and essays have been published in a variety of national magazines. Several of her short stories have appeared in Woman’s World. During college summers, she worked as a reporter for a Houston community newspaper and as a cocktail waitress, both jobs providing background experience for her Jazz Age mysteries.
A flapper at heart, she’s worked as a magazine editor/writer, and in advertising and public relations (plus endured a hectic semester as a substitute teacher). She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Magazine Journalism and served on UTmost, the college magazine and as president of WICI (Women in Communications).
She lives in Houston with her husband and Chow mutts and visits Galveston whenever possible.
“When you grow up in Houston, Galveston becomes like a second home. I had no idea this sleepy beach town had such a wild and colorful past until I began doing research, and became fascinated by the legends and stories of the 1920s. Finally, I had to stop researching and start writing, trying to imagine a flapper’s life in Galveston during Prohibition.”
Many thanks for featuring me and Jazz today! 5o glad you enjoyed DECO DAMES~really appreciate the great review! Hope you catch up w/ the first four books. Stay jazzy! Ellen