Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
Death in Lacquer Red
Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Jeanne M. Dams
Class/Genre: Mystery Historical Amateur Sleuth
Series: Hilda Johansson # 1
St. Martin's, Jun 1999, $22.95, 256 pp.
After living in America for three years, Swedish immigrant Hilda Johansson works as a housemaid in the Studebaker mansion in South Bend, Indiana. Hilda saves all her money in order to help the rest of her family come to America even as she struggles with prejudice against foreigners.
Her world changes when she stumbles across the murdered body of a woman, who turns out to be from an eminent family. Hilda fears that the police will concentrate on the immigrant population as the suspects while ignoring the prominent families who employ them. She begins sleuthing until she places her own life in danger from a murderer who will kill again if necessary.
The debut appearance of amateur sleuth Hilda Johansson is a smashing success. Jeanne M. Dam's uncanny ability provides readers with insight as to what it felt like being a foreigner in 1900 America. The who-done-it is intriguing, especially the behavior of the interested groups like the immigrants, the elite, and the police. Award winning Ms. Dams, the author of the Dorothy Martin series, has scribed a phenomenal historical mystery that warrants follow-up tales.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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