Book Review: One O'clock Jump

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

One O'clock Jump     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Lise McClendon
Class/Genre:   Mystery   WW II   Woman Main Character   Private Investigator   Historical
Series: Dorie Lennox # 1
St. Martin's, Mar 2001, $23.95, 276pp.

By 1939 the Great Depression is all but over and prohibition has been repealed. President Roosevelt wants to keep the country out of the latest Great War in Europe even as many of his countrymen want to serve overseas. Dorrie Lennox is somewhat concerned with global events, but is more interested in her work as a private detective. Her partner is Amos Haddan, a victim of mustard gas that haunts him two decades after the war to end all wars ended.

Dorie's latest engagement involves tailing Iris Jackson to see if she is cheating on her boyfriend. She follows Iris for a week only to observe her target commit suicide by jumping off the Hannibal Bridge. Stunned by the event, the case continues when her client hires Dorrie to conduct a thorough investigation of Iris' life. However, a twist occurs when the police charge her mentor Amos with murder, leaving it to Dorrie to find out who set them up so smoothly.

Lise McClendon, author of the Thorssen mysteries, shows how versatile her talent is with a new series set in 1939 that uses period idioms and vernacular to set the tone. This technique along with historical references provides a glimpse at the atmosphere of the era just before America's entry into World War II. The complex, cleverly crafted mystery keeps reader's attention throughout the novel. Dorie is hard-boiled on the outside yet tender on the inside, as she has risen above some tough breaks in her life. Ms. McClendon has started a new winning series that will please historical mystery fans.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner