Book Review: This Dame for Hire

Reviewed By: Gina Metz - RAM

This Dame for Hire     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Sandra Scoppettone
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical   Woman Main Character   Private Investigator   WW II
Series: Faye Quick # 1
ARC: Ballantine Books, 2005, 253 pps.

This Dame For Hire is set in 1943. Faye Quick was hired as the Secretary at A Detective Agency but becomes the PI after her boss and agency owner joins the army. One night on her way home she literally stumbles over the body of a murdered girl, Claudette West.

Several months later when the police have been unable to find Claudette’s murderer, her parents hire Faye for the job. Claudette West comes from a wealthy family who are not used to dealing with people like Faye Quick at all. They try to hide from Faye that their daughter was not the innocent they portray her as. The further Faye digs into the case, the more confusing it gets as more suspects keep popping up. Plus working for the demanding Mr. West is not an easy job at all.

I loved the character of Faye Quick. Although she is scared at times and working in a man’s job, she has the guts to stick with it and manages to solve the case. Although I had the killer figured out long before Faye reveals it in the book, it did not make me want to stop reading in case I was wrong with the various surprises in the book. The only reason I didn’t give it a five ratings was it got a little slow in a few places. I would highly recommend this book. It is quite an entertaining read and a real change of pace.

Gina Metz - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Gina Metz - RAM