Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Review: Vamps, Villains and Vaudeville by: Ellen Mansoor Collier

Title: Vamps, Villains, and Vaudeville
Author: Ellen Mansoor Collier
Publisher: Decodame Press
Series: Jazz Age Mystery #4
Pages: 208
Format: e-book
Source: Author Request Review

Description:

In 1920s Galveston, society reporter Jazz Cross is in for a surprise when she attends a traveling vaudeville show with her beau, Prohibition Agent James Burton, and discovers that an old flame acts in the production. That night, they find a stabbing victim behind the Oasis — her half-brother Sammy’s speakeasy — who’s identified as an actor in the troupe. When the victim disappears and later turns up dead, Jazz must help prove that Sammy wasn’t the killer. After a second vaudeville actor is found dead, Jazz discovers that the events behind the scenes are much more interesting than the outdated acts onstage. 

To make matters worse, Sammy’s old nemesis demands that he settles a score and forces him into yet another illegal scheme involving the troupe’s money-making ventures. Can Jazz help solve the murders and prove her brother’s innocence—so he can escape the Downtown Gang for good? 

A historical Jazz Age mystery inspired by real-life Galveston gangs and local landmarks.

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Jazz and her friends, coworkers and family as she is still doing fluffy reports for the local paper the latest one checking out the vaudevill show which she takes Agent Burton with her.  Little does she realize her old high school boyfriend Derek is there in the act.  

Not long into this Jazz and Burton are called to the Oasis to find out who stabbed someone.  As Burton is about to question the stabbing victim in the hospital he has disappeared, also someone is running around nabbing jewels and it's up to Burton and Jazz to figure out what is going on.

Compared to other books in this series I think this adds more intrigue and curiosity as to what is going on and how each person will deal with it in their own way!  I didn't find this one confusing or overwhelming at all if anything I think it's builds up so the burning questions get answered!

I love this period in history and the storylines that Ellen comes up with not many mysteries that take place during the jazz age.  As we see in this story prohibition is dying out, the volstead act has become a dead topic.  Sammy finds himself in all sorts of situations and having to use his witts to get out of them.  I love how Jazz stands up to some of the reporters in her office and doesn't sit back and just do the fluffy articles but really wants to be taken seriously as a reporter.

This book was so captivating I couldn't put it down for one second!  I really was looking forward to what happens next!  Can't wait to see what comes up next for Jazz, Sammy and Agent Burton!

For you to check out other books in the series: Link
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4 shout outs:

Ellen C. said...

Wow, Paula, thanks so much! Readers like you make all the hard work and research worthwhile. You're the tiger's stripes!! E

Sweet Stuff Bakeshop said...

I loved this one too!

Jeanetta said...

Thank you for the review! I will be adding this book to my TBR list.

Ellen C. said...

So flattered! I'd suggest starting w/ FLAPPERS the first in the series, or BATHING BEAUTIES, since the story builds until VAMPS, the final mystery--unless I get a movie or TV option! LOL
Enjoy-thanks!E