I hope you’re enjoying the Jake and Laura mystery series and wanted to share some background of how the books came about. The series was inspired by the charm, wit and sophistication of The Thin Man movies starring William Powell and Myrna Loy. I’m such a fan of Powell’s that he appears in book 2 in the series, All That Glitters.

Of course, Dashiell Hammett wrote the original novel that launched the series. I’m a big fan of his as well and Hammett appears in The Yankee Club.

I had several goals in mind for creating the series; 1) capturing the time, end of the Prohibition-era 2) create compelling characters. I hope readers find Jake and Laura interesting and enjoyable. 3) reflect the humor and sophistication of The Thin Man movies.

Inspired by The Thin Man movies

The Yankee Club is a New York speakeasy. The story, based on actual historical events, follows Jake, a former Pinkerton detective who’s become a successful mystery writer as he reconnects with Broadway actress Laura Wilson who’s engaged to a powerful business man. Jake and Laura uncover a Nazi plot to replace the new American President, Franklin Roosevelt.

All That Glitters,  finds Jake and Laura in Hollywood where Laura

Another Jake and Laura mystery

is about to star in her first movie. Her career and their future is in jeopardy when Jake becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a studio executive.

Wings in the Dark will be available for download July 14, finds Jake and Laura in Hawaii. Their honeymoon is interrupted when their friend Amelia Earhart is suspected of shooting a prominent Honolulu businessman.

Reviews indicate readers are enjoying the series and have made the connection to The Thin Man series:

“Glittering with a hint of Nick and Nora, Michael Murphy’s 1930s Manhattan provides a witty setting for murder and mayhem.”—Mary Daheim, bestselling author of The Alpine Yeoman, on The Yankee Club

“[Jake and Laura] are fun, witty, and charming, and [All That Glitters] is filled with the same kind of 1930s Hollywood glamour that made the film of The Thin Man such a classic.”—Popcorn Reads

Hope you’re enjoying the series.

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