Louise's Dilemma

Louise Pearlie #3

by Sarah R. Shaber

Young widow Louise Pearlie seizes a chance to escape the typewriters and files of the Office of Strategic Services, the US' World War II spy agency, when she’s asked to investigate a puzzling postcard referred to OSS by the US Censor. She and a colleague named Collins head off to St. Leonard, Maryland, to talk to the postcard’s recipient, one Leroy Martin. But what seemed like a straightforward mission to Louise soon becomes complicated.

Leroy and his wife Anne refuse to talk, but as Louise and Gray investigate, it soon becomes clear that Leroy is mixed up in something illegal. But what? Louise is determined to find out the truth, whatever the cost....

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, World War II, Fiction, Historical, Suspense

192 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Sarah Shaber is an award-winning mystery author from North Carolina. Her WWII historical mystery series begins with LOUISE'S WAR. It features young widow Louise Pearlie, a government girl who works for the Office of Strategic Services, the United States’ first spy agency.

Shaber is also the author of the Professor Simon Shaw mysteries, BLOOD TEST, and editor of TAR HEEL DEAD. Her first book, SIMON SAID, won the St. Martin’s Press/Malice Domestic Award for best first traditional mystery. She is the Bouchercon15 (World Mystery Conference, 2015) Local Guest of Honor. Her home bookstore is Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. www.facebook.com/LouisePearlie

Reviews

[Miss M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've generally enjoyed this series with a wartime/OSS Washington setting, but some unfortunate historical inaccuracies cropped up this time around. There was no separate Air Force in 1943, let alone an Andrews Air Force Base, and Woodward & Lothrop department store was Woodies, not Woody's. Also pretty sure that the Pentagon (commuter) slug lines don't date that far back, though the reference did make me chuckle.

[Paulatics · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #3 in the Louise Pearlie series is another winner for Sarah Shaber. In addition to the compelling suspense and intrigue, the characters are smart and interesting. As in all her books, the historical detail and regional dialects are well done. Start with #1. I recommend this author completely.

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I haven't read the first two books in this series. However, it wasn't hard to get up to date. I didn't feel lost as I read this. Granted, I don't know all the back-story, but it's told in such a manner, you don't NEED to know every single person's history.

If you're wanting a romance, this isn't for you, but I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS STORY AND HEROINE.

The heroine is a widow now working in the OSS office, kinda like the CIA during WWII. She's an index card person who spends most of her time poring over suspicious material, such as the postcard in this book, but because she has special training, she gets to work with an FBI agent as they try to determine what the strange message on this card means.

The FBI agent is a jerk who introduces her as his assistant, treats her likes she's stupid, and oh, does this gal put him in his place! Probably my favorite part of the book, save for the ending, which just had me in utter heart-stopping suspense.

"You seem to have forgotten. I am not your assistant. I'm your colleague, your liaison with the Office of Strategic Services. It was our initial inquiry about a postcard from France mailed to Leroy Martin that brought us here. I am going with you to talk to the constable and everywhere else you intend to pursue this investigation. And if I feel it's necessary I'll ask my own questions."

The history in this is superb. The author has obviously done her homework. I really felt as though I were on the icy, crowded streets of an over-packed Washington, exhausted from the mandatory 48-hour work week, and dreading the bologna casserole rationing was going to force me to eat.

I also appreciated how the story took us to a more rural area where the citizens were angry about price control and tires and stuff. That's not something you read about often in WWII stories...and oh, the man and his dog. I did not know that dogs were drafted during the war, and I've read my share of stories of this time period. I love how these random facts were instilled into the story.

In a nutshell though: a postcard from France leads Louise to a small, hostile town where there's mysterious nighttime activity, murder, and a major breach of security. Louise's dilemmas throughout the story are 1. She's on the verge of a passionate affair with a foreign man, but if she follows her heart, she could lose her job. 2. She makes a mistake. Does she want to bring attention to it? Can she fix it in time?

Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am in the midst of the Louise Pearlie WWII Mystery series by Sarah R. Shaber. Born and raised in North Carolina, the author tells the story of a young woman from Wilmington, NC, who worked in her parents' fish camp business. As WWII began and men were being sent overseas, Louise applies for a job in the OSS in Washington, DC, as a file clerk. She misses home but finds she finds living on her own intoxicating and vows not to return to the shores of NC again. Louise is very proficient in her job as a file clerk and begins the move up the ladder in her office. Her ability to keep secrets and her intelligence in breaking codes and putting facts together earns her the opportunity to begin some undercover work for the OSS while maintaining the appearance of "just being a file clerk." I'm enjoying this series because of the background of what life was really like for those in the government in DC during the war. Rationing, housing, work, and basically just how strangers became friends because of their working and living arrangements are very interesting to me. I haven't read a lot about what happened on the home front during the war; this series is a fascinating read in learning how people managed to cope with black-outs, making food stretch to last until the next rationing allowance was available, transportation, just all sorts of things I haven't thought about that happened at home during the war. This series would make a great summer read!

[Antoinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louise's Dilemma is the third in the Louise Pearlie Novels of Suspense. Louise, a native of Wilmington, NC, moves to Washington, DC to work for the OSS during WWII. Because of her OSS training she is trusted to track down information about a postcard sent from France to a resident Maryland's Eastern Shore. The postcard's recipients refuse to talk and their neighbors close ranks to rebuff Louise and her FBI colleague. In the meantime, Louise must reconsider he relationship with Joe, another resident of the boardinghouse. Authentic characters, lots of suspense and the flavor of the eastern US during the war. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Patricia Gulley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. The main character, Louise, and her determination to think in a different way about her life and future, as well as her past, makes her very interesting. This time her adventure begins with a post card from occupied France, and how that kind of mail got around. All the little details about the war years just adds to the story. Tidbits about the things the government wanted to keep from the public to keep up morale, when rationing started, and how popular the blackmarket was. A great read.

[Laura Edwards · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too much repetition in this one. The story didn't pull me in like the first two books in the series.

Maybe Louise was tired because of the newly implemented 48 hour work week because she seemed a little dumb in this one. How could she not suspect Anne? She should have been on high alert when finding the birth dates didn't match up. Instead, she decided to mosey on over to Anne's house and almost walked right into a nest of Nazis. (Palm slap to the forehead.)

I'm a little disappointed how the relationship between Joe and Louise turned out, even if I appreciate the realism. Louise would definitely need to be careful in order to keep her job.

And Louise does seem to regain some of her smarts near the end in regard to the dumbwaiter. A clever way to get herself out of a sticky situation.

[SFrick]

"The third book in the Louise Pearlie series is "an entertaining combination of mystery, adventure, and romance, with a great sense of place and time" (Historical Novel Society).

Young widow Louise Pearlie seizes a chance to escape the typewriters and files of the Office of Strategic Services, the United States' World War II spy agency, when she's asked to investigate a puzzling postcard referred to OSS by the US Censor. She and FBI agent Gray Williams head off to St. Leonard, Maryland, to talk to the postcard's recipient, one Leroy Martin. But what seemed like a straightforward mission to Louise soon becomes complicated. Leroy and his wife, Anne, refuse to talk, but as Louise and Williams investigate, it soon becomes clear that Leroy is mixed up in something that looks a lot like treason. But what? Louise is determined to find out the truth, whatever the cost . . ."

From: https://saclibrary.overdrive.com/medi...

I thought the 3rd book in this series, by the author Sarah R. Shaber, was a good but short read.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louise Pearlie is only a file clerk at the OSS in 1942 Washington. However, she is determined to be one of the few women who will not lose their job at the end of the war. So she is on the lookout for anything that will enhance her resume and so she jumps at the chance for fieldwork, even if it is just investigating a postcard. Louise is a terrific heroine and the author has obviously done considerable research and brings the era to life. One particularly poignant scene involves a man who is too old to enlist or make much of a contribution to the war effort, so he has volunteered his dog.

[Carolyn (in SC) C234D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Really enjoy this series! Louise is smart, conscientious, and resourceful, and willing to stand up for herself to men she is working with (knowing that if something goes wrong, a man may be transferred, but she may be fired). Always interesting characters, and stories a little out of the ordinary.

[Ann Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read, Louise is growing on me. Sarah Shaber gets a lot of the atmospherics right, conjuring up what it must have been like to work for the OSS in its infancy as a woman who is primarily a researcher but who gets caught up in some dangerous wartime adventures.

[Susan Chapek]

I am loving this WW2 spy series. The situations are believable, the characters wonderful, and I simply revel in the details of clothes, shopping, hair and makeup styling, victory-gardening, and of Louise's workplace at the OSS (the precurser of the CIA).

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this in one day!

I didn't like the beginning but it got better and better. Alas I read this one out of order. Now the question is, will there be more?

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love her books.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.

This is the third book in the Louise Pearlie series. It is a standalone book and can be read without having read the prior two books in the series. There are some references to events which occurred in the prior books but the author provides quick summaries of those events and the events are not crucial to understanding the current plot. However, this is a good series and the characters within the series do continue to develop so, if possible, it is recommended that you start with the first book in the series, "Louise's War."

The series takes place during WWII and the story contains the vernacular and belief systems of the time - especially about women and races. What is so interesting about this series is how Louise, the MC, while well aware of the social mores of the day, tries to find a path to assert her value. She constantly worries about losing her position - and having to go back to living with her parents - over some of her decisions and assertions - especially to men. At one point, Louise is sent out with a less-experienced male counterpart to investigate a postcard. He, to Louise's chagrin, creates a series of errors in the investigation, but, because of her gender - she allows him to take the lead. It is only afterwards, when she is asked directly that she divulges her thoughts to her superiors. While Louise is slowly growing in the series, it is clear that she is still hindered by societal norms of the time. I also really enjoyed the references to prices, rationing, and available food items at the time.

The narrator, Jenny Hoops, as always, is superb in this series.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been enjoying Sarah Shaber's Louise Pearlie WWII Mysteries. “Government worker” is all Mrs. Pearlie will say about her work, but she’s so much more than a file clerk, and worthy of so much more respect than she gets in a time when women’s work is “expendable.” LOUISE’S DILEMMA is third in the series, following WAR and GAMBLE and followed by BLUNDER, CHOICE, and LIES. I love knowing there are more to come).
Filing all day, with fingers taped and sore, adding to the card catalog of documents (two million cards and more every day), an important contribution to the intelligence needed to win a war, can still become tedious. A mysterious postcard from France gives reason to go into the field to prove herself more able than the men who are (or think they are) in charge. Attention to small details and making the effort to befriend others brings needed answers, and the occasion to display courage and resourcefulness and a sense of responsibility.
Details of war rationing and cookbooks make me appreciate the sacrifices and rationing my grandmother told of, and as Louise mentions, U.S. residents had it much better than those in England. A bit of history makes the adventure that much more real. The books are hard to put down, and so satisfying.

[Felisha Caldeira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jumping into this series book 3 without having read the first 2 worked out just fine. Author Sarah Shaber does well to set up the book without the need to delve into its predecessors. Although references from the first books, I assume, are mentioned in this novel they are not needed to enjoy this mystery.
With a well written and easy to follow plot, one is quickly wrapped up in the not-so-common life of Louise Pearlie. I appreciated the historical accuracy of the book and the thrill of the hunt this small town girl turned accidental spy was on.

Narrator Jenny Hoops has a classic voice. Easy to listen to and a natural cadence ebbed with a slight southern drawl for this character. Character voices were believable and not overdone. I enjoyed the listen.

Overall a good clean mystery that I would recommend to all historical fiction and mystery lovers alike.

This audiobook was given to me in exchange for an honest review.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

1943 Washington office of the OSS. Louise Pearlie is a file clerk supervisor who has had an experience with the more active side of the agency in order to help a dear friend trapped in Vichy France. This time she winds up with a terribly green agent who nearly blows the whole investigation into a peculiar postcard sent to an oysterman. Later she winds up with an FBI agent on a ramification of the same case and her resourcefulness is tested to the limit. Excellent read!
Narrator Jenny Hoops makes it all seem current and real while giving the characters depth beyond the written word.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty good series, set in Washington, DC during WWII. Louise is a file clerk for the OSS, trying to become independent after losing her husband. Her work is boring, but the higher-ups like her and allow her to get involved in some of the investigations. The details are authentic to the period and really add to the story. There are at least 7 in the series so far. In this book, postcard from France seems suspicious and Louise is tasked to work with the FBI on the investigation. Sarah Shaber makes good use of history to tell her stories.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Shaber never disappoints! I've read every Louise Pearlie book but this one and finally lucked up and found it in the library. It was fast paced, detailed to the time, suspenseful, had plot twists and turns and I read it in a day and a half and wanted more pages!

[Stewart Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Written and Fast Paced

This series is very well written and has no problem keeping my interest. While I am not an expert on the 1940's I think that it is historically quite accurate.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing plot, when asked to check out a postcard, what will she find.
The people don’t want to talk, now one is really curious and what does the OSS mean. Good character in Louise, she wants answers.
Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a quick bit of fiction and this filled the bill nicely.

[Lavender Dreamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really good book in this series. I love Louise and those that live at the boarding house. So interesting!

[Elizabeth Dodd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively short story, but it works well.
Very believable male characters who are quite full of themselves.
The main character does a good job when push comes to shove.

[Sara G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Louise got a promotion in this book, and does some real field work! In this story, she goes outside of Washington DC for the first time to investigate a postcard that didn't quite pass the censor's desk. She proves herself to be more competent than both an Army officer and an FBI officer, and I suspect they resent her for it and they may show up again later in another book. There was a slight historical inaccuracy that bugged me - there was no such thing as an "air force base" during this era. My grandfather spent time at what is now an air force base as part of the Army during this era, and it was referred to as an army air base, or a "field." Air force base didn't become part of the military lexicon until post WWII. Otherwise, solid story, although I figured out the mystery VERY early on.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Widowed Louise Pearlie is just one of the many government girls who are file clerks or typists in wartime Washington, but she happens to work for the OSS, and has even been trained to do a little fieldwork, when a man can't be spared for an unimportant job. The postcard to an oysterman on the Chesapeake Bay rings some bells--why would someone go to all the trouble and expense of sending it from Occupied France? It's probably not important, but you can't take chances nowadays, so Louise is sent out as a second to an inexperienced officer. That should be the end, but it's only the start.

[Lynn Lerch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is number three in the Louise Pearlie adventures in Washington DC during WWW II. Louise works for the newly formed OSS which became the CIA. She is a file clerk who boards with others in a house on Pennsylvania Ave. Sarah Shaber makes it seem like the 1940s. As I was born after Pearl Harbor in Hawaii during WW II I don't remember it and I know my parents didn't have rations as they lived in Honolulu which didn't have any. I loved Toby Peters mysteries set in the same era but in Los Angeles because of the time period. And I hope Sarah writes many more.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this mystery series, set in the Washington, D.C. area during World War II. The historical settings and details are very accurate. The characters actually act, think, and talk like people from the period. Library lovers will especially enjoy the conclusion of this installment, which takes place in the Washington Public Library.

[Helen Lueck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series. Who would think a simple "file clerk" for the OSS who wears glasses could kick some butt. Because of Louise's efficiency, she ends up in quite an adventure. I would recommend to those who love WW II mysteries.