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Nic and Nora Mystery #1
She Overheard Murder
On October 29, 1945, Nic Owen made her debut appearance as a radio detective on the new show, Inez Ingalls, Private Eye. Her career began only a few weeks earlier when she was hired to read ad copy and work as an understudy. The murder of Carolyn Park propelled Nic to the starring role and a top spot on the list of suspects. Cecil Park, husband of the murdered woman, wants answers. As does Nora Hahn, Carolyn's 'special friend' for fourteen years.
'She Overheard Murder' introduces characters from the new Nic and Nora Mystery series, mysteries solved by lesbian amateur detectives in post-World War II Chicago.
'She Overheard Murder' introduces characters from the new Nic and Nora Mystery series, mysteries solved by lesbian amateur detectives in post-World War II Chicago.
- GenresMystery
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2013
2 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Jean Sheldon
19 books31 followersJean Sheldon, born and raised in Chicago, spent the first half of her life as a fine and graphic artist. In 2004 she began another creative endeavor—writing mysteries. Her historical mystery The Woman in the Wing features women pilots (WASP) and factory workers (Rosie the Riveter) during WWII. Seven Cities of Greed involves a group of women of a 'certain age' on a quest for adventure and the mythical 'Seven Cities of Gold' in New Mexico, Jean's home for over twenty years. Mrs. Quigley's Kidnapping introduces Mattie Draper, a female detective in Chicago circa 1968, and Flowers for Her Grave is an old-fashioned whodunit in which two amateur sleuths in their early sixties, a gossip columnist and a gardener, solve a 20-year-old crime. The mystery An Uncluttered Palette is filled with art history, oil painting, forgery, and fun! She Overheard Murder, introduced the characters of the 'Nic & Nora Mystery' series—mysteries solved by lesbian amateur detectives in post-World War II Chicago. The second book of the Nic & Nora series, Puzzled by the Clues, follows both the blossoming relationship of Nic and Nora and that of Anna and Allen. Characters at the heart of the Owen gang and those on the perimeter, offer humor, wisdom, and the belief that there is always hope.
In 2015, Jean returned to her first love, and published a collection of poetry called Persistent.
In 2015, Jean returned to her first love, and published a collection of poetry called Persistent.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 6, 2014
Nic is on a mission: to clear her name, to clear her new co-worker's names, and to save her skin. Nic's new job as a fake P.I. on the radio becomes a reality for her when the voice actress who was supposed to have her role is murdered.
This book is not short, but it was a fast read for me. Sheldon really does her research. I loved the little historically framed details, clothing, language and technology. It was integrated just perfectly and created a wonderful picture in my head.
This book is historically situated but also socially timely. It deals, very carefully, with homosexuality and the history of oppression and isolation that has occurred in the states. The murdered woman's case is surrounded with the stigma of "wrongness," that she got what she deserved, and Nic is out to prove that that stigma is wrong-minded and ugly.
Sheldon takes care to show her characters as normal men and women, who grieve when they suffer from loss, who are lonely for human discussion and interaction, who struggle with the same issues in different ways. By so doing, she demolishes the language that surrounds the homosexual lifestyle: that is, that being a homosexual is only about sexuality and not about love, life and family. Her characters, both lesbian and straight, are people who desire interaction, companionship and understanding. And I was very moved with their stories.
The main character,Nic, is so unassuming that it led me to want to know more about her, to hear more of her story, to understand why she is such a good person. She's maybe too good for my tastes, but she's likable and fun to follow.
As for the mystery: it kept me guessing. There were so many suspects, so many alibis and a enough complexity to keep a reader on her toes. By the end, I was there with the main characters and had come to the same conclusion they did, which was completely satisfactory.
Great job, Jean. Keep them coming! I want more Nic, Nora, Anna and Milly.
This book is not short, but it was a fast read for me. Sheldon really does her research. I loved the little historically framed details, clothing, language and technology. It was integrated just perfectly and created a wonderful picture in my head.
This book is historically situated but also socially timely. It deals, very carefully, with homosexuality and the history of oppression and isolation that has occurred in the states. The murdered woman's case is surrounded with the stigma of "wrongness," that she got what she deserved, and Nic is out to prove that that stigma is wrong-minded and ugly.
Sheldon takes care to show her characters as normal men and women, who grieve when they suffer from loss, who are lonely for human discussion and interaction, who struggle with the same issues in different ways. By so doing, she demolishes the language that surrounds the homosexual lifestyle: that is, that being a homosexual is only about sexuality and not about love, life and family. Her characters, both lesbian and straight, are people who desire interaction, companionship and understanding. And I was very moved with their stories.
The main character,Nic, is so unassuming that it led me to want to know more about her, to hear more of her story, to understand why she is such a good person. She's maybe too good for my tastes, but she's likable and fun to follow.
As for the mystery: it kept me guessing. There were so many suspects, so many alibis and a enough complexity to keep a reader on her toes. By the end, I was there with the main characters and had come to the same conclusion they did, which was completely satisfactory.
Great job, Jean. Keep them coming! I want more Nic, Nora, Anna and Milly.
September 7, 2013
I won this book on a Goodreads giveaway!!. Love a good mystery and this one didn't disappointment. I have not read anything by the author, Jean Sheldon, so I didn't know what to expect, especially since it had lesbian characters in the storyline. But I was pleased with how the author blended gay issues into the plot without letting it take over the story. The plot was laid out well and I you had to wait till the end to really figure out who the killer was. Enjoyed the setting of post war era and life back then. It was nice to transport my mind back to that timeframe. Enjoyed this book so much, I am looking forward to reading the next Nic and Nora mystery. Very good book!!
April 25, 2015
Set in Chicago in the mid 1940's this story of a murdered radio star really captured my interest. Lots of fun details about old-time radio programs, the fashions of the time (the anecdotes about women wearing pants was funny) and even the comments about rationing were interesting.I solved the who done it about halfway through but I didn't have the whole story til the end. Lots of interesting characters, from the lady who lives downstairs of Nic and her Aunt Anna, to the next door neighbor Millie, to Nora who was accused of murder there's lots of people to get to know in the next book.
August 20, 2013
I won this book through a good reads give away and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This book was a great thriller/mystery that kept my on my toes and made me want to know what happened next. I recommend reading this book and giving it a chance, it's worth it.
August 20, 2013
Not-too-challenging mystery. I liked the characters, especially the aunt. Also liked the pro-gay message. Experiencing Chicago in the 1940s was fun.
I would recommend it for beach reading, especially on the Lake Michigan shore.
I would recommend it for beach reading, especially on the Lake Michigan shore.
September 9, 2014
Sheldon, Jean. She Overheard Murder. Bast Press. 2013. $14.95. 276p. SC 978-0-9838136-2-0.
Nic Owen has just made her debut as a character in a radio drama when it is discovered that her predecessor was murdered. Carolyn’s husband wants to know who murdered her, as does Carolyn’s longtime “friend,” Nora. Nic, along with all of her new cast mates, is considered a suspect. Will Nic be able to discover who murdered Carolyn and clear her good name?
This novel fits perfectly within the mystery/detective genre with the added bonus of LGBT characters and an historical setting. The 1940’s setting is well-described, down to the details of available technology, characters’ clothing, and even the treatment of women. This historical setting makes this book a perfect fit for readers who enjoy period mysteries.
The characters in this story are well-rounded, realistic, and relatable. Each one is given enough detail to make him/her seem real, but not so much as to detract from the overall mystery story. The plot moves rapidly, and the various twists and turns before the final reveal are entertaining and keep the reader guessing as to who actually murdered Carolyn. The gritty, compelling writing style will carry readers through the end of the story. This book would be an excellent beach read or weekend read, and readers who have finished a favorite series and are waiting for the next book would enjoy picking this series up in the meantime. A recommended purchase for public libraries, particularly those whose patrons enjoy mystery series.
Nic Owen has just made her debut as a character in a radio drama when it is discovered that her predecessor was murdered. Carolyn’s husband wants to know who murdered her, as does Carolyn’s longtime “friend,” Nora. Nic, along with all of her new cast mates, is considered a suspect. Will Nic be able to discover who murdered Carolyn and clear her good name?
This novel fits perfectly within the mystery/detective genre with the added bonus of LGBT characters and an historical setting. The 1940’s setting is well-described, down to the details of available technology, characters’ clothing, and even the treatment of women. This historical setting makes this book a perfect fit for readers who enjoy period mysteries.
The characters in this story are well-rounded, realistic, and relatable. Each one is given enough detail to make him/her seem real, but not so much as to detract from the overall mystery story. The plot moves rapidly, and the various twists and turns before the final reveal are entertaining and keep the reader guessing as to who actually murdered Carolyn. The gritty, compelling writing style will carry readers through the end of the story. This book would be an excellent beach read or weekend read, and readers who have finished a favorite series and are waiting for the next book would enjoy picking this series up in the meantime. A recommended purchase for public libraries, particularly those whose patrons enjoy mystery series.
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June 18, 2020This book would be easy to take potshots at, but I’ll let somebody else do that.
Suffice it to say that the historical setting—1945 Chicago—is a refreshing change from the present noir we mostly find in this genre. The characters are fairly likable and the cover is well done.
And if it were listed as “young adult” (it is not), its on-the-surface, grandmotherly writing style might be overlooked the way we overlook it in say, Nancy Drew stories.
But everything else, from the name of the book (an unbelievable contrivance) to the names of its characters (they could not be more unlike Nick and Nora Charles) to the plot (I and the person I was reading this book aloud to knew who the murderer was the instant his name was first mentioned), to the almost total lack of an internal thought process, the book is simply not worth spending the time on.
Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.
Suffice it to say that the historical setting—1945 Chicago—is a refreshing change from the present noir we mostly find in this genre. The characters are fairly likable and the cover is well done.
And if it were listed as “young adult” (it is not), its on-the-surface, grandmotherly writing style might be overlooked the way we overlook it in say, Nancy Drew stories.
But everything else, from the name of the book (an unbelievable contrivance) to the names of its characters (they could not be more unlike Nick and Nora Charles) to the plot (I and the person I was reading this book aloud to knew who the murderer was the instant his name was first mentioned), to the almost total lack of an internal thought process, the book is simply not worth spending the time on.
Note: This review is included in my book The Art of the Lesbian Mystery Novel, along with information on over 930 other lesbian mysteries by over 310 authors.
August 17, 2013
Solid mystery. I liked a lot of the period detail, even if some of it (the characters' declarations about how they were okay with homosexuality, for instance) was a little heavy-handed. I didn't like the occasional switch in POV, but the main character (Nic) was personable. I would've preferred for the resolution to the romance to have been delayed until the next book in the series where it could've been given more space/time. Fans of lesbian mysteries or historical mysteries will like this.
January 30, 2014
At first I thought this would be a Nick and Nora Charles mystery but this has a pleasant twist. Besides trying to solve a murder the author does a wonderful job describing the look and the feel of 1940's, the cast of characters, and also the prejudice gays/lesbians experienced.
February 5, 2016
When Nic gets the job of her dreams with the murder of the lead on the radio show, the naive Nic, encouraged by her aunt, is determined to solve the murder. With the exacting setting of Chicago in the late 40s, she discovers much about herself in the pursuit of justice.
July 27, 2014
Different
Different
good story but I figured out who the murderer was early. I did not like the ending where Nicole and Nora became lovers not my cup of tea
Different
good story but I figured out who the murderer was early. I did not like the ending where Nicole and Nora became lovers not my cup of tea
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews