Death by Flapper

Heist Society Investigates #1

by Brittany E. Brinegar, J.E. Brinegar

In a sea of bachelors, Penelope's dance card is a clue to murder.

Dallas 1924
In the wake of her husband's untimely demise, Penelope Van Keesler is coerced into attending a lavish ball by her meddling mother. With their family's fortune teetering on the edge of extinction, Mother is determined to secure a wealthy match for her daughter. Whether she wants it or not.

Dallas high society is crawling with eligible bachelors to save a family fortune. But when Penelope's dance partner, a national hero pilot, drops dead outside of the speakeasy, she ignores societal norms and sets out to discover whodunit.

The pilot’s suspicious death sends shockwaves through Dallas and leaves the police department scratching their heads. Armed with her charm, infectious laughter, and a razor-sharp mind, Penelope ruffles feathers and attempts to solve the puzzling mystery from the shadows.

Will Penelope convince the skeptical authorities to accept her aid before the killer vanishes? Or will her stubborn pursuit of justice jeopardize her loved ones and their precarious fortune?
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Death by Flapper is the first installment in the Heist Society Investigates 1920s cozy mystery series.
If you enjoy the glittering world of flappers, secret speakeasies, and glamourous deceit this jazz age whodunit is for you!

Heist Society Investigates Series Order

Book 1: Death by Flapper
Book 2: Death by Fortune
Book 3: Death by Matchmaker
Book 4: Death by Railway
Book 5: Death by Midnight
Book 6: Death by Mistletoe

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Ebooks, Amazon, Cozy

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2024

About the author

Brittany E. Brinegar is the author of witty mysteries and whodunits. When you open one of her books, look out for rapid-fire banter and nostalgic pop culture references.

Her hobbies include time travel to the 1940s, solving mysteries, and training to be a super spy... vicariously through her characters of course.

She lives in Arlington, Texas with two canine writing companions/distractions and loves drawing inspiration from family, friends, and her home state.

Ready to smile your way through murder? Join Brittany's newsletter and never miss a new release.

Reviews

[Lise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Governor's Ball is the perfect place to meet an eligible bachelor to help shore up the failing family fortune, but newly widowed Penelope Van Keesler is not very enthusiastic. Once there, Penelope's attention is taken by a heroic airman, until she realises he is a cad who only cares about getting a drink from the hotel's speakeasy. When the man dies in her arms, Penelope has a chance to put her latent detective skills to use, but the police have no time for her deductions. The suspicious activities of other attendees have led her down the wrong track. Can Penelope find the real killer before the authorities botch the case?

I found it difficult to connect with the main character, who almost seemed morally compelled to instigate fights with family members. Following her story was somewhat exhausting, especially when she was bullying her older brother. (Although, to be fair, he was not an upstanding individual himself.) Normally, I would love a mystery with a smart 1920s woman as the lead. But even though this story was well-written, it missed the mark for me.

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cozy mystery captures the era perfectly. Penelope the flapper and widow of a detective is unhappy. Her family fortune is gone, she works as her brothers secretary and her mother wants her to marry a wealthy man. A evening out ends in murder. Great stuff, a speakeasy, gangsters, dim coppers, sharp PI's, loads of suspects and red herrings. I didn't pick the killer until right at the end. The Brinegar team has produced a super book and I hope a great series. I received a complimentary copy from the Author and am leaving a honest voluntary review.

[Crystal Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

This book was hit or miss for me. Penelope Van Kessler and her dog were good. Most of the other characters were meh. The plot had great potential if it wasn't for the majority of the characters. Most of the characters were too over the top to be believable, even for the1920s. Officer Budding was either too gullible or something...almost hot and cold...personality wise.
I would have liked to get to know Bentley more.

[Terri Borkgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in a series by this author and her father. Penelope, young widow of a policeman attends a party to honor a pilot and becomes a part of the team of finding his killer Taking place in the 1920's it takes the reader on a mission when women were not in law enforcement and many officers were open for bribes and overlooking the prohibition of alcohol!

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope, recent widow of a detective, has moved back in with her parents and taken a job as her brothers secretary. She attends a party to honor a pilot and becomes involved in finder his killer. This is the first of a new series. Plenty of 1920s memorabilia, suspects, and suspense. Enjoy this fun mystery and watch out for the pop culture references and banter that will keep you smiling.

[Sharon M. Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Flapper

Penelope is trying to save her family from disgrace. Her brother has lost the family's money and she is trying to help. At a Governor's Ball she finds a murder and begins to solve the case. Which is really hard because every time she finds a clue, she is dismissed as a dumb girl. Be prepared for lots of Red Herrings!

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an okay historical mystery. I liked the main character, Penelope, but not so much the characters surrounding her. I found them to be a touch annoying. Although the author did do a good job with the historical setting and dialogue. Unfortunately, the middle of the book seemed to just drag. So overall, it was entertaining and an okay read.

[lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book, definitely a different take on the usual mystery story .Nice to have a lady in the lead role, also the lady was not too pushy nor was she a doormat. Hope the next in the series is as good

[Judi Politte-Downs · Rating 3 out of 5]

murder mystery with an English twist. the "cringe solver" thought the murdered read this one, no then that one, no but she never gives up, until the real murdered is found and captured. Fun to read.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Runaround Mystery

Penelope starts out as a simple girl but she grows on you and becomes a very smart and persistent woman - I love her character. You will definitely enjoy this story and the satisfying conclusion.

[Linda Frances · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a disappointment. The premis sounded great; Dallas Texas in the 1920s. Unfortunately, I didn't feel any atmosphere of Dallas at all, and little of the 1920s.

Worst of all, the main character was neither smart nor likable.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

intriguing intro to a new character from author, Brittany Brinegar.

[Bonnie Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A don' t miss read

I love the era and the characters. Well written with lots of twists and turns and humor. Could not wait to finish it and then was sad because it was done.

[Beth Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written basic whodunit, set in the roaring 20s. Heroine is entertaining. It's not a complicated story and it takes place all in one night. However it was great for light reading.

[Charleen Stroup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!

This is an amazing whodunit from start to finish. I loved the author using the slang so prevalent in the twenties. It's a fast moving script.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun mystery! Great characters!

[Lucinda Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Flapper

It was a really fun read! Loved the characters & plot! I can’t wait to start Book 2! I recommend it.

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

The MC wasn't really likeable. She kept on making fun of people for their weight and was kind of all over the place. The mystery was fine but not that engaging.

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cozy mystery captures the era perfectly. Penelope the flapper and widow of a detective is unhappy. Her family fortune is gone, she works as her brothers secretary and her mother wants her to marry a wealthy man. A evening out ends in murder. Great stuff, a speakeasy, gangsters, dim coppers, sharp PI's, loads of suspects and red herrings. I didn't pick the killer until right at the end. The Brinegar team has produced a super book and I hope a great series. I received a complimentary copy from the Author and am leaving a honest voluntary review.

[Terri Borkgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Flapper

A widow of a police officer attends a party for a pilot and he ends up dead. A cute story about a woman wanting to be a detective and her determination to do so in the 1920's