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Paradise Café #4
March Roars
“A grave injustice.” Those are the words in the letter sent to Charlotte Frayne, P.I., on a cold March morning.
The newspapers have reported on the arrest of two Black teenagers in a burglary, but did the pair actually commit the crime? Not according to the letter’s sender, Mrs. Olivia Brodie. A resident of the Toronto House of Industry — “the poor house” — Mrs. Brodie was running an early morning errand when she witnessed, on the morning of the crime, two men behaving in a suspicious manner near the burgled two white men.
Meanwhile, Charlotte is investigating another theft — this one at the home of a woman on the opposite end of the social hierarchy. As she juggles her investigations, Charlotte finds unexpected links between people and personal histories, along with more than one “grave injustice.”
The newspapers have reported on the arrest of two Black teenagers in a burglary, but did the pair actually commit the crime? Not according to the letter’s sender, Mrs. Olivia Brodie. A resident of the Toronto House of Industry — “the poor house” — Mrs. Brodie was running an early morning errand when she witnessed, on the morning of the crime, two men behaving in a suspicious manner near the burgled two white men.
Meanwhile, Charlotte is investigating another theft — this one at the home of a woman on the opposite end of the social hierarchy. As she juggles her investigations, Charlotte finds unexpected links between people and personal histories, along with more than one “grave injustice.”
Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2024
About the author
Maureen Jennings
70 books390 followersMaureen Jennings, now a Canadian Citizen, was born on Eastfield Road in Birmingham, England and spent her formative years there until she emigrated to Canada at the age of seventeen with her mother.
This has meant that she still feels a deep connection with her homeland. It has also no doubt been a strong influence in her love for, and her writing about, the Victorian period. She attended the University of Windsor where she attained a BA in philosophy and psychology.
A couple of years trying to decide what she really wanted to do with her life resulted in her returning to university, the University of Toronto, this time where she earned an MA in English literature.For the next eight years, she taught English at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute at a time when the English department seemed to be chock full of writers. Eric Wright, went on to write the highly successful Charlie Salter mystery series, Graeme Gibson, Peter Such, and others were writing both novels and poetry. An exciting time in so many ways but after eight years, another change of direction and in 1972, Maureen left Ryerson to become a psychotherapist, which was a long time interest. She has continued in private practice since then, although nowadays she mostly conducts creative expression groups and writes. Always passionate about dogs, she is happy to own a border collie named Jeremy-Brett and a mixed breed named Varley.
Series:
* Detective Murdoch
* Christine Morris
* Detective Inspector Tom Tyler
This has meant that she still feels a deep connection with her homeland. It has also no doubt been a strong influence in her love for, and her writing about, the Victorian period. She attended the University of Windsor where she attained a BA in philosophy and psychology.
A couple of years trying to decide what she really wanted to do with her life resulted in her returning to university, the University of Toronto, this time where she earned an MA in English literature.For the next eight years, she taught English at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute at a time when the English department seemed to be chock full of writers. Eric Wright, went on to write the highly successful Charlie Salter mystery series, Graeme Gibson, Peter Such, and others were writing both novels and poetry. An exciting time in so many ways but after eight years, another change of direction and in 1972, Maureen left Ryerson to become a psychotherapist, which was a long time interest. She has continued in private practice since then, although nowadays she mostly conducts creative expression groups and writes. Always passionate about dogs, she is happy to own a border collie named Jeremy-Brett and a mixed breed named Varley.
Series:
* Detective Murdoch
* Christine Morris
* Detective Inspector Tom Tyler
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 11, 2024
PI Charlotte Frayne is back and once again finds herself investigating not one but two cases - one involving the wrongly accused arrest of two Black boys for burglary and a case about the missing items of a rather peculiar well-to-do client.
Set a year after the first book Heat Wave (I temporarily skipped books 2 and 3) in 1937, Charlotte's life is much the same - busy helping at The Paradise Café when possible, helping her aging grandfather, her PI cases and finds some time for a bit of mild romance.
One of the things that stands out for me in this series is Jennings' attention to historical detail as she brings readers into 1930's Toronto and highlights some of the societal issues of the time. We get a peek at Toronto's House of Industry (aka poor house) as Charlotte digs deeper into the crimes and Jennings highlights that despite many Canadians' believing our country was a place of inclusivity, racial injustice was prevalent for people of colour.
This is an easy-going, page-turner of a story that boasts a couple good mysteries, an interesting cast you'll look forward to seeing again and again and a hearty dose of Canadian history. The Paradise Café series should be on all mystery buffs' TBR.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Cormorant Books for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.
September 4, 2024
This is the 19th book by Jennings I have read in the last few years. I believe I have read all her fiction that is in print. And this is another excellent book in this this series. It is a continuation of Heat Wave - Paradise Café Book 1, and November Rain Book 2, and book 3 Cold Snap. We are dropped back into a familiar Toronto, not terribly long after the William Murdoch books, or TV Series. This time yet again Charlotte Frayne finds herself in the middle of two cases but one case is related to two people of colour who have been convicted and she is working to prove their innocence. Charlotte is still working as a PI at the T. Gilmore and Associates. Mr. Gilmore is off on a trip abroad. Charlotte is finding out that Toronto the Good is not always so good if you are black. She witnesses some incidents and finds out much more. Yet again her cases cross over with those of Jack Murdoch and the Toronto Constabulary. The Paradise Café continues to be a meeting place and office away from the office for Charlotte. But things are not peaceful in Charlotte’s life. Charlotte has to deal with a strange client, a different client missing, and her grandfather is very ill.
The story takes place over a few days during a cold March in 1937. The pace is slower than some of the other novels in this series, but it still moves at a good pace. The mysteries are again intense and much in need of unravelling. Charlotte is in the thick of it, working her cases, and assisting the police.
When I wrote my review of book 1, I stated: “that there was going to be something different about this series, the other three series are all named after the main character, Detective Murdoch Series, Detective Inspector Tom Tyler Series, Christine Morris Series. And yet this series is named after a location, the paradise café. And boy was I right! It was a highly addictive read, like most of Jennings other works!” that sentiment persists, and grows with each new offering in the series. This is a great read in what is an excellent series. It is one that we can only hope will have many more volumes to come. The description of this volume is:
““A grave injustice.” Those are the words in the letter sent to Charlotte Frayne, P.I., on a cold March morning.
The newspapers have reported on the arrest of two Black teenagers in a burglary, but did the pair actually commit the crime? Not according to the letter’s sender, Mrs. Olivia Brodie. A resident of the Toronto House of Industry — “the poor house” — Mrs. Brodie was running an early morning errand when she witnessed, on the morning of the crime, two men behaving in a suspicious manner near the burgled home: two white men.
Meanwhile, Charlotte is investigating another theft — this one at the home of a woman on the opposite end of the social hierarchy. As she juggles her investigations, Charlotte finds unexpected links between people and personal histories, along with more than one “grave injustice.””
This story has a good deal about racial experiences in Toronto at this time, and some significant history around those issues. It does a great job as historical fiction. The characters are masterfully written, and the story is highly addictive. I could hardly put the book down.
I have greatly enjoyed all the books and series I have read by Jennings. I will always have a special place for William Murdoch, but I now see Charlotte and Jack as amongst my favourite of her characters. I loved this book and this series. It is a great crime mystery historical fiction that I can easily recommend.
The story takes place over a few days during a cold March in 1937. The pace is slower than some of the other novels in this series, but it still moves at a good pace. The mysteries are again intense and much in need of unravelling. Charlotte is in the thick of it, working her cases, and assisting the police.
When I wrote my review of book 1, I stated: “that there was going to be something different about this series, the other three series are all named after the main character, Detective Murdoch Series, Detective Inspector Tom Tyler Series, Christine Morris Series. And yet this series is named after a location, the paradise café. And boy was I right! It was a highly addictive read, like most of Jennings other works!” that sentiment persists, and grows with each new offering in the series. This is a great read in what is an excellent series. It is one that we can only hope will have many more volumes to come. The description of this volume is:
““A grave injustice.” Those are the words in the letter sent to Charlotte Frayne, P.I., on a cold March morning.
The newspapers have reported on the arrest of two Black teenagers in a burglary, but did the pair actually commit the crime? Not according to the letter’s sender, Mrs. Olivia Brodie. A resident of the Toronto House of Industry — “the poor house” — Mrs. Brodie was running an early morning errand when she witnessed, on the morning of the crime, two men behaving in a suspicious manner near the burgled home: two white men.
Meanwhile, Charlotte is investigating another theft — this one at the home of a woman on the opposite end of the social hierarchy. As she juggles her investigations, Charlotte finds unexpected links between people and personal histories, along with more than one “grave injustice.””
This story has a good deal about racial experiences in Toronto at this time, and some significant history around those issues. It does a great job as historical fiction. The characters are masterfully written, and the story is highly addictive. I could hardly put the book down.
I have greatly enjoyed all the books and series I have read by Jennings. I will always have a special place for William Murdoch, but I now see Charlotte and Jack as amongst my favourite of her characters. I loved this book and this series. It is a great crime mystery historical fiction that I can easily recommend.
October 6, 2025
Another in the Paradise Cafe series.
Toronto, March 1937
Two black children are suspected of robbing a Jewish doctor paralysed by a stroke, but Olivia Brodie thinks differently, pointing the finger at two WW1 veterans. She sends a letter, postage due, to Charlotte Frayne. And thus the adventure begins.
I say 'adventure' because there are unanswered questions at the beginning, but this novel is not structured like a mystery. I'm not sure if clues are handed to the reader at the same time Charlotte becomes aware of them, but at least you get to go around 1930's Toronto with a bit less detail than The Complete Murdoch Mysteries. Ultimately, all the questions in the book are answered in an epilogue, and the resolution seems like pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
Still, there's something about Charlotte Frayne's language that is quite engaging. There's that Canadian naibvete and general feeling of happiness there that appeals to me.
Toronto, March 1937
Two black children are suspected of robbing a Jewish doctor paralysed by a stroke, but Olivia Brodie thinks differently, pointing the finger at two WW1 veterans. She sends a letter, postage due, to Charlotte Frayne. And thus the adventure begins.
I say 'adventure' because there are unanswered questions at the beginning, but this novel is not structured like a mystery. I'm not sure if clues are handed to the reader at the same time Charlotte becomes aware of them, but at least you get to go around 1930's Toronto with a bit less detail than The Complete Murdoch Mysteries. Ultimately, all the questions in the book are answered in an epilogue, and the resolution seems like pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
Still, there's something about Charlotte Frayne's language that is quite engaging. There's that Canadian naibvete and general feeling of happiness there that appeals to me.
October 5, 2024
March Roars is a charmingly old-fashioned "who-done-it," by Maureen Jennings, the acclaimed author of the popular Murdock Mysteries series. It's 1937 Toronto and the newspapers are chock full of the arrest of two Black teenagers. However, Charlotte, a local private investigator, believes these young men may be falsely accused of this purported robbery. Charlotte has received an urgent letter from a Mrs. Olivia Brodie, a resident of "the poor house," claiming she witnessed two white men behaving suspiciously the exact same morning of the crime. They were in close proximity to the burgled house. Charlotte is currently embroiled in complicated research, on a very odd theft, at the so-called more refined end of society. Still, she's extremely concerned for these young men. Truly they're just boys. Charlotte fears the currently harsh judge may sentence these innocents to the barbaric lash. Surprisingly, as her research proceeds, Charlotte intuits peculiar links between these two unrelated cases. I recommend "March Roars;" as a refreshing, and engaging change of pace. Gwendolyn, author, Life Came to a Standstill.
April 15, 2026
March Roars by Maureen Jennings is a richly atmospheric historical mystery set in Depression era Toronto, continuing the Paradise Café Mysteries with private investigator Charlotte Frayne at its center. Jennings once again draws readers into a vividly rendered world shaped by economic hardship, social tension, and the quiet resilience of ordinary people trying to survive uncertain times.
The novel’s strength lies in its sense of place and period detail, where Toronto becomes more than a backdrop and instead functions as a living, pressure filled environment that shapes both crime and investigation. Charlotte Frayne’s role as a PI navigating limited resources and growing societal strain adds authenticity to the procedural elements of the story.
As the mystery unfolds, the narrative balances character driven investigation with broader historical context, giving the case emotional weight alongside its unfolding clues.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy historical mysteries with strong atmosphere, grounded detectives, and socially textured storytelling.
The novel’s strength lies in its sense of place and period detail, where Toronto becomes more than a backdrop and instead functions as a living, pressure filled environment that shapes both crime and investigation. Charlotte Frayne’s role as a PI navigating limited resources and growing societal strain adds authenticity to the procedural elements of the story.
As the mystery unfolds, the narrative balances character driven investigation with broader historical context, giving the case emotional weight alongside its unfolding clues.
This book will appeal to readers who enjoy historical mysteries with strong atmosphere, grounded detectives, and socially textured storytelling.
October 11, 2024
I am a fan of this series, it is set in Toronto in the 1930’s, the main character Charlotte Frayne is a private investigator and in this book she gets involved in 2 cases of theft. The book is set in March 1937 and the author explores life in Toronto in this time especially the things that are not good and with the rise of Hitler in Europe talk of another war is on the mind of many, especially those who served in the first world war.
Overall I found this to be a quick interesting read, I liked the role Jack Murdock (police detective) played in this book and the role of the characters at the café. I hope there are more books to come in this series.
Overall I found this to be a quick interesting read, I liked the role Jack Murdock (police detective) played in this book and the role of the characters at the café. I hope there are more books to come in this series.
November 28, 2024
Our favourite bicycle riding private detective Charlotte Frayne finds herself once again in a Venn diagram of plots, which all converge at the book's finish. This fourth "Paradise Cafe" novel enriches the sidebar characters of Cal, Pearl and Gramps. Jennings has an absolute knack for plot and dialogue. She captures the essence of 1930s Toronto; bedraggled WW1 veterans, Ukranians and Irish, old moneyed stock on Gerrard Street. She definitely has a spot for the underdogs. I especially liked the depictions of the House of Industry and the descriptions of the execrable living conditions of those without money or resources.
October 3, 2024
The author’s skill and experience are obvious in this well-plotted mystery, which has the added attraction of teaching us something about the way people of color were treated in Toronto in the 1930s. I do love a novel with some factual meat on its bones. The protagonist Charlotte Fayne is delightful (in one instance, she rams her assailant in the stomach with the front wheel of her bicycle). The novel stands alone, but for a fuller appreciation of the characters, I recommend reading the first three books in the series before turning to this one.
October 9, 2024
I have read many of books by Maureen Jenmings.
Sbe is one of my favorite authors. I love her style of writing in linear storyline with hidden gems of character and place creating mystery and compelling suspense to the very last page. I love reading a continuous story that does not vere chapter to chapter from one storyline to another making the journey hard to follow as many writers are fond of doing these days. Call me old fashioned if you like.
Sbe is one of my favorite authors. I love her style of writing in linear storyline with hidden gems of character and place creating mystery and compelling suspense to the very last page. I love reading a continuous story that does not vere chapter to chapter from one storyline to another making the journey hard to follow as many writers are fond of doing these days. Call me old fashioned if you like.
February 5, 2025
This is a cozy mystery that hints at the coming WWII and gives glimpses of the residue of the great depression. The language and cultural referents fit the time period. The protagonist's age is confusing to this reader as she presents as a mature single woman but late in the novel, the story hints that she may be as young as 20. It also wraps up a bit too tidily but it reads very easily and is reasonable entertainment.
October 28, 2024
Canadian historical "Paradise Cafe' mystery series, by the author of the Murdoch mysteries; these books take place in the Depression 1930's era between the two world wars. The main protagonist is female, Charlotte Frayne, a private investigator. William Murdoch's son Jack is the main police detective who she often assists.
September 17, 2024
An enjoyable and comfortable detective novel, March Roars cleverly blends what appears to be two diametrically opposed cases using good solid storytelling and world building with believable, relatable, and likeable characters.
June 24, 2025
Wpw.. read this in one sitting! I saw it on. display at The Beaches library and did not know of this Maureen Jennings series. The characters, the Canadian history and Toronto lore. So much atmosphere. Great use of vocabulary. Ordering the other books tonight!
July 2, 2025
I love everything by Maureen Jennings. The Paradise Cafe series is about a particularly interesting and unsettled time between the world wars. Charlotte Frayne is intelligent, attractive, snd completely relatable.
I'm looking forward to more of this series.
I'm looking forward to more of this series.
September 30, 2024
I really enjoy this🇨🇦 series & can't wait for #5
September 30, 2024
Not my favourite book in the series. Looking forward to the next one.
November 5, 2024
The fourth Paradise Cafe is an excellent evocation of Depression era Toronto, thoughtful and entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews