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Katharine Wright #2
Not They Who Soar: A Katharine Wright Mystery, Book 2
Summer 1904.
Katharine and her best friend, Margaret Goodwin Meacham, are thrilled to attend the St. Louis Exposition for the centennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Not only is it a grand event, it's also the first time the young women have traveled together alone, and they are giddy with excitement—despite warnings from Katharine's family friend, poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, to be careful.
Undaunted, the girls have a lovely time—until the exposition turns from a girls' trip to a misadventure when they stumble upon a woman in distress. It's obvious that she has been attacked. Katharine and Margaret do their best to save her, but the woman dies. Yet just before her last breath, she utters the words Aeronautics Competition. Katharine's brothers, Wilbur and Orville, were asked to enter the competition with their successful 1903 flyer but declined. Katharine, of course, knows they would have won and has confidently said so to anyone who will listen.
Now, unable to get the woman's face out of her mind, Katharine can't help wondering whether her death could somehow be connected to her brothers' flying machine. Katharine convinces Margaret to join her investigation—and it's soon clear that someone will stop at nothing to get the Wrights' invention to the masses. But with Katherine on the case, they may be in for a hard fall.
Undaunted, the girls have a lovely time—until the exposition turns from a girls' trip to a misadventure when they stumble upon a woman in distress. It's obvious that she has been attacked. Katharine and Margaret do their best to save her, but the woman dies. Yet just before her last breath, she utters the words Aeronautics Competition. Katharine's brothers, Wilbur and Orville, were asked to enter the competition with their successful 1903 flyer but declined. Katharine, of course, knows they would have won and has confidently said so to anyone who will listen.
Now, unable to get the woman's face out of her mind, Katharine can't help wondering whether her death could somehow be connected to her brothers' flying machine. Katharine convinces Margaret to join her investigation—and it's soon clear that someone will stop at nothing to get the Wrights' invention to the masses. But with Katherine on the case, they may be in for a hard fall.
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Published May 27, 2025
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About the author
Amanda Flower
61 books2,950 followersAmanda Flower is a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author of over thirty-five mystery novels. Her novels have received starred reviews from Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Romantic Times, and she had been featured in USA Today, First for Women, and Woman’s World. She currently writes for Penguin-Random House (Berkley), Kensington, Hallmark Publishing, Crooked Lane Books, and Sourcebooks. In addition to being a writer, she was a librarian for fifteen years. Today, Flower and her husband own a farm and recording studio, and they live in Northeast Ohio with their two adorable cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
June 18, 2025
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
NOT THEY WHO SOAR (Katherine Wright Mystery Book #2) by Amanda Flower is the cozy historical amateur mystery I have been waiting for and is the second book in this smart series. Katharine Wright, the youngest sibling of the legendary Wright Brothers, is back and once again places herself in the middle of a murder investigation. This book is easily read as a standalone mystery, but the first book, To Slip the Bonds of Earth, is also an excellent read.
It is the summer of 1904, and Katharine has taken the train to meet her best friend from college, Margaret, to attend the St. Louis Exposition. While her brothers turned down the opportunity to share their flying machine at this event, she is still interested in seeing the aeronautics competition which has a hundred-thousand-dollar first prize. As they check out the hangers for the flying machines, Katharine stumbles upon a woman who has been fatally stabbed.
Even as Katharine and Margaret take in the many sights of the World Fair, Katharine cannot stop wondering who the young woman was who was killed and why. Katharine discovers the young woman was a mechanic interested in flight and everything seems ties back to the aeronautics competition. Can Katharine sort through all the evidence and suspects before she becomes a victim also?
I am very excited to see this series is going to continue. Katharine is an intelligent, inquisitive protagonist who while she may seem over-shadowed by her brothers’ notoriety, she is not intimidated by it and is a woman ahead of her time. This story took her out of Dayton and was full of interesting facts, both good and disturbing, regarding the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis which also hosted the Olympics at the same time. Ms. Flower’s descriptive writing of attractions at the fair demonstrated her extensive research for this story. Katharine’s intricately plotted mystery investigation is full of red herring, surprises, and multiple suspects which kept me guessing and turning the pages all the way to the end.
I highly recommend this cozy historical amateur mystery featuring Katharine Wright and am looking forward to many more in this series!
NOT THEY WHO SOAR (Katherine Wright Mystery Book #2) by Amanda Flower is the cozy historical amateur mystery I have been waiting for and is the second book in this smart series. Katharine Wright, the youngest sibling of the legendary Wright Brothers, is back and once again places herself in the middle of a murder investigation. This book is easily read as a standalone mystery, but the first book, To Slip the Bonds of Earth, is also an excellent read.
It is the summer of 1904, and Katharine has taken the train to meet her best friend from college, Margaret, to attend the St. Louis Exposition. While her brothers turned down the opportunity to share their flying machine at this event, she is still interested in seeing the aeronautics competition which has a hundred-thousand-dollar first prize. As they check out the hangers for the flying machines, Katharine stumbles upon a woman who has been fatally stabbed.
Even as Katharine and Margaret take in the many sights of the World Fair, Katharine cannot stop wondering who the young woman was who was killed and why. Katharine discovers the young woman was a mechanic interested in flight and everything seems ties back to the aeronautics competition. Can Katharine sort through all the evidence and suspects before she becomes a victim also?
I am very excited to see this series is going to continue. Katharine is an intelligent, inquisitive protagonist who while she may seem over-shadowed by her brothers’ notoriety, she is not intimidated by it and is a woman ahead of her time. This story took her out of Dayton and was full of interesting facts, both good and disturbing, regarding the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis which also hosted the Olympics at the same time. Ms. Flower’s descriptive writing of attractions at the fair demonstrated her extensive research for this story. Katharine’s intricately plotted mystery investigation is full of red herring, surprises, and multiple suspects which kept me guessing and turning the pages all the way to the end.
I highly recommend this cozy historical amateur mystery featuring Katharine Wright and am looking forward to many more in this series!
February 19, 2025
Not They Who Soar is book 2 of historical mystery series that gives center stage to Katharine Wright, the sister of the legendary Wright Brothers.
Set in the early 20th century, at a time when Wilbur and Orville Wright already had their first flight and were working on improvements. Thus, were not ready to attend the St. Louis Exposition in Missouri. Instead, Katharine attends it where she reunites with her best friend from Oberlin College.
As Katharine arrives in St. Louis, right at the train station, she encounters a mystery woman who has been attacked. Katharine is unable to help the woman, but as she encounters her the second time, her last words are - aeronautics competition.
Unable, to forget the mystery woman, Katharine convinces her best friend to join her investigation.
Katharine is a curious, tenacious and likeable character. The premise is fascinating, giving Katharine space to shine as she lived in the shadow of her brothers. She was an educated woman, forward thinker and observer, strong supporter of her brothers, and certainly deserves her spot in history. Those mystery stories thrown into her life make her a perfect candidate as an amateur sleuth to solve the mystery. At the same time, letting her name get acquainted with readers who are still unfamiliar with her.
This mystery offers linear story with a slower pace. It’s a perfect read for those who prefer cozy mystery woven with historical characters and events.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Set in the early 20th century, at a time when Wilbur and Orville Wright already had their first flight and were working on improvements. Thus, were not ready to attend the St. Louis Exposition in Missouri. Instead, Katharine attends it where she reunites with her best friend from Oberlin College.
As Katharine arrives in St. Louis, right at the train station, she encounters a mystery woman who has been attacked. Katharine is unable to help the woman, but as she encounters her the second time, her last words are - aeronautics competition.
Unable, to forget the mystery woman, Katharine convinces her best friend to join her investigation.
Katharine is a curious, tenacious and likeable character. The premise is fascinating, giving Katharine space to shine as she lived in the shadow of her brothers. She was an educated woman, forward thinker and observer, strong supporter of her brothers, and certainly deserves her spot in history. Those mystery stories thrown into her life make her a perfect candidate as an amateur sleuth to solve the mystery. At the same time, letting her name get acquainted with readers who are still unfamiliar with her.
This mystery offers linear story with a slower pace. It’s a perfect read for those who prefer cozy mystery woven with historical characters and events.
Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2025
Not They Who Soar is book two of Amanda Flower’s The Katherine Wright Mysteries series. If you will remember from book one of this series Katherine was Orville and Wilber Wright’s sister. She is a high school teacher in Dayton Ohio. Katherine likes to solve murder mysteries and she’s pretty good at it. The Author takers her readers back in time to the 1904 World’s fair in St. Louis. It’s a man’s world and usually women stay home and take care of the children and do housekeeping. Not our Katherine. Single and working full time at the high school she still has time to sleuth murder mysteries. Katherine decides to take a break from taking care of her father and brothers and meet her best friend Margaret and her husband W.C. Meacham in St.Louis to take in the Worlds Fair. They are only there for a short time when Katherine finds a woman wounded and near death. She gets involved trying to find out more about the victim and who killed her and why. But if the victim is dead why does she keep showing up in the oddest of places at the Fair grounds? Find out when you read this historical murder mystery.
I do enjoy reading historical fiction. Life was so different in the early 1900s. This mystery kept me on my toes. I was drawn in from the first page and my interest was peaked throughout the book. It was hilarious at times and sad too. It was unpredictable and realistic. I was unable to guess who the killer was. Readers have to wait till near the end to find out whodunnit. That’s what I like when I read cozies.
I recommend this book to readers of Historical Fiction and Cozy Mystery. If you read To Slip the Bonds of Earth you will want to read Not They Who Soar. This book could be read as a Standalone but I would recommend that book one be read first because it is the introduction to the series. This book is scheduled for release on 5/27/25.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are solely my own.
#NotTheyWhoSoar #NetGalley
I do enjoy reading historical fiction. Life was so different in the early 1900s. This mystery kept me on my toes. I was drawn in from the first page and my interest was peaked throughout the book. It was hilarious at times and sad too. It was unpredictable and realistic. I was unable to guess who the killer was. Readers have to wait till near the end to find out whodunnit. That’s what I like when I read cozies.
I recommend this book to readers of Historical Fiction and Cozy Mystery. If you read To Slip the Bonds of Earth you will want to read Not They Who Soar. This book could be read as a Standalone but I would recommend that book one be read first because it is the introduction to the series. This book is scheduled for release on 5/27/25.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are solely my own.
#NotTheyWhoSoar #NetGalley
May 4, 2025
The year is 1904, and the World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri marks the one hundredth anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. Katharine Wright, sister to the famous Wright Brothers, has been invited to the fair to accompany her dear friend Margaret Meacham, and the two women are looking forward to discovering all the excitement the fair has to offer. Throughout the fair, Katharine crosses paths with a mysterious woman several times. When Katharine finds the woman dead after the apparent sabotage of a priceless flying machine, the fair adopts a sinister appearance, and Katharine may be the only person who can solve the mystery before even more damage is done.
This historical fiction novel places readers squarely in 1904 both in the detailed descriptions of the characters’ surroundings and through the manner in which the characters interact with one another. Katharine is ahead of her time, and because she is the primary protagonist and tells the story in the first person, readers are able to observe how she interacts with the world and how others interact with her, in turn. Historical figures move in and out of Katharine’s periphery throughout the story, further anchoring the narrative in one of the grandest events of the time. Brief chapters and an intriguing mystery keep the pages turning as Katharine works to achieve her goal. Best for mature readers due to the nature of the storytelling, this novel is a positive addition to library collections for young adult readers and up.
This historical fiction novel places readers squarely in 1904 both in the detailed descriptions of the characters’ surroundings and through the manner in which the characters interact with one another. Katharine is ahead of her time, and because she is the primary protagonist and tells the story in the first person, readers are able to observe how she interacts with the world and how others interact with her, in turn. Historical figures move in and out of Katharine’s periphery throughout the story, further anchoring the narrative in one of the grandest events of the time. Brief chapters and an intriguing mystery keep the pages turning as Katharine works to achieve her goal. Best for mature readers due to the nature of the storytelling, this novel is a positive addition to library collections for young adult readers and up.
May 17, 2025
4.5 stars
The main character of this book, Katharine Wright, Latin teacher, proponent of women's rights, and sister to Orville and Wilbur Wright travels from Ohio to St. Louis for the 1904 World's Fair. This setting was very intriguing to me. The book is wonderfully researched, and I fell in love with the character of Katharine. I didn't know much about her before reading this book and was excited to learn more about her. I saw that she is smart, outspoken, and adventurous. I loved how she started investigating the death of a young woman when the local police ignored it.
The World's Fair is a wonderful setting for a mystery, and the vivid descriptions put you right there with Katharine and her best friend, Margaret. There are several aviation-related exhibits and events at the Fair which are important to the story. As Katharine zeroes in on the killer, there is a great plot twist and a dramatic showdown in a creepy location and an unlikely hero comes to the rescue. The author's note at the end helps clarify which characters and parts of the story actually occurred. The author really brings the Fair that I have heard so much about to life. She also brings to light some of the negative things that happened at the Fair, which was meant to celebrate culture and innovation, but in some cases showed the prejudices of the time.
I received an advance review copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley and my review is voluntary and unbiased.
The main character of this book, Katharine Wright, Latin teacher, proponent of women's rights, and sister to Orville and Wilbur Wright travels from Ohio to St. Louis for the 1904 World's Fair. This setting was very intriguing to me. The book is wonderfully researched, and I fell in love with the character of Katharine. I didn't know much about her before reading this book and was excited to learn more about her. I saw that she is smart, outspoken, and adventurous. I loved how she started investigating the death of a young woman when the local police ignored it.
The World's Fair is a wonderful setting for a mystery, and the vivid descriptions put you right there with Katharine and her best friend, Margaret. There are several aviation-related exhibits and events at the Fair which are important to the story. As Katharine zeroes in on the killer, there is a great plot twist and a dramatic showdown in a creepy location and an unlikely hero comes to the rescue. The author's note at the end helps clarify which characters and parts of the story actually occurred. The author really brings the Fair that I have heard so much about to life. She also brings to light some of the negative things that happened at the Fair, which was meant to celebrate culture and innovation, but in some cases showed the prejudices of the time.
I received an advance review copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley and my review is voluntary and unbiased.
March 9, 2025
Book 2 in the author's historical mystery series features the Wright brothers' sister Katharine as a sleuth at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. Loved Katharine's intelligence and creativity and the story's intriguing setting. Histfic mystery lovers will devour the tale, as I did, and consume it in one sitting. Enjoy!
March 10, 2025
3.5 stars
A historical cozy featuring Orville and Wilbur Wright's sister Katharine. Katharine is a strong feminist, impatient with the rampant sexism of early 20th century U.S. society. She has travelled from Dayton, OH to St. Louis for the world exhibition and to spend time with her best friend Margaret and husband.
Given her brothers, Katharine is particularly interested in the aeronautical exhibits but vandalism and a murder curtail the planned program. Katharine injects herself into the investigation. There are some real life characters blended into the story, like poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. Lots of interesting description of the fair itself.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A historical cozy featuring Orville and Wilbur Wright's sister Katharine. Katharine is a strong feminist, impatient with the rampant sexism of early 20th century U.S. society. She has travelled from Dayton, OH to St. Louis for the world exhibition and to spend time with her best friend Margaret and husband.
Given her brothers, Katharine is particularly interested in the aeronautical exhibits but vandalism and a murder curtail the planned program. Katharine injects herself into the investigation. There are some real life characters blended into the story, like poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. Lots of interesting description of the fair itself.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 19, 2025
Thank you to Kensington Books for the ARC. This, as with the first in the series, was a fun mystery. I enjoy historical fiction, and this was no exception.
May 30, 2025
Not They Who Soar by Amanda Flower features Katharine Wright (sister to Orville and Wilber) and the St Louis World’s Fair held in 1904. All kinds of things were at the world’s fair, not all of them good. Many people trying to make or win money, not always honestly. People can fool you when you first meet, but eventually show their true colors. This is featured on the cover as a mystery in the first days of flight and so it turned out to be. There were lots of different ideas of how to navigate the air and lots of people wanting to try, including Camilla Ortiz, who at this point wanted nothing more than to be a mechanic. Of course, she was relegated to errands and such based on her gender. But, she had plans. And, people were out to get them as well as sabotage others who had succeeded in building a flying machine. It led to murder. Of course, Katharine had to investigate. She was staying with her very conservative friend, Margaret Meacham, who always followed the rules, like signs saying,”Do Not Enter.” So, Katharine had to mostly go it alone.
Being the sister to her famous brothers opened doors for her but she was sensible and level-headed and clever enough to investigate on her own. She made friends easily, which helped. The plot was good, and of course, it was all about money. But, she got to spend time with old friends and see the astonished things on display at the world’s fair. She followed the clues, and trusted no one except herself. Flower has done plenty of research so except for the crime solving, this is a pretty true picture of spinster, Katharine Wright. Good read.
I was invited to read Not They Who Soar by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #AmandaFlower #NotTheyWhoSoar
Being the sister to her famous brothers opened doors for her but she was sensible and level-headed and clever enough to investigate on her own. She made friends easily, which helped. The plot was good, and of course, it was all about money. But, she got to spend time with old friends and see the astonished things on display at the world’s fair. She followed the clues, and trusted no one except herself. Flower has done plenty of research so except for the crime solving, this is a pretty true picture of spinster, Katharine Wright. Good read.
I was invited to read Not They Who Soar by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #AmandaFlower #NotTheyWhoSoar
June 13, 2025
As always with historical mysteries by Amanda Flower, you are going to have a well written and well researched book. One of the reasons I enjoy reading Ms Flower's books is because I know I am going to learn something and that after reading, I always feel enlightened. In this adventure, Katherine Wright, the sister of the flying Wright Brothers journeys to St Louis for the 1904 World's Fair. Katherine is staying with her good friend from Oberlin College days, Margaret and her husband. While the aviation displays and competition is one of the main draws of the Fair, Katherine's brothers have decided not to compete as they don't feel the facilities give them enough room to lift off their machine and they are also waiting for their patent to come through. Still, there is much excitement and a $100,000 prize making for much and very intense competition. The most favored candidate with the Wrights Brothers out of the competition is Alberto Santos-Dumont of Brazil. He has met with the Wright Brothers and is delighted to welcome Katherine and offer her tours and tickets to his lectures. Unfortunately, as soon as Santos-Dumont and Katherine arrive at his hanger, they find that his flying machine has been damaged and a young female mechanic murdered. How Katherine helps to figure out what actually happens to the young woman while seeing the sights, keeping her eyes open for her brothers, and spending time with her friend makes for an interesting and educational tale. I also enjoyed the fascinating tales about the Fair, the good and amazing displays as well as the underbelly of the Fair, the stop at nothing competitions as well as the sad representations of some of the different peoples from all over the world.
July 26, 2025
1904 St Louis
The sister (Katharine) of Orville and Wilbur Wright travels to St Louis to spend time with her college friend at the World's Fair. Loved the historical details included in this cozy mystery.
The sister (Katharine) of Orville and Wilbur Wright travels to St Louis to spend time with her college friend at the World's Fair. Loved the historical details included in this cozy mystery.
August 6, 2025
Very entertaining Historical/Cozy Mystery ...I enjoyed learning of the 1904 World's Fair and Katherine Wright's adventures and crime solving while visiting St. Louis
September 23, 2025
I'm enjoying this series. I liked the setting of the World's Fair for this book.
June 9, 2025
Not They Who Soar is a beautifully crafted fantasy that soars with heart and imagination! Amanda Flower delivers a compelling story with vibrant characters and a richly detailed world. The emotional depth and unexpected twists kept me turning pages late into the night. A fantastic read for anyone who loves immersive, character-driven fantasy!
June 1, 2025
A delightful mystery set in St. Louis during the World’s Fair. Featuring both the Art Museum and the Bird Cage as well as a real feeling for the time. Having the main character be the younger sister of the Wright Brothers is delightful.
May 27, 2025
Not They Who Soar is a wonderful cozy mystery with the famous Wright Brother’s sister, Katherine, as the lead character. She was a real person, and I so enjoy her sleuthing fiction stories by Amanda Flower. What fun to mix real life characters within the well-written fiction story. Taking place in 1904 at the St. Louis Exposition the exciting times turn to tragedy.
Several mysterious elements in this story besides the actual murder, so Katherine and friend Margaret Goodwin Meacham must be on their toes and acutely observant of all that is going on around them. A top-notch mystery for all to enjoy.
Several mysterious elements in this story besides the actual murder, so Katherine and friend Margaret Goodwin Meacham must be on their toes and acutely observant of all that is going on around them. A top-notch mystery for all to enjoy.
May 8, 2025
Katharine Wright is in St. Louis with a married college friend at the exhibition marking the hundredth anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase in lieu of her brothers Orville and Wilbur. There are deals to be made and reputations made known along with devious dealings and more. Katharine observes the young woman who becomes a murder victim several times before witnessing her final moments. There is no doubt whatsoever that she will begin investigating and see it through to the end. Great read for those of us who geek history!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Kensington Books via NetGalley.
#NotTheyWhoSoar by @amandaflowerauthor #KatharineWrightMysteriesBk2 @kensingtonbooks #NetGalley #cozymystery #murder #historicalnovel #family #siblings #investigation #schoolteacher #aviationpPioneers #sabotage #rivalry #friendship
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Kensington Books via NetGalley.
#NotTheyWhoSoar by @amandaflowerauthor #KatharineWrightMysteriesBk2 @kensingtonbooks #NetGalley #cozymystery #murder #historicalnovel #family #siblings #investigation #schoolteacher #aviationpPioneers #sabotage #rivalry #friendship
June 28, 2025
https://openbooksociety.com/article/n...
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Reading this new, fast-paced mystery in Amanda Flower’s Katharine Wright series has been a perfect experience! Readers get to attend the 1904 World’s Fair/ St. Louis Exposition in St. Louis, appreciating it through the eyes of Katharine, her best friend Margaret, and the perspective of a young woman who was designing her own flying machine.
Margaret’s husband, Meacham, worked at a bank in Chicago. He was primarily there to attain substantial new accounts from successful industries related to the exciting innovations seen at the fair. He would work long hours, so he suggested that Margaret invite her best friend, Katharine, to enjoy the fair together.
I was impressed that many ‘real’ people were part of the novel! Paul Laurence Dunbar was an extraordinary man to ‘meet’, especially after reading the poem from which the book title was borrowed. His poetry exemplified the hidden heart of that era. All the characters are defined well, seen through Katharine’s compassionate view. It was a joy for Katharine to attend the fair. Her primary focus through the school year was her students. Year round, she ran the household for her father and her brothers, Wilbur and Orville. She also works at the brothers’ bicycle shop, and is their most enthusiastic supporter. For her, this trip has been a rare extravagance.
When leaving the train in St. Louis, she attempted to help a young woman who called for help while being chased, but she got away. That evening, Margaret, Meacham, and Katherine attended a reception at the Palace of Fine Arts where she met inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont. He told her about when he met and talked with her brothers, and how flying machines like his, using hot air balloons, were the future, not those like her brothers’ prototype. He invited her to his hangar the next morning to see his flying machine. He was confident he would win the aeronautics competition with a grand prize of $100,000. She wished her brothers had competed, but they had excellent reasons to wait.
Katharine and Margaret arrived at Santos-Dumont’s hangar the next morning. Unfortunately, someone had slashed the balloon silks of his machine beyond repair. Furious, he was going to return to Paris. There, the craftsmen he had painstakingly trained would replace everything damaged. It was impossible to complete the work in time for the competition.
While Santos-Dumont went to call the police, the woman from the train station popped her head in. She recognized Katharine, and ran. Within moments Katharine found her, bleeding to death between two hangars, and held the young woman as she passed. Katharine was determined to get justice for Camilla Ortiz. Camilla had been working on her own flying machine in California, and came to St. Louis when she heard of jobs and the aeronautics competition. She hoped to get advice on her machine and possibly even a financial backer. She got a job as mechanic, but as a woman was limited to non-mechanical tasks.
Since Camilla was a fair employee, the police gave little attention to her murder, but the damaged balloon of a wealthy inventor rated full investigation. Katharine used the best of her skills, despite the difficulty of learning anything about Camilla’s death.
I did correctly anticipate an interesting twist, but I couldn’t solve anything! Katharine encountered many bold lies about Camilla, including how she might have damaged Santos-Dumont’s balloon. Katharine pursued the murder as she and Margaret saw some of the fair. She also helped Margaret prepare for her exceptional dinner party, and stayed with Margaret when she was laid up with a tummy bug.
The real killer stunned and disappointed me, someone I thought to be above reproach. All loose ends were tied up, and the ending was satisfying. I greatly appreciate the author, the depth of her historical research, her humor, and her development of characters that I want to know more about beyond the final page. I highly recommend this excellent novel!
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Reading this new, fast-paced mystery in Amanda Flower’s Katharine Wright series has been a perfect experience! Readers get to attend the 1904 World’s Fair/ St. Louis Exposition in St. Louis, appreciating it through the eyes of Katharine, her best friend Margaret, and the perspective of a young woman who was designing her own flying machine.
Margaret’s husband, Meacham, worked at a bank in Chicago. He was primarily there to attain substantial new accounts from successful industries related to the exciting innovations seen at the fair. He would work long hours, so he suggested that Margaret invite her best friend, Katharine, to enjoy the fair together.
I was impressed that many ‘real’ people were part of the novel! Paul Laurence Dunbar was an extraordinary man to ‘meet’, especially after reading the poem from which the book title was borrowed. His poetry exemplified the hidden heart of that era. All the characters are defined well, seen through Katharine’s compassionate view. It was a joy for Katharine to attend the fair. Her primary focus through the school year was her students. Year round, she ran the household for her father and her brothers, Wilbur and Orville. She also works at the brothers’ bicycle shop, and is their most enthusiastic supporter. For her, this trip has been a rare extravagance.
When leaving the train in St. Louis, she attempted to help a young woman who called for help while being chased, but she got away. That evening, Margaret, Meacham, and Katherine attended a reception at the Palace of Fine Arts where she met inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont. He told her about when he met and talked with her brothers, and how flying machines like his, using hot air balloons, were the future, not those like her brothers’ prototype. He invited her to his hangar the next morning to see his flying machine. He was confident he would win the aeronautics competition with a grand prize of $100,000. She wished her brothers had competed, but they had excellent reasons to wait.
Katharine and Margaret arrived at Santos-Dumont’s hangar the next morning. Unfortunately, someone had slashed the balloon silks of his machine beyond repair. Furious, he was going to return to Paris. There, the craftsmen he had painstakingly trained would replace everything damaged. It was impossible to complete the work in time for the competition.
While Santos-Dumont went to call the police, the woman from the train station popped her head in. She recognized Katharine, and ran. Within moments Katharine found her, bleeding to death between two hangars, and held the young woman as she passed. Katharine was determined to get justice for Camilla Ortiz. Camilla had been working on her own flying machine in California, and came to St. Louis when she heard of jobs and the aeronautics competition. She hoped to get advice on her machine and possibly even a financial backer. She got a job as mechanic, but as a woman was limited to non-mechanical tasks.
Since Camilla was a fair employee, the police gave little attention to her murder, but the damaged balloon of a wealthy inventor rated full investigation. Katharine used the best of her skills, despite the difficulty of learning anything about Camilla’s death.
I did correctly anticipate an interesting twist, but I couldn’t solve anything! Katharine encountered many bold lies about Camilla, including how she might have damaged Santos-Dumont’s balloon. Katharine pursued the murder as she and Margaret saw some of the fair. She also helped Margaret prepare for her exceptional dinner party, and stayed with Margaret when she was laid up with a tummy bug.
The real killer stunned and disappointed me, someone I thought to be above reproach. All loose ends were tied up, and the ending was satisfying. I greatly appreciate the author, the depth of her historical research, her humor, and her development of characters that I want to know more about beyond the final page. I highly recommend this excellent novel!
July 13, 2025
How terribly clever to write historical fiction from the POV of Katharine Wright! For those who don't recognize the name, Katharine was the younger sister of Wilbur and Orville Wright, pioneers of flight. Born in 1874, Katharine was educated at Oberlin College, one of the few colleges of that time that accepted female students. And she acquitted herself very well, later teaching Latin and English at Steele High School in Dayton, Ohio, while living with her family. A suffragist, she considered herself a spinster at thirty, which is when this novel is set, and had harsh views on male/female wage discrimination, all of which comes out in the writing. When her mother died in 1889 of tuberculosis, Katharine, aged fifteen, took over running the household, and later, when Wilbur and Orville left for Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, to test gliders and the prototypes for their first planes, she began running their bicycle shop and keeping the books. Not They Who Soar is set at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904, a huge celebration of science and technology pointing toward the future (the LPE was also known as the St. Louis World's Fair). Katharine is there at the invitation of her friend, Margaret Meacham, a banker's wife, and together they set out to explore the many exhibits and attractions of the Exposition. Which is when Katharine discovers a young woman on the outskirts of the aeronautic competition, fatally stabbed. This is set a few years before the Wright Brothers would change the world forever, and it makes for interesting reading!
July 14, 2025
Katherine Wright has traveled to St. Louis for the 1904 St. Louis Exposition at the invitation of her close friend, Margaret and her husband Meacham. On her first full day at the fair she visits the aeronautical concourse, even though her brothers have chosen not to enter a competition at the Fair. While there she encounters a young woman who has been murdered. As she spends most of the rest of her time there trying to determine what happened to this young prospective flyer, she runs into old friends, journalist Harry Haskins and poet Paul Lawrence Dunbar. She also meets a number of other luminaries of the time who all play a part in her search for justice for the young woman.
This series is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine. Katherine is a young woman of great confidence with a strong sense of herself and of justice. She is a fighter for women's rights to use their abilities and does not hesitate to put arrogant men in their place. I was happy to see her enjoying a summer vacation and a visit with a friend, even if a murder did put a bit of a ripple in their plans. I felt like all of the characters were fully developed and quite believable, whether totally created by the author or based on real individuals.
The plot of this book moved right along and kept me guessing to the end. While I was surprised when the killer was revealed, I was also pleased as it seemed appropriate. I found myself going back and reviewing the clues that had been left along the way. While there were several, they were well concealed as all good clues should be!
This series is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine. Katherine is a young woman of great confidence with a strong sense of herself and of justice. She is a fighter for women's rights to use their abilities and does not hesitate to put arrogant men in their place. I was happy to see her enjoying a summer vacation and a visit with a friend, even if a murder did put a bit of a ripple in their plans. I felt like all of the characters were fully developed and quite believable, whether totally created by the author or based on real individuals.
The plot of this book moved right along and kept me guessing to the end. While I was surprised when the killer was revealed, I was also pleased as it seemed appropriate. I found myself going back and reviewing the clues that had been left along the way. While there were several, they were well concealed as all good clues should be!
March 30, 2025
Ms. Flower’s historical murder-mystery transports the reader to the enthralling world of the St. Louis (Missouri) Exposition of 1904, a world’s fair whose exhibits range from the appealing to the appalling. The Wright Brothers’ lesser-known sister, Katharine, a high-school teacher in Ohio with engineering proclivities to rival her brothers’, is eager to take in all the wonders, especially the array of groundbreaking international airships gathered for a competition Wilbur and Orville had chosen not to join. On their very first foray into the fair, Katharine and her college friend Margaret are gobsmacked, witnessing the dying breaths of a young woman found bloodied near the aeronautical exhibits. On subsequent “snoops” around the vicinity, our heroine (mostly alone) confronts a succession of likely suspects, from well-to-do investor types to creepy sideshow operators to competing aeronauts as she endeavors to discover the murderer(s). The interplay of real-life figures, like poet Paul Lawrence Dunbar and aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, with fictional folk here is seamless and intriguing. The splendor befitting such a prodigious undertaking as a world’s fair is well-portrayed alongside some truly cringeworthy societal biases of the era. An absorbing read, and a stirring whodunit.
May 10, 2025
The second book in the Katharine Wright series, "Not They Who Soar", is just as compelling as the first. Amanda Flower brings the 1904 St. Louis Exposition to life while also providing historical information and a solid mystery. I enjoyed it so much.
Katharine Wright is the younger sister to the Wright Brothers, and a high school teacher in Ohio. She has taken the train to St. Louis alone at the invitation of her married college friend, Margaret. The two women plan to see the Exposition together. The action begins as soon as she steps off the train and witnesses an altercation involving someone who needs help.
Katharine becomes involved in a murder when she finds a dying woman outside the aeronautical tent. Through her sleuthing skill the reader sees the light and fun side of the Exposition and the darker and meaner side ,too.
This is set in an era that was not always kind to women, Flower outlines some of the restrictions/biased opinions faced daily by women. It is in sharp contrast to present day and all the options available to females.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy historical mystery and cozy thriller mystery.
Thank you to #NetGalley #KnsingtonPublishing for the uncorrected e-copy to read and review at my request. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#NotTheyWhoSoar #NetGalley #AmandaFlower#KatharineWrightSeries
Katharine Wright is the younger sister to the Wright Brothers, and a high school teacher in Ohio. She has taken the train to St. Louis alone at the invitation of her married college friend, Margaret. The two women plan to see the Exposition together. The action begins as soon as she steps off the train and witnesses an altercation involving someone who needs help.
Katharine becomes involved in a murder when she finds a dying woman outside the aeronautical tent. Through her sleuthing skill the reader sees the light and fun side of the Exposition and the darker and meaner side ,too.
This is set in an era that was not always kind to women, Flower outlines some of the restrictions/biased opinions faced daily by women. It is in sharp contrast to present day and all the options available to females.
I recommend this book to those who enjoy historical mystery and cozy thriller mystery.
Thank you to #NetGalley #KnsingtonPublishing for the uncorrected e-copy to read and review at my request. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#NotTheyWhoSoar #NetGalley #AmandaFlower#KatharineWrightSeries
September 13, 2025
Katherine Wright and her friend, Margaret, are attending the St. Louis Exposition in 1904. It is quite an enjoyable adventure, until they stumble across a young woman who has been attacked and is dying. With her last breath, she utters “Aeronautics Competition,” and dies in Katherine’s arms. Katherine’s brothers had considered entering that very same competition but decided not to, since their flying machine would be at a disadvantage due to constraints placed on the runways. But now Katherine is wondering if the dead woman has a connection to her brothers’ flying machine. The situation will become much more complicated, and Katherine’s life, and perhaps others’ as well, will be in jeopardy. This fascinating account of Katherine’s visit to the fair is made more gripping by the murder and Katherine’s actions as she goes about solving the murder. It’s a well written cozy, atmospheric in setting, and entertaining throughout. It is well researched, filled with interesting characters, and is a great addition to this delightful series.
June 3, 2025
A thrilling mystery set against the backdrop of the 1904 St. Louis Exposition, Amanda Flower's "Not They Who Soar" follows Katharine and Margaret as their fun trip takes a dark turn. The discovery of a murdered woman, whose last words link her to the Wright brothers' aeronautics competition, plunges the friends into a dangerous investigation. Flower masterfully weaves together the excitement of the Exposition with a compelling mystery, creating a captivating read that blends historical fiction with suspense. The connection between a seemingly random death and the dawn of aviation adds an intriguing layer to the plot, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. While the synopsis hints at a fast-paced narrative, the full extent of the mystery and its resolution remain tantalizingly unknown. Recommended for fans of historical mysteries.
June 4, 2025
“Not They Who Soar” is the wonderfully done second book in Amanda Flower’s Katharine Wright historical cozy mystery series. She does such a great job with this series that I actually felt like Katharine Wright herself was really narrating the book. She also does a great job of blending real life people with fictional characters and I sometimes paused while reading the book to see who was real and who was fictional. The setting for this book is the 1904 World’s Fair – I felt like I was there alongside Katharine and her friend Margaret Meacham as they visited the Fair. The mystery is well plotted with plenty of twists and turns and more than a few surprises along the way – some of which caught me completely off guard! All in all a well done mystery.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
March 28, 2025
3 1/2 stars
Katherine, younger sister to the famous Wright brothers is attending the World's Fair in St. Louis with a friend when she witnesses a murder. The woman's last words shocked Katherine because they were about the aviation contest. She convinces her friend to investigate the crime with her since the police are not interested in a female victim. I did not bond with the character as much as I wanted to but I did like the idea of a less famous sibling and a smart woman daring to do something when the men in charge weren't going to. A bonus was learning about the 1904 Fair both good and bad. A cozy historical mystery that a wide age group will enjoy and you do not need to read the first book in the series to enjoy this one. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Katherine, younger sister to the famous Wright brothers is attending the World's Fair in St. Louis with a friend when she witnesses a murder. The woman's last words shocked Katherine because they were about the aviation contest. She convinces her friend to investigate the crime with her since the police are not interested in a female victim. I did not bond with the character as much as I wanted to but I did like the idea of a less famous sibling and a smart woman daring to do something when the men in charge weren't going to. A bonus was learning about the 1904 Fair both good and bad. A cozy historical mystery that a wide age group will enjoy and you do not need to read the first book in the series to enjoy this one. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
May 27, 2025
Not They Who Soar is book #2 in the A Katharine Wright Mystery series by Amanda Flower.
I don’t usually read historical mysteries but one written by Amanda Flower about the actual sister of the Wright brothers drew me in. I was hooked on the first book and couldn’t wait to read this one. It didn’t disappoint! I really like how Katherine is written. The setting of the World’s Fair was very interesting and I appreciate books that entertain me and educate me too.
Thank you to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I don’t usually read historical mysteries but one written by Amanda Flower about the actual sister of the Wright brothers drew me in. I was hooked on the first book and couldn’t wait to read this one. It didn’t disappoint! I really like how Katherine is written. The setting of the World’s Fair was very interesting and I appreciate books that entertain me and educate me too.
Thank you to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
May 28, 2025
Katharine Wright, sister to the Wright brothers, is visiting St Louis, to join her college friend at the World’s Fair. Katharine’s friends is married to a banker who has been sent to find some new accounts. Katharine is excited to attend to visit the flying exhibits. What she didn’t expect was to find damaged air balloons and a murder.
This was an enjoyable historic mystery about an event that I had little knowledge of. The mystery was good and some of the incidents were very entertaining. I had not read the previous book in the series and don’t feel that I missed anything because of that.
I would recommend reading this book. #Netgalley.
This was an enjoyable historic mystery about an event that I had little knowledge of. The mystery was good and some of the incidents were very entertaining. I had not read the previous book in the series and don’t feel that I missed anything because of that.
I would recommend reading this book. #Netgalley.
May 25, 2025
This is an engaging adventure to the 1904 World Fair in St. Louis. Katherine Wright journeys by train to St. Louis to see the fair and spend time with her best friend Margaret Meacham.
While there she becomes embroiled in a mystery involving aviation and an aspirational female flyer, Camilla Ortiz.
There is murder and mayhem to be found at the fair, along with wonders.
I enjoyed reading Not They Who Soar. It is a good mystery and a fun sort of time capsule look into a moment in time.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read this book.
While there she becomes embroiled in a mystery involving aviation and an aspirational female flyer, Camilla Ortiz.
There is murder and mayhem to be found at the fair, along with wonders.
I enjoyed reading Not They Who Soar. It is a good mystery and a fun sort of time capsule look into a moment in time.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read this book.
June 21, 2025
“Not They Who Soar” by Amanda Flowers combines the historical fiction and cozy mystery genres. Katherine Wright, the sister of Orville and Wilbur Wright, attends the 1904 Worlds Fair with her friend Margaret Meachum. While there Katherine has a murder to solve.
I learned a bit about the fair through this book - both the good and bad. Readers who like historical fiction will not be disappointed.
4 stars as I found one or two typos. I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to the author and publisher!
I learned a bit about the fair through this book - both the good and bad. Readers who like historical fiction will not be disappointed.
4 stars as I found one or two typos. I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you to the author and publisher!
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