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Maggie Sullivan Mysteries #6
Dames Fight Harder
Murderer or independent woman?
Murder at a construction site draws Ohio private investigator Maggie Sullivan into a case that makes cops mistrust her and friends doubt her. The suspect, Rachel Minsky, is Maggie’s closest friend – and all signs point to Rachel’s guilt.
Rachel ignores the rules society imposes on women. That independence, in 1942, as well as her success in business, has made her enemies. Yet the dead man also had an unsavory secret or two, starting with his missing mistress. Who was the murderer’s real target? And what is Rachel hiding from the only person who can save her?
The city Maggie scours for clues to the real killer has been altered by America’s recent entry into World War II. Shortages of men and material have created new motives for murder. Unsupervised children roam the streets at night while their mothers work in defense plants. Strangers outnumber familiar faces at Maggie’s favorite pub.
As the case and Maggie’s relationship with policeman Mick Connelly heat up, Maggie finds herself caught in currents that threaten to drown her.
Murder at a construction site draws Ohio private investigator Maggie Sullivan into a case that makes cops mistrust her and friends doubt her. The suspect, Rachel Minsky, is Maggie’s closest friend – and all signs point to Rachel’s guilt.
Rachel ignores the rules society imposes on women. That independence, in 1942, as well as her success in business, has made her enemies. Yet the dead man also had an unsavory secret or two, starting with his missing mistress. Who was the murderer’s real target? And what is Rachel hiding from the only person who can save her?
The city Maggie scours for clues to the real killer has been altered by America’s recent entry into World War II. Shortages of men and material have created new motives for murder. Unsupervised children roam the streets at night while their mothers work in defense plants. Strangers outnumber familiar faces at Maggie’s favorite pub.
As the case and Maggie’s relationship with policeman Mick Connelly heat up, Maggie finds herself caught in currents that threaten to drown her.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
151 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
M. Ruth Myers
30 books189 followersM. Ruth Myers is a Shamus Award winning mystery writer. Her Maggie Sullivan mystery series features a private eye in Dayton, Ohio in the years 1938-1946.
Other novels by the author, who has also written as Mary Ruth Myers, have been translated, optioned for television and condensed in Good Housekeeping. They also have been used in college classes in Japan. She has taught at writers’ conferences across the country including the Antioch, Cape Cod and Mark Twain conferences.
Myers was born in Warrensburg, MO. When she was nine the family moved to Wyoming where she graduated from Cheyenne Central High School. After earning a Bachelor of Journalism degree at the University of Missouri J-School she worked as a reporter and feature writer on daily papers in Michigan and Ohio.
She and her husband are long-time Ohio residents with one grown daughter.
When not writing or reading, Myers cooks and plays Irish traditional music on an Anglo concertina. She confesses to more enthusiasm than skill.
Other novels by the author, who has also written as Mary Ruth Myers, have been translated, optioned for television and condensed in Good Housekeeping. They also have been used in college classes in Japan. She has taught at writers’ conferences across the country including the Antioch, Cape Cod and Mark Twain conferences.
Myers was born in Warrensburg, MO. When she was nine the family moved to Wyoming where she graduated from Cheyenne Central High School. After earning a Bachelor of Journalism degree at the University of Missouri J-School she worked as a reporter and feature writer on daily papers in Michigan and Ohio.
She and her husband are long-time Ohio residents with one grown daughter.
When not writing or reading, Myers cooks and plays Irish traditional music on an Anglo concertina. She confesses to more enthusiasm than skill.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 25, 2022
2022. bk 52. Myers' characters continue to hold my attention in this 6th mystery novel. This time, one of Maggie's few female friends is arrested for murder and Maggie springs into action. Well, walks, rides the bus, and sometimes her car as she seeks out clues to the source of the mysterious murder of a man. Supposedly killed on Rachel's newest construction site, the mystery leads the readers into the mysterious world of building, and building in a time of war, restrictions, and shortages. Freeze is starting to thaw, a little bit. Excellent mystery and I did not see 'who dunit".
January 10, 2018
Dames Fight Harder
Oh Maggie!! That's all I'm going to say about the plot. Another great story in this fantastic series. I love the way the characters interact, especially Maggie and Heebs. I love how she takes care of him. I also really liked that this one focused on Maggie and Rachel. They are both such strong, smart characters. I like how they both live their lives on their terms even though it flies in the face of the "norms" of the time. I highly recommend this book.
Oh Maggie!! That's all I'm going to say about the plot. Another great story in this fantastic series. I love the way the characters interact, especially Maggie and Heebs. I love how she takes care of him. I also really liked that this one focused on Maggie and Rachel. They are both such strong, smart characters. I like how they both live their lives on their terms even though it flies in the face of the "norms" of the time. I highly recommend this book.
July 20, 2018
The time was spring 1942. Maggie Sullivan was a 28-year-old private eye in Dayton, Ohio. She's spunky, confident, and good at her job. As a liberated, independent, self-sufficient woman, she was born a few decades too soon.
One day a friend came to her office to tell her that his boss, Rachel Minsky, was in jail charged with murder. Rachel was Maggie's one good woman friend. She didn't talk much about her family. They were not happy that Rachel was not following the typical path for well-educated, well-off, Jewish woman. She was single, had her own apartment, and owned her own construction company.
Even though her brother was a lawyer, she wanted to talk to Maggie. She asked Maggie to get an envelope that was hidden in her office and burn it without opening it and to call her lawyer brother and tell him she was in jail.
The body of a competitor in the construction business was found on the company’s property. She had been arguing with him a few days prior and the police decided very quickly that she was the killer. She turned to Maggie to prove her innocence.
Pearl Harbor had been bombed only a few months earlier but the effects were beginning to be felt: While previously “war had been good for putting people without jobs during the depression back to work,” it hadn’t happened yet on the domestic front. Men were enlisting in the military, creating a shortage of experienced workers . Paper and metal and the machines to process them were being repurposed for military-based projects. For example, metal paper napkin holders were often unavailable on restaurant tables. Construction jobs were rarer, making competition greater.
With the help of Heebs, a young newsboy Maggie befriended, they were able to dig deeply into the murder circumstances.
Women’s lives were changing, sometimes in relatively minor ways–“I stretch my legs out, thinking I could possibly start to like slacks”– and sometimes more substantially–“no matter how many times I prove myself, he clung to his stubborn idea it was pure luck, results from batting my eyes at susceptible men, when I beat him to a solution.” Some men were stuck in their biases: “Dames don't have to fight for what they get. You don't even know how to. All you know how to do is strut around and give orders and act important.”
Most important, Maggie has to decide what would happen to her if she became permanently involved with a man she really liked: “Being with him like this, would encourage expectations on his part. Expectations which I couldn't meet. Even continuing as we were now, I would lose some vital part of myself. At the back of my mind there would be the weight of knowing I held his happiness in my hands. It would change me. In some moment when I needed to make a split-second decision, I might hesitate, knowing how the loss of me would affect him.”
DAMES FIGHT HARDER is part of a series. I’ve read and enjoyed all of the books. M. Ruth Myers allows us to get inside the character, to understand her motivations and situations. She takes us to Dayton, Ohio, in 1942 and shows us what it was like. The story generally flows although there are several repetitions when she briefly reviews the case. There is too much information about the construction industry.
It’s a nice escape from the news without resorting to descriptive violence or sex or profanity.
One day a friend came to her office to tell her that his boss, Rachel Minsky, was in jail charged with murder. Rachel was Maggie's one good woman friend. She didn't talk much about her family. They were not happy that Rachel was not following the typical path for well-educated, well-off, Jewish woman. She was single, had her own apartment, and owned her own construction company.
Even though her brother was a lawyer, she wanted to talk to Maggie. She asked Maggie to get an envelope that was hidden in her office and burn it without opening it and to call her lawyer brother and tell him she was in jail.
The body of a competitor in the construction business was found on the company’s property. She had been arguing with him a few days prior and the police decided very quickly that she was the killer. She turned to Maggie to prove her innocence.
Pearl Harbor had been bombed only a few months earlier but the effects were beginning to be felt: While previously “war had been good for putting people without jobs during the depression back to work,” it hadn’t happened yet on the domestic front. Men were enlisting in the military, creating a shortage of experienced workers . Paper and metal and the machines to process them were being repurposed for military-based projects. For example, metal paper napkin holders were often unavailable on restaurant tables. Construction jobs were rarer, making competition greater.
With the help of Heebs, a young newsboy Maggie befriended, they were able to dig deeply into the murder circumstances.
Women’s lives were changing, sometimes in relatively minor ways–“I stretch my legs out, thinking I could possibly start to like slacks”– and sometimes more substantially–“no matter how many times I prove myself, he clung to his stubborn idea it was pure luck, results from batting my eyes at susceptible men, when I beat him to a solution.” Some men were stuck in their biases: “Dames don't have to fight for what they get. You don't even know how to. All you know how to do is strut around and give orders and act important.”
Most important, Maggie has to decide what would happen to her if she became permanently involved with a man she really liked: “Being with him like this, would encourage expectations on his part. Expectations which I couldn't meet. Even continuing as we were now, I would lose some vital part of myself. At the back of my mind there would be the weight of knowing I held his happiness in my hands. It would change me. In some moment when I needed to make a split-second decision, I might hesitate, knowing how the loss of me would affect him.”
DAMES FIGHT HARDER is part of a series. I’ve read and enjoyed all of the books. M. Ruth Myers allows us to get inside the character, to understand her motivations and situations. She takes us to Dayton, Ohio, in 1942 and shows us what it was like. The story generally flows although there are several repetitions when she briefly reviews the case. There is too much information about the construction industry.
It’s a nice escape from the news without resorting to descriptive violence or sex or profanity.
January 26, 2019
I love Maggie Sullivan. In this book she almost gets herself killed. No! Really I mean it. She gets involved with helping her friend, Rachel Minsky, who gets accused of murder. Rachel owns a construction company and in this year 1941, women in business are not well liked. It was the age of ‘it’s a man’s world’ and don’t you forget it, sweetie. Anyway, I digress. Maggie doesn’t think Rachel did it and Rachel’s brother, Joel Minsky is her defense lawyer, but he doesn’t much want to hire Maggie. He does because his sister insists. The book is fast moving and there is much to like about it. Maggie has a soft spot for Heebes, the newsboy near her office, so when he gets beat up and in the hospital she jumps in to find out who hurt him. In doing so, she finds out there are gangs of boys out at night getting into trouble and may have hear the shot at Rachel’s construction site. There is a bit of romance with Connelly, Maggie’s love interest up to now, but she is skittish of commitment. She doesn’t want to get connected to anyone because she’s afraid it will change how she does her work. These books are perfectly researched for the period of the 1940’s and when the news of the Pearl Harbor attack comes on the radio, you can feel the palpable fear through the pages. I’ve already pre-ordered Book 8 and will be reading Book 7 as soon as I send this review.
October 11, 2024
Exceptional.
I've read the whole Maggie Sullivan series so far. I love it so much that I've already bought all the books up to the last one. Maggie is amazing. She can do anything the smartest cop or PI can do, only she does it in a skirt. She also has the female perspective, so she can "tease" out answers to questions that her male counterparts never thought of. She also knows her way around a scuffle and a gun. When Maggie's on a case, you know you're getting your money's worth. In this case, Maggie is trying to prove that her friend, Rachel, didn't murder one of her business rivals (even though he was a bit of a pig and Rachel had threatened him). She runs into a lot of trouble, almost getting herself killed twice. She employs young Heeb to help in the office and he proves himself worthy of the job. When it comes to affairs of the heart, Maggie may have run out of luck. All of this happens as the world is changing because of the war. It doesn't affect just the people serving in the armed forces. It affects even those left at home. Now I need to start on the next book.
I've read the whole Maggie Sullivan series so far. I love it so much that I've already bought all the books up to the last one. Maggie is amazing. She can do anything the smartest cop or PI can do, only she does it in a skirt. She also has the female perspective, so she can "tease" out answers to questions that her male counterparts never thought of. She also knows her way around a scuffle and a gun. When Maggie's on a case, you know you're getting your money's worth. In this case, Maggie is trying to prove that her friend, Rachel, didn't murder one of her business rivals (even though he was a bit of a pig and Rachel had threatened him). She runs into a lot of trouble, almost getting herself killed twice. She employs young Heeb to help in the office and he proves himself worthy of the job. When it comes to affairs of the heart, Maggie may have run out of luck. All of this happens as the world is changing because of the war. It doesn't affect just the people serving in the armed forces. It affects even those left at home. Now I need to start on the next book.
April 18, 2021
I think this has to be my favourite of the Maggie Sullivan books so far as the focus is all on the dames. As always, the author has an eye on the wider historical background, so that it's only natural that women should come to the fore as the men are called up for active service. However, putting the magnificent Rachel at the core of the story is inspired, as well as more emphasis on Lulu, the woman detective who has only been a name to readers so far.
As always, the beating heart of these books is Maggie, who seems to mature during the course of this book, facing her own physical frailty, caring for Heebs, making heartbreakingly tough decisions about her future; all while doing her job. Superb.
As always, the beating heart of these books is Maggie, who seems to mature during the course of this book, facing her own physical frailty, caring for Heebs, making heartbreakingly tough decisions about her future; all while doing her job. Superb.
January 24, 2020
Yes, we do, as Ruth Myers proves in this Maggie Sullivan noir crime novel. In book 6 of the series, Maggie faces challenges that are more than criminal --- this time they’re personal. If you’ve liked Rachel Minsky as much as I have in some of the earlier books, then you’ll want to find out what kind of jam that dame gets into and how Sullivan cracks this important case. Each Maggie Sullivan mystery I’ve read is better than the one before it. But don’t let that stop you from reading the whole series, starting at the beginning. Myers has created a world of characters that are realistic, flawed and like-able in small-town 1940s Dayton, Ohio, a community you will want to visit again and again.
November 12, 2019
Rachel Minsky is in trouble and Maggie Sullivan is here to help.
I enjoy the Maggie Sullivan series because they're fun reads that don't take themselves too seriously. Sometimes a person just wants a fun murder mystery without it being all noir and depressing. Maggie is delightfully sassy and sneaky this novel as in previous. The mystery is charmingly written with the key players all shady in their own ways which makes the denouement satisfying. The best bit of the novel imo is Maggie's relationships with her "regulars" which changes and strengthens by the end of the novel.
I enjoy the Maggie Sullivan series because they're fun reads that don't take themselves too seriously. Sometimes a person just wants a fun murder mystery without it being all noir and depressing. Maggie is delightfully sassy and sneaky this novel as in previous. The mystery is charmingly written with the key players all shady in their own ways which makes the denouement satisfying. The best bit of the novel imo is Maggie's relationships with her "regulars" which changes and strengthens by the end of the novel.
March 31, 2021
I love being in the company of Maggie Sullivan. I liked the fact that this story focuses on another strong female, Maggie’s friend Rachel Minsky.
The plot involves building sites, tenders and contracts and murder. It gets a little confusing and Maggie flounders a bit herself. Poor Heebs, the paper boy, gets into trouble and Maggie shows her worth by sorting things out for him.
Pearlie disappears and we miss him. He is an enigmatic character but very interesting.
Maggie does get into some serious scrapes and by the end of the story realises she just always will. It’s all a bit sad really. I can say no more.
The plot involves building sites, tenders and contracts and murder. It gets a little confusing and Maggie flounders a bit herself. Poor Heebs, the paper boy, gets into trouble and Maggie shows her worth by sorting things out for him.
Pearlie disappears and we miss him. He is an enigmatic character but very interesting.
Maggie does get into some serious scrapes and by the end of the story realises she just always will. It’s all a bit sad really. I can say no more.
November 26, 2017
I am voluntarily reviewing an Advanced Reader Copy of this book that I received for free.
This is the first book I have read from M. Ruth Meyers. The 6th book in the Maggie Sullivan series, Dames Fight Harder delivers a nice amount of suspense while drawing the reader into Maggie's investigation, making the reader feel they are right there with her every step of the way and leaving enough mystery to have you guessing along with her.
A nice mysterious weekend read.
This is the first book I have read from M. Ruth Meyers. The 6th book in the Maggie Sullivan series, Dames Fight Harder delivers a nice amount of suspense while drawing the reader into Maggie's investigation, making the reader feel they are right there with her every step of the way and leaving enough mystery to have you guessing along with her.
A nice mysterious weekend read.
October 30, 2019
This book did nothing to diminish how much I enjoy this series.
Myers keeps the stories fresh without taking them beyond the limits of reality and keeps them firmly grounded in the times – in this case, the spring after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Maggie again proves she’s as tough as any man as she escapes one close call after another.
If Myers will keep writing them, I’ll keep reading them.
Myers keeps the stories fresh without taking them beyond the limits of reality and keeps them firmly grounded in the times – in this case, the spring after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Maggie again proves she’s as tough as any man as she escapes one close call after another.
If Myers will keep writing them, I’ll keep reading them.
November 24, 2017
Maggie's close friend and construction company owner, Rachel Minsky has been accused of murder. Murder of another company owner. Maggie is employed by Rachel's brother to investigate as it seems that all the evidence points to Rachel's guilt.
Really enjoyed this story, so easy to read this well-written story.
Received an Advanced Reader Copy
Really enjoyed this story, so easy to read this well-written story.
Received an Advanced Reader Copy
November 21, 2017
Ok, but a little slow
I love Ruth Myers writing. So I wanted to love this book. It could be me, but I just never really got into it. I read the whole thing, which I won't do if the book is bad. I hope it's me. Or if it's the book, I hope the next one is back to form. Because I fully intend to read the next one. Because on the whole, I love Ruth Myers writing.
I love Ruth Myers writing. So I wanted to love this book. It could be me, but I just never really got into it. I read the whole thing, which I won't do if the book is bad. I hope it's me. Or if it's the book, I hope the next one is back to form. Because I fully intend to read the next one. Because on the whole, I love Ruth Myers writing.
January 13, 2018
Wow, I adore the Maggie Sullivan series... This one takes place just about immediately after the US enters WWII, when some things are just starting to become scarce due to the war effort. Maggie investigates a murder case involving her friend Rachel, who has been arrested as a suspect. Aside from the engaging story, there are some interesting character developments and life events for Maggie; and for little Heebs, the newsboy.
July 30, 2018
Really Good Series
Five books and 2 short stories aren’t enough. I sure hope more books are to come. There is plenty to explore with the well-drawn characters, WWII Dayton and what is now Wright-Patterson AFB. A segue to Indian Lake (NW of Dayton), with Beatles Hotel, Sandy Beach Amusement Park and the Moonlight Terrace Gardens would might add an interesting locale as well.
Five books and 2 short stories aren’t enough. I sure hope more books are to come. There is plenty to explore with the well-drawn characters, WWII Dayton and what is now Wright-Patterson AFB. A segue to Indian Lake (NW of Dayton), with Beatles Hotel, Sandy Beach Amusement Park and the Moonlight Terrace Gardens would might add an interesting locale as well.
September 22, 2018
Another great detective story
Maggie is at it again and this one is a real stumper. Heebs has a larger role and shows Maggie’s compassionate side. I love how history, specifically the war, plays a backdrop to all that is going on. Rachel is the central focus of the story and it was fun getting to know more about her life.
Maggie is at it again and this one is a real stumper. Heebs has a larger role and shows Maggie’s compassionate side. I love how history, specifically the war, plays a backdrop to all that is going on. Rachel is the central focus of the story and it was fun getting to know more about her life.
March 10, 2019
Maggie Sullivan, a lovely, sassy, WWII feminist working gal. A fun set of stories set in Dayton, Ohio from the late 1930’s through the 2nd World War. Daughter of an Irish cop, in love with an Irish cop and friendly with a plethora of oddball characters from every social stratosphere. All in all, delightfully full of moxie.
July 18, 2021
I did enjoy how they expanded the role of Hebes, the newspaper boy and how this book involved and was around Rachel. The only thing that confused me a little was how Rachel lived at home and her family was so dominating over her. Her character was more of a freelancer with a ex crime family‘s bodyguard as her bodyguard.
July 13, 2018
Very entertaining
My first Maggie Smith mystery and it stood alone nicely. I adore intelligent, feisty female detectives and WWII era mysteries. Maggie helping her friend Rachel, owner of a construction company, beat a murder rap filled the bill.
My first Maggie Smith mystery and it stood alone nicely. I adore intelligent, feisty female detectives and WWII era mysteries. Maggie helping her friend Rachel, owner of a construction company, beat a murder rap filled the bill.
August 4, 2018
I just love Maggie Sullivan!! For one thing, she is a woman doing a traditionally man's job. AND she is doing it in the 1940s. Of course, the only reason she got a chance is that virtually all the men are off fighting WWII. She is smart and intuitive, often picking up on things the men miss. And she has a good network of every-day people to help her.
In this case, one of her best friends, another woman in a man's world, this time construction, has been accused of murder. Maggie agrees to help prove her innocence, of course. In the meantime, she uncovers a web of corruption no one suspected.
In this case, one of her best friends, another woman in a man's world, this time construction, has been accused of murder. Maggie agrees to help prove her innocence, of course. In the meantime, she uncovers a web of corruption no one suspected.
June 25, 2019
Maggie does it again! She really fights harder!
I liked this book but parts of it sagged for me. Too much construction business going on. What I do like are the questions she ponders to solve the crime. That's the fun of it!
I liked this book but parts of it sagged for me. Too much construction business going on. What I do like are the questions she ponders to solve the crime. That's the fun of it!
September 25, 2023
Not my fave so far of this series, and I don't really know why. I think it had to do with all the construction-related stuff... I did enjoy the book overall just not as much as the ones before this one.
March 7, 2019
Another excellent entry in this atmospheric, well crafted series. Maggie Sullivan rocks.
Want to read
June 17, 2019BookBub 99
July 18, 2019
DELIGHTFUL
This book was a delight to read. It had a great storyline that kept moving until the end. The characters were very believable.
This book was a delight to read. It had a great storyline that kept moving until the end. The characters were very believable.
July 18, 2019
Still loving this series.
August 24, 2019
I really liked the writing, the characters, and the plot. An independent woman not needing a man to save her is refreshing.
September 8, 2019
This was my favorite book by this author...so far. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book...or the next...or the next. M. Ruth Myers does wonderful research into her time period books.
December 20, 2019
Heart aching and heart breaking, but pitch perfect for the genre.
June 9, 2020
A good mystery, but some decisions by the protagonist are disappointing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews