Swell Time for a Swing Dance

A Tracy Truworth, Apprentice P.I., 1940s Homefront Mystery #2

by Cindy Vincent

December 31, 1941. Young Houston socialite Tracy Truworth, Apprentice P.I., can’t imagine a better way to send off the old year and ring in the new than by dancing through the night with her fella, Pete Stalwart. But a swell evening soon takes a terrible turn when a fellow dancer with moves like Fred Astaire ends up dead on the dance floor. And before the hands on the clock can point to midnight, a finger is pointed at Pete, accusing him of murdering the young man.

Then after Pete is hauled away in handcuffs, the night goes from bad to worse . . . and Tracy’s sweet grandmother is accused of stealing an ancient artifact from the museum. Now Tracy must team up with her boss and mentor, Sammy Falcone, in order to find the stolen statuette, unmask the real murderer, and restore the reputations of those she loves the most.

Yet as America becomes embroiled in another world war, the risks and sacrifices intensify—even on the homefront. And Tracy soon finds her own home invaded by a near parade of questionable characters, while unsavory suspects lurk in the shadows, and a ruthless reporter makes her life miserable. With time ticking against her, Tracy must be willing to swing past the setbacks and hop through the hazards if she hopes to solve a mystery that involves a lot of dancing . . . and a lot more danger.

Genres: Fiction

306 pages, Paperback

Published May 31, 2018

About the author

Cindy Vincent, M.A. Ed., is the award-winning author of the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Capers, a mystery series for kids and cat-lovers that features the adventures of two black cat detectives. And yes, as she is often asked, Cindy used her own black cats, Buckley and Bogey, as the inspiration for the series, since they seem to run surveillance on her house each and every night. Cindy is also the creator of the Mysteries by Vincent murder mystery party games and the Daisy Diamond Detective Series games for girls, along with the Daisy Diamond Detective novels, which are a spin-off from the games. She lives in Houston, TX with her husband and an assortment of fantastic felines. Cindy is a self-professed “Christmas-a-holic,” and usually starts planning and preparing in March for her ever-expanding, “extreme” Christmas lights display every year . . .

Http://www.cindyvincent.net
http://www.buckleyandbogey.com

Reviews

[Jes Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Cindy Vincent delivers a wonderfully engrossing 1940s atmosphere in the high-stakes world where Nazis have secretly infiltrated the US- and Tracy and her fella have been framed for the latest crime!

The story seemed to be going at a comfortable pace at the beginning, but, boy, it really picked up with Indiana Jones undertones and secret societies- besides just the Nazis in the US- and relics that everyone wants to get a hold of.

I heartily recommend it to all lovers of cozy mysteries and anything 1940s!

I received a complimentary copy from the author, and the opinions are mine.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swell Time for a Swing Dance by Cindy Vincent was another intriguing mystery that had twists and turns to keep me guessing until the end. Thanks to a female journalist trying to make a name for herself at any cost, Tracy and Pete are accused of murder more than once which only fuels Tracy to solve the mysteries. A sweet ending with Tracy and Pete made it an easy afternoon read.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC. I'm on a blog tour for the book.

Title: Swell Time for a Swing Dance

Author: Cindy Vincent

Series: A Tracy Truworth, Apprentice P.I. 1940s Homefront Mystery book 2

Chapters:

Pages: 300

Genre: Historical Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Swell Time for a Swing Dance by Cindy Vincent is actually the second book in the A Tracy Truworth, Apprentice P.I. 1940s Homefront Mystery but can be read as a standalone or as a series starter if you haven't read the first one. Which at this point I haven't but I want to. We first meet socialite Tracy Truworth an Apprentice P.I to Sammy Falcone at a New Year’s Eve dance in which a murder happens and Tracy's boyfriend or fella Pete Stalwart becomes the prime suspect and the police detective doesn't really want to look at anyone else. And then when her grandmother is accused of a crime Tracy is determined to prove both Peter's and her grandmother's innocence even if she has to solve the crimes herself.

Swell Time for a Swing Dance gave me slight Nancy Drew feels the original book series (not the 2007 movie that we don't talk about). Even though Tracy is a 1940s young woman and the book is true to the time period Tracy isn't a damsel in distress. She's quite able to take care of herself. All of the 1940s language had me feeling like I was in Texas on the Homefront during WWII which was nice.
Even though the novel starts on New Year’s Eve it doesn't really feel like a holiday mystery, it seems to me that it's written to be able to be enjoyed at any time of the year. Tracy is my new favorite "girl" detective and I've added the first book in this series Bad Day for a Bombshell. I am also looking forward to any new books in the series. As well as anything else by Cindy Vincent, this is the first book that I have read by her, but it will not be my last.

I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Julie Graves · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story starts New Year’s Eve just before midnight 1941. Tracy Truworth, an apprentice PI, and her guy Pete are at a dance along with her grandmother and several other people. A young man that nobody has ever met before grabs up Tracy and starts dancing her feet off. Tracy is scared she is going to fall and hurt herself and just as Pete steps in to deck the guy the young man drops dead on the dance floor! Tracy and Pete are accused of murdering the young man, so Tracy sets out with her boss Sammy(a Humphrey Bogart look-alike) to solve the murder. All kinds of suspicious characters start coming out of the woodwork. Of course with the U.S. just being drawn into WWII everyone is a suspicious character, and everyone of those characters seems to have a link to the Nazi’s in Germany. Who is the guilty culprit and what does Tracy have that they want?

This is the 2nd book in the series. I didn’t read the first book, but it didn’t keep me from following in this 2nd installment. I enjoyed the era that the story was set in. Sammy’s Humphrey Bogart looks help him get into places that a PI wouldn’t normally be welcome. Tracy is a pretty smart cookie and has good intuition about people. Pete and Tracy are a sweet couple, but I have a feeling that with Pete going off to war that their relationship is going to be put to the test. SWELL TIME FOR A SWING DANCE was fast-paced and set in an unsettling time for the world. It reminded me a bit of Marvel’s Agent Carter series. I love the strong woman character in a “man’s world” theme. I must go back and read the first book in the series and definitely looking forward to the next book!

[J.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every bit as fun as the first book in this series! These clever mystery stories bring the nostalgic feeling of old drama/romance movies--Humphrey Bogart, Rita Hayworth, Betty Grable--along with Nancy Drew books and a bit of screwball comedy fun, all blended with the drama of World War II and the joy of classic car chases and big band music. So many of my favorite things all in one delightful mystery series!
Not to mention a sweet wartime romance between our lovely heroine, Tracy, and her handsome guy, Pete.
I recommend these stories for pleasure reading with dashes of intriguing history, sweet romance, laugh-out-loud silliness, absorbing mystery, and poignant moments that make a reader think. Try them!

[Bob Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good follow up to the first Tracy Truworth Mystery. The characters are written so well, I seem to know them even better after this book. The good guys are even more likeable and the bad guys are even more, well, bad. This book gave me the sense of the old time mysteries with Sam Spade and the good guys maybe not so good, and several twists and turns throughout the story that are not expected. The mystery is also very entertaining with multiple plot lines and red herrings. I did not figure it out until the end - just the way I like a good mystery.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited to be a part of another book tour for Cindy Vincent! This is another great story by her, and it is the second book in the Tracy Truworth Mysteries. Everyone knows I love a good mystery, so of course, this series is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Please check out my review for the first book A Bad Day for a Bombshell on my blog, and since it will soon be the Christmas season, check out my review for The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks. If you are interested, Cindy’s book is also listed on My Top Ten Books of 2016.

This story introduces the reader to a few familiar characters including Tray Truworth and her boss Samual Falcone. I love the setting of this book—the 1940’s—and all the references to the music and films of that time. World War II is happening overseas and many of the young American boys are enlisting and getting ready to fight for the country. In the midst of this though, another murder occurs, and it is up to Tracy and Sammy to uncover all the clues.

Tracy takes special note of what she sees occurring around her, and she may have already unearthed an important clue. However, will it be enough to rescue the one she loves? Immediately, gossip begins to turn to fact, so Tracy finds that she must work extra quick and extra hard, if she hopes to find the truth behind a very confusing death. And even though she seems to be searching in the right direction, another mystery takes place under her watch, which leads to another loved one’s life in the balance.

Sammy is smart, and he relies heavily upon Tracy’s expertise and intuition. He knows she can interview those whom he might find difficult to question. In fact, he has already gained so much insight right from the start of the case because of her ability to jump in where she is needed. He loves a certain someone, and he does not want to see her involved in any of the mysteries that seem to be running rampant at the moment. How can he find the culprit when so many police do not want his help? Will they let him in on any of the clues or findings regarding these current cases?

I highly recommend checking out any book by Cindy Vincent. You will not be disappointed! Her stories are unique and special in regards to the characters she writes about. Please let me know when you get a chance to read one of her books in the comments below. As always, happy reading!


This review is my honest opinion. Thank you to the author for my copy.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swinging Good Mystery

What a roaring good read a dance a death, a fauls arrest and all before midnight on new years eve. Just think what the next few weeks were like absolutely fabulous swinging adventure you really need to aquier a copy and start enjoying "Swell Time for a Swing Dance "so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 🙄😉😊 Kat

[Katrina Roets · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y'all know that I've been a long time fan of Cindy's writing. I would read Buckley and Bogey all day, every day if I could. This is my first foray into her Homefront Mystery series though. In fact, this is book 2 and somehow I haven't read book 1 yet! Luckily, while reading book 1 may help with knowing the characters a bit more, this book completely works as a stand alone.

Outside of my son's love of Jazz, I don't really know a lot about the 1940s so seeing all of the references within the book really helped for me to feel as if I were alongside the characters as they worked to solve the mystery of who did what and to who! I love the individuality of each of the characters. It really brings them to life.

If I had one complaint, it would be that Tracy spends an incredible amount of time referencing her favorite book series. It got a tad old for me but as soon as I'd sigh, the story would move on and I'd be sucked right back into the pages! If you're in the mood for an old timey mystery, this series would be a great one to start with.

[Meagan | The Chapter House · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled to get into Swell Time for a Swing Dance. The characters didn't grab me right away (which happens, certainly), and I felt the true plot moved slowly for a mystery. A few things happened back to back, which made me want to hit the pause button -- and then the book did that for me. Overly descriptive at times, the book tells the reader what happens more than showing, and I flagged easily.

If you're looking for a book you deep dive into for a few hours -- this one may be it. Certainly an interesting read, and the author describes the 1940s and wartime life in America well. She often loops in entertainment references of the day (and the heroine certainly likes her book characters!).

Swell Time is book 2 in the series, and I think it would have helped to read book 1 first -- but not required by any stretch. Just par for the course for me!

I received a copy of the book from the author as part of the blog tour. All opinions are my own.