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The Catherine Tregowyn Mysteries #2
Murder in the Jazz Band
When Catherine’s brother’s girlfriend, Emily, is arrested for the murder of an Oxford jazz saxophonist, he pleads with her to help find the real culprit. Though she is a newly hired tutor at Somerville College, Catherine has some past success at unmasking criminals and allows herself to be persuaded. She starts by going “undercover” as a weekend jazz singer with the murdered man’s band. Assisted by her beau, Dr. Harry Bascombe, she soon finds herself swimming in motives for the saxophonist’s death.
Could the murderer be the Communist band leader? The black American trombone sensation? The drummer with a secret lover? Or maybe the severely introverted math whiz? What if it’s not a member of the band at all?
While she tussles with her first year of teaching and worries over a troubled student, Catherine is also juggling her complex relationship with Dr. Harry and the fallout from an earlier relationship. When Emily is released and the police arrest her brother, Catherine is forced to dig deeper into her investigation uncovering new facts and unsuspected motives.
What other secrets can she find in the rarefied atmosphere of 1930s Oxford? And will Catherine survive the peril she encounters from an unexpected quarter?
Could the murderer be the Communist band leader? The black American trombone sensation? The drummer with a secret lover? Or maybe the severely introverted math whiz? What if it’s not a member of the band at all?
While she tussles with her first year of teaching and worries over a troubled student, Catherine is also juggling her complex relationship with Dr. Harry and the fallout from an earlier relationship. When Emily is released and the police arrest her brother, Catherine is forced to dig deeper into her investigation uncovering new facts and unsuspected motives.
What other secrets can she find in the rarefied atmosphere of 1930s Oxford? And will Catherine survive the peril she encounters from an unexpected quarter?
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2020
406 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
G.G. Vandagriff
55 books325 followersG.G. Vandagriff is the author of over thirty novels Amazon #1 Bestselling Author. The Last Waltz, the first novel in her 20th Century Historical Romance Series won the Whitney Award for Best Historical Novel in 2009. There are now two more books in that series—Exile and Defiance.
Thirteen of her novels are Regency romances, compared by critics to the witty novels of Georgette Heyer. She has also written a lively genealogical mystery series featuring Briggie and Alex, two whacky widows, as sleuths. Her most recent publications are Romantic Suspense. Her trilogy featuring Breaking News, Sleeping Secrets, and Balkan Echo tell the tale of high profile TV journalists--the Super Sleuths of WOOT TV station in Chicago.
GG graduated from Stanford and received her master’s degree from George Washington University. She worked as an associate editor at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, an assistant treasurer in the Harvard Treasurer’s office, a bond analyst at Fidelity Investments, and an international banker for Continental Illinois National Bank (later acquired by Bank of America).
She and her husband David are the parents of three children and seven grandchildren, her greatest joys in life. Her favorite novel? Jane Eyre. She also loves Florence, Sundance Resort, The Voice, hot chocolate, lilacs, and dachshunds.
Find out more about her books, download a free novella, and sign up for her newsletter at http://ggvandagriff.com. Also, be the first to know when Vandagriff’s next book is available by following her at http://bookbub.com/authors/G.G.Vandag... to receive new releases and discount alerts.
Thirteen of her novels are Regency romances, compared by critics to the witty novels of Georgette Heyer. She has also written a lively genealogical mystery series featuring Briggie and Alex, two whacky widows, as sleuths. Her most recent publications are Romantic Suspense. Her trilogy featuring Breaking News, Sleeping Secrets, and Balkan Echo tell the tale of high profile TV journalists--the Super Sleuths of WOOT TV station in Chicago.
GG graduated from Stanford and received her master’s degree from George Washington University. She worked as an associate editor at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, an assistant treasurer in the Harvard Treasurer’s office, a bond analyst at Fidelity Investments, and an international banker for Continental Illinois National Bank (later acquired by Bank of America).
She and her husband David are the parents of three children and seven grandchildren, her greatest joys in life. Her favorite novel? Jane Eyre. She also loves Florence, Sundance Resort, The Voice, hot chocolate, lilacs, and dachshunds.
Find out more about her books, download a free novella, and sign up for her newsletter at http://ggvandagriff.com. Also, be the first to know when Vandagriff’s next book is available by following her at http://bookbub.com/authors/G.G.Vandag... to receive new releases and discount alerts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
December 2, 2020
An excellent book and far better than many costing 10 times the price of this one.
November 1, 2020
Totally Disappointed With This
I had read the first and third book in this series before reading the second book. I am so glad I did. Had I read this in sequence l would have stopped with this one. What was my reason for disliking this one. Catherine is described as a modern day woman I.e. 1930’s and sees herself as a very independent person. Yet when Harry, who obviously has deep feelings for her even when she refuses to take him seriously, becomes a good friend of another woman who means nothing to him and dances with her and enjoys her as a friend Catherine goes nuts. To me it is totally out of character and quite frankly Harry should have dropped Catherine for good. This so turned me off that I lost interest in the rest of the book. I just flipped to the end to see who the murderer was. However I will read the next book in the series. I found books 1 and 3 in the series very enjoyable.
I had read the first and third book in this series before reading the second book. I am so glad I did. Had I read this in sequence l would have stopped with this one. What was my reason for disliking this one. Catherine is described as a modern day woman I.e. 1930’s and sees herself as a very independent person. Yet when Harry, who obviously has deep feelings for her even when she refuses to take him seriously, becomes a good friend of another woman who means nothing to him and dances with her and enjoys her as a friend Catherine goes nuts. To me it is totally out of character and quite frankly Harry should have dropped Catherine for good. This so turned me off that I lost interest in the rest of the book. I just flipped to the end to see who the murderer was. However I will read the next book in the series. I found books 1 and 3 in the series very enjoyable.
September 19, 2022
Solid 4. Very atmospheric of Britain between the wars, the developing Jazz Age, life at University. Lots of characters, though.
May 5, 2021
Too much romance
I absolutely loved Murder in Oxford, the author’s first book in this series, so this book was a bit disappointing. There is too much focus on romance and not enough on mystery. However, the characters were interesting, and the ending was a complete surprise to me, which is always fun. I will definitely give this author another chance in this series and even look into her other series. She’s worth the time.
I absolutely loved Murder in Oxford, the author’s first book in this series, so this book was a bit disappointing. There is too much focus on romance and not enough on mystery. However, the characters were interesting, and the ending was a complete surprise to me, which is always fun. I will definitely give this author another chance in this series and even look into her other series. She’s worth the time.
April 4, 2020
There were parts I found rather slow and almost repetitive. It got a little better at the end. Cat really didn't solve the mystery. It was just thrust upon her. It probably doesn't help that I'm not a poetry buff. So a lot of the references to poems or poets meant little to me and were uninteresting.
September 11, 2020
Book two in this series was not as good as the first. Our heroine investigates a murder at the request of her brother, temporarily joins a jazz band, and stumbles in her love life. All the while taking a post as a tutor at her college. A bit disappointing after the first of the series.
March 21, 2021
In all fairness, I was impressed by my inability to figure out “whodunnit” right up until about a page before the reveal so for that I should give it a 5 star rating. Honestly, I just didn’t care fit the story as much as I did in the first book, this the 3 stars.
November 13, 2020
Amazing! Don't read this its a spoiler alert!!! Im sorry
I really had to think about who the killer was but when one of the band members was attacked I had my suspicions about who it was. By golly I was right! Then I was knocked for a loop when I found out about James & who he loved!,but then it made sense. Don't read any more or you'll guess who and its really better not to! Well maybe I'll not say that much but its the other I was so heartbroken over! I was actually crying. So many times people in books find someone the truly care for or love & then something happens then and I just stop reading the series I'm so devastated over it. I could name several authors who have done than but I won't I guess. I think at times in our lives when we're reading we are so wrapped up in these books that we almost are living them with the characters. I'm silly that way. I deal with allot of physical pain allot of times and medications to stop it, hahaha, that must be it!
Back to the book though!
I was so afraid that Catherine & Harry were going to split. I was crying about it. I really thought Harry had cotton so angry that he had truly left. At the end tho he showed the truth! I know that she loves him why can't she just say it? They always say there is a fine line between love & hate & there is for sure. The reason she always disliked him so much was because she was always so drawn to him, by it always hurt her so badly that he had put down her book so badly. That couldn't even keep them apart then he finally told the truth that he was jealous about her beating him to writing about this poet he wanted to. He had to love her to confess that to her. He love her now & won't confess it why!? I love the ending but it could have been longer of course! 😉🙄
I really had to think about who the killer was but when one of the band members was attacked I had my suspicions about who it was. By golly I was right! Then I was knocked for a loop when I found out about James & who he loved!,but then it made sense. Don't read any more or you'll guess who and its really better not to! Well maybe I'll not say that much but its the other I was so heartbroken over! I was actually crying. So many times people in books find someone the truly care for or love & then something happens then and I just stop reading the series I'm so devastated over it. I could name several authors who have done than but I won't I guess. I think at times in our lives when we're reading we are so wrapped up in these books that we almost are living them with the characters. I'm silly that way. I deal with allot of physical pain allot of times and medications to stop it, hahaha, that must be it!
Back to the book though!
I was so afraid that Catherine & Harry were going to split. I was crying about it. I really thought Harry had cotton so angry that he had truly left. At the end tho he showed the truth! I know that she loves him why can't she just say it? They always say there is a fine line between love & hate & there is for sure. The reason she always disliked him so much was because she was always so drawn to him, by it always hurt her so badly that he had put down her book so badly. That couldn't even keep them apart then he finally told the truth that he was jealous about her beating him to writing about this poet he wanted to. He had to love her to confess that to her. He love her now & won't confess it why!? I love the ending but it could have been longer of course! 😉🙄
December 20, 2020
I enjoyed the first book more - perhaps it was just the setting. As someone else said, at times it felt a bit repetitive. I appreciated Catherine's reflections on herself and the "empty hole" she was trying to fill in her relationships with men. I thought that was well done. I thought that Harry's interactions with his student showed no thought to his relationships with Catherine and may have been somewhat inappropriate given the teacher - student relationship. I understand that part of Catherine's response had to do with "her own stuff", but it was more than that. Now to the mystery itself - it seemed Catherine was a bit dense when it came to putting the two story lines together - the "mysterious unknown woman" and her troubled student. Then while the red herrings were interesting and the real murderer did, in some ways, make sense, how did this person going about doing it - being there at the right time? having the morphine? Perhaps I missed something. Having said all that, the book did keep my interest and I enjoy her writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2022
Delightful historical mystery set in Oxford in the '20's. Neatly plotted with a surprising twist at the end. Catherine Tregowyn, a Professor of Modern Literature at Oxford University's Somerville College, answers her brother's call to help his friend Emily, who has been arrested for murder. Convinced the Police will not do any further investigating and that Emily is innocent, Cat plunges into the case. She soon finds the entire case revolves around love. Romantic love, parental love, and unrequited love woven around the members of a local Jazz band. Love that echoes her own feelings uncomfortably. Passion and jealousy lead Cat into danger as she closes in on the killer. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it to anyone looking for a Golden Age cozy mystery.
March 4, 2023
a nice Oxford Mystery
This is a reasonably good story about a young woman who is a poet and a teacher of poetry, her relationship with a fellow scholar and a jazz band made up mostly of students. The story is a tangle of relationships in the band and with a couple of women who are seeing band members. There is a twist near the end that brings in a character that we have met in a scholarly context and an unexpected ending. Equally important to the plot, however are the clothes worn by our main character and others. Gowns and furs. It is the Edwardian space following The Great War in decidedly upper class society even if among a young generation who are ready to let go of the classism of their parents.
This is a reasonably good story about a young woman who is a poet and a teacher of poetry, her relationship with a fellow scholar and a jazz band made up mostly of students. The story is a tangle of relationships in the band and with a couple of women who are seeing band members. There is a twist near the end that brings in a character that we have met in a scholarly context and an unexpected ending. Equally important to the plot, however are the clothes worn by our main character and others. Gowns and furs. It is the Edwardian space following The Great War in decidedly upper class society even if among a young generation who are ready to let go of the classism of their parents.
July 24, 2022
Catherine: scholar, poet, sleuth and now a jazz singer
Cat’s brother William seeks her help in defending a woman accused of the murder of a member of a jazz band. To facilitate her investigation, Cat offers to become a temporary soloist for the jazz band. She is very dependent on Harry to work with her until an American woman causes Cat’s insecurity and jealousy to take over. The investigation continues as the first suspect is released and William becomes the chief suspect. An attempted murder and the arrest of a third suspect keep the reader guessing. This is another good read as Cat once again proves herself an able detective.
Cat’s brother William seeks her help in defending a woman accused of the murder of a member of a jazz band. To facilitate her investigation, Cat offers to become a temporary soloist for the jazz band. She is very dependent on Harry to work with her until an American woman causes Cat’s insecurity and jealousy to take over. The investigation continues as the first suspect is released and William becomes the chief suspect. An attempted murder and the arrest of a third suspect keep the reader guessing. This is another good read as Cat once again proves herself an able detective.
April 17, 2022
Loved it!!! A quick read but held my attention through all the love, heartbreak, suspense and finding the real murderer. Catherine and her student Beryl had similar backgrounds of loosing childhood boyfriends. Cats parents paid no attention to her, but Beryl’s parents of a high class doted on her and wanted her to marry only the smartest. (Spoiler)When Beryl’s boyfriend gets killed and she knows it’s her father who did it, she runs away. When she hears that Cat experienced a similar loss, she reappears to tell her story and the Baron is caught.
October 22, 2022
Good continuation of a 1930s Mystery Series
Isn't there a Depression going on? One wouldn't know it in the middle of Somerville College, Oxford University, Oxford, England, where the most serious students and professors sometimes take breaks not just to have tea but a pint at a nearby pub (no prohibition going on here!) and even to dance to the latest hits!
When the member of a popular jazz band is murdered, and his love interest is a suspect, scholarly Catherine Tregowyn is called upon by her brother to aid in clearing the young woman.
Isn't there a Depression going on? One wouldn't know it in the middle of Somerville College, Oxford University, Oxford, England, where the most serious students and professors sometimes take breaks not just to have tea but a pint at a nearby pub (no prohibition going on here!) and even to dance to the latest hits!
When the member of a popular jazz band is murdered, and his love interest is a suspect, scholarly Catherine Tregowyn is called upon by her brother to aid in clearing the young woman.
October 28, 2022
Perhaps 3.5 stars. While I enjoyed this book, I found Catherine's angst about her relationship with Harry both annoying and distracting. When a young woman Catherine's brother, William, is interested in is detained by the police in a murder investigation, he begs Catherine to help clear her. She agrees, and together with her friend Harry Bascombe starts delving into the background of the members of the jazz band the dead man was a member of. While I think that the author does a good job of depicting the era, a few words and phrases seemed a little too modern and pulled me out of the story.
March 11, 2023
In general, I enjoyed this book. The mystery was good, although I had figured it out about two-thirds through. Lots of interesting aspects of life in England between the wars. I liked the inclusion of jazz music and the Black character. Of course, all the main characters are always incredibly open-minded and accepting.
Catherine is teaching at Oxford. It was nice to learn more about how Oxford worked and the teaching process. There is a lot of personal angst for Catherine, which was a little boring. However, I look forward to the next book in the series.
Catherine is teaching at Oxford. It was nice to learn more about how Oxford worked and the teaching process. There is a lot of personal angst for Catherine, which was a little boring. However, I look forward to the next book in the series.
April 26, 2021
"Murder in the Jazz Band" is the second delightful book in the 'Catherine Tregowyn' series. The characters are all either aristocrats themselves, or family or friends thereof, so the lifestyles are over the top, and fun to read about. Catherine is a lovely young woman who always finds herself in the center of an interesting case of murder and mayhem, while surrounded with an able cast of supporters. A jolly good time!
February 23, 2022
totally mysterious
This book totally floored me I must say. This is what a 5* read should look like. I have read mysteries previously that had me shaking my head saying seriously but this one was fabulous. The relationships are the focal point and not the actual plot of the story. I like reading about the relationships and see how they flourish through the story instead of reading how the plot just plodded along.
This book totally floored me I must say. This is what a 5* read should look like. I have read mysteries previously that had me shaking my head saying seriously but this one was fabulous. The relationships are the focal point and not the actual plot of the story. I like reading about the relationships and see how they flourish through the story instead of reading how the plot just plodded along.
July 26, 2023
This was... extremely repetitive, it seemed like the author had forgotten who knew what details about the investigation and had characters share info they already knew with others (who then reacted like it was the very! first! time! they had heard of it). Catherine was extremely wet, and even her issues seemed repetitive. Plus, all the so-called sleuths took their own sweet time putting together the clues.
Not sure I'll be reading on in this series.
Not sure I'll be reading on in this series.
March 10, 2020
Fun romp through 1930’s Oxford jazz scene!
I love the way this author creates an atmosphere that is tangible, filled with detail that gives you the sense that you are there. Her character development is excellent and you come to both love or abhor those involved in a very entertaining plot. This is a spring/summer must read!
I love the way this author creates an atmosphere that is tangible, filled with detail that gives you the sense that you are there. Her character development is excellent and you come to both love or abhor those involved in a very entertaining plot. This is a spring/summer must read!
December 27, 2020
I was pleasantly surprised to read yet another very good book from this author, in a well written series. The characters were very believable, and endearing, the plot was easily followed, yet has all the twists you will ever need, and the ending was a bit rushed, but still satisfactory. I highly recommend this book and the series.
May 23, 2021
Complex storyline
Very good concepts but a little long on the character “problem” issues with Harry almost too self destructive and she never really admits that she pushed and cheated on Harry first.
All he did was dance, she actually goes out and starts another relationship with another man. Didn’t like how many times she did that to Harry.
Very good concepts but a little long on the character “problem” issues with Harry almost too self destructive and she never really admits that she pushed and cheated on Harry first.
All he did was dance, she actually goes out and starts another relationship with another man. Didn’t like how many times she did that to Harry.
July 24, 2021
Oh Brother!
I did not find this mystery to be as difficult to solve as the previous ones. However this was more than compensated by the backstory. Learning about Cat's family and upbringing helped to explain a lot. Rafe is still a presence if not in her life then her mind. Will Dr. Harry have the wherewithal to overcome her lifetime of insecurities? Does he want to?
I did not find this mystery to be as difficult to solve as the previous ones. However this was more than compensated by the backstory. Learning about Cat's family and upbringing helped to explain a lot. Rafe is still a presence if not in her life then her mind. Will Dr. Harry have the wherewithal to overcome her lifetime of insecurities? Does he want to?
February 15, 2022
Very good.
A very good story, in fact I read this in a couple of days. Harry and Catherine make a good team. It's interesting to learn how life was then and how woman were only just gaining independence. I'm looking forward the the next book. Hopefully there will be more than 4 books .
A very good story, in fact I read this in a couple of days. Harry and Catherine make a good team. It's interesting to learn how life was then and how woman were only just gaining independence. I'm looking forward the the next book. Hopefully there will be more than 4 books .
April 27, 2022
High 3 stars, I liked it heaps more than the first. In spite of the fact that I don't much like jazz or its "environment." Don't like the blues either (one and the same?). But given my depressive nature I suspect that is because neither ameliorates ia tendency toward depression. Still, good mystery And I liked the villain as the villain because I sure as hell didn't like (him/her).
August 11, 2022
Really good book
I seem to be hooked on the Catherine and Harry mysteries. I really liked the first book but liked this one even better. Maybe it was the drama between Catherine and Harry even more than the mystery that made the difference. Whatever the reason this was a really good book.
I seem to be hooked on the Catherine and Harry mysteries. I really liked the first book but liked this one even better. Maybe it was the drama between Catherine and Harry even more than the mystery that made the difference. Whatever the reason this was a really good book.
June 16, 2020
Terrific
Excellent mystery that kept me guessing till the end. Most of the story was fun, too. Great main characters. Some reasoned introspection by Catherine that is productive for her and insightful to readers. Will read more in this series when there is more.
Excellent mystery that kept me guessing till the end. Most of the story was fun, too. Great main characters. Some reasoned introspection by Catherine that is productive for her and insightful to readers. Will read more in this series when there is more.
September 6, 2020
Loved this second book in this series. Catherine is a vibrant character with unusual powers of observation. Her vulnerability makes her endearing. Harry is a strong character and it is great watching their relationship contintto develop. I wS rooting for them all through the book.
September 12, 2020
Outstanding
I was back in time. Again, the characters were truly three dimensional. I on occasion wanted to reach into the past and shake our heroine. Looking forward to the next book.
I was back in time. Again, the characters were truly three dimensional. I on occasion wanted to reach into the past and shake our heroine. Looking forward to the next book.
September 24, 2020
Great fun
I'm enjoying this series set in Oxford in the mid 1930s. Life was very different and I find this period between the ears so interesting. The writing is good and the characters and mysteries solved are a good way to pass a couple of pleasant hours.
I'm enjoying this series set in Oxford in the mid 1930s. Life was very different and I find this period between the ears so interesting. The writing is good and the characters and mysteries solved are a good way to pass a couple of pleasant hours.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews