Bait and Switch

Jessica Minton Mystery #1

by Sharon Healy-Yang, Phoenix Emrys (Narrator)

: It’s wartime New York, 1943. Jessica Minton, an up-and-coming young stage actress, is pondering the mixed blessings of rehearsals for a play that just doesn’t seem to be jelling, the attentions of a reliable beau she isn’t quite sure she wants to marry, and playing referee for her sister and brother-in-law’s tempestuous marriage. Just as she thinks her life couldn’t get any crazier, she becomes entangled with deceit, espionage, and murder when an unsettlingly attractive stranger makes her the unwilling custodian of a mysterious package in a Manhattan stalked by fifth columnists. Those who claim to be her allies may or may not be on the level, as Jessica is shot at, nearly stabbed in the midst of a performance, and held at gun point by a Nazi double agent. As if dodging homicide were not enough, Jessica finds herself romantically torn between her boyfriend and the elusive owner of the package––either of whom could be an Axis spy. With the help of her madcap sister Liz and a smart-aleck cat Dusty, Jessica is challenged to puzzle out whom to trust, with not just her country but her own life depending on her. Romance and adventure in the vein of Susan Elia McNeal, Kathryn Miller Haines, and Rhys Bowen.

Audiobook

Published December 4, 2018

Reviews

[Matthew Ortoleva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, recently published mystery novel reminiscent of the detective noir of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler with one significant difference: at the center of this story is a strong and resourceful female protagonist. Set in the 1940s, Bait and Switch possesses what we love best about hardboiled fiction while offering a new vision of our old friend the gumshoe. Slide on down Walter Mosley. You, too, Robert Parker. Pour Sharon Healy-Yang a scotch. She's now in the club.

[Kimberly Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I edited Bait and Switch, so maybe I'm a little biased, but I just love this book. The characters immediately draw you in, and I love that Yang creates spunky, independent women who save the day. As an editor, I never write the traditional review with a summary because every other review does that. You don't want to hear it again. All in all, you want to know if the book is worth reading, and I can assure you that you'll definitely want to read this book. Think Nancy Drew, the adult version. The Minton sisters are everything I wish I could be, and you'll love immersing yourself in their mystery.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you love madcap comedy with a 1940's Hollywood style? Then you will love the adventures and world of Jessica Minton, the main character in Yang's "Bait and Switch." Posh New York apartments, high-society patter, and war-time worries provide the back drop to Minton's encounter with a dashing stranger. Add murder and mayhem, and you have the mischievous mix Yang serves up in her mystery targeted to the young adult audience. Readers of every age will enjoy this new heroine!

[Joanne Roach-Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bait & Switch reads like a classic old movie; the dialogue and dialect takes the reader back to the early 1940's. Healy-Yang deftly creates a rich, historical backdrop full of great details. This is a fun, intriguing, mystery full of wry humor. I enjoyed this book immensely. I could not put it down!

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down! Anyone who's a sucker for a witty female protagonist will adore Jessica Minton and instantly get sucked up into her action-packed (and sometimes comedic) life. Right when I thought I'd figured everything out the perfect plot twist emerged.

I'm ready for the next one!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun "who done it" with lots of twists and turns. It kept me guessing until the end. Loved the characters, especially Jessica and Dusty . Lots of witty dialogue with the author's unique sense of humor. I'm looking forward to Jessica Minton's next adventure.

[Momcat62 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well- written mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The author does a great job creating the scenes and immersing her readers in another time and place. Her characters are believable and well-developed. Great book!

[Laura Chase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. Great potential for a first time author. Some of the scenes seemed a bit to convoluted.

[Jean Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lush details, lively voice, a well-rounded cast, mystery, intrigue, and a drop into 1940s Homefront NYC make this book an easy and enjoyable read. Join Jessica on her adventure as she is baited into working with a guy on a secret mission. Can he be trusted? What is his deal with this package? Stage actress Jess has no time for this nonsense. Is this guy legit? Can she trust her friends and family? Can she keep her head when things go awry? (Oh and they do go quite awry!) Ms. Yang does a great job immersing the reader into this era of ration coupons and espionage. She really has done her homework and it was an easy read. Not too suspenseful or gritty, not too fluffy. Just the right amount of everything to dip you into a mystery. And it's a good standalone, with a solid ending. I highly recommend for WW2/Homefront/mystery buffs.