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Sophie Strong Mysteries #1
Strong Suspicions
A notorious woman is murdered, and reporter Sophie Strong stumbles onto the story. Does she have what it takes to find the killer before it’s too late?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 1912: As the only female reporter at the Milwaukee Herald, twenty-two-year-old Sophie Strong is thrilled when she’s invited to cover the party of the season. Soon she’s swept into the opulent world of the city’s wealthy brewing families. But before she can even get to her typewriter, she discovers a murder victim. The intriguing Detective Jacob Zimmer warns her to leave sleuthing to the police, while Sophie’s editor insists she focus on tea parties and fashion shows. But when her friend and fellow suffragist Clara Elliot comes under suspicion, Sophie is determined to uncover the truth—even if she risks her own life along the way. Check out this historical mystery sure to intrigue fans of Rhys Bowen, Alyssa Maxwell, and Victoria Thompson.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 1912: As the only female reporter at the Milwaukee Herald, twenty-two-year-old Sophie Strong is thrilled when she’s invited to cover the party of the season. Soon she’s swept into the opulent world of the city’s wealthy brewing families. But before she can even get to her typewriter, she discovers a murder victim. The intriguing Detective Jacob Zimmer warns her to leave sleuthing to the police, while Sophie’s editor insists she focus on tea parties and fashion shows. But when her friend and fellow suffragist Clara Elliot comes under suspicion, Sophie is determined to uncover the truth—even if she risks her own life along the way. Check out this historical mystery sure to intrigue fans of Rhys Bowen, Alyssa Maxwell, and Victoria Thompson.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2021
161 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Amy Renshaw
3 books18 followersAmy Renshaw fell in love with mysteries as a kid, when she discovered Nancy Drew books in her grandmother's attic. She admires strong, smart women who blaze new trails with courage and determination. Whether as living or historical heroes or as characters in fiction, they shape our perceptions and serve as role models for building a more equitable world. Strong Suspicions, the first book in the Sophie Strong Mystery Series, fulfilled Amy's lifelong dream to create her own dynamic female detective. When not writing mysteries, Amy works as the Senior Editor at Brilliant Star magazine and Brilliant Star Online, award-winning media inspired by the principles of peace and justice central to the Bahá'í Faith. She lives in Wisconsin, where she hikes in the woods, enjoys jigsaws and crosswords, and loves anything chocolate. She's also the author of the nonfiction historical book, Voyage of Love: 'Abdu'l-Bahá in North America, published by Bellwood Press. She loves to hear from readers and invites you to connect through amy@amyrenshawauthor.com or on Facebook or Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 24, 2021
Bravo! Renshaw is a fine writer, a good storyteller, a knowledgeable historian (at least with regard to 1912 Milwaukee,) and most importantly, an imaginative mystery maker. Sophie Strong wants to be a real reporter, but in 1912 she’s relegated to writing fluff pieces for women—fashion, parties, and homemaking. Her friend Clara is active in the suffrage movement, and when a prominent anti-suffrage woman is killed, Clara is immediately a suspect.
Renshaw’s expert description immersed me in 1912—horse-drawn cabs, corsets, and the patriarchy, who keep women from working at serious jobs to protect the fair sex. Sophie gets a glimpse of the Wolffs, wealthy owners of a brewery, and the contrast between the one-percenters with their army of servants and everybody else, the working poor, is spot on.
Sophie wants to find the killer, even as the police order her to stop, and every lead ends inconclusively or with men patting her hand and telling her not to worry her pretty little head. Her tenacity and resolve lead her into trouble as she gets closer to the solution. And this is where Renshaw shines: the clues to solve the crime are seen by Sophie, but not recognized. There is no greater joy for a mystery reader than to solve the puzzle one step ahead of the protagonist.
The book finishes with an appropriately tense and dramatic scene. All-in-all, a satisfying read for fans of mystery, history, or just immersive fiction.
Full disclosure: I received a promo copy of ‘Strong Suspicions’ from the author.
Renshaw’s expert description immersed me in 1912—horse-drawn cabs, corsets, and the patriarchy, who keep women from working at serious jobs to protect the fair sex. Sophie gets a glimpse of the Wolffs, wealthy owners of a brewery, and the contrast between the one-percenters with their army of servants and everybody else, the working poor, is spot on.
Sophie wants to find the killer, even as the police order her to stop, and every lead ends inconclusively or with men patting her hand and telling her not to worry her pretty little head. Her tenacity and resolve lead her into trouble as she gets closer to the solution. And this is where Renshaw shines: the clues to solve the crime are seen by Sophie, but not recognized. There is no greater joy for a mystery reader than to solve the puzzle one step ahead of the protagonist.
The book finishes with an appropriately tense and dramatic scene. All-in-all, a satisfying read for fans of mystery, history, or just immersive fiction.
Full disclosure: I received a promo copy of ‘Strong Suspicions’ from the author.
February 19, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Sophie Strong works at the Milwaukee Herald covering women’s topics like teas and fashion while what she really wants is to become a hard news reporter. Her current assignment is to cover a gala hosted by one of Milwaukee’s famous families. The Wolff’s own a huge brewery and love to show off their wealth and flex their high society muscles. Sophie is enjoying the party, taking careful notes, and even getting a turn on the dance floor. Shortly before dinner is set to be served a bunch of marauders disrupts the party calling out the way Wolff treats his workers. Sophie thinks reporting on the crime for the newspaper may be her big break but before she can even file the story she finds a body outside the Women’s Sufferage office. Warned to leave the investigation to the police Sophie just can’t especially when her friend Clara Elliot finds herself in the detective’s crosshairs. Using her profession as a reporter for the Herald she starts her own investigation and what she finds could cost her her life.
Amy Renshaw took me right back to Milwaukee in 1912 when so many political things were happening. Most importantly giving women the right to vote. She has clearly researched this time in Wisconsin thoroughly to be able to give readers a wonderful story with so much accuracy. I really enjoyed seeing everything happen through Sophie’s eyes.
Sophie Strong is a mighty protagonist with an interesting background and a drive to make things happen and dreams of reporting it to the masses. Raised by her Aunt Lucy, a formidable woman in her own right, Sophie was taught women could do anything they put their mind to. Lucy and Clara Elliot have been inseparable for as long as Sophie can remember and both women introduced her to the suffrage movement. Lucy and Clara are the leaders of the group in Milwaukee with Sophie helping in any way that she can. All three women have loving caring hearts to support women and children. Through Sophie, Lucy meets some very special people and I loved the way she opened her home and heart to them without a second thought, just like she did for Sophie several years ago. The author has created a vast cast of spectacular characters that just leap off the page.
Ms. Renshaw has also crafted an excellent well-plotted mystery filled with twists and clues that our heroine sometimes misses at first but that the reader can stow away for reference as we try to solve the mystery too. Sophie really has no fear and inserts herself in some scary situations. The author ramps up the pace and makes those moments quite suspenseful. I did enjoy Sophie’s never-give-up attitude. Naturally curious she makes a great amateur sleuth.
What I really loved was the author’s descriptive writing style. She can bring a scene to life vividly without getting overly wordy and that is a gift. Each time and place came to life like I was watching a movie. Many of those scenes have stuck with me, especially when the killer was revealed and everything that happened after. I was definitely on the edge of my seat.
I have found Amy Renshaw to be a marvelous storyteller. I loved everything about Strong Suspicions. Strong characters that I cared about immediately, a terrific setting, and a compelling mystery based on historical facts all made this book virtually impossible to put down. And yes, you will find this book on my Best Reads List for 2022. I am excited for this series to continue.
Sophie Strong works at the Milwaukee Herald covering women’s topics like teas and fashion while what she really wants is to become a hard news reporter. Her current assignment is to cover a gala hosted by one of Milwaukee’s famous families. The Wolff’s own a huge brewery and love to show off their wealth and flex their high society muscles. Sophie is enjoying the party, taking careful notes, and even getting a turn on the dance floor. Shortly before dinner is set to be served a bunch of marauders disrupts the party calling out the way Wolff treats his workers. Sophie thinks reporting on the crime for the newspaper may be her big break but before she can even file the story she finds a body outside the Women’s Sufferage office. Warned to leave the investigation to the police Sophie just can’t especially when her friend Clara Elliot finds herself in the detective’s crosshairs. Using her profession as a reporter for the Herald she starts her own investigation and what she finds could cost her her life.
Amy Renshaw took me right back to Milwaukee in 1912 when so many political things were happening. Most importantly giving women the right to vote. She has clearly researched this time in Wisconsin thoroughly to be able to give readers a wonderful story with so much accuracy. I really enjoyed seeing everything happen through Sophie’s eyes.
Sophie Strong is a mighty protagonist with an interesting background and a drive to make things happen and dreams of reporting it to the masses. Raised by her Aunt Lucy, a formidable woman in her own right, Sophie was taught women could do anything they put their mind to. Lucy and Clara Elliot have been inseparable for as long as Sophie can remember and both women introduced her to the suffrage movement. Lucy and Clara are the leaders of the group in Milwaukee with Sophie helping in any way that she can. All three women have loving caring hearts to support women and children. Through Sophie, Lucy meets some very special people and I loved the way she opened her home and heart to them without a second thought, just like she did for Sophie several years ago. The author has created a vast cast of spectacular characters that just leap off the page.
Ms. Renshaw has also crafted an excellent well-plotted mystery filled with twists and clues that our heroine sometimes misses at first but that the reader can stow away for reference as we try to solve the mystery too. Sophie really has no fear and inserts herself in some scary situations. The author ramps up the pace and makes those moments quite suspenseful. I did enjoy Sophie’s never-give-up attitude. Naturally curious she makes a great amateur sleuth.
What I really loved was the author’s descriptive writing style. She can bring a scene to life vividly without getting overly wordy and that is a gift. Each time and place came to life like I was watching a movie. Many of those scenes have stuck with me, especially when the killer was revealed and everything that happened after. I was definitely on the edge of my seat.
I have found Amy Renshaw to be a marvelous storyteller. I loved everything about Strong Suspicions. Strong characters that I cared about immediately, a terrific setting, and a compelling mystery based on historical facts all made this book virtually impossible to put down. And yes, you will find this book on my Best Reads List for 2022. I am excited for this series to continue.
May 11, 2024
e-book freebie at time of download. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not affected by the giveaway.
Reporter and Suffragist, Sophie Strong, is tired of reporting for the Society page. She longs to write a real story about real news with a byline in her own name, like her hero, Nellie Bly. Sophie covers the women's suffrage debate between her aunt's friend, Mrs. Clara Elliott and noted "anti", Hilda Rock. When Sophie writes her story, she omits the part where Clara became angry and shoved Mrs. Rock! No need for anyone to know that. Sophie is surprised to be invited to meet Mrs. Thelma Wolff, the wife of a wealthy brewer, to discuss THE social event of the season, Mrs. Wolff's costume ball and dinner. Sophie is given an invitation and instructions to come in costume and blend in so the guests don't feel uncomfortable being observed. Part of Sophie is excited to attend and part of her groans at having to report the tedious details of who wore what. After dancing with a mysterious man, it looks as if Sophie is going to get her story when a group of masked ruffians arrives to terrorize the guests and set fire to the garden. No one is hurt, just shaken. However, when the story is printed, there's no reference to the terrorists at all! Sophie's curiosity is aroused and then alarmed when she discovers the dead body of Hilda Rock in the suffrage office! The police suspect Clara of killing her rival! Sophie is convinced the two events were connected somehow and is determined to get to the bottom of things. With the help of a plucky young newsie, Sophie discovers a clue but as she continues her questioning, bad things happen. Will she live to tell the tale?
While the premise of this story is very tropey, I enjoyed this story a lot. I have read plenty of books about girl reporters longing to write real news and plenty of books about suffragettes but the Milwaukee setting made this one different. I don't know much about that city and it was refreshing to read about an unfamiliar location populated by more middle class and new money people than the old guard I usually read about. The description of the city made me feel like I was there. The author's note helped me learn more about the history of Milwaukee in the early 20th-century. The plot was very good as well and once the mystery got started, I couldn't put it down. The who was fairly obvious but I wasn't 100% sure and the motive was not what I expected. I assumed it had to do with Mrs. Rock's secret, a secret I guessed right away when the clue was referenced. I understand the coded language of the time but an innocent girl like Sophie might not guess the implications and even Aunt Lucy may not be aware. There's a bit more violence in the story than I would like for a 1912 setting. Sophie needs that self-defense class so the endings of future books are stronger.
I noted one major historical inaccuracy! Chocolate chip cookies did not exist in 1912! The Tollhouse Inn wasn't even established until 1930 and Ruth Wakefield made her famous cookies in 1938. Literally any baking enthusiast can tell you the story and cookbooks are available in the public domain. Try The Woman Suffrage Cookbook: The 1886 Classic for recipes Aunt Lucy would make.
I like Sophie a lot and think we would be good friends. She's an average character I've read about before but she's also more independent. She lives in a boarding house with a roommate and spends a lot of time with her aunt. Sophie is 22 years old which is nearly a spinster by 1912 standards but she still has a lot of growing up to do. I didn't like how stubborn she was and how she just ignored all signs of danger. Brangling with the police because you WANT to know something is not really the best idea. Being an untrained civilian, she shouldn't go nosing around on her own. Sophie has a big heart. She cares for her family and friends very much and even is compassionate and helpful towards a young maid who was sexually harassed (reading between the lines) by a male servant. Most of all, Sophie feels motherly towards a young Newsie, Sam, a brave, resourceful kid with a chip on his shoulder. He's seen things he shouldn't have to see and he's been responsible for his younger brother, Harry for a long time. Harry is younger and therefore, more carefree. He's able to accept love and kindness and act like a normal child, while Sam, being the oldest, understands the way the world works and how life is not always kind to people like them. Usually, maybe a wealthy person will take an interest and then soon grow tired of urchins but I don't see Aunt Clara doing that. She has a huge heart. Aunt Clara took Sophie in and rescued young Sophie from a cruel father. Aunt Clara has a lot of love to give and she will willingly give it to any child in need. She lacks resources to care for a large family but I think she would willingly sacrifice what she can to help more children.
I was hoping Sophie's roommate, Ruth, would be a bigger part of the story. Ruth, a Jewish woman, and a medical student, would make the story more diverse and interesting. Right now she's not in the story but her faith is very present in the mezuzah she has placed over the door. Sophie makes sure to touch it before entering the apartment. Ruth's boyfriend, Oliver, sounds like a wonderful person too and I hope they get to lend their medical expertise in future books. Vivian (I think that spelling would have been a masculine name at the time and not feminine) seems like a typical mean girl. She's a shop girl and has money to spend on her looks and is waiting for a rich man to sweep her off her feet. Vivian turns out to be a more complex character than your average mean girl. There's hint that the men she dates are not good men. Mrs. O'Day, the boarding house owner, is wonderful. She's motherly and kind and looks out for her girls while allowing them independence.
Clara is a lovely lady. She's a wealthy widow but generous with her money and time. While she experienced childhood trauma early on in life, she has moved on and doesn't let her past affect her present. Her family was loving, her husband was doting and she misses them very much. That is why Clara's altercation with Hilda Rock seems out of character. She was pushed to her limit and lost her cool for a moment. Hilda Rock was a nasty woman. Like Clara, she is a widow but she is not interested in voting rights for women. She claims women should let their husbands worry about politics and comes up with any number of lame excuses. I know from my own research that the "antis" tended to be wealthy and didn't understand the necessity of voting rights for impoverished women. Mrs. Rock's husband was a brewer and worked for Mr. Wolff, the wealthiest brewer in the city. The brewers want to block women from voting because they believe women will vote for prohibition and put the breweries out of business. Well we know that didn't happen exactly the way the men feared and we know that many men went out on Saturday nights and drank away their wages and came home drunk and beat their wives, so yes, prohibition was a women's cause. Hilda also argues that women could vote for other things... like "family limitation methods." Yup. 1912 folks. There were so many problems at that time, many of which have not been solved 100+ years later. Yes women will vote for FAMILY LIMITATION METHODS! Does Mrs. Rock have children? Hmm? No she does not. (Or does she?) While Mrs. Rock was unpleasant and mean to Clara, that doesn't mean she deserved to die. Die of a heart attack, yes, but murdered? No. Mrs. Rock was a large woman. Would Clara even be able to overpower her rival and kill the woman? I doubt it.
Clara's sister Agnes is very unlike Clara. Agnes is secretive and sneaky. The two don't seem to be close or get along all that well. Clara is well meaning but I think she's clueless about her sister's feelings towards her. I strongly suspect Agnes resents Clara and framed Clara for murder. Where has Agnes been going at all hours? WAS she home at the time of the murder? If not, where was she? I don't particularly like her or trust her. Like Vivian, she's a complex character with nuances and a past that shapes her present. She's not likable or relatable but I can empathize with her reasoning.
The Wolffs are a power couple. She's a queen of Society, the Midwestern Alva Vanderbilt. Thelma Wolff is one tough lady. She's demanding and not easy to please. Everything has to go her way and she won't hesitate to throw her weight around if Sophie oversteps or doesn't write up the event in glowingly positive manor. I would not want to cross her. She isn't very nice to Sophie and reading between the lines, I gather she thinks her husband has his eye on Sophie and/or is having an affair with Sophie. It seems he has a past history judging from her snide offhand comments. Mr. Wolff is courteous to Sophie and treats her like a girl more than a woman but I get an undercurrent of danger from him. He didn't get to where he is today by being nice. I am sure he is ruthless to his competitors and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't treat his workers very well, in spite of his claims. I believe the terrorists more than I believe him! I think he's lying about some things, a lot of things maybe. The terrorists are thugs but I'm sure their grievances are legitimate. If they work 8 hours a day, I bet it's at minimum wage and not enough to feed a family. New century, same old story, another new century and the story is still the same.
Millie Hanson, Mrs. Rock's housekeeper, is not very loyal. She's quick to gossip but claim she doesn't like to gossip. She clams up once Sophie starts with the tough questions. Millie claims she didn't know Mrs. Rock's lawyer but she doesn't seem to be telling the truth. Sophie recognizes Mr. Pitman, a lawyer with an office on the same floor as the suffrage office. Why didn't he say he was Mrs. Rock's lawyer? Curious how she was killed just doors away. Mr. Pitman seems nervous and shady to me. He's lying about something. He was connected to Mrs. Rock in some way or another and is trying to hide it. He also seems to know other characters who claim not to know him. Mr. Pitman will surely crumble under police pressure though. He seems rather weak willed and not overly bright to me.
Detective Zimmer is a tough cop but he's fair. At first he seems like your average overblown ego eager to railroad a suspect to make himself look good but Zimmer isn't like that at all. He's annoyed with Sophie because she's meddling in a dangerous situation and he's concerned for her safety. When he's off duty, Detective Zimmer is lovely. He's fun, considerate and charming. I suspect a romance in the making. There might be a love triangle, however. I dislike how often Sophie blushes whenever she's around a man. I wish the author would ditch that and make Sophie a stronger character. Her other potential love interest is her current work nemesis, Benjamin Turner. Benjamin Turner is smug, a bit arrogant and cheeky. He turns up like a bad penny at times when Sophie least expects it and interferes with her career. However, I think he likes her and he needles her on purpose. While Turner enjoys teasing Sophie, he also seems to appreciate her tenacity and skills as a journalist. I really like how a lot of character development is inferred! I'm sure we'll get more interactions between these two in the next book.
This story was a cut above the usual e-book freebie cozy mystery. I hope to read more about Sophie soon!
Trigger Warning:
The arguments against women's suffrage include women might vote for "family limitation methods."
Hints at sexual assault
Probable extramarital affair/s
childhood trauma including deaths of parents
physical violence, gun violence
Reporter and Suffragist, Sophie Strong, is tired of reporting for the Society page. She longs to write a real story about real news with a byline in her own name, like her hero, Nellie Bly. Sophie covers the women's suffrage debate between her aunt's friend, Mrs. Clara Elliott and noted "anti", Hilda Rock. When Sophie writes her story, she omits the part where Clara became angry and shoved Mrs. Rock! No need for anyone to know that. Sophie is surprised to be invited to meet Mrs. Thelma Wolff, the wife of a wealthy brewer, to discuss THE social event of the season, Mrs. Wolff's costume ball and dinner. Sophie is given an invitation and instructions to come in costume and blend in so the guests don't feel uncomfortable being observed. Part of Sophie is excited to attend and part of her groans at having to report the tedious details of who wore what. After dancing with a mysterious man, it looks as if Sophie is going to get her story when a group of masked ruffians arrives to terrorize the guests and set fire to the garden. No one is hurt, just shaken. However, when the story is printed, there's no reference to the terrorists at all! Sophie's curiosity is aroused and then alarmed when she discovers the dead body of Hilda Rock in the suffrage office! The police suspect Clara of killing her rival! Sophie is convinced the two events were connected somehow and is determined to get to the bottom of things. With the help of a plucky young newsie, Sophie discovers a clue but as she continues her questioning, bad things happen. Will she live to tell the tale?
While the premise of this story is very tropey, I enjoyed this story a lot. I have read plenty of books about girl reporters longing to write real news and plenty of books about suffragettes but the Milwaukee setting made this one different. I don't know much about that city and it was refreshing to read about an unfamiliar location populated by more middle class and new money people than the old guard I usually read about. The description of the city made me feel like I was there. The author's note helped me learn more about the history of Milwaukee in the early 20th-century. The plot was very good as well and once the mystery got started, I couldn't put it down. The who was fairly obvious but I wasn't 100% sure and the motive was not what I expected. I assumed it had to do with Mrs. Rock's secret, a secret I guessed right away when the clue was referenced. I understand the coded language of the time but an innocent girl like Sophie might not guess the implications and even Aunt Lucy may not be aware. There's a bit more violence in the story than I would like for a 1912 setting. Sophie needs that self-defense class so the endings of future books are stronger.
I noted one major historical inaccuracy! Chocolate chip cookies did not exist in 1912! The Tollhouse Inn wasn't even established until 1930 and Ruth Wakefield made her famous cookies in 1938. Literally any baking enthusiast can tell you the story and cookbooks are available in the public domain. Try The Woman Suffrage Cookbook: The 1886 Classic for recipes Aunt Lucy would make.
I like Sophie a lot and think we would be good friends. She's an average character I've read about before but she's also more independent. She lives in a boarding house with a roommate and spends a lot of time with her aunt. Sophie is 22 years old which is nearly a spinster by 1912 standards but she still has a lot of growing up to do. I didn't like how stubborn she was and how she just ignored all signs of danger. Brangling with the police because you WANT to know something is not really the best idea. Being an untrained civilian, she shouldn't go nosing around on her own. Sophie has a big heart. She cares for her family and friends very much and even is compassionate and helpful towards a young maid who was sexually harassed (reading between the lines) by a male servant. Most of all, Sophie feels motherly towards a young Newsie, Sam, a brave, resourceful kid with a chip on his shoulder. He's seen things he shouldn't have to see and he's been responsible for his younger brother, Harry for a long time. Harry is younger and therefore, more carefree. He's able to accept love and kindness and act like a normal child, while Sam, being the oldest, understands the way the world works and how life is not always kind to people like them. Usually, maybe a wealthy person will take an interest and then soon grow tired of urchins but I don't see Aunt Clara doing that. She has a huge heart. Aunt Clara took Sophie in and rescued young Sophie from a cruel father. Aunt Clara has a lot of love to give and she will willingly give it to any child in need. She lacks resources to care for a large family but I think she would willingly sacrifice what she can to help more children.
I was hoping Sophie's roommate, Ruth, would be a bigger part of the story. Ruth, a Jewish woman, and a medical student, would make the story more diverse and interesting. Right now she's not in the story but her faith is very present in the mezuzah she has placed over the door. Sophie makes sure to touch it before entering the apartment. Ruth's boyfriend, Oliver, sounds like a wonderful person too and I hope they get to lend their medical expertise in future books. Vivian (I think that spelling would have been a masculine name at the time and not feminine) seems like a typical mean girl. She's a shop girl and has money to spend on her looks and is waiting for a rich man to sweep her off her feet. Vivian turns out to be a more complex character than your average mean girl. There's hint that the men she dates are not good men. Mrs. O'Day, the boarding house owner, is wonderful. She's motherly and kind and looks out for her girls while allowing them independence.
Clara is a lovely lady. She's a wealthy widow but generous with her money and time. While she experienced childhood trauma early on in life, she has moved on and doesn't let her past affect her present. Her family was loving, her husband was doting and she misses them very much. That is why Clara's altercation with Hilda Rock seems out of character. She was pushed to her limit and lost her cool for a moment. Hilda Rock was a nasty woman. Like Clara, she is a widow but she is not interested in voting rights for women. She claims women should let their husbands worry about politics and comes up with any number of lame excuses. I know from my own research that the "antis" tended to be wealthy and didn't understand the necessity of voting rights for impoverished women. Mrs. Rock's husband was a brewer and worked for Mr. Wolff, the wealthiest brewer in the city. The brewers want to block women from voting because they believe women will vote for prohibition and put the breweries out of business. Well we know that didn't happen exactly the way the men feared and we know that many men went out on Saturday nights and drank away their wages and came home drunk and beat their wives, so yes, prohibition was a women's cause. Hilda also argues that women could vote for other things... like "family limitation methods." Yup. 1912 folks. There were so many problems at that time, many of which have not been solved 100+ years later. Yes women will vote for FAMILY LIMITATION METHODS! Does Mrs. Rock have children? Hmm? No she does not. (Or does she?) While Mrs. Rock was unpleasant and mean to Clara, that doesn't mean she deserved to die. Die of a heart attack, yes, but murdered? No. Mrs. Rock was a large woman. Would Clara even be able to overpower her rival and kill the woman? I doubt it.
Clara's sister Agnes is very unlike Clara. Agnes is secretive and sneaky. The two don't seem to be close or get along all that well. Clara is well meaning but I think she's clueless about her sister's feelings towards her. I strongly suspect Agnes resents Clara and framed Clara for murder. Where has Agnes been going at all hours? WAS she home at the time of the murder? If not, where was she? I don't particularly like her or trust her. Like Vivian, she's a complex character with nuances and a past that shapes her present. She's not likable or relatable but I can empathize with her reasoning.
The Wolffs are a power couple. She's a queen of Society, the Midwestern Alva Vanderbilt. Thelma Wolff is one tough lady. She's demanding and not easy to please. Everything has to go her way and she won't hesitate to throw her weight around if Sophie oversteps or doesn't write up the event in glowingly positive manor. I would not want to cross her. She isn't very nice to Sophie and reading between the lines, I gather she thinks her husband has his eye on Sophie and/or is having an affair with Sophie. It seems he has a past history judging from her snide offhand comments. Mr. Wolff is courteous to Sophie and treats her like a girl more than a woman but I get an undercurrent of danger from him. He didn't get to where he is today by being nice. I am sure he is ruthless to his competitors and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't treat his workers very well, in spite of his claims. I believe the terrorists more than I believe him! I think he's lying about some things, a lot of things maybe. The terrorists are thugs but I'm sure their grievances are legitimate. If they work 8 hours a day, I bet it's at minimum wage and not enough to feed a family. New century, same old story, another new century and the story is still the same.
Millie Hanson, Mrs. Rock's housekeeper, is not very loyal. She's quick to gossip but claim she doesn't like to gossip. She clams up once Sophie starts with the tough questions. Millie claims she didn't know Mrs. Rock's lawyer but she doesn't seem to be telling the truth. Sophie recognizes Mr. Pitman, a lawyer with an office on the same floor as the suffrage office. Why didn't he say he was Mrs. Rock's lawyer? Curious how she was killed just doors away. Mr. Pitman seems nervous and shady to me. He's lying about something. He was connected to Mrs. Rock in some way or another and is trying to hide it. He also seems to know other characters who claim not to know him. Mr. Pitman will surely crumble under police pressure though. He seems rather weak willed and not overly bright to me.
Detective Zimmer is a tough cop but he's fair. At first he seems like your average overblown ego eager to railroad a suspect to make himself look good but Zimmer isn't like that at all. He's annoyed with Sophie because she's meddling in a dangerous situation and he's concerned for her safety. When he's off duty, Detective Zimmer is lovely. He's fun, considerate and charming. I suspect a romance in the making. There might be a love triangle, however. I dislike how often Sophie blushes whenever she's around a man. I wish the author would ditch that and make Sophie a stronger character. Her other potential love interest is her current work nemesis, Benjamin Turner. Benjamin Turner is smug, a bit arrogant and cheeky. He turns up like a bad penny at times when Sophie least expects it and interferes with her career. However, I think he likes her and he needles her on purpose. While Turner enjoys teasing Sophie, he also seems to appreciate her tenacity and skills as a journalist. I really like how a lot of character development is inferred! I'm sure we'll get more interactions between these two in the next book.
This story was a cut above the usual e-book freebie cozy mystery. I hope to read more about Sophie soon!
Trigger Warning:
The arguments against women's suffrage include women might vote for "family limitation methods."
Hints at sexual assault
Probable extramarital affair/s
childhood trauma including deaths of parents
physical violence, gun violence
December 16, 2021
It’s 1912 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee Herald daily newspaper has a single female reporter. Twenty-two year old Sophie Strong report on garden parties, women’s groups and longs for a serious assignment.
Because she’s bright, capable and ambitious, readers of this debut mystery will assume, and rightly so, that Miss Strong will get herself in trouble pursuing suspicious events in town.
The novel carefully and accurately carries readers into Milwaukee of that time although this reader would have welcomed a few more descriptive passages. Nevertheless the book is tightly constructed and moves ahead at a steadily increasing pace to its climax.
Sophie is delighted to be assigned to report on a huge Spring costume gala at the palatial home of one of Milwaukee’s most important and wealthy families. Naturally there is a disruption. Is that disruption connected to a murder that same night?
Sophie struggles throughout the arc of the story, intersecting with a large number of authentic characters in this well-written novel, to a final well-thought-out conclusion. The story is fun, engaging and this reader looks forward to more adventures with Sophie Strong, early Twentieth century girl reporter.
Because she’s bright, capable and ambitious, readers of this debut mystery will assume, and rightly so, that Miss Strong will get herself in trouble pursuing suspicious events in town.
The novel carefully and accurately carries readers into Milwaukee of that time although this reader would have welcomed a few more descriptive passages. Nevertheless the book is tightly constructed and moves ahead at a steadily increasing pace to its climax.
Sophie is delighted to be assigned to report on a huge Spring costume gala at the palatial home of one of Milwaukee’s most important and wealthy families. Naturally there is a disruption. Is that disruption connected to a murder that same night?
Sophie struggles throughout the arc of the story, intersecting with a large number of authentic characters in this well-written novel, to a final well-thought-out conclusion. The story is fun, engaging and this reader looks forward to more adventures with Sophie Strong, early Twentieth century girl reporter.
October 10, 2021
Highly recommend!
It’s clear that this book was well-researched. I love it when an author clearly knows what they’re talking about and create a great setting that way. The book is well-written and captures that 1912 historical vibe right from the start. The use of language did take some getting used to, but I mean that in a positive way: it was very 1912 and very fitting. The author paints a pretty picture with her well-chosen words.
Exciting times, but also frustrating, for women especially! The book starts with a political debate about women’s right to vote, and the way it was written, I felt like I was there, rooting for Clara. And the mystery: the twists kept me on the edge of my seat.
It was so clear that this author is a huge fan of history, the details were great! I love history too, I find it interesting, and I do think that anyone else who loves history will also love this book!
It’s clear that this book was well-researched. I love it when an author clearly knows what they’re talking about and create a great setting that way. The book is well-written and captures that 1912 historical vibe right from the start. The use of language did take some getting used to, but I mean that in a positive way: it was very 1912 and very fitting. The author paints a pretty picture with her well-chosen words.
Exciting times, but also frustrating, for women especially! The book starts with a political debate about women’s right to vote, and the way it was written, I felt like I was there, rooting for Clara. And the mystery: the twists kept me on the edge of my seat.
It was so clear that this author is a huge fan of history, the details were great! I love history too, I find it interesting, and I do think that anyone else who loves history will also love this book!
September 21, 2021
Great historical fiction that kept you interested from the start! Details of the era and Milwaukee Brewery family made it more intriguing and interesting character development. Looking forward to the second adventure…
September 6, 2021
(I read an advance copy.) I loved Sophie and her struggles as a woman in the man's world of 1912. Already waiting for book 2...
September 4, 2025
This is the first instalment in the Sophie Strong Mystery series and it’s a great start to the series.
The story takes place in 1912, so in a world that is different from the one I’m used to, the world of the 1920s. Yet some things are already clearly heading that way. This sense of uniqueness, mixed with familiarity, really made me feel at home.
Sophie is a reporter for the Milwaukee Herald, and as a lady reporter, she covers ‘women stuff’. However, she dreams of covering important stories one day. She’s also involved with the suffrage movement, her Aunt Lucy being an important member of the association.
Can’t say I’ve never read such a premise, but I loved how Amy Renshow handles the material. On the one hand, it’s just like you would expect it. But on the other, it surprised me.
Of course, Sophie stumbles upon a murder, of course she wants to investigate, of course she meets a very handsome detective. Yet what I enjoyed about Sophie is her fierce determination. She always acts because she wants to protect the people she loves, but also because she wants to be a great reporter. Honestly, her way of being wild, which at first made me question whether a woman in the 1910s would act like that, in the end, made me think you really needed to be tough and proactive to be a reporter at that time.
To me, the story had very different feelings at the beginning compared to the end.
The beginning took a bit to get going and it felt like it followed a path of the lady reporter in the male world that I had seen before. But then, little by little, the gears shifted. Sophie’s determination started to surface in an ever more personal way, and it built to a conclusion that I loved. Because it’s different, very, very strong, packed with action that, while fast, is also very realistic.
Not an easy fit, especially at the end of a murder mystery.
It was a great read. I think Amy Renshaw found a remarkably personal look at a well-known trope, and a very personal way to tell that kind of story.
The story takes place in 1912, so in a world that is different from the one I’m used to, the world of the 1920s. Yet some things are already clearly heading that way. This sense of uniqueness, mixed with familiarity, really made me feel at home.
Sophie is a reporter for the Milwaukee Herald, and as a lady reporter, she covers ‘women stuff’. However, she dreams of covering important stories one day. She’s also involved with the suffrage movement, her Aunt Lucy being an important member of the association.
Can’t say I’ve never read such a premise, but I loved how Amy Renshow handles the material. On the one hand, it’s just like you would expect it. But on the other, it surprised me.
Of course, Sophie stumbles upon a murder, of course she wants to investigate, of course she meets a very handsome detective. Yet what I enjoyed about Sophie is her fierce determination. She always acts because she wants to protect the people she loves, but also because she wants to be a great reporter. Honestly, her way of being wild, which at first made me question whether a woman in the 1910s would act like that, in the end, made me think you really needed to be tough and proactive to be a reporter at that time.
To me, the story had very different feelings at the beginning compared to the end.
The beginning took a bit to get going and it felt like it followed a path of the lady reporter in the male world that I had seen before. But then, little by little, the gears shifted. Sophie’s determination started to surface in an ever more personal way, and it built to a conclusion that I loved. Because it’s different, very, very strong, packed with action that, while fast, is also very realistic.
Not an easy fit, especially at the end of a murder mystery.
It was a great read. I think Amy Renshaw found a remarkably personal look at a well-known trope, and a very personal way to tell that kind of story.
July 14, 2024
Strong Suspicions: A Sophie Strong Mystery
Amy Renshaw
I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Amy Renshaw. I fell in love with the characters and felt like I was right there with them during all the twists and turns. I love the KINShip between Sophie and her Aunt Lucy, and how the mystery evolves. This book is very well researched. The historic setting in Milwaukee in 1912 adds another layer of interest to the story and is described perfectly with vocabulary and details from that time period.
Highly recommend! Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Amy Renshaw
I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Amy Renshaw. I fell in love with the characters and felt like I was right there with them during all the twists and turns. I love the KINShip between Sophie and her Aunt Lucy, and how the mystery evolves. This book is very well researched. The historic setting in Milwaukee in 1912 adds another layer of interest to the story and is described perfectly with vocabulary and details from that time period.
Highly recommend! Looking forward to the next book in the series.
November 22, 2021
So many good things to say about this excellent historical fiction/mystery. Sophie is, indeed, a strong character ... a young, smart woman living on the bleeding edge of the era of women's suffrage. It might be a temptation for a lesser writer to drift into today's tropes of femiinity, but Renshaw instead puts a fine, strong woman into a carefully-researched, richly detailed world of Milwaukee in 1912. Fine writing, tight plot. A great read.
November 30, 2021
This was a great historical mystery, having felt like it was actually set in 1912. Sophie Strong, our heroine, is a young reporter with the paper in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is stuck with the society column even though she wants the big stories the other male reporters get. Even attending a suffragist debate. One of the speakers used to be a suffragist and is now against women getting the right to vote. She is found murdered and Sophie's friend Clara is the prime suspect in the woman's.
Read
December 6, 2021Exciting even if dated
This story is set when the Suffragettes were fighting for women to have the vote. The heroine, Sophie, was unusual for her generation, since she was the only female reporter employed by the newspaper.
She was sick of writing "women's stories" about recipies and fashions. She wanted to write a front page story! And she did, even if it meant she was almost killed twice.
I found it to be very enjoyable.
This story is set when the Suffragettes were fighting for women to have the vote. The heroine, Sophie, was unusual for her generation, since she was the only female reporter employed by the newspaper.
She was sick of writing "women's stories" about recipies and fashions. She wanted to write a front page story! And she did, even if it meant she was almost killed twice.
I found it to be very enjoyable.
October 23, 2021
Not my usual mystery that I read but I decided to give it a shot. Guess what? I really enjoyed it! I enjoyed the historical view of the fight for women’s rights. It added a level of difficulty to solving the mystery for Sophie that would not be there in a modern mystery. I look forward to Sophie’s next case. Should be exciting!
November 21, 2021
What a mystery. What a book!
I found this well written to be intriguing and suspensful. It was a terrific read. The characters are well defined and easy to follow. There are many twists and turns that will keep you coming back for. I seriously hope it will become a series.I love the State of Wisconsin and it's history.I learned a little more reading the book. Deborah Lavery
I found this well written to be intriguing and suspensful. It was a terrific read. The characters are well defined and easy to follow. There are many twists and turns that will keep you coming back for. I seriously hope it will become a series.I love the State of Wisconsin and it's history.I learned a little more reading the book. Deborah Lavery
October 20, 2021
Totally delightful! I love the historical setting. Wonderful period of American history and the author blends her plot and characters perfectly into the times.
I would definitely follow further adventures of this protagonist! Great book.
I would definitely follow further adventures of this protagonist! Great book.
December 30, 2021
Great mystery.
This was a well written book. Strong interesting characters with a twisty plot. Well documented historical information scattered throughout. Murder mystery and mayhem, and maybe romance? Will have to get next book to continue Sophie 's story.
This was a well written book. Strong interesting characters with a twisty plot. Well documented historical information scattered throughout. Murder mystery and mayhem, and maybe romance? Will have to get next book to continue Sophie 's story.
February 23, 2022
I enjoyed getting to know Sophie Strong and her friends and family. This novel touched on a number of historical events and mores of the Era. The descriptions of Milwaukee in the early 1900's inspired me to want to read more about it. The story was good and the characters well developed.
January 19, 2022
A Mystery of a Byline
The characters are believable and the storyline is unique. I especially appreciate the obvious research done about Milwaukee in 1912. Well done Amy
The characters are believable and the storyline is unique. I especially appreciate the obvious research done about Milwaukee in 1912. Well done Amy
October 11, 2021
📰 Strong Suspicions 📰
A Sophie Strong Mystery
Sophie Strong Mysteries Book 1
✒️ Amy Renshaw
https://m.facebook.com/amyrenshawauthor/
Release Date 09/09/2021
Publisher Lilac Bower Media
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C3YFB7C/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
A notorious woman is murdered, and reporter Sophie Strong stumbles onto the story. Does she have what it takes to find the killer before it’s too late?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 1912: As the only female reporter at the Milwaukee Herald, twenty-two-year-old Sophie Strong is thrilled when she’s invited to cover the party of the season. Soon she’s swept into the opulent world of the city’s wealthy brewing families. But before she can even get to her typewriter, she discovers a murder victim. The intriguing Detective Jacob Zimmer warns her to leave sleuthing to the police, while Sophie’s editor insists she focus on tea parties and fashion shows. But when her friend and fellow suffragist Clara Elliot comes under suspicion, Sophie is determined to uncover the truth—even if she risks her own life along the way. Check out this historical mystery sure to intrigue fans of Rhys Bowen, Alyssa Maxwell, and Victoria Thompson.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will her quest for the truth put her on the path of the murderer …
As I have lately read more and more historical mystery, I could not pass this opportunity to read a first in a new series, plus it is the debut novel of Amy Renshaw. Nothing better than to follow a new author from its first foray into the publishing world.
As a first in a series, the pace is not hurried, taking the time to establish the elements of what will be the core of the series. It will turn obviously around the title character as the story is told from her point of view, still it is with the help of some persons she will solve this case, as she will learn to her own expenses, working alone is not without risks and can be not only painful but silly.
So around her revolve her aunt, the woman who raised her when she was orphaned, Sam the street urchin who sells the newspapers, Jacob Zimmer the detective who has charge of the murder and Benjamin Turner a colleague, and maybe for later Ruth, her roommate of a medical student.
The case is rather screwy and well knitted, with all the false leads, unexpected clues, safety threatening, the too obvious culprit, and a heroine who runs straight into danger to glue you to the pages.
Sophie is a young woman of her time, she is born during a period of big changes, and she wants to profit of them even if as a woman, everything is twice as much difficult, so she is a feminist in the core, and has to deal with the sexism of her work place(she is good only for reporting party, fashion…) and the world as a working woman. Still, by willing to stand for herself, she runs right into harm, plus I found her a bit blind to the clues she finds and much too focused on the culprit of her choice when there was an other much more obvious.
Still the author with her debut novel offers us a complex well researched and compelling story with an intriguing heroine who is taught the hard way she will have to be more thoughtful and asking for help is not a weakness.
As a historical romance reader, I wonder if there will be something between Sophie and Jacob, as sparks seem to fly around them, even if they appear to be as much bickering than mooning over the other.
4.5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 none but assault attempt.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CU4jW6-j6...
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
#bookstagram #historicalfiction #suspense #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #historicalmystery #bookblogger #2021read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
A Sophie Strong Mystery
Sophie Strong Mysteries Book 1
✒️ Amy Renshaw
https://m.facebook.com/amyrenshawauthor/
Release Date 09/09/2021
Publisher Lilac Bower Media
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C3YFB7C/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
A notorious woman is murdered, and reporter Sophie Strong stumbles onto the story. Does she have what it takes to find the killer before it’s too late?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, May 1912: As the only female reporter at the Milwaukee Herald, twenty-two-year-old Sophie Strong is thrilled when she’s invited to cover the party of the season. Soon she’s swept into the opulent world of the city’s wealthy brewing families. But before she can even get to her typewriter, she discovers a murder victim. The intriguing Detective Jacob Zimmer warns her to leave sleuthing to the police, while Sophie’s editor insists she focus on tea parties and fashion shows. But when her friend and fellow suffragist Clara Elliot comes under suspicion, Sophie is determined to uncover the truth—even if she risks her own life along the way. Check out this historical mystery sure to intrigue fans of Rhys Bowen, Alyssa Maxwell, and Victoria Thompson.
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will her quest for the truth put her on the path of the murderer …
As I have lately read more and more historical mystery, I could not pass this opportunity to read a first in a new series, plus it is the debut novel of Amy Renshaw. Nothing better than to follow a new author from its first foray into the publishing world.
As a first in a series, the pace is not hurried, taking the time to establish the elements of what will be the core of the series. It will turn obviously around the title character as the story is told from her point of view, still it is with the help of some persons she will solve this case, as she will learn to her own expenses, working alone is not without risks and can be not only painful but silly.
So around her revolve her aunt, the woman who raised her when she was orphaned, Sam the street urchin who sells the newspapers, Jacob Zimmer the detective who has charge of the murder and Benjamin Turner a colleague, and maybe for later Ruth, her roommate of a medical student.
The case is rather screwy and well knitted, with all the false leads, unexpected clues, safety threatening, the too obvious culprit, and a heroine who runs straight into danger to glue you to the pages.
Sophie is a young woman of her time, she is born during a period of big changes, and she wants to profit of them even if as a woman, everything is twice as much difficult, so she is a feminist in the core, and has to deal with the sexism of her work place(she is good only for reporting party, fashion…) and the world as a working woman. Still, by willing to stand for herself, she runs right into harm, plus I found her a bit blind to the clues she finds and much too focused on the culprit of her choice when there was an other much more obvious.
Still the author with her debut novel offers us a complex well researched and compelling story with an intriguing heroine who is taught the hard way she will have to be more thoughtful and asking for help is not a weakness.
As a historical romance reader, I wonder if there will be something between Sophie and Jacob, as sparks seem to fly around them, even if they appear to be as much bickering than mooning over the other.
4.5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 none but assault attempt.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CU4jW6-j6...
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
#bookstagram #historicalfiction #suspense #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #historicalmystery #bookblogger #2021read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
March 21, 2023
Sophie Strong supports women gaining the right to vote and writing pieces for the local paper that are true and of interest to the readers. Of course, as a woman, she gets to write fluff pieces about local events and share recipes and tips for removing stains. Then she finds herself in the middle of a front page story when she discovers the body of a major opponent to the cause of women's suffrage right outside her aunt's office. As she pursues the story for the dual purposes of reporting the facts and proving the innocence of two women she esteems, she meets the sergeant in charge of the case. His assertion that continuing her investigation may be dangerous to her health. Will she discover the murderer before they decide she is too great of a liability?
The story immerses the reader in a world where women are fighting to gain the right to vote despite being considered less capable. Of course, this meant the first couple of chapters seemed more like reading a pamphlet on the subject that a novel, but I feel it redeemed itself in the end.
The story immerses the reader in a world where women are fighting to gain the right to vote despite being considered less capable. Of course, this meant the first couple of chapters seemed more like reading a pamphlet on the subject that a novel, but I feel it redeemed itself in the end.
October 8, 2023
Amy Renshaw has knocked it out of the park with this historical cozey mystery with a shot of murder. I just can't think of any other way to describe how fabulous the characters are and how cunning and intriguing this historical mystery is. During the early days of the surrogate women and the struggles they faced within their own world of women against women and against the dominant males. The heroine is one fearless budding news reporter So many fractions resembling todays struggles this book reads like history in the making mirrored in today. I don't think many reviews can give it justice, it's that well written historically accurate and a mystery full of twists, turns and secrets of betrayal in many different ways. Acquire " Strong Suspicions " book one in Sophie Strong Mysteries for hours of unfathomable intrigue and enjoyable entertainment. It's a read that will be hard to put down once you've begun reading it. Kat
June 5, 2024
Strong Suspicions introduces us to the protagonist Sophie Strong, a journalist and a forward-thinking woman. She has been raised believing in equality for the sexes and is keen to show how she can excel in journalism if given tasks other than fluff pieces to write about. The chance to prove herself comes when she discovers a murder. This opportunity is not without its pitfalls as a murder investigation is much more dangerous to report than fashion. Detective Jacob Zimmer tries to dissuade her from the job but he keeps an eye on her progress. A fellow journalist also takes a keen interest in her investigation especially as it could hamper his own agenda. I'm looking forward to seeing how all these friendships play out as the series develops.
I loved how the writer wove aspects of social history into the story. The period is fascinating and Milwaukee is an exciting new setting to me.
There were a few shocks towards the end and the tension and suspense had me on tenterhooks. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. This was a thrilling introduction to the series and I'm looking forward to starting book two.
I loved how the writer wove aspects of social history into the story. The period is fascinating and Milwaukee is an exciting new setting to me.
There were a few shocks towards the end and the tension and suspense had me on tenterhooks. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. This was a thrilling introduction to the series and I'm looking forward to starting book two.
May 25, 2023
Sophie Strong wants to be a real reporter in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but in 1912 she’s relegated to writing fluff pieces for women—fashion, parties, and homemaking. She’s invited to cover the party of the season put on by the city’s wealthy brewing families. The party is broken up my a gang critical of the brewers' anti union stance. Besides the city's influential brewers, the suffrage movement is becomes intertwined when the local leader of the anti-suffrage cause is found murdered. When Sophie's friend, the local pro-suffrage leader, becomes the chief suspect, Sophie seeks to prove her innocence.
September 26, 2024
I strongly recommend this book. A great read. Sophie Strong is the only woman reporter at the newspaper & gets an invitation to a Gala at the home of Ruben & Thelma Wolff, very rich people. Interrupted by some men throwing fire around. Then Sophie going to get something from the office of a friend comes across the body of a dead woman. Against everyone telling her not to get involved, she does. Gets herself into trouble a few times, too!
January 8, 2022
2.5 stars. I felt like it was slow and hard to stay interested. I actually had to put the book down and a read a different book about half way through because I needed something more interesting. I came back to this one in hopes it would pick up but it just didn't do it for me. I liked the time period and the historical part of the story though.
March 4, 2023
Slow at first But great going forward
Strong Suspicions offers really good historical fiction. I felt it a little slow to start, but the entrance of Sam & Harry made all the difference. Super good ending. Most enjoyable!
Strong Suspicions offers really good historical fiction. I felt it a little slow to start, but the entrance of Sam & Harry made all the difference. Super good ending. Most enjoyable!
May 25, 2023
A WINNER!
A well plotted, well written historical cozy set against the fight for women's right to vote and the looming push for Prohibition. The main character is deftly drawn and very likable. Historical details are woven in without being overwhelming. Don't miss this one.
A well plotted, well written historical cozy set against the fight for women's right to vote and the looming push for Prohibition. The main character is deftly drawn and very likable. Historical details are woven in without being overwhelming. Don't miss this one.
August 12, 2023
Good read
The plot was complicated and full of surprises. Sophie's daring was foolhardy at times for sure, but her instincts were pretty good. Enjoyable twists at the end. Would enjoy more by this author.
The plot was complicated and full of surprises. Sophie's daring was foolhardy at times for sure, but her instincts were pretty good. Enjoyable twists at the end. Would enjoy more by this author.
March 3, 2024
A pleasant historical fiction with plenty of twists and turns. A stubborn protagonist (female journalist), a police officer who is doing his best to thwart her investigation and insight into the early 20th century.
March 5, 2024
Excellent story. Easy to read and follow with unexpected
twists and turns that left me engaged to the very end. I felt connected to the characters as well as the setting. Thoroughly delightful book!
twists and turns that left me engaged to the very end. I felt connected to the characters as well as the setting. Thoroughly delightful book!
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