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Diana Spaulding #2
Fatal as a Fallen Woman
Reporter Diana Spaulding leaves for Denver after hearing that her mother has been accused of murdering her gold-baron father in this wry historical novel. Upon arriving in the Mile-High City, Spaulding must brave opium dens, snooty Denver society, and a crafty murderer to save her mother—all against a backdrop of brothels, immigrant railroad workers, and nouveau-riche gold miners that are almost as engaging as the plot itself. Late-19th-century Denver is explored with precise historical detail as Spaulding uncovers the plot that threatens her mother's life.
274 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
3 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Lynn Emerson
98 books146 followersaka Kaitlyn Dunnett, Kate Emerson, Kaitlyn Gorton
Kathy Lynn Emerson began writing as a child: a newspaper for her dolls and then a rambling adventure series featuring characters from all her favorite television shows. In addition to contemporary, historical and time-travel romance (some written under the pen-name of Kaitlyn Gorton) and historical novels written as Kate Emerson, Kathy has written children's books, non-fiction, short stories, and historical mysteries. She won the Agatha award for mystery nonfiction for How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries. She also writes as Kaitlyn Dunnett.
Kathy Lynn Emerson began writing as a child: a newspaper for her dolls and then a rambling adventure series featuring characters from all her favorite television shows. In addition to contemporary, historical and time-travel romance (some written under the pen-name of Kaitlyn Gorton) and historical novels written as Kate Emerson, Kathy has written children's books, non-fiction, short stories, and historical mysteries. She won the Agatha award for mystery nonfiction for How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries. She also writes as Kaitlyn Dunnett.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 20, 2021
Love the premise of woman reporter going to the wild west of Denver in 1888 to save her mother from a murder charge of killing her father. However, the way she casually sends a short telegraph to fiancée, barges into all sorts of trouble from going into Chinese part of town near dusk to gambling dens to interview people is not creditable. Convoluted mystery involving traveling to several towns, thankfully with her new fiancée before figuring out the mystery.
December 28, 2015
Other than being bull-headed and largely fearless, I didn't get a clear view of who Diana's character was. I enjoyed her relationship with Ben and the interactions with the "soiled doves" but everything was a bit too conveniently-wrapped up in the end for me to love this book. However, I really enjoyed the historical aspects.
February 5, 2022
Fatal as a Fallen Woman by Kathy Lynn Emerson is the second book in the Diana Spaulding mystery series set in 1888 Denver. Independent, modern-thinking Diana Spaulding is a reporter in New York City, on the brink of formally accepting a marriage proposal and moving to Maine (see book 1, ). Her plans are disrupted by startling news - her mother is the prime suspect in her father's murder.
Diana immediately boards a train for Denver, to find out the facts and prove her mother's innocence. Years ago her father disowned Diana when she married her first husband Evan; no love lost there. She's not terribly surprised he was murdered, as he was a ruthless businessman with many enemies. But she is surprised by the life her mother has been living since she and her father divorced.
Diana is surrounded by treachery, unaware of deceit by those she trusts, as she digs for clues into her mother's and father's lives in recent years. She learns many secrets, but more wait to be discovered. As she gets closer to learning the truth, she's in personal danger. Meanwhile it's a constant challenge to fit together the bit and pieces of information she learns, to understand what happened (in the distant past and the recent past) and why.
A fascinating look at life in late-19th-century Colorado for the many layers of society.
Diana immediately boards a train for Denver, to find out the facts and prove her mother's innocence. Years ago her father disowned Diana when she married her first husband Evan; no love lost there. She's not terribly surprised he was murdered, as he was a ruthless businessman with many enemies. But she is surprised by the life her mother has been living since she and her father divorced.
Diana is surrounded by treachery, unaware of deceit by those she trusts, as she digs for clues into her mother's and father's lives in recent years. She learns many secrets, but more wait to be discovered. As she gets closer to learning the truth, she's in personal danger. Meanwhile it's a constant challenge to fit together the bit and pieces of information she learns, to understand what happened (in the distant past and the recent past) and why.
A fascinating look at life in late-19th-century Colorado for the many layers of society.
April 27, 2013
The second of a Diana Spauling mystery series, the story is set in 1888 Colorado. Denver is a boom town populated by rowdy prospectors, ladies of the night and a nouveau riche "high" society. A widow, Diana is a very feisty journalist working in New York. After her mother is accused of her estranged ex-husband's death Diana returns to Colorado to investigate.
September 23, 2014
Once again, a fun read...will be reading this entire series.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews