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Oak Park Village Mystery #1
Murder in the Park
Introducing spirited female sleuth Elizabeth Fairchild in the first of the brilliant new Oak Park village mystery series, set in 1920s Illinois.
June, 1925. Having been widowed in the First World War, Elizabeth Fairchild lives a quiet life at the home of her wealthy parents in genteel Oak Park village, Illinois. Although she does her best to avoid emotional entanglements, determined never to be hurt again, Elizabeth forms a close friendship with gentle Mr Anthony, who owns the local antiques store.
But tragedy strikes when Mr Anthony is found stabbed to death in the alley behind his shop. Why would anyone murder a mild-mannered antiques dealer who simply loved beautiful things? A robbery gone wrong? A gangland execution? Or could it have something to do with the mysterious customer who bought a gold pocket watch from Mr Anthony on the day he died?
When one of her father's oldest friends is accused of the crime, Elizabeth determines to expose the real killer. But her investigations soon attract unwelcome attention. With gangsters moving into the neighbourhood from nearby Chicago, Oak Park is no longer the safe haven it once was. Could Elizabeth be seriously out of her depth?
June, 1925. Having been widowed in the First World War, Elizabeth Fairchild lives a quiet life at the home of her wealthy parents in genteel Oak Park village, Illinois. Although she does her best to avoid emotional entanglements, determined never to be hurt again, Elizabeth forms a close friendship with gentle Mr Anthony, who owns the local antiques store.
But tragedy strikes when Mr Anthony is found stabbed to death in the alley behind his shop. Why would anyone murder a mild-mannered antiques dealer who simply loved beautiful things? A robbery gone wrong? A gangland execution? Or could it have something to do with the mysterious customer who bought a gold pocket watch from Mr Anthony on the day he died?
When one of her father's oldest friends is accused of the crime, Elizabeth determines to expose the real killer. But her investigations soon attract unwelcome attention. With gangsters moving into the neighbourhood from nearby Chicago, Oak Park is no longer the safe haven it once was. Could Elizabeth be seriously out of her depth?
224 pages, Paperback
Published September 27, 2022
58 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Jeanne M. Dams
46 books217 followersJeanne M. Dams lives in South Bend, Indiana. The Body in the Transept, which introduced Dorothy Martin, won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Dams is also the author of Green Grow the Victims and other Hilda Johansson mysteries published by Walker & Company.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 19, 2024
Having never read any books by this author, I was drawn to it by both its appealing cover and its setting in Oak Park. (Full disclosure, I reside in this suburb of Chicago.) Therefore, I eagerly downloaded the ARC when I was approved, and dove into the book at the first chance. As promised, it is a cozy mystery, and the author provides the reader with a real sense of time and place. And the premise of the story, billed as the first in a new series, is benign enough: a wealthy young war widow sets her mind on solving the murder of a local shopkeeper.
Some of my issues with the book are minor, such as the heroine referring to an important (and real) wealthy Oak Park resident as having died 10 years before the year that the book takes place. A quick internet search determined that the historical figure died in 1910, which would have been 15 years prior to the book's setting of June 1925. A mistake such as this, while trivial and not important to the overall story, is easily checked and corrected by careful editing. However, my most significant difficulty with this book is in the author’s unfettered use of the offensive term for black people that begins with the letter N. Disturbing as it was to encounter it in any form, it was especially egregious because it was spelled out completely, with no attempt to temper its racist impact with more ‘acceptable’ versions, such as “n-word” or “n****r”. Although one could argue that the author was having the uncouth vulgarian in the book spew the word repeatedly in an attempt to be historically accurate, I would contend that there are other unsavory terms for various people that the author chose not to employ. Indeed, the protagonist, a young white woman, who was central to the incident that prompted the racial animus, was not called the c-word, though I dare say the foul-mouthed lowlife who used the n-word probably would have called her that term.
As a reference librarian, I am able to research and find many articles discussing the use of the n-word, many of which would not support my objection to the use of the term. Yet I am also a librarian who reviews books, and as such I can call upon the book’s editor to help the author get their point about racial animus across, without resorting to the use of the most emotionally-charged racial slur in our society. Finally, as a human being, I will not be recommending this book to anyone as it stands. Which is a shame, because it otherwise was a gentle read.
Some of my issues with the book are minor, such as the heroine referring to an important (and real) wealthy Oak Park resident as having died 10 years before the year that the book takes place. A quick internet search determined that the historical figure died in 1910, which would have been 15 years prior to the book's setting of June 1925. A mistake such as this, while trivial and not important to the overall story, is easily checked and corrected by careful editing. However, my most significant difficulty with this book is in the author’s unfettered use of the offensive term for black people that begins with the letter N. Disturbing as it was to encounter it in any form, it was especially egregious because it was spelled out completely, with no attempt to temper its racist impact with more ‘acceptable’ versions, such as “n-word” or “n****r”. Although one could argue that the author was having the uncouth vulgarian in the book spew the word repeatedly in an attempt to be historically accurate, I would contend that there are other unsavory terms for various people that the author chose not to employ. Indeed, the protagonist, a young white woman, who was central to the incident that prompted the racial animus, was not called the c-word, though I dare say the foul-mouthed lowlife who used the n-word probably would have called her that term.
As a reference librarian, I am able to research and find many articles discussing the use of the n-word, many of which would not support my objection to the use of the term. Yet I am also a librarian who reviews books, and as such I can call upon the book’s editor to help the author get their point about racial animus across, without resorting to the use of the most emotionally-charged racial slur in our society. Finally, as a human being, I will not be recommending this book to anyone as it stands. Which is a shame, because it otherwise was a gentle read.
March 7, 2022
It’s always something of a challenge to write a heroine who tends to be rather stoic – she can so easily come across as uncaring. But Dams is an experienced author with the long-running Dorothy Martin series under her belt and that sure-footedness shows in her characterisation of Elizabeth and the dynamic within her family.
I really liked how the shock of the murder within the close-knit community shakes Elizabeth up and causes her to rethink her own attitude towards those around her, as well as hardening her determination to not let a flagrant injustice lie. Dams shows just what a gutsy decision that proves to be, as some unsavoury, dangerous people crawl out of the woodwork to try and intimidate her into piping down and accepting the status quo. It had even more heft as Dam’s painstaking research has uncovered that those elements could easily have been living within Oak Park Village at the time.
The setting is very well established. While the book focuses on Elizabeth’s daily routine as a young, wealthy white woman, Dams is unflinching in also featuring the gulf between the haves and have-nots of the time, which I really liked. Often historical whodunits tend to skate over the societal faultlines of the time and kudos to Dams for not taking that comfortable route. As for the whodunit, I won’t pretend that the solution provides a huge surprise – but that isn’t what powers the story. It’s far more about what unrest this murder stirs up, both societally and personally for Elizabeth, which is depicted really successfully making this a memorable and enjoyable story. Highly recommended for fans of historical murder mysteries with a splash of gentle romance and a very well-researched setting. While I obtained an arc of Murder in the Park from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
I really liked how the shock of the murder within the close-knit community shakes Elizabeth up and causes her to rethink her own attitude towards those around her, as well as hardening her determination to not let a flagrant injustice lie. Dams shows just what a gutsy decision that proves to be, as some unsavoury, dangerous people crawl out of the woodwork to try and intimidate her into piping down and accepting the status quo. It had even more heft as Dam’s painstaking research has uncovered that those elements could easily have been living within Oak Park Village at the time.
The setting is very well established. While the book focuses on Elizabeth’s daily routine as a young, wealthy white woman, Dams is unflinching in also featuring the gulf between the haves and have-nots of the time, which I really liked. Often historical whodunits tend to skate over the societal faultlines of the time and kudos to Dams for not taking that comfortable route. As for the whodunit, I won’t pretend that the solution provides a huge surprise – but that isn’t what powers the story. It’s far more about what unrest this murder stirs up, both societally and personally for Elizabeth, which is depicted really successfully making this a memorable and enjoyable story. Highly recommended for fans of historical murder mysteries with a splash of gentle romance and a very well-researched setting. While I obtained an arc of Murder in the Park from the publisher via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10
April 29, 2023
I picked up this book because it's about the suburb I live in back in 1925. I learned that there was a women's chapter of the Ku Klux Klan here then which was shocking. But otherwise, the writing was stilted and its handling of Black characters cringe-worthy.
August 6, 2022
There is a reason that “Cozy Crime” got its name. It is the comforting fact that when you read it that no matter how much drama and chaos has ensued for the majority of the novel that the ending will always be satisfactory and you can rest peacefully that the bad guy has been vanquished and the good guys have triumphed. It was because of these tropes that I enjoyed Murder in the Park. I liked knowing where I stand.
Whilst Murder in the Park can be seen as light crime fiction, author Jeanne M. Dams injects it with social issues of the day – recovery from war, loss, grief, social class, racism, gang culture – all are dealt with but without losing the calmness of the genre. Not an easy feat to achieve.
Murder in the Park is not a story that will have a massive impact on your life but it is such an easy read and an enjoyable historical crime novel.
Murder in the Park by Jeanne M. Dams is available now.
Whilst Murder in the Park can be seen as light crime fiction, author Jeanne M. Dams injects it with social issues of the day – recovery from war, loss, grief, social class, racism, gang culture – all are dealt with but without losing the calmness of the genre. Not an easy feat to achieve.
Murder in the Park is not a story that will have a massive impact on your life but it is such an easy read and an enjoyable historical crime novel.
Murder in the Park by Jeanne M. Dams is available now.
July 26, 2022
First in a new series. This is the first book I've read by this author (although I see she has another series of books). I thought the setting of 1920's Oak Parks, IL was interesting, as was the main character of Elizabeth Walker Fairchild. However, I hope in future books Elizabeth breaks away from her parents' home. Overall it was an easy read.
Read
May 6, 2022Can't say exactly why I couldn't read this book. Might have been Elizabeth's ineptness in the kitchen LOL.
January 26, 2022
Elizabeth Fairchild is a young widow having lost both her husband and unborn child during the First World War. She lives in Oak Park, Illinois – a suburb of Chicago with her parents in their upper middle class home. She does all the things society expects of her – charities, social events, church. She also has to deal with a mother who thinks appearances to the ladies in her community are more important than anything. Elizabeth doesn’t as much and that brings up a lot of tension between her and her mother with her father having to play the peacemaker between them.
Elizabeth is upset when Mr. Anthony, a local antiques dealer, is murdered outside his shop the same day that Elizabeth visited him to purchase a birthday gift for her father. She was very fond of Mr. Anthony, but realized she didn’t know him at all when she finds out that his real name was Mr. Antonelli – a man who immigrated to the U.S. from Italy many years before. He had been forced to hide his true identity because people in Oak Park wouldn’t have had anything to do with him had they known he was Italian.
Elizabeth decides that she must find out the truth about his murder when another Italian is arrested for the murder and the police won’t look any further. She enlists the aid of her father, the servants who work in her household, the young man she has been seeing, and other friends to find out what happened to Mr. Antonelli.
I received this book from NetGalley as an advanced reading copy and I want to thank them. This is the beginning of a new series by an author who has had two other series that I know of. For me, the Dorothy Martin series is the one I know best. I have enjoyed those and was glad to be able to read the first in this new one.
This book brings up discrimination, hatred, bigotry, race and so many other issues that we seem to be dealing with today. Elizabeth proves to be brave and determined as she goes up against the mob, the KKK, the bigotry of a local women’s club. I was sorry when this book ended. I really wanted to continue Elizabeth's journey and will look forward to the next installment. I am so willing to recommend it to our library patrons, but I expect those that like her other series will probably find this on their own.
Elizabeth is upset when Mr. Anthony, a local antiques dealer, is murdered outside his shop the same day that Elizabeth visited him to purchase a birthday gift for her father. She was very fond of Mr. Anthony, but realized she didn’t know him at all when she finds out that his real name was Mr. Antonelli – a man who immigrated to the U.S. from Italy many years before. He had been forced to hide his true identity because people in Oak Park wouldn’t have had anything to do with him had they known he was Italian.
Elizabeth decides that she must find out the truth about his murder when another Italian is arrested for the murder and the police won’t look any further. She enlists the aid of her father, the servants who work in her household, the young man she has been seeing, and other friends to find out what happened to Mr. Antonelli.
I received this book from NetGalley as an advanced reading copy and I want to thank them. This is the beginning of a new series by an author who has had two other series that I know of. For me, the Dorothy Martin series is the one I know best. I have enjoyed those and was glad to be able to read the first in this new one.
This book brings up discrimination, hatred, bigotry, race and so many other issues that we seem to be dealing with today. Elizabeth proves to be brave and determined as she goes up against the mob, the KKK, the bigotry of a local women’s club. I was sorry when this book ended. I really wanted to continue Elizabeth's journey and will look forward to the next installment. I am so willing to recommend it to our library patrons, but I expect those that like her other series will probably find this on their own.
July 30, 2025
A library find.
December 2023.
Second read July 2015.
December 2023.
Second read July 2015.
April 8, 2025
***MINOR SPOILERS ***
This book is the first book in the Oak Park Village Mystery series. The author won an Agatha award for best first novel for a different book in a different series.
The story is set in 1925 in Oak Park, Illinois. Elizabeth is the amateur detective who comes from a well to do family that has black servants. She married young and her husband died in WWI. She was pregnant at the time and lost the baby and suffered from depression. During this story, she begins to live again. She is seeing a lawyer, reconnects with a friend, and is motivated to solve the mystery.
At the beginning of the story, she finds out an older shopkeeper with whom she shares a love of antiques has been murdered. Because he is Italian and Catholic, it is likely that the police will not look too hard for a suspect. Elizabeth decides to ask a few questions. In doing so, she draws the ire of someone covering up the murder.
The tension builds as Elizabeth decides to rile up the gangsters and the women’s KKK (Walosas) against each other in order to find out who the murderer was. It was a clever strategy that showed an intelligence about societal influences at the time. The idea of it seemed a little like Monday morning quarterbacking as some things are clearer when you look back at them than when they are happening.
Lucy, the aunt of the man she is seeing, is a terrific secondary character. I liked her very much.
Elizabeth has several realizations about herself during the book.
The book is overly dramatic in spots.
The author has done some good research into life in Oak Park and the surrounding Chicago area at the time. Ravinia, a summer music series that continues to today is mentioned. It is Prohibition and the gangsters are trying to make money. The author includes Ernest Hemingway’s mother as a secondary character which was interesting.
This is the first book I have read by the author. I probably will not continue reading the series, but I did like the idea of it. I gave it 4 stars instead of 3 because of the research into Oak Park history.
This book is the first book in the Oak Park Village Mystery series. The author won an Agatha award for best first novel for a different book in a different series.
The story is set in 1925 in Oak Park, Illinois. Elizabeth is the amateur detective who comes from a well to do family that has black servants. She married young and her husband died in WWI. She was pregnant at the time and lost the baby and suffered from depression. During this story, she begins to live again. She is seeing a lawyer, reconnects with a friend, and is motivated to solve the mystery.
At the beginning of the story, she finds out an older shopkeeper with whom she shares a love of antiques has been murdered. Because he is Italian and Catholic, it is likely that the police will not look too hard for a suspect. Elizabeth decides to ask a few questions. In doing so, she draws the ire of someone covering up the murder.
The tension builds as Elizabeth decides to rile up the gangsters and the women’s KKK (Walosas) against each other in order to find out who the murderer was. It was a clever strategy that showed an intelligence about societal influences at the time. The idea of it seemed a little like Monday morning quarterbacking as some things are clearer when you look back at them than when they are happening.
Lucy, the aunt of the man she is seeing, is a terrific secondary character. I liked her very much.
Elizabeth has several realizations about herself during the book.
The book is overly dramatic in spots.
The author has done some good research into life in Oak Park and the surrounding Chicago area at the time. Ravinia, a summer music series that continues to today is mentioned. It is Prohibition and the gangsters are trying to make money. The author includes Ernest Hemingway’s mother as a secondary character which was interesting.
This is the first book I have read by the author. I probably will not continue reading the series, but I did like the idea of it. I gave it 4 stars instead of 3 because of the research into Oak Park history.
November 5, 2022
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Murder in the Park is the opening book in a new historical mystery series set in 1920s Illinois by prolific author Jeanne M. Dams. Released on the 1st Feb 2022 by Severn House, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback released in late Sept 2022. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a beautifully well written and engaging mystery with an appealingly intelligent, if somewhat spoiled, American heiress protagonist. The mystery is wrapped around a framework of actual historical events from the time period, and it's done so well that it's not always clear where real history shades into fiction. The plot is paced satisfyingly and I never felt rushed (or dragged) whilst reading. The mystery itself is well constructed and the dialogue is not clunky or awkward - for the most part (see below).
I do know it's absolutely true to the time period (and it's not used egregiously at all), but the 5 appearances of the "N-word" spelled out in the text bothered me a lot. Readers who are sensitive should be aware of the inclusion. It's a cozy mystery, so the language is PG (with the exception noted above) and the violence occurs mostly off page.
The author is quite adept at her craft and it's clear that she's expended a lot of time and effort on research. I didn't look up -every- setting or mention of historical persons and news items, but the ones that I did were accurate enough.
Four stars. Engaging and very well written.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Murder in the Park is the opening book in a new historical mystery series set in 1920s Illinois by prolific author Jeanne M. Dams. Released on the 1st Feb 2022 by Severn House, it's 208 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback released in late Sept 2022. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a beautifully well written and engaging mystery with an appealingly intelligent, if somewhat spoiled, American heiress protagonist. The mystery is wrapped around a framework of actual historical events from the time period, and it's done so well that it's not always clear where real history shades into fiction. The plot is paced satisfyingly and I never felt rushed (or dragged) whilst reading. The mystery itself is well constructed and the dialogue is not clunky or awkward - for the most part (see below).
I do know it's absolutely true to the time period (and it's not used egregiously at all), but the 5 appearances of the "N-word" spelled out in the text bothered me a lot. Readers who are sensitive should be aware of the inclusion. It's a cozy mystery, so the language is PG (with the exception noted above) and the violence occurs mostly off page.
The author is quite adept at her craft and it's clear that she's expended a lot of time and effort on research. I didn't look up -every- setting or mention of historical persons and news items, but the ones that I did were accurate enough.
Four stars. Engaging and very well written.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
October 31, 2022
This debut novel covers protagonist Elizabeth Fairchild (nee' Walker)'s back story in just three pages then moves straight into her first outing as an amateur sleuth, but at a very leisurely pace. A third of the novel goes by before Liz gets actively involved. Ms. Dams tackles the different mores of the period and generally avoids excessive, anachronistic social justice crusading, but the plot leads her down that path eventually. Liz starts out mainly fuming silently about the views of some narrow-minded Oak Park residents, but open conflict later ensues. If the past could be 'fixed' retroactively by fiction, we'd be living in paradise today. Ms. Dams leisurely writing style helps create period atmosphere which is generally very well done* but also ensures that the plot advances ponderously.** This novel is a rare example of a book that left me neutral. It's not bad, but it never drew me in enough to be eager to finish it. I finally did, though, and can recommend it to those who like period mysteries. I gave it three stars, but I would give it 3.5 if allowed.
* There are a few minor lapses such as Fred warning Liz (pg. 64) that "men from Al Capone's gang live in Oak Park." Some may have, but Cicero was more popular, and the South Side 'organization' was still associated with Johnny 'the Fox' Torrio in June, 1925. Capone was not recognized as its leader until after Torrio left the U.S. for Sicily late that year.
** It's fascinating to compare a contemporary work like this to a mystery novel written by a women at the time, say Mary Roberts Rinehart or Anna Katherine Green, but block out plenty of time. Neither of those authors ever hurried a plot along!
* There are a few minor lapses such as Fred warning Liz (pg. 64) that "men from Al Capone's gang live in Oak Park." Some may have, but Cicero was more popular, and the South Side 'organization' was still associated with Johnny 'the Fox' Torrio in June, 1925. Capone was not recognized as its leader until after Torrio left the U.S. for Sicily late that year.
** It's fascinating to compare a contemporary work like this to a mystery novel written by a women at the time, say Mary Roberts Rinehart or Anna Katherine Green, but block out plenty of time. Neither of those authors ever hurried a plot along!
November 1, 2024
Elizabeth Fairchild is a privileged young woman living at home in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1925 with her overbearing mother and loving but dominated father and is tended to by caring household servants. Elizabeth was widowed at the end of the Great War and then lost the couple’s only child, causing her to retreat into an aloof existence at home, leaving the house rarely, for pursuits like church choir and philanthropy. When a local antiques dealer who is one of Elizabeth’s few friends outside the family is murdered, outrage propels her out of her shell to seek justice.
Oak Park comes alive as Elizabeth follows leads, with nods to its famous sons Ernest Hemingway and Frank Lloyd Wright, and the rising Prohibition-era influence of Al Capone and the Chicago mob. Elizabeth is determined to right a wrong and finds that her educated, enlightened attitudes towards people of color and for religious tolerance are not shared by all, with the narrative presenting nuanced explanations of sensitivities and intolerances of the time that are instrumental to Elizabeth’s search for the truth. She is portrayed with a breezy politeness as proper as her servings of lemon cookies and tea, and there is a comfortable rhythm to her character arc. Her investigation gathers momentum, and Elizabeth blossoms with her household capabilities (beloved house servant Susannah teaches her how to make coffee and boil potatoes among other kitchen tasks), reengages with a former best friend, enters into a slow-burn romance, and doggedly drives her search to conclusion. Author Jeanne Dams is a prolific mystery writer, most notably with her Dorothy Martin series.
Oak Park comes alive as Elizabeth follows leads, with nods to its famous sons Ernest Hemingway and Frank Lloyd Wright, and the rising Prohibition-era influence of Al Capone and the Chicago mob. Elizabeth is determined to right a wrong and finds that her educated, enlightened attitudes towards people of color and for religious tolerance are not shared by all, with the narrative presenting nuanced explanations of sensitivities and intolerances of the time that are instrumental to Elizabeth’s search for the truth. She is portrayed with a breezy politeness as proper as her servings of lemon cookies and tea, and there is a comfortable rhythm to her character arc. Her investigation gathers momentum, and Elizabeth blossoms with her household capabilities (beloved house servant Susannah teaches her how to make coffee and boil potatoes among other kitchen tasks), reengages with a former best friend, enters into a slow-burn romance, and doggedly drives her search to conclusion. Author Jeanne Dams is a prolific mystery writer, most notably with her Dorothy Martin series.
October 8, 2022
Wealthy, privileged Elizabeth Fairchild must find a way out of the crippling grief that has kept her close to home and make a new life for herself. When a local antiques dealer is murdered, she feels compelled to find the killer and clear the name of the music teacher wrongly accused of the crime. But her efforts put Elizabeth in the cross hairs of the Chicago mob and hate groups intolerant of immigrants, other religions, and racial minorities. Fearless sometimes to the point of being foolhardy, Elizabeth navigates threats to her safety in search of a murderer as well as the vulnerability of opening herself up to new personal relationships.
A strong independent streak, sense of fairness, and pursuit of justice, make the protagonist of this series a breath of fresh air. As a modern woman, Elizabeth rejects the constraints of her overbearing mother's beliefs to embrace equality, taking a stand for what is right and advocating for those less fortunate. She is the type of character one roots for as she finds her footing, with anticipation of what is to come in subsequent installments.Grace Hemingway--Ernest's mother--plays an active role in the plot as a neighbor, and it will be interesting to see if Mrs. Hemingway continues in the story line going forward. Yet another reason to await book two in the series.
A strong independent streak, sense of fairness, and pursuit of justice, make the protagonist of this series a breath of fresh air. As a modern woman, Elizabeth rejects the constraints of her overbearing mother's beliefs to embrace equality, taking a stand for what is right and advocating for those less fortunate. She is the type of character one roots for as she finds her footing, with anticipation of what is to come in subsequent installments.Grace Hemingway--Ernest's mother--plays an active role in the plot as a neighbor, and it will be interesting to see if Mrs. Hemingway continues in the story line going forward. Yet another reason to await book two in the series.
April 6, 2022
A new series by an author who has penned more than 30 mysteries. Upper class Oak Park, Illinois is the setting and the year is 1925.
June, 1925. Having been widowed in the First World War, Elizabeth Fairchild lives a quiet life at the home of her wealthy parents in genteel Oak Park village, Illinois. Although she does her best to avoid emotional entanglements, determined never to be hurt again, Elizabeth forms a close friendship with gentle Mr Anthony, who owns the local antiques store.
But tragedy strikes when Mr Anthony is found stabbed to death in the alley behind his shop. Why would anyone murder a mild-mannered antiques dealer who simply loved beautiful things? A robbery gone wrong? A gangland execution? Or could it have something to do with the mysterious customer who bought a gold pocket watch from Mr Anthony on the day he died?
When one of her father's oldest friends is accused of the crime, Elizabeth determines to expose the real killer. But her investigations soon attract unwelcome attention. With gangsters moving into the neighbourhood from nearby Chicago, Oak Park is no longer the safe haven it once was. Could Elizabeth be seriously out of her depth?
June, 1925. Having been widowed in the First World War, Elizabeth Fairchild lives a quiet life at the home of her wealthy parents in genteel Oak Park village, Illinois. Although she does her best to avoid emotional entanglements, determined never to be hurt again, Elizabeth forms a close friendship with gentle Mr Anthony, who owns the local antiques store.
But tragedy strikes when Mr Anthony is found stabbed to death in the alley behind his shop. Why would anyone murder a mild-mannered antiques dealer who simply loved beautiful things? A robbery gone wrong? A gangland execution? Or could it have something to do with the mysterious customer who bought a gold pocket watch from Mr Anthony on the day he died?
When one of her father's oldest friends is accused of the crime, Elizabeth determines to expose the real killer. But her investigations soon attract unwelcome attention. With gangsters moving into the neighbourhood from nearby Chicago, Oak Park is no longer the safe haven it once was. Could Elizabeth be seriously out of her depth?
January 8, 2022
A captivating murder mystery set in Chicago's wealthy Oak Park Village during the Roaring Twenties and where racial discriminations and ethnic
tensions threaten to shatter its urban peacefulness following the murder of a beloved local antique dealer.
A compelling whodunit who introduces us to a highly spirited young war widow named Elizabeth Fairchild as she single-mindedly and courageously tries to untangle the various threads behind that violent and callous crime.
A stunning historical portrait of the great Windy City during the eventful and rather tumultuous years of the Prohibition Era when unscrupulous Italian mobsters, despicable KKK bigots and dubious law enforcement shenanigans constantly left Chicago very vulnerable to some potentially dangerous civil unrest.
Blessed with a vast cast of perfectly drawn characters, sparkling dialogues and lots of delicious historical details, it shouldn't be too difficult for this delightful novel to acquire the readership it so rightly deserves
Many thanks to Netgalley and Canongate/Severn House for this terrific ARC
tensions threaten to shatter its urban peacefulness following the murder of a beloved local antique dealer.
A compelling whodunit who introduces us to a highly spirited young war widow named Elizabeth Fairchild as she single-mindedly and courageously tries to untangle the various threads behind that violent and callous crime.
A stunning historical portrait of the great Windy City during the eventful and rather tumultuous years of the Prohibition Era when unscrupulous Italian mobsters, despicable KKK bigots and dubious law enforcement shenanigans constantly left Chicago very vulnerable to some potentially dangerous civil unrest.
Blessed with a vast cast of perfectly drawn characters, sparkling dialogues and lots of delicious historical details, it shouldn't be too difficult for this delightful novel to acquire the readership it so rightly deserves
Many thanks to Netgalley and Canongate/Severn House for this terrific ARC
July 18, 2024
I received this book from NetGalley as an advanced reading copy and I want to thank them. This is the beginning of a new series by an author who has had two other series that I know of. For me, the Dorothy Martin series is the one I know best. I have enjoyed those and was glad to be able to read the first in this new one. This book brings up discrimination, hatred, bigotry, race and so many other issues that we seem to be dealing with today. Elizabeth proves to be brave and determined as she goes up against the mob, the KKK, the bigotry of a local women’s club. I was sorry when this book ended. I really wanted to continue Elizabeth's journey and will look forward to the next installment. I am so willing to recommend it to our library patrons, but I expect those that like her other series will probably find this on their own.
February 11, 2022
My thanks to Jeanne M Dams, Severn Publishing and Net Galley for the ARC of MURDER IN THE PARK.
A well-written story with a delightful protagonist that kept me reading. Set in 1925, an era I love to read about, Elizabeth Fairchild has been widowed in the war and continues to grieve for her lost husband. She has shut herself away from others, but because of her kind and generous nature, gives to charity and helps those less fortunate. When Mr Anthonelly, the local antique dealer, is murdered she is bereft. He was one of the people in the town she could call a friend, so she sets out to discover who took his life. Set against a backdrop of racial prejudice, restrictive societal mores, and the rise of The Mob and the KKK, this story shows how kindness and caring can win.
A well-written story with a delightful protagonist that kept me reading. Set in 1925, an era I love to read about, Elizabeth Fairchild has been widowed in the war and continues to grieve for her lost husband. She has shut herself away from others, but because of her kind and generous nature, gives to charity and helps those less fortunate. When Mr Anthonelly, the local antique dealer, is murdered she is bereft. He was one of the people in the town she could call a friend, so she sets out to discover who took his life. Set against a backdrop of racial prejudice, restrictive societal mores, and the rise of The Mob and the KKK, this story shows how kindness and caring can win.
February 19, 2022
An engaging heroine and an interesting setting, as well as a suitably twisty mystery make this a good read. It's 1925 and Elizabeth, a widow, is living with her parent in Oak Park Illinois, doing good works and she's a bit bored. Then Mr. Anthony, who owns a local antique store is murdered. When the fact that he was really Mr. Antonelli, an immigrant from Italy, comes out, the police arrest another Italian man and close the case. But Elizabeth doesn't. She engages her family, the family staff, and her friends to get the truth and it turns out there's a very dark side to Oak Park,. No spoilers from me. I liked that Dams incorporated period social issues into the plot, which zips along. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. For fans of historical cozies.
March 4, 2022
Clever new series; Elizabeth Walker Fairchild is a great new character.
This book takes place in the 1920's in Oak Park, Illinois outside of Chicago. Elizabeth Fairchild lives with her wealthy parents, Mildred and Kenneth Walker. She was married for a very short time and then her husband was killed at the end of WWI and she lost her baby shortly thereafter. Although her parents would like her to marry again, she is reticent to take on a new relationship. She has made friend's with the antique dealer, Mr. Antonelli, nearby. When she finds he has been stabbed, she tries to help the family as well as to find the killer. The police almost immediately arrest Mr. Briggs, a friend of Mr. Antonelli and Elizabeth's father. Elizabeth's trying to help Mr. Antonelli and Mr. Briggs and their families seem to have put Elizabeth in danger. There are two groups in Oak Park to be afraid of - one is the Ku Klux Klan, known as the Walosa's, who are wealthy folks who are afraid of anyone not like themselves, such as blacks, Italians, gangsters and Catholics, and the other is the gangsters.
Elizabeth has another friend in lawyer, Fred Wilkins. She doesn't want to get too close to him because of the death of her husband, but they go to operas together. Her mother doesn't think he's good enough for her. However, Fred helps her in her efforts to find Mr. Antonello's murderer.
When Elizabeth earns the attention of the gang and might be in danger from her sleuthing, Fred's Aunt Lucy invites her to stay with them. Elizabeth quickly bonds with Aunt Lucy and begins to learn to cook from her. It's the black maid Susannah who finally provides a crucial clue she picked up at the Baptist church, which leads the way to the solving of the murder.
I thank Netgalley and Severn House who provided me with an ARC to read in order for me to write an honest review.
This book takes place in the 1920's in Oak Park, Illinois outside of Chicago. Elizabeth Fairchild lives with her wealthy parents, Mildred and Kenneth Walker. She was married for a very short time and then her husband was killed at the end of WWI and she lost her baby shortly thereafter. Although her parents would like her to marry again, she is reticent to take on a new relationship. She has made friend's with the antique dealer, Mr. Antonelli, nearby. When she finds he has been stabbed, she tries to help the family as well as to find the killer. The police almost immediately arrest Mr. Briggs, a friend of Mr. Antonelli and Elizabeth's father. Elizabeth's trying to help Mr. Antonelli and Mr. Briggs and their families seem to have put Elizabeth in danger. There are two groups in Oak Park to be afraid of - one is the Ku Klux Klan, known as the Walosa's, who are wealthy folks who are afraid of anyone not like themselves, such as blacks, Italians, gangsters and Catholics, and the other is the gangsters.
Elizabeth has another friend in lawyer, Fred Wilkins. She doesn't want to get too close to him because of the death of her husband, but they go to operas together. Her mother doesn't think he's good enough for her. However, Fred helps her in her efforts to find Mr. Antonello's murderer.
When Elizabeth earns the attention of the gang and might be in danger from her sleuthing, Fred's Aunt Lucy invites her to stay with them. Elizabeth quickly bonds with Aunt Lucy and begins to learn to cook from her. It's the black maid Susannah who finally provides a crucial clue she picked up at the Baptist church, which leads the way to the solving of the murder.
I thank Netgalley and Severn House who provided me with an ARC to read in order for me to write an honest review.
April 2, 2022
This is the first installment in a new mystery series. The strength of the story was in the description of the social milieu in the 1920’s Oak Park, Illinois, rife with racism and mobsters. Elizabeth was widowed at the end of WWI, and has tried to cut herself off from emotion and feelings. Fred is a local lawyer who befriended Elizabeth, but has also fallen for her. When Elizabeth’s friend, Mr. Anthony is found murdered, Elizabeth embarks in solving the mystery while she uncovers the hatred and racism that existed during that time, including the division between the Italian Catholics and the WASPs. I look forward to another in the series, off to a great start. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
May 21, 2022
This is a new series from Ms Dams. Set in Oak Park, IL in the twenties, Elizabeth is a post war widow who lives with her wealthy parents. She is much more liberal than her high society mother and is constantly clashing with her. She gets along just fine with her school-teacher father. Her values are tested when a local shopkeeper is murdered. She was very friendly with him and was surprised to learn that he was Italian. Blacks and Italians were considered lower class and not to be associated with socially. But Elizabeth decides to help out his family by finding the real killer. She is helped out in this endeavor by Mrs Hemingway, and by her male friend Fred. It's very entertaining and quite well done.
April 25, 2022
Girls Own Paper meets Mills and Boon versus Agatha Christie ! Christie loses terribly!
This book cannot make up its mind as to whether it is a twee romance, a treatise on manners in 1920s Chicago, an attempt to be a searing indictment of racism or a murder mystery. It fails miserably on all four.
The characters are one dimensional stereotypes, the plot is wafer thin and the final denouement is laughable. I initially thought that this had been written in the 1930s because of the coy style of writing but no it was written in 2021 and is purported to be the first of a series. God help us. Let's hope any future books in the series come out digitally to avoid wasting valuable trees@
This book cannot make up its mind as to whether it is a twee romance, a treatise on manners in 1920s Chicago, an attempt to be a searing indictment of racism or a murder mystery. It fails miserably on all four.
The characters are one dimensional stereotypes, the plot is wafer thin and the final denouement is laughable. I initially thought that this had been written in the 1930s because of the coy style of writing but no it was written in 2021 and is purported to be the first of a series. God help us. Let's hope any future books in the series come out digitally to avoid wasting valuable trees@
May 23, 2022
2.5 Stars
In 1925, widowed and wealthy Elizabeth lives with her wealthy parents in a wealthy neighborhood. She forms a close bond with the owner of an antiques store. When he's found stabbed to death, she is determined to find the killer and find justice for her shopkeeper friend.
I really can't find anything to like about this book. I read reviews in Amazon and Goodreads and most seemed to enjoy it. I didn't like privileged Elizabeth and the characters were all so one dimensional. For a murder mystery, it was not the least bit suspenseful with the resolution a letdown.
2022(24)
In 1925, widowed and wealthy Elizabeth lives with her wealthy parents in a wealthy neighborhood. She forms a close bond with the owner of an antiques store. When he's found stabbed to death, she is determined to find the killer and find justice for her shopkeeper friend.
I really can't find anything to like about this book. I read reviews in Amazon and Goodreads and most seemed to enjoy it. I didn't like privileged Elizabeth and the characters were all so one dimensional. For a murder mystery, it was not the least bit suspenseful with the resolution a letdown.
2022(24)
January 20, 2024
I would have liked to have given this book a higher rating. I was interested in the story because I live in Oak Park, Il and Pleasant Home is my next door neighbor. All the street names and buildings mentioned in the story are familiar to me.
However, the characters in the story were interesting and I felt Elizabeth talked a good story about her progressive ideas, she in fact was just a rich snob. She tried to be wise and sharing but it came across as superficial and fake. The author could have made the book more about the mystery of the murder and solving the crime, and less about Elizabeth.
However, the characters in the story were interesting and I felt Elizabeth talked a good story about her progressive ideas, she in fact was just a rich snob. She tried to be wise and sharing but it came across as superficial and fake. The author could have made the book more about the mystery of the murder and solving the crime, and less about Elizabeth.
March 5, 2022
This the excellent start of a new historical mystery series. It's compelling, gripping, and well written.
Elizabeth is a fascinating character and I loved her character arc and how she started to live again accepting and managing her grief.
The historical background is detailed and well researched, the mystery solid and full of twists.
I loved the storytelling and can't wait to read the next book
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Elizabeth is a fascinating character and I loved her character arc and how she started to live again accepting and managing her grief.
The historical background is detailed and well researched, the mystery solid and full of twists.
I loved the storytelling and can't wait to read the next book
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
May 10, 2022
This interesting mystery is set in the 1920s Oak Park suburb of Chicago. When a kind and friendly antiques dealer is murdered young widow, Elizabeth Fairchild, is determined to find his killer. It might prove dangerous as the victim is of Italian ancestry and, with a local chapter of the KKK as one of the potential suspects, not to mention Italian mobsters, she could be risking her life. The author does a good job of describing the underlying, and sometimes blatant racism, in this affluent suburb. Oak Park is also the one-time home of both Ernest Hemingway and Frank Lloyd Wright.
October 21, 2023
Probably 3.5 stars. 1925, Oak Park, Illinois, has few of the problems of its larger neighbor, Chicago, so residents are shocked when a local business owner is murdered. Young widow Elizabeth Fairchild considered Mr. Anthony a friend, but is surprised to learn he was actually Italian. But when the police arrest a local teacher, for apparently no other reason that he, too, is part Italian, Elizabeth is jolted out of her complacency and determined to do something, despite all the warnings she receives. Very interesting and intriguing view of an unfamiliar time and place.
March 20, 2022
I’ve read all of this author’s books including the Hilda Johansson series and the Dorothy Martin series. I was happy to see that she has debuted a new historical fiction series. I found these characters likable and well rounded. The plot was interesting with a twist at the end. Ms Dams’ books usually have a sense of history, and social injustices of the past are made relevant to our society today. While the books are cozies, they are also thought provoking and well researched.
August 31, 2022
Agnes Sligh Turnbull meets modern storytelling. The author has a been able to capture the style of 1920's writing while edging in a bit of 21st century mindset. Though of course, human nature hasn't changed that much and the same sorts of people existed then as now. I was unfamiliar with the Walosas by name if not by behavior.
September 2, 2022
Fun light quick read set in the 1920s. Had lots if interesting things about Oak Park, Illinois that I never knew even after living there for 40 years. The book made me research more about them. Loved the gentle style murder mystery - Agatha Christie style. Looking forward to her next in a series mystery set in Oak Park.
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