Description (from cover):
‘It’s 1927 in Galveston, Texas–the ‘Sin City of the Southwest.’ Jasmine (‘Jazz’) Cross is an ambitious 21-year-old society reported for the Galveston Gazette who tries to be taken seriously by the good-old boy staff, but the editors only assign her fluffy puff pieces, like writing profiles of bathing beauties. The last thing Jazz wants to do is compare make-up tips with ditzy dames competing in the Miss Universe contest, known as the ‘International Pageant of Pulchritude and Bathing Girl Revue.’
She’d rather help solve the murders of young prostitutes who turn up all over town, but city officials insist on burying the stories during Splash Day festivities. After Jazz gets to know the bathing beauties, she realizes there’s a lot more to them than just pretty faces and figures. Jazz becomes suspicious when she finds out the contest is also sponsored by the Maceos, aspiring Beach Gang leaders and co-owners of the Hollywood Dinner Club, where the girls will perform before the parade and pageant.
Worse, her half-brother Sammy Cook, owner of the Oasis, a speakeasy on a rival gang’s turf, asks her to call in a favor from handsome Prohibition Agent James Burton: He wants Agent Burton to raid the Hollywood Club during the bathing beauties dance routine–or risk revenge from the Downtown Gang leader. Her loyalties torn, Jazz is faced with an impossible task that could compromise both of their jobs and budding romance. Meanwhile, Jazz fends off advances from Colin Ferris, an attractive but dangerous gangster who threatens Sammy as well as Burton. In the end, she must risk it all to save her friends from a violent killer hell-bent on revenge. Inspired by actual events.’
My thoughts:
Honestly, I thought that the previous book in this series, Flappers, Flasks and Foul Play, was great and I knew that I was sure to love this one as well, but I didn’t realize how much I would love this one. I enjoyed this one I think more so than its predecessor. Both books are fantastic reads, don’t get me wrong, I just really enjoy Jazz and her friends and the events in this book. The author does a fantastic job of portraying 1920’s-era Galveston and the book really reflects her heart and soul went into making this book. A fantastic read all around.
Jazz finds herself once again amidst a murder investigation and the gang rivalries that threaten Galveston. She must solve the murders before innocent people are hurt or even worse, someone she cares about. She must use her smart wits and sassy attitude in order to find out exactly what is going on. Jazz is a character the reader cannot help but love. She is smart, sassy and humorous. She is definitely the type of character everyone wants to be friends with and cannot help but love. I hope that the author continues this series, because quite honestly it is a very good series. It has a lot of potential and I find it really hard to believe that this is a indie as it seems that the series should be picked up by a major publisher.
I encourage historical mystery lovers to discover the brilliance of this series and I highly recommend that you read both Flappers, Flasks and Foul Play as well as Bathing Beauties, Booze and Bullets because they are so entertaining and rich in historical detail. Besides, you can pick up both titles for a mere $3.99. If you love sassy and quirky characters and a well-researched historical novel, then please do not pass this series up. To find out more about this series and the incredible author, Ellen Mansoor Collier, please check out www.flapperfinds.com where you can read excerpts of each book. It was a delight for me to read these books and I cannot stress enough how much I think you will like them too.
Overall Rating: 5+
Title: Bathing Beauties, Booze and Bullets
Author: Ellen Mansoor Collier
Series: A Jazz Age Mystery #2
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Publication Date: May 5, 2013
Pages: 260
Genre: Historical Mystery
Get It: Amazon; Barnes & Noble; Smashwords
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Now you can enjoy all the fun too! I have one electronic copy of both Flappers, Flasks and Foul Play and Bathing Beauties, Booze and Bullets to giveaway individually to two lucky followers. Please enter using the entry form below. Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for my honest review. I reviewed this book without compensation of any kind. All thoughts and opinions are solely mine.
Girl Lost In a Book 
what interests me about this series is that it is a historical mystery, that is set in a US city……….thank you for the giveaway!!!
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I really enjoy the 1920's era–plus this book interests me because my hubby and I took a vacation to Galveston just before we got married and had a wonderful time there.suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
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Wow, so flattered and humbled by your wonderful review! If there's enough interest, I hope to continue the series and get Jazz and her flapper friends into even more trouble. Your support of indie authors is much appreciated. I do have a few ideas I'm mulling over so please keep in touch! Many thanks, Ellen
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Fantastic review! I'm definitely going to have to check Ellen's books out!
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The 1920s time period! My favorite decade to read about.
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great review! I enjoyed the book as well!
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This looks cute. I love the jazz age!
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