One O'Clock Jump

Rating:
Summary: So atmosheric one feels like they are in 1939
Review: By 1939 the Great Depression is all but over and prohibition has been repealed. President Roosevelt wants to keep the country out of the latest Great War in Europe even as many of his countrymen want to serve overseas. Dorrie Lennox is somewhat concerned with global events, but is more interested in her work as a private detective. Her partner is Amos Haddan, a victim of mustard gas that haunts him two decades after the war to end all wars ended.

Dorie's latest engagement involves tailing Iris Jackson to see if she is cheating on her boyfriend. She follows Iris for a week only to observe her target commit suicide by jumping off the Hannibal Bridge. Stunned by the event, the case continues when her client hires Dorrie to conduct a thorough investigation of Iris' life. However, a twist occurs when the police charge her mentor Amos with murder, leaving it to Dorrie to find out who set them up so smoothly.

Lise McClendon, author of the Thorssen mysteries, shows how versatile her talent is with a new series set in 1939 that uses period idioms and vernacular to set the tone. This technique along with historical references provides a glimpse at the atmosphere of the era just before America's entry into World War II. The complex, cleverly crafted mystery keeps reader's attention throughout the novel. Dorie is hard-boiled on the outside yet tender on the inside, as she has risen above some tough breaks in her life. Ms. McClendon has started a new winning series that will please historical mystery fans.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: I am a huge fan of the Alix Thorssen series, but I have never been one for historical stuff. Imagine my surprise when I took a chance on McClendon's latest. I love Dorie Lennox even more than Alix, and I did not think that was possible. I can't wait to read the next one!

Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: I am a huge fan of the Alix Thorssen series, but I have never been one for historical stuff. Imagine my surprise when I took a chance on McClendon's latest. I love Dorie Lennox even more than Alix, and I did not think that was possible. I can't wait to read the next one!

Rating:
Summary: Lennox is Tough, Tender and Terrific
Review: I have lived in Kansas City nearly all my life, so I loved the fact that Lise McClendon's gritty private eye Dorie Lennox has taken up her profession in a rough and tumble 1939 K.C. that I had only heard whispered about. In 1939, The Mob was learning about how to fleece the citizens in other ways after prohibition; the average citizen was scrambling to live on slim wages and a glimmer of hope after the big depression; gambling and race tracks were legal, leaving the cops to find other ways to hassle the citizens, both crooked and law-abiding.

While tailing a beautiful blonde, Lennox witnesses the girl's suicide by jumping from a bridge into the Missouri River. The death of this woman, the girlfriend of a client who doesn't seem all that broken up when he hears of her death, puts Lennox onto a mystery that includes missing money, corrupt lawyers, murdered witnesses, infidelity and double crosses.

Lennox has to mix it up with some mighty shady characters, some of whom definitely do not treat her like a lady, but slowly she digs up the secrets in a desperate attempt to save the life of her mentor and partner, who has been fitted for a frame by some very cleaver, devious crooks.

There is a definite film noir feel about this book, and I really enjoyed it. I'd like to see other books about Dorie Lennox. She is a really cool character.

Rating:
Summary: Travel back in time with this exciting book
Review: One O'clock Jump by Lise McClendon shoved me into the past and had me seeing the world as a black and white movie. I was shocked when I looked up from the prose to find myself in 2001. The book is a solid mystery filled with interesting characters and great writing, but what grabbed me the most was the sense of place and time created by the author. I'm not a fan of historical mysteries....... well, except this one. I sincerely hope this is the beginning of new series, because I want to enter this world again. Terrific book!

Rating:
Summary: The Girl with the Switchblade
Review: Travel back in time to a simpler life when escape from poverty was part of the American dream. That road to success sometimes took a drastic fall, in the case of Iris Jackson, it is off the Hannibal bridge.

For P.I. Dorie Lennox, the investigation becomes personal when she is threatened and told to quit the case. As she continues digging for answers, more people enter her investigation, each creating questions that need answers. Answers that always seem to come with pain. Quite often to Lennox's body.

Lise McClendon has captured the flavour of prewar Kansas City and blended it with exciting intrigue that carries us along to its emotion-filled conclusion.

This book becomes a splendid page turner as the mystery deepens. It is really quite a decent read.

Rating:
Summary: The Girl with the Switchblade
Review: Travel back in time to a simpler life when escape from poverty was part of the American dream. That road to success sometimes took a drastic fall, in the case of Iris Jackson, it is off the Hannibal bridge.

For P.I. Dorie Lennox, the investigation becomes personal when she is threatened and told to quit the case. As she continues digging for answers, more people enter her investigation, each creating questions that need answers. Answers that always seem to come with pain. Quite often to Lennox's body.

Lise McClendon has captured the flavour of prewar Kansas City and blended it with exciting intrigue that carries us along to its emotion-filled conclusion.

This book becomes a splendid page turner as the mystery deepens. It is really quite a decent read.