The Counterfeit Clue

GIVEAWAY
RANDOM RETRO READ DAY!

RICHARDSON, LISA KARON

THE COUNTERFEIT CLUE

Inspired by the Girl Detective, the members of the Olentangy Heights Girls' Detective Society, affectionately known as the Nosy Parkers, spent their formative years studying criminology, codes, and capers. Unfortunately, opportunities to put their unique skills to work were thin on the ground in the post-war boom of their little corner of suburbia and they eventually grew up to pursue more sensible careers. Until...

Gemma Gaines gave up mystery solving years ago, but when a friend is killed in a hit-and-run all the instincts honed by years in the Olentangy Heights Girls' Detective Society tell her that this may not have been an accident. Then she finds that her friend slipped her some cryptic notes and she is convinced that murder has been done.

With the doggedness of the great Girl Detective herself, Gemma follows up on the clues. Real life mystery solving isn't as tidy as it is in novels though, and before she knows it, her roommate has been kidnapped and it's all her fault. With the help of a handsome new neighbour, who may be more than he seems, she is soon on the trail of a counterfeiting ring that would like nothing more than to see her put out of circulation for good.

My Review:

published in 2017

Think Nancy Drew for grown-ups! Seriously, harness your inner Girl Detective and come along for a fun, campy ride back in time when The Books were still being written. Eeeeeppppp! And we meet Gemma as she's nervously waiting to interview for a chance to ghost write under the Carolyn Keene pseudonym. She's fresh out of college and eager to make her living as a writer but works modelling gigs at a posh fashion store to make ends meet.

Did I mention this is sooooo much fun!!!! From the fifties vibe that comes through in setting and slang and, of course fashion (a girl can't have too many sweater sets!) to the madcap adventures that mirror Nancy Drew at her finest. In fact, Gemma's encyclopedic knowledge of the Girl Detective serves her well when she's faced with danger and peril! Not to mention clue gathering. Would you mind if I said fun again? Because, well, it is!!!! There's even a hint of light romance -- but, just like Nancy, Gemma isn't one to wait around for a hero to save her. She's often the one doing the saving! :-)

This is the first book in a multi-authored series -- Nosy Parkers Mystery. I've read the second book as well which is also fabulous. Set in Scotland, with a different heroine -- another alumni of the Olentangy Heights Girls' Detective Society, of course! And I'm about to order the third book because it's set in Ireland -- eeeeppp!

Goal Update: #1 Read more Indie authors, #2 Catch up on a series I'm behind in, #4 Read more new-to-me authors,

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a gently read paperback copy.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Counterfeit Clue, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the Draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 9 2022. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck