Liz Ireland

As much as I want to enjoy this series, which centers around a plucky young amateur detective and novice policewoman Louise Falk, this series has an extremely problematic understanding of white privilege and gender. This book is the second in the new Louise Falk series of mysteries. Like the first book in the series, Murder in Midtown unfolds at a good clip and delightfully makes use of iconic and ordinary locations in Manhattan, such as Delancey Street and the Woolworth Building.

Bur back to show more its problematic understanding of race—Al Jolson, is held up as a hero despite what we know today about his blackface performances. Simply creating a fictional broadway star would have fixed that problem. This novel awkwardly and repeatedly “others” characters of color and characters of Jewish decent. In more than one scene, Louise mistakes a colleague’s wife for a domestic. While that misconception is tied into the plot and is eventually corrected, the character of Miriam, a woman of color, doesn’t ever take on any more depth and seems more like a plot device than a real person. The thing about writing fiction is that even if a story is rooted in a particular period of history, you don’t have to CHOOSE to refer to refer to people as “Negros” and “Jewesses”, to only have white protagonists, etc. You’re driving the bus, author.

The series seems to have an equally problematic grasp on gender despite all of the language around suffragettes. The heroine, while determined, curious, and focused enough to successfully take and pass the police entrance exam, and to weather various difficulties in achieving her dream such as having to fend for herself to find a police uniform and having to work with a lot of men who believe that she can’t adequately do her job, often seems to be pushed into adventures by her Aunt, rather than be truly empowered or intrinsically motivated to follow up on leads or solve murders. It strikes me, looking both at the first novel and the second, that the heroine rarely seems to feel any anger about having been the victim of assault and harassment. She is saved, in many cases, by male police officers.

I gave this series a second chance but can’t in good conscience continue reading beyond this point even if the story is enjoyable. show less

I’m always excited when I see another Mrs. Claus Mystery by Liz Ireland has come out. Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves actually takes place right before Christmas, so it’s even more Christmas-y than normal!

There is a lot of upheaval in Christmasland with all the new technology that is being introduced. The reindeer go on strike because of it, snowmen are taking their lives into their own hands, elves are being fired from their jobs, and the elite (Santa’s family) are still holding massive show more desert events and firework shows. This means it’s up to Mrs. Claus (once again) to find out who destroyed the first place ice sculptor and to get her bestie out of jail because she’s been accused of murder.

I love the way that Ireland is able to combine the cozy mystery genre with fantasy. Her world building is astounding and each book is even more detailed than the previous one. The details of the castle, village, and even the jail are so realistic and easy to visualize. I would love to see these books made into a TV series.

As for the characters we get to see a lot of characters from previous books and some new ones, including Mrs. Claus’s best friend from the regular world, Claire, who quickly adapts to all the quirkiness in the new world around her. Quasar, the reindeer, really shines in this book. And all the new technology, which to me is like another character, is really interesting and makes for some funny and crazy moments.
We are three books in now and we still haven’t gotten to know Santa that much, so I’m interested to see if that’ll be coming up in any of the future books.

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery that is a bit different, but still filled with so much delicious food, well developed characters, and gorgeous scenery, then you should put this series on your TBR pile! show less

Claire and Jake are getting married in Santaland. It’s a very busy time for everyone, but especially for April. The Valentine candy competition is happening at the same time, and April is one of the judges. Claire seems distracted, and April is worried that the bloom is off her marriage to Nick, AKA, Santa. They were married only four years ago, but Nick seems to be preoccupied with work, and their romance is long gone. When an elf arrives at the dressmakers with a corsage for his girl, show more one of the bridesmaids, he falls over dead while presenting it to her. And then, it seems everything goes haywire. April takes it upon herself to search for clues, interview the elves, and solve what appears to be murder. All this must be done in just a few days before Claire’s wedding day. This cozy, like the preceding books in the series, is so much fun. The mystery is intriguing and quite entertaining. The characters are delightful, especially the talking reindeer and snowmen. The setting itself is enchanting. There is romance in the air, even with the reindeer, and a sprinkling of humor lightens the mood. But after all, there has to be a murder or two in a murder mystery, even in Santaland. show less

I thought that Liz Freeland's first Louise Faulk mystery, Murder in Greenwich Village, was one of the best debut mysteries I'd read in years, and, to my amazement, this second installment in the series is even better. It started a tad slowly but, once it got going, it was outstanding.

I like how the author has created a terrific cast of characters, including "our sleuth" Louise Faulk, and the other supporting/recurring characters. Even better, she changes things up and doesn't let things go show more stale. I also love how the author manages to bring the New York City of 1913 to life.

I am very eager to see what happens next with Louise Faulk and hope that this top-notch series has a long life. Highly recommended!!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.) show less