Once upon a time, I branched out by picking up a murder mystery novel by a different author.
I know. It happened.
I am finishing up a series of "hot dog books" by a particular author (collective review forthcoming) but, while at the library, I came across a new series that takes place largely in the American Midwest. As a Midwesterner, I recognize a lot of these places, and my own hometown is briefly referenced a couple of times in the novel. (Fame, here we come!)
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| Author Anna Loan-Wilsey also writes under the nom de plume Clara McKenna. This is the same person/novel. |
Anyway, the first novel in the Hattie Davish Mystery Series takes place in turn-of-the-century Eureka Springs, Arkansas at the height of the Temperance Movement. For those not familiar with this bit of history, the Temperance Movement was a predominantly woman-led ideology that villainized liquor of all kinds, citing its abuse as the cause for violence, sloth, domestic problems, and a laundry list of other sins. While much of this was (is) indeed legitimate, the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) sought to legally outlaw liquor, shut down saloons and other alcohol-serving establishments, and prosecute anyone breaking the laws they wished to enact. Sometimes, these ladies (and occasional gents) got rather zealous and even (quite ironically) violent. The Temperance Movement certainly marked an interesting period of American history, although it must be said that the WCTU actually exists to this day.
Funnily enough, I came across a great podcast episode about the WCTU after reading this book and realized that the murder victim of the novel (Mother Trevelyan - don't worry, this isn't a spoiler) is clearly based on a major player in the WCTU, right down to her hatchet wielding fervor. Carry A. Nation -aka the "Hatchet Granny"- was a radical leader of the Temperance Movement, who relished destroying saloon property. (If you choose to listen to this episode of An Old Timey Podcast, please suspend any sense of prudeness and just enjoy it.)
A strikingly similar scene at the beginning of A Lack of Temperance serves as an introduction to the murder victim. But Mother Trevelyan isn't the protagonist! That would be (wait for it) Hattie Davish. This is the first of the Hatty Davish Mystery Series after all. Anyway, directly from the dust cover:
"On the eve of the heated presidential election of 1892, Miss Hattie Davish arrives in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, a scenic resort town where those without the scent of whiskey on their breath have the plight of temperance on their tongues. Summoned for her services as a private secretary, Hattie is looking forward to exploring the hills, indulging her penchant for botany—and getting to know the town’s handsome doctor. But it’s hard to get her job done with her employer nowhere to be found . . .
An army of unassuming women wielding hatchets have descended on the quiet Ozark village, destroying every saloon in their path—and leaving more than a few enemies in their wake. So when their beloved leader, Mother Trevelyan, is murdered, it’s easy to point fingers. Now that she’s working for a dead woman, Hattie turns to her trusty typewriter to get to the truth. And as she follows a trail of cryptic death threats, she’ll come face to face with a killer far more dangerous than the Demon Rum . . ."
Not highbrow, but still a lot of fun...if one goes in for that sort of thing. I imagine I'll check out the second book in the series at some point, though it isn't a priority. A perfect distraction from life and a diverting, easy read...especially when paired with a cocktail. ;)
Cheers!
