Saturday, March 18, 2017
The Jazz Scene in 1950's London
LONDON CALLING (Mirabelle Bevan #2)
Sara Sheridan
Kensington Books
February 28, 2017
It's 1952 and Mirabelle's debt collection agency is thriving in Brighton. She and her assistant, Vesta Churchill (no relation to the famous Churchill) are kept so busy that they are looking for another collector to work with them. One rainy cold morning a young man is slouched outside her office door. The young black man is Lindon Claremont, a musician in London. Lindon is a childhood friend of Vesta and is in trouble. A debutante, Rose Bellamy Gore has disappeared and Lindon was the last person to be seen with her. He swears that he has nothing to do with it so Mirabelle persuades him to turn himself into her friend, Inspector McGregor of the Brighton police. She is not too surprised that Lindon is transferred to London for questioning but the police keep him in custody. The girl has not been found but the police think that Lindon killed her. Vesta is insistent that Lindon could never hurt anyone and the two set off to London, a city that holds many memories for Mirabelle. It seems that a memory of her dead lover, Jack, is around every corner. Mirabelle's wartime training in the British Secret Service stands her in good stead as she and Vesta visit jazz clubs, the London underworld and the homes of the high and mighty.
When we first met Mirabelle in Brighton Belle, she was a lonely, friendless woman, sunk in her grief over the death of Jack. Taking over the agency that she once managed, meeting Vesta and making new friends are bringing her back to life. She is as stylish and intrepid as ever; also as stubborn. She is determined to help Lindon, no matter the cost. The atmosphere of London and its nightlife are very much an element in London Calling. Some interesting new characters are also added to the cast that I am looking forward to meeting again.
Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an advance digital copy. The opinions above are my own.
RATING- 3.5 Stars
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