Death on a Deadline by Joyce St. Anthony

Available November 8, 2022

Rating: 5 stars

Progress, Pennsylvania is having their annual summer fair in 1942. Things look a bit different than they did before the war began and the highlight of this year's fair is a war bond drive featuring several B-list celebrities. Among the celebrities are two locals who left home to seek fame and fortune in Hollywood. Unfortunately they bring more than just their talents to the little stage in Progress. It's up to Irene Ingram to untangle all the knots before someone else's number comes up.

I have always been fascinated with the 1940's. Times were simpler and people were more kind. Even when things got difficult, people banded together to support one another. There were Cokes at the diner, dancing at clubs filled with big band music, and women just beginning to spread their wings, both literally and figuratively. This book was a fun trek back in time. Irene is really coming into her own as interim editor of the local paper while her father is off serving as a correspondent in the Pacific and she's staying very busy to keep her mind off her boyfriend, training in preparation to ship out to war.

The mystery in this book was an interesting one, with many twists and turns and a huge number of potential killers. None of the suspects can be easily eliminated - the actors all play their roles very well! I had my suspicions about several of the characters, one of which did turn out to be the killer.

I really enjoy this series and very much look forward to continuing it!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.