The Persephone Cole Vintage Mysteries

Genres: Mystery Anthologies & Collections; Historical Mysteries

Synopsis

From Book 5:

If it's a fun taste of the 1940s private eye world you're looking for, join one of Manhattan's premier female gumshoes in the first three books of the award-winning Percy Cole series as she blazes a path through a man's world! At 5'11" tall in her stocking feet, this full-figured gal fits right into the tough-guy domains of Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe, and Mike Hammer. But Percy sets herself apart from the rest, with her flaming red hair, wicked sense of humor, and love for her eight-year old son that gives her life meaning. As World War Two looms, Percy drives around New York City in Ophelia, her 1929 Dodge, seeking out the bad guys, and knocking a little sense into their heads before dragging them to jail.

The Dagger Before Me (The Persephone Cole Vintage Mysteries Book 1)
In 1942, no one had heard of a female shamus - not even in New York City -- until now. Meet Percy Cole, a newly inaugurated private investigator with a penchant for Marlene Dietrich suits, pistachio nuts, and men’s fedoras.
Halloween finds her backstage, during the previews of the latest Broadway production of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, where there’s double, double, toil and trouble. When an actor falls from the overhead catwalk and breaks his neck, it’s only the latest in a series of catastrophes fueling the lore and superstition surrounding Macbeth and its supernatural power since the play's creation in 1606.
In desperation, the producer hires the lady dick to save the show from closing. Armed only with her noodle and a WWI German Mauser pistol, Percy is not sure which is worse, having someone try to kill her or being foisted into the role of Witch Number Two. Is the centuries-old curse coming true or is a killer out to strike terror into the cast and crew of the Scottish play? Percy intends to strike back before anyone else dies.

Iced Diamonds (The Persephone Cole Vintage Mysteries Book 2)
In late December, 1942, Persephone (Percy) Cole, one of Manhattan's first female PIs, has been hired to find out who killed a Santa Land elf and left the body in the storefront window of a swank 5th Avenue jewelry store. Was it the spoiled heiress whose big buck handbag was found on the scene? Or was it the rat who broke out of the big house to settle a score? Shortly after, the corpse of the Christmas Angel is discovered stuffed in Mrs. Santa's workshop. Will Santa Claus be next? With a penchant for Marlene Dietrich suits, pistachio nuts and fedora hats, this working mother finds diamonds to the left of her, diamonds to the right, and skullduggery aplenty. Armed with her noodle and a WW I German Mauser, Percy is determined to solve these crimes or it just might be the 'kiss off' for Christmas.

The Chocolate Kiss-Off (The Persephone Cole Vintage Mysteries Book 3)
Valentine’s Day is around the corner and vats of delicious chocolate are being cooked up to win fair lady’s heart. But at Carlotta’s Chocolates, Carlotta is found cooking in her own vat of chocolate, and not so deliciously. Arrested for her murder is chocolatier Howie Goldberg, good friend to Persephone ‘Percy’ Cole. As one of Manhattan’s first female private detectives, Percy is determined to hunt down the real killer. But the sleuth, herself, is being stalked by the murderer, who not only keeps a diary of the latest kills, but records who is next. Percy Cole tops the list. When the lady shamus finds the elusive killer, will Death be her Valentine?

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