A Katy Green Mystery
By Hal Glatzer
Perseverance Press - April 2002
ISBN: 1880284537 - Paperback
Mystery / 1940s
mildly explicit (drug use,
mild profanity, some sexual content)
Reviewed by: Nancy Mehl
for MyShelf.com
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TOO DEAD TO SWING begins with an intriguing premise. Hannah Dobryn, a ghostwriter of girl-detective novels in the 1930's, meets Hal Glatzer in 1970. She tells Hal about her Katy Green mystery manuscripts - work that was never published because the books were out of sync with the popular, postwar mystery market. At her death, Hal discovers that Hannah has willed the manuscripts to him - and now he is bringing Katy to life.
The year is 1940 and musician Katy Green gets a plum job - playing with an all-girl swing band, the Ultra Belles. Their violinist has had an accident, and the band's leader, Ted Nywatt, offers her the chance to fill in. She hops on a train and travels with them to their gigs. But there are a few problems. First of all, Ted used to be Katy's boyfriend - and the other problem? Although getting out of the band is easy - getting out alive is much harder. Katy noses around in an attempt to find out who is trying to bring down the final curtain on the Ultra Belles.
TOO DEAD TO SWING is a delightful and campy romp. The flavor of the 40's is evident in the well-drawn and interesting characterizations. The novel is fascinating, fun and will be a favorite. I'm so glad Hannah gave Hal her manuscripts. I can't wait to read the next Katy Green mystery! Bring it on, Hal! (I mean Hannah!)
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Nancy Mehl is the author of Graven Images and Sinner's Song.