“To tell a woman everything she may not do is to tell her what she can do.”
~Spanish Proverb
As part of the Weekly Geeks prompt to use quotes this week, I wanted to share this quote which, I love, and I find fits perfectly when discussing these two women sleuths who I’ve spent some time with lately.
Annie Seymour is back in this second entry to report on a crime that is right in the neighborhood and involves family and friends. With her quick wit and smarts she’s not about to let the mob, her dad or even some chickens get in the way of the investigation.
“Listen, a voice hissed in my ear, ‘you better stop messing around in things that don’t concern you.’ The arm wrenched my body backward, and it felt as though I were going to snap in two. I tried to catch my breath, but the hand over my mouth was tight and sweaty.”
I gotta say, I thought this was even better than the first book. Good action scenes and an ending I didn’t see coming. You can read my full review here. Now, I have to hurry up and read the third book as Karen’s fourth entry in the series comes out this November. You can check out more info about Annie and Karen here.
Now, with This Dame for Hire, I went back to 1943 New York City. A secretary, Faye Quick, didn’t plan on being a P.I. but when her boss is sent overseas to fight in the war, she steps in and handles the cases. She may not be a P.I. but she’s clever and willing to get the job done. I really liked Faye.
“While I waited for Anne I went over to the fiction and started at A. Even if I found something, I wouldn’t let myself buy more than one book cause, not only couldn’t my change purse let me, I was running out of book space in my apartment.”
See why I liked her immediately? This book presents a wonderful portrait of New York during the war years. You can read my full review here. I’ve looked for more information on this series and there only seems to be one more book available, which I’ve already got on order.
I enjoyed both books a lot and think these are great female characters. These books also count for some of my reading challenges. Secondhand Smoke counts towards my 2nds Challenge and This Dame for Hire for my 1st in a Series. I’m making progress.
So how about you? Have you read any books lately with some strong women characters? I’d love to hear about them.
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Have you already recommended to me This Dame for Hire? It sounds right up my alley. She shows great restraint, doesn’t she!! I wish I kept in mind shelf space….
‘This Dame For Hire’ is going on to the Autumn in New York project list straight away.
I think this is a fantastic quote! Thanks for sharing it.
I really like the quote too. And both books sound good. I can definitely see why you liked Faye Quick immediately.
PS: The Amnesiac arrived! Thanks again, Iliana 🙂
Danielle – Yes, I think I may have left you a comment about this series one time. I think you’d enjoy it! And, yes, we should all learn from Faye right? 🙂
Ann (Table Talk) – Oh this would be perfect for your NY project list. I felt like I was right there with her when she’d make mention of some NY spots!
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit) – It’s good isn’t it? I need to mark that one in my own private journal too.
Nymeth – So glad it arrived – you never know how long things will take overseas 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!
Great reviews, Iliana!
I still haven’t read Secondhand Smoke so I think I need to get to it soon!!! 😉
As for strong women characters, lately I could only think of Victoria Gardella, the heroine in Colleen Gleason’s The Gardella Chronicles series. A butt kicking vampire slayer, what’s more can I ask? ;P
Melody – I hope you do get to Secondhand Smoke. I loved it. I thought the mystery was even better than the first one and I think it really set it up nicely for the third book. I can’t wait to get my hands on it! And, you are so right, Victoria is a great, strong female character! 🙂