Joyce St. Anthony

We return to Progress, Pennsylvania where Irene Ingram has become editor-in chief of the newspaper, the Progress Herald in her father’s absence. There will be a war bond drive held during the fair and Ava Dempsey, who owns the local beauty parlor and is also the town gossip, is spreading the rumor that Clark Gable will be one of the participating stars. Ava states she heard it from her sister, Angel who is an actress and is part of the war bond drive. The headliner turns out to be Angel’s two-timing husband, Freddie Harrison. Irene finds Freddie dead in the fair’s dunk tank. There are plenty of suspects including Angel and Freddie’s latest paramour, Belinda Fox. Irene uses her investigative skills to hone in on the killer. Death on a Deadline by Joyce St. Anthony is the second A Homefront News Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. I thought Death on a Deadline was well-written with steady pacing. I like Irene Ingram who is a smart, friendly, and spunky woman. She is a realistic, developed character. I like Irene’s interactions with her best friend, Peggy and her almost father-in-law Police Chief Walter Turner. The whodunit was intriguing and fun to solve. There are plenty of people who wished Freddie dead. Irene asks questions and gathers clues. I like that Irene works with Chief Turner. They share information and bounce ideas off each other. There was a complete wrap up at the end, so we are not left with lingering questions. There is humor scattered throughout the story. Ava’s sister, Angel is a piece of work. Irene’s cousin, Donnie also provides amusement. The author captured the time period with the historical references including the war bond drive and rationing. Before each chapter is a newspaper headline from the Progress Herald that includes the latest war news. I enjoyed the reference to Mrs. Miniver (good movie). The ending was perfect. Death on a Deadline is a captivating cozy with a war bond rally, rampant rumors, a slain star, sugar rationing, an over-the-top thespian, a cheerful cousin, and a curious reporter.… (altro)

I liked this as much as the first! Irene Ingram is acting as editor of the Progress Herald while her dad is in the Pacific as a war correspondent. Her mom helps with bond drives and Irene bunks with her little sister so they can find space for a boarder. (The local ironworks company is quite busy). The descriptions of small-town life during the war are well done--loss too close to home and the excitement of a Hollywood war bond rally all ring true. The traveling war bond troupe includes a couple of stars with ties to Progress, PA. When the philandering husband of one is found dead, the mystery side of things ramp up when gossip, blackmail and little black books are come to light in this small town.… (altro)

Death On A Deadline is the second book in the A Homefront News Mystery series by Joyce St. Anthony.

Irene is settling in well after taking over as editor-in-chief of the Progress Hearld from her father, who has become a war correspondent in the Pacific.

The planning committee for the war bond drive is meeting and learns from Ava Dempsey, owner of the local beauty shop, that Clark Gable will be coming from Hollywood with other movie stars in support of the war bond drive held in conjunction with the county fair.

Irene is at the fair's opening when she sees the Hollywood Victory Committee has arrived, but Mr. Gable isn’t in the group. Those that made it are Ava’s sister Angel, Freddie Harrison, Ava’s estranged husband, Kirk Allen, a rising star who had gone to school with Irene and no one recognized. His appearance has changed since he was in high school—also Belinda Fox, an aspiring actress and Freddie’s mistress will be joining the stars.

When Freddie doesn’t show up for the group's rehearsal, Irene decides to walk the fair to check out the booths and to keep an eye out for Freddie. Soon she sees a piece of blue material stuck on the dunk tank and goes to check it out and finds Freddie’s body floating in the tank. Once the body is removed from the tank, it is apparent that Freddie was struck on the head with a hard object.

The reporter in Irene sets her off to search for the person who killed Freddie. His wife, Angel, will become the prime suspect, but Irene has doubts. Irene will soon learn that there is no shortage of suspects. Just about all the members of Hollywood personalities have nothing good to say about him. Irene wonders if Ava might have ended Freddie’s life for how he has treated her. Angel’s father becomes a suspect as he threatens Freddie with a rifle. Gossip columnist, Greta, will come under suspicion. Irene wonders why a prominent gossip columnist would come to a small community like Progress.

I love this series, and the characters are well-developed. I would love to call them my friends. St. Anthony adds headlines depicting WWII events. Anthony has researched and provided the reader with a historically accurate book.

I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in this exciting series.… (altro)