3 out of 4 stars
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In Veterans Day: A Mary Jane Morris Mystery by J.J. Jorgens, private investigator Mary Jane Morris investigates the death of her friend and former work partner, David McHale. Circumstances make it appear as though David committed suicide. Could that be true?
Mary Jane doubts that her friend would commit suicide. She begins her investigation to prove her theory with several clues she finds in David’s office. While searching for information about David’s suicide, she uncovers another scandal. This discovery leads to several prominent officials who are implicated in a scam involving the Veteran’s Administration.
Mary Jane has a wide network of friends and contacts that she calls on to help gather evidence. She is also very adept at using disguises that permit her entry into locations where she can obtain further clues. When she has accumulated clues and needs time to assimilate them, she spends a few hours in her kayak.
Mary Jane is intelligent, determined and stubborn. She channels her anger to help move the investigation forward. She also shows a tender side with her boyfriend, her friends and her pets. This combination makes her a very believable main character. The dialogues are also very well written, interesting and believable.
Another interesting perk of this book is the wealth of interesting facts about Washington D.C. that are included. The author shares a wide range of local historical facts throughout the book. Some of these historical nuggets are widely known and motivated me to read up on these events and places.
I rate this book 3 out of 4 stars. On two occasions, Mary Jane acquires vital evidence for her investigation. In both cases, she loses all the evidence. I found this just a bit too coincidental, especially taking into account all her previous experience as a private investigator. Wouldn’t an experienced investigator have made an effort to protect such important information? There are also several spelling and grammar mistakes.
This book is recommended for people who love an exciting, adventurous mystery. The funnel of new information is constant but not overwhelming. I also recommend this book to readers who enjoy a strong female main character. Mary Jane is able to juggle several activities at the same time and still complete the investigation. She is easy to relate to as she mourns the loss of her friend, protects her closest relationships, struggles with unfairness and strives for justice.
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Veterans Day
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