The Impersonator (A Roaring Twenties Mystery Book 1) by Mary Miley

Final Rating: 3.9/5

Ain't We Got Fun?--Yes we do with The Impersonator

   From the opening page to the final chapter, The Impersonator embodies the essence of one of the novel's central themes-Vaudeville. The audience will be entertained with a family oriented story that lacks cheap thrills and shock value and delivers pure talent and delight. The eager reader will discover a cast of characters that are fully formed and portray the year of 1924 (the young are plucky and determined to enjoy life to the fullest while the older are more reserved, provide the needed voices of reason and are reminders of a forgotten era that was governed by restrictions and traditions). From the opening pages of The Impersonator, we follow the narration of a never say die anti-heroine who has as many secrets and mysteries in her past as the ones that dog her journey and keep returning like a bad penny. In the heart of this novel is the question: what ever happened to Jessamyn Beckett Carr? A classic fictional mystery worthy of the show the reader may have a hard time looking away from that is Mary Miley's The Impersonator. So ladies feel free to bob your hair and grab your cloche hats and fellas grab your dollface and fire up the flivver because Ms. Miley is sending us back to the 1920's.

   In the end, this was a fresh novel that takes a different approach with the reader. Although mysteries and crimes are spread throughout this fast-paced novel, the narration focuses more on the importance of collecting vital clues and balances discovery with elements of mystery and the "unknown" versus the gruesome and shocking. Fascinating historical details are shared with the reader that kept this reviewer centered to the era and sneaking away from life to join the adventure that waited on her Kindle. So why only 4 stars? Although a fun, absorbing read The Impersonator provided more themed and historical entertainment than a total unpredictable read but still ends as an overall enchanting debut novel that many historical mystery admirers will enjoy.

-read and purchased on kindle 

Next in series:

Silent Murders (Roaring Twenties Mystery #2)

by Mary Miley