The War Widow (Billie Walker Mystery, #1)

“You need to face facts, Billie. You are a war widow.”

Smart, Strong and full of gumption, Billie Walker is a former journalist, now a private inquiry agent (P.I.), working in 1946 Sydney. Her father is gone and her husband, Jack is missing in Europe. But Billie is tough, she is a survivor and runs her deceased father’s private investigation agency/business. The women of Sydney keep her busy investigation cheating spouses, but one day a woman appears and tells Billie that her son is missing and that none of his friends have seen him.

Billie and her assistant, Sam investigate the teenager’s disappearance, and soon find that his disappearance is not as innocent as they first assumed it out be. The search for him leads them into the world of gangsters and treacherous individuals. Just how dangerous is this missing person’s case? How much danger will Billie be in? Will Billie and Sam be able to find the teen? Will they make it out alive?

This book had an old feel to it for me. That is a compliment, btw as this book is set in 1946. Tara Moss did a great job with her setting and writing for that time period. I felt as if this book could have been written in the 40’s. Again, a compliment.

I enjoyed Billie’s character. She was both tough, stylish, strong, brave, and vulnerable all at the same time. She had a lot of on her plate – her own husband has been missing for quite some time, she is supporting herself and mainly working in a field which had very few females working in it. She is determined, and headstrong. She knows how to investigate and has learned how to get information out of people. But will that be enough to solve her current case?

This is the first book in a promising new series. I found this book to be well written, well researched and engaging.

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.