O'SHAUGHNESSY INVESTIGATIONS, INC
The Cases Nobody Wanted
by A.G. Russo
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Pub Date 13 Sep 2023 | Archive Date 20 Jan 2025
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Description
The homefront, summer 1942, Brooklyn, New York. Six months after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, America was fighting overseas with the Allies in World War II. Maeve O’Shaughnessy’s fight for survival was different. Her three brothers were shipped out and left her with their new detective agency and fifteen-year-old brother to manage. Before the War, Maeve worked as a secretary. She knew nothing about detective agencies. From the start she struggled to make enough money to feed Jimmy and herself. Vic Marino, a no-nonsense ex-cop, showed up and told her he was going to help her make a go of the agency. Maeve vehemently protested but Vic insisted she had no choice.
Against the backdrop of a war many Americans never wanted, more men were drafted and volunteered to serve every day. Those left behind supported the war effort the best they could. As 1942 wore on sacrifices were necessary for the War, while the losses became real and heartbreaking. Thousands of women took up the cause working outside the home. Yet Maeve found herself trapped in circumstances beyond her control.
Vic’s “deal” to help the detective agency survive came at a cost. He took on responsibility for the detective agency along with an angry naïve woman and her teenage brother. The business was sinking and needed to make money fast. They needed a client. One walked in on Vic’s first day in the office. Mrs. Sullivan implored them for help. Her daughter Lucille, a “beautiful angel,” was brutally murdered in an expensive apartment owned by a rich businessman. The police showed no interest in her violent death. Maeve and Vic had no choice. They took the case nobody wanted.
From the mean streets of Brooklyn to Chinatown to the Brooklyn Navy Yard to the Fulton Fish Market to upstate New York, dealing with thugs, colorful characters, and puzzling clues, O’Shaughnessy Investigations, Inc. pursued the baffling case. A neo-noir mystery. Book 1 0f 3.
Content Warning: Please be aware this book contains issues of violence, racism and racial slurs (in the context of the times), sexism, pregnancy and childbirth, and abusive language.
Previously published as O'SHAUGHNESSY INVESTIGATIONS, INC. Episodes 1-32 on Kindle Vella.
Advance Praise
Brenda - Amazon
Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2023
Verified Purchase
I was looking for a historical novel to read after watching a documentary about Pearl Harbor and found this tremendous novel.
There are a lot of things I enjoyed about this read; one of them is having a woman and the main character living in the detective mystery scenarios, this made it even better. It has a very intriguing and well-developed plot.
Also, author A. G. Russo touches very sensitive and important topics that were happening back then, such as justice, violence, sexism and more. Very captivating to see how those intertwine with the story itself.
Ghulman Mustafa Amazon
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
""O'SHAUGHNESSY INVESTIGATIONS, INC.: The Cases Nobody Wanted"" by A.G. Russo is a captivating historical mystery set against the backdrop of World War II, immersing readers in the heart of 1942 Brooklyn. The novel beautifully captures the spirit of the era, highlighting the incredible resilience and determination of women who stepped forward to fill the gaps left by the war.
Russo's storytelling vividly brings Maeve O'Shaughnessy to life, a character placed in challenging circumstances, and her journey is a testament to the strength of women during that time. The plot unfolds seamlessly, blending mystery, history, and action, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. The narrative is filled with rich descriptions that transport readers to the exact time and place of the story.
The protagonist's character development adds depth to the narrative, and the mystery and action scenes are expertly portrayed, keeping the adrenaline pumping throughout. Overall, Russo's novel is a well-crafted and engaging read for fans of historical mysteries, offering a compelling glimpse into a pivotal period in history.
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9798988178316 |
| PRICE | US$0.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 316 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Nicki O, Reviewer
So easy to forget how racial issues were such a huge deal. But this book clearly brings back how your genetics became an issue even in adulthood. Corruption was rampant and women stayed home with the kids. When Maeve's brothers go to fight in the war she is expected to keep the private investigations business afloat. But she was a secretary and no clue how. The brothers asked Vic, an ex cop, to help. The book follows the case of a murder the police don't want to solve. Maeve and Vic are asked to find who killed Lucille. The ending was a surprise. A good story.
Librarian 431790
I was expecting a light story and got an excellent historical fiction featuring well done characters. Well plotted, gripping.
Love it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Fiona Y, Reviewer
O'Shaughnessy Investigations Inc was an unexpected treat.
I requested it expecting some light detective mystery with possibly a bit of caper; but the novel is quite brutal in places and Maeve is no dumb blonde who gets herself into farcical situations.
Its interesting that the title is The Cases Nobody Wanted as reading the synopsis this is the Book 1 of 3 so I am looking forward to reading the next two.
J. K, Reviewer
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
“O’SHAUGHNESSY INVESTIGATIONS, INC: The Cases Nobody Wanted” by A.G. Russo is a compelling dive into the gritty underbelly of 1940s Brooklyn, where the homefront battles are as fierce as those overseas. Russo masterfully intertwines the noir detective genre with historical fiction, delivering a narrative that is both evocative and suspenseful.
The protagonist, Maeve O’Shaughnessy, is thrust into the role of detective after her brothers are called to war. With no experience but a fierce determination, Maeve, along with the enigmatic ex-cop Vic Marino, navigates the treacherous waters of a city rife with crime and corruption. The case at the heart of the novel – the murder of a young woman that the police have ignored – becomes a beacon for Maeve and Vic, pulling them deeper into a world where justice is elusive, and survival is not guaranteed.
Russo’s portrayal of Maeve is a standout aspect of the book. She is a symbol of the era’s women, who stepped into roles traditionally held by men and fought their own wars on the homefront. The author does not shy away from the harsh realities of the time, addressing issues of violence, racism, and sexism with a raw honesty that is both jarring and necessary.
The narrative is rich with historical detail, from the bustling docks of the Brooklyn Navy Yard to the vibrant chaos of Chinatown. Russo’s writing transports readers, making them feel the grit of the city streets and the tension that hangs in the air like the thick smoke of a dimly lit speakeasy.
“The Cases Nobody Wanted” is a story of resilience and the relentless pursuit of truth. It’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to seek justice in the face of adversity and a reminder of the sacrifices made by those on the homefront during one of history’s most tumultuous times.
For lovers of historical mysteries and those fascinated by the strength of the human spirit, “O’SHAUGHNESSY INVESTIGATIONS, INC” is a must-read. Russo has crafted a world that is as immersive as it is thrilling, and as poignant as it is entertaining.
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