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Carmen Radtke
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A Matter of Love and Death: A cozy Jack and Frances historical Golden Age 1930s murder mystery (Cozy Jack and Frances historical 1930s Murder Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Carmen Radtke (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 224 ratings

A plan for murder - over the telephone?

1931. Telephone operator Frances unwittingly overhears a chilling conspiracy. But discretion is the linchpin of her job, and revealing this dangerous secret isn't an option.

Ignoring it becomes impossible when she realizes she might be in the crosshairs too.

Enter Jack, the charismatic owner of a night club, a man unafraid to bend the rules.

With danger looming, they join forces to uncover the murderers before another life is lost. As they delve deeper into their investigation, Frances finds herself drawn not only into a deadly game but also into an unexpected romance.

Join Frances and Jack on a thrilling journey where unraveling the truth becomes a matter of heart and survival.

A Matter of Love and Death is the first in an enthralling cozy 1930s mystery series that will capture your heart,

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  1. Book 1 of 7
    Cozy Jack and Frances historical 1930s Murder Mysteries
  2. Print length
    265 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 2019
  5. File size
    1.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Frances is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, and love interest Jack is dreamy - a little bit dangerous, older, more experienced...swoon!" Bestselling cozy mystery writer Fiona Leitch, author of the Jodie Parker mysteries

"The suspense had me on the edge of my seat and the cast of characters was fabulous." Bestselling romance author Isabella May

"Beautifully sensitive and suspenseful." Bestselling historical mystery writer Lexie Conyngham

From the Author

Coming soon: The Case of the Missing Bride

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07Y3WGD1N
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 1st edition (October 1, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 1, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.0 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 265 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 224 ratings

About the author

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Carmen Radtke

Carmen Radtke

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Carmen has spent most of her life with ink on her fingers and a dangerously high pile of books and newspapers by her side.

She has worked as a newspaper reporter on two continents and always dreamt of becoming a novelist and screenwriter.

When she found herself crouched under her dining table, typing away on a novel between two earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, she realised she was hooked for life.

The shaken but stirring novel made it to the longlist of the Mslexia competition, and her next book and first mystery, The Case Of The Missing Bride, was a finalist in the Malice Domestic competition in a year without a winner. Since then she has penned several more cozy mysteries, including the Jack and Frances series set in the 1930s.

Carmen now lives in Italy with her human and her four-legged family.

Links:

Website - www.carmenradtke.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/Carmen-Radtke-1958399947738868/

Twitter:@CarmenRadtke1

Email - Carmenradtke01@gmail.com

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
224 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this cozy mystery book, with one review highlighting its engaging plot with twists and turns. Moreover, the characters receive positive feedback for being refreshing, and customers find the book entertaining and well-written. Additionally, one customer notes it serves as a wonderful start for the series.

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10 customers mention "Story quality"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story of this cozy mystery, with one customer highlighting its engaging plot with lots of twists and turns.

"...of writing that includes gangsters, speak-easies, musical talent, and romance...." Read more

"Interesting take on a relationship of younger lady and a successful slightly older man...." Read more

"...The plot is straightforward, and the premise is finding the men who Frances, as a phone operator, mistakenly overheard plotting a murder and robbery...." Read more

"This is a delightful tale about life in Post “Great War” Adelaide with a mystery included...." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...The main characters came alive for me after the prologue, and the story just kept getting better...." Read more

"...included. I found the characters to be refreshing, and the economic struggles realistic. It is..." Read more

"Frances and Jack are just two of the delightful characters in this fun story. While the who did it was revealed quite early, the motive was not...." Read more

"...The story engages the reader, characters have depth and layers and the main characters are a likeable bunch though the less likeable have a slight..." Read more

4 customers mention "Entertainment value"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining.

"This was so fun and it was fast paced with lots of action and a murder that Frances over hears on the phone...." Read more

"Frances and Jack are just two of the delightful characters in this fun story. While the who did it was revealed quite early, the motive was not...." Read more

"1930’s Glamour, Adventure, and Mystery..." Read more

"Entertaining as heck..." Read more

3 customers mention "Enjoyment"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with one describing it as a wonderful start to the series.

"...series from this author, and after reading this book, I have a new series to enjoy...." Read more

"...I can't wait to read more in this delightful series." Read more

"...All in all though, a wonderful start for the series." Read more

3 customers mention "Value for money"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be worth the price.

"...English, plus the almost century different time period, but worth it." Read more

"...I enjoyed both books very much! I look forward to reading the next one!" Read more

"A Wonderful Book..." Read more

3 customers mention "Writing quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book.

"A clever piece of writing that includes gangsters, speak-easies, musical talent, and romance...." Read more

"A good read...." Read more

"Great read. Lots of twist and turns. Very well written." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Veronica
    5.0 out of 5 stars 1930’s Glamour, Adventure, and Mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A clever piece of writing that includes gangsters, speak-easies, musical talent, and romance.
    A naive young girl gets herself involved with, murder, and a not-so-bad nightclub owner, while she grows up a little in a small post WWI Australian town.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Laur
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Matter of Love and Death ( Jack and Frances historical 1930's murder mystery book 1
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting take on a relationship of younger lady and a successful slightly older man. Of course there is a murder and a theft but a good possible scenario of the time period.
    Helpful
     Report
  • WelshDragon
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Story
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I have thoroughly enjoyed one series from this author, and after reading this book, I have a new series to enjoy. The main characters came alive for me after the prologue, and the story just kept getting better. The plot is straightforward, and the premise is finding the men who Frances, as a phone operator, mistakenly overheard plotting a murder and robbery. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the next one in the series.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kathleen WH
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is a delightful tale about life in Post “Great War” Adelaide with a mystery
    included.

    I found the characters to be refreshing, and the economic struggles realistic. It is
    almost impossible not to care about the characters.

    I recommend this to you if you have become a bit jaded by mysteries at long weekend country house parties with all the “Bright Young Things” and the Lords
    and Ladies that seem to populate many cozy mysteries.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Deborah Ortega
    5.0 out of 5 stars Death Overheard
    Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was so fun and it was fast paced with lots of action and a murder that Frances over hears on the phone. Frances works at the phone exchange as a operator when she hears two men plotting a murder. She goes to her friend Jack for help when she is in a cafe and hears the man that was on the phone in the restaurant. She screams and runs away and is scared for her family. Jack a Night club owner has contacts and helps her solve the case. I enjoyed this book and I recommend it.
    Helpful
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  • Sue Johnson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Carmen Radtke wrote a wonderful cozy mystery in A Matter of Love and Death.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Frances and Jack are just two of the delightful characters in this fun story. While the who did it was revealed quite early, the motive was not. I can't wait to read more in this delightful series.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Beady
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery and Romance Down Under
    Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Frances, a telephone operator in Depression era Australia meets by chance a fascinating man named Jack who owns a popular nightclub. They discover they have more in common than they first thought and have friends in common. Jane also learns ,that despite a somewhat shady past, Jack has his own code of honor.

    Frances turns to Jack for help when she overhears a murder plot at the telephone exchange. They work together to discover the identity of the menacing man on the phone and bring him to justice.

    France's youth and innocence appeal to Jack, while his steadfast support of the former soldiers under his command impress Frances. Jack reminds me of Bogart's character in Casablanca, whose loyal heart is disguised by a cynical facade . I look forward to their adventures together.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Sara West
    4.0 out of 5 stars Jack and Frances 1
    Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A good read. Somewhat hard to follow with the language differences between American and Australian English, plus the almost century different time period, but worth it.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • elizabeth
    5.0 out of 5 stars delightful
    Reviewed in Australia on October 7, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Carmen knows her Adelaide and the 20s. It’s a relief to read a kindle mystery with no big bloopers.
    Maybe Jack and his crew are a bit too good to be true….. but it’s a cosy and I look forward to reading more.
    Report
  • Nicola Mills
    4.0 out of 5 stars Satisfying
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Very different from the Missing Bride series but really interesting, beautifully sensitive and suspenseful. Set in Adelaide in a time of poverty and distress, this sees respectable telephonist Frances edging into a much more dubious world of nightclubs and illicit drinking, yet she manages to hold true to herself. A very satisfying mystery.
    Report
  • Frances
    4.0 out of 5 stars fun read
    Reviewed in Australia on August 4, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Was great to read a book set in Adelaide. Both Characters are interesting. Will enjoy seeing how they develop .
    Report

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