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I am delighted to share my thoughts about
Eleanor and the Cold War today!

Eleanor and the Cold War (An Eleanor Roosevelt Mystery)
Historical Mystery/Women Sleuths
1st in Series
Setting – Washington D.C. & New York City
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington (January 21, 2025)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496750071
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496750075
Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D2T2WB89
Audiobook ASIN B0DQ2HY7DH
Audio CD ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DR4MM4HQ

New York City and Washington, DC, 1951.Kay Thompson—secretary to Eleanor Roosevelt—is a young woman of conviction navigating the post-World War II period. But can she expose the dark truth about a transatlantic murder mystery unfolding before her eyes?

Previously fired for speaking out against workplace injustices, twenty-five-year-old Kay Thompson finds her true calling once appointed to support Eleanor Roosevelt, a champion of human rights known as ER among those in her inner circle. Kay fully embraces her new role as the former First Lady’s right hand—typing up daily columns and juggling a blur of political meetings, ribbon cuttings, and charitable dinners. It’s not until a dead body is discovered on a train that her most compelling task comes into focus . . .

Stunning Susie Taylor had star quality. Judging from her photos, it’s clear why she left Sweden with plans to make it big on Broadway. But when ER enlists Kay’s help on a discreet investigation about her sudden disappearance, the two suspect the up-and-comer was concealing secrets about her real identity and motives—all leading to her murder at Washington’s Union Station . . .

Plunged into a living Alfred Hitchcock film, an unseasoned Kay and a shrewd ER side with a handsome detective on a search for answers. What was Susie’s connection with a charismatic Soviet UN delegate and an atomic energy researcher? As ER makes it her mission to find out, danger looms upon the discovery of another body. Now, Kay must play a central role in exposing the killer—before she becomes the next rising beauty to meet a cruel fate . . .

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Eleanor Roosevelt (ER) is a champion of human rights. Kay Thompson is a young woman who has been fired for calling out workplace violations.  Kay has landed a new job as Eleanor’s secretary. She handles the former First Lady’s daily columns and correspondence while helping her stay on top of all the dinners, ribbon cuttings, and meetings for the United Nations. She learns there is much more to working for Eleanor Roosevelt when the body of a young woman is found on the Royal Blue train when it pulled into Washington D.C.

Susie Taylor was a young woman full of dreams. She left Sweden for America hoping to get her big break on Broadway. Her mother was a friend of Eleanor’s and asked for help finding her daughter who had disappeared. Susie Taylor was the young woman found dead on the train. One of the first detectives to arrive on the scene quickly made assumptions and theories. Detective O’Malley was more circumspect and listened to Kay and Eleanor who had their own theories. But the women knew if they didn’t embark on a journey to find the killer and the real motive for her death the wrong person would be accused or the case would go cold.

I love that this mystery series features Eleanor Roosevelt. I knew she was a strong and feisty woman and I hope the fictional Eleanor is close to how the real Eleanor was. I wish there was an Eleanor Roosevelt around today to shake up the world of politics to fight the injustices that are happening every day. I know she would be floored by what is happening after she fought so hard. Aside from her political good works, the woman is a fine amateur sleuth with drive knowing when to attack and when to have patience.

Kay Thompson is ER’s longtime secretary and friend  Malvina “Tommy” Thompson’s niece. She has her own talents to bring to the investigation while taking on her normal tasks. She makes an excellent Watson to Eleanor’s Sherlock. She may also learn a lot about herself along the way.

Susie Taylor had some interesting connections that put her death very much in Eleanor’s wheelhouse. She believes there is much more to Susie’s story and that she had been keeping secrets and her mother was holding things back as well. I enjoyed the way Eleanor and Kay dug into the Soviet connection. A second murder opened up more questions than answers. I was surprised that Bobby and Jack Kennedy, and by extension, Ethel and Jackie ran in similar circles with Eleanor.  The Kennedy brothers were part of some of Eleanor’s meetings with interesting input. ER was very interested in the details and we all know the devil is in the details. So even when the case appears wrapped she goes to Detective O’Malley with a new theory. I loved all the twists and turns Ms. Yardley penned in this mystery. I was kept guessing right up to the very end.

This first Eleanor Roosevelt Mystery has set this series off wonderfully. I appreciated how history was blended into this fictional account. The inclusion of prominent real people in the story pulled me in even more. I had to stop at one moment and check myself and remember it was a fictional story. Be sure to read the author’s note at the end of the book. She explains how her imagination ” interweaves” with history.

Eleanor and the Cold War will appeal to anyone who enjoys history mixed with mystery and fans of the woman herself. Well-plotted and well-written – the book was A Perfect Escape! I can’t wait for the next book in this series and Eleanor and Kay’s next adventure.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent

About the Author

Ellen Yardley is the pseudonym of a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose previous novels received the National Reader’s Choice Award and the Colorado Award of Excellence. A mother of two, she finds tremendous inspiration in Eleanor Roosevelt. She lives in Ottawa, Canada.

Find Ellen on her Website  – Facebook – Instagram 

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