The Body in Griffith Park

Author: Jennifer Kincheloe
Genre: Historical Mystery
Type: Trade Paperback
Pages: 304
Series: #3 in the Anna Blanc mystery series
Publisher: Seventh Street Books
First Published: July 16, 2019
Opening Lines: Anna Blanc searched the officers' kitchen for her kipper tins, but her kipper tins were gone. "Biscuits," she swore under her breath.

Book Description from GoodReads: Los Angeles, 1908. Anna Blanc is a former so-so socialite, a flailing police matron, and a killer detective.

Ex-heiress, Anna Blanc, is precariously employed by the Los Angeles Police Department, reforming delinquent children and minding lady jailbirds. What she really wants is to hunt criminals and be alone with Detective Joe Singer--both no-nos that could get her fired. On a lover's tryst in Griffith Park, Anna and Joe discover the body of a young gambler. Anna can't resist. She's on the case.

With a murder to solve and her police matron duties piling up, a young girl shows up at Central Station claiming to have been raped by a man from Mars. The men at the station scoff, but Anna is willing to investigate. Meanwhile, Anna begins getting strange floral arrangements from an unknown admirer. Following the petals leads her to another crime--one close to home. Suddenly pitted against Joe, Anna must examine her loyalties and solve the crimes, even if it means losing the man she loves.

My Rating: 3 stars

My Review: I became smitten with Anna Blanc when I read The Secret Life of Anna Blanc, the first book in this historical mystery series, four years ago. Anna was, and continues to be, a refreshing protagonist and a woman ahead of her time who was equally smart, determined and sassy.

This third installment of the mystery series, set in 1920's Los Angeles, provides wonderful descriptions of the era and setting. I love that Anna continues to be fearless, fiercely independent and quite impetuous. While her naivete and reactions to Joe were sometimes frustrating, I continue to enjoy their banter but hope that the finally decide their relationship status soon.

This is a solid whodunnit kind of mystery with several plot threads that, occasionally felt a bit muddled, but overall, I feel this is a good addition to the Anna Blanc series. If you're looking for a new series with that blends a historical setting, a bit of sass, a good mystery and an intriguing heroine, you'll want to meet Anna Blanc.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to the author and Seventh Street Books for providing me with a complimentary copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.