Customer Reviews

Foxy Statehood Hens and Murder Most Fowl

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just in time for the Oklahoma Centennial, the Foxy Hens, also known as Peggy Moss Fielding, Jackie King and Paula Watkins Alfred, have created a delightful anthology of novellas set in the early days of Oklahoma statehood. FOXY STATEHOOD HENS is the second anthology by these authors, the first anthology is titled CHICK-LIT FOR FOXY HENS. This time the "Hens" have hatched three short murder mysteries. "The Spinster, the Pig and the Orphan" by Jackie King tells the tale of a spinster hotel owner with a murder on the premises. "The Raucous Bird and a Felony Tryst" by Paula Watkins Alfred chronicles the life of a young girl masquerading as a boy. Sleuthing is enough adventure for her until she loses her heart to the town banker. The heroine of Peggy Fielding's "Hats, Healing and Homicide in Tulsey Town" solves a murder with the help of a magical horse and his oh-so-romantic owner. This trio of mysteries will please readers searching for mystery and history.

I just finished reading this book and was very impressed by all three stories. Though the entire novel is tied together with references to a raw land that was growing into the state of Oklahoma, the talented writers weave their own mysterious magic. A great book to take with you to the beach on vacation, a weekend at the lake, or just curled up in your favorite chair on a rainy day. You won't be disappointed in these mysteries.

Foxy Statehood Hens is a great book - entertaining, and informative. It makes you really think about the hardships the early settlers endured as Oklahoma was settled, but especially the difficulties for women. But mostly, it was a fun read, and all three stories (romantic mysteries) really keep you guessing...and laughing! This is a great book for a lazy Sunday afternoon with a glass of tea, a hammock and a cool summer breeze.

Foxy Statehood Hens and Murder Most Fowl

Score: 4 / 5

Reviewer: Vee of Night Owl Romance

Online: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=1080

Foxy Statehood Hens is a fun, three-story collection of romantic mysteries set in Oklahoma. All the stories take place or end in 1907, the year Oklahoma became a State.

The Spinster, The Pig and The Orphan by Jackie King

New to the Indian Territory in 1889, Harriet Lauren sets out to find a husband. With an inheritance, she opens a hotel and hires Radine Morgan an orphan who soon becomes a good friend.

After Ida Mae, a local 'fallen dove' and friend of Radine's is killed, Radine sets off to find the killer.

With likable characters, a good plot, wonderful dialog and social commentary of the time, The Spinster, The Pig and The Orphan is an entertaining read.

The Raucous Bird and a Felony Twist by Paula Watkins Alfred

Rebecca Donna Summersdale, an orphan who longs to shed the restrictive chains of womanhood, pretends she is Donnie, a boy. But upon meeting Donnie, Miz Myrtle, a local shop owner, sees through the disguise and demands an explanation. After hearing it, Miz Myrtle decides to help Donnie along in the charade. The pair become very good friends.

When Miz Myrtle is nearly murdered and left unable to speak, Donnie comes to her aide to bring about justice.

The Raucous Bird and a Felony Twist is a delightful story full of the unexpected. With colorful characters, an interesting plot and the added tension of Donnie coming into womanhood the story is a page-turner. I also felt the sense of time and place was well done as well as the dialog.

Hats, Healing and Homicide in Tulsey Town by Peggy Moss Fielding

After the death of her grandmother, Eula Mae Kent sets out for Arkansas to be with an Aunt she'd never met. When she is unexpectedly left behind by the lecherous Mr. Montmorcey, she is helped by Bartlett Starr, a local man who takes her into Tulsey Town, OK, where she decides to set up a hat shop.

Then the murder of one of the locals shakes things up and Eula Mae takes matters into her own hands.

While another period piece set in an unusual setting, the characters and their plight never felt real. The story felt forced and the ending contrived.

© Night Owl Romance 2007-2008

Statehood brings brave women to Oklahoma who succeed on the frontier by their charm and wit. This collection of novellas delightfully combines the best of mystery, romance, and western. Alfred's gender-bender shows her heroine disguised as a man only to discover the town banker has fallen in love with him/her. Fielding's novella leads us on a wonderful journey to life among Native Americans in pre-statehood Tulsa, and King's story fictionally demonstrates how young women actually came west and succeeded in commerce and romance. The book is a fun read and a great gift for the foxy hen in your life, whatever age she may be.

What a terrific little read, these three novellas celebrating Oklahoma's 100th birthday.

The second sentence in Jackie King's contribution, THE SPINSTER, THE PIG AND THE ORPHAN, defines the story. "One didn't buy a husband in the same way one bought a lumberyard."

Author Paula Watkins Alfred uses vernacular to push the reader back in time and give one the shivers as a young girl pretending to be a young man bumbling into danger in THE RAUCOUS BIRD AND A FELONY TRYST.

In the final offering, Peggy Fielding provides an affectionate close-up view of early day Tulsa in HATS, HEALING AND HOMICIDE IN TULSEY TOWN.