A Lady Never Trifles with Thieves [Mass Market Paperback]

Suzann Ledbetter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003

Suzann Ledbetter brings her unparalleled storytelling talents to a new mystery series in which one engaging heroine sets out to tame the Wild West with a woman's touch...

"The simple truth is, I was born clever...." So says spirited young Denver City detective Joby (Josephine Beckworth) Sawyer -- and she isn't bragging. With a whip-sharp mind, self-taught expertise in biology, herbology, chemistry, criminality, and legal action, Joby can pretty much get her man. But there's one still hanging on the line: her devoted policeman beau, Jack O'Shaughnessy. In Joby's line of work, murder and mayhem come before matrimony. And with two new cases to crack, her wedding gown can wait.

For now Joby has to get the goods on a no-good abusive husband so a wealthy wife can get out with her fortune and her features intact. Then, a high-class jewel thief goes from larceny to murder as a woman is found strangled with her pearl necklace. Against Jack's wishes, Joby takes a crack at the case with the help of her mentor, Won Li. Determined to prove she's as good an investigator as any man, Joby must use both her brains and her beauty to catch a thief -- before he kills again.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The first book in Ledbetter's (West of Bliss, etc.) new historical mystery series, set in 1870s Denver, explodes into action when young detective/self-proclaimed "scientist" Josephine Beckworth Sawyer blows up her tool shed with homemade nitroglycerine. Blowing things up is only Joby's hobby; she pays the bills by manning her dead father's investigative firm. But since no one will hire a female detective, she pretends he's still alive. The intrepid private eye longs for something other than marital dispute cases, and she gets her wish when she's hired to track down a robber who may also be a murderer. Joby's Confucius-spouting Chinese guardian adds a touch of comic relief, and her overprotective constable "friend" provides the promise of romance. While a hurried, unresolved ending may leave some feeling cheated, others will be appeased by the author's luxuriant descriptions of herbal teas and poisons (recipes included). In the modern mystery genre there are far more spine-chilling thrillers than heartwarming cozies, but, with its witty wordplay and lovably eccentric characters, this slim, sprightly tale beckons readers to curl up in bed, not hide under it.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

...a very interesting look at the Wild West from a young woman's perspective....Joby is charming.... -- Deadly Pleasures

This entertaining mystery will have you guessing and second-guessing until the very end. Pure entertainment. -- Old Book Barn Gazette

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743457471
• ISBN-13: 978-0743457477
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,621,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Suzann's mother taught her to read at age four, assuming a tomboy couldn't have her nose in a book and get into trouble, simultaneously. It didn't work, but somehow, Suzann's insatiable curiosity, smarty-pants mouth, tendency to make up stuff and love of Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden novels became the basis of a diverse writing career.

Suzann (www.SuzannLedbetter.com) is a Writers Hall of Fame of America inductee and received a Western Writers of America Spur Award for her biography, NELLIE CASHMAN, PROSPECTOR & TRAILBLAZER. Suzann was an editor-at-large for Family Circle magazine for over a decade and is a client of Greater Talent Network, an international talent agency.

In April 2006, Suzann's short story "How To Murder Your Mother-in-Law" will appear in Avon's DEADLY HOUSEWIVES anthology. May marks publication of her latest suspense/caper, ONCE A THIEF (Mira) and in August, SHADY LADIES, a biographical collection of 19th century nonconformists is due out from Tor/Forge.

Suzann and her husband share their Missouri Ozarks home with three retired racing greyhounds, two morbidly obese cats and way-more books than the children's library her mom hoped would tame the ornery streak Suzann allegedly inherited from her father's side of the gene pool.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Western Mystery, February 16, 2005

By 

Book Maven - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Lady Never Trifles with Thieves (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading so many mediocre mysteries, this one was a great find! The main character Joby is spirited with out being annoying, the supporting characters are believable and likable, and the plot is well thought-out. I find it follows in the great tradition of Agatha Christie novels: suspision is cast upon many people, clues weave in and out of each other, and of course, several wrong turns and red herrings. The twist at the end makes me want to pick up the next book in this series. Good show!

4.0 out of 5 stars USA, Post Civil War, July 14, 2009

By 

Lyn Reese (Berkeley, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Lady Never Trifles with Thieves (Mass Market Paperback)

This light hearted story effectively recreates the sights and smells of Denver becoming rich from the profits of the western mines. In the deadening heat of summer, feisty young Josephine Beckworth (Joby) attempts to set herself up as an independent detective. Gender distinctions being what they are, she must pretend she is temporarily standing in for her father, who actually died on the trip West. Luckily, Joby is a real pro at dissembling and talking her way into getting the information she needs. Desperate for funds, she takes a crack at trying to uncover precious jewels from two robberies, and on her own finding way to get a cowed wife out of an abusive marriage. Oh yes, there also is a murder to be solved.

The story introduces two other interesting characters. One is her servant and mentor the educated Chinese man Wo Li; the other, a charming policeman called Jack O'Shaughnessy. The witty give and take and sexual tension between Joby and Jack makes for toe tingling reading. The author has employed the language of the time, and done a fine job providing insights into the gender roles of the time. For example, Joby has to drag around in her dark, jersey wool dress and black cloche, and ride side saddle in town in order to appear respectable. And divorce for a woman is darn hard to achieve. One does wonder at a few things. Would pineapple be available to people in Denver then, and would Jody have a cashmere sweater?

The author give us no real date for the story nor separate historical information. This is the first of the Joby Beckword series.