Customer Reviews

The Winter of Her Discontent: A Rosie Winter Mystery (Rosie Winter Mysteries)

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In WAR AGAINST MISS WINTER, Haines created the irrepressible, wise-cracking character of Rosie Winter and set her mystery tale against the backdrop of New York's theatre scene during World War II. While that highly enjoyable novel teased with a level of verisimilitude that we're not used to seeing in a lot of mystery series, Haines takes Rosie several steps further in WINTER OF HER DISCONTENT. While the first novel's theatre-set story took place with WW II as a backdrop, the follow-up novel goes several steps further, giving us a mystery that's even more integrated into the moral and ethical dilemnas of wartime America. The result is a book that's as zippy and sharp as the first, but with a richness of character that's firmly set in a very specific time and place. Haines examines every nook and cranny of wartime New York City without ever sacrifcing the pacing and thoughtfulness that made WAR AGAINST MISS WINTER such an enjoyable thriller. As pulpy and lively as it is, there's an emotional truth to this series that you won't find elsewhere. Haines is really on to something and I, for one, can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

The second installment in the Rosie Winter mystery series offers more details on all fronts -- on Rosie, spunky actress and accidental private investigator, on life during WWII, as well as a backstage look at the NYC theatre scene. A great read for those who love historical mysteries and those with fabulous female heroines.

Mrs. Haines has again captured the memories of the 40's in an outstanding mystery novel. Rosie is at her best trying to make ends meet as an actress and solve another crime at the same time. Mrs. Haines is able to describe the hardships faced by the up and coming thespians and at the same time weave a mystery that unfolds within the settings of the theatre. She is able to bring her characters to life and make us either love, hate or feel sorry for them. As she tells the story, WW II is ever present playing its part in the outcome of the novel. Mrs. Haines has again written a must read book that should be #1 on every mystery lovers list!

I do enjoy these books. But part of their charm is the slang, jargon, and historical detail.
I read someone else's comment on another review about the author's slip on describing
the color of a uniform. Those kinds of mistakes are not excusable in the day of Google.
In this book there is a reference to "black" soldiers. The director of the USO club
supposedly encouraged the girls to dance with "black" soldiers. Don't we all wish
that were so, but even the military was segregated. Everyone knows that.
Furthermore, the word "black" was not used. Everyone knows that. The word
"colored" should have been used, but since the whole idea was false, why
put that in? Trying to rewrite history is a terrible idea, because it offends those
who valiantly put up with injustice and it is a disservice to those who don't
know the truth. Where was the editor? It is lazy on both the editor and
author's part and makes me feel cheated as I paid both to do their jobs.
Did I enjoy this book? Until I was jarred into questioning everything
that was being written. Then, not so much.

In 1943, wannabe Broadway actress Rosie Winter feels guilt and remorse as she just broke up with her boyfriend, sailor Jack, who is reported missing at sea. She and her roommate at Shaw House Jayne obtain work on the theatrical production of Goin' South, but Rosie fears the role will kill her career before it begins because she is part of the dance chorus and knows she can't dance; still it is work.

However, as opening night looms, Rosie feels good she has not been fired (so far). Someone kills one of the stars Paulette; shockingly Rosie's friend Al, the small time thug who works for Jayne's boyfriend Tony as an elbow breaker, confesses. Rosie does not believe Al committed the crime, so sets out to prove he is innocent even while dealing with beefless nights and starlets, as broke as she, live lives of luxury.

Although the final dance number seems somewhat anticlimactic, THE WINTER OF HER DISCONTENT is an entertaining WW II era New York tale. The amateur sleuth elements and the danger to Rosie and Jayne come late as the story line focuses on how the war impact people at home who sacrifice (some in strange ways like the black market repast industry that surfaces) to support the cause. Fans will enjoy this period piece in which the tidbits supersede the whodunit (see THE WAR AGAINST MISS WINTER for her previous home front WW II experience).

Harriet Klausner

The Winter of Her Discontent is the second book in the Rosie Winter series by Kathryn Miller Haines and it's a winner for sure. Rosie, our intrepid heroine, finds out early on that her friend Al has been fingered as the murderer of a fellow actress but she's not buying it. In typical Rosie style, she's unable to let the subject go, and her investigation takes her into the black market world of the Mob, the machinations of some local actresses as they search for wealth and publicity, and the famous Stage Door Canteen. All of the adventures take place against WWII New York City, with Rosie's acting career placing her in the midst of the action; her heart, however, is still with ex-boyfriend Jack, missing in action somewhere in the South Pacific.

Haines does a dynamite job bringing the details of the era to life and paints pictures with her words that make you feel as though you are in Rosie's shoes as she investigates with her trademark smart mouth and bullheaded fortitude. Though the book is heavy on the slang of the times, it really adds a film noir feel to the plot. The mystery is deeply layered and Haines does a good job of not making the culprit(s) obvious. There is a problem throughout where the names Donald and George are used interchangeably, which is confusing (and should have been caught by an editor). But other than that minor misstep, The Winter of Her Discontent is a fun mystery that will keep you turning the pages. I've got book #3 lined up and ready to go!

The Winter of Her Discontent by Kathryn Miller Haines is the second book in the Rosie Winters series. Rosie is an actress trying to catch her big break on Broadway while dealing with the heartbreak of her MIA GI ex-boyfriend and the everyday tragedies that come with living during World War II. When a former housemate of Rosie's is murdered and one of Rosie's best friends confesses to the crime, Rosie determines to uncover the truth and in doing so ends up dancing in a play that is destined to bomb. Rosie is a unique character, and Haines uses her to great ability. She portrays the frustration of living with rations on everything from meat to stockings to butter along with the deep fear and sadness of watching every young man going off to fight a war and face death. Haines throws in black market dealings, gangsters, and delightful slang to make this a truly fun read. The twist involving young actresses and their GI husbands is absolutely diabolical! One tiny complaint: a few times in the book, the wrong name is used (George for Donald). That should have been caught by an editor before making it to print.

Rosie is at it again in the second installment of Kathryn Miller Haines' World War II era series starring Rosie Winter as the intrepid sleuth. Miller Haines filled out the characters better this round and touched on a topic, the black marketing of essential daily items, few of us today really give much thought to. Rosie and Jane face an underworld that stops at nothing to make a profit. It's what they traffic that makes us a bit squeamish.

Incredible storyline with strong, believable, lovable characters one can't get enough of.
Aside from a few historical flaws -- especially characters using colloquial expressions such as "awesome" and "hiya" (instead of "how do you do" ) that are not characteristic of the 1940s this is an incredibly captivating, can't-put-down plot set in WW2 Manhattan. It's a murder mystery with surprising twists and turns set in the broadway theater scene of 1940's New York. Rosie and her pal Jayne are struggling actresses who stumble upon foul play.

The only complaint I have is that there aren't enough other Rosie Winter novels!
I sure hope the author will write many more in this series.

Haines second foray into 1940s wartime is just as fun and even more relevant with its creative and original plot. Rosie's trials and tribulations as a struggling actress and part-time sleuth come alive in this descriptive novel filled with fun facts and fascinating period details. I can't wait for Haines' and Rosie's third outing in this super series. What a clever way to mix mystery and history. Bravo!