Customer Reviews

Winter in June: A Rosie Winter Mystery (Rosie Winter Mysteries)

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Haines takes a huge leap forward with her third novel. What started as an excellent series aimed toward mystery aficionados and WW II era buffs has blossomed into a richly layered series that is as concerned with the emotional life of its characters as it is with "whodunit." Rosie and Jayne strike out for the South Seas on a USO tour to search for Rosie's fiance. And while we initially miss the New York City theatre world of the first two novels(as well as the familiar characters that inhabit it), Haines more than compensates by painting a detailed, evocative picture of American soldiers, WACs and USO entertainers all striving for a sense of normalcy in a foreign land. Rosie and Jayne have evolved into three-dimensional characters that readers may not be used to seeing in your standard mystery paperback, but Haines has had three books to perfect their voices and this is her most confident work yet. When it comes to the actual mystery, Haines delivers the goods, like always, but the heart of this novel is the friendship between Rosie and Jayne.

If you're not familiar with the first two books in the series, read them first. But if you have already read and enjoyed them, you'll LOVE this one.

I have read all three of Mrs. Haines novels and they are all outstanding! Her latest novel "Winter in June" takes us to the Islands in the Middle of the War zone. She gives us a hint of the mystery in the opening chapter but leads us up right to the end of the novel to clear it all up. I think I loved the language most in this novel as it is authentic WW II. Perhaps Mrs. Haines hooked me on the opening page with the line from Rosie "My dogs were barking." Rosie and Jayne are back at it again both entertaining the troops this time and solving mysteries and unraveling personal relationships throughout the novel. This is a wonderful WW II novel and a must for any lover of mysteries!

Rosie Winter's not one to say no, and when she hears her ex-boyfriend Jack has gone missing while stationed in the war time South Pacific,she's determined to get answers. Rosie talks best friend Jayne into joining a USO show going to the area, and while Rosie's not sure what she's going to find once she arrives in Tulagi, she certainly wasn't expecting a murder. Or even two for that matter.

The third installment of Kathryn Miller Haines's superb WWII mystery series, Winter in June, is just as riveting as the first two. Filled with characters that leap off the page, the series loses nothing when it shifts to the South Pacific. Rosie's still fiery and headstrong, and she and Jayne once again find themselves smack in the middle of several mysteries. This time they share the USO stage with famous actress Gilda DeVane, whose own personal scandal has put her career at risk. While balancing the demands of the show, Rosie searches for any sign of Jack; meanwhile, supplies are disappearing and snipers are taking shots around camp. Oh, and remember Peaches? Somehow he manages to turn up in the islands as well.

I just love this series! Rosie is a perfect sleuth who doesn't know she's a sleuth; her tough mindedness and sharp mouth make her one of my favorite characters ever. While the mysteries aren't particularly deep, they are well plotted, and the mix of romance into this one was pitch perfect. I could picture WWII Tulagi and the sacrifices made by the Allied soldiers and the USO both. Entertaining and wildly fun, Winter in June had me hooked from the first words. Do yourself a favor and pick this series up now.

All I can say Ms Haines is that I hope the Rosie Winter Mystery Series continues until Rosie is at least 90 years old!!! All of your books have kept my attention from beginning to end--such creativity, mystery and intrigue! I wish we could at least get two books a year!!! And I look forward to an Audio version of each book which I hope I will soon see!

Your third book "Winter in June" is the best yet!!! So much has already been written that I don't want to spoil the plots and sub-plots but once again I couldn't put it down. I will say the USO Camp Tours is a VERY nice touch!!!!

I totally recommend all three Rosie Winter Mystery books--Anyone who hasn't read them is in for a real treat!!!

Miller Haines does such a great job with the feeling of the period and I love her details. This one in particular, it was really visual and I could almost feel the military cots, the clothing fabric, etc. And of course the dialogue is wonderful. I thought the ending was perfect; not so neat, very raw and so interesting. The following book is also very good, but this is my favorite one in the series. Oh, these would make such a good high quality AMC or HBO tv series!

This is a must-buy WW2 era mystery novel featuring 1940s struggling actress Rosie Winter and her pal Jayne who this time visit soldiers in the South Pacific only to - again - stumble upon murder. Captivating characters one would want to be friends with, smart, multi layered, cute and fun. Must read.

Kathryn Miller-Haines, please give us more Rosie novels!

In 1943 wannabe actress Rosie Winter and her friend Jayne are getting ready to sail on the Queen of the Ocean, which will take them to the recently cleared of the Japanese militarily important Solomon Islands. While waiting in line to board the ship, a shot is heard and the body of a woman floating in the water is seen. Passengers panic, but USO Camp Show performers Jayne and Rosie remain eager to entertain the troops. They look forward to meeting the rest of the troupe especially top Hollywood star Gilda Devane, a wild child just released from her contract.

When they arrive at Tulagi, the main U.S. base of operations in the South Pacific, they find out that the dead woman was Captain Irene Zinn, a WAC with an MGM contract. Rosie has another reason for coming to the Solomon Islands; her former boyfriend Jack was here and she wants to know what happened to him. They learn that someone is stealing medical supplies, but so far no one has been able to catch the perpetrator. During a performance, one of the dancers is wounded and another killed. Rosie thinks the murder here is linked to the death of the WAC. She also finds out that Jack is missing, had used an alias, and is impossible to trace. Rosie determines the missing medical supplies, the homicides, and Jack tie together leading to heartache for her.

Mindful of Bob Hope shows in Viet Nam, this vivid WWII mystery depicts life as a USO entertainer as Kathryn Miller Haines provides depth to her insightful look back to the war in the Pacific. Rosie is a strong willed independent person who places herself in danger while performing for the military. The mystery enhances an engaging glimpse of Hollywood goes to war.

Harriet Klausner