Mysteries set in Chicago and San Francisco

Jump Cut by local author Libby Fischer Hellmann marks the return of Chicago video producer Ellie Foreman.  Initially, Ellie is hard at work on a documentary about Delcroft, an aviation-related company, when her own company is suddenly and humiliatingly fired.  All that Ellie can think is that the swift action is related to some background footage and she arranges to meet the man shown in the questionable segment.  However, he is killed just before the meeting and she then finds a flash drive hidden in what may have been his cigarette pack.  From there, it’s off to a suspenseful plot involving encryption, decryption, malware, “ethical hackers,” surveillance, and international secrets.         

The plot brings to mind current headlines about security and privacy, about suppression of minorities, especially overseas, and about ethics and “collateral damage.”   Throughout the fast-paced story, Ellie is a very likeable and determined sleuth.  Jump Cut was an entertaining mystery and especially fun due to the references to The Happ Inn and other local venues.  Award-winning Author Libby Fischer Hellman will be speaking about her new book on THIS SUNDAY, March 6^th, at The Book Stall (Elm Street, Winnetka) at 2pm.    

Time of Fog and Fire by Rhys Bowen is another quick mystery I have been reading lately.  Its main character is Molly Murphy Sullivan who has featured in previous reviews. This time, Molly is off to San Francisco in 1906 – hence the fog and the post-natural disaster fires.  I liked the novelty of the West Coast setting, but thought that the author strained believability at several points: no cross-country travel with an infant (Molly’s son Liam) would go that smoothly; plus, she would not have left her child with virtual strangers; nor acted as stoically upon hearing of a loved one’s death.  That said, award-winning author Rhy Bowen’s writing is always diverting and Time of Fog and Fire will certainly continue to please her many, many fans.

Set the Night on Fire by Libby Fischer hellmann - Chicago in the 1960s

I was looking forward to reading this book, which takes place in Chicago during both the present and in the past - the 1960s, which was a tumultuous time, especially for teens and young adults trying to understand the world around them and how they fit into it, or what they need to support to make change happen. 

The book is organized into 3 sections, with the first section providing the realistic fiction and suspense, the second section provided the crux of the story and the historical fiction, which told the story of Chicago in the 1960s - the politicians, the activists, and the climate of tension.  The third section returned to the plot of section one, and made everything happen quickly with a Hollywood ending. This was the weakest part of the book, the plot was exaggerated with an additional plot line, which didn't seem necessary; it actually seemed to be out of place, and made the book longer than it needed to be. 

I had high hopes for this book, and while I may recommend it as a reference to the historical fiction in section two, I don't think I encourage others to read it.