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Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The Wife, The Maid, And The Mistress by Ariel Lawhon

Who would have thought that being a maid could be this dangerous?  Maria never would have guessed that.
              
Maria cleaned for Judge Joseph Crater who had a mistress and who was involved with gangsters. Then one day Joseph disappeared, and even his wife didn't know where he was. 

Joseph’s wife, Stella, their maid, Maria, and Joseph’s mistress, Ritzi, were characters you will love and feel sorry for.  Stella Crater knew about her husband's mistress, Maria saw the mistress one day when she arrived to clean and was sworn to secrecy, and Ritizi hated what she did.  All three women were tied to Joseph Crater for different reasons and hated him for different reasons.

 THE WIFE, THE MAID, AND THE MISTRESS is based on a true incident.  Judge Joseph Crater’s disappearance has never been solved, and his body has never been found.

 When I realized THE WIFE, THE MAID, AND THE MISTRESS was based on a true incident, the book pulled me in even more.  The book took you back to a time when showgirls, speakeasies, proper etiquette for ladies, murders, and greasing palms was prevalent.

You will be drawn into the glitz, the glamor, and the corruption of the 1930's and into the lifestyles of the wealthy as well as the working class.

Ritzi was my favorite just because of her guts. Maria was sweet and got drawn into something way out of her league.  Stella was indifferent to life and her marriage.  They all had a common thread and a common interest.

 If you like historical fiction and this era, don’t miss THE WIFE, THE MAID, THE MISTRESS.  The surprise ending ties things up nicely.

I am wholeheartedly recommending this book.  Loved it. 5/5


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37 comments:

  1. Ann SummervilleJanuary 28, 2014 at 8:17 AM

    When I first started reading your review I thought it must be based on a true story, it was too crazy to be fiction!
    Ann

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  2. Ann SummervilleJanuary 28, 2014 at 8:17 AM

    When I first started reading your review I thought it must be based on a true story, it was too crazy to be fiction!
    Ann

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 28, 2014 at 9:17 AM

    keep bumping into this one!

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  4. ElizabethJanuary 28, 2014 at 9:48 AM

    I LOVED this book.

    I hope you get to read it, Cozy In Texas and Emma.

    THANKS for stopping.

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  5. DebbieJanuary 28, 2014 at 1:56 PM

    I am putting it on my TBR list right now.

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  6. ElizabethJanuary 28, 2014 at 2:24 PM

    Oh my goodness, Debbie....you will love it.

    THANKS for stopping. Be sure to let me know how you like it.

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  7. Beth HoffmanJanuary 28, 2014 at 2:53 PM

    Wonderful review, Elizabeth. I'm eager to read this one!

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  8. ElizabethJanuary 28, 2014 at 3:04 PM

    Thanks, Beth.

    I hope you enjoy it.

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  9. Laurel-Rain SnowJanuary 28, 2014 at 4:21 PM

    I just received this book today! I am eager to read it...and thanks for sharing.

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  10. SusanJanuary 28, 2014 at 7:01 PM

    I've been seeing this one around. It sounds really interesting. I'm going to have to get a copy!

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  11. IreneJanuary 28, 2014 at 7:47 PM

    sounds good, thanks

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  12. Nise' January 28, 2014 at 8:20 PM

    I like historical fiction and this one sounds very good. Thanks for the review.

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  13. ElizabethJanuary 28, 2014 at 8:32 PM

    It was very good, Nise.

    THANKS for stopping.

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  14. ElizabethJanuary 28, 2014 at 8:32 PM

    THANKS for stopping, Irene.

    I hope you get to read it.

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  15. ElizabethJanuary 28, 2014 at 8:33 PM

    I hope you get a copy, Susan.

    THANKS for stopping.

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  16. ElizabethJanuary 28, 2014 at 8:33 PM

    I hope you like it as much as I did, Laurel.

    THANKS for stopping.

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  17. Clothes In BooksFebruary 5, 2014 at 4:15 AM

    I've not heard of this one at all, but it sounds really good, I will look out for it.

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  18. Laura at Library of Clean ReadsFebruary 5, 2014 at 8:11 AM

    This is the second great review I read of this book. It's an era that I'm interested in reading more about. Will look out for it.

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  19. Susan B.February 5, 2014 at 8:33 AM

    That sounds quite interesting, I'll have to check that out. Thanks for stopping by on my site. I had to smile at the title because I used to use the expression "I am the wife and she is the mistress" referring to how our ginger cat responded to us. I did all the work (wife) and the cat would grudgingly pay attention to me. She (my daughter) did nothing (the mistress) and the cat would be all over her with an adoring look on his face! :-)

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  20. AlyssaFebruary 5, 2014 at 5:05 PM

    I've never heard of this book! But I do enjoy historical fiction :D Fantastic review!

    Thanks for visiting my blog!

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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  21. CayceFebruary 7, 2014 at 6:39 PM

    I'm not a huge historical fiction reader, but I have seen this book around quite a lot. Glad you enjoyed it! :)

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  22. LindyLouMacFebruary 9, 2014 at 7:53 AM

    Your review certainly shows that you enjoyed this one. Thanks for your recent visit to my own blog, appreciated.

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  23. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2014 at 7:47 AM

    I just started this one so I'm glad to see you loved it so much.

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  24. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2014 at 7:47 AM

    I just started this one so I'm glad to see you loved it so much.

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  25. ElizabethFebruary 13, 2014 at 8:39 AM

    I hope you like it as much as I did, stacybuckeye.

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  26. ElizabethFebruary 13, 2014 at 8:39 AM

    THANKS for stopping, Beth. I hope you like it.

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  27. ElizabethFebruary 13, 2014 at 9:54 PM

    I hope you get to read it, Lindylou.

    THANKS for stopping.

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  28. ElizabethFebruary 13, 2014 at 9:54 PM

    That means you should read it then if you keep bumping into it, Emma/wordsandpeace. :)

    THANKS for stopping...it is really good.

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  29. ElizabethFebruary 13, 2014 at 10:01 PM

    THANKS for stopping, Cayce.

    I hope you give it a try.

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  30. Dorothy BordersMarch 2, 2014 at 2:45 PM

    I had not heard of this book or this writer. I must add it to my (very long) list of books and authors to be explored.

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  31. ElizabethMarch 2, 2014 at 2:52 PM

    I hope you get to read it, Dorothy.

    I enjoyed it.

    THANKS for stopping.

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  32. AlyssaMarch 2, 2014 at 7:05 PM

    Great review, Elizabeth! I'm glad you enjoyed the book. Have a fantastic week!

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

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  33. Michelle {Jarrah Jungle}March 3, 2014 at 8:30 PM

    Must be a great read to score full marks! I like a bit of a thriller every now and then. thanks for the review and for stopping by my book review :)

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  34. ElizabethMarch 3, 2014 at 8:39 PM

    I loved this book, Michelle.

    If you like historical fiction and a bit of a mystery, I hope you get to read it.

    THANKS for stopping.

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  35. ElizabethMarch 3, 2014 at 8:39 PM

    Thanks for stopping, Alyssa.

    I hope you get to read this book.

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  36. AnnaMarch 20, 2014 at 5:47 PM

    I didn't realize this was based on a true story. Sounds really interesting!

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  37. ElizabethMarch 20, 2014 at 9:54 PM

    It is quite good, Anna.

    THANKS for stopping. I hope you get to read the book.

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