Reviews for FALLEN ANGELS:

“As far as Mercy Allcutt is concerned, she doesn’t have anything to lose. When her boss PI Ernie Templeton’s latest client, Mrs. Persephone Chalmers, is murdered, Ernie becomes the LAPD’s prime suspect. Since Mercy had already stuck her nose into several of his other cases—and nearly gotten killed as a result—Ernie warns Mercy to steer clear of the Chalmers investigation or he will fire her. Of course, if the police succeed in pinning the crime on Ernie, Mercy will be out of a job anyway. Setting aside her steno pad, Mercy begins asking questions in the hope of finding out who really murdered Persephone Chalmers, but being a private investigator isn’t quite as easy as Ernie makes it seem. Duncan’s latest nicely executed Mercy Allcutt mystery (Angel’s Flight, 2009) delivers plenty of colorful characters (including a plucky protagonist), a cleverly constructed plot, and just the right dash of dry wit.”  John Charles,  Booklist

"The suspense is top-notch in the latest Mercy Allcutt book, and the humor between Mercy and her snooty Boston mother is hysterical. The theatrical world of L.A. is extremely fun and the feelings of love growing between Mercy and Ernie are getting stronger with each book. A great cozy mystery," Romantic Times BOOK Reviews

“FIVE STARS! I love how the author writes this series. Each case is told from the rich/privileged secretary's point-of-view. Imagine yourself sitting in a lovely room, having tea with Mercy (the secretary), and listening as Mercy tells you all about the case. This is exactly how the story sounds in my mind. All the personal opinions and off-the-subject comments that Mercy would utter to you during the conversation is included.

“A well written mystery with a brave and spirited heroine who, along with her tough talking boss work together to solve mysteries in a humorous tale of Old Hollywood and sinful Los Angeles. I highly recommend this book to all mystery readers regardless of what type you generally read. So enjoy, and I'll talk to you soon.” Mary Rignor, Once Upon a Romance Reviews

The story is set around 1926. In keeping true to Mercy's brother-in-law owning a movie studio, the author has given cameo appearances to some well known celebrities, such as John Gilbert and Renee Adoree. Doing so makes the tale more real, in my opinion. The characters, as well as the plot line, are well developed. I can find nothing lacking. The entire story flows smoothly with bits and pieces of the era tossed in for extra spice. And though her mother is a snob, Mercy is not. Oh Mercy is prim and proper, but her thoughts and actions had me grinning several times. If you are looking for a classic-style mystery to test your wits on, look no further. Alice Duncan's stories simply burst with flavor. Excellent!” Huntress Book Reviews

“A young Boston Brahmin finds a fulfilling new life among the private eyes and criminals of Los Angeles. In order to escape the stultifying orbit of her proper parents, Mercy Allcutt has fled to live in L.A. with her sister Chloe and Chloe's movie mogul husband. Thanks to an inheritance and her wealthy sister, she's living in the lap of luxury. Mercy, whose curiosity has already landed her in some trouble (Angels Flight, 2009, etc.), has taken a job as private investigator Ernie Templeton's secretary. Now it's Ernie who's in trouble. When he fails to appear for a meeting with his old pal, police detective Phil Bigelow, Mercy goes to his client's house only to find the client, Mrs. Persephone Chalmers, dead at the foot of the stairs and Ernie drugged and tied up in her bedroom. After cutting him free, she calls the police. The detective in charge of the case, no friend of Ernie's, still considers him a prime suspect despite Mercy's testimony. So, ignoring Ernie's command to mind her own business, Mercy takes to sleuthing. Her interest focuses on the Angelica Gospel Hall, where Persephone was a loyal member. Mercy's formidable mother is in town to provide some distraction by constantly deploring Mercy's socialist tendencies, but she soldiers on, oblivious to the real danger she is courting. Mercy's third appearance combines a nice feeling for life in 1920s Los Angeles.” Kirkus

“Upper-crust Bostonian Mercy Allcutt, who works as a secretary for policeman-turned-PI Ernest Templeton, walks a fine line between endearing naïveté and annoying simplemindedness in Duncan's by-the-numbers third cozy set in 1920s Los Angeles (after 2009's Angel's Flight). On a search for Ernie in the house of Persephone Chalmers, who hired the investigator to find some stolen jewelry, Mercy stumbles on the client's bludgeoned corpse at the foot of the stairs. In an upstairs room, she finds her boss bound and gagged. With only Mercy's word that Ernie was incapacitated, he becomes the prime murder suspect. Her amateurish efforts to clear him include probing the Adelaide Burkhard Emmanuel school of religion, to which the victim was a big donor.”  Publisher’s Weekly

Alice Duncan

P.O. Box 4316

Roswell, NM 88202-4316

alice@aliceduncan.net