Reviewers have said
About Winslow's Wife
Andi Shechter, Seattle, Washington, from January Magazine's crime fiction
newsletter, "The Rap Sheet":
While I enjoy reading about smart protagonists, and protagonists who do a
good job, I also like Truly Donovan's Lexy Connor -- featured in the new
novel Winslow's Wife (Writer's Showcase/iUniverse) -- because she is caring,
nice and interesting. She's an older, heavy woman who lives on her own terms
near Boulder, Colorado. She has a taste for good food, good clothes and a
love of her Highland terrier, Molly. I have little patience with animals in
mysteries; Molly is simply part of Lexy's life (a bit much at times), but
she's cute. And I do have a soft spot for cute.
While she does read a lot of mysteries, Lexy never makes the mistake of
thinking she's in a book. She is honestly interested in what people tell
her, which is a great way to get them talking.
At the start of WINSLOW'S WIFE, Lexy encounters Caroline Hewitt, someone she
knew from high school back in New York. As Caroline later confesses, this
wasn't a chance meeting. John Hewitt, Caroline's consultant husband, has
disappeared. While the police think he went off on his own, Caroline is
worried, and knowing that Lexy was able to solve an interesting puzzle
before (in Donovan's first book, Chandler's Daughter, which -- alas -- did
not receive much attention), she asks for her help. Caroline says she'll
hire a detective, but she also wants the assistance of someone she knows.
As was the case in Chandler's Daughter, Lexy's new investigation leads into
the past. It connects with the 20-year-old story of a woman who was
convicted of killing her husband, an extremely egocentric and controlling
would-be artist, by setting fire to his studio in the mountains of upstate
New York. The woman died soon after she was imprisoned. How that case ties
into the disappearance of Caroline's husband proves to be a winning tale, as
the reader is taken back to upstate New York in order to track down all the
players and learn what really happened all those years ago.
About Chandler's Daughter
Gayle Wedgwood (Mystery News, Vol. 18 #2, April/May 2000)
Stand back everybody, there's a new kid in town! Well, maybe "kid"
isn't quite right since Lexy Connor describes herself as a fat old lady, but she
certainly can keep up with the best of them. ...
This is a first novel by Truly Donovan, and it is an absolute delight.
Strong, vibrant characters, excellent descriptions of such diverse areas as
northern and southern California, New York and Boulder, and a fast moving,
believable plot--can you ask for more? Throw in a small, very cute dog, and I
think you have a winner here.
P. J. Nunn (Charlotte Austin Review)
Chandler’s Daughter is one of the most delightful books I’ve
read in a while. The cover and blurb led me to expect a grandmotherly-type
cozy. What I found instead was non-stop action with a
little reality thrown in and a highly satisfying conclusion. The violence and
sex were minimal, taking place mostly off-scene. Not
all situations were entirely believable, but they were entertaining and worked
well within the frame of the plot. I won’t hesitate to
pick up the next edition by Truly Donovan.
Andi Shechter
In Chandler's Daughter, Truly Donovan has written such a convincing
amateur sleuth that it really made me sit up. Certain amateur detectives are
believable because they work in professions that ask questions--reporters
like Irene Kelly in Jan Burke's work or like Aileen Schumacher's consulting
engineer whose job is often to discover what went wrong when a building
collapses.
But I could see myself in Donovan's character. I could get it. What
Lexy does is investigate in a way that you or I could do without special
training or education, and we could help solve a mystery. This isn't necessary
in reading mysteries of course, but in this case, it really added to my
enjoyment.
Sally Powers (I Love a Mystery, Sherman Oaks, California):
Truly Donovan's first mystery is a delightful romp for fans of the cozy
genre . . . . The dialogue is sharp. The characters are engaging. A terrific
debut. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Harriet Klausner [Amazon's #1 reviewer]
Chandler’s Daughter is truly an exciting amateur sleuth tale that
seems to forecast a long run for Lexy. Readers will enjoy this story and want
more Lexy tales.
Doris Ann Norris [DorothyL]
Lexy has quickly become one of my favorite amateur sleuths. ... had to love
a character who says her idea of decorating is putting up the book shelves and
hoping all the volumes fit. Truly, I want another Lexy book and very soon.
Mona T. Hallinan, Eclectic Book Reviews, Vol. 7-2, April 2000
For mystery buffs who enjoy a cross-country jaunt with a bit of humor,
love, and a great deal of "who-done-it," this book keeps readers on
edge until the end. Curl up in a cozy chair and indulge yourself in this fun,
fast-paced murder mystery.
