The War Widow

Trigger warnings: murder, torture, kidnapping, human trafficking, antisemitism, racism, antifeminism

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Billie Walker is a PI in post-WWII Australia.

Billie Walker is the daughter of a now-deceased PI and has taken over her father's practice. Her mother is an aristocrat of declining fortune who lives in Billie's building.

Billie's assignment in the novel is to find a missing seventeen-year-old boy. She is adept at uncovering the information she needs to find him, but the more she uncovers the more complicated the case becomes. It's clear that the responsible parties don't want the boy to be found, and they come after Billie.

The story occasionally switches to a man who is being held captive, but it isn't clear to the reader if this is the boy she is searching for or her MIA husband Jack. Jack Rake is a photographer who reporter Billie fell for during World War II, but she hasn't heard from him in years.

Author Tara Moss creates such a genuine world that the book almost seems written during the time it takes place. Her knowledge of Australia, cars, and the police force add to the authenticity.

While Billie's case comes to an eventual close, the whereabouts of her missing beau are unresolved. Readers will want to experience Billie's next case and learn what happened to Jack in the next book. This novel is recommended for fans of historical fiction and historical mysteries.

Tara Moss is an author, documentary host, human rights activist, and former model residing in Vancouver. She is a dual citizen of Australia and Canada.

Series: Billie Walker Mystery, #1

Publisher: Dutton

Length: 352 pages

Release Date: December 29, 2020

I received an electronic galley copy of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.