Chipped Pearls

'Chipped Pearls' is the gripping Book Two in the Elvira Slate Investigations crime series, featuring 1940s female detective Elvira Slate, former ex-con and former gangster's moll from London. It's Christmas, 1945. Elvira has reinvented herself and escaped old enemies from England who want her blood. Now she's got the chance of a new life and she has to make it work. But her sleuthing start-up is in trouble - mounting debts and no clients. And secretly, Elvira suffers from imposter syndrome. Will she ever be good at this? She still suffers the emotional scars of a hard knock life, and is still in recovery from a traumatic incarceration for most of the war. On the bright side, she has friends, a secret lover and a male secretary. But is she worthy of any of them? When hot-shot criminal defence attorney Sonia Parker offers Elvira an assignment on Christmas Eve, Elvira jumps at the chance to earn some money and prove herself. The client is Dolly, a broke singer in an all-girl swing band. Dolly has been framed for murder of her secret and rich lover Ronald Hunter, one of the richest men in the city, who is also married. Found guilty, Dolly faces the death penalty. But the high profile case is dangerous for Elvira - she should stay out of the spot-light, to avoid recognition from her enemies. But Dolly's vulnerability and tragic childhood touches a raw nerve in Elvira. She has to save her. Soon the case immerses Elvira in the world of swing clubs, Hollywood high society, and the ordinary lives of shop girls. There are plenty of suspects but as many dead ends. Not helping is the tight leash Sonia keeps her on. Elvira realises to find the real killer she will have to follow her instincts and break free of Sonia's rules. But as she closes in on the truth, dreaded old enemies from the past and her inner demons swarm; Elvira loses her grip, doubting her ability as a private investigator. Can she catch the real killer before she is dragged to hell? 'Chipped Pearls' is a feminist reinvention of 1940s noir, with a strong female protagonist. By Helen Jacey, the author of the internationally acclaimed The Woman in the Story: Writing Memorable Female Characters, and Jailbird Detective, Elvira Slate Investigations Book One. Fans of vintage, noir and feminist fiction are thrilled by Elvira Slate Investigations.