About the Book

Book: Murder at Madison Square Garden

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Historical Mystery

Release date: July 15, 2020

The dream of a lifetime becomes a nightmare.

Photojournalist Theodora “Teddy” Schafer’s career has hit the skids thanks to rumors of plagiarism. With any luck, a photo spread with Charles Lindbergh at the America First Rally will salvage her reputation. After an attempted assassination of Lindbergh leaves another man dead, Teddy is left holding the gun. Literally. Can she prove her innocence before the police lock her up for a murder she didn’t commit?

Private Investigator Ric Bogart wants nothing to do with women after his wife cleaned out their bank account and left him for another man, but he can’t ignore the feeling he’s supposed to help the scrappy, female reporter who is arrested for murder at the America First rally. Can he believe her claims of innocence and find the real killer without letting Teddy steal his heart?

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About the Author

Bestselling author of over twenty books, Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is currently working with the curator to create her first exhibit, Shaped by Conflict that will be on display from May 1 to June 15, 2021. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historical places all her life and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

Dear readers:

I grew up in New Jersey and often went into New York City for school field trips and family visits. One of my favorite places to go was Madison Square Garden. I have lots of happy memories, so I wondered if I could possibly set a book there. I spent a lovely afternoon digging into the building’s past and learning about the important, historic events that took place there. When I discovered that aviator Charles Lindbergh spoke at the Garden about the controversial topic of U.S. isolationism prior to America’s entry into WWII, I knew I had the beginning of a story.

My protagonist came about during one of my shifts as a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII. While talking to one of our guests about our wartime print and broadcast journalism display, the conversation turned to the role that women played. Therese Bonney was a one of the photojournalists highlighted in the exhibit. As I studied her picture, I was struck by her determination in the set of her jaw and look in her eyes. My protagonist Theodora “Teddy” Schafer was born.

I enjoyed my trip down Memory Lane at the Garden during my research and had fun subjecting Teddy to uncomfortable situations as she tried to prove her innocence. But most of all, I hope her story honors the men and women who served in countless ways during this difficult time in history.

Enjoy Murder at Madison Square Garden.

Linda

MY REVIEW

This has been a wonderful story set during the time of Charles Lindbergh. I loved the way the author writes her stories that come to life with historical facts mixed in with fiction. I enjoyed getting to know Teddy and how she struggled trusting anyone. She does not have much faith and wavers on it constantly. Her gift as a photojournalist is something she enjoys. I would call it being at the wrong place at the wrong time for Teddy as the story takes on mystery and intrigue. Teddy is determined to prove her innocence but she lacks trust and this will hamper her in many ways.

Ric is someone I would want on my side. Trying to help Teddy stay out of jail for murder gives him a run for his money. They clash many times and I loved their sarcastic banter between them. Teddy can be quite frustrating at times. The author weaves a story that shines with the backdrop of the era and makes you feel like you have traveled back in time.

It is a great story that has many suspects and touch’s on what war does to some people when they come home. Many men came back angry, depressed and a feeling of loneliness. I’m glad the author included this in the story to help us remember those who served and the sacrifice they made for us. I was surprised at who ended up being the guilty person.

One of the best parts of the story for me was witnessing two characters learning to forgive as one of them surrenders their life to God. The faith element in the story is written well and pulls the characters together in a way that helps you understand the struggles they both have faced. I will say this is one of my favorite books for the year.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.