In her debut mystery, Kristi Jones takes us to a World War II theater we seldom read about, Algiers in North Africa. Set in 1943, Murder in the Ranks introduces Dorothy (Dottie) Lincoln, a squad leader in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. The women are glorified secretaries without the benefits, pay, rank, or insurance and death benefits that the men receive. But, they’re essential to the war effort, freeing men for combat.
The women are also required to spend time at dances to improve troop morale. Dottie is careful to keep track of her squad members, and she even steps in when one soldier gets too pushy with Ruth Wentz. But, she’s determined to do more when she sees Ruth fall from the roof of the Algiers Opera House. Although Captain Devlin from the Military Police calls it suicide, Dottie pushes for a full-scale investigation. She insists Ruth was murdered.
Devlin listens to Dottie’s arguments, and agrees to launch a murder investigation. But, his superior officer gives them three days to find the truth. Dottie pushes him at all times, despite his normal job investigating the black market. Despite his scepticism, he allows her to question the women, and even takes her into a combat zone, an action that becomes a problem for both of them when General Eisenhower sees a woman in the wrong place.
But, that’s not the biggest problem for Dottie. She has a secret in her past, and when another one of her squad members ends up in the hospital, she has to prove she’s not a German spy while still trying to find a killer.
Murder in the Ranks has typical debut mystery problems. Dottie is the only character who is well-developed, but if this becomes a series, I’m sure it will improve. It always takes time to introduce a cast of characters in a first mystery. The atmosphere was well-done, but the story moved a little slow at times. Even so, I hope to see more of Dottie Lincoln in the war.
Pick this one up to read about Algiers during the war. The descriptions are fascinating. The story of the WAACs and the lack of the support for the women needs to be told.
Kristi Jones’ website is https://www.authorkristijones.com/.
Murder in the Ranks by Kristi Jones. Crooked Lane Books, 2024. ISBN 9781639109715 (hardcover), 304p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley through NetGalley with the intention to review it for a journal.
