The Twist and Shout Murder, by Teresa Trent

I had a blast watching Dot Morgan find herself and emerge as a strong, woman. Initially she comes across as rather demur, a young woman whose goal in life is to be a secretary. Dot has ambitions, however, even if they initially involve getting her father to run for the unexpected seat on the city council. He's reluctant but she talks him into it. Teresa Trent creates an adorable image of Dot and her father, Mike, dancing to the Isley's "Twist and Shout" in the kitchen, a nice connection to the era. Even Lady Bird Johnson makes an appearance later in the book. After all, this does take place in Texas.

The trouble soon begins. Dot abruptly joins the Camden, Texas, Ladies Club thinking it might be helpful to her father's campaign. Head socialite Barb immediately makes her uncomfortable and turns her into a glorified gofer. I won't detail the plot but ultimately the candidate opposing Dot's father is murdered. Suspicion naturally falls on Dot's father, Mike, and Dot finds herself asking questions that bring her both attention and potential danger. Despite all this, Dot's basic kindness and moral code stand out against the political nastiness and class barriers exemplified by many of the ladies' club. One highlight of the increasing frustration felt by Dot as she tries to confront potential murderers is her burgeoning friendship with a reporter who seems almost as nice as Dot. Oddly enough, their basic niceness isn't cloying or annoying but welcome in contrast to the not so nice events about them. 

So, who is the murderer? Or, maybe it really was an accident? And, what is going on with the side story involving Ellie and her long-time beau Al? Will Ellie or won't she? Will Dot ever manage to pass that shorthand course? How long would it take to transcribe 100 pages of a textbook into shorthand? I'm not sure I even want to know. Is the reporter friend or foe? Will they be able to deflect the insinuations cast by the story on Mike's late night trip to a, uh, bordello, to rescue a friend? Will Dot's mother believe the real story and stand by her man? Who was guilty of adultery? Did that play into the murder? Will Dot find the courage to stand up to Barb and the Camden Ladies Club? And how about that hit-and-run accident? What role, if any, does that play in the story? Finally, of course, who wins the campaign for city council? 

All these questions and more will be answered in "The Twist and Shout Mystery". It was a delight watching Dot, who started out so demur and soft spoken, emerge as a strong woman ready to take on not just the Camden Ladies Club but the world. Remember 1962? That wasn't always the case for women back then, hence it's a delight to have Trent share this character on the brink of a world about to change. I'm looking forward to following Dot on her journey through the "Swinging Sixties" and, hopefully, beyond. Fun read with bits of the history of the time scattered throughout and a growing stronger every day main character. What's not to like?

Thanks to #NetGallery and #LevelBestBooks, part of the #IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association, for the chance to meet Dot and travel back through time to 1962.