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Bait and Switch (A Jessica Minton Mystery Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Sharon Healy-Yang (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 27 ratings
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She plays at deadly intrigue on the stage, then fate hands her the real thing!

Wartime. New York, 1943. Jessica Minton, an up-and-coming young stage actress, is pondering the mixed blessings of rehearsals for a play that just doesn’t seem to be jelling, the attentions of a reliable beau she isn’t quite sure she wants to marry, and playing referee for her sister and brother-in-law’s tempestuous marriage. Just as she thinks her life couldn’t get any crazier, she becomes entangled with deceit, espionage, and murder when an unsettlingly attractive stranger makes her the unwilling custodian of a mysterious package in a Manhattan stalked by fifth columnists.

Those who claim to be her allies may or may not be on the level, as Jessica is shot at, nearly stabbed in the midst of a performance, and held at gun point by a Nazi double agent. As if dodging homicide were not enough, Jessica finds herself romantically torn between her boyfriend and the elusive owner of the package–either of whom could be an Axis spy. With the help of her madcap sister Liz and a smart-aleck cat Dusty, Jessica is challenged to puzzle out whom to trust, with not just her country but her own life depending on her.

Romance and adventure in the vein of Susan Elia McNeal, Kathryn Miller Haines, and Rhys Bowen.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    A Jessica Minton Mystery
  2. Print length
    248 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    December 15, 2015
  6. File size
    1509 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Sharon Healy-Yang is passionate about mysteries from the golden age, whether in a book or on the screen. Her fascination with mysteries and history of the 1940s drives her pleasure in crafting novels that recapture the wit, adventure, and suspense of the era. Known on campus at Worcester State University as the lady with the 1940s hats, she has the great fortune to combine her love of literature and film in teaching courses aimed to enkindle that same excitement in her students. Healy-Yang lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two cats, and an enormous collection of vintage films.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0195FR2M4
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ TouchPoint Press (December 15, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 15, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1509 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0692597948
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 27 ratings

About the author

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Sharon Healy-Yang

Sharon Healy-Yang

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Sharon Healy Yang is passionate about mysteries from the golden age, whether in a book or on the screen. Her fascination with mysteries and the 1940s drives her pleasure in crafting novels that recapture the wit, adventure, and suspense of the era. She is also a member of Sisters in Crime National, as well as the Sisters in Crime New England, for whom she appears on many mystery panels through their Speakers Bureau. Bait and Switch and Letter from a Dead Man are the first two novels in a series of Jessica Minton Mysteries. Released in 2021 is the third entry, Always Play the Dark Horse, which brings in another of her passions: thoroughbred racing. A fourth entry, Shadows of a Dark Past, will be forthcoming and will ensnare Jessica Minton in the supernatural.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
27 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Mrs. Ray Reads
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful period mystery!
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2022
Verified Purchase
A mysterious package dropped into the hands of a young NYC actress kicks off this WWII cloak-and-dagger romp, and the action doesn’t let up until the twist at the end and the satisfying conclusion. Stage actress Jessica Minton has a quick wit and a knack for getting into trouble, which her straitlaced boyfriend doesn’t particularly like but the mysterious possibly-a-spy guy she keeps running into around the city likes very much. The two banter and spar like Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant in “His Girl Friday” while working together to try to keep the package out of enemy hands. Author Sharon Healy-Yang deftly keeps all the balls in the air until the very end while providing such a richly detailed depiction of NYC during the war years (and the fashions!), you almost feel as if you’re there. Well done!
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Carol L. Chester
4.0 out of 5 stars History, Mystery, and Romance
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2016
Verified Purchase
An intriguing story with colorful characters and a surprise ending. Gives reader a taste of life in New York City during 1940s. Good read for a book club.
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Foy
5.0 out of 5 stars Bait and Switch
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
This novel offers an excellent balance of noir fun and intriguing mystery. One of the best things I can say about it is that it is well written--something I cannot say about all contemporary writing. Yang has immersed readers in the past with vivid descriptions of strong and interesting characters in their own milieu. It is an excellent read, especially if you like those old films from the 1940s. Yang is creating a mystery series to anticipate.
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Jean Grant
4.0 out of 5 stars Light mystery & intrigue on the Homefront 1940s
Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2022
Lush details, lively voice, a well-rounded cast, mystery, intrigue, and a drop into 1940s Homefront NYC make this book an easy and enjoyable read. Join Jessica on her adventure as she is baited into working with a guy on a secret mission. Can he be trusted? What is his deal with this package? Stage actress Jess has no time for this nonsense. Is this guy legit? Can she trust her friends and family? Can she keep her head when things go awry? (Oh and they do go quite awry!) Ms. Yang does a great job immersing the reader into this era of ration coupons and espionage. She really has done her homework and it was an easy read. Not too suspenseful or gritty, not too fluffy. Just the right amount of everything to dip you into a mystery. And it's a good standalone, with a solid ending. I highly recommend for WW2/Homefront/mystery buffs.
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q.dog
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a good and entertaining story
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is a good and entertaining story. Imagine being overwhelmed by life only to be thrust into a world of espionage where you can't even trust your boyfriend? Got it. Good. Because that's just the beginning of what's in store for you with this book. It's definitely one I enjoyed.
One person found this helpful
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minervae
5.0 out of 5 stars Charming, witty, and engaging
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2023
If you’re looking for a quick read with compelling characters, this is for you. The author really brings the fast talking folk in her story to life. She writes the kind of characters I forget aren’t real people. It’s a fun mystery that keeps you turning the pages.
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Lisa Lieberman
4.0 out of 5 stars Golden Age Hollywood With Style
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2016
Part of the fun, reading this mystery that evokes Hollywood's golden age, is figuring out who to cast as the main characters. Barbara Stanwyck as Jessica, or should we go with more of an ingenue? Cary Grant as Crawford? Definitely! Nothing like a little escapism to get us through dark times. Bait and Switch kept me entertained.
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Diane Kane
5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Has it All
Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2019
Bait and Switch by Sharon Healy-Yang is a fun read. I was instantly immersed in the WWII intrigue of New York City in 1943. Healy-Yang brings to life the treachery and treason of the time with characters that kept me guessing right to the end. The main character, Jessica Minton, is a stage actress who struggles against a male-dominated society. She manages to maintain her independence and humor while she finds herself in the middle of a high-risk international espionage scheme. This is one of those rare books that has it all, murder, espionage, with a sweet spice of romance, and the added bonus of learning a little about history in an exciting setting. Sharon Healy-Yang did her homework when writing this story. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the read. I can’t wait to get the next in the series, Letter From a Dead Man.
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