Lost Among the Angels
Historical Cozy Mystery
Part 1 of the Mercy Allcutt Mystery series
Mercy Allcutt is ecstatic to move to California where she knows she'll learn all about life and-to her Boston blue-blood family's horror--get a JOB; no woman in the Allcutt family has ever actually held a JOB.
Mercy lands employment as secretary to Ernie Templeton, Private Investigator. Mercy's thrilled, and she's sure, with time and help, she'll become an invaluable asset to Ernie's business.
Ernie doesn't yet share Mercy's sunny optimism, but nothing tests the resolve of a new employee quite like murder.
Angels Flight
Part 2 of the Mercy Allcutt Mystery series
Synopsis currently unavailable.
Fallen Angels
Historical Cozy Mystery
Part 3 of the Mercy Allcutt Mystery series
1926, Los Angeles, CA--
Mercy Allcutt has had exciting times as secretary to private investigator, Ernie Templeton. While it's true she's been in what she considers a wee bit of trouble--Ernie considers out-and-out danger--a time or two, she's determined to continue learning the ways of the 'real' world.
However, when she sets out to find her wandering boss, Ernie, one hot September afternoon, she not only discovers a corpse, she also finds Ernie, bound and gagged. Even worse, when the police arrive to investigate the crime, they peg Ernie as the killer.
Mercy isn't about to let the police get away with that, no matter how many times Ernie tells her to butt out of the case. The only question is whether she'll survive her investigatory efforts before she becomes one more 'Fallen Angel.'
Publisher Note: Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries in historical settings are sure to appreciate the Mercy Allcutt series set in 1920s Los Angeles, California. No vulgarity or explicit sex for those who appreciate a clean and wholesome read.
Angels of Mercy
Historical Cozy Mystery
Part 4 of the Mercy Allcutt Mystery series
It's a warm August morning in 1926 Los Angeles, Former Boston Brahmin Mercy Allcutt is excited to be renting out suites of rooms to deserving working women in her new home on Bunker Hill in Los Angeles. She considers she's performing an act of good-heartedness, no matter skeptical her boss, private investigator Ernie Templeton, is about her endeavor.
When her housekeeper's son is arrested for the murder of a Hollywood bigwig, Mercy presses Ernie to solve the case. She's positive Calvin Buck is innocent. Ernie tells her he'll do his best. She's not entirely convinced he means it, so she does some snooping on her own.
In the meantime, Mercy not only takes driving lessons from Ernie, but she discovers there's more to being a landlady than meets the eye. Is one of her "Angels of Mercy" not what she appears to be? Only time, and perhaps Mercy and Ernie, will tell...
Thanksgiving Angels
Historical Cozy Mystery
Part 5 of the Mercy Allcutt Mystery series
Grandmother of Monty Mountjoy Cruelly Murdered in Thanksgiving Angels, a Cozy Historical Mystery from Alice Duncan
-1926, Los Angeles, CA-
Former Boston Brahmin, Mercy Allcutt, moved from Boston to Los Angeles specifically to get away from her overbearing mother and father. Therefore, she's upset when her boss, P.I. Ernie Templeton, gives her the entire Thanksgiving week of 1926 off so that she can spend the holiday with her parents in their new winter home in Pasadena, California.
Her week of vile endurance is made even more miserable when a woman is flung to her death over the second-story staircase railing. Her mother, who deplores the fact that her daughter actually got a job, insists Mercy call on Ernie to help the Pasadena Police Department solve the case.
In the end, it is Mercy who must solve the crime and risk becoming a statistic herself.
Angels Adrift
Part 6 of the Mercy Allcutt Mystery series
Boston Socialite Cracks Band of Bootleggers in Angels Adrift, a Historical Cozy Mystery from Alice Duncan
1926, Pasadena, CA
Mercy Allcutt's imagination is more exciting than her job as secretary to P.I., Ernie Templeton. As usual, she has nothing to do except gaze out the office window overlooking Pasadena and imagine the plots of stories she plans to write someday.
Generally, when she watches the alley behind the Figueroa Building, she needs to imagine someone being strangled, today was different. She calls the police to report the murder but the corpse is gone before she hangs up the phone.
Ernie tries his best to convince her it was her imagination. The police find nothing. Now her reputation is on the line as well as her aspirations for becoming a P.I.
With her boardinghouse tenants as advisors, she launches her own investigation, putting her and her friend Lulu right in the middle of a band of bootleggers, who don't like nosy secretaries or their friends. Now, Mercy needs to save herself and Lulu before they both wind up floating in a Venice canal.
Publisher Note: Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries in historical settings are sure to appreciate the Mercy Allcutt series set in 1920s Los Angeles, California. No vulgarity or explicit sex for those who appreciate a clean and wholesome read.
Christmas Angels (a Mercy Allcutt Mystery, Book 7)
Historical Cozy Mystery
Part 7 of the Mercy Allcutt Mystery series
A Saturday Christmas Shopping Trip to Chinatown Leads to Murder in Christmas Angels, a Historical Cozy Mystery from Alice Duncan
1926, Los Angeles, CA
Mercy and Lulu visit one of Ernie Templeton's favorite Chinatown dives, a silken items shop owned by Ernie's friend, Charley Wu.
Their Christmas shopping plans take a chill when they witness a young Chinese woman being dragged kicking and screaming into the shop by its proprietor. Even more chilling is the woman's plea for help as she passes Lulu and Mercy.
When the body of an elderly Chinese man is found in a nearby alley the next day, the police arrest Charley for the murder. Ernie Templeton, concerned about police hostilities toward the community, decides to investigate along with Mercy and Lulu.
But Chinatown doesn't welcome the prying of outsiders. Known for its seedy underbelly and dark secrets, those who ask questions often meet a bitter end.
Publisher Note: Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries in historical settings are sure to appreciate the Mercy Allcutt series set in 1920s Los Angeles, California. No vulgarity or explicit sex for those who appreciate a clean and wholesome read.
The Mercy Allcutt Mystery Series
Lost Among the Angels
Angels Flight
Fallen Angels
Angels of Mercy
Thanksgiving Angels
Angels Adrift
Christmas Angels
Hollywood Angels
Historical Cozy Mystery
Part 8 of the Mercy Allcutt Mystery series
Talent Scout Found Murdered in Hollywood Angels, a Historical Cozy Mystery from Alice Duncan
Los Angeles, California, January 1927
Mercy Allcutt's friend, Lulu LaBelle, has an unwelcomed encounter with an alleged talent scout, producer, and director in the burgeoning motion-picture business in Los Angeles.
When the philandering producer is found dead in his office, police arrest Lulu when witnesses report seeing Lulu coming and going from the office.
With her friend accused of murder, Mercy comes to Lulu's aid and begs her employer, Ernie Templeton, PI, for help. But uncovering secrets can be a risky business.
Publisher Note: Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries in historical settings will surely appreciate the Mercy Allcutt series set in 1920s Los Angeles, California. No vulgarity or explicit sex for those who appreciate a clean and wholesome read.
The Mercy Allcutt Mystery Series
Lost Among the Angels
Angels Flight
Fallen Angels
Angels of Mercy
Thanksgiving Angels
Angels Adrift
Christmas Angels
Hollywood Angels
Celluloid Angels (a Mercy Allcutt Mystery, Book 9)
Part 9 of the Mercy Allcutt Mystery series
In the Cutthroat World of Hollywood, Fame and Fortune Come at a Deadly Price in Celluloid Angels, a Historical Cozy Mystery from Alice Duncan
Los Angeles, California, 1927
Esteemed producer, Harvey Nash is troubled by a series of suspicious accidents plaguing the set of his current movie. From falling scaffolding to burning wigs, it seems that someone is hell-bent on ruining the production and endangering the lives of its stars, including the charming Ramon Novarro and the mesmerizing Blanche Sweet.
When Harvey seeks Ernie's help to get to the bottom of these malevolent incidents, Mercy knows she has to help too. Teaming up with her dear friend, Lulu, Ernie, Mercy and Lulu infiltrate the movie set as undercover extras, determined to expose the sinister culprit behind the mayhem.
But for the intrepid trio, danger lurks behind every dazzling facade and the quest for truth may come at the ultimate cost.
Publisher Note: Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries in historical settings will surely appreciate the Mercy Allcutt series set in 1920s Los Angeles, California. No vulgarity or explicit sex for those who appreciate a clean and wholesome read.
The Mercy Allcutt Mystery Series
Lost Among the Angels
Angels Flight
Fallen Angels
Angels of Mercy
Thanksgiving Angels
Angels Adrift
Christmas Angels
Hollywood Angels
Celluloid Angels
Dancing Angels
Historical Cozy Mystery
Part 10 of the Mercy Allcutt Mystery series
Intrigue and Danger Dance Hand in Hand in Dancing Angels, a Historical Cozy Mystery from Alice Duncan
-1927, Los Angeles, California-
The Murray Dance Studio becomes a hotspot for murder when one of its talented dancers, Lucille Murray, is found dead. The once vibrant and glamorous studio now lies under a cloud of suspicion and fear.
Private Investigator Ernie Templeton is quickly drawn into the case when Mercy Allcutt, his spirited and determined assistant, insists on uncovering the truth. Despite Ernie's objections, Mercy enlists the help of her friends Lulu and Sue, and together, the trio delves into an intricate world of dance, deception, and danger.
As Mercy, Ernie, Lulu, and Sue navigate a tangle of lies and secrets, they uncover rivalries, hidden agendas, and dangerous passions that threaten to consume them all. With each pirouette and paso doble, the stakes get higher, and the murderer is determined to keep the secrets buried at any cost.
Publisher Note: Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries in historical settings are sure to appreciate the Mercy Allcutt series set in 1920s Los Angeles, California. No vulgarity or explicit sex for those who appreciate a clean and wholesome read.
Alice Duncan spent years avoiding what she knew she should be doing-writing-by professionally folk dancing instead. Eventually, her muse won the battle, and she's been crafting engaging historical cozy mysteries ever since. Now a proud resident of Roswell, New Mexico, Alice enjoys the lack of smog and crowds while spoiling her beloved herd of wild dachshunds. Visit her at aliceduncan.net.
The Mercy Allcutt Mystery Series in Order
Lost Among the Angels
Angels Flight
Fallen Angels
Angels of Mercy
Thanksgiving Angels
Angels Adrift
Christmas Angels
Hollywood Angels
Celluloid Angels
Dancing Angels