Blog Tour: Dashiki –  Florence Wetzel

A cosy mystery with a dash of romance set in the vibrant world of jazz.

During an interview with reclusive jazz singer Betty Brown, journalist Virginia Farrell is shown priceless tapes from the iconic 1957 Thelonious Monk-John Coltrane gig at the Five Spot. When Betty
is found murdered, Virginia is determined to recover the tapes and uncover the truth behind Betty’s death.

In the spirit of Nancy Drew, Virginia teams up with her six-foot blonde roommate to investigate the
various suspects. Detective Robert Smith from the Hoboken Police Department joins the case, quickly becoming absorbed by an unsolved murder possibly linked to Betty Brown’s death, as well as an undeniable attraction to Virginia.

Dashiki is a cosy mystery laced with romance, immersing readers in the captivating world of jazz, where musicians, journalists, scholars, and enthusiasts intersect in an entertaining whodunit.

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Florence Wetzel was born 1962 in Brooklyn, NY. Her novels include the thriller The Woman Who Went Overboard and the Swedish mystery The Grand Man.

She has also authored horror short stories, a book of poems and memoir essays, and co-authored jazz clarinettist Perry
Robinson’s autobiography. In July 2024, she published Sara My Sara: A Memoir of Friendship and Loss.

Facebook Florence Wetzel (@florencewetzel108) • Instagram profile
(1) Florence Wetzel | LinkedIn

Giveaway to Win a Paperback copy of Dashiki by Florence Wetzel (Open to UK / US / Canada only)

My thoughts: I like some jazz music and have certainly heard of a lot of the musicians mentioned in this book, which centres around the murder of Betty Brown – who was part of the jazz scene when John Coltrane’s star was in the ascendant.

Now living quietly in New Jersey, she agrees to an interview with reporter Virginia, who is thrilled to speak to her. Only later that day, tragedy strikes.

Despite the police investigating, Virginia decides she should also try to find out who killed Betty and why. A box of tapes from a Coltrane gig with Thelonious Monk was stolen at the same time – a priceless box, which jazz fans would possibly do anything to hear the tapes. No other recording of the show exists.

As Detective Robert Johnson investigates, Virginia, with the help of her flatmate Socks, is also on the case. She knows the jazz world, he the criminal. Who will find the killer and does it have anything to do with the tapes, or possibly something else in Betty’s past?

I really liked Virginia, she’s passionate about jazz, but also about finding Betty’s killer, she liked talking to her and wanted to help her, seeing this as a way to do so. I also liked the detective, desperate to avoid being a walking cliche – no doughnuts, but he’d given in to the power of Sinatra! Both characters were relatable and well written, I could picture them clearly in my mind and enjoyed their developing relationship. Perhaps there’s further adventures in store for them?

Witty, entertaining and clever, this was a fun, musical, whodunnit.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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