WHEN THE BLUES COME CALLING

June 1926, New York City

Records are the wave of the future, and jazz singer Lizzie Crane intends to use this new medium to gain fame and fortune in the music world. When Jim Jenkins, owner of Jupiter Records and a close family friend of Lizzie’s saxophonist, invites her and her bandmates to make a record with his company, it seems like a dream come true. But before they can sign a contract, Jenkins dies from an overdose of mercury bichloride, a drug used to treat syphilis.

As Lizzie begins looking into the record producer’s surprising death, she suspects it may not have been an accident. Jenkins cheated some of the artists who recorded with him and made enemies with other people in the music business, including the head of New York’s top radio station KDAZ. Furthermore, rumors suggest Jenkins had a secret paramour, and his jealous wife might have poisoned him.

When Lizzie starts getting threatening letters, and someone breaks into her apartment, her quest for the truth becomes increasingly personal––and dangerous. The deeper she delves into the mystery, the more she realizes she can’t trust anyone, not even her friends.

. . .

“When the Blues Come Calling is the newest, and in many ways the best (or at least my favorite so far) in the Lizzie Crane series. This time, jazz singer Lizzie and her combo, The Troubadours, are performing in their hometown of New York City, where they sing and play their music live on the radio and in some of New York’s tonier nightclubs. I found myself torn between wanting to devour this book in one sitting and slowing myself down to savor at length a very well-written and enjoyable work of fiction.” 

~ Gregory Stout, author of the Shamus Award-winning

Jackson Gamble Series

“Lizzie is a likeable heroine, and her character is drawn with depth, particularly with respect to her musicianship and relations with her bandmates. Dialogue is tinged with a pleasing amount of period slang. An enjoyable historical mystery for fans of the flapper era.” 

~ Brodie Curtis, Historical Novel Society

“A delightful mix of mystery, romance, and the Roaring Twenties. In actress

and singer Lizzie Crane, Alexander has created a refreshing heroine, whose

charm and keen understanding of human nature make her an amateur sleuth

to watch. Highly recommended.” 

~ Paula Munier, USA Today bestselling author

of the Mercy Carr Series

“The Golden Age of Mystery is alive and well in Skye Alexander’s clever and charming Lizzie Crane novels. Agatha Christie fans: You’ve found your next great read.” 

~ Lori Robbins, author of the On Pointe

and Master Class Mystery Series

“Alexander skillfully captures the milieu of the Roaring Twenties, Prohibition, motorcars, and the Jazz Age. Her characters are realistic, intriguing, and filled with adventure.” 

~ Susan Van Kirk, author of the Art Center Mysteries

“Skye Alexander…vividly recreates the Roarin’ 20s through her depiction of the architecture, fashion, literature, and language. She’s also created a smart and sassy heroine in Lizzie Crane with a supporting cast that’s the ‘bee’s knees’.” 

~ Kevin Kleusner, author of The Killer Sermon and The Killer Speech

“Alexander brings the period to life with a twisting tale of murder and mayhem that will satisfy any fan of historical mystery.” 

~ Edith Maxwell, Agatha-winning author

of the Quaker Midwife Mysteries

“Alexander’s protagonist, Lizzie Crane, is a ball of fire. You’ll love her talent,

her courage, and her clothes.” 

~ Kate Flora, award-winning author

of A World of Deceit