Editor-in-chief Irene Ingram pencils in her newest mystery in Joyce St. Anthony’s second captivating Homefront News mystery, perfect for fans of Anne Perry and Rhys Bowen.

As World War II rages in Europe and the Pacific, the small town of Progress is doing its part for the soldiers in the field with a war bond drive at the annual county fair. Town gossip Ava Dempsey rumors that Clark Gable will be among the participating stars. Instead of Gable, the headliner is Freddie Harrison, a B-movie star. When Freddie turns up dead in the dunk tank, Irene Ingram, editor-in-chief of The Progress Herald, starts chasing the real headline.

There are plenty of suspects and little evidence. Ava’s sister Angel, who was married to the dead actor, is the most obvious. The couple had argued about his affair with the young starlet Belinda Fox, and Angel was the last person to see Freddie alive.

Irene discovers there’s more than one person who might have wanted Freddie dead. As Irene draws on her well-honed reporter’s instincts to find the killer—nothing is what it seems in Progress, and now her own deadline could be right around the corner. (Goodreads synopsis)

I have read Joyce St Anthony’s 1st novel in her Homefront News series, so this was a true continuation for me.

I love the use of headlines at the beginning of each chapter because it puts everything into better context. Why a female is the editor-in-chief and why everyone is on edge with and/or worry. I also loved the sense of community as each character brings a new possible solution. The strength of women during this time is very apparent in the novels and cannot/should not be downsized. In this novel, many of Irene’s male co-workers all show their admiration for Irene. Which is a big step from the first novel.

Two of my biggest pet peeves with cozy mysteries are the local authorities being jerks to the amateur, and the amateur putting themselves in unnecessary danger. Fortunately, Irene doesn’t run the risk of local law being a jerk to her as it is her future father-in-law, and he has learned to work with Irene. However, Irene is not very sensible to her own safety, as she puts herself in danger. If she couldn’t trust the local law then I would understand, but that it obviously not the case here.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

This is a very enjoyable series. It’s well written with well developed characters. The time period is interesting and the snippets of news stories from the WW II era give a sense of the reality of that time period and add much to the story. Information about life at home during wartime and the changing roles, struggles and acceptance of women in the workplace is a strong component to the series. The mystery is also well done, giving plenty of suspects to choose from. Entertaining historical cozy mystery!

3.5 stars

This second entry in the World War II era cozy Homefront News series is quite readable. Competent young Irene is in charge of the family small town newspaper while her father is serving as a war correspondent overseas and her fiance is training to go fight. Irene is full of common sense and is a strong female character, especially for her age. She still has to overcome people's prejudices about women's roles but she holds her own.

Her small town is excited about an upcoming war bond tour passing through which features Hollywood actors, even (according to rumor) possibly Clark Gable. But instead they get mostly B movie standbys -- and one of the actors, heartily disliked by almost everyone, is found murdered at the local fair. Another member of the troupe is a former high school classmate of the locals, bearing no resemblance to the gawky kid he once was.

The murder victim had a lot of enemies so the suspect list is long. Irene barges right in to help, partly because it's in her character, partly because she is sniffing around for news, and partly because her future father in law is chief of police.

These are comfortable books, almost young adult like in tone. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book so much!
Set in Pennsylvania during WWII, Death on a Deadline is about a series of murders taking place during a local fair / war bond drive by Hollywood actors. Main character Irene, who is a reporter and editor of the local paper while her father is overseas as a war correspondent, investigates the murders and identifies the culprit.

I really enjoyed the blend of historical and fictional characters in this book, especially since the war bond drives actually did take place and how rationing was woven into the story. I felt the language used in the book was accurate to the time period, and I appreciated how newspaper headlines related to the plot or WWII were listed for each chapter.

Irene is spunky and I feel really drawn to her character. I liked the interaction between the characters, especially Irene and Kirk, the local boy who is on the way to making it big in Hollywood--here's to hoping Kirk makes appearances in future books. I had to giggle at Greta, the Hollywood gossip columnist who would fit right in with Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons--Greta was so sanctimonious and eager to ruin others while trying to keep her own secrets under wraps.

This is book #2 in the series and I plan to go back and read the first book.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for supplying this advance reader copy. In return this is my honest review and all opinions are mine.

St Anthony really delivers! I very much appreciate the fact that this is a non-European based WWII story, taking place in small town Pennsylvania. I also like the inclusion of the real period newspaper headlines/stories that are included, which make you feel as if you’re really in 1942. St Anthony’s not only written great characters, Irene is plucky and incredibly likable, but effortlessly balances the suspects, red herrings and clues to create a twisty turny mystery that will keep guessing to the end. This is the second book in the Homefront News series, so if you want to catch up check out book one, Front Page Murder. I look forward to reading Irene’s further adventures.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

I highly enjoyed this cozy mystery! It was a very quick read, the characters are well developed and well written. I like how the plot really jumped in quickly versus having a ton of intro. Would recommend!

I consider myself lucky indeed to have been granted the opportunity to read an ARC of #DeathonaDeadline by Joyce St. Anthony, courtesy of #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks.
I didn't think that the author could possibly top the excellent first book in the series, but I stand corrected. This second volume is as fascinating as the first, with its historic, WWII setting that includes true-life news tidbits, complex mystery, and wonderful characters. It is superbly written and provides an entertaining and clearly well-researched look at life in the USA as the war progresses.
I highly recommend this series to any fan of historical novels and cozy mysteries.

Great read! The author captured a feeling of the times, the characters are well developed and I was thoroughly engrossed.

4 stars. I enjoyed it's mix of mystery and historical fiction. I vote to pick up a copy :)

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me take a peek at an early copy. My views are my own.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Crooked Lane Books and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

A lovely cozy mystery, the second in a new series. As much as I enjoyed the first one, this one was even more enjoyable.

Progress is a small Pennsylvanian town trying to do its best as World War II rages half a world away. Irene Ingram has taken over the running of her father’s paper, The Herald, while he reports from the Pacific, and takes her position as Editor-in-Chief very seriously. With the 1942 county fair almost upon them Irene, her mom, and sister Lily are all ready to help in any way they can. There will be a war bond drive held during the fair and, according to Ava Dempsey who owns the beauty parlour, an A lister will be coming to Progress, maybe even Clark Gable himself!

When the stars arrive as part of the Hollywood Victory Committee who are travelling across the country to encourage the purchase of war bonds, Irene and her friends discover Ava has a sister who is an up and coming movie star. Angel isn't the only surprise arrival and when one of the visitors is found dead the whole drive is put in jeopardy. With the town already reeling from the death of one of its own everyone is anxious for the murderer to be caught and life to return to some sort of normality.

Clues are hard to come by however, and Irene soon finds herself in the thick of things as she tries to help the police chief and future father-in-law discover who killed a visiting movie star. With the help of friends and family she might finally be getting somewhere but desperate people do desperate things and Irene is in far more danger than she ever thought possible in her small peaceful home town.

This is the second in the Homefront Mystery Series and is even more enjoyable than the first. Irene is a believable, likeable main protagonist who, alongside best friend Peggy, and almost father-in-law, Police Chief Walter Turner, uses her journalistic instincts once again to work through the clues and suspects. The historical elements add another level to the story and has obviously been extensively researched. The whole storyline was engaging and the end was satisfyingly right.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and hope there will be many more books to come. Recommended highly.

Delightful! Impeccably researched, fast moving and great characters. I think I could best describe this as a small town America "Foyle's War." A huge bonus for me was the amount of accurate period detail. Reading it made me feel like I was living in that time period; I was even motivated while reading it to look up some of the things that are alluded to in the text. The interesting thing about historical murder mysteries, especially those that happened during World Wars, is that you know the eventual ending. However the best ones make you want to know what will happen to the characters. I look forward to seeing what happens to these.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Thanks for the ARC. Great cozy mystery! What can I say? Did not want to put this book down once I started reading it. I did but could not wait to get back to reading it. I loved it. Will recommend!

A cozy mystery with not much excitement, the storyline wasn’t bad, but I thought it needed a pinch more of something. Irene’s character gave off a jaded personality. Which was not exciting, although, I must say, the storyline was good. It was mildly interesting with mild intrigue and excitement.

This is the second book in a new series and I really enjoyed it. Admittedly I found the plot of book one, Front Page Murder, more to my liking, but Death on a Deadline is a solid read.

The books are quick reads with a very conversational heroine (Irene) as narrator of the story.

I love the town of Progress, newspaper editor Irene and her quirky friends, family and newsroom staff. I especially appreciate the author’s research of the newspaper industry, as a journalist myself.

I enjoy the World War II era setting for cozy mysteries and that too is backed with solid historical research of the era.

When/will her father and Bill return from the war? Will Irene continue as editor after the war ends? What about the careers of the women at Tabor Ironworks? Would also love to see her best friend Peggy keep developing as a character.

I hope more books are planned for the series.

What makes this book a unique and fun read are its elements. The elements are A World War II era, a protagonist lady journalist whose editor-in-chief/amateur sleuth, wonderful cast of characters, and storytelling. Joyce St. Anthony does a great job in bringing the era to life for readers. I recommend checking out this series!

My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGallery for a digital copy of this book for my review. Here's to more of A Homefront News Mystery series!

Death on a Deadline was a well-written mystery, with lots of intrigue. This is the second novel in a series, but it is not necessary to have read the first book. Death on a Deadline is the first Joyce St. Anthony novel that I have read, and I had no problem with not having read the first novel. However, I now intend to read St. Anthony's first novel.

The setting is June 1942 in Progress, PA. The WW II setting adds important details to the story. The characters are nicely developed and interesting. St. Anthony has included information about the war bond drive that helped to raise money for the war effort. There are lots of small details--the cost of a lunch and a candy bar, plus the names of stores that no longer exist. St. Anthony's descriptions are perfect, such as using a hip to open a door when hands and arms are full of objects. These kinds of details add depth to the story.

I want to thank the author and publisher, Crooked Lane Books, for providing this ARC of St. Anthony's novel. And thank you also to NetGalley for introducing me to yet another enjoyable author. This novel was an enjoyable read.

As WWII continues and the U.S. is now rationing gas, sugar, rubber, and metal among other things.
The town of Progress PA is holding its annual and possibly last county fair until the war is over.

The town is selling war bonds and stamp books to help in the war effort.
There are going to be some celebrities from Hollywood to help draw crowds to help sell the bonds.

When one of the celebrities was killed, Irene Ingram and friends jump in to help solve the crime before the fair ends and the murderer gets away.

There's plenty of suspects to go around and a few red herrings along with some humor to keep the story moving at a steady pace.

This is the second book in the series and it's every bit as good as the first one was, if not even better.

Irene is running her father's newspaper while he is away as a WWII correspondent.
The Progress County Fair is hosting a War Bond Drive with Hollywood actors on stage to
promote sales. When one of the actors is killed, two of the actors who are former residents of the town are suspects. Irene investigates the dead actor's past and discovers that he had many enemies. Will Irene unmask the murderer before the other actors leave?
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy.

I did not realize that this was book 2 in a series when I started reading it, but it did not detract from following the story. The story is set in 1942 in a small town during the local fair and some B-list celebrities come to town for a war bond drive. That appealed to me as a history lover. The mystery part was interesting enough to keep me invested.