"The equally brilliant real-life sister of the famous flying Wright Brothers, Katharine Wright, investigates an unsettling death at the 1904 World's Fair in this radiant new historical mystery from USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower.

Summer 1904. Katharine and her best friend from Oberlin College, Margaret Goodwin Meacham, are thrilled to attend the St. Louis Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, for the centennial celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Not only is it a grand, international event, it's also the first time the young women have seen each other in quite a while, and they are giddy with excitement - despite warnings from Katharine's old family friend, poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, to be careful of the fair's less seemly side.

Undaunted, the girls have a lovely time - until the exposition turns from a girls' trip to a misadventure when Katharine stumbles upon a woman in distress. It's obvious that she has been attacked. Katharine does her best to save her, but tragically, before help can arrive, the woman dies. Yet just before her last breath, she utters the words aeronautics competition.... Katharine's brothers Wilbur and Orville were asked to enter the competition with their successful 1903 flyer but declined. Katharine wonders how this young woman could be connected to such a prestigious event.

Now, unable to get the woman's face out of her mind, Katharine convinces Margaret to join her investigation - and it's soon clear that the race to be declared the first in flight might just be the deadliest competition of them all..."

I can't turn down an exposition of a fair!

Not They Who Soar is book two of Amanda Flower’s The Katherine Wright Mysteries series. If you will remember from book one of this series Katherine was Orville and Wilber Wright’s sister. She is a high school teacher in Dayton Ohio. Katherine likes to solve murder mysteries and she’s pretty good at it. The Author takers her readers back in time to the 1904 World’s fair in St. Louis. It’s a man’s world and usually women stay home and take care of the children and do housekeeping. Not our Katherine. Single and working full time at the high school she still has time to sleuth murder mysteries. Katherine decides to take a break from taking care of her father and brothers and meet her best friend Margaret and her husband W.C. Meacham in St.Louis to take in the Worlds Fair. They are only there for a short time when Katherine finds a woman badly wounded and near death. She gets involved trying to find out more about the victim and who killed her and why. But if the victim is dead why does she keep showing up in the oddest of places at the Fair grounds? Find out when you read this historical murder mystery.
I do enjoy reading historical fiction. Life was so different in the early 1900s. This mystery kept me on my toes. I was drawn in from the first page and my interest was peaked throughout the book. It was hilarious at times and sad too. It was unpredictable and realistic. I was unable to guess who the killer was. Readers have to wait till near the end to find out whodunnit. That’s what I like when I read cozies.
I recommend this book to readers of Historical Fiction and Cozy Mystery. If you read To Slip the Bonds of Earth you will want to read Not They Who Soar. This book could be read as a Standalone but I would recommend that book one be read first because it is the introduction to the series. This book is scheduled for release on 5/27/25.
I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed here in this review are solely my own.
#NotTheyWhoSoar #NetGalley

Book 2 in the author's historical mystery series features the Wright brothers' sister Katharine as a sleuth at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. Loved Katharine's intelligence and creativity and the story's intriguing setting. Histfic mystery lovers will devour the tale, as I did, and consume it in one sitting. Enjoy!

3.5 stars

A historical cozy featuring Orville and Wilbur Wright's sister Katharine. Katharine is a strong feminist, impatient with the rampant sexism of early 20th century U.S. society. She has travelled from Dayton, OH to St. Louis for the world exhibition and to spend time with her best friend Margaret and husband.

Given her brothers, Katharine is particularly interested in the aeronautical exhibits but vandalism and a murder curtail the planned program. Katharine injects herself into the investigation. There are some real life characters blended into the story, like poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. Lots of interesting description of the fair itself.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Not They Who Soar is book 2 of historical mystery series that gives center stage to Katharine Wright, the sister of the legendary Wright Brothers.

Set in the early 20th century, at a time when Wilbur and Orville Wright already had their first flight and were working on improvements. Thus, were not ready to attend the St. Louis Exposition in Missouri. Instead, Katharine attends it where she reunites with her best friend from Oberlin College.

As Katharine arrives in St. Louis, right at the train station, she encounters a mystery woman who has been attacked. Katharine is unable to help the woman, but as she encounters her the second time, her last words are - aeronautics competition.

Unable, to forget the mystery woman, Katharine convinces her best friend to join her investigation.

Katharine is a curious, tenacious and likeable character. The premise is fascinating, giving Katharine space to shine as she lived in the shadow of her brothers. She was an educated woman, forward thinker and observer, strong supporter of her brothers, and certainly deserves her spot in history. Those mystery stories thrown into her life make her a perfect candidate as an amateur sleuth to solve the mystery. At the same time, letting her name get acquainted with readers who are still unfamiliar with her.

This mystery offers linear story with a slower pace. It’s a perfect read for those who prefer cozy mystery woven with historical characters and events.

What I liked about this one is that it's told from Katherine's POV.
I loved in getting to know Katherine and her friend Margaret a lot better in this book too.
This one is even better than the last one.
I love the setting of The St.Louis World's Fair.
The mystery part was awesome. Flower know how to keep her audience guessing and happy along the way.
Meeting the rich and famous was a cool thing. I really enjoyed that!
Flower described this setting well so that I could "see" and "hear" the goings on around and at the fair.
I learned quite a bit from this story.
This was a great read and I had fun with it.
5 stars for an amazing adventure with fun new characters to love and know.
I am glad I that I chose this novel.. My heart is feeling full and satisfied right about now.
Thanks for a copy of this wonderful story. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.