Dashiki: A Cozy Mystery
by Florence Wetzel
Publisher: Florence Wetzel
Release Date: January 5, 2025
Reviewed by PJ




A cozy 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 cozy mystery laced with romance, immersing readers in the captivating world of jazz, where musicians, journalists, scholars, and enthusiasts intersect in an entertaining whodunit.
PJ's Thoughts:
Set (primarily) in Hoboken, NJ, this story follows a music journalist with a love of jazz and a police detective with little knowledge of jazz who find themselves at the center of a murder, the disappearance of a musical treasure, and an unanticipated attraction.
I really enjoyed the vibe of this story. Though set in the early two thousands, it has a distinct 1950's vibe (at least it did to me) that meshes seamlessly with the jazz influences, including real and fictional characters, who were at the height of their popularity in that time frame.
The mystery was well crafted and though I was pretty sure I had the culprit figured out about midway through, I was still surprised by some twists the story took in reaching its conclusion.
But what really stood out for me in this book were the characters, the music, and the atmospheric resonance of the small jazz clubs tucked into out of the way corners of Manhattan and other cities. The author brought all of them to life on the pages of this novel, immersing me in their love - some might say obsession - of jazz legends and the genius of their musical creations. The characters, primary and secondary, were unique, richly textured, and each one important to the trajectory of the story as it unfolded.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries, jazz, or just a well-told story with a little danger, a few surprises, and a bit of mild romance, give this one a try. I'm glad I did.
PJ, many thanks for reading my book and writing such an insightful review! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, especially the characters. I really had fun writing about them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review and recommendation. There is a special feel to those little jazz clubs. It has been a very long time since I went to one, but I enjoyed them when I did. This sounds like a nice visit back to those times, minus the murder, of course.
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