Murder in the Ranks - by Kristi Jones (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Algiers, North Africa, 1943. After her abusive German husband left her for dead and took their daughter with him behind enemy lines, Dottie Lincoln learned that it's better to be a trained soldier rather than a victim. As a newly minted squad leader in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, she spends her days moving men and materials to the front and her nights attending mandatory dances to boost the morale of the men. Despite the grueling nature of her job, she has found a sanctuary amongst the women in the Army. When Ruth, a member of her squad, is murdered, she's devastated and determined to get to the bottom of the murder"--

Book Synopsis

In this World War II debut mystery filled with spies, murder, and a touch of romance, newly minted squad leader Dorothy Lincoln is caught in the crosshairs of a devious plot, perfect for fans of Susan Elia MacNeal and Ashley Weaver.

Algiers, North Africa, 1943. After her abusive German husband left her for dead and took their daughter with him behind enemy lines, Dottie Lincoln learned that it's better to be a trained soldier rather than a victim. As a newly minted squad leader in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, she spends her days moving men and materials to the front and her nights attending mandatory dances to boost the morale of the men. Despite the grueling nature of her job, she has found a sanctuary amongst the women in the Army. When Ruth, a member of her squad, is murdered, she's devastated and determined to get to the bottom of the murder.

Dottie's company is the first group of American women assigned to a combat theater, and with Ruth's death, the entire operation is being questioned. Determined to do everything she can to help win the war, bring justice to her friend, and hopefully reunite with her daughter, Dottie must rise to the occasion before the killer strikes again.

But when her past comes back to haunt her, Dottie must prove she's not a German spy and put a stop to a deadly conspiracy that threatens the entire American war effort.

Review Quotes

Praise for Murder in the Ranks
"Deftly handled and equally compelling."
--Kirkus Review

"Dottie makes for an appealing, three-dimensional protagonist."
--Publishers Weekly

"Jones excels at the vivid descriptions of Algiers during World War II."
--Library Journal

"Dottie and the complex plot deserve a sequel."
--Historical Novel Society

"An original, deftly crafted, and fully entertaining novel."
--Midwest Book Review

"[A] debut novel from author Kristi Jones and it's a good one . . . Fans of historical novels will enjoy this one."
--Red Carpet Crash

"Well researched. Well plotted. Well written. Hopefully, we'll soon get more adventures of Dottie Lincoln and the WAACs."
--Kate Parker, USA Today bestselling author of the Deadly series

"Impeccably researched and cleverly plotted, Murder in the Ranks deftly introduces Auxiliary Dottie Lincoln, a determined WAAC navigating life in occupied Algiers. When one of Dottie's fellow WAACs falls to her death, she's compelled to investigate and uncover dark truths about the war--even when they threaten to reveal Dottie's own dangerous secret. This is one book mystery and historical fiction fans won't want to miss!"
--Julia Kelly, international bestselling author of A Traitor in Whitehall

"Rife with historical detail and intrigue, Murder in the Ranks by Kristi Jones introduces Dottie Lincoln of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. It's a heartfelt story of crime, betrayal, and loyalty set in the early days of the Second World War in North Africa. Dottie's a keeper!"
--James R. Benn, author of the Billy Boyle WW2 mystery series

"Set in exotic Algiers amid the Allied offensive in North Africa in 1943, Murder in the Ranks brings the crucial role of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps to the forefront. Despite squad leader Dottie Lincoln's conscientious efforts to watch over her fellow auxiliaries, she is witness as one of them falls from the roof of the Algiers Opera House. Certain her friend has been murdered, Dottie enlists the official assistance of a captain in the military police, and together they begin an investigation that will prove she is not the only auxiliary keeping dangerous secrets. Peppered with fascinating historical detail and meticulously drawn characters, Murder in the Ranks is a thrilling, atmospheric mystery with a cagey spitfire of a protagonist. I loved it!"
--Stephanie Graves, author of the Olive Bright Mystery series

About the Author

Kristi Jones grew up in the military and has lived in Germany, England, Turkey, and many places throughout the US. She attended a German high school that left her with a lifelong love of languages. She holds a degree in history and is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Writer's League of Texas. In her free time, Kristi loves to paint, travel, explore historical sites, and comb through old bookstores and museums for obscure nuggets of historical details to add to her stories. She lives in the Houston area with her husband and two rescue pups.