Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Tom Boy” by Shelley Blanton-Stroud, She Writes Press, On tour with Suzy Approved Book Tours

Shelley Blanton-Stroud, the author of “Tom Boy” has written an intriguing and suspenseful novel. The genres for this novel are Historical Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, and Fiction. The timeline for the story is 1939. The author vividly describes her characters as complex and complicated. This is the second book in the series, and I found that I could follow along, but it would have been beneficial to read the first book.

The protagonist of the story Jane Benjamin, uses different names and seems to be manipulative, and a survivalist. Times are difficult, and jobs are difficult for women. Jane has disguised herself as a boy in the past to become a Copy Boy. Jane is taking care of her toddler sister during the day, and uses and imposes on other people to do and get things for her. Jane jumps at the opportunity to write a gossip column, and finds herself on a train, and The Queen Mary. Using tickets in someone else’s name, Jane follows the activities of the Wimbledon’s Women championship. Jane is extremely lucky to have people clean her messes. I feel both sorry, for Jane, and annoyed that Jane is such an opportunist and takes advantage of others.

When a murder occurs, Jane is looking at the possibility of a big story. Jane has also become close to a famous tennis player, and could write some damaging information on her. Will Jane be able to do what the morale and right thing to do?

I appreciate that Shelley Blanton-Stroud discusses the problems of the times, and how the news industry works. There are betrayals and secrets, and wealthy people pay for what they want. I would recommend this thought-provoking novel.