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The Secret Life of Anna Blanc
The Secret Life of Anna Blanc | Jennifer Kincheloe
8 posts | 12 read | 4 to read
It's 1907 Los Angeles. Mischievous socialite Anna Blanc is the kind of young woman who devours purloined crime novels—but must disguise them behind covers of more domestically-appropriate reading. She could match wits with Sherlock Holmes, but in her world women are not allowed to hunt criminals. Determined to break free of the era's rigid social roles, Anna buys off the chaperone assigned by her domineering father and, using an alias, takes a job as a police matron with the Los Angeles Police Department. There she discovers a string of brothel murders, which the cops are unwilling to investigate. Seizing her one chance to solve a crime, she takes on the investigation herself. If the police find out, she'll get fired; if her father finds out, he'll disown her; and if her fiancé finds out, he'll cancel the wedding and stop pouring money into her father's collapsing bank. Midway into her investigation, the police chief's son, Joe Singer, learns her true identity. And shortly thereafter she learns about blackmail. Anna must choose—either hunt the villain and risk losing her father, fiancé, and wealth, or abandon her dream and leave the killer on the loose. From the Trade Paperback edition.
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unabridgedchick
The Secret Life of Anna Blanc | Jennifer Kincheloe
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Pickpick

I looooooooooooved this historical mystery set in 1907 Los Angeles. Our heroine Anna is like Tahani with less sexual experience. She's naive and clever and on the verge of losing her good reputation. Still, she finds a way to be a police matron and meets a wicked hot cop. The audiobook is brilliantly read by Moira Quirk. I'm in love.

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Jeszimsmi
The Secret Life of Anna Blanc | Jennifer Kincheloe
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Pickpick

Loved this book. Fun characters and dialogue and strong female characters. Took me about 100 pages to get into the book but so glad I stuck around. Well worth the read!

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candc320
The Secret Life of Anna Blanc | Jennifer Kincheloe
Mehso-so

I'll start by saying I seem to be in the minority when it comes to not loving this story. While I did enjoy the mystery of who was killing the prostitutes at the heart of the story, I wasn't a fan of Anna Blanc herself. For me she just came across as selfish and somehow intuitive and incredibly ditzy at the same time. However, the rest of the characters were delightful and I was surprised by the ending. 🌟🌟🌟

Bakingbookworm That's too bad. I loved this book but I can see why you'd think Anna was a little ditzy at times. 8y
candc320 @Bakingbookworm just about everyone I've come across has loved it...except me, lol. Glad you did! 8y
9 likes2 comments
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dolleygurl
The Secret Life of Anna Blanc | Jennifer Kincheloe
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A slow month for me (but upcoming vacation should change that). 2 print and 1 audiobook. The Secret Life of Anna Blanc won hands down, that audio was awesome and review is coming soon.

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Rayleigh_LitAp
The Secret Life of Anna Blanc | Jennifer Kincheloe
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Stay tuned for Literature Approved's first Audio Book review! The Secret Life of Anna Blanc! Going on tour and scheduled for March 11!

#thesecretlifeofannablanc #jenniferkincheloe #audiobook #audiobookreview #booktour #march11 #literatureapproved

4 likes1 stack add
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CheeseheadSarah
The Secret Life of Anna Blanc | Jennifer Kincheloe
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Pickpick

Only halfway through this one and already know I love it. A society woman in 1907 Los Angeles longs to investigate and solve murders. A woman of her time was not allowed to work in such a grisly field, of course, so she begins her secret life to do the thing she loves most.

4 likes1 stack add
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sandra888
The Secret Life of Anna Blanc | Jennifer Kincheloe
Pickpick

this was a fun read. i enjoyed the period dialogue and setting--but be warned: it's very 'monochrome.' all non-white characters are on the margins; ie., gardeners or servants or mentioned in relation to vices and crimes. some readers will mind; others won't. i was ok with it.

Bakingbookworm Such a great book. Anna is so spunky and I love the era. I can't wait for more from Kincheloe. 8y
sandra888 me too. im curious what's next from her! 8y
6 likes2 comments
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Audrey
The Secret Life of Anna Blanc | Jennifer Kincheloe
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Bailedbailed

I hate that this post is a bail (@100 pg) but I wasn't a fan of Anna. She's an entitled and naive mc, which I'm sure is accurate for the time (1907). She's also constrained by her gender, father and societal norms. While I love the concept that she wants to solve mysteries and I can appreciate the author's historical details and writing style, I don't feel like reading a book where the main character has a lot of snobbish characteristics.