Sue S. (Go4FanSue) reviewed The Strange Files of Fremont Jones (Fremont Jones, Bk 1) on + 195 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
From Publishers Weekly
Romantic suspense writer Day (The Stone House) turns to mystery with laudable results. The year is 1905. Fleeing the confines of her staid Boston upbringing and a potential marriage to a loathsome suitor, the modern-thinking Caroline Fremont Jones opens a typewriting business in San Francisco using the name Fremont. Her business brings her in contact with the normally mild young attorney Justin Cameron, who reacts with hostility when Fremont takes dictation from "ancient gentleman" Li Wong. A week later, Li Wong is dead, and Fremont's office is ransacked. Another client, Edgar Allan Partridge, brings three manuscript stories to Freemont for typing but never returns to pick them up. His brooding tales are full of evil and very like those of his namesake. Fremont's investigations into the mysteries of her dead and missing clients lead her to suspect her rooming-house neighbor, whom she believes is a spy. While the plot plays out credibly, Day shines brightest at horror writing: the excerpts from Partridge's stories are truly frightening, their gothic element adding powerful punch to Fremont's first case.
Romantic suspense writer Day (The Stone House) turns to mystery with laudable results. The year is 1905. Fleeing the confines of her staid Boston upbringing and a potential marriage to a loathsome suitor, the modern-thinking Caroline Fremont Jones opens a typewriting business in San Francisco using the name Fremont. Her business brings her in contact with the normally mild young attorney Justin Cameron, who reacts with hostility when Fremont takes dictation from "ancient gentleman" Li Wong. A week later, Li Wong is dead, and Fremont's office is ransacked. Another client, Edgar Allan Partridge, brings three manuscript stories to Freemont for typing but never returns to pick them up. His brooding tales are full of evil and very like those of his namesake. Fremont's investigations into the mysteries of her dead and missing clients lead her to suspect her rooming-house neighbor, whom she believes is a spy. While the plot plays out credibly, Day shines brightest at horror writing: the excerpts from Partridge's stories are truly frightening, their gothic element adding powerful punch to Fremont's first case.
Jan M. (batgirl) reviewed The Strange Files of Fremont Jones (Fremont Jones, Bk 1) on + 284 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Loved the book and characters from page 1. I don't usually like stories told in 1st person but the "voice" of the main character is so charming, I enjoyed her viewpoints. Caroline Fremont Jones leaves Boston where her father and stepmother reside and takes up her own business in San Francisco as a "type-writer", dropping her feminine first name. Her clients present her with several mysteries along with the letters and manuscripts they bring her to type. Can't wait to read the next 3 (!) in the series.
Sandra (mycatscanread) -
Helpful Score: 7
I enjoyed this mystery. I liked the character and modern attitude of Fremont Jones, who is ahead of her time in the story. It starts out innocently enough with her type-writing business, but soon turns a dark corner into a suspenseful and interesting book. I would like to read the next ones in the series.
Doreen O. (dolver) -
Helpful Score: 4
I enjoyed this book. It had a true "olden days" feel about it. I loved the main character I felt I could become her when reading.
Cybele H. (Cybele) reviewed The Strange Files of Fremont Jones (Fremont Jones, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I had high hopes for this mystery-it looked liked it was going to be good. The writing is good, but the evil abuse of one of the characters made it unpalatable for me and I didn't finish it.
Melani D. (Sailorslady) reviewed The Strange Files of Fremont Jones (Fremont Jones, Bk 1) on + 50 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The book had lots of potential, but after reading about half of the book, it started to plod along. I doubt that I'll pick up any more books in the series.
Mary Elaine L. (Laney) reviewed The Strange Files of Fremont Jones (Fremont Jones, Bk 1) on + 911 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am ordering the next two books of Fremont Jones.
She is a delight to read and the supporting characters are interesting and likable.
She is a delight to read and the supporting characters are interesting and likable.
Karla M. reviewed The Strange Files of Fremont Jones (Fremont Jones, Bk 1) on + 65 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Was an enjoyable read.
Rebecca B. (Silverheels) reviewed The Strange Files of Fremont Jones (Fremont Jones, Bk 1) on + 53 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Brave, resourceful, adventurous Fremon Jones is a woman ahead of her time. Hungry for independence, she's traded in her conventional life in Boston for a career as a "type-writer" in turn-of-the-century San Francisco. But Fremont soon discovers that her clients aren't always what they appear to be, and that in doing her job she's transcribing her way into a wealth of mystery--and mortal danger.
Annette H. (sfnativegal) - reviewed The Strange Files of Fremont Jones (Fremont Jones, Bk 1) on + 98 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Another in the very good series that takes place in San Francisco before and after the 1906 earthquake.
Frank E. (evans) reviewed The Strange Files of Fremont Jones (Fremont Jones, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Macavity award winner for best first novel 1995.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this light reading and have continued the series.
Bethany U. (kivrin) reviewed The Strange Files of Fremont Jones (Fremont Jones, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really liked this book. The story of a woman in early 1900's who wasn't happy with her normal path (marriage arranged by her new stepmother) and left with a typewriter to go to San Francisco to start a new life. I liked the scenes, the people she met, the clothes described, etc. THis book was well written, entertaining and I can't wait to read book 2
Debra W. (debmomof6) reviewed The Strange Files of Fremont Jones (Fremont Jones, Bk 1) on + 29 more book reviews
Wonderful little cozy mystery. lots of twists and turns, very interesting "cases." fremont faces danger to keep you tense, but no gratuitous violence or bloodshed. A good, quick read. I'll be looking for the rest of the series.
I really enjoyed reading this book--I liked the mystery, I liked the character, I liked the gothic aspect of the story, and I love the time period. Fremont Jones is a charming character, and I found the twists and turns in the story to be quite entertaining. I was loving the book until I got to the part where Fremont slept with her love interest. I wasn't expecting romance novel within my historical mystery here, and I think it was an unnecessary (but thankfully short) addition to the overall story. Ultimately, the story is suspenseful, witty, and a bit macabre. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Donna C. (darkcoffeeclouds) reviewed The Strange Files of Fremont Jones (Fremont Jones, Bk 1) on + 114 more book reviews
This story was creepy but not really scary. It did keep my interest though and when I wasn´t reading I was wondering about what would happen. I´m glad I finally read it since I´ve had his book on my to-be-read list for a really long time. Fremont Jones reminds me a lot of myself, strong-willed and different. I love that she left her home to support herself and decided not to be married. She wanted to be her own person without the limits of societies ideals. I can´t wait to see what happens as I read more of this series.
