Broadway Butterfly by Sara DiVello

 

On March 15, 1923, Dot King was found murdered in her Manhattan apartment.  Dot was known as the Broadway Butterfly and even now, over a hundred years later, her murder has not been solved.  Dot was a 'model' and lived by being supported by her various lovers.  One was a gang boss, one an Italian gigolo and one a very wealthy, very politically connected banker.  The story is told through the viewpoints of the women involved.

Dot was found by her maid, a black woman named Ella Bradford.  Ella was from the South but came to New York for better economic opportunities.  She was married and had a baby.  She had seen Dot the day she died but had left at her normal time.  Still, she knew many of Dot's secrets and liked her as she had always been kind to Ella.

Julia Harpman was a female reporter in a time when that was not common, and more usually, was assigned to the crime desk.  She is determined to get justice for Dot and chases the case even after the police have declared it closed.  Although she comes across as a bit self-righteous, the case would have died in the public eye if it had not been for her continued attempts to solve it and her expose of those involved, even up to the Attorney General of President Harding.  

Frances Stotesbury Mitchell is the wife of the wealthy man supporting Dot, J. Kearsley Mitchell.  Her father is one of the wealthiest men in the country and she had what she thought was the perfect life.  Several large homes, two healthy children and a husband who could support her and her society adventures.  She is about to host President Harding on a golfing weekend in Florida when the story breaks.  Frances is shocked to find out her husband has been cheating on her and must make a choice between staying with a man she no longer respects or loves or being shunned in society as a single, divorced woman.  

Sara DiVello is known for creating an interview series called The Thriller Mavens where she interviews mystery writers.  She sticks close to the facts of the case, and has various thoughts on why the crime wasn't solved.  There were political reasons as the district attorney tried to run his own investigation instead of leaving it to the police.  There were suspicions of influence peddling with rumors the Frances's father had paid $500,000 to have the case closed.  There were multiple suspects.  Mitchell was the last person to admit seeing Dot alive as he had stayed until 2 a.m. of the morning she was killed.  The gigolo was known for beating Dot and intimidating her into doing things she didn't want to do.  The connection to organized crime could have been a motive as Dot had been depositing large amounts in her bank, the source unknown.  Regardless, the reader will have enough facts to make up their own mind.  This book is recommended for true crime and women's fiction readers.