More Than You Know
The first scene makes us think this will be the story of a plucky young woman in the aftermath of WWII who loses the job she loved to a returning soldier and must take whatever employment she can get. Grace Russo’s brother Joe, a returning soldier himself, suggests she apply to his army buddy, Harry Shaw, and Grace becomes Shaw’s assistant in his fledgling practice as a private investigator. Then Joe Russo is accused of murder, and the novel turns into a mystery involving a possibly shady nightclub, The Starlight Room. After the police rough Joe up but fail to get a confession, Harry finds him a lawyer, and he and Grace begin to gather information to help Joe’s defense. Harry often works alone, leaving Grace to organize his office, so she too begins to pursue leads on her own. Suspense builds, both around The Starlight Room and within Grace’s family of traditional Italians devastated by the accusation against Joe, who’s being held without bail.
Grace’s fiancé is MIA, and by 1947 the chance of his returning is slim. She’s a strong-minded protagonist, her independent ways frowned on but tolerated by her family. In contrast, her younger sister Rose, engaged to an Italian, anticipates a traditional marriage like their parents have. Harry Shaw remains mysterious, often absenting himself from the office for reasons only the reader knows.
This fast-paced novel deals with post-WWII social issues when the world is changing but Black people, including those who served in the military, are still denied rights, and prejudice runs rampant against women as well. This story is complete in itself, but the ending hints at a sequel. A compelling character, Grace Russo’s return as Harry’s clever sidekick would be welcome.
