When the older O'Shaughnessy brothers went off to war, they left their sister, Maeve, in charge of their private detective business. When the brothers saw a poor Italian kid getting picked on in boot camp and was likely not going to make it home alive without a little help, they reached out to the kid's brother, Vic Marino, an ex-cop, and suggested a trade. They'd look after the kid if Vic would look after Maeve, their younger brother Jimmy, and the business.

Maeve isn't too keen on having this no-nonsense, rough-talking ex-cop all up in her business, but she admits that running a P.I. business is beyond her skill set. Vic, on the other hand, knows a lot of people (even in the police department still [the 'ex' not necessarily being his choice]) and knows how to get the information they need and proves invaluable to Maeve. Vic even helps young Jimmy learn how to stand up and be a man.

The case that comes to Maeve (and by extension, Vic) comes from a local, Mrs. Sullivan. Mrs. Sullivan's daughter, Lucille, was brutally murdered in a wealthy businessman's apartment. The police seem to have no interest in solving the violent crime, leaving it up to the agency that takes cases nobody else wanted. But there might be a reason the police don't want to look deeply, which puts Vic, Maeve, and even Jimmy, in danger.

I do have a fondness for historical, noir-style mysteries, which is what drew me to this book in the first place. I am very happy that I found this.

The character are well defined and generally seem to fit right into the 1940's. There are moments that they seem to be a bit more 'modern' but it's subtle and I can't pinpoint anything specific. There was a part of me that thought that Vic, in particular, was almost a stereotype, but I've also spent time in New York and I know that this stereotype still exists.

The plot is well built and author A. G. Russo does well to both present and establish the characters while moving the story forward.

This is not quite 'noir' (think Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe or even Mike Hammer) story that I was expecting. This borders on 'cozy' although Vic is victim to, and provides a bit of violence. And yet somehow, even not being noir, this works. I think it's because we're drawn to these characters. Maeve is so much a product of this era, which includes a strength of character that is often overlooked (think of all the women who went to work during WWII and who looked after families). She stands tall even when she's unsure of herself.

Vic is also a product of the era but his strength of character comes from accepting this 'adopted' family and finding that not everyone is as helpless as he believes.

Jimmy is a bit of a question mark in this book. He makes his presence known and it does give Vic some additional focus, but his role is still undefined. My suspicion is that he'll have a bigger part to play in future books.

And I hope that there are future book (ah, yes, I see some already!) because this was quite an enjoyable read.

Looking for a good book? O'Shaugnessy Investigations,, Inc,: The Cases Nobody Wanted by A.G. Russo is a delightful historical mystery/thriller. Part noir, part cozy this book works.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

This is the kind of gritty, dark investigative story you usually only find in the true crime genre, as most fictional writers could not generate this much depth to a story. AG Russo sets the stage, describing the dilemna Maeve finds herself in when her older brothers start a business then leave in support of the war. This business is the only resource Maeve has to support herself and her younger brother. She partners with Vic because her choices are few and accepting his help is the easiest one. But from that point, Maeve and Vic throw their best efforts into an investigation that will take them to places they'd never thought and meet people they will learn are struggling as much as they. I've read a few Vella books, but none of them had the feel of an era that Russo displays here.

Editing needs work. Did not finish.
Interesting premise, but the lack of copy-editing and formatting made the book too distracting.

I know this is an ARC but I found it very annoying that there were so many spelling errors. They're/their/there and your/you're and its constantly spelledwrongly as it's. And others.

The writing is poor in places too and the main female character is constantly crying. Women do not have to do that you know.

I quite liked the main male character maybe because the author knew more about him than the female. I would not read another book by this author.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“O’SHAUGHNESSY INVESTIGATIONS, INC: The Cases Nobody Wanted” by A.G. Russo is a compelling dive into the gritty underbelly of 1940s Brooklyn, where the homefront battles are as fierce as those overseas. Russo masterfully intertwines the noir detective genre with historical fiction, delivering a narrative that is both evocative and suspenseful.

The protagonist, Maeve O’Shaughnessy, is thrust into the role of detective after her brothers are called to war. With no experience but a fierce determination, Maeve, along with the enigmatic ex-cop Vic Marino, navigates the treacherous waters of a city rife with crime and corruption. The case at the heart of the novel – the murder of a young woman that the police have ignored – becomes a beacon for Maeve and Vic, pulling them deeper into a world where justice is elusive, and survival is not guaranteed.

Russo’s portrayal of Maeve is a standout aspect of the book. She is a symbol of the era’s women, who stepped into roles traditionally held by men and fought their own wars on the homefront. The author does not shy away from the harsh realities of the time, addressing issues of violence, racism, and sexism with a raw honesty that is both jarring and necessary.

The narrative is rich with historical detail, from the bustling docks of the Brooklyn Navy Yard to the vibrant chaos of Chinatown. Russo’s writing transports readers, making them feel the grit of the city streets and the tension that hangs in the air like the thick smoke of a dimly lit speakeasy.

“The Cases Nobody Wanted” is a story of resilience and the relentless pursuit of truth. It’s a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to seek justice in the face of adversity and a reminder of the sacrifices made by those on the homefront during one of history’s most tumultuous times.

For lovers of historical mysteries and those fascinated by the strength of the human spirit, “O’SHAUGHNESSY INVESTIGATIONS, INC” is a must-read. Russo has crafted a world that is as immersive as it is thrilling, and as poignant as it is entertaining.

O'Shaughnessy Investigations Inc was an unexpected treat.

I requested it expecting some light detective mystery with possibly a bit of caper; but the novel is quite brutal in places and Maeve is no dumb blonde who gets herself into farcical situations.

Its interesting that the title is The Cases Nobody Wanted as reading the synopsis this is the Book 1 of 3 so I am looking forward to reading the next two.

I was expecting a light story and got an excellent historical fiction featuring well done characters. Well plotted, gripping.
Love it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

So easy to forget how racial issues were such a huge deal. But this book clearly brings back how your genetics became an issue even in adulthood. Corruption was rampant and women stayed home with the kids. When Maeve's brothers go to fight in the war she is expected to keep the private investigations business afloat. But she was a secretary and no clue how. The brothers asked Vic, an ex cop, to help. The book follows the case of a murder the police don't want to solve. Maeve and Vic are asked to find who killed Lucille. The ending was a surprise. A good story.