The Women of Wynton's - by Donna Mumma (Paperback)

This book is an original surprise as it involves a murder mystery set in a historical department store setting. I found it to be strong on developing four women’s characters and their road to friendship while trying to solve who is trying to murder their boss. Each woman comes from a different background and you learn what makes them tick. I loved the descriptive writing style that lets me visualize the clothing styles of the fifties and the nostalgia of walking the aisles of a department store. This is true southern fiction and deals with the prejudices of the time period. It is a classy tale that has your imagination kick in and I found it throughly entertaining. Although labeled as Christian fiction I found it very weak in that area but all in all it is an enjoyable read. It reminded me of a Murder She Wrote episode. I was able to solve the murders early on but that didn’t deter me from reading on. I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

I haven’t read many cozy mysteries, but this book made me want to read more of this genre! It kept me riveted from the first page, but even more for the last half of the book where most of the action occurs! It’s described as a “classy 1920’s mystery” and it is! Set around the characters that own and work in Wynton’s Department store, there is a lot of talk of fashion and women clothes. I loved immersing myself in the different women’s world, so different from each other because of difference in ages, social status, level of employment, etc. It’s a mystery where four different women who have nothing to do with each other at the start, except that they work for the same boss and company, join forces and discover friendship while trying to solve a mystery that is attempting on Mr. Wynton’s life. They may not agree on many thongs at first, but they all are willing to do everything to keep their boss safe, and the company that is almost family to them. It was a captivating story with the whodunit that will keep you guessing until the end. What I thought would be predictable, wasn’t as much as I thought, as there were unexpected twists in the story. I love the variety of the four characters and their so different situations and POV. It felt so realistic: the characters were relatable, flawed and made their mistakes, but they all had one thing in common: feminine solidarity and a kindness of heart that shone in the most complicated circumstances. I liked the message about how wrong we are to judge people based on rumors or external impressions. It takes sacrifice to get to know people as they really are, and even more to love them with their flaws and mistakes. Loved the bond and friendship that forms between Audrey, Mary Jo, Vivian and Gigi, despite how different their backgrounds were. The way they had each other’s back, especially at the end, touched me. I particularly loved Audrey and Vivien, maybe because they were a bit older, but their down to earth wisdom, serenity and resilience inspired me. All in all, an engaging mystery that will keep you running through the pages into the night! A new author to me that I’m looking forward to read more of her stories! I highly recommend it! I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing but wasn’t required to post a review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

There are so many reasons why I loved this book! It appealed to my love of mysteries, it's set during the 1950s. and there's an amazing group of characters. The Women of Wynton's is an engaging story of four women who have only one thing in common: they deeply respect their boss and they're determined to protect him from a murderer who's targeted other employees of Wynton's Department Store. Can they put aside their differences long enough to keep him safe? Author Donna Mumma confesses her fascination for the movies and fashions during that period and I share that same interest! I love the glamour that was present during that era, and Mumma's amazing descriptions brought it all back. During an enticing scene of a fashion show that Wynton provided for its customers, I could visualize the attractive models wearing beautiful dresses with crinolines under the full skirts, hats that matched the outfits, and gorgeous jewelry that glittered in the lights of the runway! So fun to read but there's so much more. There's also a powerful reminder of the racial inequality that still existed during that time. The Women of Wynton's is part historical fiction, part cozy mystery but its real strength is in the value of friendship! Friendship that can cross any social or gender barrier! If you're looking for an entertaining story with history, mystery, and a little glam, grab a copy of this book! I recommend it to all who enjoy Christian fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Women of Wynton's by Donna Mumma is the well written and amazing tale of four women who work at Wyntons Department store. Each of these ladies has a different role in the store. Each offers unique experiences and come from very different backgrounds. Audrey serves as Mr. Wynton's personal assistant, but she is so much more. Mary Jo is stepping out to help her husband who recently lost a limb in the war. Vivian has served brides for many years and excels at what she does. Gigi is looking for second chances and aspires to improve her life. They all eventually come together to solve the mystery of who is attempting to destroy Wynton's Department Store. Set in the 1950's the world revolves around the department store. This is an amazing story set in a time gone by. I loved how the story was written to weave such an amazing tale. The list of the four main characters on the back cover made it easy to keep them all straight. Honestly, I could not put the book down. Each of the characters are well developed and you feel like you are back in time and know each of the women in a personal manner. Utilizing the significance of the department store offered an excellent setting for the book. I was captivated and throughly enjoyed The Women of Wynton's by Donna Mumma. I highly recommend this book.

The Women of Wynton’s gives you a glimpse into the lives of women in the 1950’s. It was full of female friendships, fashion, and department store gossip but also the frustrations and hardships of the time period and murders galore. It’s one of those books that offers you so much more than murder and intrigue and it’s one I’ll be thinking about for quite a while! It’s a wonderful book!

The Women of Wynton’s by Donna Mumma is an enjoyable historical tale. The author brought the time period to life with the descriptions of the department store, the fashions (I love the clothes from the 1950s) and the cars as well as the attitudes towards women and minorities. I laughed at the mention of the Tupperware party (Tupperware was a marvel at the time, but you came to dread an invite to a “party”). I enjoyed getting to know the women. I like the cast of women especially Audrey. Audrey is strong, independent, smart, sophisticated, and stylish. None of these qualities make her popular in the town or at the store (women can be catty). Of course, you never know what lies beneath the surface. It helps to get to know a person, which is what some of the ladies at Wynton’s get a chance to do while solving a mystery. Audrey will need help if she is to protect Mr. Wynton and save the store. The story is told from multiple POVs which is normally something that I do not enjoy. In this case, I did not mind (once I adjusted to it). I thought it was well done, and it allowed me to get to know each main characters and their stories. I liked the diverse cast of characters. The ending was a tad rushed (I wanted to see how Audrey, Vivien, Mary Jo, and Gigi fared in the future). The story moves at a slower pace which suits the time period. I liked that the story was set in Florida (where I have lived since I was twelve—I am not telling you how many years it has been). I thought The Women of Wynton’s was a fun 1950s mystery with a stylish store, an ill owner, fancy dresses, a smart secretary, rampant rumors, Tupperware parties, and killer clues.

What a fun mystery! While the story delves into some tough themes such as racism in the south during the 1950s, the mystery was quite entertaining, with the book achieving a good balance between the two. It was one of those books which led me into great temptation to peek at the ending just to assure myself that all turned out well for the main character. Yes, I did succumb to that temptation, but I still very much enjoyed reading the story to see how they arrived there. This is a great summer read whether one is on vacation or just getting a bit of downtime at home. I enjoyed Donna Mumma's writing style and am very happy to have discovered her, and will anxiously be waiting for her next novel. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Women of Wynton's from Barbour Publishing without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

People are dying, things are going wrong, and Audrey is getting all the blame. But she is totally devoted to the Wynton’s Department Store, the only one who cares more about it is Mr. Wynton himself. It is the 1950's in a small southern town. Audrey grew up there, but then lived in Paris. She is back now at Mr. Wynton's request. Audrey is confident, single, and drives a sports car--she is viewed with suspicion and distrust. When Mr. Wynton has a medical episode, son, Junior, and his wife Cissy, appear ready to take over the store, especially the finances. It is clear they want to push both Audrey and Mr. Wynton out. Suddenly, Junior dies, followed by a number of other people involved with the store. Cissy loudly claims Audrey is behind it. Audrey realizes she needs help from store employees to save Mr. Wynton, and the store. She will need them to get past the vicious rumors about Audrey, and believe what she is telling them. Two of the three employees she turns to can't make up their minds if they will support her or not. As more attacks are made, only the head of the bridal salon, Vivian, remains firmly by Audrey's side. This is a great mystery that will pull you right in, there are lots of twists and turns. It looks like the culprit will get away with it, and Audrey will lose everything. Besides the suspense, there are lots of interesting situations from the time period. This five-star book will be enjoyed by fans of the era, thrillers, and exciting stories. I recommend it. Thank you, Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

This book set in the 1950 gives you a look into the lives of different women and their places in life. I enjoyed the views from all of the women and the mystery too. It is a fun read.