"Something Blue" by Charlotte Armstrong

I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. After writing my review, I had to edit as I realized that this book was originally published in 1959 and is being recovered, converted to EBook and republished.

I was excited to read “Something Blue” by Charlotte Armstrong after looking at the cover and reading the synopsis. I often decide whether to read or move on after viewing only the cover. I was also intrigued as to why the title is “Something Blue” but the girl is wearing red. This was a great cover, but does not seem to fit with the story. The main character, Nan, is not running from anything in the book as shown on the cover. Additionally, I would think that Nan is the girl portrayed on the cover, but she has dark hair (Dorothy has blonde). The new cover implies that the story is set in modern times. However, it is approximately 1955 in the book. That explains some of the phrases used (e.g., ring-tailed doozer). I would make it obvious on the cover with time-appropriate clothing or simply have the year at the beginning of the first chapter.

Moving on. I mentioned that this book is older and has been converted to EBook format. I hope before that happens (in 17 days), someone runs spell check and gives it a quick edit.
Good premise, but a couple of plot holes. First, Aunt Emily had to concoct new identities for their safety, yet she visited her brother every week. Not quite a clean break. Very hard to believe that so many people knew, yet no one tried to find Nan or ever let the cat out of the bag. E.g., Nan’s employer knew and even introduced her to Dick Bartee. A normal person would not really let that happen!

Secondly, the Bartee family hated Clinton McCauley. How would he even have opened the safe on the night of the murder? They would never have told him the combination.

Thirdly, When Johnny visits Dick’s old roommate and acts like he just happens to be sitting in a bar striking up a conversation, he says, “That’s right. We used to play you.” If this were a chance encounter, how would Johnny know where George Rush went to school. A normal person would have turned to him and said, “how do you know this?”

I wanted to reach through the book and smack Nan. She is such a simpering, needy girl that she cannot see Dick is a lying jerk even though all her friends and family keep telling her. She cannot wait a few weeks to get married to possibly sort things out.

And Dorothy. She goes back and forth from being apprehensive about the marriage to being cheerful about it… when telling Johnny that Nan “flew home with Dick.” What? Make up your mind.
Johnny is just as bad. He is in love with Nan and is upset when she plans to marry Dick. By the end of the book, he and Dorothy are going to make a go of it.

Lots of odd connections in this book. Dick dated Blanche who is now married to Bart, Jr. Blanche’s father is the family lawyer, Marshall.  Marshall defended Clinton McCauley in the murder trial. Nate Bartee was involved with Kate Callahan who later was involved with Clinton McCauley when his wife was murdered.

The entire plot is based on Dick wanting Nan’s inheritance. It was mentioned that she received 5K for 17 years. Yes, this book was set in 1955, but 85K (even with interest) does not seem like enough money to justify the intense plan that Dick had to devise, implement and execute for that amount of cash. It was mentioned that her inheritance was going to be security for a loan, but again, just did not seem like enough security for a “rather large loan” to overhall an aging winery and restore a mansion.
The book was OK but a bit hard to read. Two stars.