The Stray Pitch

A Wendy Winkworth Mystery

De: Marilyn Bos

Narrado por: Sherri Slater

Born into a family of thieves, Wendy Winkworth becomes a private investigator because "you don't go to jail if you're caught." In 1950, 24-year old Wendy is hired by the mobster/owner of the Star Spangled Girls Baseball League to infiltrate the Burton City Hornettes and find the murderer of its star pitcher, a blonde bombshell of amazing physical powers and influence. First problem: Wendy's not much of a ballplayer. Second: She finds that lust, jealousy, greed, and deception are as much a part of the roster as she is. Then another body turns up. Somewhere out there a cold-blooded killer is taking practice swings with a Louisville slugger destined for Wendy's skull.

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The First of a Trilogy

The Stray Pitch is the first of a trilogy of Wendy Winkworth Mysteries by Marilyn Bos (and I believe her debut mystery novel).

While everyone enjoys a good mystery that keeps you guessing, I feel the true appeal of The Stray Pitch is in how the story is told through Wendy, a young PI who is a little bit brash, a little bit snarky, a little bit naive, and sometimes just a hoot that had me chuckling.

The story was a nice mix of noir-ish type mystery with a strong female protagonist and a bit of baseball.

A Home Run for Mystery Lovers

When I picked up "The Stray Pitch" by Marilyn Bos, I wasn't sure what to expect from a mystery set against the backdrop of women's professional baseball in 1950. What I discovered was a delightfully engaging whodunit featuring one of the most refreshing female protagonists I've encountered in the mystery genre.

Wendy Winkworth is not your typical private investigator. She's young, inexperienced, and trying desperately to prove herself in a male-dominated field. When crime boss Yegg Washington hires her to investigate the murder of star pitcher Betty Jane Wadlow of the Burton City Hornettes, Wendy finds herself undercover as a utility player on a women's baseball team. There problem: she can barely play baseball.

Wendy's authentic and a wonderfully flawed character. Her internal monologue had me chuckling throughout, particularly as she navigates the complex social dynamics of the team while hiding her true identity. Wendy's background - complete with a criminal father and a childhood that taught her survival skills - adds depth to her character without overwhelming the narrative.