The Secret Life of Anna Blanc. Jennifer Kincheloe. Prometheus Books. November
2015. 375 pp. ISBN#: 9781633880801.
In
2015 Los Angeles one can be as outrageous as one wants and everyone usually
takes it all in stride. However, in 1907
Los Angeles, a woman was allowed to marry, raise children and help out in local
charities. If that’s your cup of tea,
read no further. But if you’ve got a bit
of an imp loving to try new things and be a little crazy, then you’re going to
find Anna Blanc lives what you may dream.
In the beginning of her story, we see her eloping with a young man who
says between having a lot of money and her spunk, he’ll be a happy man and
they’ll be a happy couple. Right? Not quite!
After
this debacle ends, rich Daddy pretty much imprisons Anna and hires a series of
chaperones to monitor Anna’s every move when she leaves home. But Anna is no wimp and finally makes a deal
with one of those chaperones to exchange clothes and jewelry for six days. So
what does Anna really want to do that she needs to do in secret? Actually Anna is not only vain and a
shopaholic but also has dreams of making a difference. She wants to be like a friend who works in
social service at a police station in L.A. but very, very few positions like
this are open to the likes of Anna Blanc.
Turns out that she’s in the right place at the right time, especially
after getting arrested for marching in a suffragette parade and smoking a
cigarette in public.
No
spoilers here – Anna is going to become involved in investigating the deaths of
several young girls who have been coerced into prostitution out of terrible
poverty. At first she’s viewed as a
bothersome liberal but little by little as she proceeds with ruthless
determination she becomes a highly respected member of the police force. In between those purposeful activities,
however, Anna collects fiancés but must wait for quite a while before she finds
the one she can truly love, admire, and respect, someone who has got Anna’s
back in a secret but protective role.
The Secret Life of Anna
Blanc
seems very, very contrived but this novel is actually a delight coupled with
some witty social satire, as well as good sleuth work. Unusual, crafty and a very pleasant read,
Jennifer Kincheloe
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