Book Review: 'A Fair Corpse'

Book Review: 'A Fair Corpse'

June 18, 2026 · 5 min

About this episode

Joan Baum reviews Helen Harrison's mystery novel 'A Fair Corpse', set against the backdrop of the 1939 World’s Fair in Flushing, Queens.

It’s 1939, and Flushing, Queens, is buzzing with preparations for The World’s Fair. But the festive energy takes a grim turn when one of the mural artists is found dead. Police Officer Brian Fitzgerald is on the case. But who among the artists, politicians, and dignitaries could be a murderer? WSHU's Book Critic Joan Baum says author Helen Harrison's latest mystery novel A Fair Corpse immerses the reader in the rich art community of the late 1930's and in a world teetering on the brink of World War II.

People in this episode

Host: Joan Baum

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Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: A Fair Corpse

Places: Flushing, Queens

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