Beautiful Little Fools

In 1925 F Scott Fizgerald published his novel, The Great Gatsby. In 2021 Jillian Cantor published her novel, Beautiful Little Fools, which is a retelling of The Great Gatsby from the perspective of the female characters Daisy, Jordan and Catherine.

In 1917 Daisy Fay first met a soldier, Jay Gatsby, and an attraction was immediately formed. Then Jay went to war and at home Daisy's life changed dramatically when her father and sister, Rose, died in a train accident. When she met the wealthy Tom Buchanan Daisy agreed to marry him and after a while their daughter, Pammy, was born. Daisy now lived in palatial houses in America and France and had all the money she required, however she soon learned that her husband, though sometimes loving, was not faithful to her.

Jordan lived near Daisy and they became good friends and confidants. Jordan loved playing golf at a time when it was difficult for women to be accepted on the golf course but she was determined that that should change. Jordan's life changed when it was discovered that she was in a relationship with one of the other players. 

Catherine was a suffragist and was involved with organisations working for the rights of women as well as the right of women to be able to vote. Catherine's sister, Myrtle, was unhappily married to George Wilson who was known to physically abuse her. Catherine had been in a relationship with Jay Gatsby and asked him to help her sister become independant from George. The result was that Myrtle ended up in a relationship with Daisy's husband, Tom.

Most of the action in the story takes place in 1922 when Jay Gatsby discovers where Daisy lives and purchases a property across the water from her. He is now rich and is known for the extravagant parties he holds in the evenings. He is determined to once again be involved with Daisy, but she is not interested in his advances. Gatsby trys to enlists Jordan to assist with his plans threatening to expose her secret if she doesn't. Catherine is also furious that Jay set up a situation where her sister became involved with Tom Buchanan.

Then in August 1922, Jay Gatsby was shot by his swimming pool. It was assumed that Myrtle's husband had killed Gatsby and then committed suicide - case closed. However a detective, Frank Charles, is not convinced when he discovers a diamond hairclip in the woods near where the muder took place. He has three suspects who he believes are covering for each other - Daisy, Jordan and catherine. Can he find the truth?