From the critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of The Tea Rose, comes a mystery about dark secrets, dirty truths, and the lengths to which people will go for love and revenge. This spellbinding historical ficion romance tells the story of how much a young woman is willing to risk and lose in order to find the truth.
"A twisted tale of secrets, murder, love, and revenge. This historical thriller delivers... [a] fast-paced, tightly written page turner." -USA Today
Jo Montfort is beautiful and rich, and soon—like all the girls in her class—she’ll graduate from finishing school and be married off to a wealthy bachelor. Which is the last thing she wants. Jo dreams of becoming a writer—a newspaper reporter like the trailblazing Nellie Bly.
Wild aspirations aside, Jo’s life seems perfect until tragedy strikes: her father is found dead. Charles Montfort shot himself while cleaning his pistol. One of New York City’s wealthiest men, he owned a newspaper and was a partner in a massive shipping firm, and Jo knows he was far too smart to clean a loaded gun.
The more Jo hears about her father’s death, the more something feels wrong. Suicide is the only logical explanation, and of course people have started talking, but Jo’s father would never have resorted to that. And then she meets Eddie—a young, smart, infuriatingly handsome reporter at her father’s newspaper—and it becomes all too clear how much she stands to lose if she keeps searching for the truth. But now it might be too late to stop.
The past never stays buried forever. Life is dirtier than Jo Montfort could ever have imagined, and this time the truth is the dirtiest part of all.
This is a book I normally wouldn't have picked up. I don't really read mysteries. I like NEVER read American historical fiction. But this was a book up for bool club and it was the only one I could quickly grab from the library. And it did have an interesting synopsis. I am very thankful because it sucked me in!!! What an incredible set of characters and I just loved the way the author exposed so many of the issues of late 19th century NY city! We see the various ways that women are trapped - poor and rich alike - and the ways they're starting to break free. We see new technology, science, and journalism. We see tenements, poverty, orphans, pick pockets, madame's houses, mad houses, and more I'm sure I'm forgetting. Despite being an amazing lens into this world, it never felt too historical. It was housed behind a great mystery, sweet romance, and an empowering tale of how Jo Montfort finds herself, her voice. Loved it and will have to pick up this author again.
