Brigid, her brother Seamus, and two friends Billy and Paddy board a ship bound from Ireland to America during the Gold Rush. Brigid finds work as a housemaid for the rich Hunt family in Minnesota while Billy, Paddy, and Seamus find mining work in Deadwood. After an unfortunate family event, Brigid leaves the Hunt family and travels to Deadwood to be with her brother again. Not long after she arrives, her brother is blamed for the death of his fiancee Lily. Seamus flees the town but Brigid, believing her brother’s innocence, stays to uncover the mystery of what really happened to Lily.

I was expecting this to be a really heavy Western routed novel and I’m so glad it wasn’t. Set in the late 19th century, it certainly had a dated atmosphere feel but it really added to the story. Brigid is a great character; independent, smart, and such a strong female character for the time. She is bold and her determination shows throughout the book. I’m sad we don’t really get to know much of her brother but I do enjoy her interaction with Billy and Paddy. One downfall for me was I didn’t realize how young Brigid was through most of the book, she acted very much like an adult. At one point late in the book she celebrates her 17th birthday and she’s already had to experience men throwing themselves at her and an assault scene. I’m sure these experiences were common for women during this time but I wish the author would’ve made an adjustment to that fact. I also really hoped there was more to the mystery than the book played into. I didn’t realize Mary Logue had so many published works and I would love to check out some of her other books in the future.

Thank you to University of Minnesota for providing a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't too sure about this one starting out as it was a bit slow, but once I got a few chapters the story picked up. I love historical fiction because they can give you a good glimpse at the past if written well, and this story doesn't disappoint. The setting of Deadwood was very well vivid and full of colorful characters. The plot was a little predictable, but the engaging storytelling more than made up for it.

I read an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review. I am sooo upset at this book; it had to end!!! I didn’t want it to come to an end!!! I wanted to see where my new friends went, find out what they did next!! I loooved this book sooo much it was one of my most favorite reads ever!!!! I recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction, romance, or simply loves to read a well written book!!!! Great, Great book!!!! **note to author you simply must write the next book soon ***

An enjoyable read, simply written. Stories about the Goldrush are very appealing to me; not sure why. This is kind of a murder mystery/coming of age story set in the notorious Deadwood ie. not suitable for respectable women. I enjoyed this book. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

This story combines many elements of history in the late 1800's. Two young Irish teenagers are forced to immigrate to America to give their families a chance of survival. They find themselves in many different cities working menial jobs to get by. When her brother starts working a gold claim in Deadwood, our young heroine decides to join him. Almost as soon as he arrives, she must work alone to defend her brother's name and protect his interests. Mary Logue has done an excellent job of developing the characters and their communities staying true to the era. The story is told through the eyes of many strong women who battle to protect their families as they battle the many restrictions this time in history placed upon women. An excellent historical fiction.

Shipped off by their family during the Irish famine, brother and sister Seamus and Brigid end up in America during the late 19th century goldrush.
After having worked hundreds of miles apart from each other for several years they eventually reunite in the goldminers village of Deadwood, Pennsylvania. But the family reunion doesn't last long. A horrible incident occurs and Seamus has to flee, leaving Brigid to care for his friends. She takes it upon herself to investigate and clear her brother's name.

The Streel is a faced paced, true to life work of historical fiction, showing every dirty aspect of life in the goldmines and the domestic chores the women are left with. I enjoyed the strength and independence in these women, how they stick together and stand up against male rule.
The only objective I have is the age factor; the women are still under twenty, but act way older than that. Maybe that's just the sign of the times. The surroundings are tough and so well described, I just wanted to get out. Nothing fancy about mud!

The reader has to wait until the very end for the twist that explains what really happened in Deadwood. But don't fear, this is a captivating story that will keep you entertained all the way.

Thank you Netgalley and University of Minnesota Press for the ARC.

It is the late 1880s, and times are hard in Ireland thanks to the potato famine. In fact, times have been hard for a considerably long time. To help ease her family’s burden, fifteen-year-old Brigid Reardon—along with her brother, Seamus—is sent to America to establish a new life. After spending some time working as a maid in Minnesota, Brigid travels to the Black Hills of South Dakota to join Seamus. The morning after Brigid arrives in Deadwood, she finds her brother’s fiancée murdered. The local sheriff has decided that Seamus must be guilty of the crime. While Seamus flees the area, Brigid teams up with his friends to clear his name and work their gold claim.

THE STREEL is an interesting historical mystery. I’ll admit that my main reason for reading it was because it was set in the early days of Deadwood, South Dakota. I was also intrigued that the main character was a female immigrant. Brigid is only in her early teens, and her nativity shows in the early parts of the novel. As she gains more worldly experience, she begins to mature. The focus of the novel is more on Brigid’s journey than the actual mystery. Overall, I thought the mystery was fairly easy to figure out.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A wonderful combination of historical fiction and mystery.A look at how foreigners helped serttle the west.This is well written involving characters that come alive highly recommend,#netgalley#uofminnesorptapress

When a murder tears apart a new reunited family, what can a girl do to mend the rift threatening it ...

I found the blurb very intriguing with the promise of a sleuth tale plus the story told from the point of view of an Irish immigrant was so attracting as they are often the wronged party in historical stories but rarely given voice.
I loved the first part, seing Brigid finding her way in a far away from home place, getting stronger, coming of age.
The description of the life with its uses and customs was very detailed.
Brigid matures from a teenager to a young woman but at time I forgot how young she was. Why I confess I was upset at her to not see the true color of Charles when she had a glimpse from the beginning of who he truly was. Her young age makes her impressionable and handleable. Why she chooses to be wooed by a man’s wealth and flowery words instead by his deeds which were far from sparkling.
At seventeen, she might be clever, she is also easily misled and dépité what she says to herself, she is blinded by a bright toothy smile instead of a man’s kind gestures.
When Charles is a sycophant to the letter, with only one thing in his mind, Paddy is the quiet man, a shoulder for her sorrows, a hand to help her, a presence to cheer her.
He says little, using common wisdom to show her the way. But until she is unable to see straight, she will stay unaware of the treasure standing next to her, waiting for a chance with her.

The guilty party was easily figured out, why I was shouting at Brigid to analyze and think everything before reaching any decision.

4 stars for this wonderful journey with the gold pioneers.

I was granted an advance copy by the author through Netgalley. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

This Book was about Immigration in the 19th century, lives during that time, the gold rush, people trying to find their fortunes, murder, love and friendship. There's a lot going on in this book but ultimately it's about a brother and sister and their friends who are Irish and the emigrate to the United States and try to find work, etc. Tragedy ends up befalling one of the girls and the other tries to find justice. It's a predictable story and really not for me. I had a rough time finishing it.

This was an interesting novel about the Irish immigration to America in the early 19th century and the gold rush in the Dakota territory. Brigid Readon, her brother Seamus, and two friends Billy and Paddy immigrate to New York City. Brigid find work as a housemaid while the boys work on the railway. After earning enough money the men go to Deadwood to find their fortune. When Brigid finds out her mother has died she leaves her employment to find her brother. The day after she arrives streel ((prostitute) Lily is killed after a party at the boys house and Seamus is the suspect so he has to leave. Brigid sets out to find Lily’s killer to clear her brother. Unfortunately the antagonist is identified early in the story so it was pretty formulaic. Brigid identifies the killer and the usual love story comes to the inevitable conclusion. There were no twists and turns to this mystery. Thanks to University of Minnesota Press and Netgalley for an early review of this novel.

I absolutely loved this book.Read it in one sitting on a flight.
This is the story of Brigid Reardon who leaves Ireland for the US with her brother Seamus.They meet Paddy and Billy on the ship headed to America.The boys help protect her from a potential rapist.
Their paths separate when they reach America.Brigid works in homes and her brother and the boys move West towards the Gold Rush fever.
Few years later Brigid decides to go see her brother.She discovers a dead body and her brother is accused of it.
Everything ties into her ex employers son Charlie Hunt who has an eye for the ladies and is a charmer to boot. Brigid has to solve this mystery to save her brother.
Thankyou Netgalley for this ARC

A good mystery and historical look at how our west was settled. Reminded me of the tv series Deadwood.

I was expecting a great deal more mystery. The story is more about Brigid and her friend's trying to sell their claim then her trying to clear her brother's name for murder.

The Streel tells the story of a very young woman named Brigid Reardon, born in Gallway, Ireland, who immigrates to the United States, along with her brother Seamus, to escape famine and extreme poverty. Her story begins in 1877. This novel appealed to me because I like both mysteries and historical novels for the intrigue and information to be learned about different cultures and time periods.

Brigid's adventures begin during her passage across the ocean, when she and Seamus meet a couple of guys named Paddy and Billy, and bond with them. Actually, there is a scene in which the three young men must physically protect Brigid that seems to be a foreshadowing about the ferocity of one of the characters. Mostly, though, the story focuses on Brigid.

Afer arriving in the states, Brigid does what many young ladies do--she becomes a servant, in the employ of wealthy families. Eventually, when she begins to attract the attention of Charlie Hunt, the son of the wealthy people she is working for, she decides to make another arduous trek west to join Seamus, where he, Paddy, and Billy have joined the gold rush and own a promising claim.

Upon arriving, Brigid immediately meets Lily, her brother's love interest, and slowly realizes that she is a streel--which is an Irish term for prostitute. So far, this has been a historical novel, but the very next morning, the first Brigid has in this new environment, she discovers Lily's body. And so begins the mystery.

When local law enforcement immediately blames Seamus, Brigid is pushed into duty as a detective, trying to clear her brother's name. Without giving anything away, I'd simply say that some of this is predictable. In the end, one of the character's actions did puzzle me, seeming to betray what I'd expected of him.

The pacing is good and the plot is engaging. There are a few societal messages that are pleasing, as well. Since this is a shorter novel, it cannot be densely written, so the character development and level of detail were not quite to my liking, but I enjoyed it.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this entertaining book!

In the story Brigid and her bother leave Galway to go to America. Her brother works on the railroad while Brigid has to work as a servant for a rich family. After five years past Brigid goes to meet her brother in Deadwood. He and his friends have a claim on a goldmine there. After Brigids arrival in there is a murder and they blame her brother for it. This book combines both adventure and mystery in it. The story is good written and the characters authentic and interesting. I really enjoyed reading it and recommending to try it out.

Mary Logue’s The Streel. Brigid and her bother Seamus leave Galway in 1880 during the time of the famine to go to America. Seamus works on the railroad and Brigid works as a servant for wealthy family. After five years Brigid travels to meet Seamus in Deadwood, South Dakota where he and two friends have a claim on a goldmine.

Soon after Brigid arrives in Deadwood there is a murder and Seamus is blamed. She is also handling the largely unwanted attentions of the son of the wealthy family she worked for.

The book is an adventure story as well as a mystery. Seeing Brigid miss her family in Ireland and her fierce devotion to her brother makes one want to stand behind her to support her and to admire her determination and smarts and dreams of the future and desire to make something of her life on her own terms.

The story has great pacing, never letting up on the action but not sacrificing development of characters. They are alive and you feel for their hardships and dreams. Wonderful writing with never a false note. Highly recommended.