This is the first book in a historical mystery series. The main characters are well developed. The plot is paced well. It is a good feminist read

I was really excited for this novel because it seemed that it would be a fun mystery. However, I really could not get into it. I thought that the novel was very slow moving. Still, I recommend this for those that like historical mysteries!

Unlikely allies working together to no longer whisper the truth. Historical fiction and mystery make for a compelling read.

This has an interesting cast of characters that carry the story along a nice pace and create depth to the story. Great plot and I found myself filling an afternoon reading this in one sitting as I found it so enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest , unbiased review. 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Louisa Delafield was previously a member of high society but has since lost her standing due to her deceased father's bad investments. However, Louise is still able to rub elbows with the upper class through her role as a writer for the society page of The Ledger. This allows her to attend all of the high-class events while making money to support her mother and their modified standard of living.

In a strange turn of events, Louisa gets connected to Ellen Malloy. Ellen was previously a ladies maid for the Garrett's - a longtime family friend of the Delafield's. Ellen was a witness to some suspect events that led to the death of fellow maid, Sesealia.

Both women, from very different levels of society, find themselves on the trail to find out who killed Sesalia. This exposes them to corruption at the very highest levels and the willingness to do whatever it takes to keep things secret and keep images untarnished. The story also exposes the world of forced abortions, white slavery and gangs. Despite Louisa's decline from society, Louisa still considers the Garrett family and other families to be her friends. However, this murder investigation forces her to look more closely at these individuals and she struggles to believe they could have any involvements in these corrupt events.

This story takes place in New York City in 1913 but in many ways Louisa and Ellen reminded me of historical Nancy Drews. They were both on the case, risking their lives and fighting for justice and the rights of others. The novel is a page turner and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.

I received this book as an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is told from two perspectives: Louisa and Ellen.
Louisa is a newspaper writer whose family was once high in society but has fallen into near destitution due to her late fathers bad investments. She writes a society column but wants to do more. She hears about a policewoman who died in the line of duty and starts to investigate her death.

Ellen is a ladies maid to a wealthy family. Another servant in the household falls pregnant by their employer and she’s sent to get an abortion. Ellen accompanies her for support, things go awry and Ellen has to flee.

The two women’s stories converge and they have to unravel a conspiracy together.

I was not a fan of this book. I didn’t connect to either of the women and I felt the characters were very flat. The story was also VERY slow. It’s set up to be a very intriguing premise but it was anticlimactic. I found my mind wandering while I was reading it and I wasn’t excited to pick it back up again.

I love historical crime novels and this one didn’t disappoint me. The setting is interesting and vividly described, the characters are lovable and interesting at the same time. I have already read several books with similar setting and characters, but this one still brought some new ideas and the style was very appealing. It is a story I would like to follow in next book.
I highly recommend this book.

Louise is financially grounded after her father's death. To still be able to support herself somewhat, Louise writes a society column.
A second storyline is that of Ellen, she witnesses an abortion gone wrong - and she knows who the child's father was. She has to flee at the risk of her life.
The storylines appears to have a common link: the death of a policewoman, a doctor who helps ladies of good character with "their problem" (i.e., an unplanned pregnancy, because with it, of course, they were no longer marriageable, as the rest of the family would be shunted because of the scandal)

This historical novel turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed reading the book immensely.
It gives a glimpse into the world of ‘endless blitz of revelry and noise.’ ‘..[ red..]
The story takes place in 1913 in New York, and begins with the opening of Grand Central Terminal in New York, ending with the Great Suffrage Parade of 1913.
Actual historical events and - people are included in the narrative, making it lean toward narrative nonfiction.
I found the writing style very enjoyable to read, you are completely immersed into the story. It is very cinematically written.
The story is somewhat cliche here and there, and lightheartedly written, it is the historical setting and the historical figures that make it a compelling account.
So we meet Lady Lucy Duff (Titanic survivor- later a leading fashion designer), the VanderBilt family, Nelly Bly, Owney Madden, who ran the famed Cotton Club, -among others, the Knickerbocker Club, Marcel Buchamp whose works caused quite a stir at the 1913 Armory Show…and the notorious Dusters, and Gophers.
The main emphasis of the story is on the (suffocating/changing/social) position of women, suffrage, social class, and lbthiqi+ -

This was both a bizarre as well as a fascinating time: - these were the times that made New York. - from the Gophers and the Dusters to the puissant rich branches of the Dutch and British aristocracy who at that time were among the very-very-rich in the world.
I found the ending of the story a bit of a shame - I would have liked to see Louse be completely independent - in the end she is just like the women she writes about…
And oh, that miserable money and status, if you are unhappy, or have to marry for money to be financially secure to keep up appearances and the family name- no, then Ellen has the best going for her: not a penny to her name, but someone who truly loves her for who she is.
This is the start of a series, and I look forward to reading the sequel.

**** four stars. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this arc. I leave this review voluntarily.

1913 Louisa finds herself in a peculiar position. once part of the rich, upper class
welcomed everywhere now after her fathers financial ruin the family are barely tolerated
in society but Louisa is happy doing what she feels she has a knack for. She writes a society column for The Ledger and though it is not the journalism she seeks, it is the family's
bread and butter.

Forced to face head on the unspoken subject of abortion and the death of a young maid at
the hands of an unscrupulous doctor - not a backyard abortionist but a suave well spoken of
high society, Louisa sets on a course of investigation which literally turns society upside down.
not just abortion, abduction of young women, trafficking them into forced prostitution,
a murder of a young female police investigator and corruption in the Police itself and
cover ups galore.

Louisa puts herself in grave danger and though rescued the story she uncovers shows Manhattan
society at its worst, with those at the top equally involved at least some of them in the
unsavory machinations of high society.

An eye opener at behind the scenes of society - the division between the rich and the poor,
the class consciousness and the condescension and discrimination shown to the Irish, the
Jews and to those involved in 'trade' are all featured here. The struggle for the female vote
is also a small part of the book.

Very well written keeping the reader focussed on the story of Louisa as well as the history
of the time.

Ellen Malloy work for the Garretts she was the ladies maid for Hattie Garrett, But one night when fellow maid Sesealia, had to be rushed to the hospital she witnessed certain things that would’ve been better for her not to see. She went to the police station looking for an Irish detective that used to know her brother after a miserable stay at the Work house he asked Miss Louisa faraday to take her in. Louisa Fairaday was from one of the nicer families in the upper crust of New York in until recently was thought to be high society but since the death of her father she has since found out they were destitute. She wrote an inconsequential society column for a small paper but when she took Ellen then and learned about what she witnessed and the death of Adele Cummings she made it her business to get to the bottom of it. This book was so good not only was it historically accurate but it was way more than the small summary I put. The author tackles lots of issues that were popular in the day and some that were so popular but we’re still around. Besides touching on popular culture there’s also a great mystery and that is what I enjoyed the most. I found this book to be humorous intriguing compelling and so worth reading a total five star book. I cannot wait for the second book in this New Victorian era mystery series and I can’t recommend this one enough. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

"Louisa Delafield and Ellen Malloy didn't ask to be thrown together to bring the truth to light. But after Ellen witnesses the death of a fellow servant during an illegal abortion, Louisa, a society columnist, vows to help her find the truth and turn her journalistic talent to a greater purpose."

A heart wrenching insight into topics that still come under attack 100 years later. Well researched and beautiful written.

This is a well-written novel that was a lot of fun to read the mystery was engaging and kept me hooked. However it's quite sad to note that a book set 100 years ago involved in issues still being dealt with today such as abortions and women's rights and LGBTQ issue's. That's not to say that this is not indicative of the era with exploitation of the immigrants and the rich verses the poor as we follow the character's from decadent ballrooms to brothel's in Old New York. I received a special copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from BooksGoSocial and NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.



Women's rights, LGBTQ issue addressed in a novel that truly has a definitive look into this ear.

It’s worrisome when you can say that a story set over a hundred years ago is timely and relevant, but this book couldn't be more so. Most of the rights it addresses are under attack today: abortion, contraception, LGBTQ equality, the right to vote, etc. Early 20th century New York was a fascinating time and place, so we also get an exploration of what life was like for both the upper and lower classes, early labor union conflict, burgeoning feminism, the fight (still ongoing...) for equality for women in the workplace (even delving into the roles women played in street gangs).... it's a lot. There are a LOT of moving parts here, and unfortunately not enough time to explore them all properly.

The novel is well-researched: New York City of the 1910s comes alive in vibrant detail, though we often get overwrought descriptions like this (of an old church): “The incensed air smells of oppression, of men’s musty vestments, and of old women’s tears.” Our two protagonists live in very different worlds, and we get to know both - the old money high society elite, and the immigrant servant class - as we traverse old New York from ballrooms to brothels. Ellen's narrative accurately represents the lack of power and the consequent opportunity for exploitation faced by the servant class. Louisa's arc is well-paced, and her growing awareness of the inequality, corruption, and cruelty inflicted by the world she comes from on those less fortunate is well-done. There are compelling supporting characters with interesting backstories, and hopefully there will be time to develop some of these further in future books in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Prism Light Press for this ARC.