A Murderous Business by Cathy Pegau is a mystery taking place in 1912. Margot has recently inherited her family’s company with the death of her father. When her father’s former assistant mysteriously dies at the office where she hasn’t been in months, Margot begins to investigate. Along the way she enlists the help of Loretta Mancini as a private investigator. The women find much more than they bargained for!

I live mysteries and this early 20th century setting was a fun change of pace. I also enjoyed the strong female main characters. Would enjoy seeing more books in the future with Margot and Rett.

What a fascinating start to what I hope will be a series! The setting is 1912 New York, so we're on the other side of the Gilded Age. Margot stepped into a leadership role at her family's food canning business after her father's death. When one of her father's trusted employees is found dead in the office with a letter confessing to wrongdoing, Margot hires an investigator to come into the business as an employee so she can figure out what is happening in her factory.

The investigator Margot hires is Rett, the daughter of a private detective (and former cop). Rett and Margot wind up working together and becoming friends, which leads to Margot getting to experience queer culture in Manhattan. Rett is in a long-term relationship with a nurse, which is a sore spot between her and her father, but her mother is supportive. Margot gets involved with one of Rett's friends, a magician's assistant, who helps them with lock picking.

The mystery is complicated, but well-plotted, but I found myself more excited about the friendship between the main characters and their relationships with family members. I really hope this is the start of a series because I'd love to see more of Margot and Rett!

This is an entertaining, well-written, historical fiction mystery novel. It has a likable, intelligent female protagonist, wit, a touch of humor, a diverse group of engaging secondary characters, murder, an intriguing mystery, and a satisfying conclusion. I enjoyed being immersed in New York in 1912, and especially liked the theme of female empowerment. Many thanks to Ms. Pegau, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, and NetGalley, from whom I received an advanced reader copy of this delightful novel. This is my honest opinion.

I loved this story. Margot was such a great character. I loved Rett, her character was someone I could get behind and loved how she interacted with all the others. The storyline was good and I just kept turning pages because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. This was a well written story and I really enjoyed it.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this advanced reader copy and this is my honest review.

This first installment of the Harriman & Mancini Mystery series was very satisfying.
Set in 1912, I loved reading about women bucking societal norms-head of business, working in non traditional jobs, LGBTQ relationships and frankly women being shown as smart and capable.

Margot hires Rett to investigate her own company and employees. During this investigation, they develop a friendship and partnership. This was well written and the pacing was perfect. I look forward to reading more of Margot & Rett's investigations!

3.5 stars

Interesting historical mystery featuring two women determined to succeed in business in a man's world -- early 20th century New York. Margot is a woman of privilege who inherited her father's business and all the problems that came with it. She discovers some unsavory goings on with a deathbed note from his former secretary. She is determined to uncover and fix whatever was going on and seeks the help of Rett Mancini, who is running her aging father's detective business.

Both women chafe under societal restrictions about women running businesses. And both happen to be gay and are careful about letting their private lives become public.

Two strong characters who are smart and resourceful. A well-plotted mystery in a good setting. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Sapphic whodunit, A Murderous Business, is set in 1912 New York City. The Titanic tragedy has just occurred, women don’t yet have the vote, and Margot Baxter Harriman has inherited her late fathers canning company. When she finds her father’s retired assistant dead in the office late at night, with a note in her hand that could lead to her company’s downfall, she is determined to uncover the truth before anyone else can.

Loretta “Rett” Mancini has run her father’s investigation operation since he started becoming increasingly forgetful, even if doesn’t think a woman can do the job and she should just get married already, but when Margot Harriman walks in the office she finally sees her shot to solve a case on her own her and prove him wrong.

The mystery is fun, and full of era specific circumstances that really make it feel grounded in the 1910’s. As someone who has lived in New York City, I really enjoyed the obvious research done. This of course includes the Sapphic and Queer community in this time period.

Rett and Margot are both Sapphic women, but let’s be clear they are not a romantic couple, in fact their Sapphic platonic relationship is one of my favorite parts of the book. They have an understanding for each other early on, even when they haven’t fully clocked each other yet. They both have external romantic relationships, Rett’s partner CeeCee and the mysterious Shiloh, were so engaging. I hope their characters will be explored in other books.

This was interesting historical fiction.

Margot inherits B&H foods after her father passes away and struggles to be taken seriously as a businesswoman in 1912. She finds Mrs. Gilroy, her father's now retired assistant, dead in the office - with a note that implies there have been some underhand, and potentially deadly dealings going on at the company.

She hires a private investigator to figure out what is going on, as her good name, and that of the business, appear to be in jeopardy. Loretta 'Rett' Mancini has been running her father's investigations as he starts down the path of dementia, and she takes on the job.

Together the two women uncover a lot more than they bargained for.

This was an enjoyable and quick read. Both main characters are strong women, from very different backgrounds, and the secondary characters are even more diverse and well written. I enjoyed the way the women had to work around the constraints of the times - as women were not expected to be running businesses. Margot has to learn that family friends may not be what they appear, and they may not have her best interests at heart.

This book reminded me of the 'Miss Scarlet and the Duke TV' series in some ways, though the plot differed in other ways. The TV series is set 30 years earlier, in the UK, but also features a strong woman making her way in a man's world. I liked both of them.

I would hope these two characters pair up again - I would appreciate reading more about them.

This historical mystery set in 1912 pairs Margot Baxter Harriman and Loretta "Rett" Mancini. Margot has inherited her father's food canning company and is trying to run it despite the opposition she faces from her male Board of Directors. When she comes upon the body of her father's retired assistant Mrs. Gilroy who died in the middle of writing a note confessing to unnamed offenses, Margot looks for a discrete investigator to find out what is going on.

Rett is her father's assistant in a detective agency. She's assumed more and more responsibility as her father's forgetfulness has increased. When Margot comes to her, she takes the case and decides not to tell her father about it.

They quickly uncover secrets including a safe deposit box filled with cash when they begin their investigations. Only they don't know what crime the deceased Mrs. Gilroy was covering up. They discover some fraud where fake employees claim and are reimbursed for fictitious injuries. But the note said "death" and the fraud scheme has no deaths attached to it.

Then the blackmailing food inspector comes to call. Mrs. Gilroy's death ended his financial windfall and he wants it resumed. Before Margot can decide what to do about the blackmail, the food inspector is found bound and shot in the river. Since Margot was the last to see him and was arguing with him too, the police are interested in her whereabouts at the time of the murder.

Margot's alibi lies in the fact that she had been with Rett, Rett's girlfriend, and a new friend Shiloh with whom Margot spent the night. This is not something a woman in 1912 is eager to share. Scandal could bring down the company she's trying to save just as much as the unnamed crimes Mrs. Gilroy mentioned.

This was an entertaining historical mystery. I like that it is the first book in a new series. Both Margot and Rett are interesting characters trying to make their way in a world that doesn't give single women much room or many choices.

Margot became the owner of the family business once her father died.

As she was stopping by the office a few days before their canning complex opened for the season, she found one of the employees dead and with an unfinished note addressed to her.

The note hinted at some illegal things that have been happening for a few years.

Margot hid the note so the police wouldn't see it but then hired a private investigator to help figure out what was going on.

And then when she found out and confronted the culprit, he turned up in the river the next morning with a bullet in his head.

What has really been going on all these years?

Despite the murder, A MURDEROUS BUSINESS was an enjoyable read with great characters.

This is the first time I read a book by this author, and I truly enjoyed the book.

I haven’t read cozy mysteries too often, but I think this could be considered a cozy mystery.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was a delightful historical mystery with gently sapphic undertones.

It's 1912 in New York City. Margot Baxter Harriman has recently assumed the reins as owner of a company producing shelf-stable comestibles, following the death of her father. One evening at the company, she encounters the warm corpse of her father's former secretary, over a cryptic and unfinished note written to Margot. The note infers nefarious goings on at the company. If Margot has any chance of saving the company, she must get to the bottom of all the shenanigans. Knowing that she must remain above reproach, Margot seeks the assistance of a private investigator. Loretta “Rett” Mancini, has been keeping her father's agency afloat as his own capacity diminishes. Rett convinces Margot to hire her and they're off to the races.

This was a very good cozy mystery, full of charm and wit. The writing is solid and the scene settings were well crafted. There were a number of red herrings and sustained tension throughout the story. Ms. Pegau has done an excellent job researching the times and social mores of 1912 and incorporating those details. All in all, this was a sweet and enjoyable read.

I am grateful to Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: September 16, 2025
Number of Pages: 304
ISBN: 978-1250356482

I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of A Murderous Business. The following review is based on my opinion and experience.

This story follows our main character Margot who is a female living in 1912 shortly after the sinking of the Titanic. She finds herself trapped in a mystery after the death of her father and taking over his business B&H Foods. She finds her father’s former assistance with a confession note. Margot seeks out a female investigator Loretta (Rett) to help look into the deaths and a potential scandal associated with the business.

I love a great murder mystery with secrets and plots twists. The story began with a murder. As a reader, I enjoy the story beginning quickly with a mysterious intriguing plot. However, I do also enjoy making a connection with the characters. I wanted to have more character development to enhance the plot and relationships.

I throughly enjoyed reading this ARC. Thank you to NetGalley and the author Cathy Pegau for an opportunity to read an early copy of this story.

Margot has enough on her plate trying to keep B&H Foods afloat in 1912 a time when most men think women should be running a home, not a company. But things go from stressful to downright deadly when her father’s former assistant turns up dead in the office, leaving behind a half-finished note hinting at some shady business. If Margot can’t figure out what’s going on, she could lose her company, her reputation and maybe her freedom!

Enter Loretta “Rett” Mancini, a private investigator who’s been secretly running her father’s agency while he battles memory loss. Margot hires her to quietly dig into the possible scandal, but the deeper they get, the more danger they uncover danger that might be coming straight for Margot.

This mystery has everything: clever, capable women refusing to be underestimated, rich historical detail that drops you right into 1912, and a partnership between Margot and Rett that’s all sharp wit, mutual respect, and just the tiniest spark of something more! It’s smart, stylish, and full of tension, both romantic and murderous!

⚡️Thank you St. Martin's Press and Cathy Pegau for sharing this book with me!

"A sharp, captivating historical mystery about two queer women in turn-of-the-century New York, for fans of Lavender House and A Most Agreeable Murder.

There can be a blurry line between what is ethical and what is legal.

Margot Baxter Harriman took the reins of B and H Foods after her father passed. It's not easy being a business woman in 1912, but she is determined to continue what her grandparents started decades ago, no matter what it takes.

So when Margot finds Mrs. Gilroy, her father's former assistant, dead in the office with a half-finished note confessing to nebulous misdeeds at B and H, she seeks out help from a very discreet, private investigator to figure out what's going on. Her company, and her good name, are at stake if scandal breaks...and she could lose everything, including her freedom.

Loretta "Rett" Mancini has run her father's investigation operation since he started becoming increasingly forgetful. When Margot offers her the chance to look into the potential scandal with B and H, she jumps at it.

But the more the two dig in, the more it becomes clear that Margot's company may be too far lost...and someone is willing to kill them both to keep things quiet.

Charming and witty, Cathy Pegau's A Murderous Business is perfect for fans of Lev A.C. Rosen, Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer, and the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mysteries by Claudia Gray."

If you lose your company but gain love, can you really call that losing?

Margot has inherited her family business, and she's struggling for the respect and authority she now has as President of the company. When an older employee commits suicide and leaves Margot a note indicating wrongdoing by the employee and Margot's deceased father, Margot is shocked and determined to find out more. She hires an up and coming woman detective to help her follow the mystery. It's quite an adventure fraught with danger and deception. Who can she trust? It's well-written, deftly plotted, and a compelling read with well-developed characters.

3.25

A Murderous Business is the sapphic historical murder mystery I didn’t know I needed. Set in 1912, Margot Harriman has taken over as a CEO of her family’s cannery/food business, when she stumbled across her father’s former secretary dead in her accountant’s office. With the body is a half written note that makes it seem like not all is as it seems with the business. Margot goes to a PI to investigate, which is where she meets Rett.

One thing that I really liked was exploring women in the workforce in this era. While coming from different social classes, Margot and Rett have a lot in common as they struggle to be taken seriously in their lines of work. I also liked that we had characters that were casually sapphic. Rett lives with her long time partner Cee Cee, and has a friend that Margot has a fling with, and I just love to see queer characters in historical fiction.

I think there are some elements of the plot that I would’ve liked to see fleshed out a little bit more, and a couple of plot beats that felt a little too easy. That being said, it was a fun read, and I would be interested in seeing more of these characters.

A lackluster mystery about a female business owner in the 1910s who finds out her deceased father was keeping a really big secret.

I was looking for a fun read and this fit the bill. An unexpected who done it revolving around fraud and murder. Margot inherits a very successful canning business from her father. Her board of directors doesn't necessary want or believe she can run the business. Almost immediately after taking over, an unexpected death occurs and a note left telling about people dying and getting hurt. Margot hires feisty Rett, a PI, to find out what's happening. Good story, good intrigue, good characters!!!

What a fun book. I loved the time period it was set in and the strong female characters. I hope the author turns this into a series of books. It was very enjoyable and I’d love to read more.

A Murderous Business
by Cathy Pegau
Pub Date: Sep 16 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Margot Baxter Harriman took the reins of B&H Foods after her father passed. It’s not easy being a business woman in 1912, but she is determined to continue what her grandparents started decades ago, no matter what it takes.

So when Margot finds Mrs. Gilroy, her father’s former assistant, dead in the office with a half-finished note confessing to nebulous misdeeds at B&H, she seeks out help from a very discreet, private investigator to figure out what's going on. Her company, and her good name, are at stake if scandal breaks...and she could lose everything, including her freedom.

Loretta “Rett” Mancini has run her father’s investigation operation since he started becoming increasingly forgetful. When Margot offers her the chance to look into the potential scandal with B&H, she jumps at it.

But the more the two dig in, the more it becomes clear that Margot's company may be too far lost...and someone is willing to kill them both to keep things quiet.

Charming and witty, Cathy Pegau's A Murderous Business is perfect for fans of Lev Ac Rosen, Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer, and the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mysteries by Claudia Gray.