Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy of A Murderous Business by Cathy Pegau, out 9/16/25. This is the first book in the Harriman & Manicini Mysteries, a new historical mystery series.

The story follows businesswoman and heiress Margot Baxter Harriman and Private Investigator Loretta "Rett" Manicini as they meet and work together to solve the suspicious death of a Harriman family friend at Margot’s company.

This was a quick, enjoyable historical mystery. I really appreciated the early 1910s setting and how it explored the challenges Margot and Rett face—not only as women in male-dominated fields but also as lesbians during a time when being out was dangerous. The mystery itself was well-paced, and I liked how all the pieces came together.

What didn’t quite work for me was the emotional connection—I didn’t fully connect with Margot or Rett, even though I found them both interesting and inspiring.

I rated this 3.5 stars and think it’s a solid start to a queer historical mystery series. If you're into series like Evander Mills or Veronica Speedwell, this might be one to keep on your radar.

in the steps of cozy mystery, this was a delight to read. The quiet romance, murders that need solving, an heiress who needs to prove her worth, a sleuth who is deemed of the 'weaker' sex- all of this makes a heck of a novel. I am eagerly waiting for the next installment.


Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books for giving me the opportunity to read this!

I was hooked by the second chapter and thoroughly enjoyed this book! A fun twist on the mystery genre. I look forward to hanging out with Margot Harriman and Rett Mancini again in the future!

This was a strong start to the Harriman & Mancini Mysteries series, it had that historical mystery element that I was looking for and was engaged with what was happening. I enjoyed this as a opening chapter and am excited to read more in this universe. The characters had that overall feel that I was wanting and enjoyed the concept. Cathy Pegau wrote this well and was engaged from the first page.

In the bustling, rapidly changing world of 1912, where the lines between ethical business practices and legally ambiguous dealings blur, Cathy Pegau introduces us to a captivating new mystery series with "A Murderous Business: A Harriman & Mancini Mystery." This novel deftly combines historical intrigue with a compelling whodunit, all while spotlighting two extraordinary women determined to forge their own paths.

We meet Margot Baxter Harriman, a woman thrust into the cutthroat world of B&H Foods after the unexpected death of her father. Being a businesswoman in 1912 is no small feat, and Margot is fiercely committed to upholding her family's legacy, no matter the obstacles. Her resolve is immediately tested when she discovers Mrs. Gilroy, her father's former assistant, dead in the office, a half-finished note hinting at "nebulous misdeeds" at B&H clutched in her hand. With her company's reputation and her own freedom at stake, Margot knows she needs discreet help.

Enter Loretta "Rett" Mancini, a sharp, resourceful young woman who has been quietly running her father's private investigation operation as his memory fades. When Margot approaches her, Rett seizes the opportunity to prove her capabilities, plunging headfirst into a scandal that threatens to expose the dark underbelly of B&H Foods.

Pegau truly shines in her character development. Margot is intelligent and driven, navigating a male-dominated world with admirable tenacity. Rett is equally compelling, possessing a keen mind and a willingness to operate outside conventional bounds to uncover the truth. Their partnership is the heart of this story – a fascinating dynamic built on mutual respect and a shared pursuit of justice, even when it leads them into dangerous territory.

The historical setting of 1912 is not merely a backdrop; it's an active participant in the story. Pegau skillfully weaves in the societal constraints faced by women, the burgeoning industrial landscape, and the underlying currents of change in early 20th-century New York. You get a real sense of the challenges Margot faces simply by being a woman in charge, and how Rett's unconventional profession makes her both invaluable and vulnerable.

As Margot and Rett dig deeper, they uncover layers of deceit, blackmail, and corporate malfeasance that extend far beyond what either initially imagined. The stakes escalate with every discovery, making it clear that someone is willing to kill to keep these secrets buried. The suspense builds steadily, keeping you guessing about who is behind the murderous business and just how far they'll go.

"A Murderous Business" is more than just a mystery; it's a testament to female strength, resilience, and the pursuit of truth in a time when those qualities were often undervalued. If you enjoy historical mysteries with strong, intelligent protagonists and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, then the Harriman & Mancini series is one you won't want to miss. Cathy Pegau has crafted a compelling start to what promises to be an excellent series.

Perfect for readers who enjoy:

-Historical mysteries set in the early 20th century.
-Stories with strong, intelligent female leads.
-Intricate plots involving corporate secrets and family legacies.
-A compelling partnership at the heart of the investigation.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars – A captivating debut that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next Harriman & Mancini adventure!

Absolutely fantastic book. Loved every second of it. Easy five star. Will be recommending to my Facebook book group!

I love me some historical fiction especially when it involves a good little mystery. I am amazed when realizing that 100 years ago, life wasn't that much different. I'm probably not explaining this well, but I am always caught off guard and expect that past history should be much different than how people live today. Times may change, but people really don't. It's humbling to realize that way back when, they still had to deal with the same things we grapple with today, yet they seem to do it so much better with a fewer resources and a lot more society pressures. Like $100 was considered a sizable inheritance - and I can blow through $100 with an Amazon log on and a few mouse clicks. Or $.65 was the cost of tea and toast (including a $.15 tip) at a fancy restaurant. And there were many things that women just weren't supposed to do or say, and those who did or said those things were considered trouble. As far as the story goes in this one, there wasn't necessarily a lot of meat, but them bones were sure fun to pick through!!

A Murderous Business is very much a traditional mystery, though since it takes place in 1912, it is a historical mystery. It takes a little bit of reading to figure out when exactly in the past it is set, and the news of the Titanic sinking is the giveaway. There’s a little bit of danger that the heroines face, but the mystery, while interesting and plausible, doesn’t feature many twists the reader wouldn’t expect. Margot is a woman that has taken over the family company after the death of her father. Already facing the problem of not being taken seriously because of her gender, Margot faces an unexpected problem when she goes into the office to pick up paperwork and finds her father’s former (and retired) assistant dead in the middle of writing a confession letter that says people are being hurt. Margot hires Rett to investigate and find out what this means. During the process the pair discover multiple things were going on behind closed doors that could end up endangering the company’s future. This was interesting and quick to read, and in some regards it was nice to read a mystery that seems to follow logical reasoning. I may enjoy mysteries with a twist more, but some get so complicated that they stop making sense. This won’t blow anyone away, but it’s a nice cozy mystery read. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this story and its strong female characters. I felt the romance part was unnecessary. I would definitely love to read another Rett case.

I'm not a big mystery reader but I have read Pegau before and decided to request a copy of this ARC.

I was not disappointed. Pegau easily blends the elements of a murder plot with a burgeoning friendship between the two main characters Margot Harriman and Rett Mancini. Take all of this and wrap it up in an early 20th century New York setting and you have a satisfying story.

Aside from the main plot itself, I enjoyed how Pegau wove little bits of history into the story--from things like the aftermath of the Titanic disaster, profanity laws, and challenges facing queer people at this time--without getting distracted by honing in too hard by any of these details. It was skillful world building.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mintotaur Books for an advanced copy of this book.

Cathy Pegau’s A Murderous Business is a Historical mystery set in 1912 New York, where Margot Baxter Harriman finds herself at the center of both a family legacy and a tangled web of deceit. As the newly inherited owner of B & H Foods, Margot faces skepticism about a woman running the business, but her challenges soon extend beyond societal expectations. When her father’s former assistant turns up dead, leaving behind a half-written note hinting at his employer’s misdeeds, Margot enlists the help of discreet private investigator Rett Mancini to uncover the truth and protect her company’s reputation.

The story is fast-paced, weaving mystery and intrigue with a strong emphasis on female empowerment. Margot and Rett make a formidable duo as they uncover secrets and betrayals. While the resolution comes quickly, leaving room for more complexity, the novel remains engaging and satisfying. Overall, A Murderous Business delivers an entertaining and enjoyable read with a refreshing focus on strong female leads. The historical setting adds richness to the mystery, making it an excellent pick for those who enjoy a quick but immersive historical crime novel.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotuar Books for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it just didn’t click with me, and I couldn’t make it through to the end.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A woman who inherits her father's company finds his assistant dead with a note confessing to misdeeds. She hires a woman investigator to help figure out what is happening at her company.

What a great book!

The authors writing really got me immersed in the time period of 1912. From the ambiance to the actual crime solving it made me feel there!

The beginning was a bit slow but it caught up though!

This book is set in the early 1900s with a female CEO, Margot trying to solve a mystery that is brought to her attention in a mysterious note. She hires a detective agency and ends up working with Rett to get to the bottom of mystery and save her company.

A Murderous Business is an docile mystery novel that is truly just a joy to read. I love a good cozy mystery and Cathy Pegau delivered. I loved the characters and the mystery. Although at times I feel like it could have been shortened just the tiniest bit, this was the perfect book to snuggle up to.

Rett and Margo are both characters that are on a journey to finding their place in society as their fathers were the ones holding them back and keeping them "safe". I loved getting to watch these two fierce women find their places while also still having to hide parts of themselves from society. I think the way Pegau went about showing the way queer people were viewed in the 1910s was something that I do not see often. It was portrayed beautifully and just touched on briefly which I think gave the moments that we got to see the vulnerability of each of these women separately on their queer journeys even more of an impact.

I may have only given this book a three star but I will certainly be reading more from this series and more from Cathy Pegau!

Thank you to the publisher, author & netgalley for this arc!

I genuinely enjoyed this story. I really loved the dynamic between the characters and didn’t guess the who dunnit which is always a plus for me when there’s a little mystery involved. I love a good historical fiction & if you do too, I def recommend!!

A Murderous Business by Cathy Pegau is a sharp and captivating historical mystery set in 1912 New York, featuring two queer women—Margot Baxter Harriman, a determined businesswoman, and Loretta “Rett” Mancini, a savvy private investigator. When Margot discovers her father’s former assistant dead under suspicious circumstances and a cryptic note hinting at company misdeeds, she enlists Rett to uncover the truth. The investigation takes them into dangerous territory, with dark secrets about Margot's company coming to light and someone willing to kill to keep the truth hidden. Pegau masterfully blends intrigue, historical detail, and witty character dynamics, making this a perfect read for fans of Lavender House and A Most Agreeable Murder. The evolving relationship between Margot and Rett adds depth to the story, making it not only a thrilling mystery but also a compelling character-driven narrative.

Very Easy read and was hard to put down. Like the story line and the ending. She thrown off guard with who done it.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me an ARC.

I wouldn't usually go for a crime/mystery genre, so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this read.

Margot was a fantastic character, she was headstrong and resilient in navgiating a male-dominated business, and I loved how dedicated she was to finding out what the secret was. Rett was also a great character, I really liked how she had good relationships outside of her romantic one, and her business with Margo. All the background characters were so fun and I really liked the bank scene with Danny.

The writing was great and it really added to the mysterious atmosphere. I liked the included details of the struggles Margot faces as a woman, but also how her social status alleivates some struggles that Rett and her friends have to deal with. It was really poignant and added a lot of depth to the narrative.

The mystery itself was really well-done. I'm not any good at guessing where things are going to go, so I didn't even try, but I really liked that it was complex and well-planned, without being overly complicated and convoluted.

Having not one but two sapphic relationships was great. I really loved the representation.

Overall, a really great read!