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

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 the chance.

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.

This was a good mystery. a great filler before diving into other books

A fun and cozy little mystery, set against a vibrant and engaging turn-of-the-century backdrop. Cathy Pegau's writing effortlessly immerses into you into the setting and offers distinct and sharp voices to its cast, and the characters are definitely the strongest part of the story for me. I would've liked just a little more tension and suspense from the mystery (it's very low stakes), and maybe a bit of a deeper exploration of the dynamics between Rett and Margot; as much as I love the casual, unashamed existence of multiple lesbians in this book, it would've been fun to delve deeper into the culture of LGBT people at the time, especially in New York. But there's so much potential for a sequel that we'll undoubtedly get a chance to do so in future books, which I'm really looking forward to off the ending alone.

"A Murderous Business" was an enjoyable mystery. Margot Harriman is the company president of B&H Foods following the death of her father. It is the early 20th century, so women in positions of power, especially in the corporate world, are rare and viewed with skepticism. Margot is confident in her abilities but knows that expectations are higher for her. Her world is turned on its side when she stops by the office on a company holiday weekend to pick up a report for a shareholder's meeting from her accountant's office and in addition to the report, she finds her father's former personal assistant, Giana Gilroy, sitting at the accountant's desk, dead, with a partially written note addressed to Margot informing her that Margot's father and Mrs. Gilroy had been involved in something at B&H that had led to people become ill or even dying, and this unidentified practice was possibly ongoing. Food safety regulations were relatively new, and people becoming ill or dying from adulterated food products made the newspaper headlines. The secret Margot's father and Mrs. Gilroy had been hiding, depending on its nature, could ruin the company if made public.

Margot needs someone discrete to make inquiries and is directed to Mancini & Associates, where she meets Loretta (Rett) Mancini. The business is operated by Rett's father, with Rett providing assistance, although what she is allowed to do is limited by her father's views on what is proper. However, her father's health is failing, and she has been keeping the business running. She is also capable of a lot more than her father realizes or is willing to admit, and solving Margot's problem is an opportunity to prove herself.

The investigation will turn up blackmail, medical fraud, business secrets, possible unsafe food/products, greed, etc. Margot will realize that people she had long known and trusted were not as trustworthy as she believed. And doing what she knows is right might cost her the company.

In addition to being an enjoyable and creative story with some pretty good twists, the book has strong female characters in Margot, Rett, and Shiloh. They are very different -- Margot is a woman of wealth with a privileged upbringing, Rett is the daughter of a former police officer but has skills that fall on the wrong side of the legal line, largely the result of her childhood friendship with Shiloh, who makes her living as a magician's assistant and who comes from a family of criminals (forgers, pickpockets, etc.). Yet, they share some similarities -- all three are lesbians (which plays a role in the storyline on several occasions), all three are confident in their abilities and themselves, and all three are somewhat unconventional.

LGBTQ readers and allies, if you love a classic whodunnit mystery, Cathy Pegua’s A Murderous Business should be your next read! Set in 1912, right after the Titanic tragedy, this historical fiction/mystery combines intrigue with empowering female characters. Margot Harriman inherits her late father's canning business, but when his retired assistant is found dead, Margot uncovers a trail of secrets. As a woman in a male-dominated world, Margot faces societal barriers, including the fact that women couldn’t even own bank accounts at the time, but she’s determined to keep the business running.

The mystery deepens when the assistant leaves a note suggesting shady dealings within the company. Margot’s investigation uncovers trust issues, and with shareholders eager to install a man to run things, she secretly hires Mancini and Associates. Along the way, a tender, forbidden lesbian romance begins to blossom, adding a personal layer to the story. Though their relationship is just beginning, it beautifully highlights the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals at the time.

This book is a refreshing, quick read with a captivating plot and strong women doing important work. As someone with two loving moms, I truly appreciated how the romance added depth while also making me reflect on how far we’ve come. It’s a compelling mix of mystery, empowerment, and love—perfect for LGBTQ readers and allies alike!

This was a really easy to digest read. I am not sure if I would pick this book up again but it was nice to read at least once. I enjoyed the queer undertones in a world set against women and the lack of rights in the community at the time. I grew up with a grandmother that loved to read mystery stories to me. I specifically remember her always looking for books that had women leads. At the time, it was a male dominated character choice for these type of mysteries. it's a nice change of pace to see these women spring to life in the book. It was fun going around New York trying to solve the case. As I mentioned, I don't think I would pick this book up again HOWEVER, if this were a series I would 100% continue to read. This has a lot of potential and I hope the author taps into that. Can't wait to see what others say about this when it is released!

ARC Review – A Modern Mystery with Classic Sherlockian Vibes!** ★★★★☆

*A Murderous Business* feels like stepping into a modern-day Sherlock Holmes mystery, and I was *here for it*. Cathy Pegau masterfully weaves together a sharp-witted protagonist, intricate clues, and an atmosphere brimming with tension and intrigue. From the first page, you can sense that every detail matters, every conversation holds weight, and the mystery is far more complex than it first appears.

What truly sets this book apart is how methodical and observant the protagonist is—analyzing details, reading between the lines, and piecing together a puzzle that keeps both the characters *and* the reader on edge. The deductive reasoning, the suspense, and the slow unraveling of secrets all have that classic Holmesian feel, but with a fresh, modern twist.

The only reason I’m holding back from a full five stars is that some moments felt a bit rushed—certain plot threads could have used just a little more time to develop. But overall, this was an engaging, intelligent mystery that will keep you thinking until the very last page.

If you love classic detective stories with a modern edge, *A Murderous Business* is definitely worth picking up. Can’t wait to see what Cathy Pegau does next!

A Murderous Business by Cathy Pegau has an intriguing premise, but the execution falls flat with a slow-moving plot and underdeveloped characters. While the mystery has potential, the pacing drags, making it hard to stay engaged. Unfortunately, the predictable twists and lack of tension make this a forgettable read.

A historical thriller is a big undertaking. I loved the plot and storyline Pegau created. I wish there had been more depth on the FMCs, Margot and Rett. There was a lot left on the table. Still, the last few chapters were thrilling and buttoned up the loose ends, which is a preference of mine. Unsolved crimes are the death of me!

I hope Pegau takes another stab at this genre! If you need a quick read I recommend!

I think the premise and plot of this story are very good. I tend to be character driven and I didn't understand how certain characters moved the plot along. I know the author is capable of communicating a feeling for a character because I loathed Charley Meade almost immediately. But I never could a real grasp of Margot. And Randolph and Ms Gilroy, I had nothing to go on. I did like Shiloh. So while it was okay, I felt it could have been so much better.

This book was a quick, easy read. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a female led cast solving a mystery. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and found the background of the food canning industry unexciting.

Easy ready. I really enjoyed the time period- post titanic but pre WW1. Not one I read about very often. I also enjoyed the strong female characters and their stories. There’s a nod to LGBTQ, but it is not overtly sexual so if that’s not someone’s jam, I’d still recommend the book. There was a twist I did NOT see coming. Not life changing but very glad I read it. Would recommend to any historical fiction reader.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book.

A story full of mysteries and characters. I was fascinated by the imposing role of the woman in this story, despite the fact that the plot takes place in a time when women were not valued.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

A cozy, queer mystery about two women trying to be successful in a man's world.

Margot has recently inherited her father's canning business. She is facing constant scrutiny that she is not up to the task solely based on her gender. When she receives a note from a former employee that there may be a cover-up of dangerous business tactics afoot, she has to discreetly hire a PI to look into the claims and determine their validity.

Rett has been helping her father's PI business for years. He needs to retire, but he doesn't think his daughter is capable of continuing the family business and wants her to get married and settle down. Margot's case is her chance to prove that she is ready to handle client matters on her own and prove her father wrong.

These two women team up on an investigation that leads them all over New York. Throw in some light breaking & entering, some magician's tricks, and some mild impersonation and you have a true case!

Entertaining and quick read! Would read more if this becomes a series.