Thank you to NetGalley, Union Square & Court, and Emily Bain Murphy for a free ebook ARC in return for my unbiased review.
Grace is the poor but plucky cousin of Oliver and Lillie, two kind and funny souls who treat her like she’s their equal, even if their terrible mother (and the rest of society) look down on Grace and her family due to their lack of money. Grace decides to spend one last trip with her cousins at the St. Louis World Fair when tragedy strikes and someone is murdered.

The rich descriptive language regarding the clothing, the food and drinks, the scenery around the fair, and the various amusements drew me into the story quickly. I struggled with some of the writing-tears spring to eyes, jaw muscles ripple, Lilly gets her cheekbones from her mother…many of these are phrases that are used frequently in other books and felt predictable. However, as the story progressed, Grace grows more confident and it felt like the story and writing did too-I felt more and more interested in what was going to happen, even if I correctly anticipated several moments. Overall I enjoyed it and appreciated that the author didn’t shy away from the darker side of history-the incubators for the premie babies and the racist/classist parts were hard to read about but important. It was enjoyable.

Where do I start? I loved this book. I loved the characters, I loved the World's Fair as a backdrop and I loved the mystery.
Lillie and Oliver are planning on spending a week visiting the Fair with their impoverished cousin Grace who is visiting. While they make no distinction in her class or standing, others are quick to judge her for her lack of wealth. When Oliver is accused of murder, Grace races against time to clear his name and find the real murderer.
The mystery was solid and kept me guessing right up until the very end even though I had my suspicions. The plot moved along at a fast enough pace that I didn't get bored but it wasn't so fast it felt rushed. The side plots were compelling and at times I felt like I was a member of their little group watching things unfold. The characters, Grace and Theo and Walt in particular were vivid and nuanced. They reacted to the story as real people would have and conveyed a range of complex human emotions that hit me right in the feels. Also NGL Theo, in my head was hot and brooding. Who doesn't love hot and brooding?
This was the period novel I didn't know I needed and I am so glad I got it.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with *Ivory City* by Emily Bain Murphy. Set against the dazzling backdrop of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, the novel swept me away into a world of intrigue, glamour, and secrets. The vivid descriptions made me feel like I was right there among the palaces and pavilions, soaking in the excitement and danger lurking beneath the surface.

The story follows cousins Grace and Lillie, whose close relationship is tested when a shocking murder throws their lives into chaos. I found myself rooting for Grace as she bravely tried to clear Lillie’s brother’s name, navigating the complexities of high society and the fair’s mysteries. The suspense kept me guessing, and I loved the dynamic between the cousins-there was real heart in their loyalty and struggles.

One of my favorite lines from the book is when Grace reflects, *“Sometimes the brightest lights cast the darkest shadows.”* That perfectly sums up the atmosphere Murphy creates: glittering on the outside, but filled with secrets and danger beneath.

If I have one small critique, it’s that the pacing lagged in a few places, and I wished some of the side characters were a bit more fleshed out. Still, the immersive setting and engaging plot more than made up for it.

Overall, *Ivory City* is a delightful blend of historical detail, mystery, and emotion. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves atmospheric historical fiction with a dash of suspense!

(Disclaimer: I received the ARC from the publisher, but this has in no way influenced my review. My thoughts are entirely unbiased and honest.)

Reading The Ivory City is a rewarding experience because the amount of research and care by the author is really obvious.

It holds a tender spot in my heart with the inclusion of Filipinos who acted as 'civilized' and 'uncivilized'
(knowingly and unknowingly) during the historic Chicago fair that inspired the story.

Besides these factors, however, I wasn't a fan of the prose of the story so that's my rating.

Either only used to other kinds of POVs in other murder mysteries or the author's way of writing really limited how the readers can be attached to the characters can be argued.

Personally, I felt that everything was enumerated rather than me following the characters (specially Grace) grow as the answers discovers are revealed.

Take this review lightly, because it's purely my preference. It ended with a happy ending though, so no regrets.