In February 1930, Emily Cabot is a widow who finds her funds have been lost in the Wall Street Crash. After she witnesses the suicide of a banker, she’s nearly killed in a gangland style shootout. Her police mentor has retired, her friend at City Hall is demoted. She can’t believe the way Chicago has dissolved into chaos. Her own family is threatened by the clash of the Secret Six vigilantes and the Outfit gangsters. In the penultimate book of the series, Emily meets Eliot Ness and Frank Nitti when she fights to protect the innocent and ensure some justice in a lawless city.
Praise for Frances McNamara’s previous novels
“McNamara packs in fascinating and edifying period details while never losing sight of the riveting mystery plot. Historical fiction fans won’t want to miss this one.” Publisher’s Weekly starred review for book 8 of series
“Set in 1918 Chicago, McNamara’s excellent ninth Emily Cabot mystery (after 2020’s Death on the Home Front) finds Emily’s physician husband, Stephen, serving on the front lines of the Spanish Influenza epidemic. Meanwhile, Emily gets drawn into a murder investigation involving Flora Murphy, a notorious gambling king’s second wife, who’s accused of shooting her younger lover... The real-life characters mingle seamlessly with the fictional ones to capture the myriad contradictions of Chicago, from the dirty politicians and gangsters who run the city to the idealists, intellectuals, and revolutionaries who are committed to social change. This timely novel informs as much as it entertains.” Publisher’s Weekly starred review
“McNamara’s suspenseful third Emily Cabot mystery…convincingly recreates a pivotal moment in American labor history…Laurie King and Rhys Bowen fans will be delighted.” Publishers Weekly
“McNamara…proves, if anyone was asking, that librarians make great historical mystery writers…
I’d follow Emily to any location.” Historical Novels Review
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