In 1880s Chicago, Shakespearean actress turned Pinkerton detective Lilly Long must play the part of a soiled dove to find a missing friend . . .
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As one of a handful of female operatives employed by legendary crime fighter Allan Pinkerton, Lilly draws on her theatrical training to go undercover in situations inaccessible to male detectives-much to the discomfort of her partner, Cade McShane. Their latest case takes them to the rough and rowdy bordellos that line Hell's Half Acre in Fort Worth, Texas-truly the Wild West. By virtue of her gender, only Lilly can infiltrate the disreputable dens of iniquity that trade in flesh and cater to vices that would make even a Pinkerton blush.
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This time the case is deeply personal. Lilly's friend, Nora Nash, who traveled to Fort Worth as a mail-order bride, has instead been forced into prostitution. After a desperate call for help, Nora has gone missing. To find her, Lilly must revamp herself as a vamp and expose a seamy underworld of unspeakable secrets where anything goes. But she and Cade soon discover firsthand that lives are cheap in Hell's Half Acre-including their own . . .
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Praise for Penny Richards and An Untimely Frost
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aoA strong heroine and the intriguing Pinkertons make this historical mystery a cozy way to spend a weekend. Lilly Long's independence and stubborn spirit will immediately endear her to many readers.o
a--RT Book Reviews (4 Stars)
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oPenny Richards has created a fascinating heroine, a great mystery,
and an exceptional play on history.o
-New York Times bestselling author, Heather Grahama
