An Untimely Frost

The Lilly Long Mysteries, Book 1

De: Penny Richards

Narrado por: Christine Williams

Solving crimes is not a dress rehearsal.

Chicago, 1881. The idea of a female detective is virtually unheard of. But when famed crime buster Allan Pinkerton opens his agency's doors to a handful of women, one intrepid actress with her own troubled past is driven to defy convention and take on a new and dangerous role.

Since the age of 11, when her mother was murdered, the life of the theater is all Lilly Long has known. Now 22, she has blossomed into an accomplished Shakespearean actress. But after her innocence - and her savings - are taken from her by a seductive scoundrel, Lilly vows to leave the stage, enter the real world, and save others from a similar fate. Following in the footsteps of the country's first female detective, Lilly persuades Allan Pinkerton to take her on.

Lilly's acting skills are a perfect fit for her real-life role as a Pinkerton operative. But her first case is a baptism by fire as she is sent to the small town of Vandalia to solve the mystery of a pastor who disappeared with his family - and the church's funds. When Lilly arrives, she finds the mere mention of the reverend's name provokes enmity or suspicious silence. Shadowed by a second Pinkerton agent with an agenda of his own, Lilly begins to uncover Vandalia's sordid secrets. But she'll have to deliver the performance of a lifetime to survive the final act of this drama.

©2016 Penny Richards (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Nice light mystery.

This book is a very easy read. It is a light mystery with lots of clues to help you out along the way. I recommend this for a quick read and a lighthearted mystery. Hint of romance is present but not overwhelming. All in all a good read or listen.

Not bad for first in a series

I don't usually listen to historical American fiction as I prefer stories set in 1700-1800s England or Europe, but the idea of an ex-actress becoming one of the first female Pinkerton detectives in 1880s Chicago caught my attention.The second book in this series, "Though This Be Madness", will be released 25 April. I'll definitely give that one a listen.

disturbing resolution

Narration was fine. Lilly Long character amazing. Twisted plot and disturbing resolution difficult to fathom.