I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Two women must come together to investigate a mysterious murder and its connection to one of their businesses in author Cathy Pegau’s “A Murderous Business: A Harriman and Mancini Mystery.”
The Synopsis
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 it.
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.
Charming and witty, Cathy Pegau’s A Murderous Business is perfect for fans of Lev Ac Rosen, Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer, and the Mr. Darcy and Miss Tilney mysteries by Claudia Gray.
The Review
This was a great blend of historical fiction and mystery crime thriller. The author did an incredible job of meshing the historical time period of the early twentieth century by highlighting the societal etiquette and actions that were ingrained into both class systems and gender roles. The tension that built from that first discovery of protagonist Margot stayed steady throughout the entire narrative. Yet, the author also found ways to create lighthearted moments, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
What made this such a strong narrative was the strength of this fantastic women-led cast of characters. The two protagonists, Margot and Rett, were both driven and formidable in their investigation, and their partnership as they drove forward with their investigation was terrific to read. The exploration of LGBTQ relationships in this time period was refreshing as well, and the story itself, highlighting food industry standards for grocery stores and canning industrial companies, and how government oversight and corporate greed played a role, was a great twist on the mystery genre.
The Verdict
Thrilling, compelling, and entertaining, author Cathy Pegau’s “A Murderous Business: A Harriman and Mancini Mystery” is a must-read historical fiction meets mystery crime thriller. The twists and turns in the story, the conspiracy aspect of the narrative, and the dynamic character development all blend with hints of romance and historical context that make this a one-of-a-kind story that hopefully will turn into a long-running mystery series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Cathy Pegau started her writing journey with sword and sorcery fantasy and science fiction romance, but also loves the challenge of trying new things. While researching local history for an Alaska-based post-apocalyptic pirate tale, she learned of some real life events that spurred the creation of a historical mystery. No speculative fiction, no aliens, no magic. It’s funny where research will lead. The post-apocalyptic pirate tale is still in the TBW (to be written) queue.
She writes what catches her fancy: Science fiction, fantasy, romances, historical, paranormal…Anything is possible, as long as there’s a good story and interesting characters.
Cathy lives in a small fishing town in Alaska with her family, pets, and the occasional black bear wandering through the yard. Contact her at CathyPegau.com, cathy @ cathypegau.com, or say hello on Twitter @ CathyPegau or Blue Sky @ cathypegau. bsky. social. (no spaces, of course)
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-murderous-business-cathy-pegau/1146657250?ean=9781250356482
