It’s the summer of 1879, and Annie Fuller, a young San Francisco widow, is in trouble. Annie’s husband squandered her fortune before committing suicide five years earlier, and one of his creditors is now threatening to take the boardinghouse she owns to pay off a debt.
Annie Fuller also has a secret. She supplements her income by giving domestic and business advice as Madam Sibyl, one of San … of San Francisco’s most exclusive clairvoyants, and one of Madam Sibyl’s clients, Matthew Voss, has died. The police believe his death was suicide brought upon by bankruptcy, but Annie believes Voss has been murdered and that his assets have been stolen.
Nate Dawson has a problem. As the Voss family lawyer, he would love to believe that Matthew Voss didn’t leave his grieving family destitute. But that would mean working with Annie Fuller, a woman who alternatively attracts and infuriates him as she shatters every notion he ever had of proper ladylike behavior.
Sparks fly as Anne and Nate pursue the truth about the murder of Matthew Voss in this light-hearted, cozy historical mystery set in the foggy gas-lit world of Victorian San Francisco.
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Pleasant read. It was good enough that I bought an anthology of the first 4 books in the series. I don’t regret it, but the books got really boring and I won’t be reading any more of them.
M. Louisa Locke has developed some wonderful characters in her books. Strong women, compassionate men, people with secrets…. the mysteries unfold in unpredictable yet totally believable ways. A delight to solve the who dunnit first.
The book started a little slow, but as got into it, it became more intriguing. A good read.
So-so. Story line seemed a bit implausible.
Very interesting and enjoyable read.
Very good novel with historical accuracy
A super story of a woman finding her way in a time when women were not
acknowledged for having a business mind or speaking their mind. Loved it.
The author weaves an original who-done-it tale set in 1880’s San Francisco. The heroine goes undercover as a maid to seek out the murderer of her friend. There’s just enough complication to keep the reader guessing –and guessing again. Suspense and characters keep this mystery a page-turner. I didn’t want the story to end!
Great detective novel with a little history thrown in, I liked the characters as well as the story itself.
I liked this book. I thought it was a good story. It kept me interested.
Great historical mystery. Loved the heroine with a wee bit of attitude.
Loved it!
Interesting period details
Engaging from page 1…couldnt put it down..
I’ve enjoyed all three books of this series that I’ve read.
Boring
A fun Victorian mystery!
I enjoyed the period and the writing. I love history and this took me back. it held my interest. it answered questions. the main character was intelligent and too eager to jump in before she thought. it was worth the time to read.
Good historical fiction of early day San Francisco and of the obstacles women faced when running their own business.
A fun read..