Girl in Disguise by Greer MacAllister
For the first female Pinkerton detective, respect is hard to come by. Danger, however, is not.
In the tumultuous years of the Civil War, the streets of Chicago offer a woman mostly danger and ruin-unless that woman is Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton detective and a desperate widow with a knack for manipulation.
Descending into undercover operations, Kate is able to infiltrate the seedy side of the city in ways her fellow detectives can’t. She’s a seductress, an exotic foreign medium, or a rich train passenger, all depending on the day and the robber, thief, or murderer she’s been assigned to nab.
Inspired by the real story of Kate Warne, this spirited novel follows the detective’s rise during one of the nation’s greatest times of crisis, bringing to life a fiercely independent woman whose forgotten triumphs helped sway the fate of the country.
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Author’s Bio
Raised in the Midwest, Greer Macallister is a poet, short story writer, playwright and novelist who earned her MFA in Creative Writing from American University. Her debut novel THE MAGICIAN’S LIE was a USA Today bestseller, an Indie Next pick, and a Target Book Club selection. It has been optioned for film by Jessica Chastain’s Freckle Films. Her new novel GIRL IN DISGUISE, about America’s first female private detective, is forthcoming from Sourcebooks in March 2016.
My Review
4 stars
Kate Warne is the first female Pinkerton detective and in 1856 Allan Pinkerton was not about to hire a woman. Follow along as Kate takes on many cases over the years and stands toe to toe with the other male detectives. Kate is a master of disguise and uses her talents to get information during the Civil War.
I never thought of women working for the Pinkerton’s but it makes sense. What better disguise than to work in an all male profession especially when women are thought less of a man? Kate is a smart, snarky woman that has no problem getting dirty to do her job. I love reading about strong women, especially those that step out of society’s norms.
I didn’t realize that Kate Warne is a real person. There is not much known about her since so much was lost in the great Chicago fire. I really wish I knew more about her. I am definitely interest in learning more about her because of Girl in Disguise.
This is a great, entertaining story. It’s a historical fiction that leaves you wanting more. Although I think Greer MacAllister could have made this a series, this book does leave me wanting more stories with Kate in them.
I received Girl in Disguise from SourceBooks for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
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