These Shallow Graves

In late nineteenth-century New York, Josephine Montfort lives a life of restrictive luxury until her father is found dead from an apparent accidental gunshot. Refusing to believe the official report, Jo teams up with a cynical cub reporter named Eddie Gallagher to investigate the city’s criminal underbelly. They navigate morgues, tenements, and gambling dens to uncover a conspiracy involving the city's elite families and hidden financial ruin. Jo must decide whether to embrace her expected role as a submissive socialite or pursue her ambition to become an investigative journalist.

Fans of historical mysteries read this book for its detailed recreation of Gilded Age class disparities and the grit of early forensic investigation. It appeals to readers interested in stories of women defying Victorian gender roles to seek professional independence. Readers walk away with a specific perspective on how wealth shielded corruption in old New York and a realistic look at the dangerous mechanics of nineteenth-century newsrooms and police precincts.