The Doublecross (The White City Novellas)
Rita, also known as “Little Egypt,” is a dancer at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago, also referred to as the Chicago World’s Fair. Her circle of close friends includes Pistol Pete, who is part of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. When Pete is framed for murder, Rita is on the case, accompanied by Max, who is the Buffalo Bill Show’s horse handler, and Pinkerton agent Kate Warne. In the midst of the bustle of the World’s Fair crowd, can they clear Pete’s name, or will the murderer find them too?
This is a fun and compelling murder mystery novella set amidst the wonder and excitement of the Columbian Exposition. The author does a great job of transporting us to the Exposition and describing the amazing displays and shows, but this is mainly a character-driven story. From Rita, who loves to shock with her daring costumes, to Pistol Pete, who only takes his hat off for one reason, to Kate, who dares to be a female Pinkerton agent at a time when few women were given such opportunities, the characters absolutely shine.
The mystery is compelling, and the reader is taken on a rollicking ride to an exciting conclusion. I was amazed at the author’s ability to completely flesh out characters, setting, and mystery in such a short novella. This is a fiery, feisty little book. Highly recommended.
