Murder Will Speak

In 1880s Chicago, Shakespearean actress turned Pinkerton detective Lilly Long must play the part of a soiled dove to find a missing friend . . . As one of a handful of female operatives employed by legendary crime fighter Allan Pinkerton, Lilly draws on her theatrical training to go undercover in situations inaccessible to male detectives-much to the discomfort of her partner, Cade McShane. Their latest case takes them to the rough and rowdy bordellos that line Hell's Half Acre in Fort Worth, Texas-truly the Wild West. This time the case is deeply personal. Lilly's friend, Nora Nash, who traveled to Fort Worth as a mail-order bride, has instead been forced into prostitution. After a desperate call for help, Nora has gone missing. To find her, Lilly must revamp herself as a vamp and expose a seamy underworld of unspeakable secrets where anything goes. But she and Cade soon discover firsthand that lives are cheap in Hell's Half Acre-including their own . . . Praise for Penny Richards and An Untimely Frost "A strong heroine and the intriguing Pinkertons make this historical mystery a cozy way to spend a weekend. Lilly Long's independence and stubborn spirit will immediately endear her to many readers." -RT Book Reviews (4 Stars) "Penny Richards has created a fascinating heroine, a great mystery, and an exceptional play on history." -New York Times bestselling author, Heather Graham