Jane Smiley is a Pulitzer Prize winning author who keeps surprising her readers with the depth and breadth of her writing abilities. In this novel Smiley takes on the murder mystery genre, sets her story in California during the Gold Rush, and chooses two prostitutes as her detectives who are investigating a series of murders. With beautiful descriptions of scenic Monterey California as the back drop, Smiley describes a time and a place on the fringes of the Wild West where gentility and civility, mask a dangerous lawlessness.

Eliza, became a prostitute after her husband was killed in a barroom brawl. Penniless, naive and alone, she approached Mrs Park, the madam of the brothel and found that for the most part it was not such a bad life, as she now has some money of her own, something very few of the women in the town have. But her perception changes when the bodies of dead girls began to turn up outside the town, especially when one of the girls is a friend.

Eliza, who is an avid reader of Edgar Allan Poe, decides to work with her friend Jean to find the killer. But investigating a murder is a lot more complicated than they thought, especially as the clues they gather to identify the killer seem to point to some of their own clients. As Mrs Park reminds them, “Everyone knows that this is a dangerous business, but between you and me, being a woman is a dangerous business, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise …” But, regardless of the danger, Eliza and Jean are determined to not only survive but to bring about justice for the girls who have died.

Smiley’s seems to be channeling Poe in places; not in a campy way, but as a nod to the influence that Poe’s work has on Eliza and Jean. The descriptions of life in Monterey at the time are fascinating and the veil of gentility and civility that is quickly torn away revealing the danger stalking them is quite effective. I found this a fascinating book although it seemed different than what I have come to expect from Jane Smiley.

Brenda’s Rating: ****(4 Out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Marian, Sharon, and Keith

Book Study worthy? Yes

Read in e-library format.