Mary Miley, author of The Roaring Twenties mysteries, introduces a new series set in the same time period in Chicago. Prohibition, mobsters, speakeasies, seances. It’s a tantalizing atmosphere for a mystery. And, Maddie Pastore is the perfect courageous amateur sleuth as The Mystic’s Accomplice.
Later, Maddie admits she was naive. She had no idea how deeply involved her husband, Tommy, was with Johnny Torrio’s mob in Chicago until she was at the cemetery after her husband was shot down. Then members of the Outfit showed up, and dumped money in the grieving widow’s lap “for the baby”. But, it gets worse. Maddie’s eight months pregnant, and, after depositing the cash in the bank, she returns to their home to find herself locked out. It seems Mrs. Tommy Pastore claimed her property because Tommy never divorced his first wife before marrying Maddie. It’s only with a little help from an ingenious neighbor that she can even claim her clothes.
Maddie Pastore might have had to give birth at Hull House, but she’s determined that she and little Tommy won’t depend on charity, and won’t turn to Torrio’s mob for help. She’s getting desperate when she runs into a woman from the old neighborhood for the second time. The woman claims she’s been reincarnated several times. She’s now a spiritualist who calls herself Madame Carlotta, and she’ll pay Maddie one dollar for attending an upcoming seance. Despite her reservations as a Catholic, Maddie realizes she could sell herself on the streets, or help a medium.
At Madame Carlotta’s, Maddie meets the young boy who helps with the seances. Freddy doesn’t trust Maddie, and she isn’t sure of his role. But, after that one successful meeting when Maddie portrays a grieving widow who talks to her husband, she seizes an opportunity. Maddie offers to work with Madame Carlotta. She discovers she’s very good at research, finding obituaries, newspaper articles, wills, and talking with servants to provide Madame Carlotta with background.
But, Maddie is a little uneasy when she researches a new client. The woman has lost several family members to tragedies, and she cancels her sessions when she becomes ill. The more digging Maddie does, the more she believes the woman could become a future victim of a killer. With no encouragement, and only a little help, Maddie sets out to save a life and accuse a killer.
Miley skillfully blends an atmospheric Chicago with tantalizing history and historical figures. The Mystic’s Accomplice is an intriguing mystery. The setting and time period might draw readers to this enjoyable mystery, but Maddie Pastore will capture their attention. She’s a determined young widow and mother, determined to keep herself and her son safe, and, determined to save someone else. I hope Maddie returns in future mysteries.
Mary Miley’s website is http://marymileytheobald.com/
The Mystic’s Accomplice by Mary Miley. Severn House, 2021. ISBN 9780727850423 (hardcover), 224p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a .PDF to review for a journal.
Sounds good! If it is not in tiny print I would love to buy it. Two of my mother’s much older sisters were a big contrast and your book review made me think of them. The oldest joined the Prohibition movement and took a hatchet to the saloons while the next youngest went to speakeasies. My mother missed all the exciitement,
Sisters can be so different, Carolee. What a difference in those two. Since I read a .PDF to review, I’m afraid I don’t know about the size of the print. It was good, though.
There were twelve siblings in the family. They were all very different. I checked Amazon,com and put it on my list. It is expensive right now the Kindle sized print is readable size. I have not been to a library for a long time now. Will check to see if they are open yet.
I’ve known Mary since 5th grade. We read so many of the same books all through high school. She is a historian by education/training/practice and she gets the details right.
That’s neat, Nann! And, the details were wonderful in this book. I really enjoyed it.