On the eve of the Victorian era, London has a new sleuth . . .
In the winter of 1835, young Charles Dickens is a journalist on the rise at the Evening Chronicle. Invited to dinner at the estate of the newspaper's co-editor, Charles is smitten with his boss's daughter, vivacious nineteen-year-old Kate Hogarth. They are having the best of times when a scream shatters the evening. Charles, Kate, and her father rush to the neighbours' home, where Miss Christiana Lugoson lies unconscious on the floor. By morning she is dead. When Charles hears of a very similar mysterious death of another young woman a year ago to the date, he begins to suspect poisoning and feels compelled to investigate. Kate offers to help, using her social position to gain access to the members of the upper crust. But with a twist or two in this most peculiar case, he and Kate may be in for the worst of times..
"One suspects that Mr. Dickens himself would thoroughly enjoy this literary play on his early life and sleuthing abilities. Great fun to read!" CATHERINE LLOYD, author of the Kurland St. Mary Mysteries.