Mrs. Sherlock Holmes: The True Story of New York City's Greatest Female Detective and the 1917 Missing Girl Case That Captivated a Nation
Who Would Like This Book:
If you've ever wondered about the unsung female pioneers in American history, "Mrs. Sherlock Holmes" uncovers the extraordinary (and largely forgotten) story of Grace Humiston - a tenacious lawyer and detective ahead of her time. Fans of historical true crime, women's history, and justice-driven narratives will be drawn to her fight for the voiceless, her clash with NYPD corruption, and her quest for the truth behind missing girls in early 20th-century New York. The detailed research and immersive historical context make it a compelling pick for those who appreciate delving into the complicated social undercurrents of the era.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Readers craving a fast-paced, tightly focused crime narrative might struggle with this one. The story jumps between time periods and cases, sometimes losing momentum and a clear narrative thread. Some found the writing meandering or bogged down in detail at the expense of character depth, with the fragmented style making it hard to connect. If you prefer concise storytelling or a strong, novel-like plot structure in your nonfiction, this may feel disjointed and slow.
About:
'Mrs. Sherlock Holmes' by Brad Ricca is a narrative nonfiction that delves into the true story of Grace Humiston, a female lawyer and detective, who took on the case of the missing girl Ruth Cruger in 1917. alternates between detailing the Ruth Cruger disappearance case and background on Humiston's journey from divorcee to lawyer to part-time detective. It explores themes of women's rights, immigration, and crime in early 20th-century New York, shedding light on the societal and cultural norms of the time. The writing style is journalistic, with detailed accounts of Humiston's investigative work and the cases she took on, providing a fascinating insight into the life of this remarkable woman.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings may include discussions of murder, police corruption, human trafficking, and the treatment of women in early 20th-century society.
From The Publisher:
"Heroic and inspiring."-The New York Times
Grace Humiston was a lawyer, a detective, and the first female U.S. District Attorney. She was also a society woman who would become one of the greatest crime-fighters in America. This is her story.
In 1917, on the day before Valentine's Day, a beloved teenager named Ruth Cruger went missing. When the police gave up on trying to find her, Grace took it upon herself to get the job done-even if that meant navigating a dangerous underworld of secrets and lies, two-faced cops, and a mysterious pale man in a desperate race against time to bring Ruth home.
Grace's motto-justice for those of limited means-led her to investigate some of history's most notorious cases, in New York City and across the globe. Mrs. Sherlock Holmes is the first-ever narrative biography of this singular woman the press nicknamed after fiction's greatest detective.
"Her incredible life story, superbly portrayed by Ricca, is more proof that truth is stranger than fiction."-Publishers Weekly
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About the Author:
BRAD RICCA, author of Super Boys, earned his Ph.D. in English from Case Western Reserve University where he currently teaches. He has spoken on comics at various schools and museums, and he has been interviewed about comics topics by The New York Daily News, The Wall Street Journal, and All Things Considered on NPR. His film Last Son won a 2010 Silver Ace Award at the Las Vegas International Film Festival. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio.
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