'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.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is descriptive but often inconsistent, leading to a choppy reading experience that can detract from the narrative flow.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around Grace Humiston's investigation into the disappearance of Ruth Cruger amidst wider themes of police negligence and societal issues regarding missing girls.

Setting:

The setting is early 20th century New York City, emphasizing socioeconomic and legal challenges faced by women and immigrants.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally slow and can feel disjointed due to the numerous details and timeline shifts.

The room smelled of damp cement, wood, and oil. Two other men followed him in. One was enormous. The other was short and wore overalls. That one looked at everything with keen, moving eyes. He was loo...

Genres:

Topics:

historical law enforcement

immigration issues

female detective

underdog

Notes:

Grace Humiston was born on September 17, 1869, in Greenwich Village, New York.

She was one of only a thousand female lawyers in the United States at the turn of the century.

Humiston became the first female U.S. District Attorney in history.

She was also the first female consulting detective for the New York Police Department.

Her motto was 'Justice for those of limited means.'

Humiston helped many immigrants in her community who needed legal assistance.

She was able to secure the innocence of a man on death row and commuted the sentence of another woman just before her execution.

One of her major cases was that of Ruth Cruger, who went missing in 1917.

Ruth Cruger disappeared while running errands, and her case drew national attention.

Humiston believed Ruth had been murdered, while the police initially thought she had run away.

The book recounts Humiston's investigations and the eventual discovery of Ruth's body.

Alfredo Cocchi, the man linked to the case, was suspected of involvement in Ruth's disappearance.

Humiston accused the NYPD of neglect in their investigations, particularly regarding missing girls.

The narrative discusses themes of police corruption and the treatment of women and immigrants at the time.

Despite her accomplishments, Humiston's reputation suffered due to her outspoken nature and controversial accusations.

Today, Grace Humiston is largely forgotten, despite her significant contributions to law and justice.

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

What can you read after
Mrs. Sherlock Holmes?

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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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Mrs. Sherlock Holmes: The True Story of New York City's Greatest Female Detective and the 1917 Missing Girl Case That Captivated a Nation

Brad Ricca