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Vanderbilt in Peoria: A Jemmy McBustle Mystery
Eighteen-year-old Jemima McBustle is as popular as a porcupine in the punchbowl with the staff of the St. Louis Illuminator. Furor follows when she sneaks off to beat a fellow newsman to the story of a dead Lilliputian on the railroad tracks.
To win a peaceful moment, her editor ships her out of town whenever he can. This time he posts her to Peoria, Illinois for the opening of the new city hall on January 5, 1899.
Jemmy is in luck. Her rich uncle and her business-minded little sister are eager to make the trip. In fact, Uncle provides transportation--at least part of the way--in his sparkling new Dorris automobile. Uncle also secures lodging at a bizarre home with an eccentric hostess who speaks to her guests through her Basset Hound.
After finessing the job of her dreams at a St. Louis newspaper, Jemmy knows she must deliver stories that will sell papers. But she faces roadblocks at every turn. Jemmy is determined to keep the career she loves. But she can’t help being attracted to the men who are attracted to her. Should she marry or hold on to her career? What’s a girl to do when all her old beaux turn up to bedevil her?
The journey plunges her into the world of high-stakes finance and the unimaginable power of railroad barons like William K. Vanderbilt. The trip chases her up muddy hills, through dark buildings, and into a near fatal brush with electricity.
To win a peaceful moment, her editor ships her out of town whenever he can. This time he posts her to Peoria, Illinois for the opening of the new city hall on January 5, 1899.
Jemmy is in luck. Her rich uncle and her business-minded little sister are eager to make the trip. In fact, Uncle provides transportation--at least part of the way--in his sparkling new Dorris automobile. Uncle also secures lodging at a bizarre home with an eccentric hostess who speaks to her guests through her Basset Hound.
After finessing the job of her dreams at a St. Louis newspaper, Jemmy knows she must deliver stories that will sell papers. But she faces roadblocks at every turn. Jemmy is determined to keep the career she loves. But she can’t help being attracted to the men who are attracted to her. Should she marry or hold on to her career? What’s a girl to do when all her old beaux turn up to bedevil her?
The journey plunges her into the world of high-stakes finance and the unimaginable power of railroad barons like William K. Vanderbilt. The trip chases her up muddy hills, through dark buildings, and into a near fatal brush with electricity.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2025
About the author
Fedora Amis
10 books11 followers Fedora AMIS won the Mayhaven Fiction Prize for her Victorian whodunit, Jack the Ripper in St. Louis. She dons corset and hoop skirts to perform as real historical people and imagined characters from the 1800s. Fedora loves live theater, travel, plants and cooking.
She has one son, Skimmer, who partners Fedora in writing science fiction, fantasy and magical realism.
“Why do I write? I love words—always have--reading them, writing them. I even like looking them up in the dictionary. So call me eccentric. Call me crazy—but call me a writer.”
Fedora
She has one son, Skimmer, who partners Fedora in writing science fiction, fantasy and magical realism.
“Why do I write? I love words—always have--reading them, writing them. I even like looking them up in the dictionary. So call me eccentric. Call me crazy—but call me a writer.”
Fedora
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 18, 2025
Dateline: Peoria, Illinois
Jemmy McBustle, a young, female newspaper reporter, returns in this fast-paced mystery-comedy set in January 1899.
Ms. Amis immerses you in the late Victorian era of railroads in this adventure Several characters are new to the reader as well as some familiar faces. Be prepared for a smile to turn to a chuckle to full-throated laugh as the situation goes from bad to worse to outrageous for Jemmy.
Jemmy McBustle, a young, female newspaper reporter, returns in this fast-paced mystery-comedy set in January 1899.
Ms. Amis immerses you in the late Victorian era of railroads in this adventure Several characters are new to the reader as well as some familiar faces. Be prepared for a smile to turn to a chuckle to full-throated laugh as the situation goes from bad to worse to outrageous for Jemmy.
Displaying 1 of 1 review