Murder at the Chestnut Wig: A Mystery of Antebellum America

by A.M. Reade

The cards are stacked against her, but she’s never been one to fold.

July, 1852. As the Fugitive Slave Act tightens its grip on the young nation, whispers of abolitionist activity ripple through Cape May.

Widowed and savvy, Jeannine Holt is the hostess and owner of The Chestnut Wig, a decadent gambling salon in town. She presents a graceful and refined façade, but beneath the elegance and charm, Jeannine hides her role as station master along the Underground Railroad, the secret and perilous network of escape and defiance. Her cousin Chloe urges caution, but Jeannine won’t look away from injustice.

When a man is stabbed to death at The Chestnut Wig, chaos erupts. A racially motivated arrest occurs within hours. When the sheriff refuses to investigate other suspects, Jeannine must take matters into her own hands. The real killer is out there, and she intends to unmask the person’s identity before the condemned man hangs.

But that killer is watching. Will her next gamble be her last?

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2025

Reviews

[LYNN A. WAITE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chestnut Wig

As always, Amy delivers a good story in a historical setting with several cliffhangers that keep you reading and I couldn’t put it down.

[Mbsuther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder and the Underground Railroad

I have read many fine books (and some not so fine) dealing with murder mysteries that have some relation to the Civil War period. This book dealt with a murder and a house in New Jersey that was a stop on the Underground Railroad. First of all, I lived near the Chesapeake Bay so had a familiarity with the region this book dealt with. First of all, there was no history lesson, just the region as a backdrop. The murder mystery was fairly well developed, but I had a hard time getting into the main female "heroine". She was a strong personality, but some of her actions were hard to swallow. The mystery did have a twist at the end, but ended rather abruptly. The author then let the main character do an epilog of what happened to the townsfolk. I did not think it really served any purpose. That said, it was enjoyable. A 4.1 out of 5 rating.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading historical fiction – well-written and researched historical fiction with believable characters and a mystery within the plot. Reade checks off all the boxes with this fascinating page-turning novel set in Cape May, NJ in 1852. If I lived in that era, and in that place, I would want to be best friends with the main character, Jeannine. Not only is she brave and smart as a female business owner in a male-dominated world, she fights against racism and slavery despite potential harm to herself, her family, and her business. I’d give this book 6 stars if I could. I thought I knew a lot about slavery and the south/north as well as the Underground Railroad, but I learned even more.

[Pat Wahler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novel with everything I love in a story: immersive setting, high stakes, and a fearless female protagonist. The tension of 1852 America pulses beneath every scene, exposing the dangers faced by those who dared to challenge injustice.

Jeannine Holt, the widowed owner of the Chestnut Wig, is a remarkable heroine who combines society elegance with quiet rebellion in her secret role working with the Underground Railroad. But a murder at her gambling salon launches an investigation that threatens to expose Jeannine’s hidden mission and destroy everything she’s worked to protect. Thought-provoking, suspenseful, and richly atmospheric, this story makes great material for book club discussions. Highly recommended!

[Millicent Eidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love historical mysteries because they reflect deep research like the novels that I write. Instead of being science and medicine based like my stories, historical mysteries illuminate important times and themes of our past. Both genres are challenging to write and particularly compelling when educational as well as entertaining. Like me, Amy Reade values a vivid setting, so check out all her Cape May (New Jersey) historical mysteries. This one is crafted with well-drawn characters and suspense.

[Joan Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down!

I've enjoyed all the books in A. M. Reade's Cape May series, but this is the absolute best. I read it in one sitting.

If you like historical fiction, particularly set during the pre-Civil War era, this one is for you.

[Jean DeMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked it. Historical mystery