An Unsuitable Job

by Bonnie Hardy

-Dear Author Book Reviews/Speak Up Talk Radio
"I turned the last page, hoping Josie's journey continues. She's a character with so much more to explore, and I'd happily follow her through many more investigations."

American Writing Awards Winner 2025

1929 Las Vegas, New Mexico. When a man is murdered at the Castaneda Hotel, Josie MacFarland is given an impossible the first Harvey House Detective. Armed with only her determination, Josie faces a dismissive sheriff, the cold shoulder of old friends, and the hardships of the Great Depression.

She can either return home in disgrace—or fight to prove she belongs in a world determined to shut her out.

For readers of Jacqueline Winspear, Rhys Bowen, and Sulari Gentill.

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 3, 2026

About the author

Bonnie Hardy, a retired professional turned author, is celebrated for her two enthralling cozy mystery series. The first, set in the picturesque mountain town of Lily Rock, features amateur sleuth Olivia Greer, known for her uncanny ability to draw out confessions from the most unlikely people.
The second series, set in Palm Desert, features the mid-life duo mentalist Rex Redondo and his down to earth next door neighbor doula Vivienne Rose.
Inspired by Agatha Christie, Bonnie's captivating tales of mystery and community masterfully blend fast-paced whodunits with clever sleuthing.

Reviews

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Unsuitable Job drops readers straight into Josie MacFarland’s world and wastes no time showing the grit behind the glamour. The story follows Josie as she returns to the Harvey Company to serve as their first woman detective. A dead salesman, a scandal brewing in the Castañeda Hotel, and a tangle of secrets push her into danger and discovery. The pages move fast. The scenes glow with the heat of New Mexico. The world of Harvey Girls, rail travelers, cowboys, and local families feels alive and loud. The book reads like a window into 1930. The mystery unfolds piece by piece as Josie digs through gossip, grudges, and old wounds.

The style hit a sweet spot. Simple. Direct. No fluff. I liked how the dialogue carried the weight of the story. It felt crisp and quick. The emotions ran close to the surface. Josie’s tall presence, sharp eyes, and constant tug between courage and doubt made her easy to root for. I found myself grinning when she pushed back against people who underestimated her. I felt a pinch of sympathy when old mistakes nipped at her heels. The author paints these moments with an ease that makes the scenes sink in deep. The setting did a lot of lifting, too. The dusty roads. The clatter of the dining room. The smell of rain on sage.

Some moments caught me off guard. The tension between Josie and the sheriff had this spark that made me sit up straighter. The small flickers of jealousy or nerves or pride made the characters feel relatable. I also liked the way the story let the gossip swirl. Secrets traveled in whispers. People watched over their shoulders. The book didn’t shout its themes. It let them simmer. Women are boxed in by rules. Power running quietly through a small town. What people hide to keep the peace. The mystery itself moved with a steady beat. No rush. No drag. Just enough clues to keep me leaning forward.

This was a satisfying read. The story wrapped up in a way that felt clean but still left room for more. I could picture Josie walking off in her trench coat, not done with danger yet. I would recommend An Unsuitable Job to readers who like cozy mysteries with a little grit. Anyone who enjoys historical settings. Anyone who likes strong women who push back when they are told to stay quiet. It is a book for people who want quick pacing paired with warm character work. I enjoyed it, and I think many others will too.

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
An Unsuitable Job by Bonnie Hardy completely swept me off my feet! From the first page, I was right there with Josephine—sassy, smart, and unafraid to break the rules in 1930s New Mexico. Honestly, I loved that Josie refuses to let society—or anyone else—define her. She’s witty, determined, and has just enough stubbornness to make me grin every time she outsmarts the men who underestimate her.
The mystery itself? Absolutely gripping. A murder at the Castaneda Hotel, secrets hidden behind polished surfaces, and a sheriff with zero patience for a female investigator… I was hooked. Hardy’s writing had me picturing the Southwest in vivid detail while keeping me turning pages, wanting to see Josie unravel the tangled web of lies.
And yes, the touch of romance with Daniel Naranjo is subtle but perfectly timed—it never overshadows the mystery, but it adds heart and stakes that made me care even more.
This book is clever, charming, and immersive—a historical mystery with a heroine I couldn’t help but root for. Josie is a force of nature, and I’m already itching for the next adventure. If you love strong women, historical intrigue, and a slow-burn touch of romance, An Unsuitable Job is your next must-read.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A disgraced Harvey Girl, Josie McFarland returns to the scene of her failure in a new role. Hired by the Harvey family as their first female detective she’s met with opposition from the start. In 1930s New Mexico detective is an unsuitable job for a woman. When her friend Lily is arrested for murdering a guest of the Castenada Hotel, Josie’s determination to solve the crime intensifies. Along the way, Josie must learn to trust in herself and her instincts against a world that thinks it knows a woman’s rightful place.

Bonnie Hardy kicks off a new series set against the Great Depression era southwest. Josie is an unconventional woman who chafes against society’s strictures for women. She is smart and gutsy yet a bit naive as she finds herself immersed in solving a murder at the hotel she was formerly employed at. With an array of unique characters, many who are not as they first seem, Josie may be facing a losing battle in proving herself. The mystery is engaging and well written and the historical backdrop is integrated to great effect. The story ends with a hint of Josie’s next adventure, partnering with the enigmatic tea shop owner.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Lutfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in what I hope will become a new series for Bonnie Hardy. It is quite different from her other series, but it had me hooked from the first page. Josie is hired by the Harvey Company as a detective, in the 1930s when this was not an appropriate job for a female. She is sent to New Mexico where a guest, a salesman, was murdered at an upscale hotel. She is very clever but who can she trust? The sheriff who is very reluctant to talk to her. The rich girl who is seen entering the salesman’s room at late hours? The supervisor of Housekeeping at the hotel who keeps a very close eye on everything including Josie? Lots of twists and turns until the shocking ending! You will love this book and hopefully it is the beginning of a new series!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Homerun2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mystery had an unusual setting -- the Fred Harvey chain of restaurants that were very prominent in the late 19th century, featuring Harvey Girls -- waitresses recruited and strictly trained and supervised.

The main character was a former Harvey Girl who got into trouble and ended up back home in Boston. She subsequently was notified (a little unclear here) that she was going to be hired back to be a detective and solve a murder. Josie MacFarland is determined to succeed and perseveres at interviewing suspects and witnesses despite management and the local police and power structure being against her.

This reads almost like a young adult, Nancy Drew type adventure at times. There isn't a ton of character development and the plot doesn't always hang together. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jake Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. Josie, as a protagonist, was fun without being too over the top, a sort of middle ground between the characters she meets out west. I was a little saddened that we didn’t get more from Catherine, with only a short cameo at the end of the novel. It felt as though there was something more planned for her in the early stages of writing, as her inclusion at the end came across as slightly off, unless it was meant to set up a sequel. The culprit was not at all who I thought it would be, though I was disappointed that no real justice was served in the end. Regardless of his character, someone was still murdered at the end of the day. Despite these criticisms, I’m hopeful for another adventure with Josie.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story follows Josie, a detective hired by the Harvey Company in the 1930s—a time when this was a highly unusual role for a woman. The plot centers on Josie's investigation into the murder of a traveling salesman at an upscale New Mexico hotel. She is clever, but quickly finds herself unsure of who to trust: the reluctant local sheriff, a wealthy young woman seen entering the victim's room late that night, or the hotel's observant housekeeping supervisor. The book is well-written with a compelling storyline, great characters, and a happy ending. It features many twists and turns that lead up to a shocking finale. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kymm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun to read I got it done in a few hours. I didn't want to put it down for fear I'd miss out on what Josie the first Harvey Girl Detective was getting herself into now. The Harvey Girls have always been a fascination with me, so seeing this book was about their first detective I had to read it. I'm so glad I did and I hope there's more to come. The characters were written beautifully and the time period and setting in the fancy hotel were perfect. To top it all off the whodunit for the murder was detailed and difficult to solve. This was a great historical mystery with wonderful historical references throughout. I highly recommend this one! Happy Reading!

[Lee Murray Brazos Booksellers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an interesting read. I had heard of the Harvey House girls through a story on a Texas television show on interesting aspects of history.

The book was well written, but it seemed a bit tedious for reasons I couldn’t identify until I got to the end of the book. While the American Plan and the Harvey House girl seems a natural fit, I really couldn’t figure out why Josie was selected to be a detective.

It’s entertaining and the villain isn’t exposed until the very end, but with a bittersweet ending.

Recommended reading.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I loved this story of Josie as she investigates a murder at an upscale hotel in New Mexico in the 1930s.  The fact that this is her first investigation when that type of work is still a man's world, makes this story even better! She is determined, tenacious and shows strength of character as challenges arise and roadblocks are purposely set up to stop her investigation.  I hope this is the first book in a long series of great stories with Josie as an investigator.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team.  I am voluntarily writing this review.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josie's in the midst of a murder mystery in Las Vegas , New Mexico as she was hired by the Harvey Company to be their first woman detective. There is a lot more than meets the eye with her best friend accused and her work cut out for her . Lots of suspense in this intriguing read which has you on the edge of your seat. I received this ARC copy via Booksirans and recommend this book to other readers.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Unsuitable Job is Book 1 in the Harvey Girl Detective by Bonnie Hardy. I thought that it was great to have a women, Josie, as a Harvey Detective. However, the Sheriff does not respect Josie. It is 1929 and the Great Depression causes hardships. I thought that the author laid the foundation for a new series expertly. There is a dead body and Josie is tasked with avoiding a scandal…. will see be successful? I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Melinda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Good characters and story setting and a well written story line. Great twists that keeps your attention and keeps you reading.
The main character is a determined detective in a time when it's a man's business but she is determined to prove to everyone that she can do it also.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! a great start for this new series !! love Josie, the first Harvey House detective....set in the famous Castaneda Hotel in the late 1929's... she can't fail... she refuses to go back home... she fights every step of the way !!! so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.