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Harriman & Mancini #2
A Deadly Entanglement
Not yet published
Expected 15 Sep 26In A Deadly Entanglement, two queer women in turn-of-the-century New York must work together to uncover the rotten truth behind deaths in the city’s most–and least–privileged hospitals.
The truth isn’t always easy…
Margot Baxter Harriman has just survived her deadliest scandal as President of B&H Foods, and there’s nowhere to go but up. Which is why she’s organizing a fundraiser for the crowded, overworked city charity hospital, hoping to do good and give back–until a body falls past a third-floor window.
The nurse’s death is quickly ruled a suicide, but fellow nurse CeeCee Foxmoor isn’t so this isn’t the first suspicious death. As Margot’s friend and the live-in partner of investigator Rett Mancini, CeeCee’s concerns draw both Margot and Rett into an undercover scheme to untangle the threads behind the deaths everyone else is ready to overlook.
But another death catches their Margot's old classmate checked into the Caspian, a luxury clinic catering to the New York elite, and never checked out. And the circumstances surrounding her death feel eerily familiar...
As both the secrets and bodies pile up, Rett and Margot realize that while money can buy anything, behind ward doors, everyone pays a price. This time, their search for the truth might cost the people they love.
Cathay Pegau’s A Deadly Entanglement is the captivating follow-up to A Murderous Business, where two women’s determination challenges the cost of greed–and the price of failure.
The truth isn’t always easy…
Margot Baxter Harriman has just survived her deadliest scandal as President of B&H Foods, and there’s nowhere to go but up. Which is why she’s organizing a fundraiser for the crowded, overworked city charity hospital, hoping to do good and give back–until a body falls past a third-floor window.
The nurse’s death is quickly ruled a suicide, but fellow nurse CeeCee Foxmoor isn’t so this isn’t the first suspicious death. As Margot’s friend and the live-in partner of investigator Rett Mancini, CeeCee’s concerns draw both Margot and Rett into an undercover scheme to untangle the threads behind the deaths everyone else is ready to overlook.
But another death catches their Margot's old classmate checked into the Caspian, a luxury clinic catering to the New York elite, and never checked out. And the circumstances surrounding her death feel eerily familiar...
As both the secrets and bodies pile up, Rett and Margot realize that while money can buy anything, behind ward doors, everyone pays a price. This time, their search for the truth might cost the people they love.
Cathay Pegau’s A Deadly Entanglement is the captivating follow-up to A Murderous Business, where two women’s determination challenges the cost of greed–and the price of failure.
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication September 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed book 1 in this series and was looking forward to the next installment of a Harriman and Mancini mystery. Book 2 was just as good if not better!! The characters have already been established so we could just jump in this book with a mysterious death to be investigated. Margot and Rett went undercover to find out what caused the death and stumbled upon something much bigger. Margot went to an upscale health facility to investigate what the doctors were prescribing for their patients. Rett posed as a ward aid at the hospital where her live-in partner, Cee Cee works as a nurse, and works to find connections to anyone working there. Shiloh, the magician's assistant, also returns to play a pivotal role in the investigation and to connect again with Margot. The ending was fast paced and full of tension as the investigation comes to a conclusion and the culprits are apprehended.
Margot's chauffeur, John Bascom, also had a larger role in this book. I look forward to seeing how the household staff's roles continue to grow in the next book as well as how the relationship between Margot and Shiloh continues to be explored. The characters are well developed and I thoroughly enjoying reading about their friendships and how they grew. These are smart, resourceful women living in NYC in the early 1900s that do what they want to do and not what society dictates to them. I felt like I was in the midst of the era walking through the hospital wards and tenement houses.
Even though this is book 2, I believe you could read it as a stand alone.
I would highly recommend this book and series to fans of historical mystery fans.
#ADeadlyEntanglement #NetGalley #StMartins
Thank you St. Martin's Publishing and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Margot's chauffeur, John Bascom, also had a larger role in this book. I look forward to seeing how the household staff's roles continue to grow in the next book as well as how the relationship between Margot and Shiloh continues to be explored. The characters are well developed and I thoroughly enjoying reading about their friendships and how they grew. These are smart, resourceful women living in NYC in the early 1900s that do what they want to do and not what society dictates to them. I felt like I was in the midst of the era walking through the hospital wards and tenement houses.
Even though this is book 2, I believe you could read it as a stand alone.
I would highly recommend this book and series to fans of historical mystery fans.
#ADeadlyEntanglement #NetGalley #StMartins
Thank you St. Martin's Publishing and Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Margot Baxter Harriman is meeting with the head doctor at the City Charity Hospital to plan the next major fundraising gala when she sees a body go by the window. The first conclusion is that the nurse committed suicide.
CeeCee Foxmoor is also a nurse at the CCH and she's sure that her friend didn't kill herself. She is just the next in line in a series of suspicious deaths. CeeCee is living with Rett Mancini who is a private detective. Rett, CeeCee, and Margot met in the first book in the series and became friends. In fact, Margot is a silent partner in Rett's detective agency.
Rett goes undercover to try to find out what is going on at CCH. Meanwhile, Margot has questions of her own when a school friend of hers dies unexpectedly at the Caspian which is a hospital for New York City's Elite. She decides to go undercover herself to see if she can learn anything.
The first thing she and Rett learn is that two of the doctors are associated with both hospitals. The charming Doctor Ewan Beales convinces Margot that she has a condition that can only be treated on an inpatient basis and has a wonderful new green pill named Tranquility for her to try.
Rett and Margot's investigations overlap when they discover that each centers around the little green pills. There's money to be made by looking the other way and, if people die, it really is just an accident or so the villains say.
I liked the NYC setting and the time period. I liked that the main characters were lesbians trying to deal with a society where that fact needs to be hidden. I like the relationship between CeeCee and Rett and have hopes for the relationship between Margot and Shiloh.
CeeCee Foxmoor is also a nurse at the CCH and she's sure that her friend didn't kill herself. She is just the next in line in a series of suspicious deaths. CeeCee is living with Rett Mancini who is a private detective. Rett, CeeCee, and Margot met in the first book in the series and became friends. In fact, Margot is a silent partner in Rett's detective agency.
Rett goes undercover to try to find out what is going on at CCH. Meanwhile, Margot has questions of her own when a school friend of hers dies unexpectedly at the Caspian which is a hospital for New York City's Elite. She decides to go undercover herself to see if she can learn anything.
The first thing she and Rett learn is that two of the doctors are associated with both hospitals. The charming Doctor Ewan Beales convinces Margot that she has a condition that can only be treated on an inpatient basis and has a wonderful new green pill named Tranquility for her to try.
Rett and Margot's investigations overlap when they discover that each centers around the little green pills. There's money to be made by looking the other way and, if people die, it really is just an accident or so the villains say.
I liked the NYC setting and the time period. I liked that the main characters were lesbians trying to deal with a society where that fact needs to be hidden. I like the relationship between CeeCee and Rett and have hopes for the relationship between Margot and Shiloh.
July 7, 2026
I recently received a complimentary copy of A Deadly Entanglement by @CathyPegau, from The Garden Wall Bookshop, and as a newcomer to this historical mystery series, I ended up thoroughly enjoying it!
Admittedly, the beginning of this book was a bit tough for me to get into. Full-disclosure, I haven't read any of the previous books by Cathy Pegau and historical mystery is somewhat of a new genre for me. I was drawn to the book because I am a mental health professional, the setting and time period took me back to topics I recall learning during my early schooling in psychology that I found interesting and compelling.
In general, it took a few chapters to grasp who the characters were. However, once I got past the first few chapters, I was completely hooked, I could not put the book down. The historical world is vividly drawn, the writing was well done, and the pacing picks up in a way that I found myself excited to see where the story progressed.
The characters are wonderfully human, and the period details add a rich layer of atmosphere to the suspense. Even as a newcomer, the payoff was entirely worth it.
I will be looking into the previously published books in this series because of this book. If you are thinking about diving into this historical mystery, my advice is to push past those initial chapters. It is a highly satisfying, twisty read that rewards your patience! Huge thanks to my local spot, The Garden Wall Bookshop, for introducing me to a new author.
Admittedly, the beginning of this book was a bit tough for me to get into. Full-disclosure, I haven't read any of the previous books by Cathy Pegau and historical mystery is somewhat of a new genre for me. I was drawn to the book because I am a mental health professional, the setting and time period took me back to topics I recall learning during my early schooling in psychology that I found interesting and compelling.
In general, it took a few chapters to grasp who the characters were. However, once I got past the first few chapters, I was completely hooked, I could not put the book down. The historical world is vividly drawn, the writing was well done, and the pacing picks up in a way that I found myself excited to see where the story progressed.
The characters are wonderfully human, and the period details add a rich layer of atmosphere to the suspense. Even as a newcomer, the payoff was entirely worth it.
I will be looking into the previously published books in this series because of this book. If you are thinking about diving into this historical mystery, my advice is to push past those initial chapters. It is a highly satisfying, twisty read that rewards your patience! Huge thanks to my local spot, The Garden Wall Bookshop, for introducing me to a new author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Unlikely sleuthing partners Margot Harriman and Loretta “Rett” Mancini are back in this queer turn-of-the century mystery. When a nurse falls to her death at the hospital where Rett’s girlfriend works and Margot is on the board, the two are not satisfied with the verdict of suicide. Rett’s girlfriend CeeCee is especially suspicious as there have been several unexplained patient deaths and no signs that Stella, the deceased, was in anything but high spirits the day she died. Rett gets a job as an aide at the hospital to dig deeper. Meanwhile, a well-to-do friend of Margot’s dies unexpectedly at an expensive wellness resort called the Caspian. Margot easily secures herself a stay at the Caspian to investigate. Two doctors that work at the hospital also work at the Caspian, and Margot doesn’t believe in coincidences.
Overall, I enjoyed this historical mystery. I loved the queer representation set in 1912 New York as well as the exploration of class and wealth. The pacing was a bit off, which I find to be almost the norm with mysteries. Not a lot of forward movement in the middle of the book with a big, action-packed finish in the last twenty percent. I was also left with a few questions about certain plot points at the end. However, it was a satisfying reading experience all and all and I really enjoy the characters and setting of this series. I will continue to pick up further installments.
Overall, I enjoyed this historical mystery. I loved the queer representation set in 1912 New York as well as the exploration of class and wealth. The pacing was a bit off, which I find to be almost the norm with mysteries. Not a lot of forward movement in the middle of the book with a big, action-packed finish in the last twenty percent. I was also left with a few questions about certain plot points at the end. However, it was a satisfying reading experience all and all and I really enjoy the characters and setting of this series. I will continue to pick up further installments.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A Deadly Entanglement follows Margot Harriman, president of B&H Foods, as she organizes a fundraiser for a charity hospital only to have it tainted when she sees a body fall past a second-story window. CeeCee, a fellow nurse to the woman who died, works with her partner, Rett, and Margot to investigate the death. While it’s ruled a suicide, it doesn’t add up and as the secrets and bodies increase, their search for the truth might cost them everything.
I was very lucky to be sent a copy of this from Minotaur Books! I had such a fun time reading this. This really reminded me how much I love historical fiction mysteries. The vibes were immaculate. The author did a great job transporting me to the turn-of-the-century New York. It was very spooky and atmospheric. And there was such a delicious layer of suspense and suspicion cast on everyone. I was so worried for the characters for most of the book.
I really enjoyed that we got two perspectives—Margot and Rett. Both are such strong, confident queer women and it was nice to have both be so independent for the time period. I loved their support systems. Margot and her relationship with Shiloh and her butler. And then Rett and CeeCee. It was lovely to read about. I am really looking forward to the next installment!
If you love historical fiction mysteries with queer main characters, I’d definitely recommend checking this one out!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the arc!
I was very lucky to be sent a copy of this from Minotaur Books! I had such a fun time reading this. This really reminded me how much I love historical fiction mysteries. The vibes were immaculate. The author did a great job transporting me to the turn-of-the-century New York. It was very spooky and atmospheric. And there was such a delicious layer of suspense and suspicion cast on everyone. I was so worried for the characters for most of the book.
I really enjoyed that we got two perspectives—Margot and Rett. Both are such strong, confident queer women and it was nice to have both be so independent for the time period. I loved their support systems. Margot and her relationship with Shiloh and her butler. And then Rett and CeeCee. It was lovely to read about. I am really looking forward to the next installment!
If you love historical fiction mysteries with queer main characters, I’d definitely recommend checking this one out!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the arc!
August 22, 2026
Thank you for the free book St Martins Press @stmartinspress , Minotaur Books @minotaur_books , Netgalley @netgalley , Ana Couto @acstmartins , and Cathy Pegau @cathy_pegau .
“A Deadly Entanglement” (Harriman & Mancini #2) by Cathy Pegau ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery. NOTE: LGBTQIA+ inclusive.
THE SERIES: Margot Baxter Harriman, B&H Foods President, and Rhett Mancini, private investigator, join forces to investigate and right wrongs in turn-of-the-century New York City.
SYNOPSIS OF THIS BOOK: In sweltering July, the body of a nurse falls past a 2nd-floor window in a crowded city charity hospital. CeeCee (nurse and Rett’s live-in partner) tells Margo and Rett this isn’t the 1st suspicious death. They develop an undercover scheme to look at the deaths everyone else ignores. When Margot’s old classmate dies under similar circumstances at a luxury clinic, their search for the truth might cost them the people they love.
FAVORITE BITS:
⭐️Shows the challenges faced by Margot as a 1912 female business owner, and by both women as lesbians in the early 1900s.
⭐️The parallels to the historically true Nellie Bly hospital story.
⭐️Early 1900s NYC descriptions: (“…summer-dry dusty brick, clotheslines sagging between neighboring buildings…”)
I suggest reading book 1 first to understand Margot’s business challenges, and how the women met. It’s twisty,relevant, a good summer read, and it’s 4⭐️s from me 📚👩🏼🦳
“A Deadly Entanglement” (Harriman & Mancini #2) by Cathy Pegau ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery. NOTE: LGBTQIA+ inclusive.
THE SERIES: Margot Baxter Harriman, B&H Foods President, and Rhett Mancini, private investigator, join forces to investigate and right wrongs in turn-of-the-century New York City.
SYNOPSIS OF THIS BOOK: In sweltering July, the body of a nurse falls past a 2nd-floor window in a crowded city charity hospital. CeeCee (nurse and Rett’s live-in partner) tells Margo and Rett this isn’t the 1st suspicious death. They develop an undercover scheme to look at the deaths everyone else ignores. When Margot’s old classmate dies under similar circumstances at a luxury clinic, their search for the truth might cost them the people they love.
FAVORITE BITS:
⭐️Shows the challenges faced by Margot as a 1912 female business owner, and by both women as lesbians in the early 1900s.
⭐️The parallels to the historically true Nellie Bly hospital story.
⭐️Early 1900s NYC descriptions: (“…summer-dry dusty brick, clotheslines sagging between neighboring buildings…”)
I suggest reading book 1 first to understand Margot’s business challenges, and how the women met. It’s twisty,relevant, a good summer read, and it’s 4⭐️s from me 📚👩🏼🦳
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“A Deadly Entanglement” was an enjoyable addition to the series. Suspicious deaths at a charity hospital, a wellness clinic for the rich that seems to be good to be true, and two doctors affiliated with both establishments. Events hit close to home as one suspicious death is a coworker on Nurse CeeCee, Rett’s partner, while another suspicious death is an acquaintance of Margot. Both Margot and Rett will go undercover to investigate the respective facilities. Shiloh and Bascam will also play integral parts, as will a young woman named Alice.
Adding to the chaos is an argument between Margot and Shiloh regarding their very different social status. There is also the issue of having to keep their relationship a secret, as same-sex relationships were still illegal.
The reader will likely know or suspect early on who some of the “guilty” parties are, although not their motives or the details of the scheme. However, there are some rather significant surprises, one of which will prove particularly tragic.
Adding to the chaos is an argument between Margot and Shiloh regarding their very different social status. There is also the issue of having to keep their relationship a secret, as same-sex relationships were still illegal.
The reader will likely know or suspect early on who some of the “guilty” parties are, although not their motives or the details of the scheme. However, there are some rather significant surprises, one of which will prove particularly tragic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Deadly Entanglement by Cathy Pegau is a great historical mystery that I had a lot of fun reading. Featuring prior characters from A Murderous Business, although this can probably be read as a stand alone as the mysteries are completely separate, Margot Harriman president of a canning company and also funder of Mancini & Associates ran by Rett Mancini begin investigating a death they deem suspicious even though the police seem content to let it be as the simple answer. As the death takes place in a hospital, Rett’s girlfriend CeeCee also gets involved in the mystery this time. With a fast-paced story line filled with clues and tension, A Deadly Entanglement is a great story. Additionally, it’s filled with strong female characters and some thought-provoking social discussions that are common to the mystery genre. I really enjoyed A Deadly Entanglement and if you’re a mystery fan at all I definitely suggest giving it a read!
Thanks to the publisher via NetGalley for the gifted copy.
Thanks to the publisher via NetGalley for the gifted copy.
August 18, 2026
A Deadly Entanglement was an enjoyable read, but unfortunately it didn’t completely grab me. I liked the overall premise and the combination of mystery, suspense, and romance. There were enough twists and questions along the way to keep me interested and wanting to see how everything would play out.
I did feel like some of the character development was lacking, though, and I had a hard time fully connecting with some of the characters. There were also moments where the pacing felt a little uneven, with certain parts moving quickly while others seemed to drag.
That being said, it was an easy, entertaining read, and I appreciated the mystery and trying to figure out where the story was headed. I just didn’t find myself completely invested in the outcome.
Overall, a solid three-star read for me—enjoyable enough, but not one that’s going to stick with me for a long time.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!!
I did feel like some of the character development was lacking, though, and I had a hard time fully connecting with some of the characters. There were also moments where the pacing felt a little uneven, with certain parts moving quickly while others seemed to drag.
That being said, it was an easy, entertaining read, and I appreciated the mystery and trying to figure out where the story was headed. I just didn’t find myself completely invested in the outcome.
Overall, a solid three-star read for me—enjoyable enough, but not one that’s going to stick with me for a long time.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a free ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the first Harriman & Mancini title by Cathy Pegau, A Murderous Business, so I was excited to get my hands on book two. Cathy Pegau did not disappoint. From page one I wanted to know what was really going on at the hospital. I read a lot of mysteries, so I'm usually pretty good at figuring out at least some of what is happening, but I can still be surprised. In A Deadly Entanglement, Cathy Pegau kept me intrigued and left enough clues for me to know enough of the answers to feel smart and yet surprised enough to not be bored by the story.
I read this as an ebook which is the most difficult format for me to find time to read, but as I got closer to the end and more sucked into the story, let me tell you, I MADE time. I'm already itching for another book in this series.
I enjoyed the first Harriman & Mancini title by Cathy Pegau, A Murderous Business, so I was excited to get my hands on book two. Cathy Pegau did not disappoint. From page one I wanted to know what was really going on at the hospital. I read a lot of mysteries, so I'm usually pretty good at figuring out at least some of what is happening, but I can still be surprised. In A Deadly Entanglement, Cathy Pegau kept me intrigued and left enough clues for me to know enough of the answers to feel smart and yet surprised enough to not be bored by the story.
I read this as an ebook which is the most difficult format for me to find time to read, but as I got closer to the end and more sucked into the story, let me tell you, I MADE time. I'm already itching for another book in this series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Margot Harriman is a wealthy woman who is meeting with a charity hospital when she witnesses the fall of a nurse from the roof of the hospital, Police suspect suicide. When Margot is approached by CeeCee, a nurse working at the hospital, her interest is piqued, along with CeCe's partner, Rett who suspects there is more to this death. When Margot's friend dies while under the care of the same doctors but at another facility, Margot and Rett decide to go undercover to figure out what is happening.
This is my first book of the series and by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, the characters and the setting. I did guess the killer and although there were clues, it was a engaging mystery. I hope to read more from this author. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press.
This is my first book of the series and by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, the characters and the setting. I did guess the killer and although there were clues, it was a engaging mystery. I hope to read more from this author. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
It opens with a chilling mystery-a sudden death in the hospital that should never have happened. Margot and CeeCee refuse to believe that Stella Nowak, a young Catholic nurse known for her skill and compassion, took her own life. Something dark is moving through that hospital. Margot joins forces with Rett Marcini and CeeCee Foxmoor, forming an undercover trio: Rett slipping in as a cleaner, Margot posing as a patient, and CeeCee watching from the inside. And when Dotty, Margot’s friend, dies the very next day after Margot visits her, the danger becomes impossible to ignore.
The story is fast‑paced, gripping, and layered with tension. I loved the characters - their loyalty, their determination, and the way they work together to uncover the truth. It’s the second book in the series and my first by this author, and I think I’ve found a new historical mystery series to follow.
The story is fast‑paced, gripping, and layered with tension. I loved the characters - their loyalty, their determination, and the way they work together to uncover the truth. It’s the second book in the series and my first by this author, and I think I’ve found a new historical mystery series to follow.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars
This historical mystery is set in New York City around 1912. Wealthy businesswoman Margot Harriman is upset at the sudden and unexplained death of a friend who had checked into a rest clinic for the well to do. She decides to become a client herself to check out what goes on there.
Meanwhile, friend Cece is a nurse at a charity clinic and there are also some strange goings on there, including a couple of deaths. Cece's girlfriend is a private investigator and goes undercover to seek answers.
The story is somewhat unusual in that most of the main characters are gay women, who have to be careful in public. Interesting insights into the aggravation of a closeted life. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This historical mystery is set in New York City around 1912. Wealthy businesswoman Margot Harriman is upset at the sudden and unexplained death of a friend who had checked into a rest clinic for the well to do. She decides to become a client herself to check out what goes on there.
Meanwhile, friend Cece is a nurse at a charity clinic and there are also some strange goings on there, including a couple of deaths. Cece's girlfriend is a private investigator and goes undercover to seek answers.
The story is somewhat unusual in that most of the main characters are gay women, who have to be careful in public. Interesting insights into the aggravation of a closeted life. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 16, 2026
A Deadly Entanglement is book 2 in Cathy Pegau's historical mystery series, Harriman & Mancini.
Set in New York early in the 20th century, Margot Harriman has teamed up with another woman, Rett Mancini, to open an investigation agency. Margot is a widow, and president of a food company, and very much a part of the high society of New York. Rett is the romantic partner of Margot's friend, Ceecee who is a nurse at a charity hospital for which Margot is planning a fundraiser. When Ceecee's co-worker dies suddenly at the hospital, she comes to Margot with suspicions about the co-worker's death, as well as suspicions about other patient deaths at the hospital, so Margot and Rett decide to investigate.
I have not read the previous book in this series, and I found A Deadly Entanglement to be rather slow paced for approximately the first quarter of the book. Once I got past the first quarter I was invested in the story, and really started to enjoy it.
I did find I had to suspend my disbelief a bit to believe that Margot was a member of high society, an active member of charities, the president of a fairly large business, and was able to run a private investigation business as well. Not only would she have been extremely busy, but I’m doubtful some of her business involvements would have been acceptable to her society friends. Aside from that though, I enjoyed the historical setting as well as the characters, and their relationships with each other. I especially liked the relationship Margot had with her driver, he seemed very devoted to her happiness.
The only thing I didn’t really like was how the mystery wrapped up. I found myself a bit confused about the deaths at the hospital. I understood the rest of the mystery and how that all worked, but I was confused about the motivations and/or reasons behind the deaths of the patients at the hospital, that part didn’t really make sense to me. I don’t know if I missed something, or misunderstood something, or what.
Overall, I enjoyed A Deadly Entanglement and would like to read more books in the series. I think it would appeal to lovers of more traditional style mysteries, and historical fiction lovers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Set in New York early in the 20th century, Margot Harriman has teamed up with another woman, Rett Mancini, to open an investigation agency. Margot is a widow, and president of a food company, and very much a part of the high society of New York. Rett is the romantic partner of Margot's friend, Ceecee who is a nurse at a charity hospital for which Margot is planning a fundraiser. When Ceecee's co-worker dies suddenly at the hospital, she comes to Margot with suspicions about the co-worker's death, as well as suspicions about other patient deaths at the hospital, so Margot and Rett decide to investigate.
I have not read the previous book in this series, and I found A Deadly Entanglement to be rather slow paced for approximately the first quarter of the book. Once I got past the first quarter I was invested in the story, and really started to enjoy it.
I did find I had to suspend my disbelief a bit to believe that Margot was a member of high society, an active member of charities, the president of a fairly large business, and was able to run a private investigation business as well. Not only would she have been extremely busy, but I’m doubtful some of her business involvements would have been acceptable to her society friends. Aside from that though, I enjoyed the historical setting as well as the characters, and their relationships with each other. I especially liked the relationship Margot had with her driver, he seemed very devoted to her happiness.
The only thing I didn’t really like was how the mystery wrapped up. I found myself a bit confused about the deaths at the hospital. I understood the rest of the mystery and how that all worked, but I was confused about the motivations and/or reasons behind the deaths of the patients at the hospital, that part didn’t really make sense to me. I don’t know if I missed something, or misunderstood something, or what.
Overall, I enjoyed A Deadly Entanglement and would like to read more books in the series. I think it would appeal to lovers of more traditional style mysteries, and historical fiction lovers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm so glad we get to see Margot again! The little cast of characters that we met in the first book of the series was so interesting and charming that I was able to dive right into this story without needing a refresher.
Margot is fundraising for a charitable hospital and is on site when a nurse falls from the roof. The death is immediately ruled a suicide, but Margot has her doubts. Margot's business partner, Rett, goes undercover to investigate at the hospital. Meanwhile, Margot decides to investigate a retreat for the wealthy where some of the hospital staff also work because a friend who went there died unexpectedly while in residence.
The pace of this story was fast! There was a little more emphasis on Rett's romantic subplot than on Margot's, but there were sweet moments for both of them. I hope this series continues for years to come!
Margot is fundraising for a charitable hospital and is on site when a nurse falls from the roof. The death is immediately ruled a suicide, but Margot has her doubts. Margot's business partner, Rett, goes undercover to investigate at the hospital. Meanwhile, Margot decides to investigate a retreat for the wealthy where some of the hospital staff also work because a friend who went there died unexpectedly while in residence.
The pace of this story was fast! There was a little more emphasis on Rett's romantic subplot than on Margot's, but there were sweet moments for both of them. I hope this series continues for years to come!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Margot and Rhett are called by Rett!s girlfriend to find out what happened to a fella nurse he fell to her death at the city’s poor hospital. The police say suicide but CeeCee doesn’t believe she would have done. As they start working on the case they find that patients her appear to be getting better are dying. Why and who is involved? It is also happening at the sanatorium. This is book two in the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Yet another delightful historical mystery with gentle sapphic undertones.
It's summer time, 1912 in New York City. Margot Baxter Harriman, in addition to her position as president of B & H Foods, has assumed the role of vice president of the City Charity Hospital Women's Auxiliary and heads up the fundraising committee. While visiting the hospital, she is affronted by the sudden death of one of the staff while on their shift. With the local contabulary showing minimal interest, covert investigation seems to be called for. Margot and her friends are on it.
This was a very good cozy mystery, full of charm and wit. The writing is solid and the scene settings were well crafted. There were a number of red herrings and tension was sustained throughout the story. Ms. Pegau has done an excellent job researching the times and social mores of 1912 and incorporating those details. All in all, this was a sweet and enjoyable read.
I am grateful to Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: September 15, 2026
Number of Pages: 384
ISBN: 978-1250356512
It's summer time, 1912 in New York City. Margot Baxter Harriman, in addition to her position as president of B & H Foods, has assumed the role of vice president of the City Charity Hospital Women's Auxiliary and heads up the fundraising committee. While visiting the hospital, she is affronted by the sudden death of one of the staff while on their shift. With the local contabulary showing minimal interest, covert investigation seems to be called for. Margot and her friends are on it.
This was a very good cozy mystery, full of charm and wit. The writing is solid and the scene settings were well crafted. There were a number of red herrings and tension was sustained throughout the story. Ms. Pegau has done an excellent job researching the times and social mores of 1912 and incorporating those details. All in all, this was a sweet and enjoyable read.
I am grateful to Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication date: September 15, 2026
Number of Pages: 384
ISBN: 978-1250356512
August 18, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and St.Martins Press for access to this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This was such a good continuation of the series. A well written historical mystery full of twists and turns. Honestly I liked this one better than the first. The characters keep getting better. I also liked the setting of this one a little more. Overall would recommend to fans of the first book as well as anyone wanting to read a historical mystery novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There seems to be something tying together two hospitals - one for charity cases and for wealthy clients. After the death of a nurse, then an old friend of Margot's, Ceecee, Rett and margot investigate. Well plotted and written. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I have not read the first book in the series but this second book does fine as a standalone. I feel like the ending was a little rushed and trying to tie up all the loose ends in a few pages but other than that, I enjoyed the book. I enjoyed the historical fiction aspect of this book and what life was like for women during that era.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Received as a free ARC*
I'll be honest, I had a moment of "are people going to be in the type of danger that's going to freak me out right now?". But it was fine! Hit the historical note and the vibe without being too intense. I continue to enjoy queer women being friends. And talking! About problems! It's great.
I'll be honest, I had a moment of "are people going to be in the type of danger that's going to freak me out right now?". But it was fine! Hit the historical note and the vibe without being too intense. I continue to enjoy queer women being friends. And talking! About problems! It's great.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This book was a quick and fun read. I so enjoyed it that I'm going back to read the first one, to see how the series started. And look forward to reading more of this series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A pentrating look at the time.
Strong, determined characters.
An excellent read.
Strong, determined characters.
An excellent read.
August 15, 2026
This is an enjoyable follow up to A Murderous Business. Margot and Rett are pulled in to investigate mysterious deaths, one at a charity hospital and one at a clinic that caters to the rich.
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