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City of Dark Hearts
A dark and exciting historical novel that is both an adventure story and a powerful rendering of 1890s Chicago.
When young, inexperienced but very ambitious female reporter, Emily Strauss, blags her way into newspaper magnate Joseph Pulitzer’s office, she comes away with a treacherous to discover what happened to Anna Zemeckis, one of many women who have disappeared during the 1893 World’s Fair. Chicago is a place of dangerous contrasts. Among all the glitz and rassmatazz of the Fair itself and the spectacular wealth and influence of a new middle class elite, Emily comes face to face with a sinister underworld.
When young, inexperienced but very ambitious female reporter, Emily Strauss, blags her way into newspaper magnate Joseph Pulitzer’s office, she comes away with a treacherous to discover what happened to Anna Zemeckis, one of many women who have disappeared during the 1893 World’s Fair. Chicago is a place of dangerous contrasts. Among all the glitz and rassmatazz of the Fair itself and the spectacular wealth and influence of a new middle class elite, Emily comes face to face with a sinister underworld.
560 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 10, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 15, 2022
Newly a reporter, the young and very ambitious Emily Strauss, blags her way onto a missing women story that takes her to Chicago in its meatpacking hey days in the nineteenth century, where violence, abuse, disease, prostitution and maybe even murder reign! The short chapters and tight plotting helps keep up the intensity of a stranger in an even stranger town, digging into a world filled with the darkness of man's brutality and carnality. This is a very good historical thriller, shining a light on the Chicago of this era, well worth a read for that alone. A strong Three Star 7 out of 12 for this one, from me.
July 9, 2025
Setting: Chicago, USA; October 1893.
The World Fair is taking place in Chicago and is attracting the crowds from around the globe - but, at the same time as the city tries to demonstrate its sophistication and wealth, the crime rate soars and people, especially young women, are going missing.
Anna Zemeckis, a young Latvian woman from New York, is sent into the fun, and dangers, of the Fair by her baker father to see what she can learn to progress their bakery business - but instead she is one of those who goes missing...
Emily Strauss is an ambitious reporter who beards newspaper owner Mr Pulitzer in his own den in an attempt to get a job. Challenged by him to find a story in a batch of letters sent to his newspaper, Emily lands on one from Mr Zemeckis, worried about his missing daughter and what is going on in Chicago, so lands a treacherous assignment to find out what happened to Anna and the other missing women and write a story for publication within nine days.
Ending up in Chicago, Emily soon finds a world with a glitzy surface but an undercurrent of violence, pornography and prostitution and where the poor are slave labour to keep the shops supplied with cheap garments. Emily makes some dangerous enemies but is also helped by some, including two Pinkerton detectives who have been sent to Chicago on a mission....
This was an atmospheric read and quite a rollercoaster despite its length. The descriptions of life in an insane asylum and in the sweat shops of the clothing industry contrast sharply with the life and parties in the richest households, ones who are at the root of corruption in the meat industry and in the burgeoning pornography industry, where young women are drugged and coerced into appearing in lewd photographs. The search for Anna is frenetic on one side, whilst on the other Anna is trying to escape her pursuers and Chicago itself, leading eventually to a violent confrontation.
I didn't realise until the end of the novel that this book was actually a joint effort between Richard Horwood (of 'Duncton Wood' fame) and Helen Rappaport (noted for her historical Russian biographies). The pair had recently started a relationship when they decided to write the book together and it would appear that there were advanced plans for a second book featuring journalist Emily Strauss, indeed even an advance from a noted publisher, but this never happened, which was sad. I wasn't surprised to find that there were two authors, particularly as the beginning and end seem to read more like a 'true-life' historical crime book than a novel before the characters take sway in the story - but I still found it an enjoyable read, that sadly had been sitting on my shelf for many years just waiting to be read! - 8.5/10.
The World Fair is taking place in Chicago and is attracting the crowds from around the globe - but, at the same time as the city tries to demonstrate its sophistication and wealth, the crime rate soars and people, especially young women, are going missing.
Anna Zemeckis, a young Latvian woman from New York, is sent into the fun, and dangers, of the Fair by her baker father to see what she can learn to progress their bakery business - but instead she is one of those who goes missing...
Emily Strauss is an ambitious reporter who beards newspaper owner Mr Pulitzer in his own den in an attempt to get a job. Challenged by him to find a story in a batch of letters sent to his newspaper, Emily lands on one from Mr Zemeckis, worried about his missing daughter and what is going on in Chicago, so lands a treacherous assignment to find out what happened to Anna and the other missing women and write a story for publication within nine days.
Ending up in Chicago, Emily soon finds a world with a glitzy surface but an undercurrent of violence, pornography and prostitution and where the poor are slave labour to keep the shops supplied with cheap garments. Emily makes some dangerous enemies but is also helped by some, including two Pinkerton detectives who have been sent to Chicago on a mission....
This was an atmospheric read and quite a rollercoaster despite its length. The descriptions of life in an insane asylum and in the sweat shops of the clothing industry contrast sharply with the life and parties in the richest households, ones who are at the root of corruption in the meat industry and in the burgeoning pornography industry, where young women are drugged and coerced into appearing in lewd photographs. The search for Anna is frenetic on one side, whilst on the other Anna is trying to escape her pursuers and Chicago itself, leading eventually to a violent confrontation.
I didn't realise until the end of the novel that this book was actually a joint effort between Richard Horwood (of 'Duncton Wood' fame) and Helen Rappaport (noted for her historical Russian biographies). The pair had recently started a relationship when they decided to write the book together and it would appear that there were advanced plans for a second book featuring journalist Emily Strauss, indeed even an advance from a noted publisher, but this never happened, which was sad. I wasn't surprised to find that there were two authors, particularly as the beginning and end seem to read more like a 'true-life' historical crime book than a novel before the characters take sway in the story - but I still found it an enjoyable read, that sadly had been sitting on my shelf for many years just waiting to be read! - 8.5/10.
January 22, 2021
I very rarely give a book 5 stars but l felt this one deserved it. The backdrop of the World's Fair, in Chicago during 1893, was an excellent choice and well researched, as was the choice of the gutsy female reporter, known as 'stunt women' at that time. The pace across the 10 days of the story meant l just couldn't put it down.
I was hoping to find the next book in the predicted 3 book series, but having been copyrighted in 2007 l feel that is now unlikely.
However, l have found another written by these partnership authors, under the pseudonym James Conan, so will have to settle for that.
I was hoping to find the next book in the predicted 3 book series, but having been copyrighted in 2007 l feel that is now unlikely.
However, l have found another written by these partnership authors, under the pseudonym James Conan, so will have to settle for that.
July 16, 2025
A dark novel about trafficking women in the 1800s in Chicago. They are violently used in pornography and prostitution. But, this is all beneath its spectacular wealth. The setting is the World's Fair.
I am not really into violent crime, but this is an historical novel and I ask myself what has changed? This part is scary.
It is well written, a page turner as it plays out in 10 days and really worth a read.
I am not really into violent crime, but this is an historical novel and I ask myself what has changed? This part is scary.
It is well written, a page turner as it plays out in 10 days and really worth a read.
May 16, 2020
Well written crime story about a missing girl, Anna, and the journalist tasked with looking for her (and looking for a good story at the same time). Set in 1890s Chicago, it deals with the illegal pornography trade in the city, and what can happen to those involved. Set out over the course of ten days, it's a face paced and easy to read book with a satisfying ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2018
Enjoyable. Fast paced. Good insight in 1890's Chicago.
August 6, 2022
Most enjoyable, fast paced & educational read.
December 16, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. It was an exciting adventure around Chicago during the 1893 World’s Fair. This was the same year as HH Holmes. I was a bit surprised that he didn’t make an appearance. Emily was a good character, determined and well flushed out. I was always on her side. Anna was a bit harder to grow attached to. Even though the story was exciting, it was one of those where with an ounce of common sense and some better decision making skills there wouldn’t have been all this trouble anyway. Of course, if we did that then there would be no book. Perhaps it’s just a bit too farfetched for my history loving self.
I read for enjoyment and to make my commute seem less painful. This book definitely helped with that and for that reason I’d recommend it to any lover of historical fiction mixed with a dash of adventure.
I read for enjoyment and to make my commute seem less painful. This book definitely helped with that and for that reason I’d recommend it to any lover of historical fiction mixed with a dash of adventure.
May 11, 2015
I would have given this book a 3.5 stars if I could just because of so many grammatical errors I found ... I am no expert in the English language but something went wrong in the editing of this book. Anyway, putting this aside, I love the pace of City of Dark Hearts, and the story of course, which is set in the 1890s Chicago's infamous, or better yet notorious World Fair. I think historical fictions are fun to read specially if they are researched well and a believable story is created with interesting characters. I would recommend this book if you like historical fiction and investigative journalism.
July 2, 2015
I read this book due to the female protagonist, and I liked her flare and tenacity. I also liked some of the suspense, and the sense of not knowing how this was all going to come out right when there were such evil forces at work. The portrayal of Chicago was also quite interesting. However, I found the book as a whole to be not for me. That's not a very helpful conclusion, I know, but between the violence and the sordid atmosphere, it wasn't one that I 'liked' particularly, or that really stuck with me.
June 18, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and especially liked the historical setting of Chicago. However, I did find it slow paced and tedious in places, and some of the long passages of description, while well-written, often detracted from the action, to the point where I found myself missing odd paragraphs to get to the point!
However, the majority of characters are well rounded, and I was drawn into the story early on.
However, the majority of characters are well rounded, and I was drawn into the story early on.
July 29, 2011
It took me a little while to get into this book, but once I did, though depressing, I actually enjoyed it. Very fast pace towards the end, and some likeable characters (Mr Crazy, the bellboy etc). It was good to have various loose ends tied up at the end, but was concerned that this didnt apply to the main character, Emily Strauss - however, I understand the authors are writing another 'Emily Strauss adventure' so all is forgiven.
May 31, 2008
I haven't read a book so gripping for a long time. and this is the one which is hard to put down. Clear and simple style, interesting story and plot, I am sure this book written by a couple who use a pen name' James Conan' will be one of those best sellers. I am already looking forward to read its sequel (if there is any!)
September 8, 2009
Very well drawn heroine, but the novel as a whole was slightly disappointing. Started off with a bang with the detail about the asylum etc. but the end, when it came, seemed long overdue.
Some good parts and obviously well researched, but am hoping that the next outing for Emily Strauss will be slightly more driven throughout.
Some good parts and obviously well researched, but am hoping that the next outing for Emily Strauss will be slightly more driven throughout.
August 30, 2011
I'm looking forward to getting farther into this book - after reading The Devil in the White City, I'm wondering if H.H. Holmes will make an appearance. He's so creepy I wouldn't be surprised...
I think if I had read this before Devil in the White City, I would have liked it more.
I think if I had read this before Devil in the White City, I would have liked it more.
May 14, 2014
Enjoyable thriller with lots of (presumably) well-researched historical detail about 19th century Chicago. One drawback was the number of grammatical errors, missing words etc which is highly unusual in a finished novel.
July 19, 2009
So far so good! Only just started reading it but I thinks it's going to be a 'one of my best books ever'!
September 20, 2009
Dark indeed - an absorbing read but I won't give anything about the plot(s) away here.
October 5, 2011
Interesting plot with some twists.
Read
August 8, 2011A good old romp with lots of dark and nasty people. Great for a holiday read but not exactly what I'd call highbrow ...
February 16, 2012
am loving it at the moment
October 4, 2012
Potentially fine stuff but more or less wrecked by a writing-style that felt like a note stuck to the fridge as a reminder to buy eggs.
July 23, 2014
Occasionally, it was a bit too graphic for my taste but it was a captivating story nonetheless that transported me into the past of a city I hadn't been familiar with before.
July 13, 2021
A page turner - rather predictable but a bit of a romp!
May 3, 2010
From The very start i found this book to be exciting,dark and gripping.truly a fantastic read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews