Bread and Roses

by Jo Allison

In 1911, Julia Nye works as a typist—and more—for the St. Louis Police Department. She is also lending her efforts and reputation to the local chapter of the Women’s Trade Union League, which is fighting for better working conditions. When a member of the WTUL, one of Julia’s new friends, is murdered, Julia expects to join the police in their investigation. But her boss and mentor, Chief Wright, is out of town, and the newly-appointed Chief of Detectives is opposed to new-fangled policing in general and to the presence of a woman in the department in particular. He gives Julia an ultimatum: leave the investigating to the men or lose her job, the position that has meant so much to her. And the decision will have consequences, as the Chief of Detectives arrests the brother of a WTUL immigrant woman on prejudice as much as on evidence. Julia has decisions to make, a new marriage to balance, and an investigation to follow to a dangerous confrontation.

332 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2017

About the author

Jo Allison loves to write historical fiction. In fact, she drives librarians and family crazy with her attention to historical detail. But readers love to be transported back a hundred years.

The Julia Nye Mystery series is set in 1910s St. Louis and Allison offers details on the time and city in a website, 1910s-stlouis-by-jallison.com.

Although her genres are mystery/suspense--and a new spy novel--her work is very character-driven.

Allison works from her home in Bristol, Virginia, with lots of trips to historical sites and libraries.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading about old St. Louis! And I do love a historical mystery