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Gilded Age Chicago Mysteries #1
The Fall Of White City
LECLAIR SERIES
Chicago in the 1890's is the fastest growing metropolis in America. It rivals New York as the city of the century and the epitome of the Gilded Age. This melting pot of thieves and corrupt politicians, robber barons and immigrants is rife with scandal and social injustice. Eccentric heiress Evangeline LeClair and her friend Freddie Simpson find themselves repeatedly drawn into the hidden world of intrigue and murder that lurks beneath the shadows of the White City.
THE FALL OF WHITE CITY
In 1893, the entire world has come to Chicago to marvel at the wonders of the Columbian Exposition World's Fair. When a penniless seamstress is found stabbed to death in Chicago's grandest hotel, wealthy and eccentric Evangeline LeClair sets out to discover who is responsible and why.
From the slums and factories of the near south side to the wealthy suburbs of the north shore, Evangeline relentlessly tracks down clues that reveal more questions than answers. Inevitably, her amateur detecting draws the attention of someone who would kill to keep his identity a secret. Soon she is racing against time to unmask a murderer before she becomes his next victim!
Chicago in the 1890's is the fastest growing metropolis in America. It rivals New York as the city of the century and the epitome of the Gilded Age. This melting pot of thieves and corrupt politicians, robber barons and immigrants is rife with scandal and social injustice. Eccentric heiress Evangeline LeClair and her friend Freddie Simpson find themselves repeatedly drawn into the hidden world of intrigue and murder that lurks beneath the shadows of the White City.
THE FALL OF WHITE CITY
In 1893, the entire world has come to Chicago to marvel at the wonders of the Columbian Exposition World's Fair. When a penniless seamstress is found stabbed to death in Chicago's grandest hotel, wealthy and eccentric Evangeline LeClair sets out to discover who is responsible and why.
From the slums and factories of the near south side to the wealthy suburbs of the north shore, Evangeline relentlessly tracks down clues that reveal more questions than answers. Inevitably, her amateur detecting draws the attention of someone who would kill to keep his identity a secret. Soon she is racing against time to unmask a murderer before she becomes his next victim!
239 pages, ebook
First published June 1, 2002
419 people are currently reading
436 people want to read
About the author
N.S. Wikarski
21 books153 followersNancy Wikarski is a fugitive from academia. After earning her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, she worked in corporate America for two decades before becoming a historical mystery author. Her books highlight unknown aspects of women’s history and contain elements of magical realism. In her Arkana series, she foregrounds the latest archaeological discoveries about prepatriarchal cultures around the planet and weaves these facts into fictional artifact hunts. Her Gilded Age Chicago books depict the real issues of first-wave feminism while following the fictional adventures of two amateur sleuths. Both her series have been award-nominated and have ranked on Amazon’s bestseller lists.
The author is a member of ALLi, Mystery Writers of America, the Society of Midland Authors, and has served as vice president of Sisters in Crime-Twin Cities and on the programming board of the Chicago chapter. Her short stories have appeared in Futures Magazine and DIME Anthology, while her book reviews and essays have been featured in Murder: Past Tense, Deadly Pleasures, and Mystery Readers Journal. She is currently writing an Arkana spinoff series called The Trove Chronicles that will continue to feature discoveries about global prepatriarchal cultures. More mysteries from the casebook of Gilded Age detectives Evangeline LeClair and Freddie Simpson are also in the works.
The author is a member of ALLi, Mystery Writers of America, the Society of Midland Authors, and has served as vice president of Sisters in Crime-Twin Cities and on the programming board of the Chicago chapter. Her short stories have appeared in Futures Magazine and DIME Anthology, while her book reviews and essays have been featured in Murder: Past Tense, Deadly Pleasures, and Mystery Readers Journal. She is currently writing an Arkana spinoff series called The Trove Chronicles that will continue to feature discoveries about global prepatriarchal cultures. More mysteries from the casebook of Gilded Age detectives Evangeline LeClair and Freddie Simpson are also in the works.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 7, 2017
The Fall of White City by N. S. Wikarski is a work of historical fiction inside of which is embedded a crime mystery. I like history. As an ex-law enforcement type, crime continues to interest me. The identity of the perpetrator and motives for the crime committed are elements of a complex mystery. This work reminds me of the style of Agatha Christie but with more emphasis on the female suffragette angle. This novel should be highly entertaining for those with some knowledge of the 1893 Chicago World Fair and surrounding social issues of the day. The reader might feel a sense of nostalgia. For those with no knowledge of the time period, fascinating historical facts such as the distribution of telephones in Chicago, and the capacity of passenger cars on the newfangled Ferris Wheel might promote further reading. This is Book One in the Victorian Chicago Mystery Series. I will follow it up with Book Two, Shrouded in Thought as well as investigate other series by this talented author.
Well developed characters tell this story of a kidnapping, a murder, and human trafficking. There is also a story of class behavior in a 19th century US social system with rigid social norms and rules. The US was supposedly founded on a system where there were no rigidly defines social systems; everyone had at least the opportunity to better themselves. As a few characters in this novel show, some with great or even modest economic means formed a social system designed to frustrate any such ambition.
Meet Evangeline LeClaire, our main protagonist, a supporter of suffragettes and by her actions possibly one herself, and an amateur detective. She is independently wealthy and points out, when she feels it necessary, that her wealth is not a product of her efforts but is instead inherited. She feels an obligation to use the wealth wisely to further efforts at modifying the status of those she considers disadvantaged, such as women. Highly educated, she makes her criticisms of society to her high society colleagues with wit and sarcasm. Some of them do not realize they have been criticized. Evangeline works voluntarily at Mast House, a charitable group working to raise the status of underprivileged women. Among other things, Evangeline teaches English. One of her students, Elsa Bauer, has been found murdered. A suspect, her brother, has been arrested. Evangeline believes something is not right and she determinedly sets out to find the true story.
Evangeline realizes she is limited by her gender in the things she can do independently. She needs a male ally who can go to places she can't and who can talk to people she would otherwise be unable to approach. Luckily, she has a good friend, Freddie. Also a member of the wealthy class, Freddie has been a disappointment to his parents. He was to join the family business and become a licensed solicitor but all he wants to do is hang around newspaper offices and hope for the chance to be given a chance as a journalist. He also happens to be in love with Evangeline. Freddie hangs around her hoping to develop a romantic relationship. He has all the character of a family pet. Evangeline is not cruel, she does not treat him entirely as if he were a puppy but she is happy to manipulate him into doing things he would rather not do, things which further her on-going investigation.
Elsa's brother Franz is in jail accused of Elsa's murder. Evangeline is not sure about the guilt or innocence of Franz but she is convinced that there is no proof of guilt for anyone. She wants to find evidence and her first step is to interview Franz. In the society of the time, Franz is not popular. He is German and a member of a society which is at least socialist and possibly anarchist. Franz is an easy popular target of hatred.
Evangeline constructs her investigation. She interviews people in the boarding house where Elsa stayed. She interviews staff at Mast house, where she taught Elsa literature. She discovers that there is a volunteer art teacher, Mr. Johnston, whom she knows, but not as an art teacher. Johnathan Blackthorne is also a suitor of Evangeline. This class elitist puts off Evangeline with his superior views of himself and his condescending actions toward everyday people but she maintains her relationships with him in order to exploit his social connections. Evangeline also discovers Jacob Sidley, an accountant at Mast House who has seemed to be unusually helpful to Elsa during her studies. Then there is Patrick O'Malley, patriarch of the family running the boarding house where Elsa and Franz had stayed. From a drunken stupor, he had expressed to Evangeline more than a passing interest in Elsa.
At this point, Evangeline has at least four possible suspects for the murder of Elsa. And what was Elsa doing at the very high-class hotel, the Templar house? With questions about suspects, locations, circumstances, and motives, Evangeline and Freddie are ready to do battle. Maybe not Freddie, but he has to stay in the game if he wants to win Evangeline; he will do everything she asks but only after some serious prodding.
So much for the fiction. The investigation takes place in the historical context of the 1893 World's Fair although the organizers like the word “Exposition.” Wikarski takes the readers to the fair. The great White City of the Colombian Exposition was situated on the shores of Lake Michigan in an area known to residents as “New Jerusalem.” Evangeline looked down upon it as a fake, an artificial temporary construction that gives visitors an impression of a Chicago that wasn't true. Still, there were many marvels to see and she could use a visit to the fair as an excuse to engage Johnathan in a private interview; it wasn't really an interrogation. The two visited the place where the daring “Little Egypt” danced, a show considered by Johnathan to be too lurid for Evangeline. They visited the place where an entire imported primitive tribe was on exhibition. And they visited the Ferris Wheel. Johnathan rented an entire car for their private ride. While Evangeline appreciated the ride; she could have done without the near-death experience.
Wikarski reveals many of the actual wonders of the 1893 Exposition. This novel is a not a historical account of the Exposition but many of the wonders Evangeline saw existed in fact. Wikarski concentrates more on presenting historical facts about the struggle for women to receive an education, the exploitation of women as factory laborers and the inequity that all women felt, including wealthy Evangeline, when trying to interact with others in a patriarchal society during a time that held so much promise with stunning innovative technology appearing almost daily.
Readers who like historical fiction and who are impressed with this story might also want to look at The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. It concentrates on all the fantastic things that Evangeline saw and investigates the difficulties encountered in their presentation.
Readers should also visit Wikarski's website. Along with her Amazon author's page, there is a lot of interesting stuff to see. This is a quiz.
What is “Herstory?”
Visit the website to find out.
Well developed characters tell this story of a kidnapping, a murder, and human trafficking. There is also a story of class behavior in a 19th century US social system with rigid social norms and rules. The US was supposedly founded on a system where there were no rigidly defines social systems; everyone had at least the opportunity to better themselves. As a few characters in this novel show, some with great or even modest economic means formed a social system designed to frustrate any such ambition.
Meet Evangeline LeClaire, our main protagonist, a supporter of suffragettes and by her actions possibly one herself, and an amateur detective. She is independently wealthy and points out, when she feels it necessary, that her wealth is not a product of her efforts but is instead inherited. She feels an obligation to use the wealth wisely to further efforts at modifying the status of those she considers disadvantaged, such as women. Highly educated, she makes her criticisms of society to her high society colleagues with wit and sarcasm. Some of them do not realize they have been criticized. Evangeline works voluntarily at Mast House, a charitable group working to raise the status of underprivileged women. Among other things, Evangeline teaches English. One of her students, Elsa Bauer, has been found murdered. A suspect, her brother, has been arrested. Evangeline believes something is not right and she determinedly sets out to find the true story.
Evangeline realizes she is limited by her gender in the things she can do independently. She needs a male ally who can go to places she can't and who can talk to people she would otherwise be unable to approach. Luckily, she has a good friend, Freddie. Also a member of the wealthy class, Freddie has been a disappointment to his parents. He was to join the family business and become a licensed solicitor but all he wants to do is hang around newspaper offices and hope for the chance to be given a chance as a journalist. He also happens to be in love with Evangeline. Freddie hangs around her hoping to develop a romantic relationship. He has all the character of a family pet. Evangeline is not cruel, she does not treat him entirely as if he were a puppy but she is happy to manipulate him into doing things he would rather not do, things which further her on-going investigation.
Elsa's brother Franz is in jail accused of Elsa's murder. Evangeline is not sure about the guilt or innocence of Franz but she is convinced that there is no proof of guilt for anyone. She wants to find evidence and her first step is to interview Franz. In the society of the time, Franz is not popular. He is German and a member of a society which is at least socialist and possibly anarchist. Franz is an easy popular target of hatred.
Evangeline constructs her investigation. She interviews people in the boarding house where Elsa stayed. She interviews staff at Mast house, where she taught Elsa literature. She discovers that there is a volunteer art teacher, Mr. Johnston, whom she knows, but not as an art teacher. Johnathan Blackthorne is also a suitor of Evangeline. This class elitist puts off Evangeline with his superior views of himself and his condescending actions toward everyday people but she maintains her relationships with him in order to exploit his social connections. Evangeline also discovers Jacob Sidley, an accountant at Mast House who has seemed to be unusually helpful to Elsa during her studies. Then there is Patrick O'Malley, patriarch of the family running the boarding house where Elsa and Franz had stayed. From a drunken stupor, he had expressed to Evangeline more than a passing interest in Elsa.
At this point, Evangeline has at least four possible suspects for the murder of Elsa. And what was Elsa doing at the very high-class hotel, the Templar house? With questions about suspects, locations, circumstances, and motives, Evangeline and Freddie are ready to do battle. Maybe not Freddie, but he has to stay in the game if he wants to win Evangeline; he will do everything she asks but only after some serious prodding.
So much for the fiction. The investigation takes place in the historical context of the 1893 World's Fair although the organizers like the word “Exposition.” Wikarski takes the readers to the fair. The great White City of the Colombian Exposition was situated on the shores of Lake Michigan in an area known to residents as “New Jerusalem.” Evangeline looked down upon it as a fake, an artificial temporary construction that gives visitors an impression of a Chicago that wasn't true. Still, there were many marvels to see and she could use a visit to the fair as an excuse to engage Johnathan in a private interview; it wasn't really an interrogation. The two visited the place where the daring “Little Egypt” danced, a show considered by Johnathan to be too lurid for Evangeline. They visited the place where an entire imported primitive tribe was on exhibition. And they visited the Ferris Wheel. Johnathan rented an entire car for their private ride. While Evangeline appreciated the ride; she could have done without the near-death experience.
Wikarski reveals many of the actual wonders of the 1893 Exposition. This novel is a not a historical account of the Exposition but many of the wonders Evangeline saw existed in fact. Wikarski concentrates more on presenting historical facts about the struggle for women to receive an education, the exploitation of women as factory laborers and the inequity that all women felt, including wealthy Evangeline, when trying to interact with others in a patriarchal society during a time that held so much promise with stunning innovative technology appearing almost daily.
Readers who like historical fiction and who are impressed with this story might also want to look at The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. It concentrates on all the fantastic things that Evangeline saw and investigates the difficulties encountered in their presentation.
Readers should also visit Wikarski's website. Along with her Amazon author's page, there is a lot of interesting stuff to see. This is a quiz.
What is “Herstory?”
Visit the website to find out.
August 25, 2015
This book started slowly and at one point I put it aside and didn't go back to it for a few weeks. Then I got to the more interesting parts. I wanted to read it because I've always heard so much about White City and the Chicago Worlds Fair. Someone is murdering young girls and socialite Evangeline LeClair sets out to find out what happened to the latest victim, someone she knew personally from the Hull House like place that she volunteers. The excitement comes close to home when she thinks she knows the killer. Read this to find out if she solves the murder.
October 17, 2024
A young woman is murdered in a toney Chicago hotel and, while there is an investigation and an arrest, heiress Evangeline LeClair knows the police have the wrong man. Dismissed due to her lack of wealth or status, the victim had been Evangeline's student in one of her English classes. With this connection, Evangeline feels compelled to find justice for her former pupil.
This story was rich with history. I now feel as though I have attended the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and roamed the city streets on both sides of the tracks. Armed with this knowledge, I headed down several rabbit holes before coming to write my review.
I liked the story and its pacing and, obviously, I loved all the new information I gained through reading the book. The mystery took its time to unfold and I didn't mind that a bit. I did not, however, like the main character. Despite splashing the cash to help her favourites, Evangeline was very content with her privileged life and almost hypocritical about it. Additionally, she treated her cohort (Freddie) so shamefully that at one point, I called her a name that should not be repeated here.
In spite my aversion to the main character, I really did enjoy the story and will find time to read the rest of the series later.
This story was rich with history. I now feel as though I have attended the 1893 Chicago World's Fair and roamed the city streets on both sides of the tracks. Armed with this knowledge, I headed down several rabbit holes before coming to write my review.
I liked the story and its pacing and, obviously, I loved all the new information I gained through reading the book. The mystery took its time to unfold and I didn't mind that a bit. I did not, however, like the main character. Despite splashing the cash to help her favourites, Evangeline was very content with her privileged life and almost hypocritical about it. Additionally, she treated her cohort (Freddie) so shamefully that at one point, I called her a name that should not be repeated here.
In spite my aversion to the main character, I really did enjoy the story and will find time to read the rest of the series later.
March 8, 2017
Detective mystery wrapped in history
A well written fictional detective mystery interlaced in an important period in history. Our storyteller paints an accurate picture of the lives and events surrounding the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair. The reader is transported back in time to a fascinating period and captivated with a nail biting mystery. I am thankful to have stumbled upon Ms. Wikaeski's novel and am eager to be entranced by her many other works. I wish to offer her my thanks.
DER
A well written fictional detective mystery interlaced in an important period in history. Our storyteller paints an accurate picture of the lives and events surrounding the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair. The reader is transported back in time to a fascinating period and captivated with a nail biting mystery. I am thankful to have stumbled upon Ms. Wikaeski's novel and am eager to be entranced by her many other works. I wish to offer her my thanks.
DER
November 11, 2018
The ultimate villain of the story is obvious from the first scene they are in and while the author tries to throw in a twist it doesn't save the story. I didn't care for the main character, Evangeline, and felt sorry for Freddie, who is in love with her. The only interest I would have in reading the other books would be to see if Freddie finds someone else and leaves behind his friendship with Evangeline. But I'm not that interested. meh
January 29, 2022
Enjoyable
Loved the setting ,time period and locale, good characters interesting plot. If I would make any critique it would be that the author made everything work out a little too perfectly. A little more ambiguity might make the heroine and the storyline more believable. I know a lot of folks want everything to work out and be explained completely, but that rarely happens and leaves something to our own imagination.
Loved the setting ,time period and locale, good characters interesting plot. If I would make any critique it would be that the author made everything work out a little too perfectly. A little more ambiguity might make the heroine and the storyline more believable. I know a lot of folks want everything to work out and be explained completely, but that rarely happens and leaves something to our own imagination.
August 11, 2023
A period piece set in Chicago during the late 1800s during the World’s Columbian Exposition. Many historical persons show up in this mystery. A killer is on the loose and needs to be found. A very wealthy young woman is at the head of this unofficial investigation. She’s been teaching at Hull House and it’s one of her students who has been killed. This is a very interesting and riveting read.
October 26, 2024
While there are some small issues here and there, and an annoying volume of uninterpreted German and French phrases and sentences in the first half of the book, the story shines through as terrific! Pleasantly devoid of profanity, sex or blasphemy, the author masterfully blends the era and location with a fascinating mystery.
I received a free ebook copy from this previously unacquainted author and I’m delighted to say it is worth a read.
I received a free ebook copy from this previously unacquainted author and I’m delighted to say it is worth a read.
July 17, 2017
1893 Chicago and the body of Elsa Bauer has been found in a hotel room. Heiress Evangeline LeClair believes that the police have the wrong person in custody and enlists the help of her close friend Freddie Simpson to discover the truth.
A well-written mystery with some developed characters made for an interesting read and will look forward to reading the next in the series.
A well-written mystery with some developed characters made for an interesting read and will look forward to reading the next in the series.
August 17, 2017
Bought this book by mistake...
...and I'm glad I did. I lived in Chicago during my undergraduate years, and it was tempting to open Google Street view and try to find the neighborhoods mentioned in this novel. I expect to read more of the series, and perhaps I will look for pictures of Victorian Chicago on the internet archive. http://archive.org
...and I'm glad I did. I lived in Chicago during my undergraduate years, and it was tempting to open Google Street view and try to find the neighborhoods mentioned in this novel. I expect to read more of the series, and perhaps I will look for pictures of Victorian Chicago on the internet archive. http://archive.org
December 9, 2024
Rather an interesting story and characters with an unexpected plot twist at the end. However, I question whether the main victim in this story had the smarts to plot such an outcome as the author would have us believe. But, I'll wait to see if the next story in this series fairs better in the plot.
September 21, 2017
Great historical setting and tasty plot twists.
Good page turning mystery tale with vivid historical detail. I loved the witty protagonist, and the touch of ambiguity in the resolution.
Good page turning mystery tale with vivid historical detail. I loved the witty protagonist, and the touch of ambiguity in the resolution.
February 15, 2018
complicated
and i think the villains would have made a run for it, at the very least. but i like the two main characters and hope they will remain together. looking forward to the next book.
and i think the villains would have made a run for it, at the very least. but i like the two main characters and hope they will remain together. looking forward to the next book.
March 21, 2018
Grandma lived during that era in Chicago. Story evokes memories of tales told by her. Msde for
her. Made the story come alive. Enjoyed it immensely. Can't wait to start the next one. Great twisty plot in the end.
her. Made the story come alive. Enjoyed it immensely. Can't wait to start the next one. Great twisty plot in the end.
November 24, 2018
Very Good Book!
I enjoyed reading this book. The author brought the time period to life, and I particularly enjoyed the interplay between Evangeline and Freddy. I like reading about strong, smart female characters. They are good role models.
I enjoyed reading this book. The author brought the time period to life, and I particularly enjoyed the interplay between Evangeline and Freddy. I like reading about strong, smart female characters. They are good role models.
November 16, 2019
I just couldn't get into this. I didn't think there was enough historical context to get a clear understanding of why there was such class disparity. Also, the book felt like a 1940's comedy/ mystery.
September 23, 2021
wow
Not at all what I expected. It began rather innocuously then developed into gripping story with wonderful twists and turns. Honestly, I’m hoping this author has more. Very good read.
Not at all what I expected. It began rather innocuously then developed into gripping story with wonderful twists and turns. Honestly, I’m hoping this author has more. Very good read.
January 9, 2023
Engaging!
I had a hard time putting this book down. I wouldn't have if I didn't have other things to do.
So accurate in description of early Chicago.
Surprise ending. Excellent mystery!
I had a hard time putting this book down. I wouldn't have if I didn't have other things to do.
So accurate in description of early Chicago.
Surprise ending. Excellent mystery!
February 15, 2023
Captivating
I loved this well crafted and fast paced historical mystery set in Chicago as the 19th Century wound down.
As a social worker, I was excited to see Hull House and its founders depicted so beautifully.
Plot twists galore
I loved this well crafted and fast paced historical mystery set in Chicago as the 19th Century wound down.
As a social worker, I was excited to see Hull House and its founders depicted so beautifully.
Plot twists galore
May 1, 2025
A well written murder mystery that occurs during the Chicago Columbian Exposition in the 1890s. The author, through descriptions and vocabulary, transports the reader back in time. This is the first of a three book series.
March 14, 2018
I don’t normally care for historical fiction but thought I’d give this book a try. I really enjoyed the story as it was much more a murder mystery than history.
May 7, 2021
White City
Always fascinated by this era in Chicago history. This book rang true to the times. Very enjoyable read, quite liked it
Always fascinated by this era in Chicago history. This book rang true to the times. Very enjoyable read, quite liked it
November 29, 2021
☺
Good. I was entertained. I did stay up all night to finish. It was different than I expected.
I liked the characters
Good. I was entertained. I did stay up all night to finish. It was different than I expected.
I liked the characters
May 14, 2022
complex plot with lots of twists and turns
Murder of a poor girl. Friends in height places. Twisted path to find out exactly what happened. Surprise ending! Very fast paced.
Murder of a poor girl. Friends in height places. Twisted path to find out exactly what happened. Surprise ending! Very fast paced.
February 28, 2023
trite
I finished it because I always do. However after this book I might change my habits. Full and plodding is a fair description.
I finished it because I always do. However after this book I might change my habits. Full and plodding is a fair description.
May 3, 2023
This is an excellent read. It held my interest and the ending is exceptional! I highly recommend it.
October 14, 2023
The Fall of
Written in a way the ties you back to the 1800's. Who is the murderer? Can someone t be solved?…A c of read
Written in a way the ties you back to the 1800's. Who is the murderer? Can someone t be solved?…A c of read
April 17, 2024
Enjoyable read! While I suspected the murderer, I did not see that final twist! Very clever.
July 12, 2024
awesome
I really enjoyed this book, replete with historical context, passion and crime. A good book for a weekend! Kudos to the author!
I really enjoyed this book, replete with historical context, passion and crime. A good book for a weekend! Kudos to the author!
October 2, 2024
Good beginning, satisfying ending, rather sluggish middle.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews