The Case of the Murdered Muckraker

Praise for The Harriet Morrow Investigates Mysteries by Rob Osler

“A historical mystery series that celebrates both its closeted lesbian sleuth and the town where she hopes to make her career.” —The New York Times Book Review (Alida Becker) on The Case of the Missing Maid

“As much a story of a gay woman’s desire for acceptance as it is a mystery. Osler treats both story lines with care, setting them against a vividly rendered urban backdrop of scoundrels and industrialists, private clubs and beneficent groups trying to help immigrants find their place. This historical color never slows the pace, however, and Osler’s trademark blend of humanity and wry humor is on full display.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW on The Case of the Murdered Muckraker

“Morrow follows clues that take her into the heart of the city’s Polish community and also lead her to places where LGBTQ folks like herself secretly gather.” —The Washington Post, “5 mystery novels to cozy up with this holiday season” on The Case of the Missing Maid

“A queer, female-forward dive into fact-based political corruption.” —Kirkus Reviews on The Case of the Murdered Muckraker

“The Case of the Missing Maid moves cleverly through myriad neighborhoods, clandestine drag events, and hidden gay bars… Moreover, Osler illustrates how controlling families, human trafficking, and corrupt cops are not just 21st-century concerns in this stellar novel.” —Shelf Awareness

“Excellent…With lush historical detail, optimistic but plausible gender politics, and an unforgettable heroine, this series is primed for success.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW on The Case of the Missing Maid

“Osler puts a queer 19th-century spin on a familiar tough-gal type.” —Kirkus Reviews on The Case of the Missing Maid

“Osler has created a likable heroine, a good mystery, and a solid LGBTQIA+ fiction entry.” —Library Journal on The Case of the Missing Maid

“Osler writes with passion and crafts a believably innovative 19th-century Chicago, integrating queer social issues with historical detail, and creating a credible, thought-provoking, unforgettable heroine.” —The Press-Republican (Plattsburgh, NY) on The Case of the Murdered Muckraker

“Harriet is a wonderful lead character, and Osler brilliantly combines his protagonist’s growth into adulthood and Chicago’s emergence as one of the nation’s largest cities.” —firstCLUE Review on The Case of the Missing Maid

“An innovative, creative, and appealing mystery. For a thoroughly engaging and rewarding reading experience, schedule a few uninterrupted hours for The Case of the Missing Maid, a deftly plotted narrative chockful of mischievous characters and spectacular settings.” —The Press-Republican (Plattsburgh, NY)

“With his usual sensitivity and humor, Rob Osler has written a mystery with a lively pace, a fresh and engaging heroine, and finely tuned historical awareness. This book utterly charms.” —Karen Odden, Agatha, Lefty, and Anthony Award nominee and USA Today bestselling author of the Inspector Corrovan Mysteries on The Case of The Missing Maid

“Sharp, witty, and exuberant, The Case of the Missing Maid rattles along like Harriet Morrow’s trusty bicycle on the cobbles of 1890s Chicago, as she tackles her first job for the Prescott Detective Agency. With Osler’s trademark knockabout action scenes and some fascinating side lights on Queer history and the birth of the progressive era, this novel is an absolute treat.” —Catriona McPherson, multi-award-winning author of In Place of Fear and the Dandy Gilver Mysteries

“Harriet Morrow is an unusual heroine in an interesting era, Chicago of the 1890s. Working her first case as the first female detective with the Prescott Detective Agency, she peddles her trusty bicycle through one scrape after another, confronting prejudice, physical dangers, and her own secrets and doubts. Rob Osler brings vivid detail to Chicago’s Polish neighborhoods and its gay and lesbian underground. Like me, you’ll be rooting for Harriet from the first page to the last.” —Allison Montclair, author of the Sparks and Bainbridge mysteries on The Case of the Missing Maid

“Given one chance to prove herself, Harriet sets out in search of a servant missing from a grand household—but what she might uncover is a fulfilled queer life, free to discover joy, friendship, love, and her own true potential.” —Lori Rader-Day, award-winning author of Death at Greenway on The Case of the Missing Maid

“A delightful and progressive progressive-era mystery, filled to the brim with character and excitement. Colorful, clever and fantastically queer.” —Lev AC Rosen, award winning author of Lavender House on The Case of the Missing Maid