PEARLS AND POISON

Former housemaid Rose Gallagher, now a Pinkerton agent, is on her own this time as she investigates criminal paranormal activity in New York.

In 1887, Rose is drawn into a dangerous new case with no help from her mentor—Thomas Wiltshire, her professional partner and the man she loves, has suddenly transferred to San Francisco, leaving her adrift in Manhattan. Luckily, the friends she’s made among wealthy society people through her previous investigations include Thomas’ best friend, Jonathan Burrows. She's learned that many of the elite New York families have what they call “luck,” a psychic talent that enables them to succeed where others fail. Now Sgt. Chapman of the NYPD comes to Rose with a case involving several suicides that he thinks are murders involving paranormal activity. The victims—who don't seem to have any connection to each other—apparently died from drinking poison in an empty building on Pearl Street, which has some very odd symbols built into the wall. The clients paying Rose’s bill are the wealthy parents of one of the victims, Deckland Woods. As Rose begins investigating, she asks Jonathan for help because he has “luck” and many useful contacts. The next person she approaches for help is Nikola Tesla, who’s alarmed by the possibility of real danger resulting from electromagnetic radiation in the building. Also of use are her friend Mei Wang and her father, who are being harassed by the Italian mob. As Rose looks for answers in the mean streets of New York and the parlors of high society, she realizes that she’s not the only one trying to discover what the symbols mean and what power they possess.

Nicely combines history, mystery, romance, and paranormal thrills.