In 1912 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, aspiring reporter Sophie Strong yearns for a thrilling undercover mission that rivals those of her idol, Nellie Bly. Her dreams of adventure are dashed when her cautious editor assigns her to the seemingly mundane role of a shopgirl.
But appearances can be deceiving. What starts as an ordinary job takes a sinister turn when a fellow employee meets a tragic end. Suddenly, Sophie and her coworkers fall under suspicion. Determined to prove their innocence and driven by insatiable curiosity, she embarks on her own covert investigation. Detective Jacob Zimmer urges her to leave the pursuit of criminals to the professionals, but she can't resist plunging into the perilous web of secrets, lies, and hidden motives. Sophie explores the shadowy corners of one of the city's most popular department stores, and each step closer to the truth lures her into more peril.
In this gripping historical mystery, Sophie Strong's relentless pursuit of justice sets the stage for a heart-pounding race against time. Will she expose the killer's identity before she, too, becomes a victim? Fans of Rhys Bowen, Victoria Thompson, and Ashley Weaver will quickly add Sophie to their list of favorite female sleuths.