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Gilded Age Chicago Mysteries #2
Shrouded in Thought
Nominated for a Reader's Choice Award as Best Historical Mystery and for a Lovey Award as Best Traditional Amateur Sleuth (LIM, February 2005)For Fans of Cozy Mysteries, Amateur Sleuths, and Gilded Age Chicago History
VICTORIAN CHICAGO MYSTERY SERIES
Chicago in the 1890s 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. An eccentric heiress and a cub reporter find themselves repeatedly drawn into the hidden world of intrigue and murder that lurks within the shadows of the White City.
Volume 2 - Shrouded in Thought
When rookie journalist Freddie Simpson is sent to cover the accidental drowning of a factory girl, it takes only minutes to convince him it was murder instead. Freddie teams up to sleuth with his friend Evangeline when his prime suspect is also suspected of poisoning her neighbor.
For the two amateur detectives, a random drowning becomes intertwined with labor riots, a national railroad strike, a medium who speaks to the dead, a blackmailer, and a murderer intent on covering his tracks by any means necessary. In SHROUDED IN THOUGHT, a killer learns he can outrun everything except the ghosts of his own past.
VICTORIAN CHICAGO MYSTERY SERIES
Chicago in the 1890s 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. An eccentric heiress and a cub reporter find themselves repeatedly drawn into the hidden world of intrigue and murder that lurks within the shadows of the White City.
Volume 2 - Shrouded in Thought
When rookie journalist Freddie Simpson is sent to cover the accidental drowning of a factory girl, it takes only minutes to convince him it was murder instead. Freddie teams up to sleuth with his friend Evangeline when his prime suspect is also suspected of poisoning her neighbor.
For the two amateur detectives, a random drowning becomes intertwined with labor riots, a national railroad strike, a medium who speaks to the dead, a blackmailer, and a murderer intent on covering his tracks by any means necessary. In SHROUDED IN THOUGHT, a killer learns he can outrun everything except the ghosts of his own past.
- GenresMystery
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
About the author
N.S. Wikarski
19 books1,208 followersN. S. Wikarski is an award-winning historical fiction author known for archaeology-based thrillers that blend ancient mystery, secret societies, and strong women protagonists. Her books are frequently compared to the novels of Dan Brown, Kate Quinn, and Diana Gabaldon. She writes two archaeology thriller series: the Arkana Archaeology Thrillers and its Trove Chronicles spin-off. She also writes The Gilded Age Chicago Mysteries, featuring an amateur female sleuth and her reporter sidekick. More Trove Chronicles thrillers and Gilded Age mysteries are currently in the works.
The author began her writing career as a fugitive from academia. After earning her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, she worked in corporate America for two decades before writing her first novel. She is a member of 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.
The author began her writing career as a fugitive from academia. After earning her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, she worked in corporate America for two decades before writing her first novel. She is a member of 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.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 23, 2017
Charming well plotted mystery
There really is something so charming about the 1890's. Even more so when you have a modern and forward thinking woman like Evangeline. She and newspaper reporter Freddie make a wonderful detective team.
The clues to this mystery are poetic and curious. Yet these two see even more than the medium Serafina.
With suspects are slippery, a body count that is increasing and clues that are limited Evangeline and her clever brain has to work overtime to put it all together.
There really is something so charming about the 1890's. Even more so when you have a modern and forward thinking woman like Evangeline. She and newspaper reporter Freddie make a wonderful detective team.
The clues to this mystery are poetic and curious. Yet these two see even more than the medium Serafina.
With suspects are slippery, a body count that is increasing and clues that are limited Evangeline and her clever brain has to work overtime to put it all together.
April 24, 2023
excellent and entertains read
This is a well researched novel not quite as entertaining as The Devil in White City but, while covering some of the same ground , still helps one get the feel of the times. The description of the riots surrounding the Pullman strike brings to life a feel for worker’s poor bargains position in the gilded age. In economic history texts the strike and riots are covered in ways that do not give a good sense of what really went on. This does.
This is a well researched novel not quite as entertaining as The Devil in White City but, while covering some of the same ground , still helps one get the feel of the times. The description of the riots surrounding the Pullman strike brings to life a feel for worker’s poor bargains position in the gilded age. In economic history texts the strike and riots are covered in ways that do not give a good sense of what really went on. This does.
October 20, 2017
1894 Chicago and Freddie Simpson newspaper reporter is sent out to cover an accidential killing which he believes is murder. But he fails to interest his friend Evangeline LeClair until some weeks later when an event changes her mind.
An easy to read, well-written mystery about these amateur detectives.
An easy to read, well-written mystery about these amateur detectives.
January 23, 2018
Outstanding mystery
I've read both books in this series and hope more are forthcoming. The author's talents and skills at creating outstanding works of captivating fiction that is also educational given the accuracy of particularly historical details are most impressive. This book as was it's predecessor draw you in and are hard to put down. I recommend it highly.
I've read both books in this series and hope more are forthcoming. The author's talents and skills at creating outstanding works of captivating fiction that is also educational given the accuracy of particularly historical details are most impressive. This book as was it's predecessor draw you in and are hard to put down. I recommend it highly.
May 8, 2025
The second in the series that takes place in the “white city” - Chicago at the end of the 1893 Columbian Exposition. There is murder, intrigue, a seance, and the Pullman strike. Effie and Freddy are back, figuring things out. A very enjoyable read that transports you back to the turn of the century.
July 17, 2026
Shrouded in Thought builds beautifully on the foundation of the first book, delivering a mystery that's both intelligent and richly atmospheric. The way N. S. Wikarski intertwines a seemingly ordinary drowning with labor unrest, blackmail, and murder creates a story that constantly evolves in unexpected way
December 13, 2017
DER
Fun, interesting. The ending is wrapped up to tidy and quickly. Otherwise an enjoyable read. Look forword to more from this author.
Fun, interesting. The ending is wrapped up to tidy and quickly. Otherwise an enjoyable read. Look forword to more from this author.
February 20, 2018
like the last one
these mysteries take a long time. though i am not sure what could be taken out. good mystery. nice twist. i look forward to the next.
these mysteries take a long time. though i am not sure what could be taken out. good mystery. nice twist. i look forward to the next.
November 25, 2015
Well done. Excellent historical detail worked in to a fairly complex plot. Good characters.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews