A historical mystery featuring the witty and wily Mary Handley the first woman detective in Brooklyn as she tries to prove herself in a man's world while solving a high profile murder.
Mary Handley is a not your typical late-nineteenth century lady. She's fiery clever daring-and she's not about to conform to the gender norms of the day. Not long after being fired from her job at the hat factory for insubordinate behavior Mary finds herself at the murder scene of Charles Goodrich the brother of a prominent alderman and former bookkeeper of Thomas Edison. When Mary proves her acumen as a sleuth she is hired by the Brooklyn police department-as the city's first female policewoman-to solve the crime. The top brass of the department expect her to fail but Mary has other plans. As she delves into the mystery she finds herself questioning the likes of J. P. Morgan Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla. Mary soon discovers the key to solving the case goes well beyond finding a murderer and depends on her ability to unearth the machinations of the city's most prominent and respected public figures men who will go to great lengths to protect their secrets.
Much like Mr. Churchill's Secretary and Maisie Dobbs Second Street Station presents a portrait of a world plunging into modernity through the eyes of a clever female sleuth. Mary Handley is an unforgettable protagonist whose wit humor and charm will delight listeners from the very first minute.
