{"product_id":"the-case-of-the-missing-maid-9781496749499","title":"The Case of the Missing Maid","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eInstant USA Today bestseller!\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThe acclaimed author of the Anthony, Agatha, Macavity, and Lefty Award-nominated Devil's Chew Toy delights with the first in a new historical mystery series set in turn-of-the-20th-century Chicago, as America is entering its Progressive Era and Harriet Morrow, a bike-riding, trousers-wearing lesbian, has just begun her new job as the first female detective at the Windy City's Prescott Agency... \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eChicago, 1898.\u003c\/i\u003e Rough-around-the-edges Harriet Morrow has long been drawn to the idea of whizzing around the city on her bicycle as a professional detective, solving crimes for a living without having to take a husband. Just twenty-one with a younger brother to support, she seizes the chance when the prestigious Prescott Agency hires her as its first woman operative. The move sparks controversy--with skeptical male colleagues, a high-strung office secretary, and her boss, Mr. Theodore Prescott, all waiting for her to unravel under the pressure . . . \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eOnly an hour into the job, Harriet has an assignment: Discover the whereabouts of a missing maid from one of the most extravagant mansions on Prairie Avenue. Owner Pearl Bartlett has a reputation for sending operatives on wild goose chases around her grand estate, but Harriet believes the stunningly beautiful Agnes Wozniak has indeed vanished under mysterious circumstances--possibly a victim of kidnapping, possibly a victim of something worse . . . \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith Mr. Prescott pushing a hard deadline, Harriet's burgeoning career depends on working through a labyrinth of eccentric characters and murky motives in a race to discover who made Agnes disappear. When her search leads to Chicago's Polish community and a new friendship in Agnes's charming older sister, Barbara, clues scattered across the city slowly reveal just how much depends on Harriet's inexperienced investigation for answers . . . and the deep danger that awaits once she learns the truth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Kensington Publishing Corporation\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 12\/16\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781496749499\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 336\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.81lbs","brand":"Rob Osler","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51911667515573,"sku":"9781496749499","price":15.26,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_89eab67d-b2ec-4bd8-af38-08e8965ca6d8.jpg?v=1761057172","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-case-of-the-missing-maid-9781496749499","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}