Review: The Ivory City

The Ivory City by Emily Bain Murphy turned out to be one of my more pleasant surprises in my reading year thus far for 2026.  A near perfect blend of historical mystery and romance, and it should satisfy fans for both genres.

Grace Covington was marked as a poor relation even before she was born because her mother had the temerity to marry for love - to a man well below her station. A fact that Grace's Aunt Clove never lets her forget. However, it's her uncle who is her mother's blood relation, and Grace has been allowed to spend time with her cousins, Lillie and Oliver, growing up - and the cousins adore each other. So when Lillie and Oliver want Grace to come to their home in St. Louis for the 1904 World's Fair, of course she goes. She's not about to miss out on the biggest event of her young life!

But alas, there are secrets a plenty. Oliver has fallen head over heels for an actress (a fact that will surely kill Aunt Clove) and only Grace knows about the relationship. Lillie is determined to do more with her life than be a pretty socialite, and is sneaking out of the house to work with a local doctor at a women's clinic (in case Aunt Clove survives Oliver's secret) - again, another fact that only Grace knows about. Another mark against Grace? Her troubled brother Walt, who fell down the rabbit hole of addiction and has not been seen by the family for the better part of a year. As if Grace's father owning a restaurant wasn't scandalous enough!  

These secrets and the added tension of class differences boil over when a member of their merry group of friends attending the Fair is murdered - and Oliver becomes Prime Suspect #1.  Grace knows deep in her bones that he's innocent and helping her in her sleuthing is wealthy Theodore Parker - a man she has an Enemies To Lovers vibe with ever since they had a disastrous run-in with each other at a Chicago soirée. 

This was a really pleasant and enjoyable story even if it does take a while to come to a boil. The author did not skimp on her research and it shows up tremendously with her world building. I truly felt like I was at the 1904 World's Fair and she spends the first 30% or so of the book really digging into her characters so that by the time the murder happens you actually give a damn. 

Speaking of the murder, there's plenty of twists and turns along the way and the author kept me guessing. On the romance front, the author does an amiable job playing with the adversarial Enemies to Lover trope by having Grace and Theodore rub each other in all the right and wrong ways. There's a moment in the final chapters where I thought the author might break the BIG cardinal rule of the romance genre, but rest assured for romance fans, it ends happily for Grace and Theodore. In fact it ends happily for most of the characters, other than the murder victim and, well, the murderer (duh). 

Finally, besides the world building, I really appreciated the time and care the author spent using class differences as part of the conflict. Americans just love to pretend like we're not classist pieces of crap like our British counterparts, but rest assured we were and still are. It was nice to read a historical mystery that didn't sweep this under the rug. 

This was a very enjoyable read and I'm glad I took a chance on it. Murphy has also written middle grade and young adult, and this is only her second adult novel. I'm hoping she has more historical mysteries with romantic elements up her sleeve.

Final Grade = B+

Retro Review: Runaway Hearts

This review of Runaway Hearts by Katie Rose was first published by The Romance Reader in 2001.  Back then I rated it 4-Hearts (B grade) with a sensuality rating of PG-13.

+++++

While many young ladies may think a lack of suitors disastrous, Mary Lou Finch has resigned herself to a life of spinsterhood and scholastics. That is until she learns daddy invested their entire life savings on a thoroughbred that has turned up missing. Mary Lou was counting on using her dowry money to support herself! Determined to not be a destitute spinster, she makes her way to Milltown, NY and the scene of the crime.

Seems like a good plan, until the owner of the missing horse finds her snooping in his stables. Pierce Thorndike has had his eye out for suspicious characters. Not only was his prize thoroughbred stolen, but also the horse’s trainer was found murdered. Mary Lou immediately intrigues Pierce, and when she stammers that she is at Graystone Lodge to apply for the governess position - well he knows she’s not being entirely truthful. Nevertheless, the fact is, his son needs a teacher, and Edward has already managed to chase off a good many.

By day, Mary Lou tutors Edward, coaxing the boy out of a shell he erected after his mother’s death and the trainer’s murder. By night, she takes to snooping for clues, only to have Pierce turn up at inopportune times. The closer she gets to unraveling the mystery, the more she is drawn to the handsome, brooding man of the house.

Runaway Hearts is a fun, light-hearted romance. There may be a murderer on the loose, but this book is anything but dark. Mary Lou is an interesting heroine, and one that I immediately liked. She is described as unfashionably plump, with voluptuous curves, and a weakness for sweets. My kind of girl. On the inside, she is quite intelligent, having been to university, with a compassionate nature that works wonders on both Edward and Pierce.

Pierce is a widower, all business, and out of sorts where is son is concerned. The child needs a firm hand, but also understanding. As Mary Lou helps Edward, she in turn helps Pierce, who feels guilty over his wife’s death and that of his trainer. What is refreshing here, is that while his first marriage was the typical unhappy one found in thousands of other romance novels, he does not think that all women are evil, and doesn’t even actively loathe his former wife. This displays maturity in him, and makes him a worthy match for the inquisitive Miss Finch.

While a sweet romance, I was less satisfied with the mystery in Runaway Hearts. It is pretty simplistic and rather on the light side, which may be just the thing for strict romance readers. However, if you are an equally rabid mystery fan, as I am, you will likely figure this one out rather early on. Moreover, while Mary Lou is a worthy romance heroine, she isn’t going to put my favorite amateur sleuths out of business. The way she happens upon clues, and formulates theories is nothing extraordinary, but the men surrounding her find her deductive reasoning skills exceptional. Pierce would do good to look into hiring a more competent police force, who are unable to crack the case, while a governess comes in and ties everything up in a neat package.

I was swept up in the romance as the author provides some well done tender moments between the couple. While the mystery needed some oomph, Rose’s nicely done characterizations were such that what could have been a big problem for this reader, became nothing more than a minor quibble. Her creation of Mary Lou alone kept me turning the pages, adding Pierce and Edward into the mix only sealed the deal.

++++++

Wendy Looks Back: Sorry guys, I have literally zero recall on this book.  Of course it's been 19 years ::shrug emoji::.  Rose eventually made the move to contemporary sports romance (baseball) and her last published book was in 2016.