Gatsby-era glamour, a swoon-worthy love story, and an indomitable heroine dazzle in this romp that captures the extravagance of the Roaring Twenties and the dangers of vigilante justice.
A ravishing young mind reader stalks the streets at night in kitten heels, prowling for men to murder.
A soft-spoken genius toils away in the city morgue, desperate to unearth the science behind his gift for shapeshifting.
It’s a match made in 1928 Chicago, where gangsters run City Hall, jazz fills the air, and every good girl’s purse conceals a flask.
Until now, eighteen-year-old Ruby’s penchant for poison has been a secret. No one knows that she uses her mind-reading abilities to target men who prey on vulnerable women, men who escape the clutches of Chicago “justice.” When she meets a brilliant boy working at the morgue, his knack for forensic detail threatens to uncover her dark hobby. Even more unfortunately: sharp, independent Ruby has fallen in love with him.
Waltzing between a supernaturally enhanced romance, the battle to take down a gentleman’s club, and loyal friendships worth their weight in diamonds, Ruby brings defiant charm to every spectacular page of Murder for the Modern Girl—not to mention killer fashion. An irresistible caper perfect for fans of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue.
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Gr 8 Up-Ruby Newhouse, living in Chicago in 1928, uses her reputation as a carefree flapper and her ability to read minds to hide her secret life-she kills men who mistreat women. Ruby's father is Cook County's state attorney. He's been combating corruption in City Hall and, after several attempts on his life, Ruby is focused on finding out who's behind it. Guy Rosewood can shape shift, changing all aspects of his physical appearance, which had devastating consequences in the past. He takes a job in the Cook County morgue to connect with a doctor there who's done research on his condition. Ruby and Guy cross paths when Ruby visits the morgue in search of information, discovering his ability in the process. Ruby enlists him to help her unravel the conspiracy against her father. As they work together and grow closer, they struggle to decide if they can trust each other with their secrets. The plot is an interesting blend of historical fiction, crime drama, and fantasy, steeped in danger and scheming. However, it lacks strong worldbuilding. Characters tend to be clearly good or bad with little depth. Ruby's murders are presented without question. Ruby is cued as white; most characters aren't described and are assumed white. VERDICT The intriguing premise of this genre-bending novel would benefit from stronger worldbuilding to add life and cohesiveness to the narrative.-Carla Riemer