A Deadly Endeavor - (A Deadly Twenties Mystery) by Jenny Adams (Hardcover)

About the Book

"In a historical mystery, a serial killer is on the loose in Jazz Age Philadelphia. Philadelphia, 1921. When Edie Shippen returns home after spending years in California recovering from Influenza, she's shocked to discover her childhood sweetheart is engaged to her twin sister. Heartbroken and adrift, Edie vows to begin living her life as a modern woman--and to hell with anyone who gets in her way. But as young women start to disappear from the city, her newfound independence begins to feel dangerous. Gilbert Lawless returned home from the Great War a shell of his former self. He hides away in the office of Philadelphia's Coroner, content to keep to himself until a gruesome series of corpses come into the morgue. And when his sister, Lizzie, goes missing, he risks his career to beg help from the one person Lizzie seemed to trust: her employer, Edie Shippen. Fearing the worst, Edie and Gilbert desperately search for clues. It soon becomes clear that Lizzie's disappearance is connected to the deaths rocking the City of Brotherly Love... and it's only a matter of time until the killer strikes again."--

Book Synopsis

A serial killer is on the loose in Jazz Age Philadelphia in Jenny Adams' debut historical mystery, perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Rhys Bowen.

Philadelphia, 1921. When Edie Shippen returns home after spending years in California recovering from Influenza, she's shocked to discover that her childhood sweetheart is engaged to her twin sister. Heartbroken and adrift, Edie vows to begin living her life as a modern woman--and to hell with anyone who gets in her way. But as young women start to disappear from the city, her newfound independence begins to feel dangerous.

Gilbert Lawless returned home from the Great War a shell of his former self. He hides away in the office of Philadelphia's Coroner, content to keep to himself until a gruesome series of corpses come into the morgue. And when his sister, Lizzie, goes missing, he risks his career to beg help from the one person Lizzie seemed to trust: her employer, Edie Shippen.

Fearing the worst, Edie and Gilbert desperately search for clues. It soon becomes clear that Lizzie's disappearance is connected to the deaths rocking the City of Brotherly Love...and it's only a matter of time until the killer strikes again.

With a lush Roaring Twenties setting and a wickedly smart sleuth to cheer for, A Deadly Endeavor is the perfect puzzling romp for fans of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.

Review Quotes

Praise for A Deadly Endeavor

2025 AGATHA AWARD NOMINEE!

"Spirited . . . [A] blend of dark thriller and silver-spoon cozy."
--Publishers Weekly

"Expect plenty of surprises in a period tale in which love conquers all societal differences."
--Kirkus

"Readers who enjoy a good Upstairs, Downstairs- or Downton Abbey-styled drama should try this."
--Booklist

"A compelling 'page turner' of a read from start to finish."
--Midwest Book Review

"Adams initiates a complex and layered tableau for the reader . . . A terrific debut."
--Deadly Pleasures

"Sparkling prose, deft plotting, a vivid setting, and a captivating mystery are brilliant feathers in A Deadly Endeavor's stylish cap, but the charming, complex characters elevate it to a bona fide knockout . . . An utter delight."
--Claire Legrand, New York Times bestselling author of Furyborn

"With charming, fully fleshed characters that leap off the page, Adams creates an enticing world of high society and intrigue, interwoven with a deadly intent. A masterful whodunnit, flavored with period detail and a sprinkle of romance."
--Jennifer Ryan, bestselling author of The Kitchen Front

"Adams's first historical mystery reads like anything but a debut . . . A compelling must-read."
--Edith Maxwell, Agatha Award-winning author of Charity's Burden

"Daring. Delightful. Dangerous . . . Atmospheric and gorgeous. Jenny Adams weaves beautiful human characters and an incredible mystery, culminating in an impeccable whodunit."
--Nekesa Afia, author of the Harlem Renaissance series

"Adams has created a beautiful, messy, utterly believable world that is so very satisfying to sink into-a shell-shocked country where everyone is dancing as fast as they can in the hopes they can convince themselves they're not falling to pieces. You'll end up dancing right along with her pair of fractured heroes, as invested in their desperate attempt to rebuild themselves as you are in finding the killer. It's a glittery, Jazz Age cocktail of gin and champagne and blood that feels startlingly modern in the best of ways."
--Stephen Spotswood, author of the Pentecost & Parker series

"Jenny Adams wraps a compelling mystery and achingly real characters in the glamor, grit, and nuances of the 1920's."
--Kate Khavari, author of the Saffron Everleigh mysteries

"A delicious cocktail of Jazz Age thrills, serial murder, and rich people behaving badly. Toss in the sexy alliance between a traumatized World War I doctor and a burgeoning flapper, and I ask--what's not to love?"
--Kimberly G. Giarratano, author of Death of a Dancing Queen

"A stellar debut mystery! With complex and engaging characters, a suspenseful mystery, and vivid descriptions of life in Jazz Age Philadelphia, A Deadly Endeavor is a dazzling delight."
--Ashley Weaver, author of the Electra McDonnell series

About the Author

Jenny Adams has always had an overactive imagination. She turned her love of books and stories into a career as a librarian and author of novels for adults. She holds degrees in Medieval Studies and Library Science from The Ohio State University and Drexel University, and currently lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her family.