Death on the Homefront

Starred review from October 19, 2020
Set in Chicago in the spring of 1917 as the U.S. prepares to enter WWI, McNamara’s outstanding eighth Emily Cabot mystery (after 2018’s Death at the Selig Studios) finds Emily now 47 and her three children grown up: John, her eldest, is studying medicine; her youngest, Tommy, works at City Hall; and daughter Lizzie is engaged to the scion of one of Chicago’s elite families. When a childhood friend of Lizzie’s is murdered, the police are quick to arrest a German waiter. Lizzie begs her amateur sleuth mother to find the real culprit. Notable Chicagoans of the day, including sociologist Jane Addams and lawyer Clarence Darrow, fit smoothly into the action. The narrative explores themes that will resonate with readers—notably, jingoism masquerading as patriotism and the gulf between the entitled rich and the dispensable poor. McNamara packs in fascinating and edifying period details while never losing sight of the riveting mystery plot. Historical fiction fans won’t want to miss this one.