No Job for a Lady

April 28, 2014
Set in 1886, McCleary’s solid fourth Nellie Bly mystery (after 2012’s The Formula for Murder) takes the real-life newspaper reporter from El Paso, Tex., to Teotihuacán, Mexico, on her maiden voyage outside the United States. The independent Nellie is furious that her editor has refused to let her take on a foreign correspondent assignment because it was too dangerous for a woman, so she’s decided to freelance on her own. While she has no particular story in mind, run-ins with such characters as Roger Watkins, with whom Nellie ends up chastely sharing a train compartment, and Harry “Sundance” Longabaugh, a frisky, gun-toting cowboy, guarantee that her journey will produce no shortage of newsworthy adventures. The plot meanders and lags as it moves south of the border, but Nellie’s distinctive narrative voice, very much of its time, ensures that readers keep turning the pages. Agent: Harvey Klinger, Harvey Klinger Inc.

June 1, 2014
McCleary continues her series featuring Nellie Bly, the world's first female investigative reporter. Nellie is not happy covering society stories for a Pittsburgh newspaper, but her editor refuses to let her become a foreign correspondent, arguing that it's an unsuitable job for a woman. The intrepid Nellie decides to do it on her own, using her savings to buy a train ticket to Mexico. Nellie's mother accompanies her because a woman cannot travel alone, but she becomes ill and is unable to complete the trip. Nellie finds herself on the train with Gertrude Bell, who will become a famous archaeologist; Lilly Langtry; and the Sundance Kid. Mexico in 1886 is still a wild place. Nellie finds danger in the ancient city of Teotihuacan, where an ancient cult still practices the old Aztec ways. Meanwhile, ruthless treasure hunters after Montezuma's riches will not hesitate to kill anyone who may be in their way. Readers will enjoy the adventures of this free-spirited, strong woman. The period detail and mixture of historical and fictional characters provide additional appeal. Those who enjoy Victoria Thompson's Gaslight mysteries will be pleased with Nellie Bly.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)