From the back cover of the paperback edition (copyright (c) 2004 Berkley Prime Crime, a division of Penguin Group, Inc.):

Living in the Gilded Age of 1868 Boston, young Irish immigrant Nell Sweeney may not have much, but she does possess both a keen mind and a brave heart. As governess to the wealthy Hewitt family, she finds plenty of opportunities to use both--especially when the seamy side of society shows itself...

The lowborn Fallons haven't come to the Hewitt household for a handout, they'e come for help--the kind of help only Nell Sweeney can give. Their wayward daughter, Bridget, is missing, and they don't know whether she's gone off with her brute of a boyfriend or if she's met a bad end. Now, as Nell traces Bridget's path through the dangerous backalley parts of town, she finds herself caught in a scandalous scheme of lies and money, and what she knows may just be the death of her.

"Former pickpocket Nell Sweeney reinvented herself and found a position as governess to wealthy Viola Hewitt's daughter Grace. When Viola needs help locating two missing people, she turns to Nell. Working with Viola's son Will, an opium addict who knows his way around the back alleys and gambling dens, Nell finds the two murdered, and all evidence points to Will's brother Harry as the killer. While attempting to clear Harry's name, Nell and Will walk straight into the villain's lair. Ryan creates characters you care about and a plot that holds your interest as you try to unmask the killer. Lively and intriguing, this is a fast-paced, wonderful read." Romantic Times BookReviews

 "Nell is one of the strongest, most honorable, and dearest heroines to grace the pages of an amateur sleuth novel....P.B. Ryan knows how to write a tale that will grip and keep readers' interest throughout the novel." Midwest Book Reviews

 "I love this series. After finishing the book, I had to go back and re-read scenes and I even pulled out the first book to re-read much of Nell and Will's many conversations again." Babbling Book Reviews

 "The saga style of Catherine Cookson meets the 'Victorian vices' world of Anne Perry in this popular whodunit. Much thought and research has gone into making the two faces of mid 19th century Boston come to life, whether the gilded world of the Hewitts or the grubby back streets of the underworld." MyShelf.com

 "Ms. Ryan excels in her ability to show her characters' complexities....Add the rich historical detail and readers have an excellent historical mystery with an intriguing heroine." The Best Reviews

 "Nell is an interesting and unique character....The mystery itself is done quite well, with clues pointing to various suspects, and an unexpected resolution....I hope to see much more of Nell in future books." The Romance Reader's Connection