Charity Cases — Jane Shoup

In the summer of 1888, a physician at Philadelphia's Women's Hospital, turns to attorney Cecil Lawrence to help free a former patient who has been unjustly committed to an insane asylum by her husband. Cecil seeks the assistance of Tom Kassel, a cop turned private investigator whose methods are notoriously unorthodox. Tom's intention is to give the case a few hours look-see, but the more he digs, the more lies and deception he discovers. Before long, he is determined to help the incarcerated woman, as well as find the missing sixteen year old son of her housekeeper who her husband supposedly banished. As Tom draws closer to the truth, the culprit moves toward a more permanent solution. In a tense cat and mouse game, buried secrets are unearthed, loyalties are divided and lethal consequences are unleashed.'Shoup builds excellent intrigue. The series of engrossing twists and turns will delight readers who look for the unexpected in both the mystery and characters.' - D. Donavan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review 'In the late 1800s, it was far from easy to be a woman. They were often at the mercy of their fathers and husbands, and while some were good men, many were cruel. That was the case with Louisa Heyer, a wealthy woman whose husband has committed her to an insane asylum under suspicious circumstances. It falls to Tom Kassel, a private detective, and a pair of female doctors to set her free and uncover the truth behind her husband's motives. I was swept along for a thrilling, fast-paced ride.' - Seattle Book Reviews'Jane Shoup writes well, with verve and good pacing. She differentiates the characters, particularly the three women doctors, who have different approaches to balancing work and family. Shoup's enjoyable novel presents a lively sense of life, both upstairs and downstairs, in late 19th-century Philadelphia.' -M. Wasserman, Historical Novels Review