The World’s Fair has introduced many new ideas to Chicago society—but can two individuals from very different backgrounds find love together? It’s mid-September 1893 and Eloisa Carstairs is the reigning debutant of Gilded Age Chicago society. To outsiders she appears to have it all. But Eloisa is living with a dark secret. Several months ago, she endured a horrible assault at the hands of Douglass Sloane, heir to one of Chicago’s wealthiest families. Fearing the loss of her reputation, Eloisa confided in only one friend. That is, until she meets Detective Sean Ryan at a high-society ball. Sean is on the fringes of the Chicago elite. Born into a poor Irish family, becoming a policeman was his best chance to ensure security. Despite social boundaries, he is enamored with Eloisa Carstairs. Sean will do anything to keep her safe—even if he can never earn her affections. Eloisa longs to feel normal again, but a killer is on the loose. In the last month, three debutants have been accosted by an assailant wielding a knife, and Eloisa fears for her safety at every event she attends. As the danger in the city increases, and as the romance between Eloisa and Sean blossoms, they both realize they want to be seen as more than how the world views them. But will they catch the killer before all their hopes come crashing down?
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Sexual Content - 1/5
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Violence - 1/5
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Language - 0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 0/5
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Summary
Deception can manifest itself in many ways; the tilt of a chin to hide one's true feelings, pretending to be a protector when in reality there is an intent to destroy, believing in the whisper of inferiority, and reticence to face one's deepest longings to demonstrate love. Chicago heiress Eloisa Carstairs struggles to feel safe after a societal acquaintance brutally assaulted her; her nightmares continue and she has spoken to no one of her experience; that is, until she meets a handsome Irish police detective on protective detail at a society ball. Sean Ryan and his partner Owen Howard are on the front lines of a frantic search through¬out the city of Chicago to locate and apprehend a serial \"slasher\"; a nefarious criminal who attacks women of society; \"marking\" them forever with the cruel slash of his knife across their face and neck. When Ryan begins to accompany \"Miss Carstairs\" on philanthropic trips to Hope House; a residence for young women and children who need refuge, they both discover that love can cross bold societal lines without hesitation. Will Ryan, an unpolished immigrant from a large, basically uneducated, but honorable family, be able to capture the heart of the beautiful Eloisa? Will Eloisa allow her self¬image to remain imprisoned within the expectations of her family? Or will it take an horrific event for the truth to set them free? This second book in Shelley Gray's \"The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series\" has a nice cadence, endearing characters and a most satisfying conclusion. Thanks goodness there is one more!
Violence: There are vague descriptions of various criminal acts.