Girl in Disguise

Kate Warne finds herself widowed, without a means of support trying to avoid ending up on the streets of 1856 Chicago.  She convinces the head of the Pinkerton Detective Agency to hire her as their first female detective, thinking it would be a good way to earn a living.  This historical fiction novel follows Kate from those first days as an apprentice detective to her varied assignments as a detective and eventually a spy during the Civil War.  An excellent read that holds surprises in every assignment Kate takes on.