The first American cannery was opened in 1812. By the 1880s, the U.S. Department of Agriculture was investigating unlabeled additives and and fake products. The USDA began formal inspections of canneries in 1906 with the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act (also known as the Wiley Act) and the Federal Meat Inspection Act. These groundbreaking laws were largely prompted by public outrage following the publication of Upton Sinclair's novel "The Jungle," which exposed unsanitary conditions in the meat-packing industry.

This story is set in 1912, one hundred years after the first US cannery, and in the shadow of the "Poison Squad" concerns. Margot Baxter Herriman, the heiress to (fictional) B&H Foods, founded by her grandparents, is highly competent but limited by societal expectations of women in business. The suspicious death of her father's long-time personal assistant, found in the B&H accountant's office with a half-written confessional note about "a situation at B&H. People got sick. Some died" spurs Margot to partner with budding private investigator Loretta (Rett) Mancini to find and expose the truth. Avoiding spoilers, the resolution both is and isn't what one might suppose at the outset.

Margot's character is relatable and her personal development through her relationships with other women is believable. The dialogue and scene descriptions are suggest a TV series screenplay--one can imagine the sounds of the metalworks, the rain on the Cadillac's roof as she ponders next steps. Third-person narration shifts between Margot's and Rett's perspectives keeps the story fresh, and lets us learn more about the characters with a light touch throughout the book. I also appreciated the sensitive and normalized presentation of LGBT relationships.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC in return for honest feedback.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Net Galley and St.Martins press for access to this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
This was so such a good cozy mystery. Set in the early 1900s it really touched on problems that women faced in leadership positions at the time. I enjoyed learning more about that aspect as well as following the mystery it reminded me of a good Agatha Christie novel, very engaging and kept me on my toes throughout. Would definitely recommend.

Set near the turn of the century, which not that many books are, was interesting in and of itself. The main character, Margot, is a strong woman, left in charge of the family business after her father passes away. Several unsavory things happen which cause her to hire a detective, also a woman, to help solve. They share the case, each turning up pieces of the puzzle. Cathy Pegau's descriptions make you feel as if you are actually bouncing along the rugged New York City streets in an open air car with only a windscreen and goggles as protection. There are romantic encounters, which bring another dimension to the story.

I think the title suits the book well and I love the cover too.

3.5 as I felt not all the characters were as well developed as they could have been

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur for my ARC in exchange for my feedback.

A Murderous Business was a really fun mystery to read. It’s set in 1912 in New York, and the setting is so beautifully vivid you feel you can touch it. There was obvious dedication to historical accuracy, and it made the world thoroughly encompassing. The attention to detail also made the detective work all that much more impressive. It also had great pacing, keeping the investigation realistic and thrilling at the same time with enough twists and turns to keep you constantly guessing without becoming confusing or disorienting.

What I enjoyed the most were the characters. They were realistic and very loveable. Most of the main characters are LGBTQIA+, and they’re wonderful representation of the community in a time where they could not live openly. In the end, I was wishing the book was longer, with more time to explore these characters’ relationships and lives. Even if it had slowed down the narrative, I would have loved more glimpses into their day-to-day habits and behavior without an ongoing crisis.

This is the first title I’ve read from Cathy Pegau, but I will definitely be seeking out more after this. She’s released a number of other novels before this in a variety of settings and genres, so that gives me a whole list of titles to add to my TBR! I recommend grabbing this one when it’s available September 16th, and you can pre-order now to make sure you get your hands on a copy.

Set in 1912, just after the Titanic tragedy, this historical fiction/mystery combines intrigue with empowering female characters.

Margot Harriman inherits her late father’s canning business, but when his retired assistant is found dead, she uncovers a trail of secrets and shady dealings. As a woman in a male-dominated world, Margot faces societal barriers but is determined to keep the business running.

The plot isn’t complex, and the characters are charming, with a tender, forbidden lesbian romance that adds depth while highlighting the struggles of LGBTQ individuals in that era. Fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy this quick, refreshing read—LGBTQ readers and allies alike will appreciate the mix of mystery, empowerment, and love.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

There can be a blurry line between what is ethical and what is legal.



The year is 1912 and Margot has just taken over for her father at B&H Foods, the company they own. She is one determined lady.

When she finds her father’s old, retired assistant dead in the office chair with a note confessing to all sorts of things. Margot is shook and will need to get to the bottom of this before her company is no more.

Margot seeks out Rett, who has also taken over her father’s business. An investigation outfit.
The two get busy and soon are targets themselves.

This one was full of surprises! And very forward for 1912, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

NetGalley/ September 16, 2024/ St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur

This mystery was great! What a wonderful thing to see queer representation in historical fiction. The characters were unique and the mystery was well thought out.

This is a new historical whodunit series that centers around Margot and Rett in the time period around the sinking of the Titanic, when women were property, basically. This is thankfully not the situation for Margot, who has recently ascended to head a thriving company, albeit only because her father died, and she fought hard to earn her position. Something rotten in the business prompts Margot to investigate, with the help of a rookie investigator (also running her father's business) and a couple of other friends/colleagues. Margot is gay and that is part of the story, very matter-of-factly, so another unconventional enhancement that would certainly be hidden in those days. I found the plot interesting and the characters admirable and spirited. I'd definitely read the next in the series to find out how these ladies evolve and grow.

A Murderous Business is the first of Cathy Pegau’s books I have read, and apparently the first in a new historical whodunit series featuring Harriman and Mancini. The former being Margot Harriman, heiress to a New York cannery fortune and enterprise (of which she has become the CEO upon her father’s death); the latter, Loretta Mancini, current receptionist and aspiring detective at her fast-fading father’s PI business. Margot and Rett also happen to be gay—about which they and their author are quite matter of fact (as they are about Margot being a young woman CEO in 1912). That alone is all quite refreshing. The two are brought together when Margot runs into a spot of trouble in her company, stumbling upon the body of a devoted long-time employee—and upon her first inclination that something untoward has been going on in her business. The scheme ends up being a little convoluted, but the point is, Margot and Rett ultimately get to the bottom of it and set the stage for more adventures

Good thing I had an afternoon off because I wound up reading this book in one sitting. I love historical mysteries where women need to overcome obstacles in a man’s world and this book doesn’t disappoint. The characters are interesting and well developed and the mystery is complex with good twists. Much like a good television pilot, this book sets a solid stage for a continuing series.

Plot: The book is set in 1912. Margaret Baxter Harriman is the CEO and heiress that inherited a company after he fathers death. She finds her fathers former assistant dead in the office, holding a note which implicates the company in some sort of wrongdoing. And, she sets her mind to investigating what happened. So, she hires a private investigator, which turns out to be a young woman in place of her father. From there she and Rhett investigate the strange circumstances and what her company has been involved in.

The good: I LOVE LOVE LOVE the time period, which is set shortly after the sinking of the Titanic. I love the period and the references to women being inferior, even just in the casual mentions of trying to run her company without the influence of a man. I love the fact that ALL of the major characters in this book are strong females, even though the book is set in 1912! I love how strong and independent and confident Ms. Harriman is and how good at investigating Rhett is. I also really loved the references, small as they may be, of the differences between 1912 and today. The references to transportation, money, entertainment were period specific and the perfect side note to the investigation.

The bad: I would not say bad exactly, but things that made it hard for me. First, the pace of the book. As with most period books, the pace is slow and consistent throughout. I know this can be hard for some reading the book, because it is not action packed. But, for me it was a peaceful read. Except, the ending felt rushed. The entire climax of the book and ending took place in the last 30 pages. That was a disappointment for me. And, the other sticking point I had was in the romantic relationships. WHY are there so many books like this that I keep picking up??? I felt there was no real purpose in either of the relationships, just as filler perhaps. But, also I felt the book would have been better without the romantic entanglements or even just limiting it to one.

Overall: I really, truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those that enjoy a detective type with a slow build and all female cast, especially if you enjoy books from other time periods.

This is what I would call a "beach read" - nothing too heavy and yet enjoyable.

Margo (shocker - a woman!) has taken over B&H Foods after her dad died. She's got an uphill battle because it's the early 20th century and women are not supposed to be the head of a business - nor should they actually work for one.

The action starts immediately when Margo finds a former employee sitting in an office chair - dead - with a mysterious note about some sort of mismanagement? misdeeds? at B&H. That's when Margo hires Rett to help turn up the wrong doings.

I thought I knew the perpetrator fairly quickly - and I was partly right. But the thrust of the book is how to tie all of these "greedy" people together when there seems to be no ties among them.

A right fun book - keeps your interest even though it's a "beach read".

This was a great mystery. Loved How Cathy Pegau had females as the main characters being in charge of a company during the historical times when females should stay at home an take care of the family. The storyline was very interesting and made it for an easy read but yet kept you into the story trying to solve the mystery.
Private detective Rett never gave up in helping Margot find out what was going on with the family business.

I want to thank NetGalley and publisher Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this new book – the first in a series with characters Margot Harriman and Loretta (Rett) Mancini.

The timeframe is 1912 when women were expected to have hobbies and be home – not the board room. Margot is the head of a canned vegetable company, B&H Foods, having taken over from her father when he passed away. It suddenly because clear to Margot that something is amiss. She’s getting threatening notes and fears she will lose everything. Someone doesn’t want them to solve the mystery and save the company.

Margot brings in Loretta to help her figure out what’s going on before it’s too late. The two make a great investigative team. The primary female characters in the book are strong, independent women who are not used to simply standing by and letting men tell them what to do. I enjoyed their tenacity and supportive behavior towards one another. The mystery unfolded nicely and kept the reader guessing.

Overall it was a nice, if simplistic, book. The plot isn’t complex and the characters are charming. For fans of cosy mysteries, you will enjoy.

I loved this historical mystery. When Margot Harriman finds her father's former assistant for her family's business dead in her office with a note addressed to Margot she hires Rett Mancini to investigate. This sets both women on an unexpected course full of danger and unexpected twists and turns. I enjoyed this story since the historical setting give an insight into what New York City was like in the past and what roles women were expected to fill and how they carved out spaces for themselves despite the limitations of the times.

There can be a blurry line between what is ethical and what is legal.

Margot Baxter Harriman took the reins of B&H Foods after her father passed. It’s not easy being a business woman in 1912, but she is determined to continue what her grandparents started decades ago, no matter what it takes.

So when Margot finds Mrs. Gilroy, her father’s former assistant, dead in the office with a half-finished note confessing to nebulous misdeeds at B&H, she seeks out help from a very discreet, private investigator to figure out what's going on. Her company, and her good name, are at stake if scandal breaks...and she could lose everything, including her freedom.

Loretta ‘Rett’ Mancini has run her father’s investigation operation since he started becoming increasingly forgetful. When Margot offers her the chance to look into the potential scandal with B&H, she jumps at the chance.

But the more the two dig in, the more it becomes clear that Margot's company may be too far lost...and someone is willing to kill them both to keep things quiet.

This was a good mystery. a great filler before diving into other books

A fun and cozy little mystery, set against a vibrant and engaging turn-of-the-century backdrop. Cathy Pegau's writing effortlessly immerses into you into the setting and offers distinct and sharp voices to its cast, and the characters are definitely the strongest part of the story for me. I would've liked just a little more tension and suspense from the mystery (it's very low stakes), and maybe a bit of a deeper exploration of the dynamics between Rett and Margot; as much as I love the casual, unashamed existence of multiple lesbians in this book, it would've been fun to delve deeper into the culture of LGBT people at the time, especially in New York. But there's so much potential for a sequel that we'll undoubtedly get a chance to do so in future books, which I'm really looking forward to off the ending alone.

"A Murderous Business" was an enjoyable mystery. Margot Harriman is the company president of B&H Foods following the death of her father. It is the early 20th century, so women in positions of power, especially in the corporate world, are rare and viewed with skepticism. Margot is confident in her abilities but knows that expectations are higher for her. Her world is turned on its side when she stops by the office on a company holiday weekend to pick up a report for a shareholder's meeting from her accountant's office and in addition to the report, she finds her father's former personal assistant, Giana Gilroy, sitting at the accountant's desk, dead, with a partially written note addressed to Margot informing her that Margot's father and Mrs. Gilroy had been involved in something at B&H that had led to people become ill or even dying, and this unidentified practice was possibly ongoing. Food safety regulations were relatively new, and people becoming ill or dying from adulterated food products made the newspaper headlines. The secret Margot's father and Mrs. Gilroy had been hiding, depending on its nature, could ruin the company if made public.

Margot needs someone discrete to make inquiries and is directed to Mancini & Associates, where she meets Loretta (Rett) Mancini. The business is operated by Rett's father, with Rett providing assistance, although what she is allowed to do is limited by her father's views on what is proper. However, her father's health is failing, and she has been keeping the business running. She is also capable of a lot more than her father realizes or is willing to admit, and solving Margot's problem is an opportunity to prove herself.

The investigation will turn up blackmail, medical fraud, business secrets, possible unsafe food/products, greed, etc. Margot will realize that people she had long known and trusted were not as trustworthy as she believed. And doing what she knows is right might cost her the company.

In addition to being an enjoyable and creative story with some pretty good twists, the book has strong female characters in Margot, Rett, and Shiloh. They are very different -- Margot is a woman of wealth with a privileged upbringing, Rett is the daughter of a former police officer but has skills that fall on the wrong side of the legal line, largely the result of her childhood friendship with Shiloh, who makes her living as a magician's assistant and who comes from a family of criminals (forgers, pickpockets, etc.). Yet, they share some similarities -- all three are lesbians (which plays a role in the storyline on several occasions), all three are confident in their abilities and themselves, and all three are somewhat unconventional.

LGBTQ readers and allies, if you love a classic whodunnit mystery, Cathy Pegua’s A Murderous Business should be your next read! Set in 1912, right after the Titanic tragedy, this historical fiction/mystery combines intrigue with empowering female characters. Margot Harriman inherits her late father's canning business, but when his retired assistant is found dead, Margot uncovers a trail of secrets. As a woman in a male-dominated world, Margot faces societal barriers, including the fact that women couldn’t even own bank accounts at the time, but she’s determined to keep the business running.

The mystery deepens when the assistant leaves a note suggesting shady dealings within the company. Margot’s investigation uncovers trust issues, and with shareholders eager to install a man to run things, she secretly hires Mancini and Associates. Along the way, a tender, forbidden lesbian romance begins to blossom, adding a personal layer to the story. Though their relationship is just beginning, it beautifully highlights the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals at the time.

This book is a refreshing, quick read with a captivating plot and strong women doing important work. As someone with two loving moms, I truly appreciated how the romance added depth while also making me reflect on how far we’ve come. It’s a compelling mix of mystery, empowerment, and love—perfect for LGBTQ readers and allies alike!

This was a really easy to digest read. I am not sure if I would pick this book up again but it was nice to read at least once. I enjoyed the queer undertones in a world set against women and the lack of rights in the community at the time. I grew up with a grandmother that loved to read mystery stories to me. I specifically remember her always looking for books that had women leads. At the time, it was a male dominated character choice for these type of mysteries. it's a nice change of pace to see these women spring to life in the book. It was fun going around New York trying to solve the case. As I mentioned, I don't think I would pick this book up again HOWEVER, if this were a series I would 100% continue to read. This has a lot of potential and I hope the author taps into that. Can't wait to see what others say about this when it is released!