Girl in Disguise

This is a fictionalized account of the first female Pinkerton detective, Kate Warne. A widow in 1856 Chicago had few options open to her. Kate Warne has no man and no money and while there are some less savory ways for her to earn a living, she’s determined to make something of herself. The daughter of an actor, Kate has learned to portray any role necessary, and now she will present herself to Alan Pinkerton and convince him to hire her on as a Pinkerton detective. Told in the first person, readers will get a feel for who Kate was and the choices she had to make, as well as her skill and cunning in getting her man

Time seems to fly by in this book. The beginning starts by introducing Kate Warne as the first female Pinkerton detective and then suddenly it reads more like a diary than a novel. The first half was better.
Goodreads

This book was great! Based on the real first female detective with the Pinkerton Agency, little is known about her real life. This framed the story well, and I felt myself tied to the characters/ Great story and character development!

Definite and solid 4 stars!

Greer Macallister’s Girl in Disguise is a fascinating fictionalized biography of Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton detective. After reading Steven Price’s “By Gaslight”, earlier this year, it was a pleasure to re-encounter Pinkerton from another perspective.

Readers of historical fiction will delight in this Civil War era tale of spies and espionage.

The best historical fiction entertains you, while leaving you immensely curious to also research the historical facts - and "Girl in Disguise" thoroughly achieved that objective! I was enthralled throughout this book and it left me intrigued about the actual life of Kate Warne - about whom history has very little record, leaving her a woman of mystery (and how very apropos, given her occupation). Greer Macallister masterfully fills in the blanks, skillfully weaving the few known facts with a plausible and interesting plot.

The Pinkerton Agency is widely known for their pursuit of Jesse James, the Dalton Brothers and Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch. What is not commonly known is the agency hired the first female Detective-Kate Warne- in the U.S. during the mid-1850’s. The founder Allan Pinkerton immigrated to Chicago from Scotland in the early 1840’s and joined the Chicago police department and soon after opened the first Pinkerton Agency. Before reading, Girl in Disguise, I had not known about Kate, so I was delighted when I discovered this book on NetGalley.

Kate Warne is an extraordinary woman-especially someone as independent as she was in the 1800’s. During those times it was unheard of for women to do what was consider a “Man’s job”. Allan Pinkerton was hesitant-if you will-to hire her but in his knowledge of undercover work, he knew that often times it was not easy for males to gain access to the people they were pursuing. With strong intellect and determination, Kate quickly proves herself to be invaluable and gains the trust of Pinkerton.

Kate’s talent for gathering information is well displayed in this story and gives you great insight into detective work and I found this highly fascinating to read about. As the story developed further, the Pinkerton Agency flourished and you really get a sense of the characters will to fight for justice.

The second half of the story focuses on the American Civil War and the agencies role. This is where I learned some new things about the agency I had not realized before. I did find a few scenes disjointed and there is a brief romance that just seem to appear and I was not sure-at first- how that would play out in the story. In the end I believe it worked and really helped Kate’s motivation for the actions she took. I do question Kate’s ability to travel freely on her own while the war was raging and I’m not sure that was believable to me. Nonetheless it did not entirely distract me from enjoying the story.

After finishing the story, I tuned to the authors notes and I was glad I did. I developed a deeper appreciation for the story from having read it and I highly recommend that readers take the time to do so.

I have rated this story four stars and obtained a copy from the publishers through NetGalley for an honest review.

Stephanie M. Hopkins

"A good book, full of adventure, loosely based on the first female Pinkerton agent. It makes me want to read some non-fiction about the Pinkerton detective agency. I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The novel won't be released until March 2017." (Goodreads)

"When I found out there was a book written about the first female Pinkerton agent, I had to read it. Girl in Disguise is loosely based on a real woman who was the first female Pinkerton operative. This book doesn’t disappoint. I read it in just a couple of days and I’m a slow reader. It’s a fun historical novel, full of adventure. Kate Warne was hired around 1856 by Allen Pinkerton of the famous Pinkerton detective agency. As expected, a woman at that time and being the very first female agent, she has trouble being taken seriously, but proves herself an excellent agent.

I’d love to see this made into a TV show, especially since it’s a standalone novel and with the many cases Kate Warne would have worked, a series (TV or novels) makes sense (and would be fun to watch or read). I’m not big on nonfiction, especially if we’re not talking about memoirs, but this book makes me quite interested in the real Pinkerton agency, so I’ll be looking for a book about that now.

I received an eARC from NetGalley for an honest review. The book is expected to be published in March 2017." (Bookish Shelly blog)

I am recommending this book to anyone who will listen to me!!!

Chicago in 1856 is the setting for this strange yet compelling novel. 'Girl in Disguise' opens with our heroine, Kate Warne, on the trail of stolen money in order to prove that she is worthy of joining the Pinkerton's Detective Agency as their first female operative. From here, her exploits take her across America and deep into Civil War territory as she uncovers secrets and tackles crimes.

There were several real positives to this novel: it was fast paced, engaging and made me compulsively read on (to the point that I've basically ignored my family since I started it!) I didn't realise until the end that it is based on a true story, although the author admits that very little is known of the real Kate Warne since a lot of historical evidence was destroyed in an archive fire back in the 1870s. Despite this, I found the character interesting and quite well developed.

However, I did struggle with the structure of the narrative; the early part of the book seems to skim through various cases that Warne worked on with incredible haste, and several years pass in the blink of an eye. There were also lots of elements that seemed incomplete or that the author skipped over, some of which would have made interesting reading if they had been developed. When the story did finally get moving on one track, there were still some real omissions, with the supporting characters around Kate being neglected the most.

Overall, I thought that that the novel had great promise and was a page-turner, but ultimately missed key elements that might have made this a great piece of historical fiction.

I have to buy several copies of this book for family and friends who love historical fiction. This book is engrossing and well-written and the characters seem nearly moving and speaking in real life. The last third of the book cost me sleep, as an unexpected plot-twist threw my curiosity into overdrive.

I finished the book too quickly and went into a "NOW what will I read?!" moment of panic. Kate Warne is an interesting, worthy subject, and Greer Macallister is an author from which I wish to see new titles, no matter the topic.

Little may be known about the real life of the first female Pinkerton agent but Macallister draws on what agency files are available as well as historical events and social history to create a credible character and to inform us about the origins of one of the most famous names in detecting.
Worth reading if you are interested in US history, the Pinkerton agency and crime writing

This was an extremely interesting look into the life of the first female Pinkerton agent, Mrs. Kate Warne. Well-written with truly fleshed-out characters, you follow Kate through her decision to become the first female operative ("Someone HAS to be the first"), through her training, and into her professional life. Regular investigative case-work turns to war-time intelligence gathering, and there are both triumphs and tragedies aplenty.

I really enjoyed this book. Both the time-period (just pre-Civil War) and the subject matter (the Pinkerton Agency) are favorites of mine, and they are both treated very deftly here.

Highly recommended for fans of both historical crime, and kick-ass female protagonists.

When I saw that this was a fictionalized account of the life of the first female Pinkerton agent, I was immediately intrigued. Kate Warne is a character that almost nothing is known about, so much can be imagined about her life as an operative with the best detective agency in America. The book did not disappoint, I found it very engaging and lively, and Kate Warne came to life between the pages. The novel took place over several years, however the story did not lag or even seem to really skip, it was very well-paced.
If I have any critique for this book, there were a few phrases that stuck out as not compatible with the period, such as, "You really screwed this up big time," and "The game," and a few others that I found to be amateur mistakes, along with a general sense of not being true to the civil war era. There was mention of eyeliner and lip color which should have of course been called kohl or similar, the term eyeliner was not coined yet, and the real Kate Warne doubtless would not have worn these products. I felt that Tim and Kate were thrown together haphazardly, like there almost had to be a romance aspect played out when I felt it detracted from the plot of the entire novel. The real Tim was married long before he became a Pink, and by forcing a romance on Kate you're making her into a weaker version of herself. She could easily of married someone that she could have depended on for all but the more intimate parts of the marriage, and been just as strong and happy for it. Romance is not the goal for everyone's life, and as Kate Warne died unmarried, a Pink to the end, I don't think having her be a heartbroken lonely woman did her story a true service.
With that being said, it is still, fiction. Your vision is still that, your vision, and it was wonderful. I loved it very much and wish that it would have been left open to another volume in the Kate Warne Detective Series. I know she died not too much later from Pneumonia but even a trilogy of her stories would be a fun little way to empower the girls and women of today. All in all, a great read and a great host of characters that left me reading the entire book in one sitting. Thank you for the opportunity!

Perfect timing for a historical fiction that highlights a bad-ass woman, doing a man's job, and kicking ass. Oh...and it is based on the real woman. Many of us have heard of the famous Pinkerton Detective Agency, born in Chicago, and hired by presidents, railroads, and banks to recover stolen goods or track down criminals. However, did you know they hired women? Kate Warne, the main character and real-life widow, applied and was hired as the first woman detective, ultimately heading a department of women investigators. Macallister's story covers Kate's first cases, the discrimination of the men, the attempted assassination of Lincoln, and ultimately, the incredible system of Union spying the Pinkerton detectives did during the Civil War. This was an eye-opening saga into a little-known piece of American history. Yet, more than that, it is an incredibly engaging book with a stellar main character leading the charge into women's rights through her actions, her bravery, her sass, and her intelligence. This book is suitable for teens as well - no bad language, minimal sex, and an inspirational bit of history by which younger readers can be inspired. Greer Macallister knows how to write and make you turn pages; her first novel, The Magician's Lie, was a winner as well. Girl in Disguise is another hit - thanks Net Galley!

An imaginative story based on historical events based on the career of Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton detective.

I enjoyed this book and have already ordered it for my library. I think the combination of historical fiction, mystery, and a dash of feminism will entice readers.

The only thing that keeps this book from five stars for me is that the style in which it is written made me as a reader feel removed from the action at times. It felt like a memoir, written sometime in the future from the events that occur in the book. Not only did this cut down on the suspense--because I knew the author would live through the event to later write the tale--but it also led to a lack of immediacy, if that makes sense. For example, there would be scenes where we saw details of events and read dialogue and everything was presented as it happens, and then there would be a passage where the author would say something like "things continued in this manner for some time," etc. Such passages really stopped the action for me and I felt they inhibited my emotional connection with the plot and the characters. Also, I had trouble gauging the passing of time within this book.

An exciting historical novel, based on the first female Pinkerton operative in the mid 19th century. Since the author had few real documents about Kate Warne's life, the author does a fine job conjuring up what a young woman at that time faced with her male colleagues and what her job would have entailed. It was a book hard to put down..

Enjoyed reading about the Pinkertons and especially the main character. Good characters, fast read, and very interesting. Loved comments from author at the end of the book.

Girl in Disguise is a fictional tale based on the real life historical figure, Kate Warne, who was the first female Pinkerton detective. Desperate for a way to support herself, Kate answers a classified job ad she knows was meant for a man, but she convinces Allan Pinkerton to hire her, as women can go where men cannot. Naturally, some of the male operatives in the Pinkerton Agency rail against working beside a female, but eventually, most of the men come to view Kate with respect, even if they still think she's having an affair with the boss.

Most of the book recounts various cases Kate works. Two notable cases involve Abraham Lincoln; one was while he was an attorney in Springfield and then later on his trip to Washington D.C. for his inauguration. Little hints of Kate's traumatic past are sprinkled throughout until the latter quarter of the book, where Kate's history comes back to haunt her.

In reality, very little is known about Kate Warne's life, but Macallister does a fantastic job of putting the reader in the historical locales where this book takes place and tying in factual historical events to Kate's cases. Macallister also excels at imagining the small details in Kate's day to day life and the difficulties she encounters being the first female private detective. Recommended for lovers of historical fiction and/or pioneering women, as well as anyone who appreciates an author who clearly does her research. Also noteworthy is Macallister's debut novel, The Magician's Lie.

Kate Warne - I'm sure that name means nothing to you. On the other hand, you may have heard of the name Pinkerton. Today that name mostly brings to mind security services, like their armored cars. However, in the mid-19th century, Allan Pinkerton started a detective agency in Chicago, and in 1856, he hired Kate Warne as his first female detective. With the little information left about Warne and her escapades, Macallister weaves a story of intrigue and mystery in her latest historical fiction novel.

Having read Macallister's first novel "The Magician's Lie" I believed I already knew what kind of writing to expect with this novel. Mind you, sometimes a second work by an author whose debut gets quite a bit of hype, can be a disappointment. Thankfully, this was not the case with this novel. In fact, the things that prevented me from giving Macallister's first book five stars are found nowhere in this novel. There are no hints of magical realism, and the ending feels real and strong. What we do get is a impressively told story where Macallister pulls her readers into the story and leads them along just the right paths, which were exactly the things I loved about Macallister's previous book. Furthermore, Macallister once again draws a character in which we can immediately identify, and care about. That Warne was a real person must have made developing her character all the richer, even though many of the facts surrounding some of her Pinkerton cases were lost in the Chicago Fire. Of course, I assume Macallister felt something of an obligation to include those few, remaining well-documented jobs, such as the role (most historians believe) she played in assuring Abraham Lincoln reached Washington safely for his inauguration.

I've often thought that an over abundance of facts can sometimes constrict historical fiction writers and force them to incorporate too many of them in such novels. This also means that if an author takes too much poetic license with the truth, they risk the ire of purists. I'm sure then, that for Macallister in this case, the lack of facts about Warne must have been something of a blessing. She knew that Warne was a widow, but nothing about her husband. She knew that Warne wasn't unattractive, but she was hardly beautiful (from the pictures she found). Of course, she knew that Warne was a pioneer and because of that, Warne must have been exceptionally smart and fast witted. Obviously, how could Warne have been anything less to succeed as the first woman in this man's world of detecting? All this allowed Macallister to take this skeleton of facts, and add not only flesh and bones, but also a heart and a soul.

What I'm trying to say here is that this book is downright amazing, and I'm having a hard time calming my enthusiasm for this novel to write an objective review. With all those elements of the facts (and lack thereof) in place, together with Macallister's vivid imagination and compelling writing style, we get an adventure story that pulls you in and keeps you fascinated until the last word. In fact, the only thing that I found to be just the very slightest bit unlikely was when Pinkerton didn't want to use Warne as a spy during the Civil War. However, I am willing to overlook this, since it is possible Macallister added that to make Pinkerton look selfish and overprotective. Furthermore, Macallister gives us a character study that is undeniably realistic, containing all of Warne's most incredible qualities, while building her into a woman who is at the same time imperfect and vulnerable. It should therefore be no surprise that I'm giving this novel a full five stars (watch for this one to be included in my "best of 2017" list), and highly recommend it.

I found this to be a pretty interesting book. I had never heard about a Pinkerton saving the life of President Lincoln and while I was reading it, I wondered if it was fact or fiction. It's too bad that we lost a lot of information about the first Pinkerton woman during the big Chicago fire.

It sounds like her life was pretty interesting. I'm not sure that I could have done that. There were some pretty mean characters that she associated with. And those characters didn't really care about whether they shot you or not.

Kate Warne sounded like a pretty feisty character and not someone I would really like to meet in a dark alley or to be on her hit list. I know because of the fire, the author was able to find enough evidence to find out that Ms. Warne was one heck of a spitfire.

I immensely enjoyed reading this book and to know that this was a real woman and a real pioneer for women's rights. Thanks to Sourcebook Landmark for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this book, the writing is amazing and I love historical novels based on real people. Kate Warner is a great protagonist and she lived during a fascinating period of American history. I really enjoyed reading about the first female spy/detective and her contributions to the civil war.

Like some of the other reviewers, I wouldn't have minded more details on the various cases, but getting an overview over most of Kate Warne's career was still really interesting.

Told in the first person, this book is the tale of the first female detective of the Pinkerton Agency, Kate Warne. Amazingly enough she actually existed although so little was known about her that her name was misspelled on her tombstone. The author has done a great job of creating a fully developed character to describe the experience of breaking through a male-only profession that barely existed at the time. She comes across as somewhat hard-boiled, like early detectives, in the first half of the book, as she learns her new trade. The investigations are interesting as is the time and place, Chicago in the late 1850s. With the rising hostilities of the Civil War, the book really takes off and our heroine becomes much more engaging in traveling through the South. I couldn't put the book down and was fascinated by her activities. She went from detective to spy in the blink of an eye. For fans of historical fiction, this is one great book. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

What a fabulous read. I read it in one sitting. I just couldn't put it down. I have never delved into Pinkerton history, so to spend a few hours learning something new and in such an entertaining way was delightful. And meeting Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton detective was an absolute pleasure. I really grew to adore her. She was spunky and brave and I am in awe of her.

I also felt their were some very timely themes in this book, as it delves into Lincoln and the Civil War. I must say I felt there were a lot of parallels to our own history right now. And there were some allusions to Women's Rights and the fight that is still being waged on that front today. Very interesting to see how some things have changed, but so many things have not. Sadly.

Mostly though this book was a very entertaining, very awesome look at an amazing woman and I highly recommend it to anyone who would enjoy a bit of historical fiction, a tiny bit of romance, and a fascinating look at the Pinkerton Agency and its first woman detective. I loved every moment I spent in these pages.

Girl in Disguise tells the fictionalized story of Kate Warne who, in real life, was the first female detective ever. Specifically working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency based in Chicago. Kate's cases will take her from the streets of Chicago rooting out bank thieves and disgruntled employees, to a spy for the Union during the Civil War, even going so far as to play a prominent role in thwarting a plot to assassinate President Lincoln before he could be sworn into office.

But underneath the intrigue and adventure of being a detective, Kate still has to prove and establish herself constantly within a field seen fit by many for only men. The fact that Kate digs her own niche in the detective community is praise-worthy in its own right, but that she becomes so successful at it and not because of the men she works with but because of her own intelligence and cunning is truly inspiring.

I loved hearing about this largely unknown historical figure. I wish there was more actual information out there about her, but I like what Greer Macallister has given Kate Warne with her story. The seeds of truth are in there even though the book is categorized as historical fiction.

I think as to be expected given the subject matter, Girl in Disguise moved along at a swift pace. Kate's life was such that often she was required to pack at a moment's notice and be on the move. There was very little down time, and so the story didn't get bogged down with too many slow moments. There were times, however, when Kate would question her life and her choices. The job of a detective required Kate to take on differing personas, and as she stated, often outright lie to people. Create long and detailed histories for the people she had to be in order to find the information she needed to close a case. Kate finds herself actually losing herself. She doesn't know where the real Kate begins at times and / or where the lie ends. She had a rather lonely life, and heartbreaking. Sometimes, as with all of us, it got to be too much, but Kate would never let it get her down for long because in the end, she absolutely loved her job and the good she brought because of it.

That's not to say Kate didn't form any meaningful or lasting relationships. Greer Macallister certainly paints the story to include Kate forming bonds with some, albeit not all, of her fellow detectives, and she even goes on to head up the Female Detective leg of the agency. Kate had quite the colorful and rewarding life. For me, the parts the revolved around the Civil War were the most interesting. I liked seeing things from a different side, meaning seeing things from the side of a spy, who is not out on the battlefront but is in just as much danger.

Overall, I really enjoyed Girl in Disguise. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good historical fiction. And if you're someone who, in the past hasn't really liked reading historical fiction, I'd say Girl in Disguise is just the type of story to change your mind.

My intrigue in this book began with the cover. it stopped me in my tracks. The font, the coloring, the imagery is captivating. Even without knowing anything else about the book I knew I needed to read it. Then, of course, when I saw the premise (the first female Pinkerton agent), this book flew to the top of my to-read list, and I'm so glad I was able to spend some time with Kate Warne. As I soon learned as I flew through the pages -- the pacing of the novel is very quick, which I love -- she was a remarkable woman: strong-willed, independent, clever (in both mind and tongue), and a trailblazer. I enjoyed the role other women played in the book as well, seeing a few names pop up from Karen Abbott's Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy, a nonfiction book set during the Civil War that I really enjoyed. All in all, a highly enjoyable book that I'd recommend to all historical fiction fans.

Thanks SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and netgalley for this ARC.

Girl Power! Getting to know a early female detective and the Pinkertons makes for exciting, adventurous, and memorable reading.

I could see this becoming a TV series - something between Turn & Alias. Very nice historical fiction.

I love reading historical fiction. I think reading this book now is very timely as it is Women's Month.

Kate Warne, protagonist, widow, confident and has strong personality who became the first female detective at Pinkerton National Detective Agency. She needs to prove herself that she qualifies as a detective. The story goes how Kate disguises and use it to gather information nd solve cases.

Set in 18th century when women experience stereotype and treated unfairly. Below are some quotes from the book that proves that situation:

"Women are too delicate to do what our position requires. You might skate by for a while, but there will be a reckoning. When the day comes and you're called to perform an extraordinary task, you'll find yourself unable."

"To the world, being a wife meant being a mother, which meant leaving the work."

As for my review, I was hooked in the "Blue Eyes" chapter. I do had a feeling that Tim is Kate's partner here. I am also expecting a lot of banters between the two but I was disappointed that they does not interact much because of their own assignments. However, I did not expect how they develop their feelings for each other. And I must say that it is my favorite part of the book. The pretense became real. The touch became real. The feelings became real. They were a lovely couple.

The turn of events were not exciting, at first. But when Kate and other operatives became spies, it was exhilarating! How they observed and moved without anyone noticing them... that's breath-taking! Their actions were smooth and no one even suspects Kate! Further, I did not expect Mortenson's role and that made me scream! I was devastated of what happened to Tim.

I was also shocked to know DeFrost's preference! Well, I really did not expect that as it set in 18th century. But I think it's great that Ms. Greer Macallister include a character that represents LGBT because I believe that we need more diverse books and I think, somehow, this one is a diverse book.

Moreover, I think it was amazing to include Abraham Lincoln, George McClellan, and Ward Hill Lamon in the story and how they became associated with Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Most the scenes and characters were base from facts and I like that as I really learned a lot from the history!

I would like to commend Ms. Greer Macallister, as how she write in details that important scenes. Further, I love how she grabbed the opportunity for the "freedom to imagine Kate Warne". For me, this books represents women empowerment because Kate Warne is the first female detective and Ms. Greer described how a woman can change the history.

When I was a child, I dreamt of becoming a detective but I know that it is impossible and realized how dangerous it is as a detective. It will also take a lot of patience, courage, and strong-willed to become an operative.

Kate Warne is widowed and jobless in 1856. She reads an ad for operatives being hired for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. She becomes the first female operative in an agency full of men. They do not make it easy for her in the work environment, but she is strong and determined. The chapters are stories of cases that she handles. This is a good historical fiction with a strong female lead. I enjoyed it very much.

Girl in Disguise by Greer Macallister is based on the real life of the first female Pinkerton agent, Kate Warne. It is 1856 in Chicago, Illinois and Kate Warne needs a job. She is a widow with little in the way of funds. In response to an advertisement, Kate arrives at the offices of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Kate is interviewed by Allan Pinkerton who states that they do not hire women. She asks him for an opportunity to prove her worth by solving a case. If she can close the investigation, Kate will get a position. Pinkerton agrees and gives her an opportunity to recover money stolen from First Eagle Savings Bank. With a little assistance, Kate is successful and gets her position as the first female Pinkerton agent. Unfortunately, her fellow agents are not as welcoming as Allan Pinkerton. Kate sets out to learn the skills she needs to be a successful agent and prove to the men that she is an asset. We get to follow Kate as she learns her craft and shows how valuable female agents can be to the agency. Kate is so successful that Pinkerton needs to start a Female Bureau of Detectives, and he wishes Kate to head it. This is a great opportunity for Kate, and she embraces the challenge. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Kate feels her services are more valuable in the field. Kate’s skills could prove vital to the country during this time of upheaval. But life is not all rosy for Kate. Pick up a copy of Girl in Disguise to find out what happens to Kate Warne.

Girl in Disguise is a slow starter, but it gets better the further I got into the story. The novel is nicely written, and I did find it appealing. I wish, though, that the author had focused on Kate’s joining the Pinkerton agency and maybe one or two cases. Kate’s life would have made a great series. Each book could have focused on a new case. The novel starts in 1856 and takes us through the end of the Civil War. I was dissatisfied with the romance portion of the book and how it affected Kate. It just did not seem to go with her personality or behavior prior to this point. I give Girl in Disguise 4 out of 5 stars. The book, in a way, reminds me of a biography. But it lacked the depth you would find in one. We do not get enough details on Kate and her life as an agent. It is a superficial overview. I would have loved more details especially when she first started out as an agent. It is supposed to be a fictionalized account, so I wish the author had pushed it a little further. The ending was a bit of a letdown. It would have been nice if the author had included an epilogue showcasing the end of Kate Warne’s life. I am interested in finding out more information about Kate Warne and her life. I know that little information on Kate and her activities survived the Chicago Fire of 1871, but I hope to find more details than were available in Girl in Disguise. If you enjoy reading historical novels, check out Girl in Disguise.

Does the name Kate Warne mean anything to you? How about Rose Greenhow? Or Elizabeth Van Lew? Given some context (the American Civil War era), I recognized the latter two names as spies, but I had not heard of Kate Warne until I read GIRL IN DISGUISE by Greer Macallister. This work of historical fiction is set in a favorite time period for me and describes the adventures of Warne, who was the first female detective operative for Allan Pinkerton.

Readers will also recognize other historical figures, particularly Abraham Lincoln who Warne helped protect from an assassination attempt prior to his inauguration. GIRL IN DISGUISE is a mostly fun mystery read, with a series of cases described and solved. It becomes more serious as the war evolves and danger increases as the cases turn to protecting military secrets and therefore saving many lives. Chicago of the 1850's and 1860's also features in the story; Warne seems to have considered it home and is in fact buried in the Pinkerton family plot in Chicago’s Graceland Cemetery. Library Journal called GIRL IN DISGUISE a "stellar historical novel featuring a fierce female lead." Similar titles would be Seneca Falls Inheritance by Miriam Grace Monfredo or Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart.

Links in the live post:
https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2015/03/celebrating-womens-history-americas-first-female-p-i/ AND
https://www.amazon.com/Seneca-Falls-Inheritance-Miriam-Monfredo/dp/0425144658/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490462172&sr=1-2&keywords=Glynis+Tryon AND
http://treviansbookit.blogspot.com/2015/09/a-mixture-of-mysteries_78.html

Provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

I though this was a really well written novel. I know next to nothing about Kate Warne and the only thing I know about the Pinkerton Agency is that they were spies.

The author draws you straight into Kate's life and trials and tribulations and from there it's a complete journey. As a woman you understand what she has to do to prove herself worthy of being a Pinkerton operative. As a reader, it was engrossing to be seeing things through her eyes and wondering what you would do in the same situation. Kate is inventive and very good at being an operative.

Throughly enjoyed this book and I'm glad to see this is actually the authors second novel. Off to get the first.

The subject of this fictionalized biography would be downright offended at its title. By the time this book begins in the mid-1850s, Kate is a woman whose illusions seem to have been stripped away long ago. She’s also a widow.

“Girl” doesn’t fit her at all, and she wouldn’t want it to. What she wants, at least as she is portrayed in this book, is to be treated as an equal. The equal of any man in the Pinkerton Agency. And it’s a hard-knock fight every single step of the way.

Kate Warne was a real person. Admittedly, a real person about whom not very much at all is known. Which makes her a great character on which to hang a work of historical fiction. Particularly since what is known about Kate Warne is the stuff of fiction to begin with.

Kate was the first female Pinkerton agent. Hired in 1856, she was one of the first, if not the first, female detectives in the world. No one expected her to succeed. No one even expected her to apply. There was no such thing as female detectives or female police officers when Kate Warne answered Allan Pinkerton’s “Help Wanted” advertisement for new agents.

But as she says, “Someone has to be first.”

Her life, what little we know of it, is the stuff of legends. Most of the information about her real career was kept in the Pinkerton office in Chicago. And most of it was wiped out in the Great Chicago Fire. (Mrs. O’Leary’s cow has a LOT to answer for)

One of the things that is known, and that made her fame, was her part in spiriting then-President-Elect Abraham Lincoln through a risky Baltimore night ride on his way to his inauguration – and his subsequent date with history. Without Warne, the history of the U.S. as we know it might have been far different.

But this book is a fictionalized version of her life, stitching together what little is known about her, with considerably more that it known about the Pinkerton’s in general and their work during the Civil War in particular, and making a fascinating story out of it, without descending into rank sensationalism or outright melodrama, at least until the very end.

Kate Warne lived a brief but fascinating life. I wish history had left us more details of her adventures. But if they were even half as hair-raising as this story, her candle must have burned very bright indeed.

Escape Rating B: I left myself plenty of time to read this one, because while I was very interested in the subject, I was a bit unsure about the author. As much as so many people loved The Magician’s Lie, when I gave it a try I couldn’t get into it at all. But Girl in Disguise grabbed me from the first page.

I think that had to do with Kate’s voice. The book is written in first-person singular, so throughout the story we are always in Kate’s head. It’s a fascinating place to be. While the circumstances of Kate’s life are particular to her time and place, so many of her thoughts seem universal to working women.

She wants to be considered as a professional, on an equal basis to the men in the agency. She never trades on her feminine wiles, and has nothing but professional relationships with all of the male Pinkerton’s, particularly including Allan Pinkerton himself. As portrayed in the book, the relationship between them was strictly professional from beginning to end. He mentored her and trusted her in a way that would have raised no eyebrows if she had been a man, but because she was a woman she constantly battled rumors that they were having an affair – rumors that persist to the present day in spite of a complete lack of evidence either then or now. It was simply assumed that a woman could not possibly be hired or trusted on her own merits.

Until the end, Kate is in love with her job, and as so many of us do, sacrifices most of her life to the pursuit of her work. But Kate isn’t the only one. As one of the male agents comments, none of them have personal lives, with the exception of Pinkerton himself. They are on the road too much, and they must keep way too many secrets. No spouse, male or female, is willing to tolerate that kind of treatment for very long.

What made Kate so relatable, at least for this reader, is just how dispassionate she is about her own life. She’s not given to flights of either hyperbole or fancy, at least in the privacy of her own head. This is who she is, this is what she does, this is what it costs her. She’s a heroine, but she never sees herself that way. She’s a woman doing a job that challenges her in ways that she can’t find anyplace else, and that she absolutely loves. She’s doing what she was born to.

There is historic evidence that Kate was part of the team that kept Lincoln alive on his way to his inauguration. Many of the other cases in the book where she is involved are based on real Pinkerton cases, even if Kate’s specific involvement is not known, and a few have been combined for dramatic license.

I really enjoyed the perspective of Kate the professional woman, both her triumphs and her many and frequent qualms about whether the ends justified the means. She has a lot to live with, and sometimes, quite reasonably so, she has second, third and fourth thoughts.

As a reader, I wish that her dispassion had not failed her in the last quarter of the book. I very much enjoyed reading about Kate in love with her work, and the details of that work as the Civil War heated up. I was less enthralled when Kate fell in love with a fellow agent. At that point the melodrama swept in.

But all in all, Girl in Disguise is a fascinating portrait of an unsung heroine – Kate Warne, the first female “private eye”.

Turns out not much is known about Kate Warne, The Pinkerton Agency’s first female operative, but that doesn’t stop author Greer Macallister from writing a compelling tale about a woman and the love of her job.

I was expecting Girl in Disguise to unfold a bit different than it did. I was expecting to read about an unusual woman with a penchant for solving crimes and perhaps be treated to a single mystery with a bit of backstory about Mrs. Warne. The story took on a bit of a different shape connecting several different cases together while building Kate’s character and showing her dedication to her job and her country. It was a pleasant surprise.

Kate ranks right up there, in my mind, with Alexandra Bergson from Willa Cather’s O! Pioneers. A woman willing to deny herself simple pleasures in an effort to survive, overcoming life’s obstacles to find a rewarding self-made life beyond those struggles. I admired Kate’s tenacity and ingenuity. I do wish that many of the case files from Mrs. Warne’s days with The Agency hadn’t been lost in Chicago’s Great Fire as her story is certainly one I wouldn’t mind reading more about.

I have to hand it to Ms. Macallister for taking a few scant details and introducing me to a new historical heroine to admire. Her compelling story gives strength and encouragement in the darkest known part of American history to date.

A fun read! I liked Kate Warne from the first page! Ms. Macallister tells a good story of a character that I never knew about! Congrats and thanks for bringing her story to us in such a fun way!

This was a well written, fun to read historical fiction book. I liked the strong female character and her antics.

Girl in Disguise
Greer Macallister
Sourcebooks Landmark, March 2017
ISBN 978-1-4926-3522-2
Hardcover

From the publisher—

Inspired by the real story of investigator Kate Warne, this spirited novel follows the detective’s rise during one of the nation’s times of crisis, bringing to life a fiercely independent woman whose forgotten triumphs helped sway the fate of the country.

With no money and no husband, Kate Warne finds herself with few choices. The streets of 1856 Chicago offer a desperate widow mostly trouble and ruin―unless that widow has a knack for manipulation and an unusually quick mind. In a bold move that no other woman has tried, Kate convinces the legendary Allan Pinkerton to hire her as a detective.

Battling criminals and coworkers alike, Kate immerses herself in the dangerous life of an operative, winning the right to tackle some of the agency’s toughest investigations. But is the woman she’s becoming―capable of any and all lies, swapping identities like dresses―the true Kate? Or has the real disguise been the good girl she always thought she was?

Kate Warne really was the first female detective with the Pinkerton Agency, a woman far ahead of her time and with prodigious abilities; you can read more about her here. Ms. Macallister now offers a fictional account of this endlessly fascinating woman and brings Kate to life for us.

Kate’s adventures don’t seem all that exciting, on the surface, until you remind yourself she was a 23-year-old female doing a traditionally man’s job in 1856. To say she had to overcome some gender-based obstacles would be an understatement but she proved her worth and validated Allan Pinkerton’s decision to give her a chance. In effect, Kate broke the glass ceiling for all the women detectives who followed her.

The reader looking for a typical mystery won’t find it here because there’s no particular case to be solved. Rather, this is a lively recounting of a private detective’s adventures, made more interesting by the times and the excitement of being a Pinkerton.

The fun of this book lies in all the detective stuff we fell in love with as children—codes, deception, disguises and general shenanigans along with derring-do—and the tale is told by Kate herself, giving it a taste of reality as it existed in the mid-nineteenth century, especially during the Civil War. Ms. Macallister doesn’t fill the pages with thrills and chills but, considering how little is known about this captivating woman, she gives Kate a real presence.

Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, March 2017.

Fascinating story of the first female Pinkerton operative Kate Warne. Smart, resourceful, quick witted, with no qualms about functioning in a man's world among some very unsavory characters. A really fun,
Interesting read.

Was so intrigued and excited to read a true story about the first female Pinkerton detective.

So well written; however, I felt that it was overshadowed by the fact that this would have been even more fantastic if the story line was just left to just Kate Warne and not involve a romance. Sigh. The amount of work it would have taken a woman to become a detective in that time period was astronomical and giving that away to a romance and to a man made me lose interest.

Overall, I read this book in less than a day-really enjoyed the writing and how fast paced it was, and would love to check out more from the author.

I would like to thank Greer Macallister and SOURCEBOOKS for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

Book Review
Girl in Disguise

by Greer Macallister
Pub Date 21 Mar 2017          

This was a cute little detective book. I found a few similarities with Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels. A woman in a tight spot decides to pursue work at a detective agency, her gender is held against her, especially in the Civil War times the book is set in. She actually turns out to be successful because it is unexpected that a woman would gather intelligence. She tries to use her skills to help the north during the Civil War.. working to keep Lincoln safe and gathering information on visits to the South. I wasn't thrilled with how her romantic interest turned out, I really wanted something good for her, and that soured the ending for me. I reached the end of the book to find that the book was based on an actual woman. I wish I had known that at the beginning, because it made the read all the more enjoyable. 4 stars

Kate Warne finds an ad in the newspaper from the Pinkerton National Detective Agency looking to hire a new detective.  Kate jumps at the opportunity, but Allen Pinkerton is reluctant to hire her. She convinces him that being a women would be an asset for his agency rather than a liability.

Kate says, “Sir, here is the crux of it. Women can go places men are not welcome. They can win the trust of other women, the wives and companions to whom the criminals have confided their crimes. They can travel in genteel circles to insinuate  themselves with seeming gentleman. I’m certain the men who work for you have many talents, but there is one thing none of them can do: be a women.”

I love that Greer Macallister has used a real person to build her story around. Kate Warne really existed and was the first female detective hired, at the Pinkerton Agency. I really enjoyed reading about the many real-life events that Kate was actually involved in while working at the agency. While reading the first several chapters of the book, I felt like I was watching an old movie from the earlier 1900’s. After a while I felt like the story dragged a little and got a bit redundant, but by the time I reached the halfway point things started to really pick up. I became completely immersed in the second half and couldn’t read fast enough to find out what happens.

I had never heard of Kate Warne, and according to Greer Macallister much about her is unknown, but what is known is quite amazing. She even played a key role in history, while working undercover, to try and protect a US president. You’ll just have to read the book to find out more about that!

Thank you NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Greer Macallister for an opportunity to read and give my honest opinion about this book.