4.5 stars

These Shallow Graves is the first book I have read by Jennifer Donnelly and I mean it when I say, it will not be the last. I loved everything about this book. The cover and the actual pages are beautiful (There’s a MAP), the characters are fantastic, and the mystery…while I guessed what was going on, I didn’t care. Donnelly created a story that yanked me in from page one and wouldn’t let me go until I finished and knew what was going to happen.

Jo Montfort comes from a well-known family and has grown up surrounded by riches and rules. As a member of the elite society of New York City, the only thing that is expected of her is that she not embarrass her family name and she marry well. The thing about Jo is she wants more than that…one of the things she wants is to be able to write – preferably a newspaper reporter like Nellie Bly.

When tragedy strikes her family, Jo is thrown into a situation she never expected to face. As she digs more and more into the death of her father, Jo is introduced to people and danger both of which would get her into a lot of trouble if her mother and uncle knew what she was up to. I loved seeing her do what she wanted to in order to find out more. I have read many books about this time in our history and every time I hear how condescending men were to women (they couldn’t possibly have a brain or want to use it for more than discussion about weather and parties) it makes me cringe and appreciate the things I am able to do.

As Jo digs, she meets a guy named Eddie. At first it was clear he saw her as an opportunity to advance at the paper but when he learns more about Jo, he finds himself drawn to her. The challenge for these two as they start to have feelings for each other, is that they are from different classes in society and definitely not allowed to do any of the things they have been up to. Both romantically as well as journalists. I liked Eddie – he has a past and as his secrets are revealed he becomes more than just the guy who will help Jo.

Coming from different classes, it was interesting to see the way they viewed each other and how they came to realize just how different they really were. From a relationship perspective, I loved seeing them realize the differences and try to figure out how they could even make their relationship work…or if they should.

There are a number of secondary characters that add to the story and I have to say, the timeframe that Donnelly set the story in was the perfect framework for this book. If you are looking for a good mystery with solid characters and a page-turning story, definitely check this book out when you can.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy!