Pearls and Poison

Newly minted Pinkerton agent Rose Gallagher takes on her first solo investigation in Gilded Age New York, where a string of suspicious deaths and stolen jewels on Pearl Street leads her into a world of supernatural intrigue. Without her trusted partner Thomas at her side, Rose must navigate high-society séances, dubious psychics, and a killer whose motives grow darker with each new clue. When the danger closes in on the people she loves most, the case stops being just professional.

Barrie Kreinik brings warmth and sharp intelligence to Rose, calibrating the character's vulnerability and determination with a naturalistic ease that rewards sustained listening. The period atmosphere translates beautifully to audio: gaslit drawing rooms, crowded Manhattan streets, and parlor theatrics all register vividly through Kreinik's measured pacing. At nearly eleven hours, the story moves with confidence, sustaining tension across a plot that balances genuine mystery with character-driven emotion. A strong entry for fans of historical detective fiction.