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Greer Macallister
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Girl in Disguise Kindle Edition

by Greer Macallister (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 597 ratings
See all formats and editions

From the USA Today Bestselling author of The Magician's Lie

"Macallister is becoming a leading voice in strong, female-driven historical fiction. Exciting, frightening, and unspeakably moving..."—Erika Robuck, bestselling author of Hemingways's Girl

For the first daring female Pinkerton detective, respect is hard to come by, but danger and spies are everywhere.

In the tumultuous years of the Civil War, the streets of Chicago offer a woman mostly danger and ruin—unless that woman is Kate Warne. As an undercover Pinkerton detective, Kate is able to infiltrate the seedy side of the city in disguises that her fellow spies just can't manage. She's a seductress, an exotic foreign medium, a rich train passenger—all depending on the day and the robber, thief, or murderer she's been assigned to nab.

But is it only her detective work that makes her a daring spy and a clever liar? Or is the real disguise the good girl she always thought she was? As the Civil War marches closer, Kate takes on her most pressing job ever. The nation's future is at risk, and she's no longer sure where her disguise ends and the very real danger begins.

With magnificent historical detail, Girl in Disguise brings the adventures of one turn-of-the-century woman to tense, page-turning life.

Also by Greer Macallister:

The Magician's Lie

Woman 99

Previous page
  1. Print length
    338 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Sourcebooks Landmark
  5. Publication date
    March 21, 2017
  6. File size
    1546 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

Amy Stewart quote

For Kate Warne, a scrappy widow with a talent for manipulation

Being a Pinkerton detective means being a spy

Can she hang on to the truth...

when the entire nation is on the line?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"an exciting, well-crafted historical novel. Loaded with suspense and action, this is a well-told, superb story." ― Publishers Weekly, STARRED

"From the underbelly of Chicago to the front lines of the Civil War, Girl in Disguise crackles with spirit, and the trailblazing Kate Warne is a character I would follow anywhere. In Macallister’s confident hands, this novel is packed full of adventure, moxie, and heart. I dare you not to get hooked." ― Rae Meadows, author of I Will Send Rain and Mercy Train

"A celebration of a singular woman's life that's guided by facts but features some inviting imaginings." ― Kirkus Reviews

"Readers who enjoy historical events told from the point of view of an engaging character will be well-served by Girl in Disguise. Kate’s voice is fresh and compelling, and therefore, overall, this is a very well-written and enjoyable novel." ― Historical Novels Review

"Greer Macallister brings the original Miss Pinkerton roaring back to life in this electrifying tale. Girl in Disguise is a rollicking nineteenth-century thrill ride, complete with clever disguises and coded messages, foiled plots and hidden agendas, lies, indiscretion, and forbidden love. Kate Warne is a scrappy, tough-as-nails detective who did a man's job for the first time in American history. She lives and breathes again in this riveting novel." ― Amy Stewart, New York Times bestselling author of Girl Waits with Gun

"The best book I read in 2016 hasn’t been published yet. Historical fiction at its best…. a rollicking tale." ― Publishers Weekly

"With cunning, guile, and a dash of desperation, Kate Warne charms her way into the old boys’ club of a mid-19th-century Chicago detective agency and soon finds herself catapulted into a world of spies, rogues, and double-crossers. As she dons and sheds all manner of disguises, Kate discovers that she has a knack for subterfuge ― and more than that, she likes it. Inspired by a real-life story, Greer Macallister has created a fast-paced, lively tale of intrigue and deception, with a heroine at its center so appealingly complicated that she leaps off the page." ― Christina Baker Kline, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Orphan Train

"A Spunky Spy Saga....Girl in Disguise, Macallister's sophomore effort, dives into case after case, convincing the reader as well as Pinkerton that Kate is an ace detective in this dangerous man's world. Kate gets better as she goes ― and so does the book." ― NPR Books

"Macallister’s story is a rip-roaring, fast-paced treat to read, with compelling characters, twisted villains, and mounds of historical details adeptly woven into the tale of a courageous woman who loves her job more than anything or anyone else." ― Booklist

"If you love historical fiction, you’re going to devour GIRL IN DISGUISE. The time, the place, the girl – this book takes you on a thrill ride with the first female detective, making her way by pluck and luck through the seedy streets of 19th century Chicago, finding her place in a male-dominated world" ― Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue

"Girl in Disguise cleverly unearths the story of Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton detective. Fast-paced, subversive, and with rich prose, it's everything an historical mystery should be. In the end it will leave you stunned. And then you will want to read everything else Greer Macallister has ever written" ― Ariel Lawhon, author of Flight of Dreams

"Macallister is becoming a leading voice in strong, female-driven historical fiction. Exciting, frightening, and unspeakably moving, Girl in Disguise reveals what one courageous woman endures to enact justice in a nation at war, and change the course of history." ― Erika Robuck, national bestselling author of Hemingway’s Girl

"All hail a mighty woman in a man's world! Greer Macallister aims her pen at Kate Warne, the first female Pinkerton detective, and hits the mark with this rousing, action-packed adventure. A book that brings to light a commanding and little-known contribution to American history." ― Sarah McCoy, New York Times and international bestselling author of The Mapmaker’s Children

"...the balance of beautiful prose with both the hard truths of Kate's experiences and and her emotional journey turn the sketchy facts of a shadowy historical figure into a very realistic, living and breathing person. What a pleasure to learn about one such woman, especially one we know so little about, through Macallister's eloquence and artistry!" ― BookBrowse

"I was absolutely ensnared by Girl In Disguise, Greer Macallister’s unflinching investigation of what it means to be true to yourself while living a life of deception. Mysterious Kate Warne, who fought perception to become the first female Pinkerton detective, is just the kind of courageous, ingenious, fierce character I love. I could not stop turning pages as she dons disguises, tells lies, rubs shoulders with lady spies, hardened criminals, double agents, and President Lincoln, and manages to uncover the truth―not just about the crimes she investigates, but her own heart. Chock full of fascinating ripped-from-the-headlines period details and intriguing historical personages, I drank this book down in a single shot." ― Erin Lindsay McCabe, USA Today bestselling author of I Shall Be Near To You

"a sure crowd-pleaser for lovers of historical fiction and chilling plotlines." ― Library Journal

About the Author

Greer Macallister is a poet, short story writer, playwright, and novelist whose work has appeared in publications such as the North American Review, the Missouri Review, and the Messenger. Her plays have been performed at American University, where she earned her MFA in creative writing. She lives with her family in Brooklyn.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01MDOHFZY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sourcebooks Landmark (March 21, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 21, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1546 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 338 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 597 ratings

About the author

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Greer Macallister

Greer Macallister

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Raised in the Midwest, Greer Macallister earned her MFA in creative writing from American University. Her latest book, THE ARCTIC FURY, was named an Indie Next and Library Reads pick, an Amazon Best Book of the Month, and a spotlighted new release at PopSugar, Libro.fm, and Goodreads. Her debut novel THE MAGICIAN'S LIE was a USA Today bestseller, an Indie Next pick, and a Target Book Club selection. Her novels GIRL IN DISGUISE (“a rip-roaring, fast-paced treat to read” - Booklist) and WOMAN 99 (“a nail biter that makes you want to stand up and cheer” - Kate Quinn) were inspired by pioneering 19th-century private detective Kate Warne and fearless journalist Nellie Bly, respectively. A regular contributor to Writer Unboxed and the Chicago Review of Books, she lives with her family in Washington, DC.

For more on Greer Macallister, follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @theladygreer or sign up for her newsletter through her website, greermacallister.com.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
597 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Avidreader
5.0 out of 5 stars Breaking Barriers
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2017
Verified Purchase
Can you imagine being a young widow in the mid-1800s, desperate for a way to make a new life? Would you be willing to enter a world of subterfuge and deceit in order to survive? Would you seek a job heretofor only open to daring men? Kate Warne did just that by convincing Allan Pinkerton that she would be a unique asset to his burgeoning detective agency; and Greer Macallister imagines it for us, deftly weaving what little is known of the real Kate Warne with real events of the period. Using actual cases from her research into the Pinkerton files, Macallister creates a convincing portrayal of a woman who is strong and determined, clever and daring. Yet, Kate is complex, as real women are, and is sometimes vulnerable, questioning her own identity and motives. To be successful in bringing criminals to justice, she must lie and deceive, tricking others into her confidence, ultimately betraying their trust. Does this make her a bad person? What will happen to the children whose mothers she exposes as criminals or spies? How far will she go to justify the end result? Will her fellow detectives ever accept her as an equal partner? Whether playing a prostitute in a stinking Chicago bar, a charming Southern sympathizer, or Abraham Lincoln’s protector, Kate proves herself an accomplished operative; and Macallister proves herself an accomplished storyteller, taking us into the imagined life of a determined woman, rich in love of her life and her work.
Emily Blunt will be playing Kate Warne in a film produced by Dwayne Johnson. Although the movie is not based on this particular book, it's always a good idea to read the book first!
6 people found this helpful
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Tara
4.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed this novel but throughout the reading of it felt ...
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2017
Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this novel but throughout the reading of it felt something I wanted to be there wasn't. Perhaps it's a case of not as much mystery as I'd hoped for, no "whodunit-ness". I wish there had been more cases honestly, but after reading the author's note and discovering how very little data there is to find about this remarkable woman, I say she did a great job with what she had.

The novel recreates Kate Warne's life from the moment she became a Pinkerton agent. She convinces Pinkerton to hire her, the first woman agent. She learns deceit even though it bothers her at times--the jewelry store manager. It explains why rumors abounded about her and Pinkerton but doesn't make her "that woman". She battles animosity within the ranks. She falls in love. She spies for the Union.

It was intriguing and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found the writing well done too. I could visualize everything, put myself in the scene.I recommend this story to any woman who chooses that "unconventional" path. Or heck, if you've ever thought of taking that path... A true heroine and trailblazer was Kate Warne.
13 people found this helpful
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Metalsister
3.0 out of 5 stars Good but what I expected
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2017
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Love the strong main female character and thought the book would mostly be about her chasing down criminals. Was a little disappointed that the author took a left turn halfway through and added the soap opera love subplot but otherwise a nice beach read.
3 people found this helpful
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Paul A. Stankus
5.0 out of 5 stars Kate Warne -Breaking the Glass Ceiling and foiling an Assassination as the first female Pinkerton Detective
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2017
Verified Purchase
The Pinkerton Detectives-- perhaps one of the oldest and respected detective agencies. When you think of Pinkerton -- you think of the Pinkerton Men-- but there were women detectives as well-- and Kate Warne became the first to force her way into the all-male bastion. By virtue of her femininity, Kate infiltrated dangerous locations closed to men-- an embezzler's office, a kidnapper's lair, a Southern sympathizer spy network-- because who would ever suspect a woman of being a detective?
Girl in Disguise is Greer Macallister's exceptionally well-researched 2nd historical fiction female protagonist novel (The Magician's Lie being the first). Greer finely uses details to craft a narrative that dress her characters-- quite literally -- as she has a whole closet full of disguises. You feel the train sway beneath you as she travels from one dangerous assignment to the next. You empathize with her as she butts heads with her male colleagues who don't think that 'Detectiving is any place for a woman'. You hold your breath as she keeps her composure facing certain death, or even foiling the assassination of a future President in Baltimore(true story!). She was secret service, before the Secret Service existed. Just as Kate Warne won over Allan Pinkerton, Girl in Disguise will win you over as well.
I first encountered Greer Macallister's work through the Gaithersburg Book Festival in 2015, and enthusiastically read The Magician's Lie cover to cover while I awaited her next book, which she presented at the 2017 Gaithersburg Book Festival. Girl in Disguise more than equals her first book. She writes with a depth of character development (I've even seen photos of the author visiting Kate Warne's grave site in the Pinkerton plots in the Graceland Chicago Cemetery) rarely exhibited in the writings of many contemporary novelists. Girl in Disguise is worthy to add to your reading collection. You will be hearing much more from Ms. Mcallister in the years to come.
10 people found this helpful
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Robin
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable historical action adventure with engaging strong female protagonist, a treat to read.
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2017
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Historical fiction is a split genre type of story. It is at once history and fiction-the two married as one. The writer must be able to create a world from the past that engages us, and characters that we feel compelled to know better. The story must be of relevance to us today. This novel has succeeded where many fail... I believed this woman must be real. I could not be this woman, but I’ve no doubt that the real Kate Warne might have been something like her, and if not, I hope she would has liked this character. She was, as they say, a woman before her time.

I enjoyed this interesting historical action adventure mystery novel. I hope you will too.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Elfie
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story
Reviewed in Canada on May 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
I don't often write book reviews but I had to recommend this one. A fascinating novel based on the first Pinkerton lady detective. I could not put in down. I think I have now read most of this author's books and she never disappoints.
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Becky Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
Reviewed in Canada on August 29, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book moved so quick I enjoyed the pace! Kate will stay with me for a long time. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction.
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