Curious Toys

An intrepid young woman stalks a murderer who preys on young girls through turn-of-the-century Chicago, in this thrilling historical mystery. "Another brilliant mystery ... Wonderfully imaginative and richly delivered." --New York Times Book Review In the sweltering summer of 1915, Pin, the fourteen-year-old daughter of a carnival fortune-teller, dresses as a boy and joins a teenage gang that roams the famous Riverview amusement park, looking for trouble. Unbeknownst to the well-heeled city-dwellers and visitors who come to enjoy the midway, the park is also host to a ruthless killer who uses the shadows of the dark carnival attractions to conduct his crimes. When Pin sees a man enter the Hell Gate ride with a young girl, and emerge alone, she knows that something horrific has occurred. The crime will lead her to the iconic outsider artist Henry Darger, a brilliant but seemingly mad man. Together, the two navigate the seedy underbelly of a changing city to uncover a murderer few even know to look for. "Turn-of-the-century underworld Chicago comes alive in this rich, spooky, and atmospheric thriller that will appeal to fans of Henry Darger and Erik Larson alike." --Sarah McCarry, author of All Our Pretty Songs ONE OF THE YEAR'S BEST BOOKS--LitHub, Chicago Public Library, CrimeReads