about the book
The year is 1859, and tearful eleven-year-old Nell Warne has just showed up on her Aunt Kate’s doorstep. As the first female detective for legendary Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency, Aunt Kate is a very busy woman. Disinterested in a spindly little ragamuffin like Nell, Kate prepares to ship her off to an orphanage called the Home for the Friendless.
Before arrangements are made, however, Nell makes herself useful in more ways than one. Not only does she start helping out with chores around the boardinghouse where Aunt Kate lives, but she finds herself becoming a part of her aunt’s detective work as well. Nell is a quick-witted, strong listener who isn’t afraid to take action when needed. She uses these skills to get people to talk, and proves herself a simply indispensable helper to Aunt Kate.
From solving mysteries related to President Abraham Lincoln to those closer to home, the two make a great team. But their past might come between them—Aunt Kate is certain that Nell’s father caused the death of her husband. Will Nell’s upbeat attitude and spunk be able to melt Aunt Kate’s frozen heart?
about the author
Kate Hannigan was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where each day she played outside from sunup to sundown. She loved words and stories and worked on her school newspaper throughout high school. After that, she attended college to study journalism—a career that took her all over the country after graduation.
She’s lived and worked on each of the coasts, in California and South Carolina, reporting news. She’s also worked smack-dab in between the two for The Dallas Morning News in Texas. Kate encourages all young people to be sure they read the newspaper, either in paper form or online so that they can stay informed about what is happening in the world!
Eventually, Kate quit journalism and newspapers and started writing books. Some of her favorite reads include the Junie B. Jones series, The Evolution of Calpunia Tate, all poetry by Jack Prelutsky, and the Babymouse series. One of her favorite classic novels is Anne of Green Gables.
Today, she lives in Chicago with her husband, three kids, and an Australian Shepherd. She loves the food available in Chicago—some of her favorites include Indian, Lebanese, Thai, Guatemalan, and Ethiopian dishes! When she isn’t writing, she enjoys taking her dog on walks along the lakeshore or around the University of Chicago campus. She loves to pick peaches, cherries, and blueberries in Michigan, and enjoys hiking, biking and spending time on the beach with her family.
Source:
Author website
Also by Kate Hannigan:
Winter Wonders (Cupcake Cousins, Book 3). Disney-Hyperion. September 2016.
Summer Showers (Cupcake Cousins, Book 2). Disney-Hyperion. 2015.
Cupcake Cousins (Book 1). Disney-Hyperion. 2014.
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