02/09/2015
In the summer of 1859, a recently orphaned girl named Nell is left with her Aunt Kitty in Chicago, her sole living relative. Less than keen on caring for a “gangly urchin,” Kitty immediately begins looking for other living arrangements for 11-year-old Nell (she also blames Nell’s father for her own husband’s death). But Aunt Kitty relents after Nell foils a pickpocket, and Nell begins to help out at the boardinghouse where Aunt Kitty lives, as well as with Aunt Kitty’s work. And what a job it is: Kitty is a detective for Pinkerton’s National Detective Agency (the character is based on Kate Warne, the first female detective in the U.S.). As Kitty and Nell root out thieves and murderers, Nell exchanges letters with her best friend Jessa, whose family used the Underground Railroad to escape slave hunters. Hannigan (Cupcake Cousins) makes skillful use of period details, bringing the novel’s threads together in a nail-biting conclusion. Nell is a fearless, no-nonsense heroine, and her dry-witted narration drives this rollicking historical escapade. Ages 8–12. Agent: Jennifer Mattson, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Apr.)

A Booklist Editors' Choice
A Chicago Public Library Best Book
A Nerdy Book Club Award Winner
A Bank Street College Best Children's Book
An SCBWI Golden Kite Winner
An ALA Amelia Bloomer Project List for Feminist Books Selection
A Mighty Girl Top Books for Tweens and Teens Pick

* "Accessible and captivating...With skilled writing that conveys the excitement of detective work, the appeal of history, and Nell's authentic, good-humored personal growth, this is one for the ages."—The Bulletin (starred review)

* "Hannigan keeps a strong narrative hand on the several stories she has going on simultaneously: the mysteries surrounding the deaths of Nell's father and uncle; Nell's correspondence with her best friend, who traveled the Underground Railroad to safety in Canada; and several Pinkerton adventures that involve chicanery, American history, and lots of excitement."—Booklist (starred review)

"Hannigan makes skillful use of period details, bringing the novel's threads together in a nail-biting conclusion. Nell is a fearless, no-nonsense heroine, and her dry-witted narration drives this rollicking historical escapade."—Publishers Weekly

"A rousing fictional account of the remarkable career of a pioneering woman."—Kirkus

"Nell is an irrepressible character: spirited, thoughtful, and intuitive...Recommend to readers who enjoy adventure, history, and stories featuring independent, strong-minded girls."—SLJ

02/01/2015
Gr 5–8—When 11-year-old Nell is unceremoniously left on her Aunt Kitty's doorstep, she is whisked into a new life of treacherous detective work. Though Aunt Kitty wants to send the girl to a suitable orphanage, Nell has some ingenious ways of tracking down suspects that are great assets to her aunt's detective work. While the child's quick wit helps with securing confessions and truths from suspects (in decidedly unorthodox ways), she encounters difficulty when attempting to solve the mystery of her uncle's murder—and how her father was involved. Nell is an irrepressible character: spirited, thoughtful, and intuitive. Horrifying details about American slavery, such as lynchings and kidnappings, are woven into the narrative through letters exchanged between Nell and her African American friend, Jemma. Although there are plenty of madcap adventures, grief and the longing for a home are at the forefront of the story. Although tales of children softening the hard hearts of lonely adults are a dime a dozen, the inevitably changed relationship between Nell and her aunt is remarkably free of mawkish sentiment. An extensive author's note about the real Kate Warne, America's first female detective, and the Pinkerton Detective Agency is included, along with answers to ciphers scattered throughout the book and resources for further information about the era. Letters between Nell and Jemma are written in legible penmanship that can be read by readers unfamiliar with script. VERDICT Recommend to readers who enjoy adventure, history, and stories featuring independent, strong-minded girls.—Jennifer Schultz, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA

In a voice laden with gusto and grit, narrator Christine Lakin sounds just as determined as 11-year-old Nell, who desperately wants to convince her aunt that she’s both a worthy detective and a worthy family member. Nell’s aunt is none other than Kate Warne, the first female agent of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. She initially has no use for the destitute girl, but persistent Nell involves herself helpfully in cases, embracing the intrigue and solving a case of her own as well. Lakin’s performance repertoire makes for good listening. Her feisty portrayal of Nell also has heartfelt moments of wisdom, cheer, and sadness, especially in her letters to her friend, Jemma. Aunt Kate is as icy as they come as she strives to keep tradecraft to herself, and Lakin’s Scots brogue brings credibility to Mr. Allan Pinkerton. A.R. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

2015-01-20
In 1859 Chicago, 11-year-old orphaned Nell strives to make herself indispensable to her mysterious aunt. How else can she avoid being sent to an orphanage? But Aunt Kitty seems eager to be rid of her unexpected charge, and Nell soon discovers why: Aunt Kitty is actually Kate Warne, the first female private eye employed by the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. A series of mishaps keeps Nell firmly at her aunt's side, until Nell herself becomes a key player in madcap investigations involving disguises and false identities. Nell and Kate solve one mystery after another, even successfully protecting the new president, Abraham Lincoln, from an early assassination attempt. Meanwhile, Nell's correspondence with her best friend, Jemma, helps her to uncover the mystery of her own family, their involvement with the Underground Railroad, and the tragedies that estranged Aunt Kitty and orphaned Nell. As unlikely as all these scenarios are, Hannigan's quick pace and Nell's spunky voice successfully suspend readers' disbelief, and the author manages to pack an amazing amount of historical tidbits in along the way. A key to the playful ciphers embedded in Nell's letters follows the story. A rousing fictional account of the remarkable career of a pioneering woman. (author's note, sources, further reading) (Historical fiction. 9-12)