Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: May 5, 2019
Pages: 263
My Thoughts
This was an interesting account of the famous Nelly Bly who had herself committed to an insane asylum in 1887 so that she could report on the poor conditions. It’s hard to imagine what she had to endure to get her story. She was incredibly brave and courageous, especially during this time period when women weren’t valued or taken seriously.
I was invested in the story and sympathized with how hard it was to be an independent woman at that time. The author did a great job of bringing Nellie to life, first as a young woman who is trying to break into the male dominated world of journalism and then thirty years later as we see Nellie through the eyes of her assistant Beatrice.
The later timeline takes place during the last years of Nellie’s life. She was a philanthropist with a passion for helping adoptive children find homes. She worked tirelessly to advocate for orphans and the neglected. I liked knowing she never lost her determined spirit.
This was a well researched and straightforward read.
About the Book
Her published story is well known. But did she tell the whole truth about her ten days in the madhouse?
Down to her last dime and offered the chance of a job of a lifetime at The New York World, twenty-three-year old Elizabeth Cochrane agrees to get herself admitted to Blackwell’s Island Lunatic Asylum and report on conditions from the inside. But what happened to her poor friend, Tilly Mayard? Was there more to her high praise of Dr Frank Ingram than everyone knew?
Thirty years later, Elizabeth, known as Nellie Bly, is no longer a celebrated trailblazer and the toast of Newspaper Row. Instead, she lives in a suite in the Hotel McAlpin, writes a column for The New York Journal and runs an informal adoption agency for the city’s orphans.
Beatrice Alexander is her secretary, fascinated by Miss Bly and her causes and crusades. Asked to type up a manuscript revisiting her employer’s experiences in the asylum in 1887, Beatrice believes she’s been given the key to understanding one of the most innovative and daring figures of the age.
“Novelist Braithwaite (The Road to Newgate, 2018, etc.) delivers a well-researched and engrossing tale that focuses on female empowerment. A story of grit and perseverance that will appeal to readers interested in the history of women in journalism.” – Kirkus Reviews
About the Author
Kate Braithwaite grew up in Edinburgh but now lives with her family in the Brandywine Valley in Pennsylvania. Her daughter doesn’t think Kate should describe herself as a history nerd, but that’s exactly what she is. Always on the hunt for lesser known stories from the past, Kate’s books have strong female characters, rich settings and dark secrets.
The Girl Puzzle is her third novel.
For more information, please visit Kate’s website and blog.
You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
Giveaway 🎉🎉🎉
During the Blog Tour, we will be giving away a signed copy of The Girl Puzzle by Kate Braithwaite! To enter, please use the Gleam link here.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on May 17th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
Thanks to Amy at HFVBT for including us on the blog tour!
QOTD: Have you heard of Nellie Bly? Who is your favorite female from history?
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The OC Book Girl 
Thanks so much for hosting The Girl Puzzle Blog Tour! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Amy
HF Virtual Book Tours
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