A Dangerous Business
A Dangerous Business
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022
Book Brief
Beta224
Novel • Fiction
Monterey, California • 1850s
2022
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A Dangerous Business by Jane Smiley follows a young woman navigating life in 1850s California. After her husband’s death, she secures a job in a brothel, becoming embroiled in a mystery that leads her to explore the complexities of morality, independence, and survival during the Gold Rush era.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Gritty
Dark
Adventurous
Reviews & Readership
10,239 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
A Dangerous Business by Jane Smiley offers readers a captivating historical mystery set in 1850s California. The novel is praised for its richly detailed setting and strong female protagonist. However, some critics feel the plot occasionally lacks depth and pacing falters. Overall, it provides an engaging exploration of courage and independence amidst uncertainty.
Who Should Read A Dangerous Business?
Fans of historical fiction with a touch of mystery will enjoy Jane Smiley's A Dangerous Business. Similar to readers of Arthur Conan Doyle's The Hound of the Baskervilles, they appreciate rich period detail and a compelling narrative set against a vivid 19th-century backdrop.
10,239 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
224
Novel • Fiction
Monterey, California • 1850s
2022
Adult
18+ years
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