14 years old and in disguise as a boy, Pin lives with her fortune-teller mother on the edge of Chicago's Riverview Amusement Park. During the sweltering summer of 1915, she witnesses a man and a young girl enter the Hell Gate ride but only the man emerge. While she questions if she really saw this, she sees another observer, outsider Henry Darger, who seems to witness the same occurrence. Initially wary of each other, they work together to try to catch what is quickly becoming obvious is a very twisted killer.
Historically detailed and rich with interesting characters, this novel gives you several points of view. By realistically portraying both the characters and the setting, and keeping you off kilter with one of the points of view, this is a great thriller/adventure/whodunit. You get the very real sense of danger that runs through the story, and Pin is a very compelling character. As a student of Chicago history, I really enjoyed the setting of this book and it was fun to look up some of the photographs of Riverview Park, as well. This is a great story if you are interested in a different side of Chicago's history, but also if you enjoy strong-willed and brave female protagonists.
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