The Widow Hamilton: An Eliza Hamilton Mystery
Historical Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – New York
Publisher : Crooked Lane Books
Publication date : February 10, 2026
Print length : 336 pages
Hardcover
ISBN-13 : 979-8892423915
Kindle
ISBN-13 : 979-8892423922
ASIN : B0F88WRBBS
Audiobook
ASIN B0FQL9BKGK
Audio CD
ISBN-13 : 979-8228829008
ASIN : B0GMSBHX25
The widow of Alexander Hamilton faces another mystery in the second Eliza Hamilton mystery, perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn.
It’s December 1805, and Eliza Hamilton is determined to seek justice. One young woman is dead, another has vanished—both residents of a house where Eliza’s friend, Alice, lives among other craftswomen struggling to survive in a city unforgiving toward widows and orphans.
With no help from the constabulary because the young woman’s body was found in a bad part of town–and was dressed as a man–Eliza vows to protect the women and uncover the truth. She suspects a connection between the death and the disappearance, especially given that the young lady who disappeared went missing while searching for the woman who was later found dead.
As Eliza traces their last known steps, she unearths a hidden world of dangerous secrets lurking beneath the city—secrets that could tear apart everything she holds dear.
This pulse-racing historical mystery will intrigue and delight anyone fascinated by the Founding Fathers and feminist history.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
One young lace maker is dead, and another lace maker is missing. The constabulary is not interested in justice, but Eliza Hamilton is. She may not know why the woman’s body was found in a dangerous area, but she does know why she was dressed as a man. She also feels there is a connection between the woman’s death and the woman who has gone missing. Eliza learns there is a militant group that believes all women should be married and is selling women to men. She hopes that it has no part in her investigation. Eliza is also facing the loss of the home she and Alexander built.
With the holidays, Eliza’s two oldest sons have come home, and her sister Angelica has come for a visit. She is very willing to help Eliza in any way to find out what happened to the women. Her sons encourage them both to let the authorities handle it because it is so dangerous.
In her follow-up to The Lace Widow, Mollie Ann Cox reconnects Eliza with the women of the Pearl Street house. Like Eliza, they are very strong women trying to make their way in a time and a city where widows, single women, and orphans are treated horribly. Eliza works tirelessly to change this, using the status given her by being Alexander Hamilton’s widow, most of whom do not know what dire financial straights she finds herself in following his death. Her courage to push forward is admirable. Her sister, Angelica, Mrs. John Church, is the same. Always ready to fight for others. Together, they are pretty unstoppable. Eliza’s sons, Alexander Jr. and James, become involved in the investigation in an effort to keep their mother and aunt safe. They have been raised well with the right values and will see their mother in a new light.
Mrs. General Hamilton and Mrs. John Church start their investigation following the path the lace makers took before their death/disappearance. They started at the Pearl House and visited high-society households, nearby shops, and even to the darker side of town. They also checked in with the constabulary several times. The blustery winter weather made travel precarious at times, but Eliza and Anegelica were determined, to their driver’s dismay. It was a complex investigation with many secrets being held and omissions being made. Key observations needed to be explained. Inquiries had to be made time and time again to obtain the truth.
What makes stories like this so entertaining is that while the story is fictional, it truthfully depicts the history of the time. We are also taken into Eliza’s life, from raising her children, trying to have a holiday celebration with her financial worries, her quest to open an orphanage, all while preserving her husband’s legacy. Add to that a complicated mystery to solve.
Before reading The Lace Widow, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton was herself a mystery to me. Ms. Cox took time to do the heavy lifting with the research to give her readers an entertaining reimagination of her life, adding some sleuthing to her history. In The Widow Hamilton, that story continues with another compelling mystery, featuring characters that truly come to life with her words. With scenes described in vivid detail and rich dialogues, I felt transported back in time. Mysteries mixed with history to make this book a Perfect Escape.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.
Discover more from Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book - Great Escapes Book Tours
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
