When wealthy New York socialite Beret Osmundsen learns that her estranged sister was murdered in a brothel, there is nothing for her to do but go to Denver and seek answers. The last she knew her sister Lillie was living with their aunt and uncle, Varina and Judge John Stanton. When she arrived in Denver, Beret meets Detective Mick McCauley, who is skeptical but eventually teams with Beret to solve the case.

Dallas is well-known for her historical fiction, focusing on women in the 19th and early 20th century. She’s tackled the Civil War, migration to the great plains, early settlers in Colorado, and the growth of the Church of Latter-Day Saints. Some of her works include a mystery, and this is one such.

What I like about her novels is the clear evidence of lots of research into the time and place. And I really appreciate how she brings these everyday women and the challenges they faced; I cannot imagine enduring the loneliness, grime, and very real dangers they faced.

Here she gives a very realistic view of 1880s Denver and the brothels that flourished there, including the different “classes” of sex workers, from those who plied their trade in back alleys and doorways to those, like Lillie, who worked in the higher-class establishments. Dallas also gives us a peek inside the upper-class salons and dinner parties at nouveau riche mansions.

There are several twists and turns and efforts at misdirection, but I guessed the culprit pretty early on. The actual mystery plot isn’t all that well executed, in my humble opinion, but the historical detail and some of the characters really kept my interest up. ( )

3.5 stars ( )

Love Sandra Dallas. Have read all of her books and can't wait for more.
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Sandra Dallas is an author that I know I can rely upon to provide a good story, so I was quite excited to read her first historical mystery, Fallen Women. The book is set in Denver, Colorado in 1885 as Beret Osmundsen arrives ready to look into the death of her sister, Lillie. She had been notified about Lillie by a telegram from her aunt and uncle, a prominent judge and candidate for the Senate. But the circumstances surrounding Lillie’s death are horrendous. She had taken up residence in a brothel, and had died in a brutal manner, being stabbed eight times. Beret knows that her sister had a dark side and wasn’t an angel by any means. She also has her private reasons for feeling a little guilty regarding Lillie, as she had thrown her sister out, after finding her in bed with her husband.

Beret works alongside of police detective, Mick McCauley who was at first a reluctant partner but soon learned to appreciate her opinions and observations. Unfortunately Beret didn’t have a lot of finesse or people smarts, she barged into places that she shouldn’t, she wasn’t shy about throwing accusations around and never seemed to think about her personal safety. When other prostitutes were murdered in a similar manner most people thought the perpetrator was a madman. Beret pressed on with her investigation feeling strongly that Lillie was murdered by someone who knew her.

While the resolution that was revealed toward the end of the book was no great surprise I enjoyed the journey. The author introduced a number of less than savoury characters that needed to be eliminated, and gave the reader an interesting look at Denver’s high and low societies. The chemistry between the main characters was intriguing so overall Fallen Women was an entertaining read. ( )

I loved this book! Sucked me in from the very first page. Although it was looked at as a profession back then, it was very interesting to read about prostitution and the women who ran those houses. ( )