Elizabeth Miles first appeared in City of Lies and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so let’s get to know Elizabeth.
What is your name?
Elizabeth Miles (or Betty Perkins or any number of other names I’ve used when running a con).
How old are you?
21.
What is your profession?
I was a con artist up until I was imprisoned with the Suffragists last November. Now I’m trying to become a respectable lady so I can marry the man I love, who also happens to be the scion of an old New York society family.
Do you have a significant other?
Gideon Bates has proposed to me, but we can’t be officially engaged just yet because I was engaged to his best friend as part of a con. Nobody knew it was fake, though, so we have to wait a bit because that’s what people in Society do.
What is his name and profession?
Gideon is an attorney who mostly handles estates and he’s honest to a fault, which is why he often doesn’t understand me.
Any children?
Not yet! We aren’t even married.
Do you have any sibling(s)?
My half brother Jack. Jack’s mom was our father’s mistress, and he’s always resented me because my mother was his wife. I’ve always resented him because he was the son and our father taught him everything he knew. I had to practically force him into letting me learn to grift.
Cats, dogs or other pets?
My life is much too uncertain for pets, I’m afraid! Maybe after I settle down with Gideon.
What town do you live in?
New York City.
House or building complex? Own or Rent?
I live with my Aunt Cybil and her partner, Zelda. They both teach at Hunter College.
What is your favorite spot in your house?
My room, which I have furnished just to my taste.
Who is your best friend?
Anna Vanderslice. She’s the first female friend I ever had, actually. I met her when I was in jail with the Suffragists. She’s also from an old New York society family, so we didn’t have much in common when we first met, but our experience in jail made us fast friends.
Amateur sleuth or professional?
Amateur of course. Con artists aren’t usually interested in justice. Gideon helps me, too, and although he’s an attorney, he’d still an amateur since he doesn’t usually deal with murders or even with crime.
Whom do you work with when sleuthing?
As I said, Gideon helps, but I often have to call on my family as well, especially when the situation calls for doing something less than honest. My father and half-brother, Jack, and their cohorts often manage to figure out a way to profit by helping me, too.
Favorite meal?
Any meal I eat with Gideon and his wonderful mom, who has worked very hard to teach me what I need to know to pass as a society girl.
Favorite dessert?
Anything with strawberries. I wish they were in season longer.
Favorite hobby?
Reading etiquette books and marveling at how similar polite behavior is to running a con on someone.
Favorite vacation spot?
What’s a vacation? I think I’d like to summer in Newport some time, though.
Favorite color?
Red.
Favorite author?
Mrs. Ordwell. She wrote an amazing etiquette book. I’ve learned so much about conning people politely.
Favorite sports team?
I enjoy attending the races, although I know better than to bet.
Movies or Broadway?
Moving pictures are an interesting novelty, but I much prefer to attend a play.
Are you a morning or a night person?
The most interesting things in life happen in the evening.
In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Lately, my life has become very interesting. I’ve been trying to help my friend, Priscilla, who was the victim of a horrible injustice. I’ve spent a lot of time with her and holding meetings with some questionable characters in Gideon’s office. He certainly did not approve, but I think he’s finally beginning to accept the fact that I’m not a delicate flower who needs to be protected. At least I hope so.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of City of Secrets. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends November 15, 2018. Good luck everyone! Bonus question: have you ever pulled a con on someone?
You can read about Elizabeth in City of Secrets, the second book in the “Counterfeit Lady” mystery series.
Elizabeth Miles knows that honesty is not always the best policy when it comes to finding justice.
Elizabeth has discovered that navigating the rules of high society is the biggest con of all. She knows she can play the game, but so far, her only success is Priscilla Knight, a dedicated young suffragist recently widowed for the second time. Her beloved first husband died in a tragic accident and left her with two young daughters–and a sizable fortune. While she was lost in grief, Priscilla’s pastor convinced her she needed a man to look after her and engineered a whirlwind courtship and hasty marriage to fellow parishioner Endicott Knight. Now, about nine months later, Endicott is dead in what appears to be another terrible accident.
Everyone is whispering, but that is the least of Priscilla’s troubles. She had believed Endicott was wealthy, too, but her banker tells her she has no money left and her house has been mortgaged. He also hints at a terrible scandal and refuses to help.
Priscilla stands to lose everything, and Elizabeth is determined not to let that happen. But, as always, Elizabeth walks a fine line between using her unusual talents and revealing her own scandalous past. Elizabeth soon discovers that Endicott’s death was anything but accidental, and revealing the truth could threaten much more than Priscilla’s finances. To save her new friend’s future–and possibly her own–Elizabeth, along with her honest-to-a-fault beau, Gideon, delve into the sinister secrets someone would kill to keep.
Purchase Link
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About the author
Edgar® and Agatha Nominated author Victoria Thompson writes the Gaslight Mystery Series, set in turn-of-the-century New York City and featuring midwife Sarah Brandt. Her latest, Murder on Union Square, was a May 2018 release. City of Secrets is the second book in her new Counterfeit Lady series, a November 2018 release from Berkley. She also contributed to the award-winning writing textbook Many Genres/One Craft. Victoria teaches in the Seton Hill University master’s program in writing popular fiction. She lives in Illinois with her husband and a very spoiled little dog. Find out more at victoriathompson.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Hmmmmm….I’m not sure if I ever pulled a con…maybe in my schooldays, but I dont recall anything specific….
Have enjoyed the Gaslight Mystery series. Ready to take on the Counterfeit Lady.
My best con was to convince my husband that a small town near us was named for a famous cowboy. I had created a believable history. The con was not as successful as it should have been because I could not hold back my laughter in the telling.
I do know this author. I have read all all her Gaslight mystery books. I love the setting of New York City. I haven’t read these Counterfeit Lady novels. Would love to win this book. Start a new series from an author I enjoy. I never pulled a con on someone. I’m not that type of person.
Sounds like an interesting character. I love the line about etiquette being akin to a con. If you use that definition, I guess we con people every day. I don’t remember ever conning anyone for malevolent reasons though. (Maybe my parents when I was young…)
She’s so young and had done so much! Great interview! I haven’t pulled any cons that I know of, but it us the time of year that I successfully hide my distaste of pumpkin pie from my in laws!
Poor Priscilla! I do hope that Elizabeth and Gideon help her figure everything out!
I have never pulled a con. I did always wish I had a twin and we could pull twin cons on people!
I don’t think I’ve pulled a con on anyone…maybe my little sister when we were growing up 😉
I cannot wait to read this one. I love all her books
No cons here, but I do try to mind my manners…
Sounds like an interesting series. Thanks for the interesting post & giveaway.
Sounds like a good read
I love historical fiction mysteries and Victoria Thompson never fails to hit the nail on the head. No I’ve never conducted a con on anyone. Knowing my luck I would get caught and end up the river. Thanks for including Victoria Thompson on your blog.
I have four sisters, and we were always trying to pull cons on each other just for fun — nothing serious. I love Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Mysteries, and it sounds like she has another hit on her hands with The Counterfeit Lady Novels. I enjoy reading about this time in our history, and Elizabeth Miles sounds like an intriguing and unique heroine. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I read the first book with the Sleuths in Time book club and really liked it! Would love a chance to win this one, thanks for the giveaway!
I read the first book and really enjoyed it–looking forward to the second installment.
I love these interviews! Thanks for the giveaway.
What fun reading everyone’s comments! I think you are underestimating yourselves, though. Don’t children always try to con their parents at one time or another? The only difference is that con artists keep doing it when they grow up!
I have read all Victoria Thompson’s books enjoying each of them. I am looking forward to knowing more about Elizabeth in the Counterfeit Lady series.
Historicals are my favorite novels. This sounds captivating and memorable. Thanks.
This sounds good!
I CAN’T WAIT TO READ THIS SERIES!!!! I HAVE ALL HER GASLIGHT MYSTERIES AND LOVE THEM!!!! I HAVE NEVER CONNED ANYONE.
This is an interesting post with a wonderful book that sounds intriguing and an era and story which I would enjoy greatly.
I can’t wait to start this series.
I love historical fiction and looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for the chance.
I really need a perk and escape.
Will I be lucky and win?
Meliora spero!
Never pulled a con to hurt anyone. Series sounds fascinating.
My best con was when I was using a co-worker’s 50th birthday to ‘cover’ for another co-worker’s wedding shower. The bride “helped” bring the birthday girl to her wedding shower. The emails were very intricate: You are about to get an email that YOU WILL IGNORE, it’s to bride only. HAHAHA! We totally fooled her!
Loved this post! Elizabeth is such an interesting woman to read about. Really enjoyed book 1 & looking forward to this one as well.
Can’t say as I’ve ever run a con on anyone but they sure are fun to read about or watch on tv lol.
I adore Victoria Thompson,s Gaslight Mysteries. I am about to start her “Murder On Lexington Avenue.” Her knowledge of turn of the century New York City,s upper classes & lower East side poor is astonishing.I compare this series to Caleb Carr, author of “The Alienist” & “The Angel of Darkness.” She is a great writer! I haven,t read her Counterfeit Lady series yet but I very much intend to. Her heroine, Elizabeth sounds fascinating. I would so much love to win a copy of Ms. Thompson,s “City of Secrets! ” Victoria Thompson is one of my favorite authors. She,s magnificent.
Her Gaslight Mysteries are the best! I’ve read them all.
I haven’t pulled a con – more like practical jokes. The book sounds interesting Will want till I get another coupon from B&N before getting it I am boklogged as is!
I am not a con artist, but I would like to read this book!!
One of my problems with “City of Lies” was the lack of depth to Elizabeth. I feel I know more about her from this interview than the entire first book.
She’s a marvelous character.
I love the idea that polite society is essentially running a con!
I’m a huge fan of Victoria Thompson’s books, and have read all the Gaslight mysteries as well as City of Lies. I’m so excited for the new book! I’ve tried to “con” people with practical jokes but I’m not very good at fooling people!
I love what she said about her family helping her out when she’s sleuthing. Interesting interview.
I have read the entire other series by Victoria Thompson and would love to try this series.
I have never even thought of pulling a con – way to terrifying. But I do think that there maybe times and people who should be conned. Thanks for this giveaway of “City of Secrets”.
This is a new series to me. A con artist trying to going straight sounds interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever conned anyone intentionally.
I enjoyed the first installment. This one sounds really great.
The fact that Elizabeth knows herself well and is realistic about who she is, makes her an admirable and appealing character. The contrast with her fiancée adds to the interesting dynamics of the couple. I look forward to reading this book.
A con artist as the protagonist sound really interesting—I must try this series. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’m looking forward to reading this series as the books are written. I learned so much about the suffragette movement form the first book.
Great interview! Other than my siblings and parents when I was younger, I haven’t conned anyone else.
I like the idea for this series. I’ll have to read the first book soon!
I loved the first book in this series. As for ever running a con, well, I’m more like a female version of Gideon!
So am I, Cecilia. I’m a terrible liar, which is why I have such fun with Elizabeth!
Yes, I’ve pulled a con, but it didn’t hurt anyone, otherwise I wouldn’t have done it. I love this series!
A con is a well-thought-out story/lie with many moving parts. Elizabeth/Betty seems to have it down to a science. Very good series by a favorite author.
Enjoyed meeting Elizabeth in City of Lies – looking forward to reading City of Secrets. Love the Gaslight series!
Don’t remember any particular cons, but I’m sure I ran some on my siblings.
So loved the first book of the series, so can’t wait for this one to come out! Have loved your Gaslight Mysteries series so much! Even got my husband hooked. We fight to see who gets to read it first! He beat me to Union Square, and holding our breath til April!!
Victoria Thompson books should be on the top of anyone’s wish list that hasn’t been reading her – love them all! Wish I were in Chicago to go to her book signing.
I’m looking forward to Elizabeth’s continued adventures . . . legal and not quite so. Her heart is in the right place <3
Have not read this series. The con with good manners sounds like a winner.
Thanks for this opportunity I have loved the Gaslight series looking forward to this new series. I have been known to stretch the truth but never really pulled off a con.
Sounds like an interesting take on the con-person life. I’d like to read it.
Both of these series sound interesting. I will check them out.
Pulling cons isn’t something I’m interested in. I’m certain I would be very bad at it.
I loved the first book in the Counterfeit Lady series and can’t wait to read the next one. I have never had a “poker face” and I doubt I could carry off a con, even it I wanted to.
This sounds very interesting!!!
I’d love to win and read this book and no I do not think I have ever pulled a con
Wow, I can’t believe I haven’t read any of your books! I read the blurb on many on Amazon and don’t see how I missed your books at my library! I WILL correct that error in the next week or so when I finish some of the ARC books I am reading now!
I love Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Mysteries. I haven’t started this series yet. Thanks for the chance to win a copy City of Secrets. I have never pulled a con.
I’ve enjoyed every book in the Gaslight Series I’ve read. No cons I can recall. Not my style.
Hello and I have read all your books and have gotten several friends to read them also. Everyone greatly enjoys!!!! Thank you!
Read City of Lies last month. I loved the premise of a female grifter! Looking forward to reading Book 2.
I love her Gaslight Mysteries & think I’ll enjoy this series, too.
No cons for me but it sounds like the heroine of this book has quite the knack for them, and I’d like to read all about it!
Sounds fabulous!! Loved book 1.
This book sounds so good. Thank you for featuring this author’s book information, Dru
Sounds like a fun read.
I’m a fan of her gaslight series. I would love a chance to read a book from her new counterfeit lady series.
I’d really love to ra this book. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Hmmm.. Don’t know if this qualifies as a con or not. When I was younger I was a big baseball fan. I wanted to sit in really good seats (right behind the dugout or by the on-deck circle) which I couldn’t afford. So I would try to con the ushers/security to get to those seats. I’d dress nicely, looked like I belonged (looked confident), and acted polite to everyone around me. And it worked! Got up-close access to many NY Yankees in the heyday of the late 1990’s and 2000-01. My tips for success include – sit in Row 2 (Row 1 is too obvious) and if anyone checked for tickets, I dug frantically through my purse muttering, “It must be in here somewhere, I got into the park with it.” They’d usually give up waiting for me to find it, especially if I acted really nice and sincere. Don’t think I could act like that today. Oh my misspent youth!!!
Suzette, this definitely counts as a con! Good job!
Thank you!
I’d love to win this book. It looks intriguing. I haven’t pulled any cons. I’m not a good enough liar.
**** WINNER ****
City of Secrets is Linda Holland
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Congratulations!