I know not what this world is becoming.
I’m not naive, for I’ve seen more sadness and loss than most, I reckon. But it’s difficult to make sense of it when it hits the young–and one of your own, at that. We prepare ourselves when men go off to war, no matter the age. We know the multitude of possibilities. We are ill-prepared when a young woman is murdered and whose body is found behind a house of ill repute. What was she doing there? She knew better, as I’ve told her myself to never go there alone. Besides, Rebecca was a smart young woman. It doesn’t make sense.
It also makes no sense that Jo went after her and it was as if something had a hold of her. She could not be stopped. She left without a coat, mad with fear and driven for answers. We’ve not seen her since. We’ve scoured streets, establishments, and households. There’s just no sign of her.
Eliza Hamilton and her sister Angelica Church are helping us to find her. They involved the constabulary–even though I asked them not to. They have never helped the likes of us, though I’m sure they are more helpful to Eliza Hamilton. For which I am grateful.
Eliza and her sister seem to think Jo’s disappearance is linked to the murder of Rebecca. I am willing to press forward for answers–whether they are linked or not. I don’t want to lose Jo. But first, I must find her. New York City is growing so fast every day. There are parts of it I’ve not even been to, even though at this point I’ve lived the better part of my life here. But I’ve no need to explore, my work is at home and takes me to markets and some of the finest homes in the city. Those are the paths I travel. But there are new homes and establishments being built every day. Soon, it will be 1806 and I know I have more of my life behind me than in front of me, though I’ve lost track of my age a long time ago.
I try to protect the young women who work and live with me. For the most part we have survived quite nicely by selling our handmade lace, embroidered linens, and so on. But I have failed, as one has been killed and the other is missing.
I know not what this world is becoming.
THE WIDOW HAMILTON
Series Name: An Eliza Hamilton Mystery, Book 2
Genre: Historical Mystery
Release: February 2026
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link
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.
About the author
Mollie Ann Cox is the author of several popular mystery series, also writing under the names Mollie Cox Bryan and Maggie Blackburn. Her books have been selected as finalists for an Agatha Award and a Daphne du Maurier Award and as a Top 10 Beach Reads by Woman’s World. Writing the Eliza Hamilton mysteries is the first time she’s combined her passions of history and mystery. She lives in Charlottesville, Va., with one of her daughters and two cats.