THE TUMBLING GIRL (Variety Palace Mysteries #1) by Bridget Walsh will be released on March 3, 2026, by Pushkin Vertigo.
Performer turned scriptwriter for the Variety Palace Music Hall, Minnie Ward, is devasted when one of her friends is found hanging in the London slums. Minnie refuses to accept the police’s determination that Rose killed herself. Not only does Minnie hire private detective Albert Easterbrook, but she also insists on helping him investigate. Minnie’s connections in the theater world give her access to places where Albert cannot go.
THE TUMBLING GIRL was a solid read, though it did take me a few chapters to get into the story. The book takes the reader into the underworld of Victorian London—from the variety theater to secret clubs frequented by the city’s elite. There were several plot twists throughout the book—including the Hairpin Killer who is murdering women throughout London. The cliffhanger at the end has me anxious to see what happens next.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.