About this item
London, 1913. An exquisite strand of pale pink pearls, worth more than the Hope Diamond, has been bought by a Hatton Garden broker, capturing the attention of both jewelers and thieves. In transit to London from Paris, the necklace vanishes without a trace. Joseph Grizzard, “the King of Fences,” is the leader of a vast gang of thieves in London’s East End. Having risen from the deadly streets to become a wealthy family man, Grizzard still cannot resist the sport of crime, and the pearl necklace proves an irresistible challenge. Inspector Alfred Ward has joined the brand-new division of the Metropolitan Police known as “detectives.” Having caught some of the great murderers of Victorian London, Ward is now charged with finding the missing pearls and the thief who stole them.
About the Author
Molly Crosby is an author and journalist (www.mollycrosby.com) . Her first book, THE AMERICAN PLAGUE: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever, the Epidemic That Shaped Our History, was published in November 2006. The New York Times hailed it as a "first-rate medical detective drama," and Newsweek called it "gripping...highly readable." The book was nominated for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Award, Border's Original Voices Award, the Southern Independent Booksellers Award, and it was chosen as a New York Times Editor's pick and a Book Sense pick.
Her second book, ASLEEP: The Forgotten Epidemic that Remains One of Medicine's Greatest Mysteries, was released in March 2010. Publisher's Weekly called it "riveting," with "remarkable human connection." Kirkus Reviews has called Crosby a "fine storyteller." And Oliver Sacks, author of AWAKENINGS, wrote that, Crosby has written "a brilliant and deeply moving account...." The book was chosen as a reader's pick for Discover and Scientific American magazines.
Crosby's third book, THE GREAT PEARL HEIST, releases November 27, 2012. Set against the backdrop of Edwardian London, it is the true story of a gentleman thief, a Scotland Yard detective and the hunt for the world's most valuable necklace. It has been chosen as an Indie Next List pick for December 2012. It received a starred review from Booklist, and Publishers Weekly called it a "winning true crime tale." "Rich and evocative...Crosby has written a book that is as enchanting and irresistible as its subject." - Candice Millard, author of RIVER OF DOUBT and DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Crosby holds a Master of Arts degree in nonfiction and science writing from Johns Hopkins University and spent several years working for National Geographic magazine in Washington, DC. Her writing has appeared in Newsweek, Health, and USA Today, among others. Crosby has been interviewed on C-SPAN Book TV, NPR's "Morning Edition," The Diane Rehm Show, John Seigenthaler's "A Word on Words," Bloomberg Radio, television news and has given talks around the country, including to the Department of Interior and at various universities and medical schools.
Today, Crosby lives in Memphis with her husband and two daughters. She is currently at work on her next book.
Visit www.mollycrosby.com for more information.
