Curious Toys Book Cover

Curious Toys


A Mystery Novel


Subgenres:

  • Historical Mystery,
  • Chicago,
  • Carnival
Buy from Amazon

This book is for you if you're into...

  • Dark carnival mysteries set in 1915 Chicago
  • Teen sleuths teaming up with eccentric artists
  • Atmospheric thrillers with secret-filled amusement parks
Publisher Description

An intrepid young woman stalks a murderer through turn-of-the-century Chicago in "this rich, spooky, and atmospheric thriller that will appeal to fans of Henry Darger and Erik Larson alike" (Sarah McCarry).

In the sweltering summer of 1915, Pin, the fourteen-year-old daughter of a carnival fortune-teller, dresses as a boy and joins a teenage gang that roams the famous Riverview amusement park, looking for trouble.

Unbeknownst to the well-heeled city-dwellers and visitors who come to enjoy the midway, the park is also host to a ruthless killer who uses the shadows of the dark carnival attractions to conduct his crimes.

When Pin sees a man enter the Hell Gate ride with a young girl, and emerge alone, she knows that something horrific has occurred.

The crime will lead her to the iconic outsider artist Henry Darger, a brilliant but seemingly mad man.

Together, the two navigate the seedy underbelly of a changing city to uncover a murderer few even know to look for.

More Elizabeth Hand

Follow This Author

Sign up & we'll email you when a new title is available for pre-order or hits the bookshelf

Little Stacks of Mystery

Get Mystery eBook Deals

Curated reads, irresistible prices—subscribe now

Add this book to your To Be Read list

Sign up to build your personal library

Archive This Book

Sign up to build your personal library