Into the Whirlwind

Selling the 57th Illinois Watch Company (so named from her father's Civil War unit) has never crossed Mollie Knox's mind until the lawyer from one of the largest Chicago department stores makes her an offer that will be difficult to refuse.  But her first concern is for her employees, men who served in the War with her father and would find it difficult to find other employment because of the disabilities they inherited from the War.  When Mollie is at the point of having to make her choice, she begins to go through some of the boxes left by her father when he died several years ago and finds a piece of paper that sheds a whole new light on lawyer Zack Kazmarek's offer. 

That very night, the Great Chicago fire destroys much of Chicago forcing many from their homes and businesses.  Ironically, it is Zack who saves Mollie from the all consuming fire and together they are  faced with having to rebuild their beloved city and their livelihood.  Zack, a very powerful and influential man in the city, is accustomed to getting what he wants and Mollie and her company are what he has chosen to pursue.  However, Mollie isn't quite so convinced she can trust this man.

I loved Into the Whirlwind.  In a time where  women were not commonly such strong characters as well as owners of such businesses, Elizabeth Camden did an excellent job of creating just such a woman.  She also wove the perfect amount of history about the Great Fire into the story, taking the reader right into the streets of Chicago.  For historical fiction readers, pick up your copy today at your local bookstore or library--an excellent read drawing the reader in from the beginning. 

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.