Mary Logue's young and adventurous protagonist Brigid Reardon continues her journey across the United States in A Wasp in the Beehive, the latest title in Logue's western mystery series. This time, the Irish immigrant finds herself in pre-statehood Utah experiencing a culture in stark contradiction to her independent spirit.
"In 1880, Utah wanted to join the union, which the United States said in order to do that they had to give up polygamy," says Logue. "So, yes, I have placed my dear Brigid in a polygamist family." Upon arriving in Salt Lake City, Brigid quickly finds a job at a bookstore and - after previous stints in a few wild cities of the west - she feels a sense of having returned to civilization. But that sense of civility leaves the moment a murder occurs under her own roof.
Creating these period-piece novels requires plenty of research. For the Brigid Reardon mystery series, Logue dives into language, religion, geography, politics and more to present an authentic experience, an accurate setting, and an immersive adventure. "I just love doing the research so much," says Logue. "It's like you find little nuggets of gold."
A Wasp in the Beehive is available at a variety of independent booksellers as well as through the University of Minnesota Press website.
Minnesota Reads is produced at The North 103.3 with funding provided in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
