How I Pitched Murder, She Reported by Peg Cochran

Peg Cochran is a USA Today bestseller with a number of different cozy mystery series to her name. However, it wasn’t too long ago that Peg came to me with an idea for something a little different from what she’d been doing, a historical mystery set in 1930s New York City. I loved the idea. To celebrate today’s release of MURDER, SHE REPORTED I want to share the pitch that eventually got us a deal.

It’s 1938, the country is pulling out of the Great Depression and women are going to work. Armed with a Wellesley education and a determination to be different, Elizabeth Adams takes a job at a newspaper where she quickly learns that New York City is a much different place outside the gilded cage of her family’s Madison Avenue apartment.

Tasked to cover debutante balls wasn’t what she had in mind, but when things go wrong and the “it girl’s” stepmother is found murdered, it’s Elizabeth’s photograph that might implicate the young socialite.  In an effort to clear the girl’s name, Elizabeth takes it upon herself to uncover the truth. An investigation that leads her into the darkest corners of New York and jeopardizes not just her own reputation, but the social standing of her entire family.

Peg has three previously published cozy series with Berkley. All are contemporary. This would be her historical debut and I think it’s a great one.