INTO THE SUFFERING CITY is historical fiction. As with all other books of historical fiction I have read, I wondered throughout the book what was true and what was fiction. Although Bill LeFurgy, the author, does provide some author notes at the end of the book, I still wondered, especially about the men who wanted to run for mayor of Baltimore. Were these the actual people?

But that certainly is not a criticism of the book. It only goes to show that it was interesting enough to make me want to know more.

Sarah is a high-functioning autistic doctor and Jack is a down-on-his-luck private investigator. When both have an interest in the same case, they join forces.

Sarah wants to find justice for a dead showgirl, and Jack is being paid to prove that someone is not the murderer. That someone is one of three people who intend to run for mayor of Baltimore.

Their investigation reveals that the good old days really weren’t so great. They deal with many of the big problems of the day, e.g., racism and sexism, with some of the misunderstandings still prevalent in the early 20th century, e.g., what we now know as autism and PTSD, and even with some of the aggravations then, e.g., horse manure in the streets and all the undergarments women had to wear.

As a matter of fact, I was most impressed with LeFurgy's historical details. They are far greater than those of most other authors’ historical fiction.

Before the end of the story, Sarah and Jack truly admire each other. Will more come of these feelings? And will they continue as detectives together?

We can assume the answer to that second question. LeFurgy has continued with another book in their series.