One of my heroes in journalism is Nellie Bly, who was the first investigative journalist and faked insanity in order to be locked up in a New York "madhouse" for women. Through her reporting, society discovered how these forgotten, wronged women were being treated, and improvements were made. THOUGH THIS BE MADNESS looks at New Orleans during a similar period and asks why a doctor was so keen to have his wife committed for insanity. Pinkerton agent Lilly Long is sent from Chicago with another agent, Cade McShane, to pretend to be domestic staff and take jobs in the doctor's household.

The matriarch LaRee Fontenot, who has lost a family member recently, resents that Doctor Ducharne treated his wife with laudanum after the loss of her baby, then had her committed. Could the man possibly just be after the family money? He seems keen to throw a party -- with all the additional work for the staff that it entails. More than once Lilly has so much work on her hands that it's almost impossible to find time to sleuth. I was wryly amused by the fact that a gentlewoman who is expecting, is treated with care and instructed to watch her diet, while a married servant who is also pregnant is expected to get on with heavy work regardless.

Lilly and Cade, who worked together previously and grated on each other's nerves, have to pretend to be a married Irish couple, with a young lad of the streets, Robbie, in the role of Cade's brother. Sometimes they work well together but Lilly's stubbornness and desire to get her own assignments leads her to act first and consult later. She is again a strong character, who stops to ask herself what Allan Pinkerton would do in this situation, and she plays on the perceived inadequacy of women when trying to gain admittance to the asylum. Cade is more interested in discovering whether the doctor is a secret gambler.

I like that the party celebrates Easter as we get to see some traditions of the time, like red-painted hard-boiled eggs on the lunch table. Naturally this contrasts with hearty New Orleans fare like gumbo and jambalaya, all new to Lilly. Voodoo is also added to the mix while the wealthy family visits their plantation home. For a tale of contrasts and misfortunes, as well as a look at hard work, give THOUGH THIS BE MADNESS a try. The book stands well alone but if you enjoy this one you will certainly love AN UNTIMELY FROST, the first book in the Lilly Long series. Penny Richards has made a long career from writing and has also run a historic home B&B business with her family. She spins a fine web of historical mystery.