Calumet Editions

The Cutter’s Widow

Set in 1915 Saint Paul amid urban poverty, The Cutter’s Widow follows Ella Byrne, a young widow struggling to survive grief and destitution. She becomes a milliner’s apprentice, a baby broker, and a partner to a local pickpocket—until she’s drawn into a murder investigation led by one of Saint Paul’s first female police officers. A heartrending tale of hardship and purpose.

reminds us that the issues women face today are not new

—Ann Bauer, author of The Forever Marriage

Description

The Cutter’s Widow is a heartrending novel, set in Saint Paul, Minnesota, against the backdrop of 1915 urban poverty. Ella Byrne is a young widow, gripped by grief and struggling to support herself. She becomes a milliner’s apprentice, a baby broker and partners with a local pickpocket. Ultimately, she becomes the focus of attention in a murder investigation by one of Saint Paul’s first female police officers. This is a story of the devastations of grief and poverty and the quest to make a difference in the world.

Product Details

PublishedJanuary 31, 2023
ImprintCalumet Editions
LanguageEnglish
Print length270
ISBN-13978195977572
Dimensions6 x 0.68 x 9 inches

Even as it paints a vivid picture of life in Saint Paul, Minnesota at the dawn of World War I, The Cutter’s Widow tells a timeless story about what it is to be a woman in America. Among the streetcars, piecework factories and milliner shops, spirited female charact3ers grapple with career, marriage, sexuality and reproductive freedom. The Cutter’s Widow is entertaining and suspenseful, but it’s also important. It reminds us that the issues women face today are not new, and the quiet strength of many is what carries us all.

—Ann Bauer, author of The Forever Marriage

Yes, another great novel by Mary DesJarlais! I was excited to read this after reading her first book, Dorie LaValle. It did not disappoint. This is a super suspenseful novel of intense characters, and some of the most poetic descriptions I’ve seen in a novel. I really had no idea how the story would end.

—T.J. Alberti, verified review on Amazon

This book was a great reminder that life 100 years ago was just plain hard. Since I have lived in the St. Paul, MN area, it was fun to be taken to the Wabasha Bridge, Robert St., as well as many other real-life places. If you enjoy well written page turners with lots of colorful characters, you will not be disappointed. I can’t wait for Mary’s next book.

—JWestveer. Verified review on Amazon

Well written, well researched historical fiction. This story featured strong female characters struggling against poverty, sexism and grief. The events of their times and cultures shaped them and their intermingled stories. I liked this one even more than her first. Please keep them coming.

—K, verified review on Amazon