Elly Robin: Bird in a Gilded Cage
THE ORDEALS OF ELLY ROBIN
Volume 5
While studying piano with a famous Italian virtuoso, fifteen-year old prodigy Elly Robin at first considers the patronage of the immensely wealthy LaSalle family a stroke of good fortune. But her social ineptness makes her a laughing stock to the LaSalle children. And Elly soon realizes the ostensibly respectable family harbors terrible secrets.
Elly awakens the LaSalle's sheltered daughter Willie to the awful knowledge that the source of her family's fabulous wealth is the virtual enslavement of thousands of impoverished immigrants. But the vehemence with which Willie turns against her family gets her mixed up in a murderous anarchist plot that imperils both their lives.
With cameo appearances by such luminaries as Jack London, Emma Goldman, and the young Gloria Swanson, this volume of Elly's adventures paints a compelling portrait of a bustling young city, riven by racial and economic inequality, and poised on the brink of the First World War.
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Illustration from Elly Robin: Bird in a Gilded Cage
REVIEWS
“The mystery-filled fifth installment of Quaver's "Ordeals of Elly Robin" series opens in the years before the First World War. Quaver writes with historical accuracy but is committed to life as it's lived rather than textbook details. The story teems with timeless insight on racial prejudice, abuse of power, slavery, radical love. Its world-building is razor-sharp, with a diverse cast. The plot-twists are smartly teased until revealed in quick succession, leaving the reader eagerly anticipating the next installment.”
—Booklife - Editor’s Pick
"Quaver's fifth volume in his "The Ordeals of Elly Robin" series brings his irrepressible protagonist to Chicago just before America's entry into WWI....The novel seamlessly blends historical figures and fictional characters [and] culminates with a breathless, page-turning chase through the streets of Chicago, leading Elly straight into the next installment of the continuing saga.... Packed with history, intrigue, and social controversy, along with will-crafted action scenes."
“A book of thrilling adventure and history like no other!”
—Amazon Review
"If you want to go on a wild ride, this is the book for you!"
—Carol
"This book was absolutely amazing. It caught my attention from the very beginning and I did not want to put it down. Character development is phenomenal. I was left wanting to know everything about the main character Elly. She's a wonderfully interesting glimpse into another time period."
—Meredith