Frances McNamara: Joy Street Jail Murder in a Nutshell

A chat with Boston mystery author Frances McNamara in the Nichols House Museum's parlor.

In Frances McNamara’s latest Nutshell Murder Mystery, Joy Street Jail Murder in a Nutshell, it is 1920 and Frances Glessner Lee (based on the real-life “mother of forensic science”) and the team from the North Grove Street morgue are investigating a mysterious death in the Joy Street police station. The case takes them through Beacon Hill’s North Slope and into the West End neighborhood, encountering settlement house workers, city police, and members of Boston’s Jewish community. Infamous Ward 8 political boss Martin Lomasney makes an appearance, as does our own Margaret (Nichols) Shurcliff!

Join us for a chat with Frances about her new book, as well as her research and writing process. We’ll also be joined by Christen Hazel of The Vilna Shul, one of our non-profit neighbors on Beacon Hill. She will share history of the Vilna Shul and the Jewish neighborhood located on Beacon Hill’s North Slope in the early 20th Century.

Enjoy a conversation with Frances and Christen, plus pick up your signed copy of Frances’ new book.