Above the Fold

McDaniel’s sensitive debut revels in its Prohibition-era setting without delving deeply into its politics. Elissa Tillman is desperate to prove her skills as a journalist to her editor father, Alfred, and help save her family’s failing Pittsburgh paper, the Review. Reporter Cole Parker, who broke Elissa’s heart when he left town five years ago, returns hoping to make amends, and Elissa’s father takes him back to the paper, despite Elissa’s protestations. When a local millionaire is murdered, Alfred finally gives Elissa a chance, but only if she’s willing to compete with Cole to get the story. The search for a scoop brings Elissa and Cole together, forcing them to confront the battle with alcoholism that drove Cole away and offering the pair a second chance at love. While McDaniel’s setting is vibrant, several characters’ xenophobic comments, while accurate to the period, may be jarring to modern readers, and historically minded readers will wonder at the absence of references to the recently ended WWI. Readers who persevere, however, will find a sweet story reminiscent of Deeane Gist. Agent: Julie Gwinn, The Seymour Agency. (Dec.)