City of Promise

City of Promise (2011) by Beverly Swerling. The subtitle of this book is, A Novel of New York's Gilded Age. It's a historical fiction which tells the story of Mollie Turner and Josh, her husband, and their struggle to make their fortune in New York City from 1864 to 1883. While Josh is engaged in developing property and building some of the first proto-skyscrapers, some evil men from his past in the Civil War dog his steps, and aren't above harming Mollie to get at Josh. I don't read much historical fiction, but I suspect this book is typical in the way it blends actual events with the made-up adventures of the characters in the novel. It makes for quite an entertaining read. It's not a great book, by any means, but it will keep you engaged and make the time pass pleasantly enough. Grade: B+