Curious Toys

Curious Toys by Elizabeth Hand, published by Little Brown on September 29, 2020, is a 400-page novel written in English. Set in turn-of-the-century Chicago, this narrative follows Pin, a fourteen-year-old girl who disguises herself as a boy to join a gang at the Riverview amusement park. Amidst the lively atmosphere, she discovers a dark secret: a murderer lurking in the shadows of the carnival, preying on unsuspecting visitors.
Readers will find an intriguing blend of mystery and historical fiction as Pin embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the crimes. The story intertwines her journey with that of the enigmatic outsider artist Henry Darger, as they navigate the complexities of a city undergoing significant change. The book delves into themes of amateur sleuthing and the darker aspects of human nature, providing a rich backdrop for this atmospheric thriller.
Official synopsis Publisher
An intrepid young woman stalks a murderer through turn-of-the-century Chicago in “this rich, spooky, and atmospheric thriller that will appeal to fans of Henry Darger and Erik Larson alike” (Sarah McCarry).
In the sweltering summer of 1915, Pin, the fourteen-year-old daughter of a carnival fortune-teller, dresses as a boy and joins a teenage gang that roams the famous Riverview amusement park, looking for trouble.
Unbeknownst to the well-heeled city-dwellers and visitors who come to enjoy the midway, the park is also host to a ruthless killer who uses the shadows of the dark carnival attractions to conduct his crimes. When Pin sees a man enter the Hell Gate ride with a young girl, and emerge alone, she knows that something horrific has occurred.
The crime will lead her to the iconic outsider artist Henry Darger, a brilliant but seemingly mad man. Together, the two navigate the seedy underbelly of a changing city to uncover a murderer few even know to look for.
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