Award-winning Mystery-Romance Novelist to Visit WKCTC April 10

Press release


Award-winning Mystery-Romance Novelist to Visit WKCTC April 10 | Paducah, Western Kentucky Community and Technical College, writers,

Author Michelle Cox

PADUCAH, KY (03/30/2019) Author Michelle Cox will share about her award-winning mystery, romance book A Girl Like You: A Henrietta and Inspector Howard Novel, at West Kentucky Community and Technical College April 10 at 11 a.m. in Matheson Library. Her presentation is free and open to the public.

The book, which is set in 1930s Chicago during the Great Depression, is the first installment in the series featuring spunky Henrietta Von Harmon and the seemingly aloof Inspector Clive Howard, who develop strong feelings for one another during the story.

The year is 1935, but things still aren't looking up for Von Harmon since the big crash and her father's subsequent suicide, leaving Henrietta to care for her antagonistic mother and younger siblings. She is eventually persuaded to take a job as a taxi dancer at a local dance hall-and just when she's beginning to enjoy herself, the floor matron turns up dead. When Inspector Clive Howard appears on the scene, Henrietta agrees to go undercover for him-and is plunged into Chicago's grittier underworld.

One reader wrote, "Mystery, Romance, Historical - why choose one when you can have all three? Henrietta is a refreshing heroine, wise to the seamy side of 1935 Chicago without losing her integrity, bulling her way through dangerous situations on determination and a dash of thrill-seeking.... a fun read with a lot of heart."

Tasha Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of The Adventuress, said "Michelle Cox masterfully recreates 1930s Chicago in A Girl Like You, bringing to life its diverse neighborhoods and eclectic residents, as well as its seedy side. Henrietta and Inspector Howard are the best pair of sleuths I've come across in agesCox makes us care not just about the case, but about her characters. A fantastic start to what is sure to be a long running series."

A Girl Like You: A Henrietta and Inspector Howard Novel, which is published by She Writes Press, has received numerous literary accolades as well including the 2017 Readers Favorite: Gold Historical Mystery Winner, and in 2016, the IPPY Awards: Gold Mystery Winner, Readers Favorite: Gold Mystery Winner, Foreword Indies: Romance, Finalist, Shelf Unbound: Top 100 Notable Indie, USA Best Book Awards: Fiction Romance Finalist, and many others.

A native of East Dubuque, Ill., Cox attended Mundelein College in Chicago and graduated with a degree in English Literature. She has a love for stories of the past and weaves them into her novels and her weekly blog, Novel Notes of Local Lore. The Love You Take is her most recent stand-alone historical fiction novel.

Kim Russell, WKCTC English program coordinator and event organizer, said Cox has a bittersweet connection to Paducah. "After graduating from Mundelein College, Michelle met and married a former Paducah native, Benjamin Gregory. After only six years together, however, Benjamin passed away suddenly of a heart attack in 1999. In the time since his passing, Michelle has continued to visit Paducah and Benjamin's family and friends and fondly thinks of Paducah as her second home," said Russell. "We look forward to having Michelle on campus. Her work is amazing with twists and turns that will keep you guessing to the end. I know everyone who attends will enjoy her presentation."