The Scarlet Pen

The Tale of a Nineteenth-Century Serial Killer

Murder podcasts are all the rage right now, but honestly, murder has always been a topic that’s strangely intriguing. The Scarlet Pen is the tale of the true but forgotten history of a 19th century serial killer whose silver-tongued ways almost trap a young woman into a nightmarish marriage.

I’ve not had a chance to read this latest in the True Crime Series by Barbour, but I have read other novellas by author Jennifer Uhlarik, and in fact have even been in a collection with her. That being said, I have no qualms about recommending this latest from her. Here’s a blurb:

In 1876, Emma Draycott is charmed into a quick engagement with childhood friend Stephen Dee Richards after reconnecting with him at a church event in Mount Pleasant, Ohio. But within the week, Stephen leaves to “make his fame and fortune.” The heartbroken Emma gives him a special pen to write to her, and he does with tales of grand adventures. Secret Service agent Clay Timmons arrives in Mount Pleasant to track purchases made with fake currency. Every trail leads back to Stephen—and therefore, Emma. Can he convince the naive woman she is engaged to a charlatan who is being linked a string of deaths in Nebraska?