Virginia Hughes's Peggy Goes Straw Hat is a charming and clever period mystery that feels like finding a forgotten photograph in an attic—faded at the edges, but full of life.

The Story

Peggy, working in a small-town library, buys a beautiful, old straw hat on a whim. When she discovers a cryptic note and a faded newspaper clipping tucked inside its lining, she becomes obsessed. The hat once belonged to Eleanor Chase, a wealthy young woman who disappeared from high society years ago without a trace. Peggy's research leads her from her sleepy hometown to the bustling city, following a trail of reluctant relatives, cagey former servants, and elegant parties with secrets simmering underneath. The deeper she digs, the clearer it becomes that Eleanor's disappearance was no accident, and that some people are very keen to keep the past buried.

Why You Should Read It

This book won me over with its heart. Peggy is a fantastic heroine—not a gun-toting sleuth, but a book-smart, persistently kind person who uses her research skills and empathy to connect the dots. The mystery is satisfying, but the real joy is in the journey. Hughes perfectly captures the feel of the 1920s, not just with the flapper dresses and cars, but with the tension between old traditions and new, modern ideas. You get a real sense of the walls—both social and personal—that women like Peggy and Eleanor had to navigate. It’s a story about uncovering truth, but also about the quiet courage it takes to challenge a story everyone else has accepted.

Final Verdict

Peggy Goes Straw Hat is perfect for anyone who loves a cozy, character-driven mystery with a strong sense of place and time. If you enjoy authors like Jacqueline Winspear or Charles Todd, but want a story with a lighter touch and a protagonist who feels like your cleverest friend, this is your next great read. It’s a warm, thoughtful escape into a bygone era, proving that sometimes the smallest clues can lead to the biggest truths.