A Woman at Bay; Or, A Fiend in Skirts

"A Woman at Bay; Or, A Fiend in Skirts" is a riveting early 20th-century detective novel, notable for featuring a unique female antagonist challenging the conventions of its time. Part of the Nick Carter series, written under the pseudonym Nicholas Carter, this narrative deviates from typical detective stories by introducing a complex and cunning female villain, described as a 'fiend in skirts'. The story unfolds with Nick Carter, the renowned detective, facing off against this unusual adversary in an urban setting reflective of the era's societal shifts.

The novel skillfully combines suspense, action, and psychological intrigue, keeping readers engrossed. Carter navigates a labyrinth of deceit and danger, where moral boundaries are blurred, and identifying allies and enemies is a constant challenge. It explores themes of gender roles, justice, and the eternal struggle between good and evil, while offering a critical view of the social dynamics of the early 1900s, wrapped in an engaging detective narrative.