Girl in Disguise

By Jessica Asbell

Do you know the name Kate Warne? How about Allan Pinkerton, founder of the Pinkerton Detective Agency? We know that Kate Warne was hired by Allan Pinkerton in 1856 as the first female Pinkerton Detective. She died in 1868 and was buried in the Pinkerton family plot. History also tells us that she helped save Abraham Lincolns life on the way to his inauguration in 1861. But that was all that history told us about this important figure.

In her book entitled Girl in Disguise, Greer Macallister brings Kate Warne to life. She enters into Allan Pinkertons office, answering an advertisement for a detective. When told that he doesnt hire females as detectives, Kate simply responds, Somebody has to be first. Thus, Pinkerton takes a chance on Kate, a widow with a mysterious past. Kate begins her new life full of aliases, coded messages, and little support from the other detectives.

When Abraham Lincoln is elected, its learned that there is a plot to assassinate him on his way to the inauguration. Thanks to the Pinkerton detectives, Lincoln is disguised as an invalid, and Kate transports him safely to D.C. and to his destiny.

However, the country grows ever more restless and tense, eventually splitting at the Mason-Dixon Line. During the Civil War, the Pinkerton detectives are tasked with finding the spies among them. When an unexpected enemy betrays someone Kate cares for, Kate will have to choose whether to do what is expected of her or to follow her heart.

Although little is known about the real Kate Warne, its easy to imagine her with the feisty personality that Macallister has given her in Girl in Disguise.