What IS that book called? discussion

I have two examples of elusive book titles.

My first book is about a Victorian London Dockyards Policeman who investigates the murder of a shop-keepers family, the shop-keeper may have been a tailor or jeweller.

The policeman is meticulous and thinks deeply about the crime and his boss is a politically aware and astute Burger of a South London Borough.

The story actually starts with a hangings many years before the murder event, however, one of the hangs is not dead and escapes at night.

My second elusive title is the story which starts in pre-historic times with a female hominid who watches a man/boy throwing spears, she wants to join in but is mocked because a woman cannot throw a spear hard enough to reach the target, never mind penetrate it.

She thinks about this and discovers that if she uses a particular shaped stick to use as an extension to her arm, she can make the spear go further, faster and penetrate the target more than the men, who then adopt the method and survive better.

The theme of women coming up with innovations through the ages, up to recent historic times, stays throughout the book

Hi! So I'm trying to find a book, which is the reason i joined this site. In the story I'm thinking of, there is a little girl, who is referred to as a "lady", that aboard a ship to travel overseas to her parents. She is the only girl on the ship and practices her writing and reading to pass the time. She is very proper and always tidies up her suitcase. I seem to remember the importance of a blue and yellow fancy dress, shined black boots, and white gloves. As the story progresses she seems to be turned into a crew worker, and is made to wear mens clothes and eat stale biscuits for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There was also a murder that happened upon the ship and no one seems to know whom the killer is, except her....I REALLY REALLY need to find out the title of this book! I woke up the other night and this story popped in my head! I read this book about 8 years ago, and for some reason, I feel the need to read it again! If anyone can help me, i would MUCH appreciate it!.... Thank you again!:)

Chris wrote: "I have two examples of elusive book titles.

My first book is about a Victorian London Dockyards Policeman who investigates the murder of a shop-keepers family, the shop-keeper may have been a tail..."

Hmmmm....at first when i was reading this i thought of Les Miserables, but i know thats not the book you are looking for....But maybe you can help with mine?