Gaslight Mystery, No 14
Victoria Thompson
Berkley
May 1, 2012 / ISBN: 0425247414
Historical Mystery / Victorian/ Turn of the Century / New York /
Female Protagonist /
Amazon
Reviewed
by Brenda Weeaks
The infamous
Knickerbocker Club (men's social club) is located on the southeast
corner of Fifth Avenue. A murder victim is found at the Knickerbocker,
and it's Sarah Brandt's father who calls Sergeant Frank Malloy to
the scene. Felix Decker believes his wealth and social status put
him in charge, so he expects Malloy to solve the murder quietly
and report back to him. When Malloy and Decker deliver the bad news
to the victim's family, Malloy learns Chilton Devries (Chilly) was
not a liked man. Surprisingly, Malloy and Decker request Sarah and
her mother join the case. Does that mean Mr Decker is ready to recognize
women as intellectual beings? Malloy follows up with everyone Chilly
met that day, including his young mistress and an Italian thug.
And Sarah - with her mother - visits Chilly's family in the hopes
of gathering more leads. Malloy delves into wealthy, lower class
and criminal lives of New York once again and there's nothing romantic
about it at all.
Murder
on Fifth Avenue is an interesting look into the Knickerbocker
club and the social classes (rich & criminals) who rule New
York. Thompson uses this mystery to expose abuse in social classes.
Her followers hope Sarah's family and Malloy are finally drawn together.
The conclusion of the mystery and the main characters' relationship
is not what I expected, but I had no problem in accepting it. Thompson's
presentation of the period and dialogue is spot on to the point
of emotional. But it's also satisfactory in that the mystery is
well thought out and certainly keeps the pages turning.
Thompson creates
titles after historical New York streets and areas. Her series is
a unique mix of fictional characters, crime, and society during
a notable era. Thompson's Gaslight Series is one of the most popular
historical mystery series on the shelf. Highly Recommended.
Reviews
of other titles in this series
Murder
on Astor Place #1 [review]
Murder on St Mark's Place #2 [review]
Murder on Lenox Hill #7 [review]
Murder on Sisters' Row #13 [review]
Murder on Fifth Avenue #14 [review]
Murder in Chelsea #15 [review]
Murder in Murray Hill #16 [review]
Murder on Amsterdam Avenue #17 [review]
Murder in the Bowery #20 [review]
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