| Frank
Malloy, an ex-policeman now private investigator, and Sarah
Brandt, a midwife, have married and are on their honeymoon
in Europe. Their two children from previous marriages are
being cared for by their nursemaid, Maeve Smith, and occasionally
Mrs. Malloy, Frank’s mother. Everyone is waiting for
the newlyweds to return when Maeve opens the front door to
Mrs. O’Neill, who asks for Frank’s help. Her daughter
Una is accused of killing her husband, Randolph Pollock.
Maeve decides to help Mrs. O’Neill’s daughter,
with the assistance of Officer Gino Donatelli, since they
have worked with Frank and Sarah on previous investigations.
Maeve visits Una in prison and sees bruises, revealing that
Una’s husband beat her frequently. Though Una doesn’t
remember anything, Maeve wonders if she killed her husband
in self-defense.
When Mrs. O’Neill and Maeve visit Una’s home and
discover the husband’s office in disarray, Maeve opens
the safe and discovers several thousand dollars, money she
delivers to Sarah’s parents, the Deckers, for safekeeping.
This brings Sarah’s parents into the investigation and
they all learn that Randolph may have killed his first wife.
Randolph definitely defrauded several investors, whose money
Maeve found. But who killed Randolph? A furious investor?
The brother of Randolph’s first wife? Or Una?
Victoria Thompson has written another thrilling historical
mystery, centered on the efforts of Maeve and Gino, who have
a strong mutual attraction. The intriguing plot is solid and
fast-paced, and the book was difficult to put down. I love
Ms. Thompson’s enchanting descriptions of her characters,
who are almost real and certainly loveable, especially Felix
and Elizabeth Decker. Several times I laughed out loud, especially
when Maeve and Gino try to hide their feelings for each other,
fooling no one but themselves. The book ends with Frank and
Sarah’s return, and the delightful possibility that
a new detective agency may be formed. I can’t wait!
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]
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