Murder on Astor Place
A Gaslight Mystery
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4.3 • 193 Ratings
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
The first novel in the national bestselling Gaslight Mystery series introduces Sarah Brandt, a midwife in the turn-of-the-century tenements of Manhattan who refuses to turn a blind eye to the injustices of the crime-ridden city…
After a routine delivery, Sarah visits her patient in a rooming house—and discovers that another boarder, a young girl, has been killed. At the request of Sergeant Frank Malloy, she searches the girl’s room. She discovers that the victim is from one of the most prominent families in New York—and the sister of an old friend. The powerful family, fearful of scandal, refuses to permit an investigation. But with Malloy’s help, Sarah begins a dangerous quest to bring the killer to justice—before death claims another victim...
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Sprinkled with fascinating details of turn-of-the-century New York City, Thompson's old-fashioned mystery takes the reader from the mansions of Fifth Avenue to the flophouses of the Lower East Side. Sarah Brandt is a midwife who has been estranged from her wealthy family for years. When Alicia VanDamm, a young woman from a prominent family, is murdered, Sarah must return to the upper-class society she has scorned to find the killer. Haunted by her past and disgusted by police department corruption, Sarah takes it upon herself to avenge the girl's death. Annoyed at first by her interference, Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy asks for Sarah's help only when he has been taken off the case at the request of the victim's scandal-fearing family. The feisty midwife and the ambitious policeman grudgingly become allies in their search for justice. Sarah and Frank are appealing characters, and the author develops their rapport subtly and believably. In this first installment in a new series of historical mysteries, Thompson vividly re-creates the gas-lit world of old New York, concluding her mystery with revelations that will shock even 20th-century readers.
Customer Reviews
Unusual Mystery
This is the second time I have read this book. I like the mysteries Victoria Thompson writes because they always have a surprise twist. Her stories although written in a past era are relevant today. It is always interesting that the mores of one era are so different than today. What is acceptable and hidden then would today be out in the open and not tolerated. Her stories are concise without a lot of plot twists.
Murder on Astor Place
I enjoyed your book. I wanted to find out who did it. I had figured some of it but was surprised at the complete ending.
The Gaslight Mysteries
I look for free ebooks and rarely purchase one. However, after reading the first book in this series, I purchased the remaining books and read them in quick succession. I couldn't read them fast enough and yet didn't want to be finished with them either. I love this series! I would say more, but I don't want to give anything away!