Customer Reviews

Murder on Marble Row

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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This series of Gaslight Mysteries is well-written and replete with period detail. Taking place in New York City in the late eighteen nineties, these books chronicle the investigatory adventures of a former socialite, turned midwife, Sarah Brandt, and Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy of the New York City Police Department. Set against a backdrop of New York City life that encompasses the teeming tenements of the poor and the stately homes of the wealthy, these books are a pleasure to read.

Although the plots are always intriguing, it is the burgeoning relationship between Sarah and Malloy that grips the reader, as well as their lives and the lives of the supporting cast of characters that pepper the series. Once again, Sarah finds herself working closely with Malloy, when an explosion kills a wealthy industrialist, whom Sarah happens to know. Though both Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt and Malloy believe anarchists to be responsible for the bombing, Sarah suspects otherwise. Malloy needs to work closely with Sarah, as she can give him the necessary background information that only someone with her insider's knowledge of the wealthy can provide. This causes Malloy great angst, as his feelings for Sarah run deep and true, but due to the strict social hierarchy of the times, those feelings must be kept under wraps, or so he thinks.

This series is very entertaining, and the characters are well developed. The combination of history and mystery with a touch of romance is irresistible. With each book, the backdrop stories of the lives of the main characters are fleshed out. While the mysteries are intriguing, they are the framework around which the characters evolve. Those who enjoy historical fiction and mysteries will enjoy this series of books.

The only thing bad about the Gaslight series is that they cannot come out fast enough. Every one leaves one wanting more. Marble Row was no exception.

The least dark of Victoria Thompson's Gaslight Mystery novels to date, "Murder on Marble Row" nevertheless still was a compelling and absorbing read.

Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy of the New York Police is in a bind. Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt has hand-picked him to investigate the murder of wealthy businessman Gregory Van Dyke (Gregory was blown up when a bomb went off in his office); the Commissioner strongly suspects that anarchists are behind the murder, but Van Dyke was also a businessman who had his share of enemies and angry rivals, and the guilty party could lie within that group. And so Malloy, once again, ventures into the world of the rich and the powerful in New York City, thinking that this time, he won't have the able assistance of midwife, Sarah Brandt, because he has resolved to have as little to do with Sarah as possible because of the strong feelings he has for her. Except that the very first person he meets at the Van Dyke house turns out to be Sarah! Sarah, the daughter of the rich and socially prominent Deckers, grew up with the Van Dyke children, and knows that family intimately; and she's determined to help Malloy whether he likes it or not. Almost at once Sarah and Malloy clash when it comes to light that the eldest Van Dyke son, Creighton, has joined the anarchist party. Malloy thinks that Creighton had a hand in his father's death, but Sarah is equally sure that Creighton is innocent, and she manages to persuade Malloy to dig deeper. Together, Malloy and Sarah uncover every secret and scandal that the Van Dyke family have, and come face to face with a very devious and ruthless mind...

Unlike the previous Gaslight mysteries by Victoria Thompson, "Murder on Marble Row, doesn't delve very much into the seedier aspects of New York City during the Victorian period. This installment dwells more on doings of the upper classes, and the Van Dyke family in particular. However, the book was still an engrossing and riveting read, with quite a few plot twists and turns, and enough red herring suspects to keep things humming. Furthermore, I was rather pleased that Sarah's parents were better fleshed out, and that there are hints that the mystery of Sarah's husband's murder will be cleared up soon. All in all, a very good and satisfying 5 star read.

New York City Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt is trying to clean up the corruption on the force. When an explosion kills Mr. Gregory Van Dyke, a wealthy and powerful businessman, the commissioner asks Detective Frank Malone to lead the investigation because he won't be bought by the influential citizens who have policemen on their payroll. At the Van Dyke mansion, the trophy widow blames the eldest son for her husband's death because Creighton has joined a group of anarchists and "everyone" knows they make bombs to kill the leaders of high society.

Sarah Brandt, a family friend of the Van Dykes, pays a condolence call. She forces Malone to take her to his interview with Creighton. She comes away from the interview convinced that he isn't the killer. Sarah and Malone, separately and together discover that every member of Gregory's family as well as his business partner have a reason to want him dead. Finding out who the perpetrator is proves quite difficult since nobody wants to cooperate with the police.

Each novel in the "Gaslight Mystery" series just keeps getting better as the audience learns more about the era and the lead characters. Malone won't admit his love for Sarah because he is an Irish cop and she is a descendant of the Knickerbockers. Even though her parents are wealthy, Sarah works as a midwife and nurse while living on her own income. She loves her parents but doesn't look to them for approval. The duo makes a good team professionally and if they allow themselves personally. The mystery is well executed and the ending will come as a complete surprise to the audience.

Harriet Klausner