Karen F. (cosmichomicide) reviewed Murder on Gramercy Park (Gaslight, Bk 3) on + 134 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I love this series for the historical detail of Victorian NYC and the generally great characters. I can't give it the highest marks because I really didn't care much at all about the victim(s), but I was genuinely surprised to be surprised by the outcome and, as usual, loved the interaction between Sarah and Malloy.
Brenna B. (demiducky25) reviewed Murder on Gramercy Park (Gaslight, Bk 3) on + 161 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is the third book in Victoria Thompson's Gaslight Mysteries series. In this story, Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy is called to investigate the suicide of mysterious healer Edmund Blackwell. Malloy notices that certain aspects of the crime scene don't match up with a suicide, and starts to investigate this as a possible murder. He calls in Sarah Brandt, much to his chagrin, to help him with the case because the victim's pregnant young wife found the body, which forced her into labor. We find out that nothing is what it seems under the shiny veneer of Dr. Blackwell, his pretty young wife, or the people they are involved with, leading to many possible suspects in his murder. I agree with Cheryl R (Spuddie)'s review above where she says "I figured it out very early on and kept trying to convince myself that I must be mistaken, only to discover that I was dead right." Still, it is a nice, light read that's a lot of fun. We get a bit more information about Frank's son Brian, but I would love to see a bit more progress on that front, as well as with Sarah and Frank's friendship.
Cheryl R. (Spuddie) -
Helpful Score: 2
#3 Sarah Brandt Victorian mystery set in turn-of-the-century NY featuring Brandt, a midwife, and Frank Malloy, a detective on the police force. The mystery was ridiculously easy. I figured it out very early on and kept trying to convince myself that I must be mistaken, only to discover that I was dead right. But I still enjoyed the book; I like the main characters and the journey describing how they get to the resolution is still an interesting ride.
Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed Murder on Gramercy Park (Gaslight, Bk 3) on + 422 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
In this book Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy actually summons Sarah Brandt to a crime scene.....the dead man's wife is about to deliver her baby......Naturally Sarah cannot help but "assist" the police......she enters the dark world of drugs.. and additional suicide (?) and attempted murders....Malloy starts to investigate, on his own, the long since cold murder of Dr.Brandt, Sarah's husband. This is a wonderful series......
Helpful Score: 1
Third book in the series just has good as the first two.
Lorraine T. (mysterylover) reviewed Murder on Gramercy Park (Gaslight, Bk 3) on + 318 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Det. Sgt. Malloy has to ask Sarah's help because the husband of a woman expecting a baby is murdered. It's made to look like suicide, but Malloy is sure it's not. The characters in this series are well defined, interesting and likeable people which helps to make them a very enjoyable read.
Patricia H. (beachcomber) reviewed Murder on Gramercy Park (Gaslight, Bk 3) on + 320 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Lots of twists, turns and surprises.
Helpful Score: 1
Really good story. I will be reading more from this author.
Helpful Score: 1
For those who like turn of the century mysteries. Series gets better with each new book.
Linda S. (ChoctawLady) - , reviewed Murder on Gramercy Park (Gaslight, Bk 3) on + 59 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really like this series of books. Always keeps me guessing.
Helpful Score: 1
Good book... bit of a logic gap... but good none-the-less
Winston C. (Crabby-doctor) reviewed Murder on Gramercy Park (Gaslight, Bk 3) on + 296 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the third of Thompson's "Gaslight Mysteries." I just finished it and am looking forward to reading the rest of them, as soon as I a get the fourth one.
Good series and well written characters. I appriciate more the freedom women have gained since the 1890s, after reading these books.
I checked out some of the facts about the time period in which the book was written and found that the author has really done a lot of research and been careful to portray things as they were in 1895-97.
I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
I checked out some of the facts about the time period in which the book was written and found that the author has really done a lot of research and been careful to portray things as they were in 1895-97.
I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
Marlene W. (KansasSunflower) -
This a wonderful series. It's amazing to think about how medicine has improved, how much different women's roles are in our lives and this is just a thoroughly enjoyable look at life in New York.
LecClier K. (SierraK) -
Young, pregnant Letitia Blackwell returns from an afternoon of charity work to find her husband Edmund has been brutally murdered in his study. The shock of this discovery causes Letitia to go into labor, and New York NYPD Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy summons his friend and fellow sleuth midwifeSarah Brandt to deliver the baby. This is the third story in Victoria Thompson's "Gaslight Mysteries", which are set in turn-of-the century New York City. As Frank and Sarah try to find Edmunc Blackwell's murderer, they discover many dark secrets in the Blackwell family. The stories in this series keep improving, and "Murder on Gramercy Park" is the best in the series to date.
As a midwife in the turn-of-the-century tenements of New York City, Sarah Brandt has seen her share of suffering and joy, birth and death. Now, she learns that crime doesnt discriminate, when the highest echelons of society are rocked by murder A Gaslight Mystery At a summons from Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy, Sarah arrives at the elegant home of famed magnetic healer Edmund Blackwell to find his wife in laborand the good doctor dead from an apparent suicide. Only Malloy sees what no one else wants to: that Blackwell was murdered in his own home After a successful delivery, the Blackwell baby falls mysteriously ill. Relying on her nurses training and womans intuition, Sarah discovers the source of the babys sicknessand discovers a scandal that leads Malloys investigation down a gilded path paved with greed, deception, and desire
This was a delightful, entertaining plot well worth reading! The complication of the murders involved the complexity of the people involved just make them a treasure to read!
This was a delightful, entertaining plot well worth reading! The complication of the murders involved the complexity of the people involved just make them a treasure to read!
I think this one is better than the first two in the series. The two main characters are more developed and supporting characters quite interesting and multifaceted. Mystery is good and depiction of the time perios (mid1890's)well done. Held my interest through out, looking forward to book 4.
Another good story in the Gaslight series. This is book 3. Another who-dun-it but the story continues on between Sarah & Frank and his son. Looking forward to reading what will happen next between them in book 4.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy is called to investigate the apparent suicide of Edmund Blackwell. Malloy quickly realizes that it is a murder when evidence points in that direction. He sends for midwife Sarah Brandt when the victim's pregnant wife goes into labor. Once Sarah has her foot in the door and learns that there has been a murder, she decides to help Frank solve the case.
This is another enjoyable Gaslight Mystery by Victoria Thompson. This series is quickly becoming a favorite for me. I love the friendship between Frank and Sarah, and her helping him with his son. In this story we have several suspects, most of whom are not very likeable. I thought I had the villains figured out early in the book, but was surprised with the twist in the last dozen pages. My rating: 5 Stars.
This is another enjoyable Gaslight Mystery by Victoria Thompson. This series is quickly becoming a favorite for me. I love the friendship between Frank and Sarah, and her helping him with his son. In this story we have several suspects, most of whom are not very likeable. I thought I had the villains figured out early in the book, but was surprised with the twist in the last dozen pages. My rating: 5 Stars.
Well, I am officiously hooked on this series. I thought this was going to be an easy mystery, but be prepared for a twist here and there. I like that the H/H are headed toward a more than platonic relationship. I am curious to see how Ms. Thompson is going to get to the happily ever after. Or, will she keep us hanging on to the possibility for the entire series. Recommend.
Christina B. (catyasdo) -
Quoted from my review @ http://misscz.wordpress.com
Comments: At the beginning of the book, Frank is relieved that the case he's been assigned to isn't a murder and there is no possible way that Sarah can somehow get involved. Poor guy. Shortly after he arrives, he learns that the very pregnant wife of the late Edmund Blackwell is the person who found the body. The shock has sent her into full labor. There's no question as to who Malloy will send for, and his consolation is that the case is a suicide and there won't be any need for Sarah to get more involved. Again, Malloy is proved wrong, this time by the evidence at the crime scene. He's absolutely sure that the man was murdered.
Sarah becomes necessary to the investigation in her role as the midwife/nurse to Mrs. Blackwell and her baby. Letitia Blackwell is confined to her bed and refuses to receive visitors, and it is improper for Frank to intrude. Sarah's status also allows her to question the staff who are leery of Malloy. Even her Knickerbocker, blue-blood family name comes in handy when dealing with Blackwell's more influential clients. She's more than happy to be involved in any way possible, and she is careful when teasing Malloy, for fear he will exclude her from the investigation entirely.
Before long, suspects and motives mount up. It's like a game of Clue, where Sarah and Frank know the weapon and the room (study/library, with the revolver), but no way to easily eliminate the "who". Could it have been Amos Potter, Blackwell's business partner who seems smitten with Letitia? Was it Letitia, with her many scandalous secrets? Or maybe her over-protective father? Then there's the young man claiming to be Blackwell's son.
Frank spends a great deal of time at Sarah's place, discussing the possible suspect/motive combinations and going through Dr. Brandt's files, looking for a clue to his murder - slim that it may be. Frank continues to be more aware of his feelings toward Sarah than Sarah is about her own feelings for Frank. Sarah still associates seeing Frank with being involved in the murder investigations: anxious to exchange new intelligence and theorize the who and why.
Favorite Quote:
"How did you manage with Brian by yourself?"
"I knocked him unconscious and threw him over my shoulder. He wasn't much trouble at all after that."
- Sarah, Malloy (re: Frank's son, Brian)
Comments: At the beginning of the book, Frank is relieved that the case he's been assigned to isn't a murder and there is no possible way that Sarah can somehow get involved. Poor guy. Shortly after he arrives, he learns that the very pregnant wife of the late Edmund Blackwell is the person who found the body. The shock has sent her into full labor. There's no question as to who Malloy will send for, and his consolation is that the case is a suicide and there won't be any need for Sarah to get more involved. Again, Malloy is proved wrong, this time by the evidence at the crime scene. He's absolutely sure that the man was murdered.
Sarah becomes necessary to the investigation in her role as the midwife/nurse to Mrs. Blackwell and her baby. Letitia Blackwell is confined to her bed and refuses to receive visitors, and it is improper for Frank to intrude. Sarah's status also allows her to question the staff who are leery of Malloy. Even her Knickerbocker, blue-blood family name comes in handy when dealing with Blackwell's more influential clients. She's more than happy to be involved in any way possible, and she is careful when teasing Malloy, for fear he will exclude her from the investigation entirely.
Before long, suspects and motives mount up. It's like a game of Clue, where Sarah and Frank know the weapon and the room (study/library, with the revolver), but no way to easily eliminate the "who". Could it have been Amos Potter, Blackwell's business partner who seems smitten with Letitia? Was it Letitia, with her many scandalous secrets? Or maybe her over-protective father? Then there's the young man claiming to be Blackwell's son.
Frank spends a great deal of time at Sarah's place, discussing the possible suspect/motive combinations and going through Dr. Brandt's files, looking for a clue to his murder - slim that it may be. Frank continues to be more aware of his feelings toward Sarah than Sarah is about her own feelings for Frank. Sarah still associates seeing Frank with being involved in the murder investigations: anxious to exchange new intelligence and theorize the who and why.
Favorite Quote:
"How did you manage with Brian by yourself?"
"I knocked him unconscious and threw him over my shoulder. He wasn't much trouble at all after that."
- Sarah, Malloy (re: Frank's son, Brian)
As a midwife in the turn of the century tenements of New York City, Sarah Brandt has seen her share of suffering and joy, birth and death. Now she learns that crime doesn't discriminate when the highest echelons of society are rocked by murder. At a summons from Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy, Sarah arrives at the elegant home of famed magnetic healer Edmund Blackwell to find his wife in labor - and the good doctor dead from an apparent suicide. Only Malloy sees what no one else wants to: that Blackwell was murdered in his own home....
After a successful delivery, the Blackwell baby falls mysteriously ill. Relying on her nurse's training and woman's intuition, Sarah discovers the source of the baby's sickness - and discovers a scandal that leads Malloy's investigation down a gilded path paved with greed, deception and desire ....
After a successful delivery, the Blackwell baby falls mysteriously ill. Relying on her nurse's training and woman's intuition, Sarah discovers the source of the baby's sickness - and discovers a scandal that leads Malloy's investigation down a gilded path paved with greed, deception and desire ....
Cheryl (Toni) J. (toni) reviewed Murder on Gramercy Park (Gaslight, Bk 3) on + 351 more book reviews
Book is new, never read. Was a gift and I already had a copy.
