The Manhattan Island Clubs: A Novel

by Brent Monahan, Drent Monahan

In the summer of 1906, a member of the Metropolitan Club - one of New York's most prestigious and powerful men's clubs - is brutally murdered within its walls. The man eyewitnesses claim committed the crime was, in actuality, across town in plain view of a hundred reliable witnesses at the time of the murder.

For J. P. Morgan, founding member of the Metropolitan Club, there is only one man who can be entrusted with the swift and proper resolution of this impossible crime -- Sheriff John Le Brun of Jekyl Island, Georgia. Thrust in the midst of Manhattan's social and intellectual elite - including actor William Gillette, newspaperman Joseph Pulitzer, and financial colossal J. P. Morgan himself - Le Brun finds himself in a deadly struggle and race against time with an unseen foe, a mind perhaps as nimble as his own.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Brent Monahan was born in Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan in 1948, as a World War II occupation baby. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in Music and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Indiana University, Bloomington. He has performed, stage directed and taught music and writing professionally. He has authored fourteen published novels and a number of short stories. Two of his novels have been made into motion pictures. Brent lives in Yardley, PA, with his wife, Bonnie.

Reviews

[Karla Huebner]

This mystery set in 1906 offered an interesting enough look at the club life of wealthy New Yorkers such as J.P. Morgan and Joseph Pulitzer. The sleuth is a retired sheriff from Georgia, which is mildly odd, but apparently the series has him investigate murders in various different clubs, so this time he goes to New York.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still loving John Le Brun as a South Georgia Sheriff who continues to solve the most difficult murder cases. Not only does Monahan give the reader a good murder mystery, he gives a great look at a time period - in this case 1906 in New York.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes place in Manhattan and offers a good mystery, a bit of a love story, a tour of some of the old men’s clubs of New York City and interesting characters as well.

[Camille Mariani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the character John LeBraun but found the book a little confusing at times.

[Danielle Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complete mystery all the way to the end. Read Jekyll Island Club first if you can. I read Manhattan Island Clubs first though and neither depend on each other.

[Michael Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in a series of mysteries set in New York in the early 1900's. The plot involves a murder in a private club, like the last two which were set on Jekyl Island and London. Retired sheriff, John LeBrun of Brunswick Georgia is called to New York by the tycoons that were impressed with his detective skills solving the murder at the Jekyl Island Club. Monahan weaves accurate history and architectural details around his fictional plot. I hope we see John LeRrun again.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the book's convoluted plot is at times almost too complicated, the book is nontheless interesting for its historical detail. Set in the first decade ot the 20th century, it depicts the new york that was. It fairly bristles with such characters as J.P.Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer, etc, and makes a small detour into the Stanford White scandal. worth reading just for its historically accurate details.

[Elizabeth Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read and I enjoyed the protagonist enough that I'm putting the other books in the series on my to-read shelf. The picture he paints of early twentieth century New York is a fascinating counterpart to the many books I've read set in Victorian London. The mystery was nicely twisty, although the ending wasn't entirely satisfying.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Brent Monahan's series of men's clubs mysteries, starting with The Jekyl Island Club, through the Sceptered Isle Club, and finishing with this one. I started reading the first since we're moving to Georgia, but I liked the main character enough to continue. I'm not sure why these seem to be out of print; they're engaging.

[Irena Politzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third of a good series -- not sure I'd like it as much, though, if I hadn't visited Jekyl Island (where the protagonist is from). The author rehashes his past stories a little much for my taste, but overall, it's a good read (heh heh).

[David Nadolny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as Monahan's other detective novels. I couldn't wait to go out and get the next one. So much so that when I saw the library had a wait list for it, I actually went out and bought it :)

[Stacy Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting historical tidbits, but otherwise plot was only so-so.

[Redhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

New York City just after the turn of the century, rich men and murder keep you wondering right up to the end.