This is another enjoyable installment of the Gaslight Mystery series. In this novel, now former midwife Sarah Brandt is engaged to be married to former police detective Frank Malloy. As they make plans for their wedding and work on having their future home renovated, a friend of Sarah's mother asks for Malloy's help, because he thinks his son was murdered. When this turns out to be true, Malloy and Sarah find themselves involved in an ever-thickening plot as more people fall victim to the diabolical murderer. There are plenty of twists and turns in this novel, and Victoria Thompson does not disappoint.
I am a huge fan of this series; it is by far my favorite mystery series, and all because of the wonderful characters. And it isn't just Sarah and Frank that I like, but also Catherine, Brian, Maeve, former-officer Donatelli, and Mrs. Ellsworth. They all put in appearances, and do their part to help solve the case. Victoria Thompson does a wonderful job with character, as usual, which is why I keep coming back to this series again and again.
At the end of the novel, a treat is announced: Usually Ms. Thompson puts out 1 book/year, but this year, she is putting out an extra one in the fall, which will focus on Maeve and Gino (who are starting to become romantically interested in each other) solving a case on their own. I am really excited about this. I love Frank and Sarah, but I'm also a huge fan of Maeve's and Gino's, so it will be fun to see them work a case together. I think it is fair to say that Gino will have no easier time keeping Maeve from getting into trouble than Frank had with Sarah -- maybe less.
If you like good mysteries or good period pieces, this book is worth a try. However, I highly recommend you start on book 1... and enjoy them all. This is the 17th book, and I hope there will be another 17 to come.