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Rose Gallagher #1
Murder on Millionaires' Row
Erin Lindsey takes readers on a chase through Gilded Age Manhattan, filled with wonderful historical details, ghosts, romance, and Pinkerton detectives in Murder on Millionaires' Row, a delightfully charming debut mystery.
Rose Gallagher might dream of bigger things, but she’s content enough with her life as a housemaid. After all, it’s not every girl from Five Points who gets to spend her days in a posh Fifth Avenue brownstone, even if only to sweep its floors. But all that changes on the day her boss, Mr. Thomas Wiltshire, disappears. Rose is certain Mr. Wiltshire is in trouble, but the police treat his disappearance as nothing more than the whims of a rich young man behaving badly. Meanwhile, the friend who reported him missing is suspiciously unhelpful. With nowhere left to turn, Rose takes it upon herself to find her handsome young employer.
The investigation takes her from the marble palaces of Fifth Avenue to the sordid streets of Five Points. When a ghostly apparition accosts her on the street, Rose begins to realize that the world around her isn’t at all as it seems―and her place in it is about to change forever.
Rose Gallagher might dream of bigger things, but she’s content enough with her life as a housemaid. After all, it’s not every girl from Five Points who gets to spend her days in a posh Fifth Avenue brownstone, even if only to sweep its floors. But all that changes on the day her boss, Mr. Thomas Wiltshire, disappears. Rose is certain Mr. Wiltshire is in trouble, but the police treat his disappearance as nothing more than the whims of a rich young man behaving badly. Meanwhile, the friend who reported him missing is suspiciously unhelpful. With nowhere left to turn, Rose takes it upon herself to find her handsome young employer.
The investigation takes her from the marble palaces of Fifth Avenue to the sordid streets of Five Points. When a ghostly apparition accosts her on the street, Rose begins to realize that the world around her isn’t at all as it seems―and her place in it is about to change forever.
390 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2018
219 people are currently reading
3953 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 348 reviews
December 1, 2018
Rose, a girl from the Five Points of New York, is a housemaid in a prominent uptown household, but she wants to be more. When her boss goes missing, she does everything she can to track him down which leads her into an epic journey full of detectives and ghosts.
This was an interesting Gilded Age story, one that is heavier on the paranormal than was expected. I was anticipating a straightforward historical whodunnit but that’s not what I got here, but please don’t let my expectations sway you from reading this one. If paranormal is your thing, I believe it will be an enjoyable read as it was well done.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for my complementary copy, this book is now available.
This was an interesting Gilded Age story, one that is heavier on the paranormal than was expected. I was anticipating a straightforward historical whodunnit but that’s not what I got here, but please don’t let my expectations sway you from reading this one. If paranormal is your thing, I believe it will be an enjoyable read as it was well done.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for my complementary copy, this book is now available.
October 2, 2018
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2018/10/02/...
I’ve been a fan of Erin Lindsey for a while, and let me just say I was ecstatic when I found out about Murder on Millionaires’ Row. On her author’s page, it states that she is a lover of all things history, mystery, and fantasy, and I was happy to find this novel a jaunty mixture of all three.
It is New York City in 1886. Rose Gallagher is a young woman from Five Points who has always dreamed of a more adventurous life, though she knows things could be much worse than working as a housemaid in one of the city’s poshest neighborhoods. Secretly, she is also in love with her employer, the wealthy and handsome Thomas Wiltshire.
But then Mr. Wiltshire goes missing, and when Rose discovers that the police isn’t taking his disappearance seriously, she decides to take matters into her own hands. In the first few days of her investigation, she learns more about her employer than she ever bargained for. Apparently, Mr. Wiltshire traveled in some strange circles, and is not in fact an attorney as he claimed to be. What he was really up to before he disappeared, Rose doesn’t know, but she has strong suspicions that it has something to do with the Freemasons after tailing one of his friends to their headquarters. However, when a ghost of a woman suddenly appears in front of her one day, covered in blood and looking desperate and scared, Rose realizes that the man she loves may be in more trouble than she initially thought.
What follows is a delectable brew of lighthearted intrigue, drama, and yes, even a little bit of romance as we go hunting clues through the streets of late 19th century New York City with one of the most delightful lady detectives I’ve ever met. Part of the charm of Murder on Millionaires’ Row is its highly appealing throwback feel to some of the earliest mysteries to feature amateur female detectives (I was reminded a little bit of the works by Catherine Crowe, who was notable for featuring maid servant sleuths and ghosts in her stories). Erin Lindsey must have done an insane amount of research to get the setting and the atmosphere just right, and it was an effort that paid off as we got to experience all the wonders of the city with Rose on her exploits.
This book is also the author’s debut mystery, putting her abilities to write a compelling crime novel to the test, which she passes with flying colors. While on the surface, Murder on Millionaires’ Row might seem very different from her previous work, I still found it remarkably easy to get into. For one thing, readers who enjoyed Alix Black in her fantasy trilogy Bloodbound will recognize the same kind of courage and strength in Rose Gallagher, an incredibly resourceful woman who never quits. There’s also a supernatural component which may come as a surprise to unsuspecting readers because it doesn’t come into play until well into the mystery, though speaking as a speculative fiction fan, I really appreciated this aspect. We have everything from ghosts to magic, mediums and witches, as well as individuals who have special powers, or “luck”.
As supernatural mysteries go, this was by far one of the most lively and entertaining ones I have ever read. It offered up just the right amount of the paranormal without distracting from the mystery plot, and I think even non-fantasy readers would not be left feeling too overwhelmed. My only criticism is that the ending felt a little too rushed in stark contrast to the slow build of the investigation, and the resolution also felt too convenient. That said, I think the conclusion leaves room for many more fantastic storylines in the future, and I sure hope we’ll see more of Rose and Thomas. The two of them have amazing chemistry, which I sensed from only getting a small taste of their budding romance.
All in all, Murder on Millionaires’ Row is a fine debut bursting with potential, and definitely not your run-of-the-mill cozy mystery. The story pulled me in straight away, and it also didn’t take me long to fall in love with its courageous heroine and the rest of the plucky cast. Fans of historical fiction and detective stories will eat this one right up, especially if enjoy a touch of the paranormal.
I’ve been a fan of Erin Lindsey for a while, and let me just say I was ecstatic when I found out about Murder on Millionaires’ Row. On her author’s page, it states that she is a lover of all things history, mystery, and fantasy, and I was happy to find this novel a jaunty mixture of all three.
It is New York City in 1886. Rose Gallagher is a young woman from Five Points who has always dreamed of a more adventurous life, though she knows things could be much worse than working as a housemaid in one of the city’s poshest neighborhoods. Secretly, she is also in love with her employer, the wealthy and handsome Thomas Wiltshire.
But then Mr. Wiltshire goes missing, and when Rose discovers that the police isn’t taking his disappearance seriously, she decides to take matters into her own hands. In the first few days of her investigation, she learns more about her employer than she ever bargained for. Apparently, Mr. Wiltshire traveled in some strange circles, and is not in fact an attorney as he claimed to be. What he was really up to before he disappeared, Rose doesn’t know, but she has strong suspicions that it has something to do with the Freemasons after tailing one of his friends to their headquarters. However, when a ghost of a woman suddenly appears in front of her one day, covered in blood and looking desperate and scared, Rose realizes that the man she loves may be in more trouble than she initially thought.
What follows is a delectable brew of lighthearted intrigue, drama, and yes, even a little bit of romance as we go hunting clues through the streets of late 19th century New York City with one of the most delightful lady detectives I’ve ever met. Part of the charm of Murder on Millionaires’ Row is its highly appealing throwback feel to some of the earliest mysteries to feature amateur female detectives (I was reminded a little bit of the works by Catherine Crowe, who was notable for featuring maid servant sleuths and ghosts in her stories). Erin Lindsey must have done an insane amount of research to get the setting and the atmosphere just right, and it was an effort that paid off as we got to experience all the wonders of the city with Rose on her exploits.
This book is also the author’s debut mystery, putting her abilities to write a compelling crime novel to the test, which she passes with flying colors. While on the surface, Murder on Millionaires’ Row might seem very different from her previous work, I still found it remarkably easy to get into. For one thing, readers who enjoyed Alix Black in her fantasy trilogy Bloodbound will recognize the same kind of courage and strength in Rose Gallagher, an incredibly resourceful woman who never quits. There’s also a supernatural component which may come as a surprise to unsuspecting readers because it doesn’t come into play until well into the mystery, though speaking as a speculative fiction fan, I really appreciated this aspect. We have everything from ghosts to magic, mediums and witches, as well as individuals who have special powers, or “luck”.
As supernatural mysteries go, this was by far one of the most lively and entertaining ones I have ever read. It offered up just the right amount of the paranormal without distracting from the mystery plot, and I think even non-fantasy readers would not be left feeling too overwhelmed. My only criticism is that the ending felt a little too rushed in stark contrast to the slow build of the investigation, and the resolution also felt too convenient. That said, I think the conclusion leaves room for many more fantastic storylines in the future, and I sure hope we’ll see more of Rose and Thomas. The two of them have amazing chemistry, which I sensed from only getting a small taste of their budding romance.
All in all, Murder on Millionaires’ Row is a fine debut bursting with potential, and definitely not your run-of-the-mill cozy mystery. The story pulled me in straight away, and it also didn’t take me long to fall in love with its courageous heroine and the rest of the plucky cast. Fans of historical fiction and detective stories will eat this one right up, especially if enjoy a touch of the paranormal.
December 25, 2021
4.5 stars
I went into this expecting a historical fiction detective story and was blown away by the addition of so. much. paranormal. shit. Secret societies, witches and warlocks, alchemy... think of an insane plot device, and it's probably included. This shouldn't work, but it did, and I loved it.
I'm going to start with my only negative: the whole 'I'm in love with my employer, but we've never had a real conversation, and I don't even know what his job is" thing is a little overblown here. I could've handled Rose being attracted to Thomas - they're living on top of each other and the whole power/social dynamic thing - but why does it always have to be love? Calm down, girl.
It's all positive from here, though. I loved the twists and turns the story took; there were so many characters and exciting components. The dark underbelly of the upper class is a pretty standard plot device, but adding in a genetic paranormal 'luck' component made it so much more intriguing and certainly unique from other books I've read.
I wish Clara had been more involved; she seems to have a rich backstory that was only hinted at here. On that note, the level of control that Mrs Sellers had over Rose and Clara makes me question whether Thomas is a good person. Considering he doesn't step in to correct her behaviour until he starts to recognise Rose as an actual human, he's either disappointingly upper-class or overly oblivious to the world around him. How long have Rose and Clara been working for him, under Mrs Sellers, being belittled and abused under his roof? He's not my ideal romantic hero.
I might be a little let down if this was a standalone, but as the start to the Rose Gallagher Mystery series, Murder on Millionaires' Row is an excellent introduction to this world and its potential.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
Other books in the Rose Gallagher Mystery series:
#2: A Golden Grave ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#3: The Silver Shooter ⭐⭐⭐
I went into this expecting a historical fiction detective story and was blown away by the addition of so. much. paranormal. shit. Secret societies, witches and warlocks, alchemy... think of an insane plot device, and it's probably included. This shouldn't work, but it did, and I loved it.
I'm going to start with my only negative: the whole 'I'm in love with my employer, but we've never had a real conversation, and I don't even know what his job is" thing is a little overblown here. I could've handled Rose being attracted to Thomas - they're living on top of each other and the whole power/social dynamic thing - but why does it always have to be love? Calm down, girl.
It's all positive from here, though. I loved the twists and turns the story took; there were so many characters and exciting components. The dark underbelly of the upper class is a pretty standard plot device, but adding in a genetic paranormal 'luck' component made it so much more intriguing and certainly unique from other books I've read.
I wish Clara had been more involved; she seems to have a rich backstory that was only hinted at here. On that note, the level of control that Mrs Sellers had over Rose and Clara makes me question whether Thomas is a good person. Considering he doesn't step in to correct her behaviour until he starts to recognise Rose as an actual human, he's either disappointingly upper-class or overly oblivious to the world around him. How long have Rose and Clara been working for him, under Mrs Sellers, being belittled and abused under his roof? He's not my ideal romantic hero.
I might be a little let down if this was a standalone, but as the start to the Rose Gallagher Mystery series, Murder on Millionaires' Row is an excellent introduction to this world and its potential.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
Other books in the Rose Gallagher Mystery series:
#2: A Golden Grave ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#3: The Silver Shooter ⭐⭐⭐
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September 28, 2018
Murder on Millionaires’ Row is a debut mystery by Erin Lindsey. Rose Gallagher works as a maid in the household of Mr. Thomas Wiltshire on Fifth Avenue in New York City in 1886. Sunday evening Rose arrives home after her day off and goes to prepare her employers room for the evening. Something feels off and Rose is sure that boss has not been in since Saturday. The next morning the coppers arrive after 5 a.m. because Mr. Jonathan Burrows, a friend of Thomas’, has filed a missing persons report. Rose can tell that Detective Ward is not taking the case seriously, and she decides to pursue the matter on her own. Rose has dreamed of becoming a travel and adventure writer. Little does she realize that searching for Mr. Wiltshire and the mystery he is embroiled in will the adventure of a lifetime.
Murder on Millionaires’ Row is a complex novel. Ms. Lindsey captured the Gilded Age with her vivid descriptions of the clothing, the architecture, the literature, music, and attitudes of the people especially towards the Irish. New York City is brought alive in Murder on Millionaires’ Row. I can envision Fifth Avenue with its cobbled streets, the carriages, ladies decked out in beautiful gowns with their hats and parasols, and the men in their bespoke suits, hats and carrying their walking sticks. Of course, we can also imagine Five Points with children running around, litter in the streets, and thugs on street corners as well as the Tenderloin with its dangerous bars and illegal businesses. The author definitely did her research for this story, and I appreciated the author’s note at the end. Rose is a feisty Irish lass who has a crush on her employer. Nothing is going to stand in her way of tracking Mr. Wiltshire down when he goes missing. She is tenacious and intelligent. Thomas Wiltshire is a complex man with a unique position. He introduces Rose to another side of life that she had no idea existed. Another great character is Clara Freeman who is the cook for Mr. Wiltshire. I did feel the Rose’s infatuation with Mr. Wiltshire was mentioned too often. It seems to be the only reason she is searching for her employer. I felt Rose was also curious and needed the challenge. I cannot believe she managed to keep from being fired by the tartar of a housekeeper. Clara has hidden layers. We just dig at the surface in Murder on Millionaires’ Row. I found Murder on Millionaires’ Row to be a slow starter. The pace picked up the further I got into the story as well as my interest. I was unprepared for the paranormal aspects of the story, but I was delighted by it. It added another layer to the story along with Pinkerton agents, ciphers and magic. Included in the story are witches, mediums, ghosts, shades and so much more. The mystery is multifaceted. It plays out over the course of the book with new aspects being regularly introduced. At times it does feel overwhelming (there is a lot going on). I would have liked the mystery to have been one that readers could solve along with Rose and Thomas (I love unraveling a puzzle). Murder on Millionaires’ Row is a unique cozy mystery that will take you for a walk on the dark side of New York City.
Murder on Millionaires’ Row is a complex novel. Ms. Lindsey captured the Gilded Age with her vivid descriptions of the clothing, the architecture, the literature, music, and attitudes of the people especially towards the Irish. New York City is brought alive in Murder on Millionaires’ Row. I can envision Fifth Avenue with its cobbled streets, the carriages, ladies decked out in beautiful gowns with their hats and parasols, and the men in their bespoke suits, hats and carrying their walking sticks. Of course, we can also imagine Five Points with children running around, litter in the streets, and thugs on street corners as well as the Tenderloin with its dangerous bars and illegal businesses. The author definitely did her research for this story, and I appreciated the author’s note at the end. Rose is a feisty Irish lass who has a crush on her employer. Nothing is going to stand in her way of tracking Mr. Wiltshire down when he goes missing. She is tenacious and intelligent. Thomas Wiltshire is a complex man with a unique position. He introduces Rose to another side of life that she had no idea existed. Another great character is Clara Freeman who is the cook for Mr. Wiltshire. I did feel the Rose’s infatuation with Mr. Wiltshire was mentioned too often. It seems to be the only reason she is searching for her employer. I felt Rose was also curious and needed the challenge. I cannot believe she managed to keep from being fired by the tartar of a housekeeper. Clara has hidden layers. We just dig at the surface in Murder on Millionaires’ Row. I found Murder on Millionaires’ Row to be a slow starter. The pace picked up the further I got into the story as well as my interest. I was unprepared for the paranormal aspects of the story, but I was delighted by it. It added another layer to the story along with Pinkerton agents, ciphers and magic. Included in the story are witches, mediums, ghosts, shades and so much more. The mystery is multifaceted. It plays out over the course of the book with new aspects being regularly introduced. At times it does feel overwhelming (there is a lot going on). I would have liked the mystery to have been one that readers could solve along with Rose and Thomas (I love unraveling a puzzle). Murder on Millionaires’ Row is a unique cozy mystery that will take you for a walk on the dark side of New York City.
September 12, 2018
"The juicier the mystery became, the more I wanted to sink my teeth into it." *
Rose Gallagher splits her time between home in Five Points and work on Fifth Avenue as a housemaid for her mysterious employer, Mr. Thomas Wiltshire.
When Mr. Wiltshire disappears, the police brush it off as the whim of a wealthy man. Rose finds that the friend who reported her employer missing, Mr. Burrows, is acting a bit suspicious himself.
Fed up with the police, Rose takes it upon herself to find Mr. Wilshire, who she fears may be involved in some shady business.
Rose's entire life changes when she rescues a kidnapped Mr. Wiltshire from a warehouse on the wrong side of town. She learns that not only is Mr. Wiltshire a Pinkerton detective, he's part of a small precinct investigating paranormal cases.
Rose finds herself involved in a mystery involving the wealthy residents of Fifth Avenue who all have a little luck on their side. And when I say luck, I mean they have... powers.
"Luck is simply a generic term for any type of extraordinary ability. There are many different forms of it, all of them hereditary." *
All the wealthy families of New York - the Astors, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts to name a few - they all have secret extraordinary abilities.
"Fewer than one percent of people have luck. That's among the general population, of course; among high society, it's closer to twenty percent." *
Everyone knows the world is run by a handful of wealthy people. "We always knew it was luck. Just didn't know what kind, is all." * says Rose's friend Clara upon learning the truth.
Mr. Wiltshire's kidnapping is related to the deaths of two wealthy brothers, Jacob and Frederick Crowe, both of whom were involved in obtaining highly sensitive manuscripts containing information about a portal between the living and the dead ... and with a large amount of ghosts suddenly showing up in the city, the portal may have been opened before the Crowe brothers died.
Mr. Wiltshire and Rose must work together to find out who has the manuscripts and where the portal is located so they can close it before more of the dead cross over.
Full of historic Gilded Age details of Manhattan, ghosts, a budding romance, and some (paranormal) luck, Murder on Millionaires' Row is an entertaining debut to a new cozy mystery series. I loved Rose's intelligence, tenacity, and the fact that she came to the rescue of the man rather than being the damsel in distress! There are several characters introduced and more mentioned in this novel so there's an opportunity for many great subplots and future storylines.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Murder on Millionaires' Row is scheduled for release on October 2, 2018.
*Quotes included here are from an advanced readers copy and are subject to change upon final publication.
For more full reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
Rose Gallagher splits her time between home in Five Points and work on Fifth Avenue as a housemaid for her mysterious employer, Mr. Thomas Wiltshire.
When Mr. Wiltshire disappears, the police brush it off as the whim of a wealthy man. Rose finds that the friend who reported her employer missing, Mr. Burrows, is acting a bit suspicious himself.
Fed up with the police, Rose takes it upon herself to find Mr. Wilshire, who she fears may be involved in some shady business.
Rose's entire life changes when she rescues a kidnapped Mr. Wiltshire from a warehouse on the wrong side of town. She learns that not only is Mr. Wiltshire a Pinkerton detective, he's part of a small precinct investigating paranormal cases.
Rose finds herself involved in a mystery involving the wealthy residents of Fifth Avenue who all have a little luck on their side. And when I say luck, I mean they have... powers.
"Luck is simply a generic term for any type of extraordinary ability. There are many different forms of it, all of them hereditary." *
All the wealthy families of New York - the Astors, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts to name a few - they all have secret extraordinary abilities.
"Fewer than one percent of people have luck. That's among the general population, of course; among high society, it's closer to twenty percent." *
Everyone knows the world is run by a handful of wealthy people. "We always knew it was luck. Just didn't know what kind, is all." * says Rose's friend Clara upon learning the truth.
Mr. Wiltshire's kidnapping is related to the deaths of two wealthy brothers, Jacob and Frederick Crowe, both of whom were involved in obtaining highly sensitive manuscripts containing information about a portal between the living and the dead ... and with a large amount of ghosts suddenly showing up in the city, the portal may have been opened before the Crowe brothers died.
Mr. Wiltshire and Rose must work together to find out who has the manuscripts and where the portal is located so they can close it before more of the dead cross over.
Full of historic Gilded Age details of Manhattan, ghosts, a budding romance, and some (paranormal) luck, Murder on Millionaires' Row is an entertaining debut to a new cozy mystery series. I loved Rose's intelligence, tenacity, and the fact that she came to the rescue of the man rather than being the damsel in distress! There are several characters introduced and more mentioned in this novel so there's an opportunity for many great subplots and future storylines.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Murder on Millionaires' Row is scheduled for release on October 2, 2018.
*Quotes included here are from an advanced readers copy and are subject to change upon final publication.
For more full reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
November 12, 2018
3.5 stars
As soon as this book arrived at my house, I had to fight off people who wanted to borrow it with a stick. I am not even kidding. It arrived in the afternoon and by the night time, it was MIA.
My mom was watching my kid and she was looking for something to read and found this one in my sea of books and refused to give it up when I got home. She was hooked on the character and story so I knew I wasn’t getting it back for at least a week.
I finally got it back last week and was able to start reading it. My mom loved it and I was excited to see if it inspired similar feelings for me. When it arrived the first thing that caught my eye was the cover. I absolutely love the purple dress and design of this cover.
It stands out and instantly makes me think of a Maisie Dobbs mystery or other similar historical mysteries…..but theres a paranormal twist in this one and I was eager to see how that played out in this book.
I have mixed feelings about the paranormal/ghost element in this story. I mean on one hand, it added a little something different to the typical run of the mill historical mystery, but I almost felt like the author held back a little with it. For me if you are going to use the supernatural, then you need to be all in or just leave it out. I think the mystery and characters were strong and stood well enough on their own and that the ghost elements weren’t that necessary. It was an interesting edition, but I was left feeling a little underwhelmed.
I loved Rose. She was resourceful and I loved that while she was a hard worker, she know her own mind and knew she didn’t just want to live and work and die in New York. I think she will be an interesting character to watch develop and grow into her own. Also I am totally invested in the romance aspect. I am totally excited to see what direction it goes in and I am totally rooting for them.
This book was a mixed bag for me. The mystery and romance was fun to read, the paranormal was almost unnecessary, and while the story was a little farfetched and unbelievable, I did love seeing the authors imagination at work and I was invested enough in the story to see what is in store for Rose next—as I presume this is going to be a series.
The author has written a fantasy series as well, and this appears to be her debut mystery novel and I think the author is still getting her bearings in the historical mystery realm. This is by no means a terrible book, in fact I enjoyed reading it and rather quickly I might add—I feel confident that Lindsey will find her way as the series continues. It’s a good start and I look forward to seeing what comes next for Rose and Thomas!
See my full review here
As soon as this book arrived at my house, I had to fight off people who wanted to borrow it with a stick. I am not even kidding. It arrived in the afternoon and by the night time, it was MIA.
My mom was watching my kid and she was looking for something to read and found this one in my sea of books and refused to give it up when I got home. She was hooked on the character and story so I knew I wasn’t getting it back for at least a week.
I finally got it back last week and was able to start reading it. My mom loved it and I was excited to see if it inspired similar feelings for me. When it arrived the first thing that caught my eye was the cover. I absolutely love the purple dress and design of this cover.
It stands out and instantly makes me think of a Maisie Dobbs mystery or other similar historical mysteries…..but theres a paranormal twist in this one and I was eager to see how that played out in this book.
I have mixed feelings about the paranormal/ghost element in this story. I mean on one hand, it added a little something different to the typical run of the mill historical mystery, but I almost felt like the author held back a little with it. For me if you are going to use the supernatural, then you need to be all in or just leave it out. I think the mystery and characters were strong and stood well enough on their own and that the ghost elements weren’t that necessary. It was an interesting edition, but I was left feeling a little underwhelmed.
I loved Rose. She was resourceful and I loved that while she was a hard worker, she know her own mind and knew she didn’t just want to live and work and die in New York. I think she will be an interesting character to watch develop and grow into her own. Also I am totally invested in the romance aspect. I am totally excited to see what direction it goes in and I am totally rooting for them.
This book was a mixed bag for me. The mystery and romance was fun to read, the paranormal was almost unnecessary, and while the story was a little farfetched and unbelievable, I did love seeing the authors imagination at work and I was invested enough in the story to see what is in store for Rose next—as I presume this is going to be a series.
The author has written a fantasy series as well, and this appears to be her debut mystery novel and I think the author is still getting her bearings in the historical mystery realm. This is by no means a terrible book, in fact I enjoyed reading it and rather quickly I might add—I feel confident that Lindsey will find her way as the series continues. It’s a good start and I look forward to seeing what comes next for Rose and Thomas!
See my full review here
April 29, 2020
The central mystery was somewhat interesting, with murders, kidnappings and theft all happening around intrepid housemaid and adventurer-wannabe Rose Gallagher. Though this happens during the Gilded Age in New York City, there were enough things that were different from what little I know about that period in history that I had to keep telling myself that this book was actually a fantasy, taking place in an alternate-NYC, so that I could deal with what I felt were divergences from what I expected of the period.
Likes:
-Rose Gallagher, who's got tons of spunk and smartness, and a desire for so much more than the narrow confines of her life as a housemaid for her employer, Thomas Wiltshire (she's got a major crush on him).
-The ridiculously old-money wealthy of the city owe their ill-gotten gains to magical powers.
Dislikes:
-The inaccuracies of the way the author handled the class divisions and interactions. An uppercrust guy like Thomas or Burroughs just wouldn't interact with a housemaid in the way Thomas or Burroughs interacts with Rose.
-I didn't think that Clara, the cook, and Mei, Wang's daughter and healing tea purveyor, were treated realistically in the story. It’s the late 1800s, and neither young woman would probably not have been spoken to as respectfully as they had been in this story.
-It was widely known that the police were corrupt, even after Roosevelt’s efforts to clean things up. That people, especially the characters from the lower classes, would insist on police involvement was unfathomable.
-The people of colour keep supporting everyone, and keep giving of themselves, because of course they do.
-Wiltshire has no valet, or other male servant?
Likes:
-Rose Gallagher, who's got tons of spunk and smartness, and a desire for so much more than the narrow confines of her life as a housemaid for her employer, Thomas Wiltshire (she's got a major crush on him).
-The ridiculously old-money wealthy of the city owe their ill-gotten gains to magical powers.
Dislikes:
-The inaccuracies of the way the author handled the class divisions and interactions. An uppercrust guy like Thomas or Burroughs just wouldn't interact with a housemaid in the way Thomas or Burroughs interacts with Rose.
-I didn't think that Clara, the cook, and Mei, Wang's daughter and healing tea purveyor, were treated realistically in the story. It’s the late 1800s, and neither young woman would probably not have been spoken to as respectfully as they had been in this story.
-It was widely known that the police were corrupt, even after Roosevelt’s efforts to clean things up. That people, especially the characters from the lower classes, would insist on police involvement was unfathomable.
-The people of colour keep supporting everyone, and keep giving of themselves, because of course they do.
-Wiltshire has no valet, or other male servant?
December 1, 2018
Actual rating: 3.75
October 6, 2018
Rose Gallagher might dream of bigger things, but she’s content enough with her life as a housemaid. After all, it’s not every girl from Five Points who gets to spend her days in a posh Fifth Avenue brownstone, even if only to sweep its floors. But all that changes on the day her boss, Mr. Thomas Wiltshire, disappears.
3.5 stars. Having previously read Erin Lindsey's fantasy Bloodbound I was curious to see what she would do with a mystery. It also intrigued me that this book included a paranormal element. The result was an engrossing start to a new series. Set in New York during the Gilded Age, Rose is a maid who longs for something more. She also has a huge crush on her employer Mr. Wiltshire, and when he goes missing she sets out to investigate his disappearance. The story includes several other interesting characters. Most noteworthy is Clara the cook, who harbors some secret skills and may have dreams of something more herself. I felt like the story moved a little slower than I would have liked, but I loved the plucky Rose, her employer Mr. Wiltshire, and the cook Clara.
Just as I hoped, the paranormal element was an interesting addition to the historical mystery. I thought it was incorporated into the story pretty well. At the end of the book we are left with a mystery to solve that relates to a ghost in this story. I'm expecting her to show up in at least one more book in the series, but I'm curious to see how other ghosts and possibly other types of creatures will play a role in future books.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
3.5 stars. Having previously read Erin Lindsey's fantasy Bloodbound I was curious to see what she would do with a mystery. It also intrigued me that this book included a paranormal element. The result was an engrossing start to a new series. Set in New York during the Gilded Age, Rose is a maid who longs for something more. She also has a huge crush on her employer Mr. Wiltshire, and when he goes missing she sets out to investigate his disappearance. The story includes several other interesting characters. Most noteworthy is Clara the cook, who harbors some secret skills and may have dreams of something more herself. I felt like the story moved a little slower than I would have liked, but I loved the plucky Rose, her employer Mr. Wiltshire, and the cook Clara.
Just as I hoped, the paranormal element was an interesting addition to the historical mystery. I thought it was incorporated into the story pretty well. At the end of the book we are left with a mystery to solve that relates to a ghost in this story. I'm expecting her to show up in at least one more book in the series, but I'm curious to see how other ghosts and possibly other types of creatures will play a role in future books.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
October 4, 2018
Murder on Millionaires' Row by Erin Lindsey was an enjoyable look at New York City during the late 1800's. Ms. Lindsey's descriptive writing of Park Avenue, Five Points and the Tenderloin districts made me feel like I was there in New York City with Rose, Clara, Mr. Wiltshire and the other characters.
The paranormal aspects of this investigation were complex as well as the murder of two Park Avenue brothers. The book was entertaining although I did find the beginning of the book to be slowly paced. However, it picked up as Rose became more involved in the investigation. The characters are beginning to be developed; and I'm sure that more of them will be revealed if this becomes a series. I admired Rose and her tenacity and determination. However, I found I had to stretch my imagination that the only maid in the household would have so much free time to investigate the disappearance of her employer.
All in all this was an engaging read and I would definitely be happy to read more if this becomes a series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided by Minotaur Books/St. Marin's Press. All of the above opinions are my own.
The paranormal aspects of this investigation were complex as well as the murder of two Park Avenue brothers. The book was entertaining although I did find the beginning of the book to be slowly paced. However, it picked up as Rose became more involved in the investigation. The characters are beginning to be developed; and I'm sure that more of them will be revealed if this becomes a series. I admired Rose and her tenacity and determination. However, I found I had to stretch my imagination that the only maid in the household would have so much free time to investigate the disappearance of her employer.
All in all this was an engaging read and I would definitely be happy to read more if this becomes a series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided by Minotaur Books/St. Marin's Press. All of the above opinions are my own.
February 23, 2021
The h is lacking in common sense and street smarts even though she was supposed to came from a dangerous area. There are times when she has been resourceful but it is far outnumbered by her impulsiveness. I liked the idea of her rescuing the hero until she has to be rescued by the hero right after. He didn’t have to if she only brought something to defend herself especially after she has been attacked the night before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2019
This is the first Rose Gallagher book, and it was a great debut. Rose is a housemaid in a big house on 5th Avenue. She grew up poor and is a little dazzled by her surroundings now. When her employer disappears, Rose feels like the police aren't taking it seriously and she decides to search for him.
There's a supernatural element to the book I wasn't expecting but it definitely made the book more interesting. I recommend it and look forward to the next book in the series.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There's a supernatural element to the book I wasn't expecting but it definitely made the book more interesting. I recommend it and look forward to the next book in the series.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2021
Rose Gallagher is an appealing protagonist, a woman of her time who is aware of the limits that come with her station in life but doesn't let them stop her from taking initiative. The characters are well drawn, the mystery is solid, and the research is impeccable.
The author creates a good sense of time and place. Readers can expect a trip to Gilded Age New York in excellent company, enlivened by a bit of magic.
The author creates a good sense of time and place. Readers can expect a trip to Gilded Age New York in excellent company, enlivened by a bit of magic.
November 11, 2019
While in a bookstore trying to decide how many books would be too many books to buy in one trip, I found two series with some similar qualities that I knew I wanted to read. Both had a plucky heroine who runs headlong into a mystery. Both had a murder mystery to solve and a missing lead character for the heroine to rescue. Both were historical fiction from time periods I love. I wanted to buy both series. As I looked at my full basket of books, I begrudgingly put both series back on the shelf for another time.
A couple weeks ago, I picked up Lindsey’s Murder on Millionaires’ Row and it’s sequel. I had forgotten which series this was. Instead of reading the synopsis again, I just jumped straight in.
And...I was totally confused for a hot sec when the missing male lead was found 1/4 of the way through and another mystery quickly appeared...out of thin air.
Late 1880s in New York: historical fiction ✔️
Kidnapping and murders: mystery ✔️
Ghosts and shades and all things paranormal: wait, what?
I clearly wasn’t prepared for the paranormal part of the plot. I thought I had picked up the straight forward historical fiction mystery series. No bother. I love the paranormal. So after I had acclimated to the correct genre, I flew through the rest of the book.
Murder on Millionaires’ Row is a fun read. Rose Gallagher is a spirited heroine who longs for adventure and a better life away from the Five Points. Thomas is a smart hero, who is a special branch man of the Pinkerton Agency. Clara is the sassy friend, supporting and chastising Rose as she goes on her adventures. A fun cast of interesting secondary characters include the hero’s flirty best friend, an honest copper, and a host of “lucky” friends and foes. Sometimes when a novel has so many characters, it can feel like the author will dash quickly through their introductions and interactions. Not so here. I felt that each character was brought to life in their own way while still keeping the plot moving at a nice clip.
The historical fiction is pretty spot on as well. Clearly, Lindsey has done her research and then had some fun painting it over with a splash of the supernatural. It’s a fun blend. The details make the story, bringing more depth to the characters, the setting and the plot.
The paranormal mystery turned out to be quite interesting. Building a fantastical world within the confines of historical fiction must not be easy, but Lindsey does it well. Some reviewers said they wanted more but I feel like she’s just starting on her world building since this is the beginning of Rose’s knowledge of this other world that has always hidden in the shadows of New York. Rose learns about ghosts and shades (important difference), luck and extra sensory abilities, and portals to the world of the afterlife. That’s a lot to handle for Rose, let alone the reader. I imagine we will dig deeper into this world as the series continues.
Overall, this was a good read. I recommend it, especially since I’ve already started the second book.
A couple weeks ago, I picked up Lindsey’s Murder on Millionaires’ Row and it’s sequel. I had forgotten which series this was. Instead of reading the synopsis again, I just jumped straight in.
And...I was totally confused for a hot sec when the missing male lead was found 1/4 of the way through and another mystery quickly appeared...out of thin air.
Late 1880s in New York: historical fiction ✔️
Kidnapping and murders: mystery ✔️
Ghosts and shades and all things paranormal: wait, what?
I clearly wasn’t prepared for the paranormal part of the plot. I thought I had picked up the straight forward historical fiction mystery series. No bother. I love the paranormal. So after I had acclimated to the correct genre, I flew through the rest of the book.
Murder on Millionaires’ Row is a fun read. Rose Gallagher is a spirited heroine who longs for adventure and a better life away from the Five Points. Thomas is a smart hero, who is a special branch man of the Pinkerton Agency. Clara is the sassy friend, supporting and chastising Rose as she goes on her adventures. A fun cast of interesting secondary characters include the hero’s flirty best friend, an honest copper, and a host of “lucky” friends and foes. Sometimes when a novel has so many characters, it can feel like the author will dash quickly through their introductions and interactions. Not so here. I felt that each character was brought to life in their own way while still keeping the plot moving at a nice clip.
The historical fiction is pretty spot on as well. Clearly, Lindsey has done her research and then had some fun painting it over with a splash of the supernatural. It’s a fun blend. The details make the story, bringing more depth to the characters, the setting and the plot.
The paranormal mystery turned out to be quite interesting. Building a fantastical world within the confines of historical fiction must not be easy, but Lindsey does it well. Some reviewers said they wanted more but I feel like she’s just starting on her world building since this is the beginning of Rose’s knowledge of this other world that has always hidden in the shadows of New York. Rose learns about ghosts and shades (important difference), luck and extra sensory abilities, and portals to the world of the afterlife. That’s a lot to handle for Rose, let alone the reader. I imagine we will dig deeper into this world as the series continues.
Overall, this was a good read. I recommend it, especially since I’ve already started the second book.
October 19, 2018
I did not expect it to take the turn it did. Which just shows that if you do not read the blurb then you do go in blind. Which can be a good thing.
Character thoughts:
Rose is a housemaid. Through her eyes we get the New York of the day. She is Irish, she is from 5 points (well nothing new there, I know how the Irish were treated.) Then one day her employer vanishes. Oh and wait, she has like the HUGEST crush on him. That poor girl, she is really smitten. And me being a hopeless romantic I hope that one day then can have a happily ever after. I mean if he too wants it.
Rose was resourceful, she had courage and she wanted more. I loved how she said it, a simple More. She wanted more from life then to work work work and then die. Never leaving New York.
And yes there are more people too, but I shall not spoil it all.
Story:
A historical mystery is always more fun. There is a lot of legwork, a lot of guessing and a lot of watching for clues. And to figure things out on my own is way too hard. Not that I am good at it anyway.
Then there was the ghostly aspect. I did not expect that and suddenly the story took a different turn. Suddenly there was more to the world and the whole universe expanded. I guess I felt like Rose did, all whaat? And then wanting to know more.
Though one thing negative was that at times I felt like oh the book is ending now? And it did not. SO I guess it could have been shorter
An interesting start to a new series. It works as a stand alone too, but the end promises more. Or at least I hope so. If not then I am happy with this ending, but I do still want more since it is by no means over.
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
She did a good job. Going from accent to accent to upper class to lower class. Yes there was a lot of jumping between classes and nationalities when you are investigation something.
She held a good pace and kept it light.
Character thoughts:
Rose is a housemaid. Through her eyes we get the New York of the day. She is Irish, she is from 5 points (well nothing new there, I know how the Irish were treated.) Then one day her employer vanishes. Oh and wait, she has like the HUGEST crush on him. That poor girl, she is really smitten. And me being a hopeless romantic I hope that one day then can have a happily ever after. I mean if he too wants it.
Rose was resourceful, she had courage and she wanted more. I loved how she said it, a simple More. She wanted more from life then to work work work and then die. Never leaving New York.
And yes there are more people too, but I shall not spoil it all.
Story:
A historical mystery is always more fun. There is a lot of legwork, a lot of guessing and a lot of watching for clues. And to figure things out on my own is way too hard. Not that I am good at it anyway.
Then there was the ghostly aspect. I did not expect that and suddenly the story took a different turn. Suddenly there was more to the world and the whole universe expanded. I guess I felt like Rose did, all whaat? And then wanting to know more.
Though one thing negative was that at times I felt like oh the book is ending now? And it did not. SO I guess it could have been shorter
An interesting start to a new series. It works as a stand alone too, but the end promises more. Or at least I hope so. If not then I am happy with this ending, but I do still want more since it is by no means over.
Narrator: Barrie Kreinik
She did a good job. Going from accent to accent to upper class to lower class. Yes there was a lot of jumping between classes and nationalities when you are investigation something.
She held a good pace and kept it light.
July 29, 2019
The story feels too modern to be 1886. Both Rose and Clara also seem far too educated (they were reading a newspaper with no problem) than most girls with their backgrounds would be at the time. (A little later on, we find out that Rose's mother was a schoolteacher, but that doesn't explain away Clara's proficiency). I gave up around Chapter 6 after Rose described her mother as suffering from "dementia". Demented might have been a common word back then, but I believe everyone, doctors included, would have said Rose's mother was "going senile". I don't believe the term "dementia" had been coined yet, certainly not in everyday usage.
From that point, I tried to skimming a few chapters to no avail. Rose's friends and colleagues seem like a United Nations checklist, nice in theory and more likely in today's society, but, again, highly unlikely for the times. I could believe befriending someone of a different race while working in the household, but the Italian boarder and the Chinese friend were pushing it, especially since the brief glimpse I had of Rose's mother described a devout Irish Catholic. At the time and in that neighborhood, the majority of people were very tribal. Again, not that it isn't nice in theory, it just felt wrong for the time and setting of the story.
There were also too many conveniences just for the sake of the plot, such as Mrs. Sellers coming down sick at just the right moment for Rose to shirk her duties so she go out investigating.
Further skimming also revealed a medium and spirits. Not my cup of tea. Overall, fairly well-written grammatically, but a disappointment in every other aspect.
From that point, I tried to skimming a few chapters to no avail. Rose's friends and colleagues seem like a United Nations checklist, nice in theory and more likely in today's society, but, again, highly unlikely for the times. I could believe befriending someone of a different race while working in the household, but the Italian boarder and the Chinese friend were pushing it, especially since the brief glimpse I had of Rose's mother described a devout Irish Catholic. At the time and in that neighborhood, the majority of people were very tribal. Again, not that it isn't nice in theory, it just felt wrong for the time and setting of the story.
There were also too many conveniences just for the sake of the plot, such as Mrs. Sellers coming down sick at just the right moment for Rose to shirk her duties so she go out investigating.
Further skimming also revealed a medium and spirits. Not my cup of tea. Overall, fairly well-written grammatically, but a disappointment in every other aspect.
September 22, 2024
I picked up this book at my local library's used bookstore, and this is a new author to me.
This story takes place in Manhattan during the late 1880s. Mr. Thomas Wiltshire, a proper English lawyer, is missing, and Rose Gallagher, his housemaid, decides to play amateur detective and go find him. During her investigation, she encounters a female apparition in the shady streets of Five Points. Later on, after finding Thomas, she discovers that, in fact, he is not an attorney but an agent for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Additionally, he is investigating the growing number of paranormal activity, happening in New York.
I liked the basic storyline, but I thought the pace was quite slow.
This story takes place in Manhattan during the late 1880s. Mr. Thomas Wiltshire, a proper English lawyer, is missing, and Rose Gallagher, his housemaid, decides to play amateur detective and go find him. During her investigation, she encounters a female apparition in the shady streets of Five Points. Later on, after finding Thomas, she discovers that, in fact, he is not an attorney but an agent for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Additionally, he is investigating the growing number of paranormal activity, happening in New York.
I liked the basic storyline, but I thought the pace was quite slow.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2021
Fun, edgy paranormal cozy mystery with a historical setting. Be prepared for ghosts and magical elements. Love the plucky heroine who has a talent for getting into trouble -- always with the noblest of intentions. Also love the strong cast of extraordinary secondary characters. The audible narration is excellent -- Barrie Kreinik does an amazing job with a variety of accents, bringing a distinct presence to each character. Excited to continue with this series.
Please note: some mild language
Please note: some mild language
December 13, 2020
Cozy and safe mystery. A good filler for when you want something historical-ish and light, yet interesting enough to keep your attention
April 15, 2019
Rose Gallagher works as a housemaid for a wealthy, single gentleman in Uptown New York, far from her own Five Points neighborhood on the lower East side. Rose dreams of something more though-adventure, romance and reporting for a magazine like Harper's Weekly. Her friend Clara, Mr. Wiltshire's cook, scoffs at Rose's dreams and Mrs. Sellers, the housekeeper sneers at Rose for her Irish
origins. When their employer, Mr. Wiltshire, goes missing, Rose believes the police are fools who have dismissed the case as another wealthy, eccentric man doing what he wants without telling anyone. Mr. Wiltshire's friend, Mr. Burrows, seems concerned too but Rose feels she's hiding something. She sets out to follow him and find Mr. Wiltshire. Rose gets adventure more than she bargains for as she travels up and down Manhattan and discovers there's more out there than she ever dreamed of. When she runs into a ghost in her old neighborhood, Rose's life changes forever and the mystery deepens.
Ummm I have no idea what to rate this book! If I had known it was centered around the paranormal I never would have picked it up. I couldn't put the book down but that doesn't mean I liked it. I am not a fan of paranormal but I think those who are will really enjoy this book. I did not like the introduction of new characters at the end of the novel. I was skimming, speed reading to the end because it was late and I was tired so I found new characters and situations confusing. The ending wasn't quite as satisfactory as I would have liked it and I suppose it's a set up for future books about Rose.
While I identify with Rose's desire to explore the world outside her neighborhood and her dreams for more out of life, I find her shockingly naive and not very historically correct. A servant in a wealthy household should be invisible. It's unlikely Mr. Wiltshire would ever see her, let alone know her name. There's no way his friend would know her name even if Mr. Wiltshire does! Mrs. Sellers is awful but more period correct. Rose's dreams of romance are silly and unrealistic .... or are they? They are if you're a high sticker for historical accuracy but in terms of the plot, her feelings grow based on the situations she's in and it seems more plausible that her dreams will come true based on the adventure. I like how Rose has a good heart and cares for everyone she knows, no matter their background. Clara is a "negress" or "colored" in period terms. She's a realist. She knows the color of her skin prohibits her from living the life Rose dreams of. Clara has a goal and plans to stick with it. She's a loyal friend for all her grumbling and worrying. She cares about Rose and doesn't want to see Rose hurt physically or emotionally.
Mr. Wiltshire is a complicated character. He's very kind but very odd. He does not act like a typical Victorian English gentleman and I find that ruins the period setting of the novel. Otherwise the period details are incredible. Anachronistic characters in a period novel annoy me. Even so, I like his growing relationship with Rose. Mr. Wiltshire has secrets he keeps from his staff and anyone he doesn't know well. These secrets put him and Rose in danger. His character development is close to none since the story is told by Rose who adores him but I think he's changing for the better by the end after everything that happens. His friend, Mr. Burrows, seems a bit shady at first. Another wealthy gentleman from 5th Avenue, he has every reason to ignore and dismiss Rose. Like his friend Mr. Wiltshire, Mr. Burrows is anachronistic in the way he treats Rose with kindness. He doesn't quite respect her enough at first but he does by the end.
Mr. Wang and his daughter Mei are very interesting characters. I don't know much about the history of Chinese immigrants in New York and the story of the general store is quite interesting. I love gentle Mei and how she helps Rose. Mr. Wang may not speak English and he may be hiding something but I think he's a great character. I love his mysterious store but like Rose, I would be reluctant to try any tea he gave me.
Matilda is the other major character in this novel. Her story is heartbreaking and not all together that uncommon. I really do not like her introduction and addition to the story. She takes the story in a different direction than what I expected and what I wanted to read about. I also don't like that she doesn't get closure in the end. Mr. Smith is a funny man for his profession. He seems kind and I was surprised that a)he's a man because most people of that profession I've read about are women and b)he's legitimately who he says he is and c)so eager to help.
Minor characters include Rose's Ma and Ma's boarder Pietro. Ma Gallagher was once a schoolteacher who taught her daughter to dream of a better life after leaving Ireland when Rose was a baby. Mrs. Gallagher is now suffering from dementia (or is she?) and in a very sad state. I know how heartbreaking that is and how difficult it must be for Rose to be unable to help her mother. I think Pietro looks after her well. An Italian boy, he knows how to care for his surrogate Mama. I don't understand why he still has an accent when he arrived in America as a child. He's had a really rough life and I believe he is the most period correct character of them all. I like his charm and sense of loyalty to the Gallagher women. Of course there are also villains. The villains are the worst sort to be found in Gilded Age New York, not to mention the archvillain who is a surprise. The hired thugs are nasty and typical of the lower East side at the time. I didn't care for the violence that's introduced with these villains. The archvillain comes at the end and is a surprise to all involved. His motive is normal but his methods are really, really bizarre and unethical. His greed unleashes something terrible on the world and he doesn't really care.
I can't say too much more without spoiling the plot. I'm left with lots of questions about the world the author builds here. It's just so unusual. Some of the things I've heard of but others are purely fictional or speculative anyway.
I'm not into paranormal so I won't want to read more books about Rose but if you love period dramas, mysteries and the paranormal, you will enjoy this book.
origins. When their employer, Mr. Wiltshire, goes missing, Rose believes the police are fools who have dismissed the case as another wealthy, eccentric man doing what he wants without telling anyone. Mr. Wiltshire's friend, Mr. Burrows, seems concerned too but Rose feels she's hiding something. She sets out to follow him and find Mr. Wiltshire. Rose gets adventure more than she bargains for as she travels up and down Manhattan and discovers there's more out there than she ever dreamed of. When she runs into a ghost in her old neighborhood, Rose's life changes forever and the mystery deepens.
Ummm I have no idea what to rate this book! If I had known it was centered around the paranormal I never would have picked it up. I couldn't put the book down but that doesn't mean I liked it. I am not a fan of paranormal but I think those who are will really enjoy this book. I did not like the introduction of new characters at the end of the novel. I was skimming, speed reading to the end because it was late and I was tired so I found new characters and situations confusing. The ending wasn't quite as satisfactory as I would have liked it and I suppose it's a set up for future books about Rose.
While I identify with Rose's desire to explore the world outside her neighborhood and her dreams for more out of life, I find her shockingly naive and not very historically correct. A servant in a wealthy household should be invisible. It's unlikely Mr. Wiltshire would ever see her, let alone know her name. There's no way his friend would know her name even if Mr. Wiltshire does! Mrs. Sellers is awful but more period correct. Rose's dreams of romance are silly and unrealistic .... or are they? They are if you're a high sticker for historical accuracy but in terms of the plot, her feelings grow based on the situations she's in and it seems more plausible that her dreams will come true based on the adventure. I like how Rose has a good heart and cares for everyone she knows, no matter their background. Clara is a "negress" or "colored" in period terms. She's a realist. She knows the color of her skin prohibits her from living the life Rose dreams of. Clara has a goal and plans to stick with it. She's a loyal friend for all her grumbling and worrying. She cares about Rose and doesn't want to see Rose hurt physically or emotionally.
Mr. Wiltshire is a complicated character. He's very kind but very odd. He does not act like a typical Victorian English gentleman and I find that ruins the period setting of the novel. Otherwise the period details are incredible. Anachronistic characters in a period novel annoy me. Even so, I like his growing relationship with Rose. Mr. Wiltshire has secrets he keeps from his staff and anyone he doesn't know well. These secrets put him and Rose in danger. His character development is close to none since the story is told by Rose who adores him but I think he's changing for the better by the end after everything that happens. His friend, Mr. Burrows, seems a bit shady at first. Another wealthy gentleman from 5th Avenue, he has every reason to ignore and dismiss Rose. Like his friend Mr. Wiltshire, Mr. Burrows is anachronistic in the way he treats Rose with kindness. He doesn't quite respect her enough at first but he does by the end.
Mr. Wang and his daughter Mei are very interesting characters. I don't know much about the history of Chinese immigrants in New York and the story of the general store is quite interesting. I love gentle Mei and how she helps Rose. Mr. Wang may not speak English and he may be hiding something but I think he's a great character. I love his mysterious store but like Rose, I would be reluctant to try any tea he gave me.
Matilda is the other major character in this novel. Her story is heartbreaking and not all together that uncommon. I really do not like her introduction and addition to the story. She takes the story in a different direction than what I expected and what I wanted to read about. I also don't like that she doesn't get closure in the end. Mr. Smith is a funny man for his profession. He seems kind and I was surprised that a)he's a man because most people of that profession I've read about are women and b)he's legitimately who he says he is and c)so eager to help.
Minor characters include Rose's Ma and Ma's boarder Pietro. Ma Gallagher was once a schoolteacher who taught her daughter to dream of a better life after leaving Ireland when Rose was a baby. Mrs. Gallagher is now suffering from dementia (or is she?) and in a very sad state. I know how heartbreaking that is and how difficult it must be for Rose to be unable to help her mother. I think Pietro looks after her well. An Italian boy, he knows how to care for his surrogate Mama. I don't understand why he still has an accent when he arrived in America as a child. He's had a really rough life and I believe he is the most period correct character of them all. I like his charm and sense of loyalty to the Gallagher women. Of course there are also villains. The villains are the worst sort to be found in Gilded Age New York, not to mention the archvillain who is a surprise. The hired thugs are nasty and typical of the lower East side at the time. I didn't care for the violence that's introduced with these villains. The archvillain comes at the end and is a surprise to all involved. His motive is normal but his methods are really, really bizarre and unethical. His greed unleashes something terrible on the world and he doesn't really care.
I can't say too much more without spoiling the plot. I'm left with lots of questions about the world the author builds here. It's just so unusual. Some of the things I've heard of but others are purely fictional or speculative anyway.
I'm not into paranormal so I won't want to read more books about Rose but if you love period dramas, mysteries and the paranormal, you will enjoy this book.
October 17, 2018
A paranormal story set in the gilded age of New York.
I was not sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised.
The time period was obviously well researched and written in an engaging manner.
The characters, especially Rose and Thomas were interesting and I enjoyed the strength of their teamwork and change in their relationship (from master and servant to working together).
I certainly hope that there is a book two to look forward to.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
I was not sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised.
The time period was obviously well researched and written in an engaging manner.
The characters, especially Rose and Thomas were interesting and I enjoyed the strength of their teamwork and change in their relationship (from master and servant to working together).
I certainly hope that there is a book two to look forward to.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
December 29, 2021
2.5 stars
This book was not for me. The story was all over the place. It was a kidnapping, then a ghost story, then a murder mystery, then all of those things combined. I couldn't get a read on what type of story it was supposed to be.
Maybe it's my fault for not reading the description thoroughly enough, but the paranormal aspect of the mystery took me completely off-guard. I was going along with the story just fine until the ghost (or rather "shade") showed up. From there, it felt like the rest of the story went off the rails.
To be fair, the story itself was cohesive! It didn't jump around, nor was it particularly confusing. It just kind of felt like it would never end — especially without some new paranormal revelation or creature introduced. I did find it interesting that the author based some of the events and the people on real occurrences. But I didn't get that information until after I'd read the book, so it didn't really change my feelings about it.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator was okay. I loved the Irish accent from our main character throughout! In fact, all the accents seemed pretty good to me, but the reading still wasn't my favorite. Needless to say, I will not be continuing with this series.
This book was not for me. The story was all over the place. It was a kidnapping, then a ghost story, then a murder mystery, then all of those things combined. I couldn't get a read on what type of story it was supposed to be.
Maybe it's my fault for not reading the description thoroughly enough, but the paranormal aspect of the mystery took me completely off-guard. I was going along with the story just fine until the ghost (or rather "shade") showed up. From there, it felt like the rest of the story went off the rails.
To be fair, the story itself was cohesive! It didn't jump around, nor was it particularly confusing. It just kind of felt like it would never end — especially without some new paranormal revelation or creature introduced. I did find it interesting that the author based some of the events and the people on real occurrences. But I didn't get that information until after I'd read the book, so it didn't really change my feelings about it.
I listened to this as an audiobook, and the narrator was okay. I loved the Irish accent from our main character throughout! In fact, all the accents seemed pretty good to me, but the reading still wasn't my favorite. Needless to say, I will not be continuing with this series.
September 18, 2019
This was an unexpected joy -- I thought it was going to be a light frothy mystery set in Gilded Age New York, and it was. But it was so much more!
Romance, mystery, humour, sisterhood, ghosts, mediums -- it's all there! I read this one so quickly, and really, really enjoyed it. Sparkling entertainment, and now I can't WAIT until the next one comes in at my library!
Romance, mystery, humour, sisterhood, ghosts, mediums -- it's all there! I read this one so quickly, and really, really enjoyed it. Sparkling entertainment, and now I can't WAIT until the next one comes in at my library!
November 12, 2020
Fun paranormal mystery. Charming characters. Fab narrator. An entertaining listen for my commute!
January 23, 2021
Loved! At first I thought it was like so many of the other historical mysteries I've read, but then I got to somewhere in the middle and BAM! Plot twist. The BEST kind of plot twist that makes this story stand out from all the rest. Excited to see where the rest of the series goes.
May 21, 2021
2.75 stars
November 27, 2025
I wish I could give a book more than five stars, because this book honestly deserves twenty.
I picked this book up from the library on a whim, as I do often. I had no intention of actually reading it. It’s not even my type of book; I like a good mystery but only when I’m in a certain mood and I know next to nothing about Gilded Age America. However, within the first two chapters, I was hooked.
Rose Gallagher, and Irish-American housemaid from Five Points, has lived in New York her entire life, dreaming of adventure. Well, dreaming of adventure when she’s not fantasizing about her dreamy English boss, Thomas Wiltshire. When Mr. Wiltshire suddenly goes missing and the police chalk it up to another Champagne Charlie on a bender, Rose knows that it’s up to her to find him.
And when she does, her life is changed forever. Handsome Mr. Wiltshire is not the quiet, wealthy attorney Rose thought he was, but rather a seasoned detective working for a special supernatural Pinkerton unit…
This book has it all. Mystery. Intrigue. Magic. Murder. Witches. Ghosts. Romance. You name it. Every chapter had a new twist and I couldn’t get enough of it. Just when I thought the story couldn’t be more gripping, I was sucked in again. 100/5, would read again, everyone needs to pick this book up ASAP. The second book is already on hold for me at the library.
I picked this book up from the library on a whim, as I do often. I had no intention of actually reading it. It’s not even my type of book; I like a good mystery but only when I’m in a certain mood and I know next to nothing about Gilded Age America. However, within the first two chapters, I was hooked.
Rose Gallagher, and Irish-American housemaid from Five Points, has lived in New York her entire life, dreaming of adventure. Well, dreaming of adventure when she’s not fantasizing about her dreamy English boss, Thomas Wiltshire. When Mr. Wiltshire suddenly goes missing and the police chalk it up to another Champagne Charlie on a bender, Rose knows that it’s up to her to find him.
And when she does, her life is changed forever. Handsome Mr. Wiltshire is not the quiet, wealthy attorney Rose thought he was, but rather a seasoned detective working for a special supernatural Pinkerton unit…
This book has it all. Mystery. Intrigue. Magic. Murder. Witches. Ghosts. Romance. You name it. Every chapter had a new twist and I couldn’t get enough of it. Just when I thought the story couldn’t be more gripping, I was sucked in again. 100/5, would read again, everyone needs to pick this book up ASAP. The second book is already on hold for me at the library.
June 13, 2018
Unlike any other mystery I have read before. Immediately engaging, the beguiling narrative wraps tightly around you so that Rose becomes an immediate friend.
The luscious world of upper class New York is at brilliant odds with the beautifully portrayed grit of Five Points in a clash that becomes even more staggering as the mystery unfolds.
Each character ---from the manor house where Rose works to the people who populate her life---are developed deftly. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
There is a hint of romance, of course, and told by Rose is just the funniest, most identifiable and bewitching thing. But, and here the book really shines, there is also a thread of the paranormal where shades and ghosts glisten the Gilded Age detective story.
There are Pinkertons and a delightful Italian named Pietro and everything feels like it is the best meeting of Deanna Raybourn, Elizabeth Peters and Rhys Bowen.
I was dazzled by how fresh this was and fell off my proverbial chair at the surprising twists of expert narrative. I have read nothing like this before (despite my propensity to gobble up historical mysteries like all-you-can-eat sushi) and Lindsey has found a die-hard everlasting follower for life.
With thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
The luscious world of upper class New York is at brilliant odds with the beautifully portrayed grit of Five Points in a clash that becomes even more staggering as the mystery unfolds.
Each character ---from the manor house where Rose works to the people who populate her life---are developed deftly. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
There is a hint of romance, of course, and told by Rose is just the funniest, most identifiable and bewitching thing. But, and here the book really shines, there is also a thread of the paranormal where shades and ghosts glisten the Gilded Age detective story.
There are Pinkertons and a delightful Italian named Pietro and everything feels like it is the best meeting of Deanna Raybourn, Elizabeth Peters and Rhys Bowen.
I was dazzled by how fresh this was and fell off my proverbial chair at the surprising twists of expert narrative. I have read nothing like this before (despite my propensity to gobble up historical mysteries like all-you-can-eat sushi) and Lindsey has found a die-hard everlasting follower for life.
With thanks to Netgalley for the review copy.
August 26, 2019
I was recently on a panel with Erin Lindsey, author of 'Murder on Millionaires' Row', which is set in Gilded Age New York. The sleuth is a housemaid, Rose Gallagher, whose employer has gone missing. If she can't get him back, she'll be out of the best job she's ever had, and her old mother won't be able to cover the rent on her tiny tenement apartment.
This is a well-told tale with an engaging heroine and an able supporting cast. The diverse character of turn-of-the-century New York City is quickly established by the contrast between Rose's gritty childhood neighbourhood of Five Points, the market in Chinatown, and the genteel townhouse on 5th Avenue where she works. There's a Pinkerton or two, a touch of the paranormal, and plenty of questions swirling around as Rose ventures beyond the confined round of the average housemaid, risking injury, maybe death, and certainly the wrath of the redoubtable housekeeper, Mrs. Sellers.
This is a well-told tale with an engaging heroine and an able supporting cast. The diverse character of turn-of-the-century New York City is quickly established by the contrast between Rose's gritty childhood neighbourhood of Five Points, the market in Chinatown, and the genteel townhouse on 5th Avenue where she works. There's a Pinkerton or two, a touch of the paranormal, and plenty of questions swirling around as Rose ventures beyond the confined round of the average housemaid, risking injury, maybe death, and certainly the wrath of the redoubtable housekeeper, Mrs. Sellers.
October 4, 2018
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.
I loved this book!
Rose Gallagher is a force to be reckoned with, a housemaid who is determined to find her missing employer. Yes, she is in love with him (and that is a romance I am definitely rooting for-their chemistry just oozes off the pages!), but she also is a strong and brave woman in a time when women, especially women in her station, were supposed to stay in their small set roles. The supporting cast is wonderful as well, but Rose is the star of the show.
And there are ghosts! I love the paranormal, and it is woven in so well and so almost matter-of-factly. It adds a real urgency and eeriness to the story and mystery.
I definitely recommend this book. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
I loved this book!
Rose Gallagher is a force to be reckoned with, a housemaid who is determined to find her missing employer. Yes, she is in love with him (and that is a romance I am definitely rooting for-their chemistry just oozes off the pages!), but she also is a strong and brave woman in a time when women, especially women in her station, were supposed to stay in their small set roles. The supporting cast is wonderful as well, but Rose is the star of the show.
And there are ghosts! I love the paranormal, and it is woven in so well and so almost matter-of-factly. It adds a real urgency and eeriness to the story and mystery.
I definitely recommend this book. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
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