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Silver Rush #6
A Dying Note
Best of the West 2019 - 1st Place in Mystery, Best Fiction by TrueWest Magazine
2018 - CIPA EVVY Winner for Mystery/Crime/Detective
2018 - CIPA EVVY 2nd Place for Historical Fiction
It's autumn of 1881, and Inez Stannert, still the co-owner of Leadville, Colorado's Silver Queen saloon, is settled in San Francisco with her young ward, Antonia Gizzi. Inez has turned her business talents to managing a music store, hoping to eventually become an equal partner in the enterprise with the store's owner, a celebrated local violinist.
Inez's carefully constructed life for herself and Antonia threatens to tumble about her ears when the badly beaten body of a young musician washes up on the filthy banks of San Francisco's Mission Creek canal. Inez and Antonia become entangled in the mystery of his death when the musician turns out to have ties to Leadville, ties that threaten to expose Inez's notorious past. And they aren't the only ones searching for answers. Wolter Roeland de Bruijn, "finder of the lost," has also been tasked with ferreting out the perpetrators and dispensing justice in its most final form. Leadville's leading madam Frisco Flo, an unwilling visitor to the city with a Leadville millionaire, is on the hook as well, having injudiciously financed the young musician's journey to San Francisco in the first place.
Time grows short as Inez and the others uncover long-hidden secrets and unsettled scores. With lives and reputations on the line, the tempo rises until the investigation's final, dying note.
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First published April 3, 2018
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About the author
Ann Parker
10 books225 followers Ann Parker earned degrees in Physics and English Literature at the University of California, Berkeley, before taking up a career as a science writer. These days, she slings science and technical verbiage for a living during the day and writes fiction at night.
Ann's ancestors include a great-grandfather who was a blacksmith in Leadville, a grandmother who worked at the bindery of Leadville's Herald Democrat newspaper, a grandfather who was a Colorado School of Mines professor, and another grandfather who worked as a gandy dancer on the Colorado railroads. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Historical Novel Society, Women Writing the West, and Western Writers of America. Ann and her family reside in the San Francisco Bay Area, whence they have weathered numerous boom-and-bust cycles.
Her Silver Rush historical mystery series, published by Poisoned Pen Press, is set primarily in the silver boomtown of Leadville, Colorado, in the early 1880s. (The sixth in the series, A DYING NOTE, is set in San Francisco, 1881.) The series was picked as a "Booksellers Favorite" by the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association.
Ann's ancestors include a great-grandfather who was a blacksmith in Leadville, a grandmother who worked at the bindery of Leadville's Herald Democrat newspaper, a grandfather who was a Colorado School of Mines professor, and another grandfather who worked as a gandy dancer on the Colorado railroads. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Historical Novel Society, Women Writing the West, and Western Writers of America. Ann and her family reside in the San Francisco Bay Area, whence they have weathered numerous boom-and-bust cycles.
Her Silver Rush historical mystery series, published by Poisoned Pen Press, is set primarily in the silver boomtown of Leadville, Colorado, in the early 1880s. (The sixth in the series, A DYING NOTE, is set in San Francisco, 1881.) The series was picked as a "Booksellers Favorite" by the Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 7, 2018
First Sentence: Not my hands!
Inez Stannert and her ward, Antonia moved to San Francisco from Leadville, Colorado, where they live above the music store, owned by a renowned local violinist. Inez works in the shop and teaches piano including to a young musician whose badly beaten body has been found on the banks of the Mission Creek canal. Inez her life, and the secrets she’s keeping may fall apart when a friend from Leadville shows up with Wolter Roeland de Bruijn, a man who knew Antonia’s late mother, and a man looking for his son. When the link between the two young men is made, can Inez discover his killer without her reputation being destroyed?
The opening is violent and difficult to read. It is clear there is an important link, but one wonders whether the first chapter truly adds to the story or could have been omitted.
What follows is the true introduction of the protagonist, Inez, and many of the supporting characters. One thing that makes Inez particularly interesting and admirable is her determination and her business acumen. She has found a way to help other women support themselves with small women-owned businesses while building security for herself and Antonia. There is information on Antonia’s past included in the story that explains her behavior and tendency toward self-reliance. She knows what it is to be an outsider and recognizes it in others. There is also a scene of great tenderness.
There are a number of other wonderful characters who enrich the plot. Antonia’s friend Mick Lynch is a member of a large Irish family and son of the cop. John Hue is a Chinese purveyor of curiosities and repairer of stringed instruments and woodwinds. Patrick May, the young black man, loves music and just wants to play the piano. Elizabeth O’Connell, is a female Pinkerton agent. These, among others, give flavor and dimension to the story.
One is given a good look at life in this time, but it is the life of ordinary people. Yes, there are scenes at the still-fabulous Palace Hotel, but the bulk of of the story involves the working class which is a rather refreshing change. Parker also addresses the issues of attitudes toward the blacks and Chinese immigrants, and the events surrounding the attempts at unionizing musicians. Even so, there is a nod to today—“Mark me,” he continued, “there will come a time when the oppression by the moneyed powers of this country will be so great it will no longer be endured.” There is so much wonderful historical information included that adds veracity to the story. When reading historical mysteries, the Author’s Notes are always important and informative. It’s fun to learn which things are real and which were invented or changed for the purpose of the story.
“A Dying Note” includes very good plot twists, a surprising ending, and a promise of continuing associations in the future.
A DYING NOTE (Hist Mys-Inez Stannert-San Francisco, CA- 1881) – G+
Parker, Ann – 6th in series
Poisoned Pen Press – April 2018
Inez Stannert and her ward, Antonia moved to San Francisco from Leadville, Colorado, where they live above the music store, owned by a renowned local violinist. Inez works in the shop and teaches piano including to a young musician whose badly beaten body has been found on the banks of the Mission Creek canal. Inez her life, and the secrets she’s keeping may fall apart when a friend from Leadville shows up with Wolter Roeland de Bruijn, a man who knew Antonia’s late mother, and a man looking for his son. When the link between the two young men is made, can Inez discover his killer without her reputation being destroyed?
The opening is violent and difficult to read. It is clear there is an important link, but one wonders whether the first chapter truly adds to the story or could have been omitted.
What follows is the true introduction of the protagonist, Inez, and many of the supporting characters. One thing that makes Inez particularly interesting and admirable is her determination and her business acumen. She has found a way to help other women support themselves with small women-owned businesses while building security for herself and Antonia. There is information on Antonia’s past included in the story that explains her behavior and tendency toward self-reliance. She knows what it is to be an outsider and recognizes it in others. There is also a scene of great tenderness.
There are a number of other wonderful characters who enrich the plot. Antonia’s friend Mick Lynch is a member of a large Irish family and son of the cop. John Hue is a Chinese purveyor of curiosities and repairer of stringed instruments and woodwinds. Patrick May, the young black man, loves music and just wants to play the piano. Elizabeth O’Connell, is a female Pinkerton agent. These, among others, give flavor and dimension to the story.
One is given a good look at life in this time, but it is the life of ordinary people. Yes, there are scenes at the still-fabulous Palace Hotel, but the bulk of of the story involves the working class which is a rather refreshing change. Parker also addresses the issues of attitudes toward the blacks and Chinese immigrants, and the events surrounding the attempts at unionizing musicians. Even so, there is a nod to today—“Mark me,” he continued, “there will come a time when the oppression by the moneyed powers of this country will be so great it will no longer be endured.” There is so much wonderful historical information included that adds veracity to the story. When reading historical mysteries, the Author’s Notes are always important and informative. It’s fun to learn which things are real and which were invented or changed for the purpose of the story.
“A Dying Note” includes very good plot twists, a surprising ending, and a promise of continuing associations in the future.
A DYING NOTE (Hist Mys-Inez Stannert-San Francisco, CA- 1881) – G+
Parker, Ann – 6th in series
Poisoned Pen Press – April 2018
March 27, 2018
A Dying Note is the sixth book in the Silver Rush series.
With this book we now find Inez Stannert and her ward, Antonia Gizzi, living in San Francisco. Inez is working D&S House of Music and Curiosities where she is the manager and gives music lesson. The founder and Inez’s partner, Nick Donato is a well-respected businessman and accomplished musician and spends a good part of his time seeking employment for musicians who frequent his establishment. The story centers around one of these musicians, Jamie Monroe. Monroe hopes to secure steady employment so he and Carmella Donato, Nick’s sister, can get married.
One day Inez is shocked to see Mrs. “Frisco Flo” Sweet, a madam and business partner of Inez from Leadville enter the music store. She learns from Frisco Flo that Harry Gallagher, a rich silver mine owner, has made her come with him to help look for his son. Gallagher has also engaged Wolter deBruin to aid in the search. Gallagher has threatened both them to ruin their businesses and reputations.
Then an unidentified body is discovered and with information that Flo has provided Inez knows that the body is that of Jamie Monroe, but is really Robert Gallagher, Harry’s son. Inez decides to keep this information from Gallagher for as long she can, hoping to learn who the killer is before telling Gallagher, thereby saving their businesses and reputations.
This is a wonderful historical series. The author has done a great job of researching, plotting and telling an interesting and exciting story and also providing an interesting and believable cast of characters.
Also included is a rather extensive list of references to learn more about the late 1800’s in San Francisco.
I will definitely be watching for the next book in this exciting series to see what adventures Inez and Antonia will have.
With this book we now find Inez Stannert and her ward, Antonia Gizzi, living in San Francisco. Inez is working D&S House of Music and Curiosities where she is the manager and gives music lesson. The founder and Inez’s partner, Nick Donato is a well-respected businessman and accomplished musician and spends a good part of his time seeking employment for musicians who frequent his establishment. The story centers around one of these musicians, Jamie Monroe. Monroe hopes to secure steady employment so he and Carmella Donato, Nick’s sister, can get married.
One day Inez is shocked to see Mrs. “Frisco Flo” Sweet, a madam and business partner of Inez from Leadville enter the music store. She learns from Frisco Flo that Harry Gallagher, a rich silver mine owner, has made her come with him to help look for his son. Gallagher has also engaged Wolter deBruin to aid in the search. Gallagher has threatened both them to ruin their businesses and reputations.
Then an unidentified body is discovered and with information that Flo has provided Inez knows that the body is that of Jamie Monroe, but is really Robert Gallagher, Harry’s son. Inez decides to keep this information from Gallagher for as long she can, hoping to learn who the killer is before telling Gallagher, thereby saving their businesses and reputations.
This is a wonderful historical series. The author has done a great job of researching, plotting and telling an interesting and exciting story and also providing an interesting and believable cast of characters.
Also included is a rather extensive list of references to learn more about the late 1800’s in San Francisco.
I will definitely be watching for the next book in this exciting series to see what adventures Inez and Antonia will have.
April 3, 2018
GNab A Dying Note by Ann Parker is #6 of the series Silver Rush Mysteries, but is completely stand alone. I know I want to get my hands on the rest of the series, however. This is a good read, fast paced and flowing, with folks you can be comfortable with and a story that involves you in this life and death entrigue. It takes place in San Francisco in 1881 - 1882 and you know right away that you want to stay out of Barbary Coast and Mission Bay but San Francisco is already the Queen City of the western world. As a silent protagonist, we have the attempts in this fair city to establish unions of all sorts, including one geared for musicians, the second or third attempt to unionize San Francisco's music makers and entertainers. Colorado transplant and music store manager as well as silent partner of several female owned local businesses, protagonist Inez Stannert tells this tale from her perspective but her ward, Fifth grader Antonia Gizzi, steals the show from early on. You have to love 'Tony's' spunk and lack of fear. The remaining cast are for the most part music makers - pianists and violinists and every sort of woodwinds imaginable, mostly young men trying to make a place for themselves in the tapestry that is San Francisco by the sea. The Murder of James "Jamie" Monroe on the docks of Mission Bay is a shock to all in the small enclave that is the San Francisco music industry. Inez takes the death of this much admired young pianist personally and begins digging into Union organizers, Jamie's past, and that of his contemporaries in a bid to solve this murder. And there will be, despite her many efforts, a great deal of 'help' from Antonia.
And then we have Flo Sweet, the blast from the past who leaves her high class bordello in Leadville, CO in the hands of her 'girls' to add her two cents worth of advice and distraction to the murder investigation in San Francisco. She is accompanied by another Colorado protagonist, Harry Gallagher, owner of the Silver Mountain Mine in Leadville, and the father of missing Robert H. Gallagher, a young man involved in organizing a union for his father's miners, who fled Colorado to avoid an arranged marriage to the daughter of another mine owner, Phillip Poole. Rumor has it Robert wanted a chance to make music his life's work and San Francisco looked like a good fit. Poole also shows up in San Francisco after the suicide of his daughter. He is just looking for revenge.
I loved this historical look at the city of San Francisco, and the people, places, clothing, businesses, transportation, education, and entertainment available at this time in the international melting pot known as the city by the sea. The Author's Note in the back - spoilers, don't read until last - gives us several web sites to mine for San Francisco information, then and now, as well as an extensive glossary of reading material that covers this era of California history. Thanks!
I received a free electronic copy of this western historical novel from Netgalley, Ann Parker, and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date April 3, 2018
Poisoned Pen Press
And then we have Flo Sweet, the blast from the past who leaves her high class bordello in Leadville, CO in the hands of her 'girls' to add her two cents worth of advice and distraction to the murder investigation in San Francisco. She is accompanied by another Colorado protagonist, Harry Gallagher, owner of the Silver Mountain Mine in Leadville, and the father of missing Robert H. Gallagher, a young man involved in organizing a union for his father's miners, who fled Colorado to avoid an arranged marriage to the daughter of another mine owner, Phillip Poole. Rumor has it Robert wanted a chance to make music his life's work and San Francisco looked like a good fit. Poole also shows up in San Francisco after the suicide of his daughter. He is just looking for revenge.
I loved this historical look at the city of San Francisco, and the people, places, clothing, businesses, transportation, education, and entertainment available at this time in the international melting pot known as the city by the sea. The Author's Note in the back - spoilers, don't read until last - gives us several web sites to mine for San Francisco information, then and now, as well as an extensive glossary of reading material that covers this era of California history. Thanks!
I received a free electronic copy of this western historical novel from Netgalley, Ann Parker, and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.
pub date April 3, 2018
Poisoned Pen Press
September 2, 2018
I listened to this primarily because it's narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Kirsten Potter. It's 6th in the author's Silver Rush series, with earlier titles set in Leadville, CO, and this in San Francisco in 1881. Fascinating details of time and place along with a complex mystery, intriguing and well-developed characters (both series and secondary, but a particularly clever and well-spoken heroine), a haunting tone, and an open ending, ready for the next in the series. Interesting enough to go back to earlier titles and pursue future ones.
July 22, 2018
This is #6 in the Silver Rush/Inez Stannert historical mystery series. The first 5 take place in Colorado and this one is set in 1880's San Francisco. As usual an intriguing mystery and wonderful characters. Inez has become one of my favorite historical characters and I'm becoming very fond of her young ward, Antonio. Highly recommend.
February 23, 2019
This is a departure from her Leadvile, Co. series, but that doesn't make it any less interesting. I enjoyed this new book set in 1880's San Francisco (I'm a big fan Of Louisa M. Locke's San Fransisco mystery series set in this era) and the addition of Antonia as sort of a mini-me to Inez...yeah, I said it, but Inez recognizes the girl's independent streak as a kindred spirit. All of the new characters are very well developed and no, I didn't get who-done it as clues are deftly parceled out until at last the killer is revealed. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of Antonia as well as the P.I, Mr. Brown. An outstanding beginning to a new venue for Inez and Antonia.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
June 6, 2019
Very interesting story about historical San Francisco
March 4, 2018
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of the novel.
Inez Stannert returns in A DYING NOTE, the sixth novel in the Silver Rush series by Ann Parker. The novel will be published April 3rd, 2018 by Poisoned Pen Press. For those of you who are unlike me and haven’t read the five previous novels in the Silver Rush series, those novels are: SILVER LIES (2006), IRON TIES (2006), LEADEN SKIES (2009), MERCURY’S RISE (2011), and WHAT GOLD BUYS (2016). If you haven’t read any of these novels, I highly suggest that you do as they are all wonderful novels. The Silver Rush series are historical mysteries set in the 1880s.
A DYING NOTE is quite different from the previous novels in the Silver Rush series. Yes, Inez Stannert is still the main character. And, yes, she finds herself in another situation where she needs to sort out a mystery and find a killer. What is different is that Inez and her young ward, Antonia Gizzi, have left the sometimes-wild mining town of Leadville, Colorado, where she was co-owner of the Silver Queen Saloon and had a stake in an upscale brothel. Unlike all of the other Silver Rush novels that take place in Colorado (four in Leadville and one in Manitou Springs), A DYING NOTE takes place in the more subdued, and much larger city of San Francisco, California. It is now 1881 – a full year has passed since the end of WHAT GOLD BUYS – and Inez and Antonia have relocated to San Francisco to restart their lives. Inez has to be careful to hide her past or else her job at the music store – and her new life as well as Antonia’s – could be placed into jeopardy. Inez can’t imagine that her employer would be overly receptive to the fact that she is a divorced woman who has killed a couple people (never in cold blood) and has a somewhat unsavory history. Inez’s employer is Nico Donato, a famous violinist in San Francisco. Turns out that he also has some unsavory incidents in his past.
While different from the previous novels in the Silver Rush series, A DYING NOTE was just as enjoyable. Getting to see Inez in a situation that is quite different from her life in the rough-and-tumble Leadville was interesting. Though, I do have to admit, I did miss Leadville and her cast of various and unique characters. Not to worry though, two of the more notorious citizens of Leadville show up in San Francisco. Florence Sweet – better known as Frisco Flo back in Leadville – is the madam of the upscale brothel that Inez is part-owner of. Frisco Flo was brought to San Francisco by Harry Gallagher. Harry is one of the richest men in Leadville and owns many of the silver mines in the area. He is also one of Inez’s past lovers. Harry and Flo, along with private detective W.R. de Bruijn, came in San Francisco to find Harry’s son who fled Leadville on the eve of his arranged marriage. Inez is swept up in the search for Robert Gallagher – mainly because Harry threatens to reveal her past. Inez manages to find Robert; unfortunately she finds him in the morgue. Inez. Frisco Flo, and de Bruijn work together to find out what happened to Robert and track down his killer. Antonia also gets involved in the investigation, and it is her participation that really adds something to the novel. Antonia is such an engaging and likeable character.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed A DYING NOTE. It was very well-written and plotted out. Ann Parker really brought San Francisco of the early 1880s to life. The characters – old and new – were all fully developed and interesting. I’m already looking forward to the next novel in the Silver Rush series.
Inez Stannert returns in A DYING NOTE, the sixth novel in the Silver Rush series by Ann Parker. The novel will be published April 3rd, 2018 by Poisoned Pen Press. For those of you who are unlike me and haven’t read the five previous novels in the Silver Rush series, those novels are: SILVER LIES (2006), IRON TIES (2006), LEADEN SKIES (2009), MERCURY’S RISE (2011), and WHAT GOLD BUYS (2016). If you haven’t read any of these novels, I highly suggest that you do as they are all wonderful novels. The Silver Rush series are historical mysteries set in the 1880s.
A DYING NOTE is quite different from the previous novels in the Silver Rush series. Yes, Inez Stannert is still the main character. And, yes, she finds herself in another situation where she needs to sort out a mystery and find a killer. What is different is that Inez and her young ward, Antonia Gizzi, have left the sometimes-wild mining town of Leadville, Colorado, where she was co-owner of the Silver Queen Saloon and had a stake in an upscale brothel. Unlike all of the other Silver Rush novels that take place in Colorado (four in Leadville and one in Manitou Springs), A DYING NOTE takes place in the more subdued, and much larger city of San Francisco, California. It is now 1881 – a full year has passed since the end of WHAT GOLD BUYS – and Inez and Antonia have relocated to San Francisco to restart their lives. Inez has to be careful to hide her past or else her job at the music store – and her new life as well as Antonia’s – could be placed into jeopardy. Inez can’t imagine that her employer would be overly receptive to the fact that she is a divorced woman who has killed a couple people (never in cold blood) and has a somewhat unsavory history. Inez’s employer is Nico Donato, a famous violinist in San Francisco. Turns out that he also has some unsavory incidents in his past.
While different from the previous novels in the Silver Rush series, A DYING NOTE was just as enjoyable. Getting to see Inez in a situation that is quite different from her life in the rough-and-tumble Leadville was interesting. Though, I do have to admit, I did miss Leadville and her cast of various and unique characters. Not to worry though, two of the more notorious citizens of Leadville show up in San Francisco. Florence Sweet – better known as Frisco Flo back in Leadville – is the madam of the upscale brothel that Inez is part-owner of. Frisco Flo was brought to San Francisco by Harry Gallagher. Harry is one of the richest men in Leadville and owns many of the silver mines in the area. He is also one of Inez’s past lovers. Harry and Flo, along with private detective W.R. de Bruijn, came in San Francisco to find Harry’s son who fled Leadville on the eve of his arranged marriage. Inez is swept up in the search for Robert Gallagher – mainly because Harry threatens to reveal her past. Inez manages to find Robert; unfortunately she finds him in the morgue. Inez. Frisco Flo, and de Bruijn work together to find out what happened to Robert and track down his killer. Antonia also gets involved in the investigation, and it is her participation that really adds something to the novel. Antonia is such an engaging and likeable character.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed A DYING NOTE. It was very well-written and plotted out. Ann Parker really brought San Francisco of the early 1880s to life. The characters – old and new – were all fully developed and interesting. I’m already looking forward to the next novel in the Silver Rush series.
April 16, 2018
I’ve read the first book in Ann Parker’s Silver Rush Mysteries, Silver Lies set in 1879/80 in the silver-mining town of Leadville, Colarado in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. I loved it and fully intended to read more of the series. Somehow that hasn’t happened. A Dying Note is the 6th book in the series, so I have some catching up to do. I wondered if this would be a problem, but it reads very well as a standalone book.
A Dying Note is set in the autumn of 1881. Inez Stannert is still the co-owner of Leadville, Colorado’s Silver Queen saloon, but she has left Leadville and is making a new start in life in San Francisco with her young ward, Antonia Gizzi. She is managing a music store, hoping to become an equal partner with the store’s owner, Nick Donato, a celebrated local violinist. In addition to managing the store she also gives piano lessons and is in silent partnership with some of the small businesses run by women in the city.
All is going well until the body of a young man, Jamie Monroe, is found washed up on the banks of Mission Creek canal. He had been beaten to death. Jamie is one of the musicians who frequented Nick’s music store and was in love with Carmella, Nick’s sister. So Inez and Antonia are drawn into the investigation into his death.
Then some of Inez’s old acquaintances from Leadville, including Harry Gallagher, arrive in San Francisco, threatening to expose her past. Harry is looking for his son, Robert and has brought with him Wolter Roeland de Bruijn, also known as ‘Mr Brown’ who he’d employed to find Robert. He insists that Inez helps Mr Brown which results in putting them all in danger.
It’s a fast paced mystery (that actually is not that difficult to figure out) and I enjoyed very much. I also liked the setting and all the details about San Francisco in 1881 – the scenery, the layout of the city with its dangerous areas of the Barbary Coast and Chinatown, where Inez, Antonia and Mr Brown search for Robert and follow the suspects of Jamie’s murder. The details about the efforts to set up a musicians union and the work of Frank Roney (a real life figure) involved in the Seamen’s Protective Union also add a lot to the story. The characters are also well defined and I was very taken with Antonia, a teenager with an inquisitive mind and lots of daring!
In her Author’s Note at the end of the book, Ann Parker identifies what is real, based on historical facts and what is the result of her imagination, with a warning that this contains spoilers – so don’t read it until after you’ve read the book! She also gives details of the sources she used in writing her book, all of which I think is fascinating, especially for me, knowing nothing about the history of San Francisco.
I shall certainly seek out books 2 – 5 in the Silver Rush Mysteries:
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for a review copy via NetGalley.
A Dying Note is set in the autumn of 1881. Inez Stannert is still the co-owner of Leadville, Colorado’s Silver Queen saloon, but she has left Leadville and is making a new start in life in San Francisco with her young ward, Antonia Gizzi. She is managing a music store, hoping to become an equal partner with the store’s owner, Nick Donato, a celebrated local violinist. In addition to managing the store she also gives piano lessons and is in silent partnership with some of the small businesses run by women in the city.
All is going well until the body of a young man, Jamie Monroe, is found washed up on the banks of Mission Creek canal. He had been beaten to death. Jamie is one of the musicians who frequented Nick’s music store and was in love with Carmella, Nick’s sister. So Inez and Antonia are drawn into the investigation into his death.
Then some of Inez’s old acquaintances from Leadville, including Harry Gallagher, arrive in San Francisco, threatening to expose her past. Harry is looking for his son, Robert and has brought with him Wolter Roeland de Bruijn, also known as ‘Mr Brown’ who he’d employed to find Robert. He insists that Inez helps Mr Brown which results in putting them all in danger.
It’s a fast paced mystery (that actually is not that difficult to figure out) and I enjoyed very much. I also liked the setting and all the details about San Francisco in 1881 – the scenery, the layout of the city with its dangerous areas of the Barbary Coast and Chinatown, where Inez, Antonia and Mr Brown search for Robert and follow the suspects of Jamie’s murder. The details about the efforts to set up a musicians union and the work of Frank Roney (a real life figure) involved in the Seamen’s Protective Union also add a lot to the story. The characters are also well defined and I was very taken with Antonia, a teenager with an inquisitive mind and lots of daring!
In her Author’s Note at the end of the book, Ann Parker identifies what is real, based on historical facts and what is the result of her imagination, with a warning that this contains spoilers – so don’t read it until after you’ve read the book! She also gives details of the sources she used in writing her book, all of which I think is fascinating, especially for me, knowing nothing about the history of San Francisco.
I shall certainly seek out books 2 – 5 in the Silver Rush Mysteries:
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for a review copy via NetGalley.
January 25, 2019
Unlike the rest of this series, our heroine has taken off from Cloud City to San Francisco to serve at Donato's music store. Her orphan charge is still in company but there is no new addition to the family, nor has Rev. Sands reappeared. Again the past will not remained buried when Mrs. Sweet aka Frisco Flo Inez's silent business partner shows up to make things uncomfortable with the restart Inez has set up for herself. She's passing as a widow and giving music lessons, as well as balancing Mr. Donato's neglected shop and accounts. They live above the shop and our Antonia is having a difficult time adjusting to skirts and schooling.
The plot hinges around a missing musician who was courting Donato's sister on the sly. We know from the unset that he was murdered at Shit Creek, which I know better as the ocean mouth of Mission Creek. it was quite the disreputable area, south of Market, prior to the 1906 earthquake and it's more recent yuppication. Inez knew the young man as "Jamie" and fails to recognize hime when one of her less desirable exlovers shows up at the same time Frisco Flo makes her appearence. The plot is complicated by her young companion who has an irresistable urge to eavesdrop and dress in her newsboy clothes to abet the investigation. Antonia is more than mischeivious, she is also driven by a powerful need to remain away from poverty and separation from her new guardian Inez. Even stranger is the presence of a P.I. Antonia's mother relied upon. I will not spoil the plot further.
Being an ex-pat of The City and knowing it's history well, I was surprised that other notable figures, like MaryEllen Pleasant did not show up in this novel, although we have a mulatto pianist Inez and Antonia befriend. We get a look at the Palace before it all came tumbling down, and a look into the early unionizing movement in San Francisco. Not so much the graft and corruption of city politics, but a glimpse into the shanghai'ing of sailors in scrimps, bars were they were given laced drinks before being impressed on ships as involuntary crew. We don't meet black Maria of the Barbary Coast, but we do meet a Black John who camps near the creek mouth where the mudlarks pick through the refuse for salables and unfortunately, edibles.
Mrs S's behavior in this book is really quite proper. I hope she returns to her previous vices because she is very sad in San Francisco, life having dealt her some bitter blows. I hope there is another installment and a better grade of brandy in store for her.
The plot hinges around a missing musician who was courting Donato's sister on the sly. We know from the unset that he was murdered at Shit Creek, which I know better as the ocean mouth of Mission Creek. it was quite the disreputable area, south of Market, prior to the 1906 earthquake and it's more recent yuppication. Inez knew the young man as "Jamie" and fails to recognize hime when one of her less desirable exlovers shows up at the same time Frisco Flo makes her appearence. The plot is complicated by her young companion who has an irresistable urge to eavesdrop and dress in her newsboy clothes to abet the investigation. Antonia is more than mischeivious, she is also driven by a powerful need to remain away from poverty and separation from her new guardian Inez. Even stranger is the presence of a P.I. Antonia's mother relied upon. I will not spoil the plot further.
Being an ex-pat of The City and knowing it's history well, I was surprised that other notable figures, like MaryEllen Pleasant did not show up in this novel, although we have a mulatto pianist Inez and Antonia befriend. We get a look at the Palace before it all came tumbling down, and a look into the early unionizing movement in San Francisco. Not so much the graft and corruption of city politics, but a glimpse into the shanghai'ing of sailors in scrimps, bars were they were given laced drinks before being impressed on ships as involuntary crew. We don't meet black Maria of the Barbary Coast, but we do meet a Black John who camps near the creek mouth where the mudlarks pick through the refuse for salables and unfortunately, edibles.
Mrs S's behavior in this book is really quite proper. I hope she returns to her previous vices because she is very sad in San Francisco, life having dealt her some bitter blows. I hope there is another installment and a better grade of brandy in store for her.
June 3, 2018
This is the fifth book in Ann Parker's "Silver Rush" series featuring Inez Stannert. In this book, Inez has moved from Leadville, CO, to San Francisco. It's 1881, so while San Francisco is not a Gold Rush town, it's still going around the edges.
Instead of a saloon, Inez is working at a music store, Donato and Stannert. (She also has invested in other women-owned businesses in the City.). Inez lives above the store with her ward, Antonia Drizzi, a character from the previous took, "What Gold Buys." A badly beaten body is found floating down by the docks in Mission Creek. It's Jamie Monroe, secret fiance of Carmella Donato, sister to Inez's partner.
Later that day, Inez has two visitors:. "Frisco Flo," madame of a high-end bordello in Leadville (and business partner of Inez) and Henry Gallegher,also from Leadville, arich businessman with whom Inez has had dealings. Henry is looking for his son, Robert, who wasn't impressed to have come to San Francisco.
A third person accompanies them:. W.R. de Bruijn, a "finder of lost things." He has been hired by to assist Henry, but may find something else, of a more personal nature, in San Francisco.
Ms. Parker has done her research. The story rings true, both geographically, culturally, and to the personalities of the characters, especially the ones we already know.
One thing that would have been helpful would have been a map of San Francisco, especially since streets and their names have changed since then. Fortunately, I was able to find a map of San Francisco from 1888 online, which I found useful.
When the novel ended, I found myself wanting more, especially of the new characters Ms. Parker introduced!
Instead of a saloon, Inez is working at a music store, Donato and Stannert. (She also has invested in other women-owned businesses in the City.). Inez lives above the store with her ward, Antonia Drizzi, a character from the previous took, "What Gold Buys." A badly beaten body is found floating down by the docks in Mission Creek. It's Jamie Monroe, secret fiance of Carmella Donato, sister to Inez's partner.
Later that day, Inez has two visitors:. "Frisco Flo," madame of a high-end bordello in Leadville (and business partner of Inez) and Henry Gallegher,also from Leadville, arich businessman with whom Inez has had dealings. Henry is looking for his son, Robert, who wasn't impressed to have come to San Francisco.
A third person accompanies them:. W.R. de Bruijn, a "finder of lost things." He has been hired by to assist Henry, but may find something else, of a more personal nature, in San Francisco.
Ms. Parker has done her research. The story rings true, both geographically, culturally, and to the personalities of the characters, especially the ones we already know.
One thing that would have been helpful would have been a map of San Francisco, especially since streets and their names have changed since then. Fortunately, I was able to find a map of San Francisco from 1888 online, which I found useful.
When the novel ended, I found myself wanting more, especially of the new characters Ms. Parker introduced!
April 4, 2018
It's always a pleasure to watch a series grow from strength to strength, and this is exactly what I've seen happen with Ann Parker's Silver Rush series. There's always some fascinating historical snippets to learn, a fantastic setting, an engrossing mystery to solve, and a strong, intelligent main character to cheer on. Inez Stannert has not had an easy life, and she's needed every bit of her intelligence and determination to survive and to succeed.
What makes A Dying Note even more interesting is the addition of young Antonia Gizzi to the cast of characters. Antonia's short life has been even more difficult--she and her mother were abandoned by her father, and as her mother lay dying, Antonia had to learn how to live on the streets of Leadville. This little girl is sharp as a tack and, as my grandfather would say, as independent as a hog on ice. I loved Antonia's ability to answer questions truthfully without actually telling the honest truth. That takes a lot of skill. She's used to making her own decisions, and she doesn't trust anyone but Inez. Inez is probably the only person strong enough to deal with Antonia, and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what happens next.
The pace of A Dying Note is excellent, and the scenes in which various characters are being followed through the streets of San Francisco are downright nerve-wracking. Even though the whodunit is relatively easy to deduce, learning all the hows and whys and getting the person out into the open is fun. This series is for all fans of historical mysteries, and if you haven't given it a try yet, I suggest you start at the beginning with Silver Lies. You've got some good reading ahead of you!
What makes A Dying Note even more interesting is the addition of young Antonia Gizzi to the cast of characters. Antonia's short life has been even more difficult--she and her mother were abandoned by her father, and as her mother lay dying, Antonia had to learn how to live on the streets of Leadville. This little girl is sharp as a tack and, as my grandfather would say, as independent as a hog on ice. I loved Antonia's ability to answer questions truthfully without actually telling the honest truth. That takes a lot of skill. She's used to making her own decisions, and she doesn't trust anyone but Inez. Inez is probably the only person strong enough to deal with Antonia, and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what happens next.
The pace of A Dying Note is excellent, and the scenes in which various characters are being followed through the streets of San Francisco are downright nerve-wracking. Even though the whodunit is relatively easy to deduce, learning all the hows and whys and getting the person out into the open is fun. This series is for all fans of historical mysteries, and if you haven't given it a try yet, I suggest you start at the beginning with Silver Lies. You've got some good reading ahead of you!
February 29, 2020
This was a terrific historic San Francisco mystery.
I had recently read another taking place in the same time and place and they meshed beautifully.
I have not read any of the previous books in this series, which begins in Leadville, Colorado. This is the book where Inez begins again with a new city and a new occupation.
It was interesting to learn that there were enough citizens in San Francisco at that time to support a music store, which is where Inez and her ward Antonia are living and working. She is a smart business woman and has improved the finances of the business sufficiently to expect a partnership soon.
Her past appears in the personages of Frisco Flo, Harry Gallagher and Phillip Poole. They are following the trail of Gallagher's son Robert who left Leadville with his bride to be at the altar.
After she commits suicide, all are in a race to find him and either save his life or kill him.
We learn about the unionization of San Francisco industries, life in Chinatown and the Barbary Coast.
The mystery of who killed a musician is beautifully investigated and solved.
I look forward to the next in the series, Mortal Music.
I received a copy from the author.
I had recently read another taking place in the same time and place and they meshed beautifully.
I have not read any of the previous books in this series, which begins in Leadville, Colorado. This is the book where Inez begins again with a new city and a new occupation.
It was interesting to learn that there were enough citizens in San Francisco at that time to support a music store, which is where Inez and her ward Antonia are living and working. She is a smart business woman and has improved the finances of the business sufficiently to expect a partnership soon.
Her past appears in the personages of Frisco Flo, Harry Gallagher and Phillip Poole. They are following the trail of Gallagher's son Robert who left Leadville with his bride to be at the altar.
After she commits suicide, all are in a race to find him and either save his life or kill him.
We learn about the unionization of San Francisco industries, life in Chinatown and the Barbary Coast.
The mystery of who killed a musician is beautifully investigated and solved.
I look forward to the next in the series, Mortal Music.
I received a copy from the author.
July 28, 2020
A Dying Note by Ann Parker is the 6th book of the Silver Rush mystery series. Set in 1881 San Francisco, where Inez Stannert has reinvented herself. She manages a music store, and she's also a silent investor in small local businesses owned by women. Inez and her ward Antonia Gizzi live above the music shop. Inez presents herself as a widow, concealing her divorce from Mark, with whom she still co-owns the Silver Queen saloon in Leadville Colorado. Inez knows a widow holds a much higher position of respect in 1881 society than a divorced woman.
Music store owner Donato is a locally famous violinist far more interested in music than his business. Inez, an astute businesswoman, rescues the music store accounts from his indifferent neglect, and hopes to soon be a partner in the shop. The disappearance of young musician James, secretly engaged to Donato's daughter Carmella, begins the disruption of Inez's new life. Then Frisco Flo arrives from Leadville, warning her of threats by Harry Gallagher. With Gallagher comes Walter de Bruijn, hired to find Gallagher's son Robert, but with a personal agenda: find Antonia Gizzi.
Inez and Flo team up to find Robert, but soon Inez realizes Flo is busy with her own goals. Flo is working her contacts in San Francisco, in case she loses her brothel in Leadville. Inez goes to view a dead body, in case it is James; Carmella confirms it is. Why would this nice young man be murdered? Because he was passionately committed to starting a musician's union? Because he won a job by low-bidding? Was he just in the wrong place at the time?
Inez researches the past attempts to form a musicians' union, discovers the union funds disappeared along with the treasurer. Did he really abscond with the money, as everyone assumed?
Music store owner Donato is a locally famous violinist far more interested in music than his business. Inez, an astute businesswoman, rescues the music store accounts from his indifferent neglect, and hopes to soon be a partner in the shop. The disappearance of young musician James, secretly engaged to Donato's daughter Carmella, begins the disruption of Inez's new life. Then Frisco Flo arrives from Leadville, warning her of threats by Harry Gallagher. With Gallagher comes Walter de Bruijn, hired to find Gallagher's son Robert, but with a personal agenda: find Antonia Gizzi.
Inez and Flo team up to find Robert, but soon Inez realizes Flo is busy with her own goals. Flo is working her contacts in San Francisco, in case she loses her brothel in Leadville. Inez goes to view a dead body, in case it is James; Carmella confirms it is. Why would this nice young man be murdered? Because he was passionately committed to starting a musician's union? Because he won a job by low-bidding? Was he just in the wrong place at the time?
Inez researches the past attempts to form a musicians' union, discovers the union funds disappeared along with the treasurer. Did he really abscond with the money, as everyone assumed?
February 23, 2021
I had my reservations going into the change of setting but Parker pulled it off with grace. While Inez and Antonia were billed as being on their own, it doesn’t take long before people from their lives in Leadville begin to pop up. This is in keeping with Parker's carefully crafted formula of adding and recycling characters that I have come to enjoy so much. I enjoyed the mystery and watching it unfold, at this point I’m familiar enough with Parker’s plotting that it wasn’t difficult to guess where things would head next but I enjoyed it nonetheless. She has managed to find the balance and intelligence to write a compelling historical fiction. I went in believing that this was the final book on to find that there is infact a seventh book (I’m hesitant to claim this as the final book). I��m glad for it because Reverend Sands was completely left out of this narrative except for pining monologues by Inez. I’d like some kind of resolution there and that’s my only expectation going into this next instalment.
January 13, 2022
This mystery series. "A Silver Rush Mystery" has fallen flat. This one, set again in San Francisco is only tenuously connected to the earlier books, which were actually "Silver Rush Mysteries". No longer do we have the backdrop of the rough and tumble of Leadville CO during the height of the silver rush, which added a great deal of interest to the series. Some of the characters are the same, but they are now involved in much more mundane situations in the Big City of San Francisco. Many people have set mysteries in SF during the late 19th century and done it more effectively. The story here is basically ordinary and bears only incidental relationships to the Leadville days. It's time for Inez (and Ann Parker) to get back to what she knows and does best.
March 14, 2018
I hadn't read the earlier books in this series but I was quite entertained by Inez and Antonia. San Francisco in 1881 was calmer to be sure than Leadville Colorado was said to be (which means Leadville must have been a really wild place). Inez and Antonia find themselves investigating the murder of Robert Gallagher, the son of wealthy Leadville denizen Harry Gallagher. There's a madam- Frisco Flo - and a private detective and a cast of other colorful characters, including the owner of the music store where Inez works. Quite atmospheric and well written, this is for fans of historical mysteries. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC.
June 19, 2018
Inez has relocated to San Francisco, along with her ward, Antonia. There she is managing a music store, with the possibility of eventually becoming a co-owner, as she attempts to re-create herself, and establish a new life for young Antonia. But when a young musician of her acquaintance is murdered, Inez finds herself forced to determine whodunnit.
This book had me captivated from the very beginning. The characters are from a variety of backgrounds and ethnic origins, as befits San Francisco in the 1880s. Historical tidbits inform the story, without overloading it. All in all, this is a fascinating glimpse of a world long gone. Highly recommended!
This book had me captivated from the very beginning. The characters are from a variety of backgrounds and ethnic origins, as befits San Francisco in the 1880s. Historical tidbits inform the story, without overloading it. All in all, this is a fascinating glimpse of a world long gone. Highly recommended!
May 30, 2018
I did not read the whole book, or have I read any books in the series before.
I think this was not a book one could read as a stand alone book. I found that I was missing a lot of backstory to have any feelings for the main characters. After reading 40 % of the book I gave up. Too much happened for me to make head or tails of the story, and I think there was a lot of story in the earlier books which would have helped me in this book.
*Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I think this was not a book one could read as a stand alone book. I found that I was missing a lot of backstory to have any feelings for the main characters. After reading 40 % of the book I gave up. Too much happened for me to make head or tails of the story, and I think there was a lot of story in the earlier books which would have helped me in this book.
*Copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
July 14, 2018
I've read all of Ann Parker's Leadville/Silver Rush mysteries. They're all good, but I think this one is the best yet. Vivid writing, and all the subplots tie up with the main plot at just the right moment. Inez Stannert is a great hero, and I like how Antonia (who was introduce in the previous book) is developing into a similarly smart, headstrong character who isn't afraid to stir up a little mischief.
July 21, 2021
A Dying Note, by Anne Parker: This is the latest in her “Silver Rush Mystery series.” I’ve mentioned this series before, and I love the books. It is 1881, and our heroine Innez has settled in San Francisco, but her Leadville, Colorado past is never far behind. Colorful characters, a lively well-crafted plot, and wonderful details that bring the 1880s to life are all features of this book / series. Keep them coming, Ms. Parker, you’ve got me hooked. A fun fast-paced desert.
April 18, 2018
My least favorite of the series. I almost abandoned it, but persevered out of curiosity as to how things would end. The first half was full of new characters that I didn’t care about, but the second half picked up some steam as Inez remembered her strength.
October 17, 2018
Ann Parker continues her enjoyable Leadville series of books, although the location in this one has changed to San Francisco. The same characters lead the reader into a darker story and we are introduced to new characters. A wonderful and fascinating read! I highly recommend this one!
November 25, 2019
Fell short of previous books in the series. I was not interested in the new setting, the addition of the child character felt silly, and most of the main characters from previous books did not appear in this story.
January 26, 2020
I had a bit of a hard time getting into this one. I very much preferred the Leadville setting to the San Francisco setting. I added a star for the strong female protagonist, but the jury's out on the question of proceed with this series.
October 25, 2022
Inez' move to San Francisco with her ward, Antonia, doesn't exempt her from encountering dead bodies or people from her past. Fascinating look at 1880s San Francisco and early labor union movement, especially the Musicians' Union.
February 4, 2019
Always love Ann Parker's Inez...and what I appreciate most is that Inez's detecting always seems so natural. Enjoyed 1870's San Francisco!
April 30, 2019
Her Silver Rush Mystery series just fascinates me. I love the time period and the strong female characters: Inez, Antonia, Frisco Flo.
January 25, 2020
Excellent book! It was so interesting reading about San Francisco in the late 1800s. I love the strong female protagonist, and the murder mystery kept me turning the pages.
December 7, 2020
Great story!
Even though the location changed still love this 1800 western historical. I’d love to read more about de Bruin and co!
Even though the location changed still love this 1800 western historical. I’d love to read more about de Bruin and co!
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