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Rose Gallagher #2
A Golden Grave
The follow-up to Murder on Millionaires' Row, Erin Lindsey's second historical mystery follows Rose Gallagher as she tracks a killer with shocking abilities through Gilded Age Manhattan.
Rose Gallagher always dreamed of finding adventure, so her new life as a freshly-minted Pinkerton agent ought to be everything she ever wanted. Only a few months ago, she was just another poor Irish housemaid from Five Points; now, she’s learning to shoot a gun and dance the waltz and throw a grown man over her shoulder. Better still, she’s been recruited to the special branch, an elite unit dedicated to cases of a paranormal nature, and that means spending her days alongside the dashing Thomas Wiltshire.
But being a Pinkerton isn’t quite what Rose imagined, and not everyone welcomes her into the fold. Meanwhile, her old friends aren’t sure what to make of the new Rose, and even Thomas seems to be having second thoughts about his junior partner. So when a chilling new case arrives on Rose’s doorstep, she jumps at the chance to prove herself – only to realize that the stakes are higher than she could have imagined. Six delegates have been murdered at a local political convention, and the police have no idea who–or what–is responsible. One thing seems clear: The killer’s next target is a candidate for New York City mayor, one Theodore Roosevelt.
Convinced that something supernatural is afoot, Rose and Thomas must track down the murderer before Roosevelt is taken out of the race–permanently. But this killer is unlike any they’ve faced before, and hunting him down will take them from brownstones to ballrooms to Bowery saloons. Not quite comfortable anywhere, Rose must come to terms with her own changed place in society–and the fact that some would do anything to see her gone from it entirely.
Rose Gallagher always dreamed of finding adventure, so her new life as a freshly-minted Pinkerton agent ought to be everything she ever wanted. Only a few months ago, she was just another poor Irish housemaid from Five Points; now, she’s learning to shoot a gun and dance the waltz and throw a grown man over her shoulder. Better still, she’s been recruited to the special branch, an elite unit dedicated to cases of a paranormal nature, and that means spending her days alongside the dashing Thomas Wiltshire.
But being a Pinkerton isn’t quite what Rose imagined, and not everyone welcomes her into the fold. Meanwhile, her old friends aren’t sure what to make of the new Rose, and even Thomas seems to be having second thoughts about his junior partner. So when a chilling new case arrives on Rose’s doorstep, she jumps at the chance to prove herself – only to realize that the stakes are higher than she could have imagined. Six delegates have been murdered at a local political convention, and the police have no idea who–or what–is responsible. One thing seems clear: The killer’s next target is a candidate for New York City mayor, one Theodore Roosevelt.
Convinced that something supernatural is afoot, Rose and Thomas must track down the murderer before Roosevelt is taken out of the race–permanently. But this killer is unlike any they’ve faced before, and hunting him down will take them from brownstones to ballrooms to Bowery saloons. Not quite comfortable anywhere, Rose must come to terms with her own changed place in society–and the fact that some would do anything to see her gone from it entirely.
385 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2019
54 people are currently reading
2370 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
September 11, 2019
Well, friends, I jumped into the Rose Gallagher Mysteries at book two, and I had great fun with this book that can definitely stand alone!
Set in Gilded Age Manhattan, I knew I was in for a treat with this historical mystery. Rose Gallagher is our main character, and she’s an adventurous sort. She works as a Pinkerton agent, and previously she was an Irish housemaid with hardly two pennies to her name. Now she’s trained in tactics and dance and her cases are known to have a paranormal spin…
Adjusting to her new role as a Pinkerton is not easy, and Rose is never sure who she can trust. Her old friends are unsure of her as well.
Her latest investigation? Six political delegates have been murdered at a convention, and the police have no active suspects. The next target is said to be Theodore Roosevelt, mayor of NYC. Rose is on the case, though she’s completely uncomfortable with her role.
A Golden Grave is an adventurous historical mystery with some paranormal/supernatural elements. I loved the Gilded Age backdrop, and Rose is a warmhearted, fascinating main character. The dynamic between Rose and her partner, Thomas, is fun to watch unfold and only adds to the tension.
Overall, A Golden Grave is a solidly engaging historical mystery, and I’m definitely interested in reading more from this series.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Set in Gilded Age Manhattan, I knew I was in for a treat with this historical mystery. Rose Gallagher is our main character, and she’s an adventurous sort. She works as a Pinkerton agent, and previously she was an Irish housemaid with hardly two pennies to her name. Now she’s trained in tactics and dance and her cases are known to have a paranormal spin…
Adjusting to her new role as a Pinkerton is not easy, and Rose is never sure who she can trust. Her old friends are unsure of her as well.
Her latest investigation? Six political delegates have been murdered at a convention, and the police have no active suspects. The next target is said to be Theodore Roosevelt, mayor of NYC. Rose is on the case, though she’s completely uncomfortable with her role.
A Golden Grave is an adventurous historical mystery with some paranormal/supernatural elements. I loved the Gilded Age backdrop, and Rose is a warmhearted, fascinating main character. The dynamic between Rose and her partner, Thomas, is fun to watch unfold and only adds to the tension.
Overall, A Golden Grave is a solidly engaging historical mystery, and I’m definitely interested in reading more from this series.
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
September 26, 2019
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/09/26/...
This paranormal historical mystery series is making me so happy! I was glad when I first found out about this sequel to Murder on Millionaires’ Row, and even gladder when it turned out to be just as charming and lively as the original.
A Golden Grave returns readers to late 19th century New York City with protagonist Rose Gallagher, former housemaid to the wealthy aristocrat and Pinkerton agent Thomas Wiltshire. Thankful for her help in cracking his last case and impressed with her independence and ability to solve problems, Thomas has recommended Rose to his employers, and as a result, she is now a junior agent and his partner. But although Rose has always dreamed of having excitement and adventure in her life, being a Pinkerton is not without its own set of unique challenges. Not only does the training include practical defense like how to fight or fire a gun, it also covers a wide range of skills that would help her in undercover missions of subterfuge. Discretion is now of the utmost importance now that Rose and Thomas are part of an elite unit that handles supernatural matters, and as it turns out, their latest case is especially sensitive.
With the mayoral election fast coming up, politics have become the hot topic among the residents of the city. Everyone is talking about the up-and-coming candidate Theordore Roosevelt, with all in agreement that the young man is destined for great things. However, it appears there are certain factions willing to go to great lengths to see him fail. At a local convention, six delegates in support of Roosevelt suddenly drop dead—all at the same time, and of the same cause. The press is told that it the deaths were due to poison or an illness, but Thomas and Rose know better: the delegates were all murdered, and it was carried out by a killer with a dangerous paranormal ability. Soon, it becomes a race against time to identify and stop the assassin before he kills again, and the Pinkertons have reason to believe that the next target might be Roosevelt himself.
While A Golden Grave is technically the second book in the Rose Gallagher sequence, fortunately it can stand perfectly well alone as a self-contained mystery—and as a great novel—in its own right. But of course, having read Murder on Millionaires’ Row will help a lot in the understanding of some of the story’s existing relationships, not only the complex one between Rose and Thomas, but also the ones between our protagonist and the supporting characters as well. Several familiar faces make their return, among them Clara, Pietro, and Mei. All these wonderfully crafted characters make up Rose’s incredible support system, but I also loved how the presence of so many vibrant personalities painted a lively and diverse picture of the author’s Gilded Age Manhattan.
Speaking of which, kudos to Erin Lindsey for making the setting play a much more significant role in this sequel. History is given a new twist with her take on Theodore Roosevelt as a “lucky” candidate, the term used to describe an individual gifted with a supernatural ability. Other historical figures to make an appearance include Mark Twain and Nikola Tesla. Now that becoming a Pinkerton agent has broadened Rose’s horizons, she’s getting her chance to rub elbows with the city’s rich and famous.
However, her sudden change in station has led to a thematic change in the narrative as well. While at its heart, A Golden Grave is a mystery, Lindsey does not forego any opportunity to explore and develop Rose’s character, and for that I am grateful. While there will be times where our protagonist will let the circumstances of her new life go to her head, at her core she remains the down-to-earth and unassuming Irish housemaid from Five Points who never forgets her friends or where she came from. Rose’s determination and loyalty are two traits I loved best from the first book, and I’m glad there were plenty of opportunities for her to display them here as well. Of course, the late 1800s were not exactly a great time for women, and for a strong and resourceful woman like Rose, some of the derogatory treatment she received was especially infuriating, but she was able to hold her own and handle herself with assurance.
Finally, the last point I want to touch upon is the romance, which was a strong element in the first book, but in this one it was toned down some. Quite honestly, I was glad of it, since it allowed the mystery plot to come to the forefront with minimal distractions. Even though I want to see Rose happy, and I can’t deny the intriguing chemistry between her and Thomas, I confess it wouldn’t bother me at all if their relationship remained professional for just a little while longer. Not only would this prolong the delicious tension, I think it allows for more interesting dynamics between the two of them.
In sum, A Golden Grave was another great read from one of my favorite authors. So far, I’ve read more than half a dozen of Erin Lindsey’s books and enjoyed them all, and she’s proven herself to be an extremely talented and versatile writer of multiple genres. In particular though, mystery seems to be her forte and nothing would thrill me more than to see her continue to expand the Rose Gallagher series, and hopefully the wait won’t be too long for another paranormal adventure with Rose and Thomas!
This paranormal historical mystery series is making me so happy! I was glad when I first found out about this sequel to Murder on Millionaires’ Row, and even gladder when it turned out to be just as charming and lively as the original.
A Golden Grave returns readers to late 19th century New York City with protagonist Rose Gallagher, former housemaid to the wealthy aristocrat and Pinkerton agent Thomas Wiltshire. Thankful for her help in cracking his last case and impressed with her independence and ability to solve problems, Thomas has recommended Rose to his employers, and as a result, she is now a junior agent and his partner. But although Rose has always dreamed of having excitement and adventure in her life, being a Pinkerton is not without its own set of unique challenges. Not only does the training include practical defense like how to fight or fire a gun, it also covers a wide range of skills that would help her in undercover missions of subterfuge. Discretion is now of the utmost importance now that Rose and Thomas are part of an elite unit that handles supernatural matters, and as it turns out, their latest case is especially sensitive.
With the mayoral election fast coming up, politics have become the hot topic among the residents of the city. Everyone is talking about the up-and-coming candidate Theordore Roosevelt, with all in agreement that the young man is destined for great things. However, it appears there are certain factions willing to go to great lengths to see him fail. At a local convention, six delegates in support of Roosevelt suddenly drop dead—all at the same time, and of the same cause. The press is told that it the deaths were due to poison or an illness, but Thomas and Rose know better: the delegates were all murdered, and it was carried out by a killer with a dangerous paranormal ability. Soon, it becomes a race against time to identify and stop the assassin before he kills again, and the Pinkertons have reason to believe that the next target might be Roosevelt himself.
While A Golden Grave is technically the second book in the Rose Gallagher sequence, fortunately it can stand perfectly well alone as a self-contained mystery—and as a great novel—in its own right. But of course, having read Murder on Millionaires’ Row will help a lot in the understanding of some of the story’s existing relationships, not only the complex one between Rose and Thomas, but also the ones between our protagonist and the supporting characters as well. Several familiar faces make their return, among them Clara, Pietro, and Mei. All these wonderfully crafted characters make up Rose’s incredible support system, but I also loved how the presence of so many vibrant personalities painted a lively and diverse picture of the author’s Gilded Age Manhattan.
Speaking of which, kudos to Erin Lindsey for making the setting play a much more significant role in this sequel. History is given a new twist with her take on Theodore Roosevelt as a “lucky” candidate, the term used to describe an individual gifted with a supernatural ability. Other historical figures to make an appearance include Mark Twain and Nikola Tesla. Now that becoming a Pinkerton agent has broadened Rose’s horizons, she’s getting her chance to rub elbows with the city’s rich and famous.
However, her sudden change in station has led to a thematic change in the narrative as well. While at its heart, A Golden Grave is a mystery, Lindsey does not forego any opportunity to explore and develop Rose’s character, and for that I am grateful. While there will be times where our protagonist will let the circumstances of her new life go to her head, at her core she remains the down-to-earth and unassuming Irish housemaid from Five Points who never forgets her friends or where she came from. Rose’s determination and loyalty are two traits I loved best from the first book, and I’m glad there were plenty of opportunities for her to display them here as well. Of course, the late 1800s were not exactly a great time for women, and for a strong and resourceful woman like Rose, some of the derogatory treatment she received was especially infuriating, but she was able to hold her own and handle herself with assurance.
Finally, the last point I want to touch upon is the romance, which was a strong element in the first book, but in this one it was toned down some. Quite honestly, I was glad of it, since it allowed the mystery plot to come to the forefront with minimal distractions. Even though I want to see Rose happy, and I can’t deny the intriguing chemistry between her and Thomas, I confess it wouldn’t bother me at all if their relationship remained professional for just a little while longer. Not only would this prolong the delicious tension, I think it allows for more interesting dynamics between the two of them.
In sum, A Golden Grave was another great read from one of my favorite authors. So far, I’ve read more than half a dozen of Erin Lindsey’s books and enjoyed them all, and she’s proven herself to be an extremely talented and versatile writer of multiple genres. In particular though, mystery seems to be her forte and nothing would thrill me more than to see her continue to expand the Rose Gallagher series, and hopefully the wait won’t be too long for another paranormal adventure with Rose and Thomas!
August 28, 2019
This is the first book I have read by Erin Lindsey, but it won't be my last! A Golden Grave wonderfully describes feel, social dynamics and period politics of the gilded age of NYC. After serving as a maid, Rose has been asked to join the Special Branch of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Despite growing pains, and some objections from a few individuals Rose proves herself to be a valuable asset to the agency due to her "special abilities." This wonderfully written historical fiction story weaves in famous figures of the past in a delightful plot that will keep you guessing as to what will happen next.
December 25, 2021
Obviously, I loved
A Golden Grave
- hello, four stars - and the good definitely outweighed the bad, but I'm going to get the annoying bits out of the way first.
The romance between Rose and Thomas is starting to feel forced, unnecessary, and unbelievable. You either like someone and act on it, or you move on. Considering how far outside the norm these people act in their day-to-day life, it seems highly unlikely that social status/norms/constructs would get in the way of a relationship. Sure, I can understand Rose being hesitant when others think she only became Thomas' partner because of their relationship. Still, it's not enough to create the level of drama being spun out over this stupid plot point. And I'm guessing it won't be resolved quickly in The Silver Shooter , either.
A severe failing in Rose and Thomas' characters is the natural inclination to use others around them as needed. It is not an attractive quality. Mr Wang and Mei were critical to their success in Murder on Millionaires' Row and were all but forgotten until needed again. Rose has Pietro taking care of her own mother, and whenever he might be in danger, her first thought is her own needs. She wants everyone in her life to trust her without question and to never hold her to the same standards she holds them. Both Rose and Thomas are so keen to get Clara to help them, with no regard to her fear for her fiancé's safety. They use Burrows for his luck - usually against his will - and push Chapman to keep them informed and involved despite the risk to his job (and likely, his life, considering how corrupt his boss is). Rose and Thomas always put on a good act of being concerned for others' safety but forget them as soon as they are no longer needed. Considering how often Rose complains about Thomas' entitled ways, she is remarkably similar - maybe they are perfect for each other.
Okay, now that's out of the way - on to the good stuff.
I loved the actual historical figures woven into the story - especially Tesla. He's precisely the eccentric, genius inventor you want him to be. Adding paranormal elements and special abilities to several real people makes them and the story even more interesting. I'm excited that it looks like some of them may be back in The Silver Shooter - there was not enough Roosevelt in this one for my liking. Erin Lindsey did a lot of research into New York City in the Gilded Age, and I found it fascinating. It kept this crazy paranormal story grounded in reality and made it believable when it really shouldn't be.
A Golden Grave was exciting and interesting in so many ways - with the detective training, the actual case, the politics, and even the social events, I couldn't put it down. So many new characters were introduced, and they each added a new dimension to the narrative. Of course, you can always expect realistic, complex characters from Lindsey; even those who are only around for a chapter feel important. I'm a huge fan of Lindsey's Bloodbound Trilogy (they're the first books I ever reviewed), and her Rose Gallagher Mystery series is proving to be just as wonderful.
The Rose Gallagher Mystery series is an intriguing combination of new and old that I find strangely thrilling. Still, I will admit that this second book started to bother me - primarily due to the addition of annoying romantic complications. I've never been a fan of two characters pining for each other and refusing to act for inconsequential reasons. Unfortunately, I have little reason to believe this will be resolved in The Silver Shooter , but I'm hoping I can go back to just enjoying the craziness that is this historical paranormal detective series.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
Other books in the Rose Gallagher Mystery series:
#1: Murder on Millionaires' Row ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#3: The Silver Shooter ⭐⭐⭐
The romance between Rose and Thomas is starting to feel forced, unnecessary, and unbelievable. You either like someone and act on it, or you move on. Considering how far outside the norm these people act in their day-to-day life, it seems highly unlikely that social status/norms/constructs would get in the way of a relationship. Sure, I can understand Rose being hesitant when others think she only became Thomas' partner because of their relationship. Still, it's not enough to create the level of drama being spun out over this stupid plot point. And I'm guessing it won't be resolved quickly in The Silver Shooter , either.
A severe failing in Rose and Thomas' characters is the natural inclination to use others around them as needed. It is not an attractive quality. Mr Wang and Mei were critical to their success in Murder on Millionaires' Row and were all but forgotten until needed again. Rose has Pietro taking care of her own mother, and whenever he might be in danger, her first thought is her own needs. She wants everyone in her life to trust her without question and to never hold her to the same standards she holds them. Both Rose and Thomas are so keen to get Clara to help them, with no regard to her fear for her fiancé's safety. They use Burrows for his luck - usually against his will - and push Chapman to keep them informed and involved despite the risk to his job (and likely, his life, considering how corrupt his boss is). Rose and Thomas always put on a good act of being concerned for others' safety but forget them as soon as they are no longer needed. Considering how often Rose complains about Thomas' entitled ways, she is remarkably similar - maybe they are perfect for each other.
Okay, now that's out of the way - on to the good stuff.
I loved the actual historical figures woven into the story - especially Tesla. He's precisely the eccentric, genius inventor you want him to be. Adding paranormal elements and special abilities to several real people makes them and the story even more interesting. I'm excited that it looks like some of them may be back in The Silver Shooter - there was not enough Roosevelt in this one for my liking. Erin Lindsey did a lot of research into New York City in the Gilded Age, and I found it fascinating. It kept this crazy paranormal story grounded in reality and made it believable when it really shouldn't be.
A Golden Grave was exciting and interesting in so many ways - with the detective training, the actual case, the politics, and even the social events, I couldn't put it down. So many new characters were introduced, and they each added a new dimension to the narrative. Of course, you can always expect realistic, complex characters from Lindsey; even those who are only around for a chapter feel important. I'm a huge fan of Lindsey's Bloodbound Trilogy (they're the first books I ever reviewed), and her Rose Gallagher Mystery series is proving to be just as wonderful.
The Rose Gallagher Mystery series is an intriguing combination of new and old that I find strangely thrilling. Still, I will admit that this second book started to bother me - primarily due to the addition of annoying romantic complications. I've never been a fan of two characters pining for each other and refusing to act for inconsequential reasons. Unfortunately, I have little reason to believe this will be resolved in The Silver Shooter , but I'm hoping I can go back to just enjoying the craziness that is this historical paranormal detective series.
Review originally posted here on Britt's Book Blurbs.
Other books in the Rose Gallagher Mystery series:
#1: Murder on Millionaires' Row ⭐⭐⭐⭐
#3: The Silver Shooter ⭐⭐⭐
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October 1, 2019
This is book 2, and even if it does work as a stand alone in a away, then you really should read book 1 first to see how it all happened.
Rose used to work as a maid, now she is a Pinkerton agent. And her new partner is the man she used to work for, and the man she has a crush on. Rose is clever, she can feel ghosts, and she will not have other agents hold her background against her.
I do enjoy how some of the Rich have something called "Luck", which of course is how they became rich. There are different sorts, like remembering everything you see, feeling where something has been and so forth. It brings in something extra in this world that also has shades and other dimensions, and that is why there are Pinkerton, special branch so the rest of the population does not find out.
Oh and yes her partner Thomas, I do like him (and they should totally get it on). A rich Englishman who is ell very English.
A hunt for a murderer who has Roosevelt as his next target. Rose trying to juggle her new life. New friends and old friends showing up. A good mystery, a good hunt.
I like Barrie's voice. She does a good voice for men and women, different accents and so on. She brings something extra to it all
Rose used to work as a maid, now she is a Pinkerton agent. And her new partner is the man she used to work for, and the man she has a crush on. Rose is clever, she can feel ghosts, and she will not have other agents hold her background against her.
I do enjoy how some of the Rich have something called "Luck", which of course is how they became rich. There are different sorts, like remembering everything you see, feeling where something has been and so forth. It brings in something extra in this world that also has shades and other dimensions, and that is why there are Pinkerton, special branch so the rest of the population does not find out.
Oh and yes her partner Thomas, I do like him (and they should totally get it on). A rich Englishman who is ell very English.
A hunt for a murderer who has Roosevelt as his next target. Rose trying to juggle her new life. New friends and old friends showing up. A good mystery, a good hunt.
I like Barrie's voice. She does a good voice for men and women, different accents and so on. She brings something extra to it all
November 15, 2020
I love it when the characters in a book suck me in! Rose is a great main character--charming, spunky, funny, brave--with a unique voice. The supporting cast is very well rounded. The author brings New York City to vibrant life. An enjoyable series!
November 10, 2019
3.5/5 stars for me.
Loved the first 2/3, but felt the last 1/3 dragged on a it. It should have been 50 pages less. I think there were too many characters. I needed more from Rose and Thomas, mainly because they’re the lead detectives in these books. But with all the background characters, it didn’t help support them. It only provided more background noise and it became distracting. I am interested enough to read the 3rd installment though!
Thank you to Minotaur books for this free copy!
Loved the first 2/3, but felt the last 1/3 dragged on a it. It should have been 50 pages less. I think there were too many characters. I needed more from Rose and Thomas, mainly because they’re the lead detectives in these books. But with all the background characters, it didn’t help support them. It only provided more background noise and it became distracting. I am interested enough to read the 3rd installment though!
Thank you to Minotaur books for this free copy!
September 22, 2019
I read the first book in this historical mystery series, Murder on Millionaires’ Row, back in 2018 and thought it was a solid beginning to her new series.
This author has written other fantasy novels but the Rose Gallagher series is a new genre for her and I thought she made a nice transition but I wasn’t completely sold on the series as there were some things that I thought needed a little working out and polishing.
While I had some reservations, I know that the transition from fantasy to historical fiction can be challenging so I decided to give this series another stab and see how things evolved with this latest installment.
I recall from the previous book that Rose’s mysteries had more of a paranormal element. While it didn’t work as well for me in the first book, I found that it worked way better in this second book. I don’t know if that’s due to the fact that I was expecting it in this book whereas with the first book I wasn’t expecting it, but either way I found the supernatural worked much better here.
In this book Rose has made the transition from housemaid to Pinkerton agent and I like her much better as an agent. I think the role suits her much better than housemaid. In this book I felt a more solid connection to her character that I didn’t feel in the first book. I also like seeing how she starts to find value in her future self and accomplishments.
I especially loved watching the growth and tension between Rose and her partner, Thomas. I am ken more eager to see how they come together in future books. I thought their relationship added a lot of chemistry and tension to the overall story and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The one thing that stood out to me in this book was how much more polished and thought out the characters were. I felt like we see a lot of character growth in this book compared to the first.
This is only the second book and I am sure that there will be a lot more exciting things to come for Rose and Thomas and this book makes me eager to find out more, unlike the first book which left me satisfied but not craving more—this book left me craving more. I enjoyed watching the mystery unfold and found it tantalizing and mysterious. I didn’t know what to make of some of the clues and couldn’t help but get caught up in the ‘hunt’. This book can easily read as a standalone, but I am happy that I read the first book so I could appreciate the evolution of the characters more in this one.
See my full review here
This author has written other fantasy novels but the Rose Gallagher series is a new genre for her and I thought she made a nice transition but I wasn’t completely sold on the series as there were some things that I thought needed a little working out and polishing.
While I had some reservations, I know that the transition from fantasy to historical fiction can be challenging so I decided to give this series another stab and see how things evolved with this latest installment.
I recall from the previous book that Rose’s mysteries had more of a paranormal element. While it didn’t work as well for me in the first book, I found that it worked way better in this second book. I don’t know if that’s due to the fact that I was expecting it in this book whereas with the first book I wasn’t expecting it, but either way I found the supernatural worked much better here.
In this book Rose has made the transition from housemaid to Pinkerton agent and I like her much better as an agent. I think the role suits her much better than housemaid. In this book I felt a more solid connection to her character that I didn’t feel in the first book. I also like seeing how she starts to find value in her future self and accomplishments.
I especially loved watching the growth and tension between Rose and her partner, Thomas. I am ken more eager to see how they come together in future books. I thought their relationship added a lot of chemistry and tension to the overall story and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The one thing that stood out to me in this book was how much more polished and thought out the characters were. I felt like we see a lot of character growth in this book compared to the first.
This is only the second book and I am sure that there will be a lot more exciting things to come for Rose and Thomas and this book makes me eager to find out more, unlike the first book which left me satisfied but not craving more—this book left me craving more. I enjoyed watching the mystery unfold and found it tantalizing and mysterious. I didn’t know what to make of some of the clues and couldn’t help but get caught up in the ‘hunt’. This book can easily read as a standalone, but I am happy that I read the first book so I could appreciate the evolution of the characters more in this one.
See my full review here
October 9, 2019
I was drawn in by the beautiful cover and the promises of Gilded Age romance. I also like historical fiction that brings in interactions with real historical figures. However, the main characters just didn't connect for me, and I found the paranormal elements just a bit too convenient.
September 15, 2019
It's the first I read in this series and won't surely be the last.
It's an action packed, well written, gripping and entertaining historical cozy and it was a fun read.
The historical background is well researched and it was fun to meet historical characters like Nicholas Tesla, Mark Twain and Theodore Roosevelt.
I liked how the author described the social dynamics and the political and social tension of the Gilded Age.
Rose and Thomas are two interesting and fleshed out characters, I rooted for them, and I liked the well written cast of characters.
The mystery mixes elements of paranormal and whodunnit and it's full of twists and turns and it kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading other instalment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Minotaur and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It's an action packed, well written, gripping and entertaining historical cozy and it was a fun read.
The historical background is well researched and it was fun to meet historical characters like Nicholas Tesla, Mark Twain and Theodore Roosevelt.
I liked how the author described the social dynamics and the political and social tension of the Gilded Age.
Rose and Thomas are two interesting and fleshed out characters, I rooted for them, and I liked the well written cast of characters.
The mystery mixes elements of paranormal and whodunnit and it's full of twists and turns and it kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading other instalment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Minotaur and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
January 3, 2020
Didn't realize this is the second in a new series. I will go back & read the first one. I don't usually read books with a supernatural/ paranormal theme, but enjoyed this one. Perhaps more like a Harry Potter positive feel. The contrasts between rich & poor are also part of the narrative.
The story includes characters such as the Pinkerton's Special Service, Teddy Roosevelt (running for mayor of NYC), Tesla, Mark Twain, & the new Statue of Liberty seeking to thwart those attempting to assassinate Roosevelt.
The story includes characters such as the Pinkerton's Special Service, Teddy Roosevelt (running for mayor of NYC), Tesla, Mark Twain, & the new Statue of Liberty seeking to thwart those attempting to assassinate Roosevelt.
September 23, 2019
Rose Gallagher always dreamed of finding adventure, so her new life as a freshly-minted Pinkerton agent ought to be everything she ever wanted. Only a few months ago, she was just another poor Irish housemaid from Five Points; now, she’s learning to shoot a gun and dance the waltz and throw a grown man over her shoulder. Better still, she’s been recruited to the special branch, an elite unit dedicated to cases of a paranormal nature, and that means spending her days alongside the dashing Thomas Wiltshire.
But being a Pinkerton isn’t quite what Rose imagined, and not everyone welcomes her into the fold. Meanwhile, her old friends aren’t sure what to make of the new Rose, and even Thomas seems to be having second thoughts about his junior partner. So when a chilling new case arrives on Rose’s doorstep, she jumps at the chance to prove herself – only to realize that the stakes are higher than she could have imagined.
This second book in the Rose Gallagher series was, in my opinion even better than the first. While I felt that the previous book was a bit slow at times, I didn't feel that way about this one at all. It was nice to be back with Rose and Thomas, and Clara as well. This time around the mystery involves several mysterious deaths that Rose and Thomas are sure have a supernatural element to them. As they investigate Rose goes undercover and attends a ball for the first time. I really enjoyed reading those chapters with Rose out of her element.
The most noteworthy thing about this book is the fact that the case they are working on involves an assassination attempt on young mayoral candidate Theodore Roosevelt. Along the way they also meet Mark Twain, and Nikola Tesla, whose inventions play a big part in solving the mystery. I thought the author did an excellent job of blending historic figures and events into a fictitious story.
Another thing I especially enjoyed was the little bit of romance that was added. I was afraid the author was going to string us along for a lot longer before anything significant happened, but that wasn't the case. That's not to say that there aren't some kinks to work out. Feelings were aired, but there is the whole 'this could never work' scenario to get through, but I'm sure things will eventually work out.
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
But being a Pinkerton isn’t quite what Rose imagined, and not everyone welcomes her into the fold. Meanwhile, her old friends aren’t sure what to make of the new Rose, and even Thomas seems to be having second thoughts about his junior partner. So when a chilling new case arrives on Rose’s doorstep, she jumps at the chance to prove herself – only to realize that the stakes are higher than she could have imagined.
This second book in the Rose Gallagher series was, in my opinion even better than the first. While I felt that the previous book was a bit slow at times, I didn't feel that way about this one at all. It was nice to be back with Rose and Thomas, and Clara as well. This time around the mystery involves several mysterious deaths that Rose and Thomas are sure have a supernatural element to them. As they investigate Rose goes undercover and attends a ball for the first time. I really enjoyed reading those chapters with Rose out of her element.
The most noteworthy thing about this book is the fact that the case they are working on involves an assassination attempt on young mayoral candidate Theodore Roosevelt. Along the way they also meet Mark Twain, and Nikola Tesla, whose inventions play a big part in solving the mystery. I thought the author did an excellent job of blending historic figures and events into a fictitious story.
Another thing I especially enjoyed was the little bit of romance that was added. I was afraid the author was going to string us along for a lot longer before anything significant happened, but that wasn't the case. That's not to say that there aren't some kinks to work out. Feelings were aired, but there is the whole 'this could never work' scenario to get through, but I'm sure things will eventually work out.
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
April 21, 2024
Miss Lindsey did NOT disappoint with this thrilling sequel in the Rose Gallagher series. I absolutely LOVED it.
This book picks up very shortly after the events of Murder on Millionaires’ Row. Rose, a newly-minted Pinkerton Detective, and Thomas are leaving another training session (in which Thomas spent a significant amount of time pressed against Rose’s body and she is desperately trying to focus despite it) to get back to ghost hunting in New York. However, when Thomas unexpectedly gives Rose the night off to “recover” from the trying few months she’s had, she finds herself in the middle of another deadly mystery. Six Republican delegates (not the same kind of Republicans we have now, I promise!) have died under mysterious - possibly supernatural- circumstances in the middle of a public campaign event, and the next target might be New York mayoral candidate Theodore Roosevelt. Suddenly, Rose finds herself brushing elbows with New York’s elite, masquerading as Thomas’ cousin from Boston, and getting friendly with soon-to-be historical celebrities, all while trying to find her place in society given her new station and juggling her growing feelings for Thomas.
I loved everything about this book. The way the author seamlessly weaves fantasy and fiction into actual events was not only interesting but one of my favorite parts. I mean, Nikolai Tesla as a main character?? A cameo from Mark Twain?? AMAZING!
Then, the actual mystery was thrilling. Although not nearly as plot-twisty as the previous one, the search for the killer was dangerous and daunting. I was on the edge of my seat every time Rose and Thomas came close to catching him. That’s not to say this book was without its own twists, because they were certainly there. And they were WILD.
This book definitely had more political references than the previous one, which only added to the historical context and the plot. But, because of that, there were also stronger feminist themes, which I loved as well. Rose was so relatable, and seeing her struggle with not only other people’s perceptions of her but also her own imposter syndrome and obligations to her family and friends was very refreshing. Especially in a fantasy novel, it’s nice to see yourself in the characters.
Then, of course, there was the romance. If the last book was a low simmer, this one was definitely a rolling boil. The tension between Thomas and Rose is heating up and I could see more of Thomas’ emotions through his interactions with Rose. And that kiss at the end?? The PASSION?? Thomas babe PLEASE.
Just as with the first book, I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. It’s difficult to say which book I liked better but I know for a fact that this series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.
This book picks up very shortly after the events of Murder on Millionaires’ Row. Rose, a newly-minted Pinkerton Detective, and Thomas are leaving another training session (in which Thomas spent a significant amount of time pressed against Rose’s body and she is desperately trying to focus despite it) to get back to ghost hunting in New York. However, when Thomas unexpectedly gives Rose the night off to “recover” from the trying few months she’s had, she finds herself in the middle of another deadly mystery. Six Republican delegates (not the same kind of Republicans we have now, I promise!) have died under mysterious - possibly supernatural- circumstances in the middle of a public campaign event, and the next target might be New York mayoral candidate Theodore Roosevelt. Suddenly, Rose finds herself brushing elbows with New York’s elite, masquerading as Thomas’ cousin from Boston, and getting friendly with soon-to-be historical celebrities, all while trying to find her place in society given her new station and juggling her growing feelings for Thomas.
I loved everything about this book. The way the author seamlessly weaves fantasy and fiction into actual events was not only interesting but one of my favorite parts. I mean, Nikolai Tesla as a main character?? A cameo from Mark Twain?? AMAZING!
Then, the actual mystery was thrilling. Although not nearly as plot-twisty as the previous one, the search for the killer was dangerous and daunting. I was on the edge of my seat every time Rose and Thomas came close to catching him. That’s not to say this book was without its own twists, because they were certainly there. And they were WILD.
This book definitely had more political references than the previous one, which only added to the historical context and the plot. But, because of that, there were also stronger feminist themes, which I loved as well. Rose was so relatable, and seeing her struggle with not only other people’s perceptions of her but also her own imposter syndrome and obligations to her family and friends was very refreshing. Especially in a fantasy novel, it’s nice to see yourself in the characters.
Then, of course, there was the romance. If the last book was a low simmer, this one was definitely a rolling boil. The tension between Thomas and Rose is heating up and I could see more of Thomas’ emotions through his interactions with Rose. And that kiss at the end?? The PASSION?? Thomas babe PLEASE.
Just as with the first book, I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. It’s difficult to say which book I liked better but I know for a fact that this series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.
September 24, 2019
A GOLDEN GRAVE by Erin Lindsey
The Second Rose Gallagher Mystery
Rose Gallagher is quickly learning that life as a newly recruited Pinkerton agent isn't all it's cracked up to be. She's having difficulty with some of the lessons, the other recruits look down on her, and even her friends seem to think she's changed. Meanwhile, every night it seems all she is doing is trying to catch shades. But when six Republican delegates drop dead at a convention, Sergeant Chapman believes something supernatural must be at work and comes to Rose and her dashing partner, Thomas Wiltshire, for help. Could it be the work of a shade? Or is it something more sinister? Thomas and Rose must gather their allies to prevent the assassination of mayoral candidate Theodore Roosevelt.
There is so much to love about A GOLDEN GRAVE. The historical detail provides a rich backdrop and including famous luminaries of the day, from Nikola Tesla to Samuel Clemens to Theodore Roosevelt himself is icing on the cake! The paranormal aspect is captivating and the things they encounter and methods they employ are mesmerizing. There's pulse pounding adventure, riveting drama, and a well plotted mystery.
This second Rose Gallagher Mystery spotlights the differences of the classes. The working class, people such as Clara, the denizens of Five Point, the upper class, like Jonathan Burrows, and even the various political groups from Tammany Hall to Republicans, Democrats, the Labor party, even socialists and anarchists all strive to keep their identity while they look down upon others, yet Rose is now forced to straddle two, an Irish maid who now consorts with the rich as her new job forces her to blend in. Meanwhile the sexual tension between Rose and Thomas is electrifying. A star crossed love to be certain, yet with so much against them, and so much at risk, will they follow their hearts?
A GOLDEN GRAVE is a gripping historical mystery filled with political intrigue, paranormal adventures, and a simmering love story that is close to boiling. I love everything about it and can't wait to be transported back in time for their next adventure.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The Second Rose Gallagher Mystery
Rose Gallagher is quickly learning that life as a newly recruited Pinkerton agent isn't all it's cracked up to be. She's having difficulty with some of the lessons, the other recruits look down on her, and even her friends seem to think she's changed. Meanwhile, every night it seems all she is doing is trying to catch shades. But when six Republican delegates drop dead at a convention, Sergeant Chapman believes something supernatural must be at work and comes to Rose and her dashing partner, Thomas Wiltshire, for help. Could it be the work of a shade? Or is it something more sinister? Thomas and Rose must gather their allies to prevent the assassination of mayoral candidate Theodore Roosevelt.
There is so much to love about A GOLDEN GRAVE. The historical detail provides a rich backdrop and including famous luminaries of the day, from Nikola Tesla to Samuel Clemens to Theodore Roosevelt himself is icing on the cake! The paranormal aspect is captivating and the things they encounter and methods they employ are mesmerizing. There's pulse pounding adventure, riveting drama, and a well plotted mystery.
This second Rose Gallagher Mystery spotlights the differences of the classes. The working class, people such as Clara, the denizens of Five Point, the upper class, like Jonathan Burrows, and even the various political groups from Tammany Hall to Republicans, Democrats, the Labor party, even socialists and anarchists all strive to keep their identity while they look down upon others, yet Rose is now forced to straddle two, an Irish maid who now consorts with the rich as her new job forces her to blend in. Meanwhile the sexual tension between Rose and Thomas is electrifying. A star crossed love to be certain, yet with so much against them, and so much at risk, will they follow their hearts?
A GOLDEN GRAVE is a gripping historical mystery filled with political intrigue, paranormal adventures, and a simmering love story that is close to boiling. I love everything about it and can't wait to be transported back in time for their next adventure.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
November 18, 2019
Originally published on my blog Nonstop Reader.
A Golden Grave is the second book in the Rose Gallagher paranormal cozy series by Erin Lindsey. Released 17th Sep 2019 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 400 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a nice period cozy mystery with romance and some paranormal plot threads. Rose is a newly graduated Pinkerton agent who worked as a housemaid before becoming an investigator. There is a lot of upstairs/downstairs subplot action going on and some exploration of the rigid society rules which defined class in 1886.
The plot is woven around a skeleton framework of actual historical events and people in NYC during the time period (1886) covered in the book. The author has done some research and if the actual racism and class resentment, corruption, sexism, and anarchy of 'real' history is smoothed over somewhat to make it more palatable for readers, I, for one, didn't mind at all. It's not missing, it's just toned down a bit.
The plot is easy to follow, the characters are reasonably well developed, the romance elements are slow moving (and chaste), the murders are bloodless (well, mostly bloodless), and for readers new to the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone novel. I did enjoy it and the scope of 'luck' (psychic talents) seems almost endless - it seems inevitable that there will be more books along soon. The author has a readable, accessible, entertaining writing style and I enjoyed my first introduction to this series enough that I intend to go and seek out the first book.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
A Golden Grave is the second book in the Rose Gallagher paranormal cozy series by Erin Lindsey. Released 17th Sep 2019 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 400 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a nice period cozy mystery with romance and some paranormal plot threads. Rose is a newly graduated Pinkerton agent who worked as a housemaid before becoming an investigator. There is a lot of upstairs/downstairs subplot action going on and some exploration of the rigid society rules which defined class in 1886.
The plot is woven around a skeleton framework of actual historical events and people in NYC during the time period (1886) covered in the book. The author has done some research and if the actual racism and class resentment, corruption, sexism, and anarchy of 'real' history is smoothed over somewhat to make it more palatable for readers, I, for one, didn't mind at all. It's not missing, it's just toned down a bit.
The plot is easy to follow, the characters are reasonably well developed, the romance elements are slow moving (and chaste), the murders are bloodless (well, mostly bloodless), and for readers new to the series, it works perfectly well as a standalone novel. I did enjoy it and the scope of 'luck' (psychic talents) seems almost endless - it seems inevitable that there will be more books along soon. The author has a readable, accessible, entertaining writing style and I enjoyed my first introduction to this series enough that I intend to go and seek out the first book.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
August 12, 2019
I want to give a huge thank you to Minotaur Books for providing me with an ARC of A Golden Grave in exchange for an honest review.
•
I loved this book. I devoured it in about two days I enjoyed it so much. A Golden Grave follows Rose Gallagher and Thomas Wiltshire as they try and figure out who is trying to kill Teddy Roosevelt as he runs for the mayor of New York City. This is not just a historical detective novel though. Rose is part of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, but a section that deals with paranormal activity. Something strange is afoot when members of the political sect start dying with no trace of foul play, and it is up to Rose and Thomas to find out what’s happening.
•
I’ve been living for historical paranormal stories lately. Gail Carriger, Alison Goodman, they’ve all been on my read lists lately. I’m so happy to add Erin Lindsey to my read shelf as well. This book was fun, I laughed out loud in some places, and I was really intrigued to find out how the story was going to end and who was behind everything. I loved Rose and Thomas’ relationship and can’t wait to see what the third book in the series is about! The way that this one ends is just the perfect set up.
•
Thank you again to Minotaur Books for this ARC. I’m so happy that I got to read this and it will be taking a prized place on my shelves!
•
A Golden Grave releases in September and I highly recommend that it gets out on your TBRs!
•
I loved this book. I devoured it in about two days I enjoyed it so much. A Golden Grave follows Rose Gallagher and Thomas Wiltshire as they try and figure out who is trying to kill Teddy Roosevelt as he runs for the mayor of New York City. This is not just a historical detective novel though. Rose is part of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, but a section that deals with paranormal activity. Something strange is afoot when members of the political sect start dying with no trace of foul play, and it is up to Rose and Thomas to find out what’s happening.
•
I’ve been living for historical paranormal stories lately. Gail Carriger, Alison Goodman, they’ve all been on my read lists lately. I’m so happy to add Erin Lindsey to my read shelf as well. This book was fun, I laughed out loud in some places, and I was really intrigued to find out how the story was going to end and who was behind everything. I loved Rose and Thomas’ relationship and can’t wait to see what the third book in the series is about! The way that this one ends is just the perfect set up.
•
Thank you again to Minotaur Books for this ARC. I’m so happy that I got to read this and it will be taking a prized place on my shelves!
•
A Golden Grave releases in September and I highly recommend that it gets out on your TBRs!
August 24, 2021
Back into the Gilded Age. This time with a race for the Mayor taking everyone by storm. I loved the mix of historical fiction with tire events that went on during that race. It’s always fun when authors play around with what did happen and what happens but people just didn’t know about. In this novel you also see some familiar faces from your history books which will give you a flashback to junior year American history class. As always the tension between rose and Thomas is great to read about especially now that they are on a more equal level with each other. I do love how much diversity Lindsay was able to include into her novels seeing as they are going into parts of the city that were notably known to be full of immigrants. It is always nice to see. Great addition to the series.
December 25, 2020
3.5 out of 5 stars
August 31, 2022
I'm not gonna lie, I bought this book for the sole reason that I had the same first name as the author and I was in a tiny bookshop with a minuscule selection.
But I have to say, I was VERY pleasantly surprised. The last time I bought a book with no background knowledge of it, it ended very badly. But I got lucky this time!
I didn't realise that this was actually the second book in the Rose Gallagher series until I had already charged through a third of it, and it didn't seem to matter as I was able to follow along without any confusion whatsoever, which very much highlights Lindsey's masterful writing. I'm off to go buy the first book when I finish writing this...
A Golden Grave is fast-paced and keeps you on your toes, with something entirely new happening in every chapter. As someone with one helluva short attention span, this was much appreciated. The characters were distinct and beautifully written. I LOVED the writing style and Rose had a fantastic narrator's voice. Also, Thomas and Rose's relationship was just *Italian chef kiss*.
My only complaint would perhaps be that the names of some of the side characters were a little bit tricky to keep up with, although it wasn't too much of a worry as I found that I could re-learn who they each were without impacting the story.
But I have to say, I was VERY pleasantly surprised. The last time I bought a book with no background knowledge of it, it ended very badly. But I got lucky this time!
I didn't realise that this was actually the second book in the Rose Gallagher series until I had already charged through a third of it, and it didn't seem to matter as I was able to follow along without any confusion whatsoever, which very much highlights Lindsey's masterful writing. I'm off to go buy the first book when I finish writing this...
A Golden Grave is fast-paced and keeps you on your toes, with something entirely new happening in every chapter. As someone with one helluva short attention span, this was much appreciated. The characters were distinct and beautifully written. I LOVED the writing style and Rose had a fantastic narrator's voice. Also, Thomas and Rose's relationship was just *Italian chef kiss*.
My only complaint would perhaps be that the names of some of the side characters were a little bit tricky to keep up with, although it wasn't too much of a worry as I found that I could re-learn who they each were without impacting the story.
September 6, 2024
3.5 stars.
December 20, 2020
Book two in this series. It’s full of mystery and intrigue.
I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next one.
I enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the next one.
September 8, 2019
A Golden Grave is the second book in Erin Lindsey's unique Rose Gallagher Mystery series. Though I wish I read the previous book first so I had a better understanding of the characters' backgrounds, motivations and the prior mystery, this book stood alone fine and my enjoyment was not hindered in the least. When I started I thought it was strictly a historical mystery, but quickly discovered it had paranormal elements. Huh? Could this possibly be good? Heck, yeah!
Rose Gallagher was formerly a house maid but now is a Pinkerton agent in their special division that deals with the paranormal. Thomas Wiltshire was formerly Rose's boss and is now her partner. Six delegates at a political convention died, and the police put out that it was a new fast-acting form of typhus. Rose and Thomas, however, smell a rat, and their investigation leads them to the paranormal. They join forces with friends and a dedicated police officer to figure out this mystery. They begin to wonder if they will even survive to solve this case.
After a slightly slow start, this book turned out to be a total joy to read. The mystery turned out to be more complex than I thought. As it neared its conclusion I was totally shocked....I did not see "that" coming! I really liked the bit of romance between Rose and Thomas; their chemistry was fantastic. It was heartbreaking to see how others thought of the Irish at this time in history, and the corruption of the police department was quite interesting. What really brought the Gilded Age in Manhattan to life, though, was the cast of real-life historical figures. We got to meet Teddy Roosevelt, Mark Twain AND Nikola Tesla! The new Statue of Liberty also made its appearance. I can't wait to go back and read the previous book, and I impatiently await the next installment!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Rose Gallagher was formerly a house maid but now is a Pinkerton agent in their special division that deals with the paranormal. Thomas Wiltshire was formerly Rose's boss and is now her partner. Six delegates at a political convention died, and the police put out that it was a new fast-acting form of typhus. Rose and Thomas, however, smell a rat, and their investigation leads them to the paranormal. They join forces with friends and a dedicated police officer to figure out this mystery. They begin to wonder if they will even survive to solve this case.
After a slightly slow start, this book turned out to be a total joy to read. The mystery turned out to be more complex than I thought. As it neared its conclusion I was totally shocked....I did not see "that" coming! I really liked the bit of romance between Rose and Thomas; their chemistry was fantastic. It was heartbreaking to see how others thought of the Irish at this time in history, and the corruption of the police department was quite interesting. What really brought the Gilded Age in Manhattan to life, though, was the cast of real-life historical figures. We got to meet Teddy Roosevelt, Mark Twain AND Nikola Tesla! The new Statue of Liberty also made its appearance. I can't wait to go back and read the previous book, and I impatiently await the next installment!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
September 5, 2019
The mysterious deaths of six supporters for Teddy Roosevelt’s nomination for mayor of New York in 1886 is brought to the attention of Rose Gallagher and her partner Thomas Wiltshire, Pinkerton Special Agents. The victims, who were each approached by a tall, gaunt man, collapsed and died within moments of their encounter. No poisons were found in their systems, but there are signs of cardiac arrest. Their chase to find their prey takes them from the ballrooms of the wealthy to the poorest sections of the city.
At one time, Rose was a maid in Thomas’ home. Her involvement in a previous case led to her acceptance as a Pinkerton. She has been trained in defense as well as social graces, but she is new to the position and frequently has doubts. However, she has her partner’s trust and shows her courage and abilities as she saves Mr. Roosevelt more than once.
With the assistance of Nicola Tesla, Rose and Thomas track people with luck, enhanced abilities that manifest themselves in different forms. Their assassin has the ability to speed the heart with just a touch, potentially causing death. Their chase ultimately takes them to the dedication of the Statue of Liberty and a confrontation that proves that Rose is up to the task.
Erin Lindsey’s writing makes it easy to visualize the grand manors of the rich in contrast to the tenements of the poor. Her characters are well drawn and the tension constantly builds to the end. This is the second book in Lindsey’s series and she concludes this entry with a hint of things to come. This is an excellent story combining history, mystery and a touch of the supernatural. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book in exchange for my review.
At one time, Rose was a maid in Thomas’ home. Her involvement in a previous case led to her acceptance as a Pinkerton. She has been trained in defense as well as social graces, but she is new to the position and frequently has doubts. However, she has her partner’s trust and shows her courage and abilities as she saves Mr. Roosevelt more than once.
With the assistance of Nicola Tesla, Rose and Thomas track people with luck, enhanced abilities that manifest themselves in different forms. Their assassin has the ability to speed the heart with just a touch, potentially causing death. Their chase ultimately takes them to the dedication of the Statue of Liberty and a confrontation that proves that Rose is up to the task.
Erin Lindsey’s writing makes it easy to visualize the grand manors of the rich in contrast to the tenements of the poor. Her characters are well drawn and the tension constantly builds to the end. This is the second book in Lindsey’s series and she concludes this entry with a hint of things to come. This is an excellent story combining history, mystery and a touch of the supernatural. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this book in exchange for my review.
September 17, 2019
I read and enjoyed the first book in this series, Murder on Millionaire's Row and didn't hesitate to give it 5 stars. While some series can suffer from a sophomore slump, this second entry easily earned its own 5 stars. It can be read as a stand alone but the reader, I think, gets so much more enjoyment reading them in order., Several things about this series caught my attention from the start - I have a weakness for historical mysteries, female protagonists and a paranormal element. When all of those come together, well, I will happily scrimp on sleep to stay up late reading.
When we first met Rose Gallagher she was a housemaid for a mysterious gentleman, Thomas Wiltshire. She knew nothing about him, not even what he did for a living but, when he vanished, she investigated. In the process she changed the course of her life in a very big way. She left the life of a household servant and entered the world of Pinkerton Investigations. Now she mingles with the upper classes, solves cases with her partner, deals with the paranormal and, for now, tries to find her place in this new world. She hovers between them, not accepted by the people in Wiltshire's world and no longer as welcome by the people of her previous group. But, no fear, Rose is tough and talented and is good at her new job. Will she be good enough to keep the great Teddy Roosevelt alive? So many in his political circle have died before him, showing no outward signs of foul play, the paranormal investigating becomes their focus.
Erin Lindsey has earned her place on my must read mystery list and I will waste no time reading the third book, whenever it is published.
y thanks to the publisher, Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
When we first met Rose Gallagher she was a housemaid for a mysterious gentleman, Thomas Wiltshire. She knew nothing about him, not even what he did for a living but, when he vanished, she investigated. In the process she changed the course of her life in a very big way. She left the life of a household servant and entered the world of Pinkerton Investigations. Now she mingles with the upper classes, solves cases with her partner, deals with the paranormal and, for now, tries to find her place in this new world. She hovers between them, not accepted by the people in Wiltshire's world and no longer as welcome by the people of her previous group. But, no fear, Rose is tough and talented and is good at her new job. Will she be good enough to keep the great Teddy Roosevelt alive? So many in his political circle have died before him, showing no outward signs of foul play, the paranormal investigating becomes their focus.
Erin Lindsey has earned her place on my must read mystery list and I will waste no time reading the third book, whenever it is published.
y thanks to the publisher, Minotaur and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 3, 2020
In A Golden Grave, paranormal investigator Rose Gallagher attempts to stop the assassination of Theodore Roosevelt. Set in the late 19th century, we meet several other historical figures, including Samuel Clemens and Nikola Tesla, who help Rose and her partner catch their man. This book is a mix between X-Files, Twilight, Manchurian Candidate, and Sense & Sensibility, being part paranormal mystery, part romance, part political thriller and part society novel. In that sense, it really has something for everyone.
The writing is extremely clean and efficient, making me think Erin Lindsey is either a computer, featuring the latest novel writing AI, or an extremely practiced hand, perhaps a staff writer accustomed to churning out novels on a factory line that would make Henry Ford jealous. This clean writing makes for a quick, though somewhat predictable, read.
The narrative is somewhat inventive, and the overlapping "genres" fit together better than one might expect from my comparisons.
My reason for giving it 2 stars rests on more than just its somewhat formulaic structure and writing. Ultimately, for me, the characters undermine this book, being highly stereotypical. Rose is an Irish firebrand. Thomas, her love interest, is a debonair Brittish Lord, with a quick wit and a tight upper lip. Rose's best friend is a folksy, street-wise black servant. Burrows (rich guy) is a bit of a play boy. One bad guy is a dirty cop. Another bad guy is a class-warrior. Are you starting to see the categories they fit into? No one has any real journey or arc. No one is really distinguishable from any of the boxes they fit into. Its all very neat and tidy.
Still, you might find it an enjoyable read.
The writing is extremely clean and efficient, making me think Erin Lindsey is either a computer, featuring the latest novel writing AI, or an extremely practiced hand, perhaps a staff writer accustomed to churning out novels on a factory line that would make Henry Ford jealous. This clean writing makes for a quick, though somewhat predictable, read.
The narrative is somewhat inventive, and the overlapping "genres" fit together better than one might expect from my comparisons.
My reason for giving it 2 stars rests on more than just its somewhat formulaic structure and writing. Ultimately, for me, the characters undermine this book, being highly stereotypical. Rose is an Irish firebrand. Thomas, her love interest, is a debonair Brittish Lord, with a quick wit and a tight upper lip. Rose's best friend is a folksy, street-wise black servant. Burrows (rich guy) is a bit of a play boy. One bad guy is a dirty cop. Another bad guy is a class-warrior. Are you starting to see the categories they fit into? No one has any real journey or arc. No one is really distinguishable from any of the boxes they fit into. Its all very neat and tidy.
Still, you might find it an enjoyable read.
July 28, 2025
Rose Gallagher always dreamed of finding adventure, so her new life as a freshly-minted Pinkerton agent ought to be everything she ever wanted. Only a few months ago, she was just another poor Irish housemaid from Five Points; now, she’s learning to shoot a gun and dance the waltz and throw a grown man over her shoulder. Better still, she’s been recruited to the special branch, an elite unit dedicated to cases of a paranormal nature, and that means spending her days alongside the dashing Thomas Wiltshire.
But being a Pinkerton isn’t quite what Rose believed it could be. Even though she is with her "crush" Mr. Wiltshire, she still doesn't fit in. She believes the other Agency recruits have something against her. She fails at martial arts, but Thomas knows she can do it. She has charm, whit, & is clever when it comes to investigating for the truth. Can Miss Gallagher prove to herself, THE AGENCY & Thomas she belongs in the Pinkerton team?
The current investigation involves the assassination of the new candidate for New York City mayor, Theodore Roosevelt. When a deadly villain has killed Six delegates at the local political convention by the touch of his hand. Can the Pinkerton Agency hep the police who have no idea how to catch him before he makes true on his murder victim. What happens when old friends from Five Points comes to find out what the New Rose does for a living. The local Italian gang protects her but kills in the process. Read the next chapter in the series. Though, I still want more on the relationship between Thomas & Rose. It looks as though that will not help now anytime soon. Not happy about that!!
But being a Pinkerton isn’t quite what Rose believed it could be. Even though she is with her "crush" Mr. Wiltshire, she still doesn't fit in. She believes the other Agency recruits have something against her. She fails at martial arts, but Thomas knows she can do it. She has charm, whit, & is clever when it comes to investigating for the truth. Can Miss Gallagher prove to herself, THE AGENCY & Thomas she belongs in the Pinkerton team?
The current investigation involves the assassination of the new candidate for New York City mayor, Theodore Roosevelt. When a deadly villain has killed Six delegates at the local political convention by the touch of his hand. Can the Pinkerton Agency hep the police who have no idea how to catch him before he makes true on his murder victim. What happens when old friends from Five Points comes to find out what the New Rose does for a living. The local Italian gang protects her but kills in the process. Read the next chapter in the series. Though, I still want more on the relationship between Thomas & Rose. It looks as though that will not help now anytime soon. Not happy about that!!
May 7, 2020
Disclaimer: I didn't know this was the second one in the series until I was like halfway through. It was perfectly fine as a stand alone, but it definitely read like a second book.
I loved the concept for this book. Erin Lindsey set up a fascinating plot and world, her idea of the paranormal was so incredibly creative and I loved learning about it. But I found Rose a little predictable, annoying, and over dramatic at times. Lindsey is a little bit obvious in her writing, over explaining character actions and their reasoning behind it, when their reasoning is pretty apparent. I kind of felt like she was holding my hand throughout some of the scenes, and that took me out of the story. Again, this may be because I didn't get her whole story (starting at the second book and all) but I found myself being drawn to the secondary characters. They all had such different and entertaining personalities and it made it really easy to read. I'm going to hold off on critiquing parts of the story that didn't make sense until I read the first one, as I'm hoping that all my questions will be answered once I get the entire story. My favorite character was Edith by far, her sassiness and confidence never failed to make me smile. Overall Lindsey's idea was very creative, the cast of characters was wonderfully entertaining, and the Gilded Age setting was enough to keep me glued to the story. I am definitely looking forward to getting my hands on Murder on Millionaires' Row and finding out how it all began.
I loved the concept for this book. Erin Lindsey set up a fascinating plot and world, her idea of the paranormal was so incredibly creative and I loved learning about it. But I found Rose a little predictable, annoying, and over dramatic at times. Lindsey is a little bit obvious in her writing, over explaining character actions and their reasoning behind it, when their reasoning is pretty apparent. I kind of felt like she was holding my hand throughout some of the scenes, and that took me out of the story. Again, this may be because I didn't get her whole story (starting at the second book and all) but I found myself being drawn to the secondary characters. They all had such different and entertaining personalities and it made it really easy to read. I'm going to hold off on critiquing parts of the story that didn't make sense until I read the first one, as I'm hoping that all my questions will be answered once I get the entire story. My favorite character was Edith by far, her sassiness and confidence never failed to make me smile. Overall Lindsey's idea was very creative, the cast of characters was wonderfully entertaining, and the Gilded Age setting was enough to keep me glued to the story. I am definitely looking forward to getting my hands on Murder on Millionaires' Row and finding out how it all began.
August 26, 2019
I started, A Golden Grave, excited to meet up with Rose Gallagher and see how her life had transformed by becoming a Pinkerton agent. Well, it was a wild ride and very entertaining outing! Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press my e-arc.
On this assignment, Thomas Wiltshire and Rose are tasked with finding the man attempting to kill the upcoming 1886 NYC mayor Republican nominee. It turns out the candidate is none other than Theodore Roosevelt! But how do you catch a man who has a deadly "Luck" a.k.a. supernatural power while also trying to keep safe a man who has no desired to be protected?
This story pulled me in from the beginning - from the sights and events of Gilded age NYC to the historical figures populating the story, the addition of Edith Islington and finally to Rose, Thomas and their relationship. All so interesting and just well done.
My favorite aspect, however, was seeing the evolution of Rose. Through hard work, and ongoing support from Clara she is able to recognize her worth is not wrapped up in where she came from but rather through what she is accomplishing. I look forward to to what the future holds for her!
An entertaining addition to the Rose Gallagher mystery series. If this series is new to you I recommend picking up book one, Murder on Millionaires Row.
On this assignment, Thomas Wiltshire and Rose are tasked with finding the man attempting to kill the upcoming 1886 NYC mayor Republican nominee. It turns out the candidate is none other than Theodore Roosevelt! But how do you catch a man who has a deadly "Luck" a.k.a. supernatural power while also trying to keep safe a man who has no desired to be protected?
This story pulled me in from the beginning - from the sights and events of Gilded age NYC to the historical figures populating the story, the addition of Edith Islington and finally to Rose, Thomas and their relationship. All so interesting and just well done.
My favorite aspect, however, was seeing the evolution of Rose. Through hard work, and ongoing support from Clara she is able to recognize her worth is not wrapped up in where she came from but rather through what she is accomplishing. I look forward to to what the future holds for her!
An entertaining addition to the Rose Gallagher mystery series. If this series is new to you I recommend picking up book one, Murder on Millionaires Row.
September 17, 2019
Former housemaid Rose Gallagher is learning the ins and outs of settling into her new role as a Pinkerton agent alongside her partner and former boss, Mr. Thomas Wiltshire. Settling in to her new role has brought with it some uncomfortable difficulites, both with her work life and friendships and she worries whether she's made the right choice. But these concerns must take a back seat when they are brought news of the mysterious and nearly simultaneous deaths of six delegates at a local political convention. With all clues pointing to a political plot and a possible paranormal connection, the safety of mayoral canidate Theodore Roosevelt is at risk.
Up against a tough case and an unusual and elusive suspect, Rose and Thomas must race against the clock to secure both Roosevelt's safety and their own.
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A Golden Grave is Erin Lindsay's second book in the A Rose Gallager Mystery series and it is such a lovely addition. I enjoyed reading it so much, I still love Rose and Thomas and this series continues to be truly unique from other historical fictions with a paranormal element. This book had a wee bit of a slower start as compared to the first in the series, but this made sense as Rose's whole life has undergone a massive change and we need to be brought up to speed.
Again there are big risks and high stakes in our characters paths that they must overcome to solve their case and they face every difficulty head on. We really get to see Rose growing into her role and demanding she be seen as an equal. She's in a tough position with a foot in two different worlds; trying to stay true to the one she grew up in and learning how to navigate the one she has uncovered. I'm so happy that she has Clara, even if their friendship has been strained by theses changes. And I loved that Edith was added because I think Rose really needs some strong people in her corner that she feels she can confide in and that she doesn't feel she must shield and protect all the time. I love that we got to see Nikola Tesla! He was so quirky and such a dear and I love that he is grouped into this paranormal world, it's just so fitting.
I'm really looking forward to the next in the series because I'm very curious where things are going to go from here. The living situation, their partnership, their relationship to one another...? All the questions.
I don't want to spoil anything so I'm going to leave things here. But I very much recommend this book, and this series, to fans of historical fiction, with a little romance and a bit of the paranormal.
I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for sharing an electronic ARC with me. This is my honest review.
Up against a tough case and an unusual and elusive suspect, Rose and Thomas must race against the clock to secure both Roosevelt's safety and their own.
_________________________________
A Golden Grave is Erin Lindsay's second book in the A Rose Gallager Mystery series and it is such a lovely addition. I enjoyed reading it so much, I still love Rose and Thomas and this series continues to be truly unique from other historical fictions with a paranormal element. This book had a wee bit of a slower start as compared to the first in the series, but this made sense as Rose's whole life has undergone a massive change and we need to be brought up to speed.
Again there are big risks and high stakes in our characters paths that they must overcome to solve their case and they face every difficulty head on. We really get to see Rose growing into her role and demanding she be seen as an equal. She's in a tough position with a foot in two different worlds; trying to stay true to the one she grew up in and learning how to navigate the one she has uncovered. I'm so happy that she has Clara, even if their friendship has been strained by theses changes. And I loved that Edith was added because I think Rose really needs some strong people in her corner that she feels she can confide in and that she doesn't feel she must shield and protect all the time. I love that we got to see Nikola Tesla! He was so quirky and such a dear and I love that he is grouped into this paranormal world, it's just so fitting.
I'm really looking forward to the next in the series because I'm very curious where things are going to go from here. The living situation, their partnership, their relationship to one another...? All the questions.
I don't want to spoil anything so I'm going to leave things here. But I very much recommend this book, and this series, to fans of historical fiction, with a little romance and a bit of the paranormal.
I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for sharing an electronic ARC with me. This is my honest review.
September 4, 2019
Former housemaid, Rose Gallagher, is now a full-fledged agent with a special branch of the Pinkerton Agency that investigates the paranormal. Rose has just about completed her training when she is drawn into a case investigating the mysterious deaths of six delegates at a New York City political convention. New York City mayor and one of the Republican candidates for presidency, Theodore Roosevelt, may be the killer’s next target, and it is up to Rose and her partner, Thomas Wiltshire, to protect the mayor and track down a killer who seems to have paranormal abilities.
A GOLDEN GRAVE is a historical mystery with a paranormal twist. Rose Gallagher has the ability to sense shades (AKA ghosts), and she works with many other people who have similar supernatural talents. Many of these talents are known as “luck”, and can be anything from photographic memory to reading minds. Sometimes I found the “lucky” characters to be a bit too unbelievable, but it worked with the paranormal aspects of the story. Overall, A GOLDEN GRAVE is a very interesting and entertaining novel. Lindsey brings late 1800s New York City to life, and she includes multiple historical figures such as Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, and Nikola Telsa. Rose’s character has also nicely grown and eveloved since the opening of MURDER ON MILLIONAIRE’S ROW. I’m looking forward to Rose’s and Thomas’s next adventure(s).
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
A GOLDEN GRAVE is a historical mystery with a paranormal twist. Rose Gallagher has the ability to sense shades (AKA ghosts), and she works with many other people who have similar supernatural talents. Many of these talents are known as “luck”, and can be anything from photographic memory to reading minds. Sometimes I found the “lucky” characters to be a bit too unbelievable, but it worked with the paranormal aspects of the story. Overall, A GOLDEN GRAVE is a very interesting and entertaining novel. Lindsey brings late 1800s New York City to life, and she includes multiple historical figures such as Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, and Nikola Telsa. Rose’s character has also nicely grown and eveloved since the opening of MURDER ON MILLIONAIRE’S ROW. I’m looking forward to Rose’s and Thomas’s next adventure(s).
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the ARC.
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