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Gaslight Mystery #22
Murder on Trinity Place
The devil's in the details when a man is found murdered near Trinity Church in the latest installment of the national bestselling Gaslight Mystery series...
The year of 1899 is drawing to a close. Frank and Sarah Malloy are getting ready to celebrate the New Year at Trinity Church when they notice Mr. Pritchard, a relative of their neighbor's, behaving oddly and annoying the other revelers. Frank tries to convince Pritchard to return home with them, but the man refuses and Frank loses him in the crowd. The next morning Sarah and Frank are horrified to learn Pritchard was murdered sometime in the night, his body left on Trinity Place, the side street near the church.
The police aren't too interested in the murder, and the family are concerned that the circumstances of the death will reflect badly on Pritchard's reputation. To protect the family from scandal, Nelson asks Frank to investigate. Frank and Sarah delve into Pritchard's past and realize there may have been a deadly side to the dawning of the new century.
The year of 1899 is drawing to a close. Frank and Sarah Malloy are getting ready to celebrate the New Year at Trinity Church when they notice Mr. Pritchard, a relative of their neighbor's, behaving oddly and annoying the other revelers. Frank tries to convince Pritchard to return home with them, but the man refuses and Frank loses him in the crowd. The next morning Sarah and Frank are horrified to learn Pritchard was murdered sometime in the night, his body left on Trinity Place, the side street near the church.
The police aren't too interested in the murder, and the family are concerned that the circumstances of the death will reflect badly on Pritchard's reputation. To protect the family from scandal, Nelson asks Frank to investigate. Frank and Sarah delve into Pritchard's past and realize there may have been a deadly side to the dawning of the new century.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 30, 2019
469 people are currently reading
3012 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Thompson
83 books2,445 followersVictoria Thompson was a beloved authoress of 'standard mystery' novels.
This middle of the road tone is not violent like a 'thriller' but unsanitized (NOT light like a 'cozy mystery'), is unflinchingly adult, serious, and dark.
Humour, romance, family, and compassion balance out the crime part of dear Victoria's unforgettable mysteries.
This middle of the road tone is not violent like a 'thriller' but unsanitized (NOT light like a 'cozy mystery'), is unflinchingly adult, serious, and dark.
Humour, romance, family, and compassion balance out the crime part of dear Victoria's unforgettable mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 316 reviews
November 24, 2019
Murder on Trinity Place by Victoria Thompson is a 2019 Berkley publication.
A perfect blend of history and mystery!
This is yet another long running series that never seems to lose its charm. In this episode, Frank and Sarah’s neighbor, Theda, hires Frank, after her father, a dairy owner, dies on New Year’s Eve.
Initially reluctant to take the case without giving the proper authorities the chance to investigate, it soon becomes clear the police have been paid to look the other way. So, Frank, Sarah, Maeve, and Gino embark on a most puzzling and dangerous mission to discover the truth.
I learn something new every time I read a book in this series. In this case, the story is centered around the dairy business in New York in the 1800s. Evidently, the ‘milk wars’, which I had never heard of, lead to the outlawing of ‘swill milk’- which resulted in the deaths of nearly half of the children of New York City before the age of five.
The victim in this story was a stickler for the rules and may have threatened to expose a dairy that still sold swill milk. But there are plenty of other suspects, all with a valid motive. There are several surprises and twist along the way, as well a little romantic matchmaking on Sarah’s part, which was a terrific idea for the couple in question.
As with any ongoing series, some installments are better than others. This is one of the more durable chapters in the series, which held my attention from beginning to end. If you enjoy historical mysteries, this is one of the best ones out there.
Overall, another terrific whodunit from Victoria Thompson!!
4.5 stars
A perfect blend of history and mystery!
This is yet another long running series that never seems to lose its charm. In this episode, Frank and Sarah’s neighbor, Theda, hires Frank, after her father, a dairy owner, dies on New Year’s Eve.
Initially reluctant to take the case without giving the proper authorities the chance to investigate, it soon becomes clear the police have been paid to look the other way. So, Frank, Sarah, Maeve, and Gino embark on a most puzzling and dangerous mission to discover the truth.
I learn something new every time I read a book in this series. In this case, the story is centered around the dairy business in New York in the 1800s. Evidently, the ‘milk wars’, which I had never heard of, lead to the outlawing of ‘swill milk’- which resulted in the deaths of nearly half of the children of New York City before the age of five.
The victim in this story was a stickler for the rules and may have threatened to expose a dairy that still sold swill milk. But there are plenty of other suspects, all with a valid motive. There are several surprises and twist along the way, as well a little romantic matchmaking on Sarah’s part, which was a terrific idea for the couple in question.
As with any ongoing series, some installments are better than others. This is one of the more durable chapters in the series, which held my attention from beginning to end. If you enjoy historical mysteries, this is one of the best ones out there.
Overall, another terrific whodunit from Victoria Thompson!!
4.5 stars
July 27, 2019
There's always something odd about being normal.
It's New Year's Eve in December of 1899. Throngs of people gather outside around Trinity Church in New York City. It's one of the old-fashioned norms of the holiday in which revelers listen to holiday music streaming from the church as they wait on the threshold of the new year.
Private Detective Frank Malloy and his wife, Sarah, are wrapped in a blanket across their laps in their open air vehicle. They spot their neighbor, Mr. Pritchard, lumbering in and out of the crowd. He appears to have had too much holiday punch. Frank assures Sarah that he will track the man down and bring him back home with them. Frustrated, Frank returns with no Mr. Pritchard.
But pigeons seem to return to the roost. Mr. Pitchard is found straggled to death near Trinity Church. His family hires Frank and his partner, Gino, to investigate when the police turn up with no motive and no killer. Pritchard owned a local dairy that delivered milk in the community for many years. Who could possibly have it in for a business man as pure as his milk?
Victoria Thompson injects a bit of a true historical event in this one. Children were dying due to the impurities linked to milk at this time. Shady distributors passed off something called "swill milk" in which sick cows were fed contaminated hay and were tied up in filthy stalls. Pasteurization was hit or miss.
Murder on Trinity Place is not exactly a cozy mystery with fluff. There's plenty of dead bodies, sleezy people, and dastardly crime in this one. But Thompson has a way with taking you from the acidity of this real world that we live in and carries you to a time of civility and genuine kindness. It's a refreshing breakaway from constant confrontations and malcontents within the boundaries of 323 pages.
Just sign me up for the next one, Victoria Thompson. Just sign me up.
It's New Year's Eve in December of 1899. Throngs of people gather outside around Trinity Church in New York City. It's one of the old-fashioned norms of the holiday in which revelers listen to holiday music streaming from the church as they wait on the threshold of the new year.
Private Detective Frank Malloy and his wife, Sarah, are wrapped in a blanket across their laps in their open air vehicle. They spot their neighbor, Mr. Pritchard, lumbering in and out of the crowd. He appears to have had too much holiday punch. Frank assures Sarah that he will track the man down and bring him back home with them. Frustrated, Frank returns with no Mr. Pritchard.
But pigeons seem to return to the roost. Mr. Pitchard is found straggled to death near Trinity Church. His family hires Frank and his partner, Gino, to investigate when the police turn up with no motive and no killer. Pritchard owned a local dairy that delivered milk in the community for many years. Who could possibly have it in for a business man as pure as his milk?
Victoria Thompson injects a bit of a true historical event in this one. Children were dying due to the impurities linked to milk at this time. Shady distributors passed off something called "swill milk" in which sick cows were fed contaminated hay and were tied up in filthy stalls. Pasteurization was hit or miss.
Murder on Trinity Place is not exactly a cozy mystery with fluff. There's plenty of dead bodies, sleezy people, and dastardly crime in this one. But Thompson has a way with taking you from the acidity of this real world that we live in and carries you to a time of civility and genuine kindness. It's a refreshing breakaway from constant confrontations and malcontents within the boundaries of 323 pages.
Just sign me up for the next one, Victoria Thompson. Just sign me up.
October 7, 2019
Good book but finishing it made me sad. No more Frank and Sarah until next April! For someone who has been reading the series one a month for 22 months this is a dramatic moment!
I have really enjoyed the whole series. I have learned a lot of historical fact about New York as well as enjoying the fictional characters who populate the books. As an example Murder on Trinity Place introduces us to the time before pasteurising when the milk children drank was as likely to kill them as anything else. We also meet up with the old argument about whether the new century begins on 00 or 01. Seems silly to us now but a lot of people got hot under the collar about it in the past.
At least we temporarily leave Frank and Sarah in a happy place. They have formed themselves a nice family unit and both have work which keeps them pleasurably occupied. Maybe there will be a baby Molloy in a future book. Lots to look forward to. Roll on next April.
I have really enjoyed the whole series. I have learned a lot of historical fact about New York as well as enjoying the fictional characters who populate the books. As an example Murder on Trinity Place introduces us to the time before pasteurising when the milk children drank was as likely to kill them as anything else. We also meet up with the old argument about whether the new century begins on 00 or 01. Seems silly to us now but a lot of people got hot under the collar about it in the past.
At least we temporarily leave Frank and Sarah in a happy place. They have formed themselves a nice family unit and both have work which keeps them pleasurably occupied. Maybe there will be a baby Molloy in a future book. Lots to look forward to. Roll on next April.
October 15, 2019
Frank and Sarah Malloy attend a dinner party at Mrs. Ellsworth’s home to celebrate the recent marriage of her son. His in-laws were there and Clarence Pritchard, Nelson’s father-in-law, behaved rather strangely, leaving in agitation after no one shared his point of view about the upcoming year 1900 being the true new century instead of 1901. When Frank and Sarah run into him on New Year’s Eve outside Trinity Church, he’s forcing his argument on everyone he sees and they’re worried for him. The next day, they learn that he was found murdered not far from the church. Nelson’s wife, Theda, asks Frank to investigate once he determines the police have been paid off to drop the case.
This was an interesting case as the Pritchards were quite the dysfunctional family and the investigation led to some surprising directions. But what captured my heart was the secondary plot involving Black Jack Robinson, our favorite local bad boy. I won’t spoil the story but it’s an unexpected delight. I also learned about the early days of dairy farms, especially the challenges faced by serving a major city and the introduction of pasteurization. Motor cars are also a feature here, too.
It’s a bittersweet moment as our group has now caught up with the most recently released book in the series. For the last 22 months, we’ve enjoyed visiting these characters each month and delighting in the discussion. While it’s not the end as there’s another scheduled for release in April, there’s a vacuum that can’t be filled in the next months. These characters have endeared themselves to us and it’s hard letting go. I really liked this story and it was a wonderful one to end at a pause.
This was an interesting case as the Pritchards were quite the dysfunctional family and the investigation led to some surprising directions. But what captured my heart was the secondary plot involving Black Jack Robinson, our favorite local bad boy. I won’t spoil the story but it’s an unexpected delight. I also learned about the early days of dairy farms, especially the challenges faced by serving a major city and the introduction of pasteurization. Motor cars are also a feature here, too.
It’s a bittersweet moment as our group has now caught up with the most recently released book in the series. For the last 22 months, we’ve enjoyed visiting these characters each month and delighting in the discussion. While it’s not the end as there’s another scheduled for release in April, there’s a vacuum that can’t be filled in the next months. These characters have endeared themselves to us and it’s hard letting go. I really liked this story and it was a wonderful one to end at a pause.
August 19, 2019
It’s no secret that Victoria Thompson is a favorite of mine - I was even lucky enough to meet her awhile back. I am so sad to have caught up with my favorite series, and will now have to wait for the next installments!
The Gaslight Mystery series is my go to, and here we have another great mystery. I love playing detective along with Sarah and Malloy. The plot, character development, dialogue, and history are all exceptional, as always.
If you’re a fan of historical mysteries, I can’t recommend these books enough.
Copy provided by publisher, thank you as always!
The Gaslight Mystery series is my go to, and here we have another great mystery. I love playing detective along with Sarah and Malloy. The plot, character development, dialogue, and history are all exceptional, as always.
If you’re a fan of historical mysteries, I can’t recommend these books enough.
Copy provided by publisher, thank you as always!
March 8, 2020
I think it's time to say "goodbye" to another series! I started reading it last year and loved most of the books but lately I don't like much about the stories or the characters anymore!
There's zero character development and the characters do the same things over and over again which is frustrating to read! I'm not invested as much as to torture myself with the next installment!
I miss how Sarah and Frank were and how they solved mysteries together with not so much interference by others! Now Gino and Meave are every time with them and I can't stand their bickering, teasing and their will they won't they story line! I know Thompson loves Gino and Meave and thinks all her fans do so too but she should be more perceptive in my opinion!
I miss Frank and Sarah's interactions with their children but for the sake of Gino and Meave the don't have much presence in recent books which is a shame! I don't feel like Malloy and Sarah are a married couple or even a family it just feels like they just live in the same house!
There are so many story lines the author could explore between Malloy and Sarah and it's a shame she just keeps them in the same things book after book!
I enjoyed reading about Mrs. Ellsworth and her family and what I did enjoy most in this book is the story between Jack Robinson and Jocelyn! The mystery wasn't so interesting since I could figure out one supposedly shock factor and I really managed to narrow the suspects from the beginning in only two!
There's zero character development and the characters do the same things over and over again which is frustrating to read! I'm not invested as much as to torture myself with the next installment!
I miss how Sarah and Frank were and how they solved mysteries together with not so much interference by others! Now Gino and Meave are every time with them and I can't stand their bickering, teasing and their will they won't they story line! I know Thompson loves Gino and Meave and thinks all her fans do so too but she should be more perceptive in my opinion!
I miss Frank and Sarah's interactions with their children but for the sake of Gino and Meave the don't have much presence in recent books which is a shame! I don't feel like Malloy and Sarah are a married couple or even a family it just feels like they just live in the same house!
There are so many story lines the author could explore between Malloy and Sarah and it's a shame she just keeps them in the same things book after book!
I enjoyed reading about Mrs. Ellsworth and her family and what I did enjoy most in this book is the story between Jack Robinson and Jocelyn! The mystery wasn't so interesting since I could figure out one supposedly shock factor and I really managed to narrow the suspects from the beginning in only two!
March 27, 2019
I thought when I read the synopsis of this book that it would be a return to what made me love these books in the first place. I adored Sarah and Frank and watching their romance blossom. But I fear that these books are now suffering from "the Moonlighting Syndrome." They got married/together and now they are hopelessly boring. Sarah doesn't even investigate any longer. She founded a birthing center and spends a lot of time just talking about wanting to deliver babies. She seems bored with married life, especially this new rich married life in the world she fought so hard to escape. The biggest mistake this series made was making Frank a millionaire. I believe the author asked for suggestions for how Frank and Sarah could be together in polite society with their conflicting backgrounds and this was someone's answer, but it wasn't the right one, imo. I would have loved to read about the challenges they faced in their every day lives knowing they were going against the ridiculousness of that time period's value on someone's social standing and how it helped or hindered their crime-solving. But now, because Frank has all this money and had to change careers, he spends all his time investigating now with Gino. The introduction of Maeve and Gino as important characters and placing them more and more in the spotlight was another mistake Thompson made regarding this series. These two bring nothing to the story and just push Sarah further and further into the background, to where she is as relevant as Mrs. Ellsworth and Mother Malloy, or Brian and Catherine for that matter. I think if the author wants to retain her readers, she needs to marry off Gino and Maeve and have them move far, far away, and then give Sarah more to do that just play matchmaker to characters nobody cares about. Three stars because the mystery was somewhat interesting, although the perpetrator was not the least bit surprising, but again, as of the norm lately, the best part about these books is the NYC history lesson. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a DRC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2021
Poor Nelson, poor Mr. Ellsworth and poor Theda... it's a wonder that she's a normal person with a family like that!
I liked how Sarah "matched" the "bad" guy Black Jack Robinson! LOL
I liked how Sarah "matched" the "bad" guy Black Jack Robinson! LOL
December 27, 2021
Review to Follow.
I love this series...This was read out of sequence too interesting about the milk bottles rattling....
June 12, 2020
Can’t believe I’ve read 21 books in this series! The attraction is not ‘just’ the entertaining murder mysteries, but really the development of the cast, sometimes in surprising ways. Additionally, I love the correct historical tidbits the author offers us - here about milk production and sale, and even an old ‘board’ game (precursor of The Game of Life) - that really bring the setting to life.
May 18, 2019
This series have great characters and I love the family dynamic and crime solving in Victorian New York. I did learn something new ... swill milk. How disturbing was that?
This was a quick read and had some good moments. Sadly, dialogues became too repetitive throughout the book, 2.5 stars.
This was a quick read and had some good moments. Sadly, dialogues became too repetitive throughout the book, 2.5 stars.
May 2, 2019
I still love the books, don't get me wrong. But they have lost something since Sarah and Frank got hitched. This time, Sarah seems preoccupied with the clinic and the business of delivering babies, more than helping Malloy solve the murder(s) that take place. I miss that dynamic. I also figured out who the guilty party was and why, way too early. Decent book but not edge-of-the-seat and I think they lost some of the spark between the couple, and that hurts the series.
May 14, 2019
I was entertained from start to finish by the latest entry in this long running series.
It's the end of one year (1899) and the start of the next (1900). Whether it is the turn of the century is open to debate. Clarence Pritchard is an avid (some would say rabid) proponent of the view that the 20th Century starts on 1 Jan 1900 and is not afraid to tell one and all. But could that belief have gotten him killed? He was last seen among the revelers on New Year's Eve; his murdered body was found the next morning. Surely he wasn't killed because of the calendar, was he?
The mystery (who killed Clarence Pritchard and why did they do it) was clever--Frank Malloy and his young associate Gino Donatelli have their work cut out for them with this one. The police have been bribed to drop the investigation, the widow doesn't want the murder investigated either. So it is the daughter of the family who hires Frank. Frank and Gino ask a lot of questions and receive a lot of lies as answers before they finally narrow in on a viable suspect. Then that suspect is killed in the same manner. Now what? and just how does one of the more powerful men in New York City's underworld fit into the picture?
In the meantime Sarah does a bit of sleuthing of her own; discovering some secrets that could lead the investigation in a whole new direction. While she's not asking questions she's busy playing matchmaker--in a subplot that delivers some relief from the frustrations of the murder investigation.
There's also some comic relief provided by Frank's relationship with his new motor car, which Gino has taken to like a duck to water. The description of their drive across the Brooklyn Bridge is a fine blend of comedy and terror.
The murders are finally solved, and all is calm--for now.
Part of the enjoyment in a long running series is developing a bond with the continuing characters. It is always nice to catch up with them; see how they are doing, what's new and so on.
I look forward to catching up with Sarah, Frank and all their family and friends in the next book.
It's the end of one year (1899) and the start of the next (1900). Whether it is the turn of the century is open to debate. Clarence Pritchard is an avid (some would say rabid) proponent of the view that the 20th Century starts on 1 Jan 1900 and is not afraid to tell one and all. But could that belief have gotten him killed? He was last seen among the revelers on New Year's Eve; his murdered body was found the next morning. Surely he wasn't killed because of the calendar, was he?
The mystery (who killed Clarence Pritchard and why did they do it) was clever--Frank Malloy and his young associate Gino Donatelli have their work cut out for them with this one. The police have been bribed to drop the investigation, the widow doesn't want the murder investigated either. So it is the daughter of the family who hires Frank. Frank and Gino ask a lot of questions and receive a lot of lies as answers before they finally narrow in on a viable suspect. Then that suspect is killed in the same manner. Now what? and just how does one of the more powerful men in New York City's underworld fit into the picture?
In the meantime Sarah does a bit of sleuthing of her own; discovering some secrets that could lead the investigation in a whole new direction. While she's not asking questions she's busy playing matchmaker--in a subplot that delivers some relief from the frustrations of the murder investigation.
There's also some comic relief provided by Frank's relationship with his new motor car, which Gino has taken to like a duck to water. The description of their drive across the Brooklyn Bridge is a fine blend of comedy and terror.
The murders are finally solved, and all is calm--for now.
Part of the enjoyment in a long running series is developing a bond with the continuing characters. It is always nice to catch up with them; see how they are doing, what's new and so on.
I look forward to catching up with Sarah, Frank and all their family and friends in the next book.
October 19, 2019
Frank and Sarah Malloy are at Trinity Church for a New Years Eve celebration. While waiting in their new car, they see their neighbor's father-in-law, Clarence Pritchard, annoying many people with his talk of the new century. Frank tries to talk him into going home with them, but he refuses. The next day comes the news of Pritchard's murder. Nelson and Theda Ellsworth ask Frank to investigate the crime. But not everyone wants this case solved. Someone has paid off the police to look the other way. Frank and Sarah are determined to help their neighbors and solve this case.
The latest installment in the Gaslight Mystery series is another winner. This story has a handful of suspects and a pretty good plot twist. I never really settled onto who I thought was the villain until near the end of the book when Frank and Sarah figured it out too. As always, there is interesting historical information included in the story. You always learn something while reading this series. This book catches me up on this series. I'm eagerly waiting for the next book to be published. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
The latest installment in the Gaslight Mystery series is another winner. This story has a handful of suspects and a pretty good plot twist. I never really settled onto who I thought was the villain until near the end of the book when Frank and Sarah figured it out too. As always, there is interesting historical information included in the story. You always learn something while reading this series. This book catches me up on this series. I'm eagerly waiting for the next book to be published. My rating: 4.5 Stars.
December 30, 2018
The 22nd book of this historical series find Frank and Sarah Mallory involved in finding out who killed Mr. Pritchard who owns a milk farm. He is the father of Thea, a neighbor. The police are not interested in solving this case. While searching for the answer, there is another death, the son of Mr. Pritchard. There are several clues to what happened. The ending is a surprise.
There is information on milk delivery at the turn of century and the cause of many deaths. There is a side story involving Sarah's Clinic that added to the book.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
Disclosure: Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
There is information on milk delivery at the turn of century and the cause of many deaths. There is a side story involving Sarah's Clinic that added to the book.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIES.
Disclosure: Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
August 12, 2022
In the final week of 1899, Sarah and Frank Malloy are invited to a dinner party given by their neighbors, the Ellsworths. They are warned that one of their fellow guests, Mr. Pritchard, is likely to ramble on about his dairy, but instead he starts talking about how everyone needs to welcome in the turn of the century coming in just a few days. On New Year’s Day, the man is found dead near Trinity Church where he was trying to convince the revealers the new century was starting. Frank is hired to find out what happened to Mr. Pritchard. Can he do it?
I’d felt the previous couple of books in the series had taken a dark turn, and I’m glad to say this one wasn’t nearly as dark. Sarah also got to play a prominent role in the main mystery as well as a fun sub-plot involving a character from a previous book and the clinic Sarah’s recently founded. I’m often about half a chapter ahead of the characters when it comes to solving the mystery, but this time, I was stumped until we reached the end. Once again, it’s fabulous to spend time with these characters, and the new characters are just as sharp. This is a strong entry that shows why the series is going strong after so many entries.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I’d felt the previous couple of books in the series had taken a dark turn, and I’m glad to say this one wasn’t nearly as dark. Sarah also got to play a prominent role in the main mystery as well as a fun sub-plot involving a character from a previous book and the clinic Sarah’s recently founded. I’m often about half a chapter ahead of the characters when it comes to solving the mystery, but this time, I was stumped until we reached the end. Once again, it’s fabulous to spend time with these characters, and the new characters are just as sharp. This is a strong entry that shows why the series is going strong after so many entries.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
February 16, 2019
The year of 1899 is drawing to a close. Frank and Sarah Malloy are getting ready to celebrate the New Year at Trinity Church when they notice Mr. Pritchard, a relative of their neighbor's behaving oddly and annoying the other revelers. The next morning Sarah and Frank are horrified to learn Pritchard was murdered sometime in the night. Frank and Sarah delve into Pritchard's past and realize there may have been a deadly side to the dawning of the new century.
This was a very enjoyable installment in the gaslight mysteries series. I liked it better than the last book. The book begins with Frank and Sarah attending a dinner party at their neighbor Mrs. Ellsworth's house. Her recently married son Nelson and his wife Theda have also invited Theda's family to the dinner and it's a little tense as Theda's father is very opinionated and doesn't hesitate to let his opinions known when certain subjects come up. Ultimately the dinner ends in disaster and poor Theda is left in tears. One thing I noticed about this book is that the character of Mrs. Ellsworth is much more serious here. There are no silly superstitions mentioned this time around, but it made sense considering what was happening in the book.
As usual I figured out who the murderer was pretty easily, but this book actually did throw a couple of good red herrings in there. I actually attached a bit more to the murderer's motivations than what was concluded in the book though. One thing that does bother me about the murders in this series is that too many people are murdered that are somehow acquainted with Sarah and Frank. This is actually something that happens a lot in mystery series that can make them seem implausible. In this case though, with Frank being a private investigator there should be ample opportunity for the author to capitalize on that and have him investigate cases that have nothing to do with anyone he or Sarah knows. It would be so much more believable.
One thing I do really like about this series is that the author always adds in some real historical facts from the time period. I learned a few interesting things as I read this book that I didn't previously know. One is how Wall Street got its name. It was not at all what I expected. I also learned about the "milk wars" and what swill milk was. Another thing I learned about was the origins of the board game Life. It also seemed that there was some debate over whether the turn of the century should be celebrated in 1900 or 1901.
Like the last book in the series, this one included characters that we met in a previous book. I'm really liking that this seems to be a thing now in each book. This time around we revisit the character of Jack Robinson from Murder in the Bowery. Sarah plays matchmaker for Jack and one of the ladies staying in the clinic, and I liked that part of the story a lot. I would love to see more of them in future books.
I also have to mention one other thing that I loved about this book. Frank finally gets a motorcar!
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this book.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
This was a very enjoyable installment in the gaslight mysteries series. I liked it better than the last book. The book begins with Frank and Sarah attending a dinner party at their neighbor Mrs. Ellsworth's house. Her recently married son Nelson and his wife Theda have also invited Theda's family to the dinner and it's a little tense as Theda's father is very opinionated and doesn't hesitate to let his opinions known when certain subjects come up. Ultimately the dinner ends in disaster and poor Theda is left in tears. One thing I noticed about this book is that the character of Mrs. Ellsworth is much more serious here. There are no silly superstitions mentioned this time around, but it made sense considering what was happening in the book.
As usual I figured out who the murderer was pretty easily, but this book actually did throw a couple of good red herrings in there. I actually attached a bit more to the murderer's motivations than what was concluded in the book though. One thing that does bother me about the murders in this series is that too many people are murdered that are somehow acquainted with Sarah and Frank. This is actually something that happens a lot in mystery series that can make them seem implausible. In this case though, with Frank being a private investigator there should be ample opportunity for the author to capitalize on that and have him investigate cases that have nothing to do with anyone he or Sarah knows. It would be so much more believable.
One thing I do really like about this series is that the author always adds in some real historical facts from the time period. I learned a few interesting things as I read this book that I didn't previously know. One is how Wall Street got its name. It was not at all what I expected. I also learned about the "milk wars" and what swill milk was. Another thing I learned about was the origins of the board game Life. It also seemed that there was some debate over whether the turn of the century should be celebrated in 1900 or 1901.
Like the last book in the series, this one included characters that we met in a previous book. I'm really liking that this seems to be a thing now in each book. This time around we revisit the character of Jack Robinson from Murder in the Bowery. Sarah plays matchmaker for Jack and one of the ladies staying in the clinic, and I liked that part of the story a lot. I would love to see more of them in future books.
I also have to mention one other thing that I loved about this book. Frank finally gets a motorcar!
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of this book.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
April 23, 2019
Loved this new addition to the Gaslight Mystery series. Frank and Sarah find themselves pondering another murder mystery -- this time one that strikes close to the home of Mrs. Ellsworth. It is still a pleasure to spend time in her home and have her busybody presence in the plot. Frank and Sarah are still happily married and we get to see progress at the women's clinic. I'm still hoping real romance will bloom between Gino and Maeve. Perhaps in the next book?
A big thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A big thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2019
I'm going to give Victoria Thompson a couple more chances to come up with something interesting to me in this series. Overall it was so good in the earlier days but after Sarah and Frank became rich things really took a giant nosedive.
I don't give a crap about Gino and Meave and when books have too much of them in it it's an automatic thumbs down. The murder victim this time around wasn't even close to having an entertaining story.
I don't give a crap about Gino and Meave and when books have too much of them in it it's an automatic thumbs down. The murder victim this time around wasn't even close to having an entertaining story.
May 29, 2022
I was honestly disappointed we didn't spend quite as much time with Mrs. Ellsworth as I expected, given that her daughter-in-law's family was involved, but as always, this series is a reliable, comfortable read for me. I cannot believe I am almost caught up!!
March 27, 2022
This phase of the series has had some rough spots, but this installment shows that that we’ve settled into a new normal.
In this book, we have Nelson Ellsworth’s in-laws as the center of the crime. His father-in-law owns a major dairy and is killed at a New Years Eve celebration outside Trinity Church. The dairy’s horse-drawn milk wagons are part of the crime and we learn a lot about the milk business in the last 1800s.
Sarah and Maeve have a secondary plot involving the maternity clinic Sarah opened in the last book. It provides some cute, heartwarming moments. Jack Robinson, the reformed gangster from the Bowery book is invoked as well.
The other secondary characters make brief appearances. Poor Mrs Malloy is relegated to giving the kids baths and scrambling eggs for a late-night denouement at the end.
In this book, we have Nelson Ellsworth’s in-laws as the center of the crime. His father-in-law owns a major dairy and is killed at a New Years Eve celebration outside Trinity Church. The dairy’s horse-drawn milk wagons are part of the crime and we learn a lot about the milk business in the last 1800s.
Sarah and Maeve have a secondary plot involving the maternity clinic Sarah opened in the last book. It provides some cute, heartwarming moments. Jack Robinson, the reformed gangster from the Bowery book is invoked as well.
The other secondary characters make brief appearances. Poor Mrs Malloy is relegated to giving the kids baths and scrambling eggs for a late-night denouement at the end.
June 12, 2019
Another enjoyable outing with one of my favorite cozier historical mystery series- I’ve read every book, and am rarely disappointed. This book opens as 1899 is closing and the New Year will bring a new century.
Frank and Sarah Malloy are at Trinity Church to celebrate the New Year when they see a relative of Mrs. Ellsworth, long-time friend and neighbor, acting strangely. Clarence Pritchard is confronting revelers and ranting about when the New Year (and new century) actually begins; Frank tries to follow him so he can take him home, but loses Pritchard in the crowd. Next morning, the Malloys get the horrible news that Pritchard has been found strangled outside the church. When it becomes clear the police won’t be investigating, the dead man’s daughter (Mrs. Ellsworth’s daughter-in-law) asks Frank and Sarah to try and find out who killed her father.
This was an enjoyable outing providing long-time fans of the series a chance to revisit old favorite characters, and meet some interesting new ones. The mystery, however, was rather obvious - it got to a point where the killer could really only be one suspect. I still enjoy this series and look forward to the next book.
Frank and Sarah Malloy are at Trinity Church to celebrate the New Year when they see a relative of Mrs. Ellsworth, long-time friend and neighbor, acting strangely. Clarence Pritchard is confronting revelers and ranting about when the New Year (and new century) actually begins; Frank tries to follow him so he can take him home, but loses Pritchard in the crowd. Next morning, the Malloys get the horrible news that Pritchard has been found strangled outside the church. When it becomes clear the police won’t be investigating, the dead man’s daughter (Mrs. Ellsworth’s daughter-in-law) asks Frank and Sarah to try and find out who killed her father.
This was an enjoyable outing providing long-time fans of the series a chance to revisit old favorite characters, and meet some interesting new ones. The mystery, however, was rather obvious - it got to a point where the killer could really only be one suspect. I still enjoy this series and look forward to the next book.
August 1, 2019
I was annoyed at this mystery because it broke the rule of Chekhov's gun: The novel began with a brouhaha about whether the new century began on Jan. 1, 1900, or Jan. 1, 1901, but this idea then got dropped by the midpoint of the novel and never returned. That's irritating, and it made me grumble through the second half of the novel.
I'm sad to say it, but I think this series ran out of juice a few novels ago. And that's fair enough -- 22 novels about one set of characters would be hard for anyone to manage -- but I'd rather the series just end than trickle into such staleness.
I'm sad to say it, but I think this series ran out of juice a few novels ago. And that's fair enough -- 22 novels about one set of characters would be hard for anyone to manage -- but I'd rather the series just end than trickle into such staleness.
January 9, 2020
Predictable,but charming nonetheless.8/10.
October 4, 2019
Synopsis: Sarah's neighbor has just gotten married and she and Frank are invited to dinner to meet the young bride and her family. Shortly after dinner the bride's father is murdered and Frank is asked to investigate the crime and discover who killed his neighbor's father.
Rating:
4/5
This is a series I have been grappling with my feelings on. I have read all of the books in the series but the last few were lackluster at best for me. I was debating whether to continue this series. For me, this book returned the series to all it's former glory and I truly adored this book.
The historical issue this book is centered around is the dairy industry as the murder victim owned a dairy delivery service.
One of the things I have always loved about this series is how so many of the books bring in important historical issues of the time. It makes the setting of these books richer and I often learn things I didn't know about. This book did that for me. Apparently, unsafe milk was killing many children in New York and the dairies who were producing milk often weren't ethical in their production. I was enthralled by all that was happening involving the dairy industry.
Since I have read so many of these books I usually can guess who the murderer was however this time I was kept guessing almost to the reveal. I don't usually read these books for the mysteries because the quality of the mystery in any individual book varies greatly. However I thought this was one of the better done mysteries in the series.
We also got much less of Gino and Mauve in this book which I appreciated. They are sidekick characters. Mauve to Sarah and Gino to Frank. But the last few books I felt like they were trying to take over. I am guessing the reason was because the main character arc of the series with Frank and Sarah has pretty much closed. I felt like Gino and Mauve were supposed to be replacing the romance dynamic. Unfortunately, I don't care about their romance the way I cared about Frank and Sarah's. They are fine as minor characters but I am not interested in them as main characters and several books in this series had started to give them too much page time for my liking.
This is an amazing series which I highly recommend however for maximum enjoyment I do advise reading the books in order. I don't think they are nearly as good out of order. This is not a series where I feel you can just pop in at any book and start reading. Many mystery series are like that. It doesn't really matter much where you start. However, this series really should be read from book 1.
Rating:
4/5
This is a series I have been grappling with my feelings on. I have read all of the books in the series but the last few were lackluster at best for me. I was debating whether to continue this series. For me, this book returned the series to all it's former glory and I truly adored this book.
The historical issue this book is centered around is the dairy industry as the murder victim owned a dairy delivery service.
One of the things I have always loved about this series is how so many of the books bring in important historical issues of the time. It makes the setting of these books richer and I often learn things I didn't know about. This book did that for me. Apparently, unsafe milk was killing many children in New York and the dairies who were producing milk often weren't ethical in their production. I was enthralled by all that was happening involving the dairy industry.
Since I have read so many of these books I usually can guess who the murderer was however this time I was kept guessing almost to the reveal. I don't usually read these books for the mysteries because the quality of the mystery in any individual book varies greatly. However I thought this was one of the better done mysteries in the series.
We also got much less of Gino and Mauve in this book which I appreciated. They are sidekick characters. Mauve to Sarah and Gino to Frank. But the last few books I felt like they were trying to take over. I am guessing the reason was because the main character arc of the series with Frank and Sarah has pretty much closed. I felt like Gino and Mauve were supposed to be replacing the romance dynamic. Unfortunately, I don't care about their romance the way I cared about Frank and Sarah's. They are fine as minor characters but I am not interested in them as main characters and several books in this series had started to give them too much page time for my liking.
This is an amazing series which I highly recommend however for maximum enjoyment I do advise reading the books in order. I don't think they are nearly as good out of order. This is not a series where I feel you can just pop in at any book and start reading. Many mystery series are like that. It doesn't really matter much where you start. However, this series really should be read from book 1.
January 31, 2022
2.5. Probably my least favorite of the series. Frank and Sarah were rather boring, I picked the murderer out right away(not something I can usually do), and I’m getting tired of the Maeve and Gino storyline; it needs to move forward or end.
December 30, 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Berkeley Publishing Group through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The book will be published on April 30, 2019.
Number 22 in the Gaslight series, this installment has Frank and Sarah Malloy investigating the murder of the ultra-honest, but somewhat fanatical owner of the Pure Milk Dairy on New Year’s Eve in 1899.
Thompson always sets her mysteries within an interesting early 20th century New York City setting. This episode includes a fascinating description of the factions in the “Milk Wars” — with recent legislation requiring pasteurization pitted against the prevalent corruption of enforcement agencies. Startling (to me) statistics claimed that 1/2 of the children of New York City in the mid 1800s died before the age of 5, with contaminated milk (or secondary infections from contaminated milk) as the leading cause.
Another fun period detail — the “Checkered Game of Life” — the 1860 Milton Bradley (the man, not the company) original on which the 1960s reissue was based — introduced the “teetotem.” We know this as the spinner — a feature introduced because dice were seen as unsavory reminders of gambling paraphernalia.
While this was a pleasant read, I felt like it was mostly filler — there was very little plot advancement and consisted mainly of different characters repeating what they had learned to other characters and lots of visiting and the pouring of tea. The most interesting plot tangent to me was a special kind of arranged marriage which had very little to do with the mystery but proceeded at an appropriate pace and highlighted more of the New York social scene at the time.
Number 22 in the Gaslight series, this installment has Frank and Sarah Malloy investigating the murder of the ultra-honest, but somewhat fanatical owner of the Pure Milk Dairy on New Year’s Eve in 1899.
Thompson always sets her mysteries within an interesting early 20th century New York City setting. This episode includes a fascinating description of the factions in the “Milk Wars” — with recent legislation requiring pasteurization pitted against the prevalent corruption of enforcement agencies. Startling (to me) statistics claimed that 1/2 of the children of New York City in the mid 1800s died before the age of 5, with contaminated milk (or secondary infections from contaminated milk) as the leading cause.
Another fun period detail — the “Checkered Game of Life” — the 1860 Milton Bradley (the man, not the company) original on which the 1960s reissue was based — introduced the “teetotem.” We know this as the spinner — a feature introduced because dice were seen as unsavory reminders of gambling paraphernalia.
While this was a pleasant read, I felt like it was mostly filler — there was very little plot advancement and consisted mainly of different characters repeating what they had learned to other characters and lots of visiting and the pouring of tea. The most interesting plot tangent to me was a special kind of arranged marriage which had very little to do with the mystery but proceeded at an appropriate pace and highlighted more of the New York social scene at the time.
September 7, 2019
This latest mystery begins with 1899 coming to a close and a New Year's celebration to welcome 1900 at Trinity Church. Frank and Sarah notice the father-in-law of their neighbor acting strangely, and the next morning he is found dead in the churchyard. After finding out the police chief has been paid not to investigate the murder, Frank takes on the case at the urging of the victim's family. In his search for the truth, family secrets are exposed as well as another murder.
Meanwhile, Sarah has met an interesting young woman at the maternity home she runs and decides to help her make a brighter future. These two stories intertwine and bring back notorious gangster Black Jack Robinson from a previous book. Although still a kingpin in the crime world, Jack is trying to become respectable and proves a friend to both Frank and Sarah. I really enjoy how his character is developing and hope he will make appearances in future books.
An absolutely terrific series!
Meanwhile, Sarah has met an interesting young woman at the maternity home she runs and decides to help her make a brighter future. These two stories intertwine and bring back notorious gangster Black Jack Robinson from a previous book. Although still a kingpin in the crime world, Jack is trying to become respectable and proves a friend to both Frank and Sarah. I really enjoy how his character is developing and hope he will make appearances in future books.
An absolutely terrific series!
August 29, 2024
This Gaslight Mystery centers on New York City’s “milk wars,” which pit dairies selling pasteurized milk against those selling swill milk, cheaper contaminated milk. “In the mid-1800s, half of all New York City children died before the age of five. Contaminated milk was a leading cause of these deaths.”
Of course, true to form, there are two murders to solve. The Malloy team steps up to do the honors once again.
One of the funnier moments was a harrowing motorcar ride across the Brooklyn Bridge, racing at the frightening speed of nearly ten miles an hour.
Of course, true to form, there are two murders to solve. The Malloy team steps up to do the honors once again.
One of the funnier moments was a harrowing motorcar ride across the Brooklyn Bridge, racing at the frightening speed of nearly ten miles an hour.
April 3, 2020
I've loved this series up until now, but Murder on Trinity Place was boring. There's a lot of chit chat and not much else.
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