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Gaslight Mystery #27
Murder in Rose Hill
Midwife Sarah Malloy and her private detective husband Frank discover that the cure is worse than the disease when they investigate the death of a promising young woman in this atmospheric, riveting mystery from the USA TODAY bestselling author of Murder on Bedford Street.
Sarah Malloy has just helped with the delivery of a bouncing baby girl at her women’s clinic, when she receives a visit from an engaging and determined young woman writing an article for New Century Magazine. Louisa Rodgers explains that she is researching the dangers of patent remedies. Sarah is only too happy to tell Louisa exactly what she thinks of the so-called medicines whose ingredients include heavy doses of alcohol and other addictive drugs, and hurt much more than they help.
A few days later, Sarah receives a visit from a bereft Bernard Rodgers, who explains that his daughter, Louisa, has been found strangled in the lobby of the building where New Century has its offices. The police have decided it was a random attack and have made no attempt to investigate, hinting that Louisa got what she deserved for sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. Sarah wants justice for the bright young woman but as she and Frank delve deeper into Louisa’s life, they find that nothing is quite as it seemed and Louisa is not who she claimed to be. The Malloys must first solve the mystery of Louisa’s life before they can figure out who wanted to see her dead…
Sarah Malloy has just helped with the delivery of a bouncing baby girl at her women’s clinic, when she receives a visit from an engaging and determined young woman writing an article for New Century Magazine. Louisa Rodgers explains that she is researching the dangers of patent remedies. Sarah is only too happy to tell Louisa exactly what she thinks of the so-called medicines whose ingredients include heavy doses of alcohol and other addictive drugs, and hurt much more than they help.
A few days later, Sarah receives a visit from a bereft Bernard Rodgers, who explains that his daughter, Louisa, has been found strangled in the lobby of the building where New Century has its offices. The police have decided it was a random attack and have made no attempt to investigate, hinting that Louisa got what she deserved for sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. Sarah wants justice for the bright young woman but as she and Frank delve deeper into Louisa’s life, they find that nothing is quite as it seemed and Louisa is not who she claimed to be. The Malloys must first solve the mystery of Louisa’s life before they can figure out who wanted to see her dead…
336 pages, Hardcover
First published April 23, 2024
About the author
Victoria Thompson
77 books2,352 followersVictoria Thompson is the USA Today bestselling author of the Edgar® and Agatha nominated Gaslight Mystery series and the Sue Grafton Memorial Award nominated Counterfeit Lady Series. She was nominated for an Edgar Award from Mystery Writers of America in 2001, and in 2012 she received a Career Achievement Award in Mystery Writing from RT Magazine. Six of her Gaslight Mysteries were nominated for an Agatha Award. She also contributed to the award winning writing textbook MANY GENRES/ONE CRAFT and authored a short story for the anthology, SHERLOCK HOLMES IN AMERICA. In her previous life, Victoria Thompson was the bestselling author of twenty historical romances. She earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in 2012, where she has been a mentor and lecturer for 20 years.
"I became enchanted by New York City, and Greenwich Village in particular, while one of my daughters attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. After reading many books about the village, and spending many pleasant hours dining, shopping, and just wandering the streets, I was permanently hooked!"
Victoria Thompson is has also written 20 historical romances.
"I became enchanted by New York City, and Greenwich Village in particular, while one of my daughters attended NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. After reading many books about the village, and spending many pleasant hours dining, shopping, and just wandering the streets, I was permanently hooked!"
Victoria Thompson is has also written 20 historical romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
July 10, 2024
Anyone who reads my reviews will know by now how much I enjoy a good, long running series and this is one of them. #27 is every bit as good as the previous 26 books.
Set in 1901 in New York the murder occurs of a young, budding news reporter, someone Sarah has recently met. Frank is asked by the deceased's father to investigate and the mystery begins. All the family contribute to solving this one, even Mother Malloy who makes some of the best suggestions from her chair by the fire. Maeve and Gino take a step forward in their relationship in this book, and Maeve gets to do some real detective work.
As usual the author hits the spot with her research and historical facts. I love that Sarah enjoyed her electric car so much in 1901. Amazing that we had to wait until the 2020's to enjoy the same thing.
I am looking forward to the next book already.
Set in 1901 in New York the murder occurs of a young, budding news reporter, someone Sarah has recently met. Frank is asked by the deceased's father to investigate and the mystery begins. All the family contribute to solving this one, even Mother Malloy who makes some of the best suggestions from her chair by the fire. Maeve and Gino take a step forward in their relationship in this book, and Maeve gets to do some real detective work.
As usual the author hits the spot with her research and historical facts. I love that Sarah enjoyed her electric car so much in 1901. Amazing that we had to wait until the 2020's to enjoy the same thing.
I am looking forward to the next book already.
May 6, 2024
the setup…
Sarah Malloy was at her women’s clinic when she receives a visit from a young woman who claims to be writing an article for New Century Magazine. Louisa Rodgers is focused on patent medicines, these “cure-all” remedies that actually contained addictive drugs and alcohol. Not a fan, Sarah allows her to talk to the women currently at the clinic, understanding that Louisa plans to expose these companies in her article. A few days later, Louisa’s distraught father Bernard comes to see Sarah, seeking help in finding who might have killed his daughter who was found strangled in the lobby of her magazine’s building.
the heart of the story…
Frank Malloy is engaged by Bernard Rodgers to investigate his daughter’s death and he and his team, Gino Donatelli and Maeve Smith, find quite a few potential suspects. I enjoyed seeing them in action again, especially Maeve who is skilled at playing out undercover roles to get people to share vital information. It was also enlightening to learn about patent medicines that were popular during this era, completely unregulated without disclosure of their contents. This was also the same year (1901) when President McKinley was shot and later died, elevating their friend Teddy Roosevelt to the office.
the bottom line…
It’s another highly interesting case with lots of angles to explore. Of course, everyone has a role, including Sarah and her society parents, and Frank’s mother during those late evening parlor discussions. The historical elements serve as an important backdrop, based on true facts and characters of that time. Oh, and there’s some movement with the Maeve and Gino…finally. This continues to be one of my favorite historical mystery series for good reason.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Sarah Malloy was at her women’s clinic when she receives a visit from a young woman who claims to be writing an article for New Century Magazine. Louisa Rodgers is focused on patent medicines, these “cure-all” remedies that actually contained addictive drugs and alcohol. Not a fan, Sarah allows her to talk to the women currently at the clinic, understanding that Louisa plans to expose these companies in her article. A few days later, Louisa’s distraught father Bernard comes to see Sarah, seeking help in finding who might have killed his daughter who was found strangled in the lobby of her magazine’s building.
the heart of the story…
Frank Malloy is engaged by Bernard Rodgers to investigate his daughter’s death and he and his team, Gino Donatelli and Maeve Smith, find quite a few potential suspects. I enjoyed seeing them in action again, especially Maeve who is skilled at playing out undercover roles to get people to share vital information. It was also enlightening to learn about patent medicines that were popular during this era, completely unregulated without disclosure of their contents. This was also the same year (1901) when President McKinley was shot and later died, elevating their friend Teddy Roosevelt to the office.
the bottom line…
It’s another highly interesting case with lots of angles to explore. Of course, everyone has a role, including Sarah and her society parents, and Frank’s mother during those late evening parlor discussions. The historical elements serve as an important backdrop, based on true facts and characters of that time. Oh, and there’s some movement with the Maeve and Gino…finally. This continues to be one of my favorite historical mystery series for good reason.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
May 2, 2024
This series has mysteries that are often related to real historical events and I enjoy them so much. I have been a little disappointed that the children have been written out and we’ve lost the flirting between Sarah and Frank. Even Maeve and Gino, supposedly falling in love, barely demonstrate affection for each other.
I love these characters…I just miss the magical moments like the carriage kiss, Brian walking for the first time, etc.
I love these characters…I just miss the magical moments like the carriage kiss, Brian walking for the first time, etc.
May 2, 2024
The scene setting in these is always good and there are a few believable villains to consider.
While I liked this mystery, my trouble overall with the later books in this series is with four pov characters (and sometimes five or six with Sarah’s parents) instead of two is there are more scene changes. The pace slowed as we hopped around to follow multiple threads and got all the characters caught up again. I miss seeing Sarah take a leading role like she used to. So even though the mystery is good and I like these characters, I find myself wishing for the plot to progress faster and for more of Sarah and Frank.
I received an arc from NetGalley
While I liked this mystery, my trouble overall with the later books in this series is with four pov characters (and sometimes five or six with Sarah’s parents) instead of two is there are more scene changes. The pace slowed as we hopped around to follow multiple threads and got all the characters caught up again. I miss seeing Sarah take a leading role like she used to. So even though the mystery is good and I like these characters, I find myself wishing for the plot to progress faster and for more of Sarah and Frank.
I received an arc from NetGalley
June 1, 2024
I love Victoria Thompson's Gaslight Mystery series. Murder in Rose Hill is another great installment in this long running series. Thoroughly enjoyable. Great plot, wonderful characters and a twist that kept me guessing until the end.
March 13, 2024
Murder in Rose Hill by Victoria Thompson is a wonderful historical fiction and mystery that is the 27th book in the delightful and longstanding Gaslight Mystery series.
I have read every one of these novels that are a part of this brilliant series. At this point, I really do feel like Frank, Sarah, Maeve, Gino, and the rest of the cast are part of my extended family. One could follow along easily if they picked this up as a first novel, but why would one not want to start from the very beginning?
I liked the continuation of the personal lives of the characters in this one, and the murder/mystery did keep me guessing for the majority of the story, however I did figure out the culprit before it was revealed. That does not detract from the drama, quick one-liners, and smooth pacing that I have come to expect from this series.
The characters are a delight, and I really, really like the way the book ended.
Highly recommend.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Berkley Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/23/24.
I have read every one of these novels that are a part of this brilliant series. At this point, I really do feel like Frank, Sarah, Maeve, Gino, and the rest of the cast are part of my extended family. One could follow along easily if they picked this up as a first novel, but why would one not want to start from the very beginning?
I liked the continuation of the personal lives of the characters in this one, and the murder/mystery did keep me guessing for the majority of the story, however I did figure out the culprit before it was revealed. That does not detract from the drama, quick one-liners, and smooth pacing that I have come to expect from this series.
The characters are a delight, and I really, really like the way the book ended.
Highly recommend.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Berkley Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 4/23/24.
May 5, 2024
3.5/5 stars, rounding up
For me, this was a significant improvement from the last one. It won't be one I go back to, but there were some more family moments here and the mystery plot was a significant improvement.
For me, this was a significant improvement from the last one. It won't be one I go back to, but there were some more family moments here and the mystery plot was a significant improvement.
May 30, 2024
This series is always on my BUY NOW list and it never disappoints. Victoria Thompson does an extensive amount of research for her books and it shows: in the setting, the characters, the mannerisms, and even the methods of murder and the investigations into them. I love the characters and the stories get better and better; everyone is equally involved in the investigations and this brings their different points of view into the mix as well. I love this series and can’t wait for the next!
February 28, 2024
Another excellent addition to the series. The mystery truly had me guessing along with Sarah and Frank throughout the whole book. And some delightful character development for long time readers. :)
April 27, 2024
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Netgalley . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I always love the Gaslight Mystery series and look forward to each one. I've enjoyed the various characters but was glad Frank and Sarah were well involved here, along with Maeve and Gino. Mother Malloy is one sharp cookie. The Deckers are always a pleasant addition and I love Catherine and Brian (wish we saw a bit more of them).
Sarah met a young woman who was writing an article about patent medicines. At this time, that didn't mean they had a patent or were even really medicine. They were more likely to be full of alcohol or heroin or opium. They were popular since they relieved pain but they didn't really cure anyone. Louisa was writing an expose of sorts about these medicines.
When Louisa turns up dead, her grieving father hires them to find her killer. Is it a purveyor of medicines who killed her? Is it someone at her rooming house or coworkers? Also, the family has all kinds of grudges and fights. Her mother wanted her to marry and not have a job. She and her brother never got along, because Louisa was excellent at school and a favorite of her father.
The fun thing about these stories is we learn a lot about the level of medicine, law enforcement, society classes and living conditions in New York City of this past time. In Murder in Rose Hill, President McKinley has just died and so it's likely Sarah's old friend Teddy will now be President. I really appreciate how the author includes themes and details which are accurate to the period. The author's note is a must read for me.
As usual, the whole team gathers the oddest bits of evidence to get to the truth. There is also a nice background of their personal and family lives.
COYER April Mystery RAT
Review copy was received from Netgalley . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I always love the Gaslight Mystery series and look forward to each one. I've enjoyed the various characters but was glad Frank and Sarah were well involved here, along with Maeve and Gino. Mother Malloy is one sharp cookie. The Deckers are always a pleasant addition and I love Catherine and Brian (wish we saw a bit more of them).
Sarah met a young woman who was writing an article about patent medicines. At this time, that didn't mean they had a patent or were even really medicine. They were more likely to be full of alcohol or heroin or opium. They were popular since they relieved pain but they didn't really cure anyone. Louisa was writing an expose of sorts about these medicines.
When Louisa turns up dead, her grieving father hires them to find her killer. Is it a purveyor of medicines who killed her? Is it someone at her rooming house or coworkers? Also, the family has all kinds of grudges and fights. Her mother wanted her to marry and not have a job. She and her brother never got along, because Louisa was excellent at school and a favorite of her father.
The fun thing about these stories is we learn a lot about the level of medicine, law enforcement, society classes and living conditions in New York City of this past time. In Murder in Rose Hill, President McKinley has just died and so it's likely Sarah's old friend Teddy will now be President. I really appreciate how the author includes themes and details which are accurate to the period. The author's note is a must read for me.
As usual, the whole team gathers the oddest bits of evidence to get to the truth. There is also a nice background of their personal and family lives.
COYER April Mystery RAT
May 13, 2024
A series of sad tragedies and a family torn apart. Sarah and Frank Malloy could never have guessed what a chance meeting with an ambitious young woman would lead to. Yet they are once again investigating a tragic and mysterious death the police are uninterested in with few clues or evidence to go on. Yet that’s never stopped them before and doesn’t now.
I’m a huge fan of the series and this latest installment does not disappoint! The victim was not all she purported to be, there are many suspects and few hard facts and the family is just downright confusing. I loved how realistic the world building is, including real life events along with some fictionalized ones as well. What results is an intriguing walk through history as we watch Malloy and all try to solve this puzzle. I especially loved the ending bit about Gino and Maeve!!
I’m a huge fan of the series and this latest installment does not disappoint! The victim was not all she purported to be, there are many suspects and few hard facts and the family is just downright confusing. I loved how realistic the world building is, including real life events along with some fictionalized ones as well. What results is an intriguing walk through history as we watch Malloy and all try to solve this puzzle. I especially loved the ending bit about Gino and Maeve!!
June 9, 2024
Gino & Maeve!!!!! So happy about that progress but very interested to see how Thompson handles it going forward.
Also enjoyed Mrs. Decker getting involved in another case; she’s great.
Like the previous book, I felt like the case let this one down. It was fun to have a case mostly centered on family drama again—haven’t had one of those in awhile—but I figured it out so early and the fact that our leads missed such obvious clues (like the powder papers) is an insult to their intelligence.
Still, a solid entry to the series; always looking forward to the next one.
Also enjoyed Mrs. Decker getting involved in another case; she’s great.
Like the previous book, I felt like the case let this one down. It was fun to have a case mostly centered on family drama again—haven’t had one of those in awhile—but I figured it out so early and the fact that our leads missed such obvious clues (like the powder papers) is an insult to their intelligence.
Still, a solid entry to the series; always looking forward to the next one.
June 5, 2024
Frank, Sarah and the rest become involved in solving a murder of a young woman that Sarah had recently met. Louisa was writing a story about what she considered a scam in the latest medical aids of patent medicines. The Malloys 's dig in to find the answers. Interesting subject and mystery.
January 14, 2024
Twenty-seven book in, there's a reason why I keep coming back to the Gaslight Mystery series. Because when it's firing on all cylinders, it's my favorite kind of comfort read. And Murder in Rose Hill has all the best things about the series: a good mystery, historical touchstones, and above all, lots of fun with our favorite characters.
The mystery begins with a murdered young woman and proceeds through the twists of her professional and personal life until all suspects are eliminated... all but the killer. Meanwhile, President McKinley has been shot, Sarah and Frank balance work and family, and Maeve may finally have to make a decision about Gino and their growing feelings for each other.
I really enjoyed the mystery of this one, which was a relief after Murder on Bedford Street disappointed me. While I still identified the murdere before our heroes, they weren't lagging so far behind me this time! There some very good suspects to choose from.
But most of all, I loved how much timed was spent with our main four interacting and moving forward in their personal plots. Sarah and Frank's martial bliss (and banter) had me grinning, and I was so glad to see real progress between Gino and Maeve – at long last! She, of course, continues to be the smartest of the bunch when it comes to mysteries, and now she's catching up in the interpersonal relationships department, too, which is gratifying, after all she's been through.
This book had me hooked from the start, then left me satisfied – but still wanting more. If you love the characters as much as i do, you won't be disappointed by Murder in Rose Hill.
My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The mystery begins with a murdered young woman and proceeds through the twists of her professional and personal life until all suspects are eliminated... all but the killer. Meanwhile, President McKinley has been shot, Sarah and Frank balance work and family, and Maeve may finally have to make a decision about Gino and their growing feelings for each other.
I really enjoyed the mystery of this one, which was a relief after Murder on Bedford Street disappointed me. While I still identified the murdere before our heroes, they weren't lagging so far behind me this time! There some very good suspects to choose from.
But most of all, I loved how much timed was spent with our main four interacting and moving forward in their personal plots. Sarah and Frank's martial bliss (and banter) had me grinning, and I was so glad to see real progress between Gino and Maeve – at long last! She, of course, continues to be the smartest of the bunch when it comes to mysteries, and now she's catching up in the interpersonal relationships department, too, which is gratifying, after all she's been through.
This book had me hooked from the start, then left me satisfied – but still wanting more. If you love the characters as much as i do, you won't be disappointed by Murder in Rose Hill.
My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2024
Murder in Rose Hill by Victoria Thompson, the 27th installment in the Gaslight Mystery series, stands out with its unique charm. Even if you're new to the series, you'll find it captivating as a stand-alone read. And if you weren't already a fan, prepare to add the previous 26 books to your TBR list, as this one will surely ignite your love for the series.
The characters in Murder in Rose Hill are not just well-developed, they are relatable and endearing. Sarah, in particular, is a character you can't help but root for. Her husband, Frank, is a fascinating figure, ahead of his time. The supporting cast, each with their unique charm, perfectly complements Sarah and Frank, making their journey all the more engaging.
The historical elements in Murder in Rose Hill are not mere background details, but integral parts of the story. The turn-of-the-century setting, with its detailed depiction of home life and the impact of news events, offers a captivating window into the past. This meticulous attention to historical detail not only enriches the narrative but also transported me to that time and place, enhancing my reading experience.
The mystery in Murder in Rose Hill unfolds early in the story, a delightful surprise. It takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of twists, turns, and revelations, leading to an ending that is impossible to predict. The strategic placement of red herrings keeps the suspense high, and the pacing is just right, ensuring the story never drags, but instead, kept me guessing and glued to the pages.
Murder in Rose Hill is an engaging historical mystery full of everything I love in the genre!
The characters in Murder in Rose Hill are not just well-developed, they are relatable and endearing. Sarah, in particular, is a character you can't help but root for. Her husband, Frank, is a fascinating figure, ahead of his time. The supporting cast, each with their unique charm, perfectly complements Sarah and Frank, making their journey all the more engaging.
The historical elements in Murder in Rose Hill are not mere background details, but integral parts of the story. The turn-of-the-century setting, with its detailed depiction of home life and the impact of news events, offers a captivating window into the past. This meticulous attention to historical detail not only enriches the narrative but also transported me to that time and place, enhancing my reading experience.
The mystery in Murder in Rose Hill unfolds early in the story, a delightful surprise. It takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride of twists, turns, and revelations, leading to an ending that is impossible to predict. The strategic placement of red herrings keeps the suspense high, and the pacing is just right, ensuring the story never drags, but instead, kept me guessing and glued to the pages.
Murder in Rose Hill is an engaging historical mystery full of everything I love in the genre!
May 25, 2024
This Gaslight series is my guilty pleasure, following the endearing Malloy family, Gino, and Maeve as they solve murders in turn-of-the 20th Century NYC. I can’t believe I’ve read 27 of them! The setting and historic details of New York City during the era and the charming, now familiar characters as they progress through their life milestones keep me coming back, even though the mysteries are predictable. This book has a somewhat more interesting premise than the last few, although solving the mystery was no challenge. I appreciated the patent medicine info, McKinley assassination background, and gas vs. electric vehicle details. I’m eager for #28.
July 10, 2024
The mysteries are still good, but I miss Frank, and his wife who was a lady who woke up all hours delivering babies, and helping those in need, with her carpet bag of medications,and medical tools along .She would do much , but still finds dead children all over the seedy town . I miss the murder mysteries that seemed to grow less in these books.. I miss Mollie now that her children are raised. They are uptown now, and her husband much respected. Parties, and dinners gave way to some emergencies, as she planned to pull back more . I missed the married couple spending quality time together, the talks at the table that included Geno, and other staff that showed an interest in solving crimes. Now they were above that with the money left to then. He no longer worked with the police, but went out with Gino to own a private detective agency. It runs fine, but it lacks warmth, and that is what made the stories great. Her husband had a small son who couldn’t hear. With new institutions, and Mother Malloy to show her his school days work. His older sister away in another town busy with her career, but did write and counted the days , until another visit could find them together again. it was a cozy book before, and I feel someone is streamlining it now Leaving the touches out that made these books a success. 3 stars.
December 23, 2023
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on April 23rd, 2024.
I like this late 19th/early 20th century series by Victoria Thompson starring midwife Sarah Malloy (nee Brandt) and her private detective husband Frank. The characters have continued developing at the rate of approximately one book per year since 1999 beginning with the initial meeting of the young widow and the rare, incorruptible Sergeant Frank Malloy. Thompson does an excellent job with historical detail — inserting each story in pieces of history with deftly integrated details that do not sound like a regurgitation of Wikipedia articles.
In this installment, Louise, a young woman determined to follow in muckraker Ida Tarbell’s footsteps, is digging up information to bring down the patent medicine industry which she is sure harms more people than it could possibly help. (She is clearly correct given that most potions are mixtures of alcohol, heroin, and cocaine!) When Louisa is found dead shortly after interviewing Sarah, her father comes to the Malloys asking for help in finding her killer. The story brings in the new technology of the time (electric motors! the telephone!) along with the mechanics of the police force, the (widely varying) attitudes towards women who choose education and working lives over lives as wives and mothers, and of course, the ubiquitousness and impact of patent medicines. Did you know that the word “flashlight” comes from the fact that the originals gave out only short bursts of light because batteries were weak and bulbs primitive? Pretty fascinating stuff!
The writing is fairly simple, the characters are likable, though not terribly introspective, I never do figure out whodunnit in advance, and the history illuminates the every day details of life in a completely foreign time period.
I like this late 19th/early 20th century series by Victoria Thompson starring midwife Sarah Malloy (nee Brandt) and her private detective husband Frank. The characters have continued developing at the rate of approximately one book per year since 1999 beginning with the initial meeting of the young widow and the rare, incorruptible Sergeant Frank Malloy. Thompson does an excellent job with historical detail — inserting each story in pieces of history with deftly integrated details that do not sound like a regurgitation of Wikipedia articles.
In this installment, Louise, a young woman determined to follow in muckraker Ida Tarbell’s footsteps, is digging up information to bring down the patent medicine industry which she is sure harms more people than it could possibly help. (She is clearly correct given that most potions are mixtures of alcohol, heroin, and cocaine!) When Louisa is found dead shortly after interviewing Sarah, her father comes to the Malloys asking for help in finding her killer. The story brings in the new technology of the time (electric motors! the telephone!) along with the mechanics of the police force, the (widely varying) attitudes towards women who choose education and working lives over lives as wives and mothers, and of course, the ubiquitousness and impact of patent medicines. Did you know that the word “flashlight” comes from the fact that the originals gave out only short bursts of light because batteries were weak and bulbs primitive? Pretty fascinating stuff!
The writing is fairly simple, the characters are likable, though not terribly introspective, I never do figure out whodunnit in advance, and the history illuminates the every day details of life in a completely foreign time period.
November 7, 2023
A young woman has a secretarial position in a magazine publishing office, but she longs to write and publish an expose on so-called patent medicines. She has no support from her mother who believes that a woman should be content being a wife and mother. Family conflict figures prominently in this intriguing mystery where a former police officer, now a private investigator, seeks to solve a murder that the police have no interest in. The plot is multi-faceted, the characters well developed, and the dialog is well written. I hope to read more by this author.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
November 4, 2023
I love the family feeling in this series. Both by blood and by friendship. Sarah and Frank once again have a case to work together. A young woman wants to interview Sarah about the tonics that are advertised and prescribed to women who have illnesses. She wants to know if she thinks they work or just get you addicted to the alcohol used in the making. When she winds up dead, Sarah sends the father to Frank to investigate.
November 10, 2023
This time Frank, Sarah, and the entire investigation team are on the trail of the killer of a young woman involved in muckraking journalism. Patent medicine also feature heavily and I enjoyed learning about the unregulated, often dangerous products that people turned to to relieve pain and cure disease. I’ll always be excited to visit gaslit New York with this group of characters.
NetGalley provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
NetGalley provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2023
This series is extremely predictable and I'm 100% here for it. Another solid, engaging, and entertaining entry in a series that is consistently all those things. More character development, more growing romance for some beloved side characters, and more appearances by Sarah's parents. The mystery was sneaky and I did not see it coming.
Was able to view an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thanks!
Was able to view an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thanks!
May 13, 2024
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Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
This new episode in the Gaslight Mystery series is excellent! Along with a hard-to-put-down, challenging mystery, I enjoy the historical accuracy. I smile when reading about the differences between the electric and gasoline motorcars in 1901, especially how electric motorcars were considered more for women drivers than men. The first day of the novel is the date that President McKinley was shot, and it was as defining a day for that generation as November 22, 1963 was for my contemporaries.
It is a delight to visit Sarah and Frank Malloy and their family. They are a close, loving couple who adore their children and are willing to help others. Sarah’s parents are wealthy and down-to-earth. It is funny to see how much her mother wants to help their investigations. Even her father is interested in doing his part. Frank’s mother, only called Mother Malloy, voices some of the simple, yet profound questions that help them with new clues or solutions.
Maeve, the nanny to their two children, enjoys everything she can do for the investigations, and works as the receptionist and secretary at Frank’s company when the children are in school. Gino was Frank’s younger partner on the police force and is now his partner in the private investigation firm. Gino adores Maeve, but she hesitates to give voice to her feelings for him. Mother Malloy is certain that a proposal is forthcoming.
Sarah was at the women’s clinic she founded on the Friday Louisa Rodgers came in for assistance with a magazine article. Louisa was writing about patent medicines that were available for almost every ailment, hoping that revealing the dangers would get them removed from the market. Most contained healing herbs with a large percentage of alcohol or opiates. Even women of the upper class used them for anything from colds to menopause, and some mother used them to help colicky babies. Sadly, women and even babies would become addicted. Sarah and Louisa conversed for a while that day, and Sarah gave her card to Louisa should she have additional questions.
The following week, Louisa’s father, Bernard Rodgers, came to the Malloy home. He found Sarah’s card in Louisa’s things. She had been found murdered in the lobby of the building where the magazine office was housed. He wanted her killer found, but the police said it was probably done at random and refused to investigate. He wondered how Sarah knew her, and she explained that Louisa asked questions regarding an article she was writing for her magazine. Mr. Rodgers was startled, as Louisa was a secretary, not a reporter, for the magazine.
Sarah explained about Frank’s private investigation firm, since Mr. Rodgers could get no help from New York City police. Sarah took Mr. Rodgers to Frank’s office, as he was very unsteady and emotional. He appreciated Frank’s responses, and quickly hired him. Frank and Gino were able to start working the case that day, and Maeve was thrilled to have an undercover role in the case.
I fully appreciated the work to find who killed Louisa, and how the author researched and wrote very believably of the era. Trying to find a killer in New York City at a time when there was no internet, few landline phones, no email or any other 21st century advantages was much more challenging than the present day. They had several suspects, including a co-worker Louisa refused to date and a too-friendly woman in the rooming house where Louisa lived. Within days, one of Louisa’s family members died. It appeared to be suicide, but more than one person was doubtful.
When it was finally determined who killed Louisa, I was only slightly surprised as it was someone I had considered on and off throughout. Overall, the end of the novel was very satisfying, and I even looked up some questions I had about patent medicines and President McKinley. I highly recommend this mystery and series!
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
This new episode in the Gaslight Mystery series is excellent! Along with a hard-to-put-down, challenging mystery, I enjoy the historical accuracy. I smile when reading about the differences between the electric and gasoline motorcars in 1901, especially how electric motorcars were considered more for women drivers than men. The first day of the novel is the date that President McKinley was shot, and it was as defining a day for that generation as November 22, 1963 was for my contemporaries.
It is a delight to visit Sarah and Frank Malloy and their family. They are a close, loving couple who adore their children and are willing to help others. Sarah’s parents are wealthy and down-to-earth. It is funny to see how much her mother wants to help their investigations. Even her father is interested in doing his part. Frank’s mother, only called Mother Malloy, voices some of the simple, yet profound questions that help them with new clues or solutions.
Maeve, the nanny to their two children, enjoys everything she can do for the investigations, and works as the receptionist and secretary at Frank’s company when the children are in school. Gino was Frank’s younger partner on the police force and is now his partner in the private investigation firm. Gino adores Maeve, but she hesitates to give voice to her feelings for him. Mother Malloy is certain that a proposal is forthcoming.
Sarah was at the women’s clinic she founded on the Friday Louisa Rodgers came in for assistance with a magazine article. Louisa was writing about patent medicines that were available for almost every ailment, hoping that revealing the dangers would get them removed from the market. Most contained healing herbs with a large percentage of alcohol or opiates. Even women of the upper class used them for anything from colds to menopause, and some mother used them to help colicky babies. Sadly, women and even babies would become addicted. Sarah and Louisa conversed for a while that day, and Sarah gave her card to Louisa should she have additional questions.
The following week, Louisa’s father, Bernard Rodgers, came to the Malloy home. He found Sarah’s card in Louisa’s things. She had been found murdered in the lobby of the building where the magazine office was housed. He wanted her killer found, but the police said it was probably done at random and refused to investigate. He wondered how Sarah knew her, and she explained that Louisa asked questions regarding an article she was writing for her magazine. Mr. Rodgers was startled, as Louisa was a secretary, not a reporter, for the magazine.
Sarah explained about Frank’s private investigation firm, since Mr. Rodgers could get no help from New York City police. Sarah took Mr. Rodgers to Frank’s office, as he was very unsteady and emotional. He appreciated Frank’s responses, and quickly hired him. Frank and Gino were able to start working the case that day, and Maeve was thrilled to have an undercover role in the case.
I fully appreciated the work to find who killed Louisa, and how the author researched and wrote very believably of the era. Trying to find a killer in New York City at a time when there was no internet, few landline phones, no email or any other 21st century advantages was much more challenging than the present day. They had several suspects, including a co-worker Louisa refused to date and a too-friendly woman in the rooming house where Louisa lived. Within days, one of Louisa’s family members died. It appeared to be suicide, but more than one person was doubtful.
When it was finally determined who killed Louisa, I was only slightly surprised as it was someone I had considered on and off throughout. Overall, the end of the novel was very satisfying, and I even looked up some questions I had about patent medicines and President McKinley. I highly recommend this mystery and series!
May 5, 2024
I don't know if everyone would agree with me that The Gaslight Mystery series is a five-star series, but certainly four stars, at least. I jump on each of the books that Thompson publishes, and once I get started, there's no stopping me until I've finished the latest addition.
The GM series takes place circa late 1890’s early 1900’s and each book includes a murder or two (or three), a social issue or two, some political observations of the period, and an invention or popular trend of the period. Over the series I have read about the invention of flashlights, gasoline and electric operated automobiles, opium dens, Strychnine/rat poison as a convenient preferred murder method employed by women, and numerous other delectable and atmospheric tidbits of the period.
In this latest book, Sarah is interviewed by a young would-be reporter, Louisa Rodgers, who is investigating the so-called "patent medicines", a popular plague of the early 20th century. The young woman has sought out Sarah to get her “take” on the popular “Patent” Medicines (no connection to the USPTO or other regulation). Patent medicine is all the rage among both wealthy and poor women of the period. (The reader should excuse my familiarity, but I am assuming that anyone reading this knows I am speaking of Sarah Malloy, previously the high society daughter of the wealthy Decker family, currently in a hitherto unheard-of marital union with an Irish (ex)-policeman - now wealthy Private Detective, Frank Malloy.)
As it turns out the would-be reporter is looking into the use of patent medicines for women's ailments in particular and as a touted cure-all, in general. I think the focus is mainly on women because these “medicines” are not commonly known to be comprised primarily of liquor. Men of the period most likely achieved the same results while imbibing at home, in private clubs, or public saloons.
Louisa is found murdered that same evening. Her father finds Sarah’s calling card among his daughters personal effects and seeks her out to understand why his daughter had Sarah’s card in her possession. Sarah suggests that he consult with her husband, Frank Malloy. Mr. Rodgers and his family are advocates of Temperance, the irony of which will become apparent later in the novel.
I did find it (sickly) amusing that in this novel we are exposed to numerous women who become addicted to the various brands of snake oil, and then wobble around rosy-cheeked, glassy-eyed and tipsy as they take more and more of the patent medicines for their pain or female ailments.
With this backdrop we also learn of McKinley’s assassination and the failed attempts of his medical practitioners to save him (I highly recommend Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President, which discusses the medical failure to save President Garfield 20 years earlier, presumably under similar circumstances), and Teddy Roosevelt’s unexpected ascension from VP to President.
I’ve already hinted a little at the possible murderer/s, even though one of the murders was committed by means not generally associated with the gender of the perpetrator, according to the detectives in this series.
Things are heating up between Maeve and Gino…do I hear wedding bells in their future? Felix Decker is not called into service in this book but Sarah’s mother gets into some mischief. Sarah’s superstitious next-door neighbor, Mrs. Ellsworth, has a few rough moments when a swallow crosses her threshold. Other than that, the novel takes the predictable path of throwing suspicion at a number of possible suspects while our gang of musketeers conduct their investigation until finally solving the case.
Did I say I love this series? Yes, I do!
The GM series takes place circa late 1890’s early 1900’s and each book includes a murder or two (or three), a social issue or two, some political observations of the period, and an invention or popular trend of the period. Over the series I have read about the invention of flashlights, gasoline and electric operated automobiles, opium dens, Strychnine/rat poison as a convenient preferred murder method employed by women, and numerous other delectable and atmospheric tidbits of the period.
In this latest book, Sarah is interviewed by a young would-be reporter, Louisa Rodgers, who is investigating the so-called "patent medicines", a popular plague of the early 20th century. The young woman has sought out Sarah to get her “take” on the popular “Patent” Medicines (no connection to the USPTO or other regulation). Patent medicine is all the rage among both wealthy and poor women of the period. (The reader should excuse my familiarity, but I am assuming that anyone reading this knows I am speaking of Sarah Malloy, previously the high society daughter of the wealthy Decker family, currently in a hitherto unheard-of marital union with an Irish (ex)-policeman - now wealthy Private Detective, Frank Malloy.)
As it turns out the would-be reporter is looking into the use of patent medicines for women's ailments in particular and as a touted cure-all, in general. I think the focus is mainly on women because these “medicines” are not commonly known to be comprised primarily of liquor. Men of the period most likely achieved the same results while imbibing at home, in private clubs, or public saloons.
Louisa is found murdered that same evening. Her father finds Sarah’s calling card among his daughters personal effects and seeks her out to understand why his daughter had Sarah’s card in her possession. Sarah suggests that he consult with her husband, Frank Malloy. Mr. Rodgers and his family are advocates of Temperance, the irony of which will become apparent later in the novel.
I did find it (sickly) amusing that in this novel we are exposed to numerous women who become addicted to the various brands of snake oil, and then wobble around rosy-cheeked, glassy-eyed and tipsy as they take more and more of the patent medicines for their pain or female ailments.
With this backdrop we also learn of McKinley’s assassination and the failed attempts of his medical practitioners to save him (I highly recommend Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President, which discusses the medical failure to save President Garfield 20 years earlier, presumably under similar circumstances), and Teddy Roosevelt’s unexpected ascension from VP to President.
I’ve already hinted a little at the possible murderer/s, even though one of the murders was committed by means not generally associated with the gender of the perpetrator, according to the detectives in this series.
Things are heating up between Maeve and Gino…do I hear wedding bells in their future? Felix Decker is not called into service in this book but Sarah’s mother gets into some mischief. Sarah’s superstitious next-door neighbor, Mrs. Ellsworth, has a few rough moments when a swallow crosses her threshold. Other than that, the novel takes the predictable path of throwing suspicion at a number of possible suspects while our gang of musketeers conduct their investigation until finally solving the case.
Did I say I love this series? Yes, I do!
April 25, 2024
At the beginning of
Murder in Rose Hill
, Louisa Rodgers stops by Sarah’s clinic to interview her about a story she plans to write for an infant magazine, New Century. Sarah is surprised because very few women writers were on staff at the turn of the 20th century. Louisa’s topic, also a surprise, is women’s health, focusing on the charlatans who manufacture patent medicines. Sarah shares Louisa’s concerns and cooperates, giving her information for the article. When Louisa’s father learns of her homicide, he hires Frank Malloy, through Sarah, to find the murderer.
The mystery has many potential suspects. Even though I zeroed in on the actual killer early, I couldn’t cross off some suspects completely. I enjoyed following Sarah, Frank, and the team as they tracked down clues and finally revealed the killer. It was an incredible journey with fantastic characters. I love that we get an update on the main characters’ personal lives. They are delightful book friends that I enjoy visiting every year.
What I love about good historical authors is their ability to weave actual events seamlessly into their stories. Ms. Thompson gives us a taste of life at the turn of the twentieth century by painting a verbal picture of the haves and the have-nots during the era. It is a sad time for some women and people who are not wealthy. Their quest to achieve their goals is almost impossible. Murder in Rose Hill is set in the fall of 1901. Behind the scenes, we learn President McKinley was shot. As vice president, Theodore Roosevelt had a good chance of moving into the presidency. Magazines are beginning to write exposés to shine a light on the corruption in the oil industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and the mistreatment of employees.
I have been a big fan of the Gaslight Mystery series since I read the first book. As soon as I see the release date, I put the next book on my TBR list and calendar to order immediately. While each book works as a standalone novel, a lot of the history of the characters and their struggle to get where they are is missed.
I can’t wait to see where Victoria Thompson will take us in the next book.
The mystery has many potential suspects. Even though I zeroed in on the actual killer early, I couldn’t cross off some suspects completely. I enjoyed following Sarah, Frank, and the team as they tracked down clues and finally revealed the killer. It was an incredible journey with fantastic characters. I love that we get an update on the main characters’ personal lives. They are delightful book friends that I enjoy visiting every year.
What I love about good historical authors is their ability to weave actual events seamlessly into their stories. Ms. Thompson gives us a taste of life at the turn of the twentieth century by painting a verbal picture of the haves and the have-nots during the era. It is a sad time for some women and people who are not wealthy. Their quest to achieve their goals is almost impossible. Murder in Rose Hill is set in the fall of 1901. Behind the scenes, we learn President McKinley was shot. As vice president, Theodore Roosevelt had a good chance of moving into the presidency. Magazines are beginning to write exposés to shine a light on the corruption in the oil industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and the mistreatment of employees.
I have been a big fan of the Gaslight Mystery series since I read the first book. As soon as I see the release date, I put the next book on my TBR list and calendar to order immediately. While each book works as a standalone novel, a lot of the history of the characters and their struggle to get where they are is missed.
I can’t wait to see where Victoria Thompson will take us in the next book.
April 8, 2024
“Sarah often regretted how very much she knew about murder.” Thank you for the free book @BerkleyPub #berkleypartner #berkley #BerkleyBookstagram #berkleyinfluencers
“Murder in Rose Hill” (Gaslight Mystery #27) by Victoria Thompson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Historical Mystery. Location: New York City, New York, USA. Time: Early 1800s.
THE SERIES: Midwife Sarah Brandt (later Sarah Brandt Molloy) and police detective (later private detective) Frank Molloy fall in love. They create a blended and found family: Catherine-Sarah’s daughter, a formerly homeless ward, Maeve-former grifter turned detective assistant and nanny, Brian-John’s son who is deaf, Gino-detective employee, Mother Molloy-Frank’s mother, and Sarah’s parents Mr and Mrs Decker. Together, they solve crimes full of twists and turns in a society that doesn’t always appreciate their efforts.
THIS BOOK: At the Lower East Side women’s clinic she started and funds, Sarah is interviewed by Louisa Rodgers for an article on patent remedies. Sarah tells her exactly what she thinks of hurtful “medicines” that include alcohol and other addictive drugs. A few days later, Louisa is found strangled at her workplace. Police say Louisa got what she deserved and won’t investigate. Her grieving father asks Sarah and husband Frank to investigate. They soon find Louisa is not who she claimed to be.
Author Thompson has written another delightful cozy mystery with more red herrings than Agatha Christie could think up. As always, she inserts real history into the story. In this book, it’s the assassination of President McKinley, and the history of patent medicines. This may be #27 in the series, but Thompson inserts plenty of backstory so you can easily read it as a stand-alone. If you’re a fan of Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy series, pick up this book! It’s 4 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼♀️
“Murder in Rose Hill” (Gaslight Mystery #27) by Victoria Thompson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Historical Mystery. Location: New York City, New York, USA. Time: Early 1800s.
THE SERIES: Midwife Sarah Brandt (later Sarah Brandt Molloy) and police detective (later private detective) Frank Molloy fall in love. They create a blended and found family: Catherine-Sarah’s daughter, a formerly homeless ward, Maeve-former grifter turned detective assistant and nanny, Brian-John’s son who is deaf, Gino-detective employee, Mother Molloy-Frank’s mother, and Sarah’s parents Mr and Mrs Decker. Together, they solve crimes full of twists and turns in a society that doesn’t always appreciate their efforts.
THIS BOOK: At the Lower East Side women’s clinic she started and funds, Sarah is interviewed by Louisa Rodgers for an article on patent remedies. Sarah tells her exactly what she thinks of hurtful “medicines” that include alcohol and other addictive drugs. A few days later, Louisa is found strangled at her workplace. Police say Louisa got what she deserved and won’t investigate. Her grieving father asks Sarah and husband Frank to investigate. They soon find Louisa is not who she claimed to be.
Author Thompson has written another delightful cozy mystery with more red herrings than Agatha Christie could think up. As always, she inserts real history into the story. In this book, it’s the assassination of President McKinley, and the history of patent medicines. This may be #27 in the series, but Thompson inserts plenty of backstory so you can easily read it as a stand-alone. If you’re a fan of Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy series, pick up this book! It’s 4 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼♀️
April 23, 2024
My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Berkley. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery, Mystery
Gore Level: Low
Swearing: I wasn't aware of any.
Readability: Highly! This is #27 in the series, but I found it easy to read without having read the previous books
I can't believe I've never read a book by Victoria Thompson—this is a solid cozy mystery, the historical details are interesting, and I was hooked! NOW I must read more!
The dynamic between the characters is great—there are three main couples on the investigative side, but one set are the parents of our main investigative team, and the other set are employed. I enjoyed how each person had a distinct personality and reflected different aspects of society. There's the high society, the change in society, and the growing relationships between different migrant populations.
For the murder. As soon as we met the young wannabe reporter, I knew she was in extreme danger. Can you imagine going against the patent medicine industry at that time as a woman? Wow! She was gutsy. And she pays for that with her life. But whodunnit? You've got the lover, the newspaper, the patent medicine companies, and the homeless man who hung around that building. Heck, you've even got women from her rooming house who are jealous. The police have wrapped up the case, but it's not solved. There are so many viable suspects which made this a delicious cozy mystery.
I liked how the investigators were fallible and muddling through. It felt more realistic in that way. I also enjoyed the historical touches of Roosevelt that were thrown into the mix. It was truly a rich world.
I highly recommend this mystery.
Happy (sleuthing) reading!
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery, Mystery
Gore Level: Low
Swearing: I wasn't aware of any.
Readability: Highly! This is #27 in the series, but I found it easy to read without having read the previous books
I can't believe I've never read a book by Victoria Thompson—this is a solid cozy mystery, the historical details are interesting, and I was hooked! NOW I must read more!
The dynamic between the characters is great—there are three main couples on the investigative side, but one set are the parents of our main investigative team, and the other set are employed. I enjoyed how each person had a distinct personality and reflected different aspects of society. There's the high society, the change in society, and the growing relationships between different migrant populations.
For the murder. As soon as we met the young wannabe reporter, I knew she was in extreme danger. Can you imagine going against the patent medicine industry at that time as a woman? Wow! She was gutsy. And she pays for that with her life. But whodunnit? You've got the lover, the newspaper, the patent medicine companies, and the homeless man who hung around that building. Heck, you've even got women from her rooming house who are jealous. The police have wrapped up the case, but it's not solved. There are so many viable suspects which made this a delicious cozy mystery.
I liked how the investigators were fallible and muddling through. It felt more realistic in that way. I also enjoyed the historical touches of Roosevelt that were thrown into the mix. It was truly a rich world.
I highly recommend this mystery.
Happy (sleuthing) reading!
May 19, 2024
It was okay. These books used to be charming and fun. Now some of the characters are annoying and well stupid. In fact Frank is about the only person with any sort of brains here and even he did things in this book that he should've been smart enough not to. The story involves a young hopeful female reporter, Louisa who is looking into an expose on patent medicines. She's found dead in the office of the newspaper she worked for. The police write off the death as some random homeless person attacking her and so the father of the victim asks Frank to investigate. Along with Sarah, Gino and Maeve they dive into this case. They uncover a secret fiancé, a supposed best friend who might be stealing from her, a company selling cure all medicines to a trusting public who would do anything to protect their business. Then someone else close to Louisa dies under unusual circumstances. The mystery itself wasn't bad but Maeve and Gino annoy me. While Frank and Sarah's romance was a slow build and I remember being invested in it and that's what kept me reading, these two are just cringe and the author is trying to recreate the same obstacles that Frank and Sarah had but there really isn't anything keeping them apart from themselves. Sarah's mother well I wanted to slap her for being so stupid. It's basically a criminal investigation and you just barge in like it's a freaking fun tea party where you can gossip? Argh! I miss the older books. I think a big draw of the series was if Sarah and Frank would ever get together and now they are it just isn't the same. The mysteries are still decent but the little stories going on in the background just isn't there anymore.
July 10, 2024
Hard to believe that this is book #27 in the series! Each time I think I won't read the next book, but I do and am glad I did! Each mystery continues to be fresh and I love when Sarah's parents get involved in solving the mystery. The characters' side stories also keep evolving.
"Sarah Malloy has just helped with the delivery of a bouncing baby girl at her women’s clinic, when she receives a visit from an engaging and determined young woman writing an article for New Century Magazine. Louisa Rodgers explains that she is researching the dangers of patent remedies. Sarah is only too happy to tell Louisa exactly what she thinks of the so-called medicines whose ingredients include heavy doses of alcohol and other addictive drugs, and hurt much more than they help. A few days later, Sarah receives a visit from a bereft Bernard Rodgers, who explains that his daughter, Louisa, has been found strangled in the lobby of the building where New Century has its offices. The police have decided it was a random attack and have made no attempt to investigate, hinting that Louisa got what she deserved for sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. Sarah wants justice for the bright young woman but as she and Frank delve deeper into Louisa’s life, they find that nothing is quite as it seemed and Louisa is not who she claimed to be. The Malloys must first solve the mystery of Louisa’s life before they can figure out who wanted to see her dead."
"Sarah Malloy has just helped with the delivery of a bouncing baby girl at her women’s clinic, when she receives a visit from an engaging and determined young woman writing an article for New Century Magazine. Louisa Rodgers explains that she is researching the dangers of patent remedies. Sarah is only too happy to tell Louisa exactly what she thinks of the so-called medicines whose ingredients include heavy doses of alcohol and other addictive drugs, and hurt much more than they help. A few days later, Sarah receives a visit from a bereft Bernard Rodgers, who explains that his daughter, Louisa, has been found strangled in the lobby of the building where New Century has its offices. The police have decided it was a random attack and have made no attempt to investigate, hinting that Louisa got what she deserved for sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. Sarah wants justice for the bright young woman but as she and Frank delve deeper into Louisa’s life, they find that nothing is quite as it seemed and Louisa is not who she claimed to be. The Malloys must first solve the mystery of Louisa’s life before they can figure out who wanted to see her dead."
April 20, 2024
This 27th book in the Gaslight Mystery series is an outstanding example of what keeps me going back for more episodes. Here are five things to love about this latest addition:
🌹 The character development. Frank, Sarah, Gino, Maeve, and even Mrs. Decker participate in the investigation seamlessly. They are all at different stages in their abilities and that shows. Still the team will be successful, because they pull together.
🌹Mother Malloy (Frank's mother) may sit in the corner knitting while they discuss the case, but she has many a pearl of wisdom to impart. Less is more with this lady!
🌹The inclusion of patent medicines like Watson's Blood Purifier which is featured in this story. Remedies like this were often up to 50% alcohol and the manufacturers counted on the addiction to keep their customers coming back.
🌹The NYC setting is, as always, a fascinating piece of the narrative. As time marches on in the series, the streets of New York also change. Automobiles are becoming more prevalent as the timeline has reached 1901.
🌹History buffs will know that President William McKinley was shot that year. His VP was Teddy Roosevelt -- once the police commissioner of NYC and a friend of the Malloy family. Looking forward to a White House visit in the future.
Many thanks to Berkley and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
🌹 The character development. Frank, Sarah, Gino, Maeve, and even Mrs. Decker participate in the investigation seamlessly. They are all at different stages in their abilities and that shows. Still the team will be successful, because they pull together.
🌹Mother Malloy (Frank's mother) may sit in the corner knitting while they discuss the case, but she has many a pearl of wisdom to impart. Less is more with this lady!
🌹The inclusion of patent medicines like Watson's Blood Purifier which is featured in this story. Remedies like this were often up to 50% alcohol and the manufacturers counted on the addiction to keep their customers coming back.
🌹The NYC setting is, as always, a fascinating piece of the narrative. As time marches on in the series, the streets of New York also change. Automobiles are becoming more prevalent as the timeline has reached 1901.
🌹History buffs will know that President William McKinley was shot that year. His VP was Teddy Roosevelt -- once the police commissioner of NYC and a friend of the Malloy family. Looking forward to a White House visit in the future.
Many thanks to Berkley and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
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