Book Review: Victoria Thompson - Murder on Astor Place

Book Review

My Rating: Three out of Five 

(1=didn't like it, 2=it was ok, 3=I liked it, 4=Really like it, 5=it was amazing)

~ Victoria Thompson: Murder on Astor Place (Gaslight Mystery series, #1)~

Cover:

After a routine delivery, Sarah visits her patient in a rooming house – and discovers that another boarder, a young girl, has been killed. At the request of Sergeant Frank Malloy, she searches the girl's room. She discovers that the victim is from one of the most prominent families in New York – and the sister of an old friend. The powerful family, fearful of scandal, refuses to permit an investigation. But with Malloy's help, Sarah begins a dangerous quest to bring the killer to justice – before death claims another victim.

My take:

I'm a fan of a good written mystery novel, as most you will know from my blog. While this book held my interest, it did feel a little slow in making the reader 'like' the two main characters.

To be fair the life in New York couldn't have any easy one, even a good day, so writing about a time period from a few hundreds years ago would be challenging, I do believe that the writer did pull it off, the story plot was believable and executed rather well.

While Sarah Brandt is reluctant to believe that Malloy can do his job, she starts asking questions herself to find the person responsible. She does find that its not as easy she would have thought. Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy is working the case and has a few problems with the midwife, mostly her career choice.

However, the feeling of 'sexual tension' between the main characters did seem to run on a predictable schedule and felt as those the author couldn't decide if she wanted the main characters to always be stand-offish to each other or have them decide to let the 'past be the past' and get together.

With that being said, I do think I will see if I can find the next book in the series, just to see if the author continues the same way with the main characters and if the next gaslight mystery, still set in New York, is good.

Warning: Contains sexual themes and violence that may be uncomfortable for sensitive readers.

Disclaimer: This book review was not paid for. The opinions and review are my own.

Author: Victoria Thompson

Book: Murder on Astor Place (Gaslight Mystery)

ISBN: 978-0-425-22972-9

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group, The

Copyright: 1999

Pages: 278, Paperback
Genre: Historical Mystery