Murder On Bank Street - Victoria Thompson
Murder On Bank Street
A Gaslight Mystery
Victoria Thompson
Berkley Prime Crime
Mystery/Historical
Sarah Brandt, a widow, makes her living as a midwife in New York City in 1897. Four years earlier, her husband, a doctor known to the poor as an honest man who treated illness first and asked for payment later, if at all, was murdered. The crime was never solved. In truth, as Detective Sgt. Frank Malloy discovers quite quickly, the crime was never really investigated since the family didn’t put up a reward. Sarah’s family is quite wealthy and could easily have afforded a reward, but always felt that she married beneath her (and them) when she married the penniless doctor.
Now that Sarah and Frank have moved to a place somewhere beyond friendship, Frank wants to solve the crime to get justice for Sarah. His investigation quickly turns up the fact that a street boy was seen leading the doctor to parts unknown on the night of his death. The murderer may have been a wealthy man with a silver cane. And it doesn’t take long to find out that Dr. Brandt was involved in treating a young woman with serious mental problems. The young woman’s father blamed Dr. Brandt for what happened to her. But the most horrifying fact to come out is that the name “Decker” was heard in connection with the murder. “Decker” is Sarah’s family name.
This is part of a long-running series (MURDER IN CHINATOWN) but the author presents background material subtly, never overshadowing the story. The fact that the crime being investigated pre-dates the start of the series makes this installment an ideal introduction for new readers of the series. The author’s descriptions and explanations are skillfully woven into the narrative, making late-nineteenth-century New York City and its various citizens come to life. The mystery is involving, and the investigation fascinating to follow; but, as longtime readers know, it’s the place and the characters that inhabit it that make this series a standout.
Rating: 8
June 2008
A Gaslight Mystery
Victoria Thompson
Berkley Prime Crime
Mystery/Historical
Sarah Brandt, a widow, makes her living as a midwife in New York City in 1897. Four years earlier, her husband, a doctor known to the poor as an honest man who treated illness first and asked for payment later, if at all, was murdered. The crime was never solved. In truth, as Detective Sgt. Frank Malloy discovers quite quickly, the crime was never really investigated since the family didn’t put up a reward. Sarah’s family is quite wealthy and could easily have afforded a reward, but always felt that she married beneath her (and them) when she married the penniless doctor.
Now that Sarah and Frank have moved to a place somewhere beyond friendship, Frank wants to solve the crime to get justice for Sarah. His investigation quickly turns up the fact that a street boy was seen leading the doctor to parts unknown on the night of his death. The murderer may have been a wealthy man with a silver cane. And it doesn’t take long to find out that Dr. Brandt was involved in treating a young woman with serious mental problems. The young woman’s father blamed Dr. Brandt for what happened to her. But the most horrifying fact to come out is that the name “Decker” was heard in connection with the murder. “Decker” is Sarah’s family name.
This is part of a long-running series (MURDER IN CHINATOWN) but the author presents background material subtly, never overshadowing the story. The fact that the crime being investigated pre-dates the start of the series makes this installment an ideal introduction for new readers of the series. The author’s descriptions and explanations are skillfully woven into the narrative, making late-nineteenth-century New York City and its various citizens come to life. The mystery is involving, and the investigation fascinating to follow; but, as longtime readers know, it’s the place and the characters that inhabit it that make this series a standout.
Rating: 8
June 2008
ISBN# 978-0-425-22151-8 (hardcover)
posted by Deborah Hern @ 11:51 PM
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