Murder on Gramercy Park: A Gaslight Mystery

As in the prior books, the description of life in 1890s NYC is one of the strengths of this story, as are the development of the main characters and their relationship. This time, though, the mystery is much better, with more red herrings and plausible motives / killers, all to keep the reader guessing and re-guessing who did what. This time the historical aspects explored are addiction and medical quackery, neither of which, of course, is limited to the turn of the last century. Interesting parallels are drawn between Teddy Roosevelt's plan to reform the corrupt NYPD and the moral development of the main character. The family lives of the main characters continue to develop and deepen. Well written overall, and improved mystery writing. The series continues to deepen and impress in multiple fronts.

Gramercy Park is another excellent book in the Gaslight series. My only real issue with it was all the talk of another body having been found in the house by Sarah. In Astor Place the only bodies were in a lodging house and then outside a home. In St Mark's Square the bodies were all found in the street. So who is being referred to?

Other then that annoyance I really enjoyed the book.

New York Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy summons Sarah Brandt, a midwife, to the elegant home of famed magnetic healer Edmund Blackwell. Mrs. Blackwell has gone into labor after finding her husband dead in their home.
Frank determines that Mr. Blackwell was murdered although it appears the killer tried to make it look like suicide. As he begins investigating, Sarah, who has helped him with previous investigations, has to keep returning to the Blackwell's since their new son has become ill. In her many trips to their home, she begins to find out some important information regarding his death. Frank does not want her helping with the investigation, but realizes his wishes will not be heeded.
Frank and Sarah find that things were not as happy in the Blackwell household as first thought. Then there are all Mr. Blackwell's female clients who seem overly upset over his death. And there is a scandal that was about to be made known in Blackwell's past. Is his assistant too eager to take over? Who killed him and why? Could it have been regarding one of these issues or is there another issue they don't know about yet.
Normally I don't like mysteries set back in time, but this is one of the few series that are the exception. This series is so well written. The characters are so real and the time-period laid out so well. I often find myself amazed that the police back then were so brutal and so many people were living well below poverty. The darkness of New York really adds to this series. Her writing of the time and the way she lays out the story without giving the killer away is terrific. You never know until the killer is revealed who did it.
This cozy mystery is great. I highly recommend this book as well as the whole series.

All right, so I was motivated this evening. I sat down with "Murder on Gramercy Park" by Victoria Thompson. All in all, it was a good read.

She writes mystery novels set in turn-of-the-century New York City (early 1900s). There's a whole series out, and I believe she's still working on them. But basically, the premise is simple: Frank Malloy is a disillusioned Irish cop. While on a case, he happens to meet Sarah Brandt, a midwife who - after her doctor husband's murder - has left her high society status to become a midwife and continue her husband's work. Sarah inadvertantly stumbles across information that helps Malloy and their friendship goes from there.

I like these books because they're not blatantly predictable. Plus, there's a touch of an historical air to them, which is nice.

I recommend them.

NYPD Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy and midwife Sarah Brandt join forces again to solve the murder of a famed "magnetic healer", Edmund Blackwell. As the story opens, "Dr." Blackwell's body is discovered in his study by his pregnant wife Letitia. The shock of finding her husband's dead body causes Mrs. Blackwell to go in to labor. Sergeant Malloy, who was already on the scene at the Blackwell home to investigate Mr. Blackwell's death, summons midwife Sarah Brandt to assist with the delivery. Sergeant Malloy quickly concludes that, although made to appear a suicide, Dr. Blackwell was actually murdered. As Frank Malloy and Sarah Brandt uncover more and more of the Blackwell family secrets, more and more murder suspects develop.

The murder mystery in this third "Gaslight Mystery" is very strongly plotted. The mystery is a real page-turner. And I find the main characters of Frank Malloy and Sarah Brandt to be very real and likable. Author Thompson continues to hint at a romance developing between the two. Readers will have to wait for subsequent stories in this series to see if that romance forms. Finally, the author does a great job of setting the scene of turn-of-the-century New York City.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Murder on Gramercy Park" and the other stories which I've read in this series, and I eagerly anticipate reading the ones I have yet to read.

Every time I read another book by Victoria Thompson I really get excited and can't seem to put her books down. This book I really couldn't figure out who did the murder. I can't wait to start the next book in the series. Please keep them coming and If you like a little history of NY city and mysteries you will like this series. I think this is a must read.

Like historical books The Gaslight Mysteries will take you back to the turn of the century to learn about life in New York City. Sarah Brandt a midwife and Irish Detective Frank Mallory meet at MURDER sites where Sarah is delivering a baby. All sections of society are shown. The relationship between Frank and Sarah continues to grow with each book. In this book Sarah is called to help deliver a baby after Mrs Blackwell discovers her husband dead. Sarah works to help Frank solve the murder and prevent a scandal. The spiral turns the story takes are unusual and will surprise you.

Sarah is called to a high society neighborhood to deliver a baby. The mother, Lettitia has just discovered the body of her husband. It is made to look like suicide but is actually a murder. Malloy sends for her but does not want her involved in trying to solve the murder. Sarah has different ideas.

I enjoy the time period of this series and the relationship between Sarah and Malloy. I look forward to the next one.

I really enjoy these mysteries that take place during the late 1800s. So much was changing. Against this interesting backdrop are these wonderful mysteries full of intriguing characters. I'm so glad there's more.

This third book in Thompson's Gaslight Series takes place mostly in a neighbourhood that is much more well-to-do than where Sarah Brandt or Malloy are used to, but Sarah's birthright aids her in dealing with the protagonists in this book, since she comes from very high society indeed. The book begins with the birth of a baby, and nothing is unusual about that since Sarah is a midwife, but the birth has come shortly after a man has been found shot dead in this house. Is it suicide, as it is made to look? Both Malloy and Sarah know that this is not a suicide, and they set out to find the killer. On the way they uncover so many family secrets, that they almost have more suspects than killers. These books are pretty well-written and immensely entertaining.

Murder on Gramercy Park by Victoria Thompson is the third book in the Gaslight Mystery series starring midwife Sarah Brandt and Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy. In this entry, Edmund Blackwell a magnetic healer is murdered in his own home, and it seems like everyone had a reason to kill him, including his pregnant wife, his unknown son, his business partner and many more. Thompson does a good job spreading the blame around so that everyone looks guilty. The growing relationship between Sarah and Frank is gaining strength as they both acknowledge their feelings for each other. The dialogue isn't as snappy as in other mysteries, but it's still very enjoyable to read.

"Murder on Gramercy Park" is a solid addition to the Gaslight Mysteries. Sarah Brandt & Frank Malloy continue their verbal sparring (flirtation), & I hope to see them together soon. I can see the tension getting old in the next few books. The addition of Frank's son, Brian, adds an interesting element to the series; in this installment, Brian sees a surgeon about his club foot, & Frank sees Sarah's maternal instincts when she is around Brian.

The mystery was intriguing, & several possible suspects were introduced. The victim, Dr. Blackwell, was a mesmerist, but I would have liked to see a little more on the subject. However, the author does provide an interesting look into turn of the century morphine users & opium dens.

I started reading this series about 3 weeks ago and I am absolutely hooked. They are easy to follow, light reading. I love the dynamic between Sarah Brandt and Detective Malloy. If you're looking for a book that is historically accurate this may not be for you. If you are looking for something to captivate your mind for awhile this is it. The story is not predictable as many mysteries are which is the main reason I have been so taken in by this series.