Review and Giveaway: Murder on Fifth Avenue

Murder on Fifth Avenue (Gaslight Mystery - Book 14) By Victoria Thompson

Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425255379
ISBN-13: 978-0425255377

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound

Victoria Thompson on the WEB: Webpage, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the Series:

Murder on Astor Place (1999), Murder at St. Mark's Place (2000), Murder on Gramercy Park (2001), Murder on Washington Square (2002), Murder on Mulberry Bend (2003), Murder on Marble Row (2004), Murder on Lenox Hill (2005), Murder in Little Italy (2006), Murder in Chinatown (2007), Murder on Bank Street (2008), Murder on Waverly Place (2009), Murder on Lexington Avenue (2010), Murder on Sister's Row (2011), Murder on Fifth Avenue (2012) (Hardback)

Coverart: Click on the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from Murder on Fifth Avenue, courtesy of Amazon.

Synopsis:

From the tenements to the town houses of nineteenth-century New York, midwife Sarah Brandt and Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy never waiver in their mission to aid the innocent and apprehend the guilty. Now, the latest novel in the Edgar®-nominated series finds Sarah and Malloy investigating the murder of a Knickerbocker club member who was made to pay his dues...

A Gaslight Mystery

Sarah Brandt's family is one of the oldest in New York City, and her father, Felix Decker, takes his position in society very seriously. He still refuses to resign himself to his daughter being involved with an Irish Catholic police detective. But when a member of his private club--the very exclusive Knickerbocker--is murdered, Decker forms an uneasy alliance with Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy to solve the crime as discreetly as possible.

Malloy soon discovers that despite his social standing, the deceased--Chilton Devries--was no gentleman. In fact, he's left behind his own unofficial club of sorts, populated by everyone who despised him. As he and Sarah sort through the suspects, it becomes clear to her that her father is evaluating more than the detective's investigative abilities, and that, on a personal level, there is much more at stake for Malloy than discovering who revoked Devries' membership--permanently

Thoughts:

Victoria Thompson's Gaslight Mystery series continues with the paperback release of her book, Murder on Fifth Avenue. Thompson's grasp of nineteenth century customs and clothing, as well as, her ideas on Victorian behavior make this book and series, a real gem. Readers who have read any of the 13 other books in this series already know that Sarah Brandt is quite the heroine but new readers to the series will also fall in love with her quirky sense of humor and her heroics. Thompson wins again with this book. It's a great addition to the series. 

This is such a good historical cozy mystery series. I always enjoy cozies that have more than one genre mixed together. Thompson's use of the historical makes this series appeal to readers of both genres, historical fiction and cozy mysteries. It's a mix that works with a heroine like Sarah Brandt. Sarah is mid-wife who dabbles in a little amateur sleuthing. But back in Victorian days sleuthing was certainly not a respectable job for a lady. Thompson uses that to her advantage and gives this mystery a great dose of history!

Thompson has a wealth of knowledge about the nineteenth century which comes out in everyone of the Gaslight mysteries. Everything from the occupations to the correct dress and attitudes of the times are carefully added into each mystery. Murder on Fifth Avenue is no exception. Sarah and Frank are once again on a mission and readers will wait with baited breath as they find the clues to solve this one of a kind historical mystery.

But it isn't all about the mystery and in this one Sarah's father isn't just looking to see how Mallory puts the pieces together. It's about whether or not he is the right man for another job. It adds another level to the book and gives readers a hint of what might be to come in future books. That little slip of romance makes this book extra special. 

With great characters and a vast knowledge of the nineteenth century, Victoria Thompson once again gives readers just what they are looking for... a great historical mystery!

Murder on Fifth Avenue is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

In her previous life, Victoria Thompson was the bestselling author of twenty historical romances, a career that gave her a great admiration for life in the 19th Century. Now she is writing the Gaslight Mystery Series, featuring midwife Sarah Brandt and police detective Frank Malloy, for Berkley Prime Crime.    

Giveaway Details: 

The publisher is providing a one copy giveaway of Murder on Fifth Avenue by Victoria Thompson.

~You must be a GFC follower or an email subscriber to participate.
~US addresses only (publisher request)
~The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, June 12th.

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