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winemakerssister's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I've been meaning to try this series for quite a while. And even though I figured it out early on, it was still a good solid mystery. I liked the MCs - Sara Brandt and Malloy - and especially enjoyed the era and setting. NYC in the 1890s was a fascinating time and place.
I've been meaning to try this series for quite a while. And even though I figured it out early on, it was still a good solid mystery. I liked the MCs - Sara Brandt and Malloy - and especially enjoyed the era and setting. NYC in the 1890s was a fascinating time and place.
aritrigupta's review against another edition
2.0
Cozy mystery yes! A quick read too.
It was a good foundation to the rest of the books in the series, which if I go by the reviews are much better than this.
Honestly, the writing was quite juvenile. Everything was over explained, there were easy coincidences, dialogues were forced. But I did like both Sarah Brandt and Frank Malloy - they were intriguing and the book left so much to develop in both of them in the consecutive stories. That is what I'm hoping to find if I pick up any other in the series.
It was a good foundation to the rest of the books in the series, which if I go by the reviews are much better than this.
Honestly, the writing was quite juvenile. Everything was over explained, there were easy coincidences, dialogues were forced. But I did like both Sarah Brandt and Frank Malloy - they were intriguing and the book left so much to develop in both of them in the consecutive stories. That is what I'm hoping to find if I pick up any other in the series.
deschatjes's review against another edition
3.0
Worthwhile crime novel for relaxing reading. Some interesting themes. Protagonist perhaps a bit too 20th Century sensibilities projected backwards, but worth a read.
jennc's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. It was interesting, entertaining and surprising. I loved Sarah, the main character and loved the insights she had into the time she was living in. I am definitely looking forward to reading more in this series. #1 of my 10 authors to try this year.
kmthomas06's review against another edition
2.0
Not my favorite mystery - the main characters are a bit hard to warm up to. I ended up skimming a lot of the book to just get it done as it dragged for me. But, it does have, what I felt like, a very realistic atmosphere of gilded age New York just as Theodore Roosevelt started on his reforms in the police force.
kshatto18's review against another edition
3.0
Okay mystery. But the characters were interesting enough to finish the novel. Nice, light reading.
ladypherret's review against another edition
3.0
Slow to get into it, but I ended up really liking it.
tctctcme's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
librarydancer's review against another edition
3.0
Labeled a 'cozy mystery', this is a good story, however, I feel the author tried too hard to purposely leave holes and questions for the main characters to have something to fill for sequels.
writings_of_a_reader's review against another edition
4.0
After a routine delivery, midwife Sarah Brandt visits her patient in a rooming house and discovers that another boarder, a young girl, has been killed.
Murder on Astor Place is the first book in the Gaslight Series. It was a bit predictable, but I still enjoyed it. I found the main character very likable and I liked the dynamic between her and the police detective Malloy. This reminiscent of Anne Perry's books, only set in New York and not nearly as detailed. I think it’s a promising start to the series, and I’m looking forward to reading more.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
Murder on Astor Place is the first book in the Gaslight Series. It was a bit predictable, but I still enjoyed it. I found the main character very likable and I liked the dynamic between her and the police detective Malloy. This reminiscent of Anne Perry's books, only set in New York and not nearly as detailed. I think it’s a promising start to the series, and I’m looking forward to reading more.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader