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melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
I really like Victoria Thompson's Gaslight series. This has been my least favorite so far. Perhaps, it is because this seems like more of a filler book. The evolving relationship between Sarah and Malloy is there. We find a few more clues about Aggie or now Catherine as she is called. The mystery was rather easy to figure out. I had the murderer and the reasons worked out from a third of the way through so that was the reason for the three stars. I will definitely be reading the next book as I hope we will finally get answers to Dr. Brandt's murder.
machadofam8's review against another edition
3.0
the main plot was a bit convoluted. love the aggie/Catherine sub plot
ihavenouseforit's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
steven_v's review against another edition
4.0
This novel is the 8th installment in the Gaslight mystery series. The Gaslight series is set in New York in the mid-1890s, and they are all excellent "period pieces." This one is no exception. The characters are believable and the historical aspects of the book are great. Once again Sarah Brandt the midwife teams up with Frank Malloy the detective to find a murderer -- this time, of a girl for whom Sarah has just delivered a baby.
This novel shares many strengths with its predecessors, but it is a bit more predictable. I figured out who the murderer was, and why, by about the third or fourth chapter, if not sooner. I've predicted it early in other Gaslight novels but here it was simply too obvious to a reader in the year 2010. The author had to walk a fine line here: situation in which the characters find themselves is very modern, but would have been unthinkable to people in 1896. The trick, which Ms. Thompson usually pulls off wonderfully, is to make it a mystery for both 1890s and 21st century people. This time it was really only shocking and mysterious to the people of the past; you could see a story much like it on almost any soap opera of today.
That said, although I knew who did it, watching Frank Malloy and Sarah Brandt struggle with the problem and figure it out was entertaining as always. I enjoyed the cameo appearances by Teddy Roosevelt (she writes him much as I imagine him acting), and I very much liked Officer Donatelli, who assists Frank for the entire time in this novel.
This is a solid installment to the Gaslight series, if not quite as mysterious as the rest have been. I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes the other novels in the series, or who likes historical novels, and also to anyone who likes strong, well-written characters.
This novel shares many strengths with its predecessors, but it is a bit more predictable. I figured out who the murderer was, and why, by about the third or fourth chapter, if not sooner. I've predicted it early in other Gaslight novels but here it was simply too obvious to a reader in the year 2010. The author had to walk a fine line here: situation in which the characters find themselves is very modern, but would have been unthinkable to people in 1896. The trick, which Ms. Thompson usually pulls off wonderfully, is to make it a mystery for both 1890s and 21st century people. This time it was really only shocking and mysterious to the people of the past; you could see a story much like it on almost any soap opera of today.
That said, although I knew who did it, watching Frank Malloy and Sarah Brandt struggle with the problem and figure it out was entertaining as always. I enjoyed the cameo appearances by Teddy Roosevelt (she writes him much as I imagine him acting), and I very much liked Officer Donatelli, who assists Frank for the entire time in this novel.
This is a solid installment to the Gaslight series, if not quite as mysterious as the rest have been. I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes the other novels in the series, or who likes historical novels, and also to anyone who likes strong, well-written characters.
xlynt's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
beverlie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
rum2j's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Murder in Little Italy
4 Stars
Well written as always with a realistic portrayal of the animosities and conflicts between the different ethnicities in New York at the turn of the century, which adds to the authenticity of the mystery.
Although the culprit isn't as obvious as in previous books, it is possible to figure out the "who-dun-it" by following the clues and conversations.
Frank and Sarah's slow burn romance is going strong. While some readers find this a little annoying, for me it makes sense both because of the time period and because the genre of historical mystery and not historical romance.
Overall, another engaging story in the series. Recommended for fans of cozy mysteries with light romance.
4 Stars
Well written as always with a realistic portrayal of the animosities and conflicts between the different ethnicities in New York at the turn of the century, which adds to the authenticity of the mystery.
Although the culprit isn't as obvious as in previous books, it is possible to figure out the "who-dun-it" by following the clues and conversations.
Frank and Sarah's slow burn romance is going strong. While some readers find this a little annoying, for me it makes sense both because of the time period and because the genre of historical mystery and not historical romance.
Overall, another engaging story in the series. Recommended for fans of cozy mysteries with light romance.
jtrump91's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
nursenell's review against another edition
5.0
When an Irish woman is murdered shortly after giving birth there is no shortage of suspects within the Italian family she has married into. The Irish and Italians have no love for one another in this time period. They are competing for the same jobs in New York's lower east side, and culturally, while both may be Catholic, they are totally different. Will Sarah Brandt, the midwife who delivered the woman's baby, and Frank Malloy, the police detective, be able to solve this murder, as well as the victim's mother's murder, before the Irish and Italians cause any more riots or the Black Hand takes justice into its hands?