laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Murder in Washington Square
4 Stars
When Nelson Ellsworth, the mild-mannered son of her nosy next-door neighbor, is accused of murder, Sarah Brandt enlists the aid of Detective Frank Malloy to help her clear Nelson's name and find the real killer.
As in the previous installments, the mystery is simple and easy to figure out. Nevertheless, the historical background, and growing attraction between Sarah and Frank make this a fun read.
Thompson's research and attention to detail is excellent. The history of the Hanging Tree in Washington Square is very interesting as is the story of Maria Barbella, and the portrayal of yellow journalism at the turn of the century is realistic and believable.
Sarah and Frank's relationship is progressing slowly, but surely as they both come to realize that there is more between them than friendship (although neither is willing to admit it to themselves let alone each other).
All in all, another engaging addition to Thompson's historical cozy mystery series and it looks like the investigation into the death of Sarah's husband is about to heat up.
4 Stars
When Nelson Ellsworth, the mild-mannered son of her nosy next-door neighbor, is accused of murder, Sarah Brandt enlists the aid of Detective Frank Malloy to help her clear Nelson's name and find the real killer.
As in the previous installments, the mystery is simple and easy to figure out. Nevertheless, the historical background, and growing attraction between Sarah and Frank make this a fun read.
Thompson's research and attention to detail is excellent. The history of the Hanging Tree in Washington Square is very interesting as is the story of Maria Barbella, and the portrayal of yellow journalism at the turn of the century is realistic and believable.
Sarah and Frank's relationship is progressing slowly, but surely as they both come to realize that there is more between them than friendship (although neither is willing to admit it to themselves let alone each other).
All in all, another engaging addition to Thompson's historical cozy mystery series and it looks like the investigation into the death of Sarah's husband is about to heat up.
bookworm87's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
samanthakelley's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.0
The only real mystery in these books is how long it will take Malloy and Sarah to finally get together
momoxshi's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Midwife Sarah Brandt comes to her neighbor's aid, gentle and too mild-manner of a banker Nelson Ellsworth. He thought he had found himself in a delicate situation when his lover, Anna, tells him that she is with child. But when she turns up dead in the middle of Washington Square and with him as the prime suspect, he finds that he's in more trouble than he could possibly fathom.
But Sarah is sure that Nelson is innocent. For one, after meeting Anna before she was killed, she's sure that the seemingly innocent girl isn't as innocent as she portrayed herself to be.
+
Did not enjoy this as much as I enjoyed the other Gaslight Mystery books I've read so far. While the twist was surprising and the only genuine thing that caught me off guard, the main plot point was already obvious to the reader at the first 3-4 chapters. Granted, this is has a historical setting and should be taken with more suspension of disbelief that the protagonists won't get the answers until much later than the modern audience. But by this point of the book, both Sarah Brandt and Frank Malloy (with Frank already a fricking detective) are experienced investigators but were still too slow in piecing things together.
I think a lot of the unnecessary amateurish move was to give way to the budding romance between Sarah and Frank but I was not a fan and it just distracted me from fully enjoying the whole story. It also has the troupe you usually see in romance stories where the couple doesn't simply communicate and an easily solvable problem arises. For this context though, the troupe is used to unnecessarily stretch out the mystery when you already know who's guilty.
I am, still, intrigued enough to continue onto the next book. The character of Richard Dennis is curious enough and I want to know what's up with him.
But Sarah is sure that Nelson is innocent. For one, after meeting Anna before she was killed, she's sure that the seemingly innocent girl isn't as innocent as she portrayed herself to be.
+
Did not enjoy this as much as I enjoyed the other Gaslight Mystery books I've read so far. While the twist was surprising and the only genuine thing that caught me off guard, the main plot point was already obvious to the reader at the first 3-4 chapters. Granted, this is has a historical setting and should be taken with more suspension of disbelief that the protagonists won't get the answers until much later than the modern audience. But by this point of the book, both Sarah Brandt and Frank Malloy (with Frank already a fricking detective) are experienced investigators but were still too slow in piecing things together.
Spoiler
And are you seriously telling me that she was able to taste the opium in the porridge given to Prescott but was unable to taste it in a tea given to her by a main suspect???I think a lot of the unnecessary amateurish move was to give way to the budding romance between Sarah and Frank but I was not a fan and it just distracted me from fully enjoying the whole story. It also has the troupe you usually see in romance stories where the couple doesn't simply communicate and an easily solvable problem arises. For this context though, the troupe is used to unnecessarily stretch out the mystery when you already know who's guilty.
I am, still, intrigued enough to continue onto the next book. The character of Richard Dennis is curious enough and I want to know what's up with him.
nursenell's review against another edition
5.0
This is the 4th book in the Gaslight Murder series. It was another good read, with midwife Sarah Brandt and Irish detective Frank Malloy again finding themselves brought together to solve a murder. Investigating the murder of one woman leads to discovering more deaths related to people at the same address.
roshk99's review against another edition
3.0
Sarah is a likeable heroine with a strong personality and a sharp intellect. An intriguing book that left you satisfied by the end.
annarborelle's review against another edition
4.0
Still enjoying this series, glad the two protagonists are starting to see each other in a new light! The mystery was a weird one, and I figured out the killer about halfway through, but well written and evocative of the time and place (as far as I know, having not lived there/then!)
renee_mathe's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
readerk8's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Spoiler
Finally a kiss!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Blood