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henrismum's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Take away: Post -Civil war racial hatred in NYC.
Narration: Suzanne Toren - as usual
Normal Speed- Accelerated Speed
New - Second - Third - Committed
Series- Non Series - Non-Fiction - Author
Listening to this book was a chore.
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I didn't want this book to end.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
Narration: Suzanne Toren - as usual
Normal Speed
New - Second - Third -
Series
Listening to this book was a chore.
I'm glad I listened to this book.
I didn't want this book to end.
I could not wait to be done with this book.
Average, but better than anything I've written.
spevensie's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
heylook's review against another edition
2.0
This wouldn't be such a bad little murder mystery, except for:
1) Every line of dialogue followed by "he said" or "she asked". STOP YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THAT WE CAN FOLLOW CONVERSATIONS IN BOOKS BY NOW
2) After every new fact, endless pages of the principal investigators discussing it, throwing out various theories, and shooting them all down. OH MY GOD PLEASE NO THIS IS NOT HOW TO WRITE A MYSTERY JUST NO
3) The identity of the killer is pretty obvious when you finally find out the victim's Big Secret I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY IN CAPS ABOUT THIS ONE
1) Every line of dialogue followed by "he said" or "she asked". STOP YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THAT WE CAN FOLLOW CONVERSATIONS IN BOOKS BY NOW
2) After every new fact, endless pages of the principal investigators discussing it, throwing out various theories, and shooting them all down. OH MY GOD PLEASE NO THIS IS NOT HOW TO WRITE A MYSTERY JUST NO
3) The identity of the killer is pretty obvious when you finally find out the victim's Big Secret I DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY IN CAPS ABOUT THIS ONE
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
3.0
I finished this one prior to its being nominated for the 2015 Agatha for Best Historical Fiction and was pleased to see it was nominated for this award. While I've only read a few in this series, I've enjoyed the ones I've read so far. The stories and characters are equally enjoyable, and I felt that I was able to pick up late in the series without a problem thanks to the way the author skillfully wove in enough backstory to get me up to speed as a new reader. Based on the more recent books in the series, I would add this series to my ever-growing "to read" list to see how the characters have developed over time. One of the elements that I enjoyed most about this installment was the fact that midwife Sarah Brandt played such a prominent role, although I like both main characters equally well and the way they work together. To me, they are truly partners who love and respect each other, and complement each other's strengths. Long-time of the series undoubtedly will be thrilled by the ending of this one. I look forward to continuing with this series!
librumcensura's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
steven_v's review against another edition
4.0
This is another enjoyable installment of the Gaslight Mystery series. In this novel, now former midwife Sarah Brandt is engaged to be married to former police detective Frank Malloy. As they make plans for their wedding and work on having their future home renovated, a friend of Sarah's mother asks for Malloy's help, because he thinks his son was murdered. When this turns out to be true, Malloy and Sarah find themselves involved in an ever-thickening plot as more people fall victim to the diabolical murderer. There are plenty of twists and turns in this novel, and Victoria Thompson does not disappoint.
I am a huge fan of this series; it is by far my favorite mystery series, and all because of the wonderful characters. And it isn't just Sarah and Frank that I like, but also Catherine, Brian, Maeve, former-officer Donatelli, and Mrs. Ellsworth. They all put in appearances, and do their part to help solve the case. Victoria Thompson does a wonderful job with character, as usual, which is why I keep coming back to this series again and again.
At the end of the novel, a treat is announced: Usually Ms. Thompson puts out 1 book/year, but this year, she is putting out an extra one in the fall, which will focus on Maeve and Gino (who are starting to become romantically interested in each other) solving a case on their own. I am really excited about this. I love Frank and Sarah, but I'm also a huge fan of Maeve's and Gino's, so it will be fun to see them work a case together. I think it is fair to say that Gino will have no easier time keeping Maeve from getting into trouble than Frank had with Sarah -- maybe less.
If you like good mysteries or good period pieces, this book is worth a try. However, I highly recommend you start on book 1... and enjoy them all. This is the 17th book, and I hope there will be another 17 to come.
I am a huge fan of this series; it is by far my favorite mystery series, and all because of the wonderful characters. And it isn't just Sarah and Frank that I like, but also Catherine, Brian, Maeve, former-officer Donatelli, and Mrs. Ellsworth. They all put in appearances, and do their part to help solve the case. Victoria Thompson does a wonderful job with character, as usual, which is why I keep coming back to this series again and again.
At the end of the novel, a treat is announced: Usually Ms. Thompson puts out 1 book/year, but this year, she is putting out an extra one in the fall, which will focus on Maeve and Gino (who are starting to become romantically interested in each other) solving a case on their own. I am really excited about this. I love Frank and Sarah, but I'm also a huge fan of Maeve's and Gino's, so it will be fun to see them work a case together. I think it is fair to say that Gino will have no easier time keeping Maeve from getting into trouble than Frank had with Sarah -- maybe less.
If you like good mysteries or good period pieces, this book is worth a try. However, I highly recommend you start on book 1... and enjoy them all. This is the 17th book, and I hope there will be another 17 to come.
veronica87's review against another edition
3.0
**Reread May 2019: I listened to the audiobook for this reread and I didn't care for the narrator at all. I pretty much hated all the voices she used for the various characters, particularly Frank's. Otherwise, my original impressions of the book still stand.**
The Gaslight Mystery series has become one of my comfort reads. You know, those books you can go to where you can just sit back, relax, prop your feet up on the table and feel at home. This wasn't the best book in the series what with Sarah feeling somewhat sidelined in the first third of the book and there being precious little alone time between Sarah and Frank but, even so, it was an enjoyable way to spend an evening.
The Gaslight Mystery series has become one of my comfort reads. You know, those books you can go to where you can just sit back, relax, prop your feet up on the table and feel at home. This wasn't the best book in the series what with Sarah feeling somewhat sidelined in the first third of the book and there being precious little alone time between Sarah and Frank but, even so, it was an enjoyable way to spend an evening.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Murder on Amsterdam Avenue
4 Stars
With construction ongoing at his new house, Frank Malloy is eager to escape and readily agrees to investigate the mysterious death of Charles Oakes, a childhood acquaintance of Sarah's. It is soon revealed that young Charles was poisoned in his own home, but which of his family members or servants hated him enough to kill him?
An interesting mystery with compelling insights into the long-lasting effects of the American Civil War. One profound aspect of this series in general, and this book in particular, is the emphasis on the fact that very little has changed in the last century when it comes to twisted prejudices and hatred.
The investigation is pretty straightforward with several red-herrings to keep the reader guessing. There are some minor plot holes that could have been avoided with more character development, but the resolution is satisfying overall.
Frank and Sarah's growing menagerie of friends and family from different walks of life is a highlight of this series, and it was fun to see them all gathering to celebrate Frank and Sarah's marriage.
4 Stars
With construction ongoing at his new house, Frank Malloy is eager to escape and readily agrees to investigate the mysterious death of Charles Oakes, a childhood acquaintance of Sarah's. It is soon revealed that young Charles was poisoned in his own home, but which of his family members or servants hated him enough to kill him?
An interesting mystery with compelling insights into the long-lasting effects of the American Civil War. One profound aspect of this series in general, and this book in particular, is the emphasis on the fact that very little has changed in the last century when it comes to twisted prejudices and hatred.
The investigation is pretty straightforward with several red-herrings to keep the reader guessing. There are some minor plot holes that could have been avoided with more character development, but the resolution is satisfying overall.
Frank and Sarah's growing menagerie of friends and family from different walks of life is a highlight of this series, and it was fun to see them all gathering to celebrate Frank and Sarah's marriage.