Helpful Score: 9
If you enjoy history, strong female characters and a good mystery, this book's for you! Set in the late 1800's, this fiction book is based on Sarah Woolson, who lived in San Francisco and pursued her dream of becoming a lawyer. I especially enjoyed the historical details along with the storyline. Written in Sarah's voice, the book is the first in a series.
Helpful Score: 9
This is the first in the Sarah Woolson Historical Murder Mystery Series. If you are a fan of this genre, you will love this book. Set in 1880's San Francisco, all historical facts are accurate. Sarah is one of the first female lawyers in the US and is a fiesty, no-nonsense heroine. She runs head first into trouble and then you can join in on how she gets out of each situation, and eventually solves the mystery. Thoroughly entertaining!
Penny T. (iluvmysteries) reviewed Murder on Nob Hill (Sarah Woolson, Bk 1) on + 431 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
This new series reminds me of the early Dianne Day books set in San Francisco in the 1880s - a great read.
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book! The main character was enjoyable. The mystery was well written and kept my interest.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book very much. The history and detail the author gives of early San Francisco I found very interesting. The plot moves right along with many twists and turns.
Helpful Score: 1
Just finished this book and it was an excellent story, which surprizes me because: 1) I don't care for 1st person POV, 2) mysteries are not my favorite genre and 3) the late 1800's is not my favorite time period. Now one would think 'why read this book'? And I would have to answer 'because it sounded interesting and I thought I could make an exception to my rules'. And, I am so glad I did and I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written historical mystery with a strong, independent heroine who is not romantically involved (at this point) or dependent on a man. Can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens next in Sarah's life.
Helpful Score: 1
I thoroughly enjoyed "Murder on Nob Hill" which is the first book in a series about a spirited young woman, Sarah Woolson, who became an attorney is the late 1800s. There were only three women attorneys in the country at that time, and there was a lot of prejudice against women in that field. The story tells of what Sarah had to do to land a job in a law office and also how she was able to keep the job. She is an interesting character and, in her time, was a female version of Perry Mason. I can't wait to get the other books in this series.
I enjoyed this book about a female San Francisco lawyer at the beginning of the century. There was enough unpredictable turns and the storyline good. Reminds me a lot of Dianne Day's Fremont Jones series, which I also liked.
~ AN ENGAGING HISTORICAL MYSTERY STORY WITH A REAL SPITFIRE OF A HEROINE! (4 stars) ~
I'm glad I happened upon this book in the library, as it ended up being an enjoyable read and a good mystery. The heroine, Sarah Woolson, is a real spitfire and very opinionated; while sometimes annoying, she is for the most part a great lead character - and at times very funny. Her family is very interesting and they are a great addition to the cast of characters. I also loved Robert Campbell, a fellow associate attorney at their firm, a big and loud Scot alway objecting to Sarah's ideas and plans, but then getting involved despite himself. Their bickering and squabbling is often amusing and I'm personally hoping that their relationship develops into a more, umm ... harmonious one, shall we say ;-).
Tallman's writing is very simple and her storytelling straightforward, not that either of these things are bad. One criticism I do have is that sometimes it seemed like she needed a better editor, as you have the same word that would appear twice in one sentence or in two consecutive sentences. May seem like a picky objection, but for me it was noticeable and bothersome.
The mystery itself was very well-done and definitely keeps the reader engaged. You start to develop a theory, which gains shape as additional things are revealed. It is a mystery, though - not blatantly obvious - and has some great twists and turns. Another great aspect of this book is that the historical setting feels very authentic. I look forward to reading the other books in the series!
THE SARAH WOOLSON MYSTERY SERIES:
Book 1 - MURDER ON NOB HILL (4 stars)
Book 2 - The Russian Hill Murders (4 stars)
Book 3 - The Cliff House Strangler
Book 4 - Scandal on Rincon Hill
I'm glad I happened upon this book in the library, as it ended up being an enjoyable read and a good mystery. The heroine, Sarah Woolson, is a real spitfire and very opinionated; while sometimes annoying, she is for the most part a great lead character - and at times very funny. Her family is very interesting and they are a great addition to the cast of characters. I also loved Robert Campbell, a fellow associate attorney at their firm, a big and loud Scot alway objecting to Sarah's ideas and plans, but then getting involved despite himself. Their bickering and squabbling is often amusing and I'm personally hoping that their relationship develops into a more, umm ... harmonious one, shall we say ;-).
Tallman's writing is very simple and her storytelling straightforward, not that either of these things are bad. One criticism I do have is that sometimes it seemed like she needed a better editor, as you have the same word that would appear twice in one sentence or in two consecutive sentences. May seem like a picky objection, but for me it was noticeable and bothersome.
The mystery itself was very well-done and definitely keeps the reader engaged. You start to develop a theory, which gains shape as additional things are revealed. It is a mystery, though - not blatantly obvious - and has some great twists and turns. Another great aspect of this book is that the historical setting feels very authentic. I look forward to reading the other books in the series!
THE SARAH WOOLSON MYSTERY SERIES:
Book 1 - MURDER ON NOB HILL (4 stars)
Book 2 - The Russian Hill Murders (4 stars)
Book 3 - The Cliff House Strangler
Book 4 - Scandal on Rincon Hill
Carolyn S. (iluvamystery) reviewed Murder on Nob Hill (Sarah Woolson, Bk 1) on + 64 more book reviews
My only regret is that thee aren't enough book in this absolutely delightful series of mysteries set in a period where women lawyers were an exception to the rule! It's compulsive reading. Write more of them, Shirley Tallman!
This is an advance uncorrected proof, in trade paperback size. A friend gave it to me to pass along.
