Robin M. (robinmy) - , reviewed on 1/15/2018 + 2104 more book reviews

Widow Sarah Brandt is a midwife in late 19th century New York City. When she is called out to Astor Place to attend Mrs. Higgins at the Higgins Boardinghouse, she believes she recognizes one of the boarders. The girls looks just like her old friend Mina when she was the same age. When Sarah goes back to the boardinghouse two days later to check on the mother and child, she finds that the girl has been murdered. Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy has been sent to investigate. He has ambitions to move up in the police force and knows he must save his money to pay a substantial bribe to do so. He's not sure he wants to waste his time investigating a murder that will not lead to more money for himself. Sarah knows about the corruption in the police community and pressures Malloy into looking into the crime.

This is a wonderful start to the Gaslight Mystery series. Both Sarah and Frank are interesting characters. I'm interested in learning more about them. The mystery moved along quickly. I figured out most of the clues as I read it, but was surprised by a revelation near the end of the book. The setting of turn of the century New York City is very well written. It makes you feel like you are really there. I look forward to more books in this series. My rating: 4.5 Stars.

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