Murder on Amsterdam Avenue

By: Victoria Thompson

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

In this Gaslight Mystery from the national best-selling author of Murder in Murray Hill, midwife Sarah Brandt and Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy investigate foul play in the secretive high-society world of 19th-century New York City....

In the midst of Sarah and Frank's wedding preparations, Sarah accompanies her mother on a condolence call to the Upper West Side, where Charles Fairfax, the son of family friends, has died unexpectedly after suffering from a mysterious disease. It is a tragic and all too common story - or so it seems. Charles' father asks to speak with Sarah privately. He believes his son was poisoned and would like Sarah and Frank to look into the matter with the utmost discretion.

Putting their own personal affairs on hold, Sarah and Frank soon learn that not everyone wants to know more about Charles's death, particularly if he was murdered. As they unravel secrets that reach back to the War Between the States, they also discover that they are in the company of a very present danger....

©2015 Victoria Thompson (P)2015 Recorded Books

Toren does another great narration

What did you love best about Murder on Amsterdam Avenue?

The plot for this book is well-done, although not as violent or "graphic'' as some in this series (esp the early ones.). As usual, author Thompson adds history and context to the period. Narrator Suzanne Toren has narrated the second half of this series's books (the 1st 8 apparently were never read for audiobooks), and really lifts the series above the ordinary. She does a great job with the voices, especially Sarah Brandt and Det Sgt Malloy, who finally are headed toward the altar.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sarah Brandt, who continues to evolve over the course of this series.

Have you listened to any of Suzanne Toren’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I'm a fan of Toren's work, and VERY glad that the publishers and author have been consistent in using Toren for all the books in this series that have been given the audiobook treatment. Too many terrific book series (the late Barbara Parker's "Suspicion of" series, and the more recent Scottoline books) have been ruined, IMO by poor decisions to switch narrators. It looked like Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series was headed down that same sorry route, but it appears that Barbara Rosenblat has been redeployed -- a good thing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Sure.

Any additional comments?

I REALLY would like to see Toren narrate the first eight books in this series, which apparently have never had audiobook versions. I ended up reading them on my Kindle after I had finished many of the audiobooks, which only cover the last half of this enjoyable series.

Finally!

They have tied the knot!!

Such an excellent story but sad too bringing memories of terrible times from the civil war and a lot of the wrongs done

But excellent narration and cannot wait to get to the next!

Murder on Amsterdam Avenue

Loved the story once again as usual! And once again, I want to finish this and get going on the next story!

Fabulous Story!

I discovered the Gaslight series several years ago. I fell in love with the characters and the mysteries they encountered. Recently, I started listening to books through Audible. it's been wonderful to rediscover this series this way. The narration is just wonderful.

EXCELLENT!

Good series. The plot was very interesting. With plots and subplots which I find very intriguing indeed. Victoria Thompson is a wonderful writer and Suzanne performed the different characters giving them individual personalities and voices. I am waiting patiently for the next book which will be published in November.

Murder on Amsterdam Avenue

What a wonderful story with great characters. I can’t wait for the next story to begin.

Again, I am well pleased.

The intricacies of the subplots woven with facts garnered from a very tumultuous period in American history are superbly revealed in this long-awaited chapter of the lives of Sarah Brandt and Frank Malloy; thank you so much for the very obvious tedium employed creating this masterpiece. There is one, perhaps even two, negative remarks about the narration—but readers: please ignore them. The first narrator is actually very good in other series and researching her narrations was how I found this series; but I believe she either wasn’t really pleased about doing these characters or that her employment for the work was not really intended for the monetized audiobook audience. Nevertheless, the plots were good enough to carry me through, and Suzanne Toren is perfectly suited to the challenges these characters bring. Thank you, Ms. Thompson and Ms. Toren, for the top notch experience!!!

a clever murder mystery with plenty of surprises

I enjoyed reading this book, particularly the well-written murder mystery aspect of the book. It's a period piece based on a time shortly after the American civil war. Throughout this entire book, there are so many sad reminders of slavery and people's opinions of slaves, as well as other ethnic groups like those of Italian and Irish descent. I didn't realize the book would have that slant, and I can't say I would have bought and read it had I known. All that being said, I found the book well written, and a clever murder mystery. I would recommend to anyone who doesn't mind or enjoys reading from the civil war and or slavery generation.
The narrator did a good job.

Absolutely Love This Book....

Finally!! Frank and Sarah are get married.
I purchased the 1st book years ago. Fell in love with all the characters.
Now I'm ready for what comes next.
Would love for Frank and Sarah to atleast have one or two babies. I love how he is a father to Catherine. Sarah is a mother to Brian. It's beautiful.
Thank you for these wonderful books!!

Wrong again

I was so sure I guessed the murderer. Drat. Victoria Thompson is a great author however, the narrator is starting to get on my nerves. She makes (the former) Mrs. Brant sound like a child. Her voice goes up too high.