Murder on Astor Place

Gaslight Mystery, Book 1

By: Victoria Thompson

Narrated by: Callie Beaulieu

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

After a routine delivery, midwife Sarah Brandt visits her patient in a rooming house and finds that another boarder, a young girl, has been killed. At the request of sergeant Frank Malloy, she searches the girl's room and discovers that the victim is from one of the most prominent families in New York - and the sister of an old friend. The powerful family, fearful of scandal, refuses to permit an investigation. But with Malloy's help, Sarah begins a dangerous quest to bring the killer to justice before death claims another victim.

©1999 Victoria Thompson (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Thompson vividly re-creates the gas-lit world of old New York, concluding her mystery with revelations that will shock even 20th-century readers." ( Publishers Weekly)

Great first of Series

great first book in series not too much scene and character setting Victoria leaves room for future character development as the series unfolds

Loved book it went far beyond the territory who gave on a coupluntrf ontalgef to them md

I finding I I wake up trying not even open talk

With characters but then I wake up or is so well organized one does not get as I say I wish I was an artist so I can paint them I. My head No one l led if you do that it is good for the mind and creative benefit and even do a quick profile ov the character x thing really fun for teaching complex lit to paint the picture mentally clothed them play a little. For each character is a book in it self. I know sounds silly but it is a fun game.

Looking forward to more

I enjoyed this book immensely.

Sarah Brandt is a midwife in NYC in the late 1800s. While visiting a patient, she thinks she recognizes another boarder in the house. When the young woman turns up murder, Sarah begins her own investigation reporting her discoveries to Frank Malloy a detective with the NYC PD.

I like so much about this story. The NYC setting is well done. I learned a lot about the era that I didn't know. The characters are well developed. They highlight the class system of the times. Ms. Thompson does an excellent job showing the positive and negative aspects of the time through her characters. There are incidents and comments that make me angry, but seem appropriate for that time in history.

Callie Beaulieu does a lovely job of bring the characters to life. The tension, fear, and joy all come through her narration.

I look forward to reading more books in the series.

Beginning of a great series

This book Reminded me of the tv show Ms Scarlett and the Duke. Is this the base of the tv show?

Shades of the alienist.

I loved the point of views of all the facets of society and it is very illustrative of the patriarchy. This is not an intense thriller which I like. It is realistic and well plotted. Highly recommended as the characters are worth rooting for and the journey is engaging.

good read

very good read. It was funny at times and interesting at others. Great narator. thumbs up

slow down the narration it bearable

2 chapters in I slowed the narration it was way more bearable. great story but pick a new narrator.

Great installment in this series

Good character development and growth. The plot kept me pretty much guessing until the end.

Nice historical

Good historical fiction. Thought I knew where it was heading from the get-go. Pleasantly surprised by the ending. Looking forward to the rest of this series.

5 stars

I found this new to me author in the Audible Plus section. I really enjoy this type of book. I'm a big fan of the Captain Lacy series by Jennifer Ashley, and the Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Raybourn. This book is just as good. The story was compelling and kept me interested. The narration was good as well. I'll be using my next credit for the next book. Highly recommend if you like clean historical mysteries.