After being let go
by the New York Metropolitan Police Department when she successfully
solved the Goodrich murder (first book in the series), Mary Handley
decides to become a detective. With the help of her friend and
employer, Lazlo, she sets up shop in a back room of Lazlo's book
store where she works. Both she and Lazlo are pleased and surprised
when a young woman comes into the store and hires Mary to find out
what happened to her uncle who she believes was murdered many years
ago. Mary eagerly accepts the challenge, and it leads her to
investigate some of the prominent families in New York.
The case increases
in scope when the young woman is murdered. Even though she no longer
has a client, Mary vows to find the killer. Then in a surprising
development, Mary acquires an assistant, George Vanderbilt. George
gives Mary entre into the upper levels of society populated by the
Carnegies and Rockafellers as well and the Vanderbilts. Although it
crosses societal lines, George becomes infatuated with Mary and wants
to marry her.
The case is full of
twists and turns showing off Mary's detective skills at every new
development. She's a good character, spunky and intelligent, a
quality that wasn't encouraged in the Victorian Era. George
Vanderbilt is also a good character, but it's hard to believe in his
romance with Mary in that environment. The historical setting is well
developed with many details about the New York takeover of Brooklyn.
I enjoyed the book.
It's an easy read and the pace is good. If you enjoy historical
mysteries, this is a good one.
I received this book
from Blogging for Books for this review.
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