If you’ve read any of my previous book reviews or blog posts, you know that I am a HUGE fan of Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Mystery Series. I’ve been under the gun with my own writing and haven’t had time to read for pleasure, so I’m a little behind. Now, that my latest deadline is past and before I get neck deep with my next one, I read the latest Gaslight Mystery, MURDER ON TRINITY PLACE.
The year of 1899 is drawing to a close. Frank and Sarah Malloy are getting ready to celebrate the New Year at Trinity Church when they notice Mr. Pritchard, a relative of their neighbor’s, behaving oddly and annoying the other revelers. Frank tries to convince Pritchard to return home with them, but the man refuses and Frank loses him in the crowd. The next morning Sarah and Frank are horrified to learn Pritchard was murdered sometime in the night, his body left on Trinity Place, the side street near the church.
The police aren’t too interested in the murder, and the family are concerned that the circumstances of the death will reflect badly on Pritchard’s reputation. To protect the family from scandal, Nelson asks Frank to investigate. Frank and Sarah delve into Pritchard’s past and realize there may have been a deadly side to the dawning of the new century.
This is the 22nd book in this amazing series. You read that correctly, I said, 22nd book! And, the truly amazing thing is that I enjoyed this book as much as the 1st in the series. Sarah and Frank Malloy have grown and evolved over the years, but have not lost any of their appeal and interest. However, one of the things I find amazing is the new insights that Thompson brings out through the subplot and historic details. I love that the books in this series educate readers about the true events of life at the turn of the century. Pritchard, the victim in this tale, owns a milk factory and readers learn about “swill” milk and the unsanitary conditions that caused the death of more than eight thousand infants per year. If you’re interested, here’s an article from Smithsonian Magazine. As always, Thompson hits on the pitiful plight of women in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Sarah Malloy may be the wife of a rich detective and the daughter of one of the most prominent families in New York City, but she hasn’t given up the passion which led her to become a midwife. Readers familiar with the series will enjoy seeing the return of Black Jack Robinson from MURDER ON THE BOWERY (book #20). In Black Jack Robinson, Thompson shows another side to both Black Jack and Sarah.
If you haven’t read the other 21 books in this series, don’t worry. MURDER ON TRINITY PLACE can be read and enjoyed without binge reading the earlier books in the series. However, if you have the time, then I highly recommend you do read them. You won’t regret it.