27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Was the famed magnetic healer killed and if so, why?, August 15, 2003
New York Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy summons Sarah Brandt, a midwife, to the elegant home of famed magnetic healer Edmund Blackwell. Mrs. Blackwell has gone into labor after finding her husband dead in their home.
Frank determines that Mr. Blackwell was murdered although it appears the killer tried to make it look like suicide. As he begins investigating, Sarah, who has helped him with previous investigations, has to keep returning to the Blackwell's since their new son has become ill. In her many trips to their home, she begins to find out some important information regarding his death. Frank does not want her helping with the investigation, but realizes his wishes will not be heeded.
Frank and Sarah find that things were not as happy in the Blackwell household as first thought. Then there are all Mr. Blackwell's female clients who seem overly upset over his death. And there is a scandal that was about to be made known in Blackwell's past. Is his assistant too eager to take over? Who killed him and why? Could it have been regarding one of these issues or is there another issue they don't know about yet.
Normally I don't like mysteries set back in time, but this is one of the few series that are the exception. This series is so well written. The characters are so real and the time-period laid out so well. I often find myself amazed that the police back then were so brutal and so many people were living well below poverty. The darkness of New York really adds to this series. Her writing of the time and the way she lays out the story without giving the killer away is terrific. You never know until the killer is revealed who did it.
This cozy mystery is great. I highly recommend this book as well as the whole series.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Loved It!, April 2, 2004
This was my first VT book and since reading this I have become hooked on her work. I am currently reading Murder on Mulberry Bend. VT's books may be simplier than the average Hitchcock-type mysteries but she's lacking nothing in terms of great dialogue, interesting characters and a fast-moving plot. If you're seeking hardcore mystery in which you need a degree in crime-solving to figure out than VT's books may not be for you. But if you're into old mystery classics such as Agatha Christie's Poirot, then you'll enjoy VT's work. And as Agatha Christie's work always points out, just because it's easy to figure out doesn't mean it's not worth the read. The same goes for VT. Give her a chance if you haven't ever read her work. I did and I am not disappointed. I just bought two more of her books today.
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worthy Reading, March 19, 2001
MURDER ON GRAMERCY PARK is the best book yet in the series. It stands on it's own merits, but I think it's helpful to have read the previous two books so the reader can get a good feel for how the relationship between Sarah and Frank is developing. This book had an interesting mystery that had me turning pages and I can't wait until the next installment so I can find out how Brian's surgery went !
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