Murder On Marble Row: A Gaslight Mystery [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Victoria Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2004

An Edgar Award-nominated Series

As a turn-of-the-century midwife in the tenements of New York City, Sarah Brandt has seen more than her share of joy and sorrow, birth and death. Now she's drawn into a politically charged case where her help is not wanted, but is very much needed - because Sarah knows that the marble facades of Fifth Avenue hide just as many dark and twisted secrets as any tenement on the Lower East Side.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Edgar-nominated author Thompson transports readers back to New York City at the turn of the century in her sixth Gaslight Mystery. Wealthy industrialist Gregory Van Dyke dies when a bomb explodes in his office. When Detective Sergeant Frank Molloy arrives at Van Dyke's home to investigate, he finds Sarah Brandt, a widowed midwife from an upper-class family, already there. The two have worked together on other cases, but Molloy swore that he would never see her again because he knows that the rigid social hierarchy prevents the expression of his true feelings. Sarah, on the other hand, is delighted to be involved in another investigation and puts her social connections to good use. As Molloy learns, there are plenty of dark secrets and as many suspects on Fifth Avenue as there are in the tenements. An entertaining mix of history and mystery, complete with cameos from Teddy Roosevelt and Emma Goldman. Barbara Bibel
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Thompson vividly recreates the gas-lit world of old New York."
-- Publishers Weekly (Publisher's Weekly )

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 456 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; 1 edition (October 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786269413
• ISBN-13: 978-0786269419
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,856,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best so far!, December 4, 2004

By 

Rocco Dormarunno (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murder on Marble Row (Gaslight Mystery) (Hardcover)

"Murder on Marble Row" has to be the best in Victoria Thompson's series. I have enjoyed each of these Gaslight Mysteries to varying degrees, but this one is flawless. The pacing is perfect; the complex relationship between Frank Malloy and Sarah Brandt continues to intrigue; and, most important, the resolution to the mystery is nothing less than brilliant. As another reviewer said, it's frustrating to wait for what seems to be a long time between each book. On the other hand, Victoria Thompson makes the wait worth it. "Murder on Marble Row" is really showing her at the height of her talents, and I can't wait for the next installment. But I know I won't be disappointed.

Rocco Dormarunno, author of "The Five Points"

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a 5 star installment, June 4, 2004

By 

tregatt (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder on Marble Row (Gaslight Mystery) (Hardcover)

The least dark of Victoria Thompson's Gaslight Mystery novels to date, "Murder on Marble Row" nevertheless still was a compelling and absorbing read.

Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy of the New York Police is in a bind. Police Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt has hand-picked him to investigate the murder of wealthy businessman Gregory Van Dyke (Gregory was blown up when a bomb went off in his office); the Commissioner strongly suspects that anarchists are behind the murder, but Van Dyke was also a businessman who had his share of enemies and angry rivals, and the guilty party could lie within that group. And so Malloy, once again, ventures into the world of the rich and the powerful in New York City, thinking that this time, he won't have the able assistance of midwife, Sarah Brandt, because he has resolved to have as little to do with Sarah as possible because of the strong feelings he has for her. Except that the very first person he meets at the Van Dyke house turns out to be Sarah! Sarah, the daughter of the rich and socially prominent Deckers, grew up with the Van Dyke children, and knows that family intimately; and she's determined to help Malloy whether he likes it or not. Almost at once Sarah and Malloy clash when it comes to light that the eldest Van Dyke son, Creighton, has joined the anarchist party. Malloy thinks that Creighton had a hand in his father's death, but Sarah is equally sure that Creighton is innocent, and she manages to persuade Malloy to dig deeper. Together, Malloy and Sarah uncover every secret and scandal that the Van Dyke family have, and come face to face with a very devious and ruthless mind...

Unlike the previous Gaslight mysteries by Victoria Thompson, "Murder on Marble Row, doesn't delve very much into the seedier aspects of New York City during the Victorian period. This installment dwells more on doings of the upper classes, and the Van Dyke family in particular. However, the book was still an engrossing and riveting read, with quite a few plot twists and turns, and enough red herring suspects to keep things humming. Furthermore, I was rather pleased that Sarah's parents were better fleshed out, and that there are hints that the mystery of Sarah's husband's murder will be cleared up soon. All in all, a very good and satisfying 5 star read.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Keep those fingers going Vicki.., July 18, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder on Marble Row (Gaslight Mystery) (Hardcover)

The only thing bad about the Gaslight series is that they cannot come out fast enough. Every one leaves one wanting more. Marble Row was no exception.