Book Review: Murder at St. Mark's Place

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Murder at St. Mark's Place     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Victoria Thompson
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Historical   Romantic Suspense   Police Procedural
Series: Gaslight Mysteries # 2
Berkley, Mar 2000, $5.99, 288 pp.

Sarah Brandt is a descendent of the original Dutch settlers, the Knickerbockers, who founded New Amsterdam, later renamed by the English as New York. Her heritage provides Sarah with entrance into the world of wealth and privilege, but she rejects that lifestyle preferring to reside in Manhattan’s tenements. She serves as midwife to many of the poorer immigrants. Many children of that time work in factories in order to assist their impoverished families. Some of the young women become “charity girls” who give their bodies to strange men in exchange for attention and pretty baubles.

Sarah is called to the apartment of Agnes Otto, a pregnant patient. There she learns that someone killed Agnes’s sister, a charity girl. The shock sends Agnes goes into labor and a healthy baby is delivered. An irate Sarah starts sleuthing with the help of her friend Police Sergeant Frank Malloy. They soon discover that an unknown assailant has murdered several charity girls. Sarah risks her life to see that the culprit is caught.

As Victoria Thompson colorfully demonstrates in her latest “Gaslight Mystery”, New York City at the beginning of the twentieth century is a dangerous place for its melting pot immigrants. This aspect of urban dwellers along with the distinct class structure brings life to a vibrant historical novel. The romantic subplot reduces the tension level without slowing down the story line of MURDER ON ST. MARK’S PLACE. Inside the portrait, Ms. Thompson weaves a fine mystery for readers who enjoy solving a difficult puzzler.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner