I’m reading this series in one of my Goodreads groups and it’s one of our favorites. It’s set in turn-of-the-century (19th) New York City featuring Sarah and Frank Malloy who often find themselves investigating murders together. This is the last until April.
Frank and Sarah Malloy attend a dinner party at Mrs. Ellsworth’s home to celebrate the recent marriage of her son. His in-laws were there and Clarence Pritchard, Nelson’s father-in-law, behaved rather strangely, leaving in agitation after no one shared his point of view about the upcoming year 1900 being the true new century instead of 1901. When Frank and Sarah run into him on New Year’s Eve outside Trinity Church, he’s forcing his argument on everyone he sees and they’re worried for him. The next day, they learn that he was found murdered not far from the church. Nelson’s wife, Theda, asks Frank to investigate once he determines the police have been paid off to drop the case.
This was an interesting case as the Pritchards were quite the dysfunctional family and the investigation led to some surprising directions. But what captured my heart was the secondary plot involving Black Jack Robinson, our favorite local bad boy. I won’t spoil the story but it’s an unexpected delight. I also learned about the early days of dairy farms, especially the challenges faced by serving a major city and the introduction of pasteurization. Motor cars are also a feature here, too.
It’s a bittersweet moment as our group has now caught up with the most recently released book in the series. For the last 22 months, we’ve enjoyed visiting these characters each month and delighting in the discussion. While it’s not the end as there’s another scheduled for release in April, there’s a vacuum that can’t be filled in the next months. These characters have endeared themselves to us and it’s hard letting go. I really liked this story and it was a wonderful one to end at a pause.
Book Info
- Release Date: April 30, 2019
- Series: Gaslight Mystery #22
- Page Numbers: 332
- Publisher: Berkley
Blue Mood Café 
Another great instalment of this fascinating series! After 22 months you must feel Sarah and Frank have become a part of your family 😁❤
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Oh, Toni, they’re my very good friends😊
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Aww, wow, Jonetta! You are all caught up! What an accomplishment and with a series you love. Lovely review and I am still saying one of these days… ♥️
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Thanks, Jennifer💜 You’d love this series!
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This series always sounds so interesting when you write about them! I hate that feeling when you’ve caught up on something and there’s such a long wait. Will be something nice for you to look forward to though 🙂
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It’s like my monthly dose of comfort reading🥰 Definitely something to look forward to from now on.
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What a perfect sounding series! You make it and this book sound wonderful. Perfect review, Jonetta!
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Thanks, Marialyce! It’s one of the best, especially in this genre.
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I would love to start these and hate that I couldn’t just read them all in a week or so There are many now but I will get to them. Someday.
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They’ll be there and I think you’ll become as addicted as me, Anne💜
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Wow, quite the achievement on all accounts! Now what will you do, start again? Ha! Ha!
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We picked another series😏
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Good idea. 😀
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I am impressed that you and your group worked your way through the whole series! It does sound like a good one, and I love the NYC setting.
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Stargazer, we loved it!
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I am impressed that you have caught up with a series that has 22 books and that you did it in under 2 years and that you are still enjoying the series as much as you are. Great review.
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Thanks, Carla💜 One of our best group reads ever.
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