Murder on St. Nicholas Avenue

September 21, 2015
Characters who previously played supporting roles take center stage in Thompson’s workmanlike 18th mystery set in gaslight-era New York City (after 2015’s Murder on Amsterdam Avenue). With series leads Frank and Sarah Malloy away on their honeymoon, their nursemaid, Maeve Smith, agrees to help Mrs. O’Neill, a friend of Frank’s mother. Mrs. O’Neill’s married daughter, Una, has been charged with killing her husband, Mr. Pollack, after she was found cradling his bludgeoned corpse in their Harlem home. Of course, Mrs. O’Neill is sure her daughter is innocent. When Maeve goes to the Pollacks’ home to see if there are any resources to pay for Una’s defense, she’s dumbfounded to find thousands of dollars in cash in a hidden safe. Police officer Gino Donatelli, who’s sweet on Maeve, provides some welcome assistance. Series fans will enjoy seeing Maeve and Gino in action, though others should be prepared for routine plotting. Agent: Nancy Yost, Nancy Yost Literary Agency.

October 15, 2015

Thompson (Murder on Amsterdam Avenue) rewards fans of her long-running 19th-century-set series with an "extra" Christmas story filled with some of the secondary characters. Since Frank and Sarah Malloy are away on their honeymoon in Europe, nanny Maeve offers to aid Mrs. O'Neill, who shows up at the Malloy residence seeking help for her daughter Una, who has been arrested for killing her husband. With some assistance from policeman Gino and Sarah's parents, Maeve investigates the murder and soon unearths more of the victim's secrets. VERDICT This is a fantastic historical with a wonderfully plucky amateur female sleuth. Fans of Rhys Bowen's "Molly Murphy" mysteries and Anne Perry's "Thomas Pitt" books will especially enjoy.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2015

Thompson, who has climbed national best sellers lists and received Edgar and Agatha nominations for her Gaslight Mysteries, here gives the series a Christmas twist. Det. Sgt. Frank Malloy and midwife Sarah Brandt are honeymooning during the holidays when Una, the daughter of a family friend, is found holding the lifeless body of her badly battered new husband. If it's something of a mystery that the rich young man married a poor Irish lass, it's even more of a mystery what actually happened, as Una has been terrified into muteness. With Frank and Sarah away, members of their new household pitch in to investigate.

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.