Murder on Fifth Avenue

A Gaslight Mystery, Book 14

By: Victoria Thompson

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

Victoria Thompson is the Edgar Award-nominated author of the Gaslight Mysteries and numerous historical romance novels. Set in 19th-century New York, Murder on Fifth Avenue follows midwife Sarah Brandt and Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy as they investigate the murder of a Knickerbocker club member.

©2012 Victoria Thompson (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Thompson vividly recreates the gaslit world of old New York.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Good story, but narration grates

This is one of the best stories in the series about midwife Sarah Brandt and her friend Detective Sgt Frank Malloy. For a while it seemed as though the series had been in a slump, and all the stories and narrations were under par. But lately, I think the plots are getting very interesting again, though I fear I can't say the same for the narration.

In this book, Frank Malloy has been called in to investigate a murder at the prestigious Knickerbocker Club--a friend of Sarah Brandt's father has been murdered, and he wants Frank, personally, to look into it. This book has Sarah's parents much more involved than previously, and I think that's partly what makes this better. Her mother even helps with the investigation.But the story itself is good as well. Lots of people who have ample motive to kill the victim, and it kept me guessing all along about who could have done it.

One thing I really like about Victoria Thompson is that she weaves bits of turn of the 20th century history into her stories and I always like that. Attitudes about things alter over time, and this story turns on societal ideas, the restrictions of women, and even early ideas about policing. About the narration--Suzanne Toren reads the descriptive parts very nicely, and does some voices quite well. Yet, there are several voices that leave me feeling like fingernails on a chalkboard. She doesn't do male voices at all well. So it is sort of uneven. I like the series well enough to listen anyway.

Ahhhhhhh

I love this series. I used to read traditional books and lost contact with the series when audiobooks started to dominate my life. I'm glad I could pickup again due to Audible's recent big sale. This story was just what I needed. I even remembered the characters.

Do we get to know?

I’ve read the book after this and I still don’t know what Decker wanted to tell Malloy. Did I miss it? 🤔

New York at the Turn of the Century

Very entertaining mystery depicting life in New York among the rich and famous. The mystery of the "killer" did not reveal itself too early to keep the book entertaining until the end.

Keeps you thinking!

I love all the gaslight mysteries I listen and read so far, this one was amazing and keeps me wondering who the killer was - Sarah and frank mystery solving skills are exciting - I love their relationship and can't wait for them to act on their feelings.