Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Murder on Pleasant Avenue by Victoria Thompson Series: Gaslight Mystery #23
Published by Berkley on April 28, 2020
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 336
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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A victim is found, brutally murdered and the police are certain they've caught the killer. Their only suspect: Gino Donatelli.
Frank and Sarah know Gino is innocent but the police have a one-track mind. Once Frank struck it rich and left their ranks taking Gino with him, there has been a simmering resentment in the department. And now, someone has pulled out all the stops to make it look like Gino is the only one who could have committed the crime.
With the clock ticking and evidence mounting against their friend, Sarah and Frank will try to unravel a treacherous plot before Gino is sent up the river for good.
I have been loving this Gaslight Mystery series. I started on audio but switched to ebook when the narrator changed after the first 8 or so books. They are so addictive, I read 9 books in one week! Then I was determined to catch up for the new release, Murder on Pleasant Avenue. There may be some spoilers for earlier books in this review. I do recommend reading in order, because I always do, but also the personal lives of the characters progresses throughout the series. I especially love Brian and always wanted to know more about how he was doing.
I will say I enjoyed the building relationship between Frank and Sarah in earlier books. They each developed their bright, young assistants, Maeve and Gino. I think Maeve is particularly sharp. I enjoyed the mystery handled by all the secondary characters, but primarily Gino and Maeve while they were on their honeymoon. I don’t like them being quite as much of the story as they are though. Gino seemed less experienced, then he seemed more seasoned after volunteering in Cuba, but now he is back to more mediocre efforts.
I enjoyed this mystery and learning more about the settlement houses in New York City. The settlement house concept was great but implemented at various levels of competence, like anything. Sarah certainly created a wonderful place with her maternity hospital. I suspected the culprits quite early this time.
I wish there was more Frank and Sarah and a bit less Gino and Maeve. At least, I wish there were more of their discussions and personal time without the other two. The mentions of the rest of the family, meals and Mrs. Ellsworth are simplistic, barely more than a mention now. Mother Malloy does sometimes have a bright observation to contribute.
I got tired of Maeve’s sort of whiny attitude at office work and her jumping into dangerous investigating on her own. At the end, however, Maeve comes through playing an integral part in solving the loose ends once the case is solved. Her quick mind and fearless action saved the day.
I’ll be thrilled to read more in this series. I love the characters and the historic setting. I enjoy the author’s note ending each book with details about the authenticity of historical aspects.
About Victoria Thompson
Victoria Thompson is the USA Today bestselling author of the Edgar® and Agatha nominated Gaslight Mystery series and the Sue Grafton Memorial Award nominated Counterfeit Lady Series. She was nominated for an Edgar Award from Mystery Writers of America in 2001, and in 2012 she received a Career Achievement Award in Mystery Writing from RT Magazine. Six of her Gaslight Mysteries were nominated for an Agatha Award. She also contributed to the award winning writing textbook MANY GENRES/ONE CRAFT and authored a short story for the anthology, SHERLOCK HOLMES IN AMERICA. In her previous life, Victoria Thompson was the bestselling author of twenty historical romances. She earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in 2012, where she has been a mentor and lecturer for 20 years.
“I became enchanted by New York City, and Greenwich Village in particular, while one of my daughters attended NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. After reading many books about the village, and spending many pleasant hours dining, shopping, and just wandering the streets, I was permanently hooked!”
Victoria Thompson is has also written 20 historical romances.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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I think I tried a book by this author but it’s been a while I confess so I don’t remember about it. But wow 23 books? That’s a lot!
I’ve loved these! I read 9 of them in a week last month.
I love the cover! And I have been wanting to get back to this genre. Struggling to find time to read at the time. Things are so hectic.
yes things are weird. This genre is one that I have been able to read, tho.
Wonderful review, Anne? This series is such a nice place to land and I’m not enjoying being caught up? I liked having Gino and Maeve take center stage particularly because I wanted to know more about his family. Maeve did get a little whiny so I’m hoping that goes always with the next book.
I’ve enjoyed this series so much! The author’s notes are great too.
Nice review!
Thank you! This series is so enjoyable.
Lovely review you have here. And what an intriguing premise this book has. Glad you liked it.
It’s a great series! But I would start at the beginning.
I need to get back to this series. I think I left off at book 4? Anyways, I was disappointed to hear the change in narrator made the audiobooks a no go for you. It’s easier to squeeze in non-review books if I can listen.
Well you might like the new narrator? I just liked the first one and couldn’t adjust to the new one. I did listen to one audio but it sounded wrong. Maybe if you read the ones up to the narrator change so them you could do the last 16 with the new narrator? They are relatively short books so that could work. I actually read 9 in a week.
Maeve sounds like she was annoying. I still can’t believe you read 9 of the books in a week. That’s a hell of a recommendation! I need to see if my library has these in Kindle.
I enjoyed Maeve a lot in other books so maybe it’s just this one I hope. Anyway, my library had both ebook and audio. The narrator changes after the first 7 I think and I couldn’t make the switch. If you prefer audio, I might read the first ones on ebook and go to audiobook for the new narrator. They are shortish books, many under 300 pages I think or maybe I just devour them so they seem short.
Anne, these are on my wishlist. I have to finish a couple of back books in series I started late, and then I am hitting these!
They go very quick because they are addictive.
I love it when you find a series and you just want to read all of them right away. This does sound fantastic!
I did. The author does a great job with including at least one true historical things and often describes it in an author’s note at the end which is also a big plus.
I really need to begin this series, Anne. I read the first in the newer series from her and I’m not sure if there are any new installments in that one I’ve missed now. Lovely review!
Thanks. I really enjoy this series.
WOW!! There are so many books in this series. I’m glad you are able to enjoy the audio and switch to ebook. I can usually switch from book to audio, but not the other way around.
Well I didn’t prefer the second narrator. So I switched to ebook. These books are either shorter, or easier to read or just so engaging I was able to read them quickly. One week I read 9 in addition to ARCs.
This is one of those series that has been on my radar for years, and I have never started it. I don’t even know why, because I really enjoy historical mystery, and the series description sounds very good. I should bump them higher up my reading list. 🙂
You could certainly try one. I loved them and went right into a binge to read them all!