Murder on Pleasant Avenue by Victoria Thompson @gaslightvt @BerkleyPub

Posted April 21, 2020 by Anne - Books of My Heart in Book Review / 24 Comments

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 @gaslightvt @BerkleyPub 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.

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Posted April 21, 2020 by Anne - Books of My Heart in Book Review / 24 Comments


24 responses to “Murder on Pleasant Avenue by Victoria Thompson

  1. 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!

    • 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.

      Anne - Books of My Heart recently posted: Semi-Psychic Life by Elizabeth Hunter
    • 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 - Books of My Heart recently posted: ICYMI: Midnight Action by Elle Kennedy
  2. 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!

  3. Jen

    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.