Rosemary Simpson (1)

3.5 stars

It’s the late 19th century in New York City. Prudence and Geoffrey run an investigation business. An opera singer, Claire, comes to them to ask them to investigate her twin sister’s (Catherine’s) death. Her sister, also an opera singer, was married to Aaron who seemed to keep her from her family and, by his request, she had stopped performing/singing. Catherine had just had a baby and they are now both dead. Aaron remarried very quickly after their deaths, and now Prudence and Geoffrey worry about his new wife, Ethel (who is pregnant).

This continues to be an enjoyable series. I love that a woman is doing much of the investigating. Apparently there were a few women investigators with the famous Pinkerton investigation agency at the time, as well. The story didn’t grip me as much as the first two in the series did, but it did ramp up a bit toward the end. Definitely still enjoying it enough to continue the series. I didn’t mention it in my description, but Aaron had a photographer come take a post-mortem photograph of Catherine and their baby; I did know this happened, but only because of the Nicole Kidman movie “The Others” from the late 90s?, so that wasn’t a surprise.… (altro)

This is the 2nd book in a series. In 1888, Prudence is working as a private detective along with lawyer friend, Geoffrey. When Prudence’s sometimes-maid (and friend from when they were kids) turns up not only murdered, but “gutted” (similar to Jack the Ripper over in London), people wonder if the Ripper has moved to New York or if this is a copycat. The police want to solve the case quickly, so they arrest the fiancee, but Prudence and Geoffrey don’t think he did it. Then another, then another young woman turn up with a similar MO.

I am really enjoying these mysteries. Prudence is much more assertive than most women of her time and “station”, but I like her. Realistic? I don’t know, but the entire atmostphere/setting of the book is done really well, I think. With how these murders are happening, there is some gore, but that doesn’t bother me. There was more going on than the murders in this book, so even when things appeared to be drawing to a close, there was more to come.… (altro)

I had mixed feelings about this 6th book in the Gilded Age Mystery series which was set in 1890 New York City. This was the first book I've read in the series and I liked the recurring characters. However, the subject matter, the horrific crimes against the women in this book, were almost too painful to read.

The book was well done but I'm not sure this is a series I want to continue with.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.)… (altro)

Crimes against women and children have existed since time immemorial. The 1890s of New York City were no exception, as expounded upon in Rosemary Simpson's most recent addition to her, "A Gilded Age" mystery series. Protagonist Prudence MacKenzie is pondering a serious matter while seated on a quiet park bench with her sandwich at her side and friendly canine "Blossom" eyeing said sandwich. When, out of nowhere, a street urchin snags the sandwich and absconds with it down the street with Prudence and Blossom in hot pursuit. Prudence catches up with the miscreant only to discover that he was tending an ill, badly mistreated young woman sorely in need of medical attention. Swift to action, Prudence hails a hansom cab and gets the young woman into the care of a nearby Quaker doctor. While recovering in the Friends Refuge for the Sick Poor, the young girl, aided by the sandwich thief, slips away in the night. Fearing for their lives, Prudence seeks to find the pair before the abuser does. Will she be able to find them and save them. Only time will tell.

Oh how I do love a well written historical mystery with just the right amount of solid background research. It adds interesting detail to the story without allowing the story to be bogged down by it. Author Rosemary Simpson has the balance of this down to a science and entertains the reader with lots of interesting historical facts of 1890 New York City which engages the reader's imagination without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail. This sixth installment in her Gilded Age Mystery series is perfectly balanced in this regard. We hear the rustle of the ladies' gowns as they sidle down a darkened hallway or the rhythmic clopping sound of horse hooves on the cobblestone streets. The vignettes are richly described and transport the reader to another time and place.

Certainly Ms. Simpson's fine turn of phrase drew me into the book and her strong female protagonist, Prudence (daughter schooled in law by her father, a judge) held my interest as she put forth an image of a feisty, bright and fearless women in an age where such character was extraordinary. Prudence and her partner, Geoffrey run an investigative law firm. He is a southern gentleman schooled in law and a former Pinkerton man. There's a developing spark between them as he tries to steer her away from seemingly dangerous situations but Prudence will have none of it and that's what he so admires about her. She's an independent woman with a strong mind of her own, an admirable trait and simultaneously vexing to Geoffrey.

If you enjoy well written and well researched historical mysteries, then I commend to you this wonderful series. You shan't be disappointed.… (altro)