Genieve is a reporter in 1888 NYC and is looking for a “big story” and is on the trail of a thief who steels from the rich supposed giving to the poor, nicked Robin Hood. She goes into an alley and sees a fight and is rescued by Daniel McCafferty who she assumes is Robin Hood. More thefts, an attack on Genieve, Daniel and she work together and feelings for each other occur and miscommunication as they reveal more about their backgrounds and ambitions. ( )

Very well written and well constructed mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed this initial entry in what I hope proves to be a long series. ( )

This was such a good book. Genevieve is a reporter at the Globe in 1888 when a “Robin Hood” is stealing from the rich and giving back to the poor. When Genevieve gets herself into a precarious position, Daniel is there to rescue her. But could Daniel be the “Robin Hood”? Genevieve goes down a rabbit hole to figure out who the mysterious “Robin Hood” is until her own life is endangered. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I kept rooting for Daniel and Genevieve. Highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a bit of mystery, heart pounding action along with historical context. This is a great debut novel!! ( )

1888 New York. Journalist Polly Palmer becomes friends with the very rich, very handsome Daniel McCaffrey as they investigate thefts, corruption, and murder in New York.
Unfortunately the story just didn't catch my imagination. I tend to find journalists annoying and Genevieve aka Polly Palmer was really no different and I found her somewhat unlikable.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. ( )

Deception by Gaslight by Kate Belli
Gilded Gotham Mystery #1

Mixed feelings on this one. I enjoyed the beginning…great introduction…then enjoyed the next scene, too, but for some reason I was not hooked enough to read every word. That said, I did skim quickly because I wanted to find out what would happen. I had the sense of watching a movie set in the period while also remembering books I read long ago that were of that era. Why I wasn’t invested in the characters might have had to do with Genevieve, in her mid-twenties, being at times incautious and actually making dangerous life-threatening decisions while chasing a story.

The writing flowed and descriptions appealed to all five senses giving a good feel for the time, clothing, etc. and I felt that I was there in some scenes. In some ways the story read like a penny dreadful and in others…not quite.

There were murders, thefts, news stories to follow, social issues relevant to the times, newsworthy happenings, stories given to men that Genevieve wanted, and a bit of romance. I am not sure how I feel about this book and though I didn’t read word for word might give book two a chance to see what Genevieve and Daniel get up to and whether or not their relationship will develop.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the ARC – This is my honest review.

2 for my interest in the story
3 it is in the middle
4 Stars as I believe it has merit and will appeal to more readers than it doesn’t appeal to ( )