Murder on Astor Place

Gaslight Mystery, Book 1

By: Victoria Thompson

Narrated by: Callie Beaulieu

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

After a routine delivery, midwife Sarah Brandt visits her patient in a rooming house and finds that another boarder, a young girl, has been killed. At the request of sergeant Frank Malloy, she searches the girl's room and discovers that the victim is from one of the most prominent families in New York - and the sister of an old friend. The powerful family, fearful of scandal, refuses to permit an investigation. But with Malloy's help, Sarah begins a dangerous quest to bring the killer to justice before death claims another victim.

©1999 Victoria Thompson (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Thompson vividly re-creates the gas-lit world of old New York, concluding her mystery with revelations that will shock even 20th-century readers." ( Publishers Weekly)

Great first of Series

great first book in series not too much scene and character setting Victoria leaves room for future character development as the series unfolds

Absolutely Love This Series

I found this book. The first one years ago in the grocery store. I still love it. Being able to listen to it is awesome!! I love Sarah and Frank. Thank you, Victoria Thompson!!

Interesting Story, Major Flaws

"Interesting" is all I can grant the story. It's complex and intriguing, but the characters are unlikable at best, many are downright despicable, and all lack believability. The solution to the crime is stomach-turning, and the resolution scene is over the top. As at least one other reviewer mentioned, there is also the sense that the author is throwing in superfluous factoids on several subjects just to prove she's done some research. One character's superstitions become caricature.

The reviews of the narrator were so negative that I was surprised she wasn't quite as bad as I expected her to be. However, she is just a narrator, not a voice actor. She doesn't do either accents or voice changes for different chatacters, and her affect is somewhat flat. She also inexcusably mispronounces a couple of words whose pronunciation easily could have been looked up.

It probably will hold your interest, but it may not be worth your time.

Looking forward to more

I enjoyed this book immensely.

Sarah Brandt is a midwife in NYC in the late 1800s. While visiting a patient, she thinks she recognizes another boarder in the house. When the young woman turns up murder, Sarah begins her own investigation reporting her discoveries to Frank Malloy a detective with the NYC PD.

I like so much about this story. The NYC setting is well done. I learned a lot about the era that I didn't know. The characters are well developed. They highlight the class system of the times. Ms. Thompson does an excellent job showing the positive and negative aspects of the time through her characters. There are incidents and comments that make me angry, but seem appropriate for that time in history.

Callie Beaulieu does a lovely job of bring the characters to life. The tension, fear, and joy all come through her narration.

I look forward to reading more books in the series.

Beginning of a great series

This book Reminded me of the tv show Ms Scarlett and the Duke. Is this the base of the tv show?

Shades of the alienist.

I loved the point of views of all the facets of society and it is very illustrative of the patriarchy. This is not an intense thriller which I like. It is realistic and well plotted. Highly recommended as the characters are worth rooting for and the journey is engaging.

good read

very good read. It was funny at times and interesting at others. Great narator. thumbs up

Great installment in this series

Good character development and growth. The plot kept me pretty much guessing until the end.

Nice historical

Good historical fiction. Thought I knew where it was heading from the get-go. Pleasantly surprised by the ending. Looking forward to the rest of this series.

slow down the narration it bearable

2 chapters in I slowed the narration it was way more bearable. great story but pick a new narrator.