When midwife Sarah and detective Frank Malloy’s friend and new partner Gino Donatelli is accused of murder, he and Sarah must catch the real killer to keep him alive, in this enthralling, new novel in the USA Today bestselling Gaslight Mystery series. . . .A young woman is missing in the upper Manhattan neighborhood called Italian Harlem, and everyone knows whoʼs responsible—the Black Hand, a … responsible—the Black Hand, a notorious group known for terrorizing their own community with violence and kidnappings. Gino and Frank set out to learn more about the disreputable gang and soon find a lead: a saloon-owning gangster named Nunzio Esposito.
Gino hates that a fellow immigrant would stoop so low and decides to confront his wayward countryman. But he quickly discovers the man can’t be reasoned with—because he’s been murdered. The police have only one suspect: Gino Donatelli.
Frank and Sarah know Gino is no killer, but someone has pulled out all the stops to make it look like he is guilty. They also must now face the Black Hand, who are honor-bound to avenge the death of one of their own.
With evidence mounting against their friend and a group of bad guys out for blood, Sarah and Frank race to unravel a treacherous plot before Gino’s time runs out. . . .
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This TWENTY-THIRD entry in Victoria Thompson’s iconic Gaslight historical mystery series delivers on character development, twists and turns, and creating a past world that is at once so different from, yet similar to, our own times. Relatable and yet a lovely escape!
This was a great book with a few twists and turns that kept me interested and engaged.
Murder on Pleasant Avenue (A Gaslight Mystery) by Victoria Thompson
Troubles bring families to the front, and Gino’s families do so with a vengeance. His own Donatelli clan as well as Frank, Sarah, and Maeve, adopted family of sorts, work together when Gino is accused of murder and threatened by the Black Hand.
In this struggle, new bonds are formed, and Maeve shows new skills with typewriting, driving, and leadership. Teo, Gino’s SIL, steps up with confidence, “I am a woman. We are all very clever or we do not survive.” Loyalty and care for others are values to live by. Greed is weak by comparison. This book is so well-written, characters so real and plot so compelling, that I finished it far too quickly, but will carry it with me for further pondering, as I wait impatiently for another.
I enjoyed this book but realized very early on that I need to read the series in order. It took me much too long, in my opinion, to understand some of the reoccurring characters. I have read one book previously and had forgotten that was my conclusion then.
Being of Italian descent I found this book very interesting especially regarding the difference in the Calabrians and Sicilians. My grandfather was from Sicily and passed away when I was 2 so I never had the chance to ask him about his heritage.
A word of warning this book deals with the kidnapping of children and the sexual assault of women. There are no detailed scenes of sexual assault. This is a cozy mystery with more of a bite to the story. While reading I do not have the light, airy feel as I usually do while reading cozies. I am already on the hunt for book 1 so I may understand this series better.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Berkely Publishing Group. through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
One of my favorite historical mystery series! Another charming and cleverly plotted book from Victoria Thompson including a delightful, budding romance!
I so enjoyed the 23rd book in The Gaslight Mysteries series! Ms. Thompson is on top of the time period and you can tell she enjoys getting the historic details correct.
This was almost a reunion story, with so many of our favorite characters from previous books making an appearance. The murderer was apparent to me quite early on, but it was fun to see all the rabbit holes our group of intrepid detectives went down before realizing ‘who done it’.
The writing and historical accuracy are spot on. I loved how the author wove in more information about Gino and his family, and how the ‘Black Hand’ used extortion and kidnapping to control the Italian populace. The graft and corruption of the city is historically accurate, and a sad time in the history of NYC.
As we leave this book, love is in the air. Can you tell I loved the ending? I cannot wait to see where these couples go, and where Ms. Thompson takes us next!
Murder on Pleasant Avenue by Victoria Thompson is the twenty-third installment in the Gaslight Mystery series. I haven’t read any of the other books in the series, but this was a great introduction for me.
Sarah and Frank Malloy find themselves embroiled in another sticky situation. Gino Donatelli, Frank’s business partner and friend, has been arrested for murder. The Malloy’s are determined to prove his innocence and keep him safe in the process. The events leading to Gino’s arrest get more mysterious by the minute.
Murder on Pleasant Avenue is well-written. The characters are vibrant and believable with complete backstories. The plot is engaging with a good mystery and enough twists to hold the reader’s attention throughout. Humor is injected making the story even more entertaining. Ms. Thompson has done thorough research and gives an accurate accounting of the time period. I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars. Readers of historical fiction will find this story to be captivating.
My thanks to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.
Even though there are 23 books in this series, Murder on Pleasant Avenue is only the second one I’ve had the chance to read. I don’t usually start a series from anywhere but the beginning because I don’t like to miss out on world building and character development. I can say, however, that not having read the majority of the previous books didn’t detract from the story. There were things referenced that were unfamiliar to me but in no way caused me to be confused or lack understanding of the current goings-on in the book.
I enjoyed the story and found the mystery behind the kidnapping of women and children, and the accusations made against Gino, to be interesting and full of twists and turns. I enjoyed trying to figure out who the real culprit was as I read along, since it’s clear Gino wasn’t the murderer. The path taken to solve the murder is filled with interesting characters, hidden agendas, lies, deceit, and sadness. I was constantly on edge as Frank and Sarah Malloy investigated the Murder on Pleasant Avenue.
I fully plan to go back and start this series from the beginning. I enjoyed Murder on Pleasant Avenue and look forward to properly meeting Sarah, Frank, and the rest of the cast.
I was given a copy of this book to read.
Another great installment of the Gaslight Mystery Series. A great sleuthing team with Frank and Sarah and the amazing New York setting and Italian Harlem too. I think it is amazing that the location is always a big part of the narrative. This is my first book in this series and I enjoyed this a lot and worked for me even though this is book #23. The pacing and characterization is spot on and I immediately became invested with Frank and Sarah and will be ordering the rest of the Gaslight Mystery Series. I enjoyed the writing and loved that I can spend an afternoon reading this book for a great escape read.