Murder on Lenox Hill was an interesting turning point in the Gaslight Mystery series. Felix Decker has hired Malloy to investigate Dr. Tom Brandt’s death. Malloy knows that Decker was somehow involved in Brandt’s murder, but he never expected Decker to ask him to look into it! Decker’s motives aren’t exactly pure, however, as it seems he wants Sarah to learn what her deceased husband was really like. He believes that Sarah will return home and rejoin society if she realizes that her whole life is a lie, but Malloy isn’t sure. Malloy knows that Sarah enjoys her work as a midwife and would never turn her back on anyone who needed her help because they couldn’t afford her services. Malloy also knows that Sarah will despise anyone who tries to blacken her husband’s name, but he starts investigating in the vain hope that he can control the information Sarah learns. In Malloy’s spare time, he visits the women who seemed fixated on Dr. Brandt while he was alive, but he isn’t making much headway. Still, it was very interesting to learn about psychology as it was understood at the time.The main case starts off as a single rape case and morphs into a child abuse case. Malloy immediately suspected that there was something wrong with the Upchurches and their church, but it wasn’t until Sarah met with Mrs. Upchurch that they made any headway. While this mystery took up the bulk of the book, the case itself paled in comparison to society’s reaction. At first, everyone wanted to cover up the crimes and discreetly get rid of the abuser, but then a victim’s family decided to punish them by destroying their reputation. I did not think this would be tremendously effective because the abuser could always change their identity and start over somewhere new, but the accused definitely panicked and reacted in an entirely unexpected way. What began as a simple, straightforward case quickly turned into a convoluted mystery with far-reaching effects that would damage lives for years to come.Most of this mystery takes place in the middle-class neighborhoods of New York City so there is not as much dichotomy between the rich and the poor as in other books. Ironically enough, Lenox Hill is now considered one of New York City’s most picturesque neighborhoods and is the home of multi-millionaires. Perhaps I did not give the neighborhood proper credit! While the mystery was not as riveting, there are some pretty big changes in Malloy and Sarah’s lives that will definitely interest fans of the series. Sarah has become the legal guardian of Aggie, a four-year-old orphan who hasn’t spoken a word since she was found. Sarah is thrilled to have Aggie in her life and hires one of the girls, Maeve, from the Prodigal Son Mission to be Aggie’s nanny. The nanny position is unpaid, but Sarah teaches Maeve valuable skills that she can use to obtain another job in a few years. I was a bit surprised to see Maeve pop up again as she was rather disagreeable in previous books, but it seems like her personality has completely changed now that she is out of the mission. Aggie also seems much sweeter than when I first met her and I am happy to see Sarah finding some fulfilling home life. Malloy brings his three-year-old son, Brian, over to Sarah’s house more often to visit now that Aggie is there. The two enjoy playing together and there is a nice little clue about who Aggie really is at the end of the book. Brian is thriving at his new deaf school and is always excited to try out sign language on everyone he meets. Malloy hasn’t learned any yet, but his mother goes to school with Brian every day and has managed to learn quite a bit. I am so thrilled to see Brian doing well and can’t wait to see how he makes his way in the world!The writing in Murder on Lenox Hill is solid and evocative. Victoria Thompson has a real knack for descriptions and I always enjoy picturing the characters and historical New York City as I read the Gaslight Mystery books. While this mystery seemed pretty straightforward and easy to solve, it was still enjoyable. I kind of missed the more exotic city locations, however, as Lenox Hill just seems like a solidly middle-class neighborhood with nothing in particular to recommend it. The characters are sympathetic and you will definitely be rewarded if you take the time to immerse yourself in these books. While you can start with any book in the series and enjoy it, I highly recommend getting to know the characters from the first book, Murder on Astor Place, and enjoy the slow development of a relationship between Sarah, the daughter of an extremely wealthy man, and Malloy, an Irish policeman who is slowly changing into a man Sarah can be proud to know.
#7 “gaslight” historical mystery set in early 1900’s New York and featuring midwife Sarah Brandt and police detective Frank Malloy. Sarah is referred to speak discreetly with the Linton family to examine their seventeen year old daughter Grace, whom they are concerned might be pregnant. Grace is a ‘simpleton’ with the mind of a five-year-old and Sarah does indeed determine that she is several months along—everyone assumes that she was raped or taken advantage of, but most puzzlingly, Grace denies anyone hurting her. Living a very sheltered life, Grace is never alone with any men, but Sarah doesn’t believe in immaculate conception and is determined to find who fathered Grace’s child. Mr. Linton comes under immediate suspicion, being the only man to see her regularly, but he is ruled out fairly quickly and the trail next leads to the church the Lintons attend, which is where Grace and Mrs. Linton spend some time volunteering, and eventually a murder does occur there, though the main mystery seems to be Grace’s pregnancy. Meanwhile, Malloy is asked by Sarah’s father, socialite Peter Decker, to resume investigating Sarah’s husband’s murder, which took place four years previously—Decker believes Dr. Tom Brandt was a womanizer and wants Malloy to prove it so that Sarah will finally forget about carrying on Tom’s legacy of helping the poor and return to her rightful place in society. Frank Malloy, of course, has other motives for wanting the crime solved. A predictable, light historical read that I did enjoy despite the mystery (all of them, actually) being extremely transparent and easy to solve.
What do You think about Murder On Lenox Hill (2006)?
this book was okay. if you want a murder mystery for a semi-engaging beach read, i MAY recommend this one. it wasn't my favorite. it was really hard for me to get in to and then once i sorta did, the ending is extremely predictable. so much so that you keep thinking, surely, surely, that's not going to be the ending. oh, but it is, my friends! this book takes place in new york city back in the day. like horse and buggy days. hence the series name of 'the gaslight mysteries'. sara brandt is from a well-to-do family of money in the early days of new york city. a widow, the tale of another book in the series apparently, sara strays from her society ways to work as a midwife. this was apparently not an occupation that was well respected in those days. in this particular story, there are 2 plotlines woven together. one being the obvious...the murder on lenox hill. the other, the impregnation of a mentally challenged 17-year-old girl. how, you might ask, are these 2 plots woven together? not very well, i would answer. i won't go into the details because i don't think i'd recommend this book to anyone.
—Jessica Brazeal
I had read a few books in this series (out of order) several years ago, and this was one of them. Actually, this was the one that completely hooked me on the series, and had me chomping at the bit to learn what would happen next. I’m happy I'm all caught up now, and have only new books to look forward to reading.NOTE: Thank goodness that Sarah is “back”. In this book she seems to have regained her common sense, and is no longer acting stupidly. I don’t know WHAT the author did to her in Book 5, but I didn’t like it.
—Mo
Murder on Lenox Hill by Victoria Thompson is the 7th book of the Gaslight Mystery series set in turn-of-the-20th-century New York City. Widow Sarah Brandt is a midwife, serving the poorest neighborhoods, forsaking the elite Knickerbocker lifestyle she is entitled to by birth. Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy is a rare honest policeman (not taking bribes), working hard to support his mother and deaf son Brian. Sarah's and Frank's paths cross on murder investigations, when Sarah is able to enter high-society parlors and speak freely with those of her "class", who are not willing to reveal the truth to a policeman. Solving cases together, and helping each other in times of crisis, they have forged a solid friendship, almost but not quite blossoming into courtship. Frank is certain he can never be more than a friend to Sarah, due to her "high birth". In this installment, Sarah is asked to handle a matter of the utmost confidentiality by the high-society Linton family of Lenox Hill. Their teenage daughter, who is mentally a young child, is pregnant. They have no idea how that is possible, since she is always at home or at church. As Sarah and Frank investigate the church and its minister, Reverend Oliver Upchurch, each senses at once something is not right in the minister's conduct. They eventually uncover a crime with many more victims. By the time the minister dies, the general consensus is good riddance; but Frank still must determine cause of death, motive, and killer. Sarah finally uncovers the truth about the pregnancy when she stops making a basic assumption, and asks the right questions. The case is traumatic for Sarah and Frank; for solace they bring their beloved Brian and Aggie together - a joy-filled moment.
—Susan
