Detective
Sergeant Frank Mallow is introduced to Mr. Livingston, who
turns up at Police Headquarters to report his missing daughter,
Grace. Frank discovers she responded to a “lonely hearts”
ad and, believing she has been abducted, fears the worst.
Then his Chief learns that Frank has inherited money and fires
him, explaining that every cop on the force would envy and
hate him for being rich. Fortunately, Mr. Livingston is determined
to find his daughter and hires Frank as a private detective.
Sarah Brandt is
Frank’s fiancée and has helped him solve many
crimes. She also fears for the safety of the young woman and,
being a midwife, hopes to be of help. To find the young victim,
Frank, Sarah and her daughter’s nursemaid cook up a
scheme that endangers them all.
While the author’s
fictional criminal used newspaper ads to lure women, I found
similarities to current usage of computers, phones, etc.,
for the same purpose: to lure unsuspecting females –
and young children – for devious purposes. Victoria
Thompson has done an excellent job in bringing this abysmal
practice to the fore, and she is to be commended.
I found
Murder in Murray Hill is an outstanding mystery that
holds its own as a thrilling, fast-paced page-turner featuring
a delicate yet important topic: criminal abduction. Victoria
Thompson made me feel as though I were in late 19th century
New York, enjoying the mannerisms, speech and customs in use
then. Her main characters, Frank and Sarah, are adorable in
their interactions and desire to find a suitable home for
their families before they can marry. The secondary characters
are all loveable, and I especially adored the way Sarah carefully
included Frank’s mother in their discussion of marriage
and home. Murder in Murray Hill was truly a winner
for me.
Reviewer
Note: Features female abduction, rape and imprisonment
(no obscenity). Victoria Thompson is a national bestselling
author, and an Edgar and Agatha award nominee.
Reviews
of other titles in this series
Murder
on Astor Place #1 [review]
Murder on St Mark's Place #2 [review]
Murder on Lenox Hill #7 [review]
Murder on Sisters' Row #13 [review]
Murder on Fifth Avenue #14 [review]
Murder in Chelsea #15 [review]
Murder in Murray Hill #16 [review]
Murder on Amsterdam Avenue #17 [review]
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