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Murder on Washington Square
Murder on Washington Square
Murder on Washington Square
Audiobook9 hours

Murder on Washington Square

Written by Victoria Thompson

Narrated by Callie Beaulieu

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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About this audiobook

Sarah Brandt is surprised when the son of her superstitious next-door neighbor asks for her professional advice. She is even more surprised to learn that mild-mannered Nelson Ellsworth has a mistress and has gotten her with child. When the young woman later turns up dead under the infamous hanging tree in Washington Square, Nelson is the prime suspect. Sarah knows that he must be innocent and she enlists the help of detective Frank Malloy to help her find the real killer.

When the crime becomes public knowledge, Sarah and Frank must battle a legion of scandal mongering newspaper reporters who are intent on trying and convicting Nelson before he has even been charged with the crime. With the help of Nelson's mother and an ambitious reporter, Sarah must prove that, in this case at least, the victim may have been the victimizer.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateDec 22, 2015
ISBN9781494584962
Murder on Washington Square
Author

Victoria Thompson

Victoria Thompson is the author of twenty bestselling historical romances. She is also the Edgar nominated author of the bestselling Gaslight Mystery Series, set in turn-of-the-century New York City and featuring midwife Sarah Brandt. She also contributed to the award winning writing textbook Many Genres/One Craft. A popular speaker, Victoria teaches in the Seton Hill University master's program in writing popular fiction. She lives in Central PA with her husband and a very spoiled little dog.Please visit Victoria Thompson’s www.victoriathompson.homestead.com to learn about new releases and discover old favorites!

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Reviews for Murder on Washington Square

Rating: 3.984771585786802 out of 5 stars
4/5

197 ratings17 reviews

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Don't know if I am getting tired of these mysteries but didn't find myself enjoying it as much as others I'd read previously.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Midwife Sarah Brandt receives a note from her next door neighbor Nelson Ellsworth that he would like to meet her away from their street (away from his mother), to consult her in her professional capacity.Sarah meets with Nelson and learns he has seduced a young lady who is now with child. She won’t marry him, she only wants $1000 to disappear and raise their child. Nelson wants Sarah to go with him to Anna’s boarding house to advise him if she is really with child and to help him persuade Anna to marry him.So begins the next murder case that Sarah Brandt with investigate with Detective Sargent Frank Malloy. A great read combining the police, the medical, and the newspaper journalists and the privileged elites with lots of suspects! Highly recommended. I think Ms. Thompson said it best in her afterward, “our legal system has surely not changed very much” in the past 120 years. Sex, blackmail and murder with the poor and middle class at risk of prosecution while the rich and powerful use their influence or buy their way out.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    When Nelson Ellsworth is taken in for questioning in the murder of his lady love, his mother asks her neighbor and friend, Sarah Brandt, to help find out who really killed Anna Blake. Sarah, a widowed midwife, is friends with NYPD detective Frank Malloy, with whom Sarah has collaborated with on several murder cases. Sarah had met Miss Blake before, when Nelson asked Sarah to accompany him to the boarding house where Anna lived. It seems Anna was pregnant and in 1890s New York it isn’t likely a man is going to talk to a woman about her situation. Nelson is eager to marry Anna, but she’s not interested in that … only in money. Of course, Nelson doesn’t see it that way and he hopes Sarah can talk some sense into the youngish woman. The “Gaslight Mysteries” are cozy historicals with great characters, smooth plotting and smooth writing. Murder on Washington Square is just what fans gave learned to expect from Victoria Thompson.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Sarah Brandt is contacted by the son of her next door neighbor Mrs. Ellsworth. Nelson. He is concerned about a young lady that is "down on her luck" and with whom he has had a personal relationship after meeting at the bank. When she is found murdered in the square, Nelson is the prime suspect. But was the victim who she appeared to be or was there something more to her than a naïve young woman?This was a well-written and well plotted mystery with numerous twists and turns as well as hidden clues. Set in the early 20th century it doesn't need all the tech to keep the reader searching for answers.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Things are -finally- starting to get interesting between the two lead characters. And Malloy finally has a lead on her husband's death........and the library doesn't have anymore of this series.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Murder on Washington Square is the fourth book in Victoria Thompson's Gaslight Mystery series. Midwife/nurse Sarah Brandt's next-door neighbor, widowed Mrs. [Edna] Ellsworth, has been a member of the supporting cast since book one, Murder on Astor Place. Her usual function is nosy questions, concern for Sarah, hoping Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy will be a new Mr. Right for the young widow, and telling Sarah about whatever happened to her that involves a superstition. (Sarah doesn't believe in those superstitions, but they do seem to come true more often than not.)Mrs. Ellsworth's adult son, Nelson, still lives with her. Nelson has a woman problem and he seeks Sarah's advice. He's terribly ashamed of himself for getting Anna Blake in trouble (an old euphemism for a unmarried woman getting pregnant). Nelson wants to do the honorable thing and marry Anna, but she wants a thousand dollars to start a new life elsewhere. She claims she doesn't want to ruin Nelson's life with scandal. Sarah is pretty skeptical about Miss Blake already. After all, at a time when an unmarried pregnant woman would gladly marry ANY man willing to give her baby his [last] name, Anna's explanation doesn't ring true.Sarah's 'balderdash alarm' goes off even more loudly after she accompanies Nelson to Mr. & Mrs. Walcott's boarding house, where she meets Anna. Anna makes hysterical accusations that unnerve poor Nelson and try Sarah's patience. Still, neither of them expect Anna's corpse to be later found in Washington Square, let alone Nelson to be accused of her murder. It's time for Sarah to visit police headquarters and enlist the aid of Frank Malloy.Sarah was right to be suspicious about Anna Blake. She wasn't what Nelson believed her to be. Since Nelson didn't murder her, who did? Can Sarah and Frank find out without Sarah putting her life in danger again?This book takes place weeks after book three, Murder in Gramercy Park. A subplot in that book was Sarah knowing a surgeon who might be able to operate on Brian Malloy's club foot so Frank's three-year-old son could walk. The operation happened long enough ago to give Sarah an excuse to visit the Malloy apartment. She really does want to see how Brian is doing, and it's a reason Alma Malloy, Frank's widowed mother, can't be too nasty about. Well, Mrs. Malloy will be nasty anyway. Frank has needed his mother since his wife Kathleen died in childbirth, and Alma worries that she'll no longer be needed if her son remarries.Another subplot is the matter of Dr. Tom Brandt's murder. It's been three years and the case was never investigated. Frank thinks that solving it is the least he can do for Sarah after she made him realize that Brian is merely deaf, not simple-minded, and after introducing him to Dr. Newton. This subplot has several books to run through yet, so don't expect a lot of progress.NOTES:Chapter 1: Antimacassars are those squares of cloth or doilies that used to be put on the backs and arms of chairs and sofas. (Chairs and sofas may come with their own arm protectors these days, but we don't have to worry about men's macassar hair oil staining the furniture anymore.)Chapter 2: a. I knew about rabbit feet and new pennies for luck, but Mrs. Ellsworth tells Sarah about nutmegs.b. The Malloys' second floor flat is in the Seventeenth Ward, where one might hear the roar of the Second Avenue Elevated Railway.c. Brian's eyes are described as [sky] blue again. Sarah is correct -- Brian gets his looks (including his red-gold hair), from his late mother. Given that Frank has dark eyes, I'm guessing he's a hybrid brown, as I am. Perhaps he, too, had a blue-eyed father.d. Sarah was locked in an interrogation room in Murder on Astor Place. e. See the author's note for more about the Maria Barberi [Barbella] case.f. Mrs. Ellsworth saved Sarah's life in book two, Murder on St. Mark's Place..Chapter 3: Despite Sarah frying a pork chop better than his mother does (see chapter one, Murder on St. Mark's Place.), here Frank thinks that Sarah isn't as good a cook as his mother.Chapter 5: The scandal has upset Mr. Holsinger, who lives across the street from Sarah and the Ellsworths.Chapter 6: a. Mrs. Ellsworth has a superstition about hearing knocking.b. Frank learns about a use women have for sponges. (I'm sure he'd be even more horrified by contraceptive fudge.)Chapter 7: a. The Decker home is near the Plaza Hotel and Marble Row on Fifth Avenue.b. For why Mrs. Schyler isn't speaking to Mrs. Decker, see Murder on St. Mark's Place.). See the same book for the murder of Charity Girls.c. Frank talks with Nelson about his time with Anna Blake.Chapter 9: That Settlement House that Richard Dennis' late wife Hazel used to visit will not only be a major place of interest in the next book, Murder on Mulberry Bend, it will appear in many other books in this series.Chapter 13: Mrs. Ellsworth explains what it means if one's left eye itches.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Murder in Washington Square
    4 Stars

    When Nelson Ellsworth, the mild-mannered son of her nosy next-door neighbor, is accused of murder, Sarah Brandt enlists the aid of Detective Frank Malloy to help her clear Nelson's name and find the real killer.

    As in the previous installments, the mystery is simple and easy to figure out. Nevertheless, the historical background, and growing attraction between Sarah and Frank make this a fun read.

    Thompson's research and attention to detail is excellent. The history of the Hanging Tree in Washington Square is very interesting as is the story of Maria Barbella, and the portrayal of yellow journalism at the turn of the century is realistic and believable.

    Sarah and Frank's relationship is progressing slowly, but surely as they both come to realize that there is more between them than friendship (although neither is willing to admit it to themselves let alone each other).

    All in all, another engaging addition to Thompson's historical cozy mystery series and it looks like the investigation into the death of Sarah's husband is about to heat up.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The Gaslight Mystery series by Victoria Thompson is a highly addictive historical mystery set in turn of the Century Victorian New York. The primary characters are Sarah Brandt, daughter of a wealthy Knickerbocker family turned midwife, and Detective Frank Malloy, a detective in the mostly corrupt New York Police Department.

    The story begins when the son of Sarah's neighbor, Mrs Ellison, is arrested for the murder of his mistress, Anna. Mild-mannered Nelson proclaims his innocence and had recently asked Sarah to talk to Anna about his intention to marry her. Sarah thought there was something very opportunistic about Anna when they met and is convinced Nelson could not have harmed Anna in any way. Sarah soon gets Frank Malloy involved and it's not long before it becomes apparent Anna was blackmailing a variety of men who have now all become suspects.

    Victoria Thompson has a great feel for the historical details of the time period. The mystery is well developed and moves along quickly. There is some movement on the personal relationship between Frank and Sarah but it's subtly done and doesn't distract from their sleuthing partnership. There is an interesting development where a rival for Sarah's affection is added to the mixture.

    There's also an interesting side plot incorporating the yellow journalism of that time period and the real life trail of Maria Barbella, who slashed her lover's throat because he refused to marry her.

    The series also gives some good insight into the class, religion and social circumstances of the time. I highly recommend the book if you like historical mysteries.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I find myself craving the opening and ending development between Sarah and Malloy, anxious for the mystery in the middle to be over. Like watching the TV series Bones, I'm really just in it for the characters.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Another enjoyable period cozy from Victoria Thompson. I found the addition of embezzlement a nice touch. And the increasing chemistry between Sarah and the detective was great as well. I'm looking forward to seeing where that leads.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The son of Sarah Brandt's neighbor has been arrested for the murder of his mistress. Sarah and Frank Malloy are once again on the trail of the killer. When it is discovered that the victim was not what she seemed to be Sarah must keep his reputation from being ruined by the tabloid newspapers and the unscrupulous reporters that are dogging her every step.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I thoroughly enjoy this Gaslight series set in New York in the 1890's. In this story a young woman, Anna Blake, is murdered, and Sarah Brandt's neighbor, Nelson Ellsworth, is accused of the murder. Anna has been keeping company with Nelson Ellsworth, but on closer inspection, the woman also has a second boyfriend, Gilbert Giddings. Giddings loses everything due to his liaison with Anna: his job, his family, and his financial security. Sarah and Frank Mallory learn that Anna ran a trap for married men in which she blackmailed them. The story has twists and turns before the final mystery is solved. Of course, Victoria Thompson interweaves a little history of New York into the story.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Another good murder mystery and the series is great.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Her neighbor's son Nelson is not someone Sarah Brandt would expect to need to advice of a midwife, but when he requests her professional opinion on a personal matter she agrees to help - and to keep the circumstances of that help from Nelson's mother. However, when the subject of that initial meeting leads to Nelson being suspected of murder the whole catastrophe is brought to light - with plenty of "dirty linen" being aired in the process. Murder on Washington Square leads readers from likely suspect to likely suspect while slowly developing a devilish intrigue masterminded by someone who is best described as a "character." I am, as usual, dumbfounded by the intelligent Sarah Brandt's slow uptake on several very important details, but it seems she is forever doomed to play damsel in distress at important moments, the better to display the concern and adoration of her favorite detective. Murder on Washington Square is another satisfying mystery in the Gaslight series.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I love this series! Sarah’s next door neighbor’s son is accused of murdering a young woman and for embezzlement at his employer’s bank. Sarah insists that Malloy help them prove his innocence. She also enlists her mother and father into using their influence and they arrange for her to meet a young widower of their social set. Lots of twists and danger. That’s the only drawback -- Sarah is oblivious to the danger that she places herself into.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Sarah Brandt's next door neighbor comes to her for help. He is entangled with a young woman, and now she is pregnant, but he doesn't want his mother to find out. Sarah is a midwife and he wants her to check on the girl, find out if she really is pregnant, and convince her to marry him. She agrees to help, but finds that the girl is not the innocent Nelson thinks her to be, and can't help.Then the girl turns up dead, and Nelson is arrested. He is young and idealistic, but he isn't a murderer. Sarah starts to ask questions. Detective Frank Malloy, for reasons of his own, agrees to help. It seems that Nelson is not the only candidate for the father of this baby. Or is there a baby? The more they dig, the more lies they uncover. If only the press would leave them alone to investigate, but the reporters smell a nice juicy sex scandal, and that sells papers.This was not a bad story. I like Frank and Sarah. But honestly, if you are investigating a murder and someone comments on the horrible smell coming from the cellar, shouldn't you check that out right away? I admit to being surprised in places, but the characters really were kind of dumb. 2.5 stars.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This wasn't a bad story even if I did see the plot points drop on top of me as they were revealed. There were no real surprises here for me in the story the only surprise was how the main characters managed to miss some of the clues.Sarah Brandt is a cool character. A midwife widow, whose doctor husband died before this story, and who has an ongoing relationship with the widower Detective Frank Malloy. The two of them work at investigating a murder of a woman, whose obvious murderer is her next-door neighbour Nelson Ellsworth, because she was pregnant. There are a lot of well drawn period details and it does take place at about the same time as Caleb Carr's books. Still I did get some of the more obvious clues so the story didn't really surprise but the journey was interesting.