In this latest installment in the Gaslight Mystery series, Sarah Brandt and Detective Frank Malloy investigate the odd murder of socialite, Chilton Devries. Devries was found dead in an exclusive men's club he frequented. But the clues indicate that Devries was injured outside the club before he died of a stab wound in his back. As Sarah and Frank investigate Chilton Devries' family life, they discover one too many people who wanted Devries dead.

The nature of Chilton Devries' murder baffles the infamously astute detective, Frank Malloy. Devries was found dead in a chair at the Knickerbocker men's club. The cause of his death is found to be a small wound on his back. Although the wound is small and Devries lost little blood, it is believed the stabbing caused severe internal bleeding. After questioning the staff at the Knickerbocker, Sarah and Frank realize Chilton's Devries' attack occured outside the Knickerbocker. Their murder investigation takes a surprising turn when they begin to investigate Chilton Devries' private life. Not only did Devries argue with his son before his death, but when Frank Malloy announced his death, his wife fails to show any emotions, and his daughter-in-law breaks out into hysterical laughter.

Sarah and Frank have every reason to believe anyone at the Devries' household, including an ambitious butler, could have murdered Chilton Devries. But the discovery of a hidden mistress shakes Sarah and Frank's investigation to the core. Chilton Devries much younger mistress, Norah English, slowly begins to reveal the secluded life Devries forced her live. Just when Sarah and Frank begin to think the unhappy mistress has something to hide, there is still one suspect who could finally reveal what really happened to Chilton Devries. On the day of his murder, Chilton Devries had an appointment with a man named Salvatore Angotti. When Frank investigates Angotti, he is astonished to discover that not only is Angotti considered a dangerous man, but he was also an employee of Devries. When Malloy meets with Angotti he is forced to admit that the man is not the murderer, but a shocking revelation from Angotti points Malloy's investigation back in the Devries' household.

Victoria Thompson delivers yet another charming turn of the century murder mystery. Thompson introduces a new twist by creating a murder with an unlikely murder weapon, which readers will find very entertaining when trying to guess the identity of the murderer. MURDER ON FIFTH AVENUE will not only sweep you away with Frank and Sarah's intricate theories of the murder, but Thompson also weaves an enthralling back story on the Devries family. I was especially intrigued with the mystery story surrounding Chilton Devries' daughter-in-law, Garnet. Thompson truly took the time to create fascinating characters with a story to tell.

MURDER ON FIFTH AVENUE spins magic on every page.

Book Summary

Sarah Brandt's family is one of the oldest in New York City, and her father, Felix Decker, takes his position in society very seriously. He still refuses to resign himself to his daughter being involved with an Irish Catholic, police detective. But when a member of his private club--the very exclusive Knickerbocker--is murdered, Decker forms an uneasy alliance with Detective Sergeant Frank Malloy to solve the crime as discreetly as possible.

Malloy soon discovers that despite his social standing, the deceased--Chilton Devries--was no gentleman. In fact, he's left behind his own unofficial club of sorts, populated by eeryone who despised him. As he and Sarah sort through the suspects, it becomes clear to her that her father is evaluating more than the detective's investigative abilities, and that, on a personal level there is much more at stake for Malloy than discovering who revoked Devries's membership--permanently.

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