Murder on Waverly Place

Sarah Brandt’s mother, wife of the wealthy and influential Felix Decker, still suffers the broken heart of a mother who cut herself off from her daughter (Sarah’s sister Maggie) only to lose her forever when the former died giving birth in the most squalid of circumstances. Mrs. Decker asks Sarah to accompany her to a séance held by the spiritualist “Madam Sarafina”.

Okay, okay, we are just as skeptical as Sarah. We assume that this is an elaborate con taking advantage of desperate gullible people who for one reason or another feel that they must commune with their dearly departed to ask their forgiveness, seek their advice, or say goodbye. Sarah accompanies her mother once, but her mother goes back a second time, on her own. A show more murder takes place in the dark room of the séance, and Mrs. Decker, who does not wish her husband to learn of her clandestine activity, tells the first cop who shows up at the scene that she is Sarah Brandt and asks that they send immediately for police detective Frank Malloy. All Frank’s fellow policemen know that he has a “relationship” with a Sarah Brandt – and although a little surprised by the woman’s older appearance, they hasten to bring in Frank.

Frank, Sarah, Mrs. Decker, Maeve, Madam Sarafina, and even Mrs. Ellsworth all ban together with Frank to prove the innocence of the young Nicole (MS’s lover) who is being framed for the murder. Frank and his band of Merry woMen try to solve the murder that took place under the cover of a pitch-dark séance room while everyone is holding hands (er, wrists). The immediate suspects are all the rich and influential seated around the table, and two other men in the house who are part of the scam. The problem is, as always, that police simply cannot interrogate the rich and influential…

I must admit, it is all pretty formulaic and obvious but still oh so cute. I love the banter and intimate shared humor between Frank and Sarah. The scene “she’s in the Directory” was hilarious, vaudevillian. Also, the casual discussions regarding the Decker’s friend “Teddy” (Roosevelt) are always fun and we learn a little about the stages along Teddy’s political career. In each of the books there is always a discussion on an invention or innovation of the period. This time it was the invention of the flashlight.

I love this series! show less

Murder on Waverly Place
3 Stars

When Sarah's mother, Elizabeth Decker, becomes involved with a psychic medium and finds herself at the scene of a murder, she immediately calls on Detective Frank Malloy for assistance. But how will Sarah and Malloy uncover the killer when all of the suspects at the seance were holding hands?

Unfortunately, this is one of the weakest installments in the series. It took longer to get into the story as the mystery isn't all that interesting and the characters are very unappealing. Moreover, both Sarah and her mother behave in ways that are inconsistent with their characterization. It is difficult to believe that the sensible and practical Mrs. Decker would become involved with a psychic, and that Sarah would show more invite this obvious charlatan into her home (especially considering past events).

The most disappointing aspect of this book and the previous one is the direction Thompson appears to be moving in with regard to Maeve's character. She seems to be removing Sarah from the action and having Maeve take her place, which is not at all appealing.

Finally, there is no development in Sarah and Malloy's slow burn romance, and it is more than past time for something more definite to happen here.

Hopefully, the next installment will be better. show less

Sarah Brandt reluctantly agrees to accompany her mother, Mrs. Felix Decker, to a séance. Mrs. Decker wants to contact Sarah's older sister, who died while estranged from her parents. Unbeknownst to Sarah, her mother goes back for a second séance. When one of the attendees is murdered during the session, Mrs. Decker requests that Sarah's friend, officer Frank Malloy, be assigned to the case.

This variation on a locked room plot is a refreshing change for the series. Sarah's career as a midwife gives her access to women and families from a variety of social and ethnic backgrounds. While Sarah has often assisted Malloy with murder investigations, the necessity of a having a pregnant woman as one of the central characters of the mystery show more has its limitations in a long-running series. The murder during a séance and Sarah's mother's involvement provides a good reason for Sarah to become involved with the investigation without a need for her professional services. It wasn't too difficult to spot the murderer. However, the cast of characters and the new revelations about Sarah's nanny, Maeve, made up for any weaknesses in the mystery. show less

This is the eleventh book in the Gaslight Mysteries series by Victoria Thompson. Midwife Sarah Brandt’s sister, Maggie died many years ago after giving birth to her son. She had been disowned by their father who subsequently ruined her husband’s chances of getting a job that could support them. Mrs Decker, Sarah’s mother, has never forgiven herself for the role she played in her daughter’s death. Now, one of her friends has introduced her to Madame Serafina and the world of seances. Unwilling to go without support, and desperate not to involve her husband, she asks Sarah to join her. Sarah is suspicious from the beginning but feels better going with her mother to make certain she won't be taken advantage of.

I like the series show more and while figuring out who the murderer was is not the hardest thing to do, in this case I couldn't figure out how the crime was actually committed. I also love seeing Sarah's mother, Mrs. Decker, transition over the past few books. She's an engaging character and the perfect person to focus this story around.

Murder on Waverly Place is a very entertaining entry in this series. I always enjoy the exchanges between Sarah and New York City policeman Frank Malloy when they solve a mystery together. The author provides historical details that add authenticity to the story. I enjoy the secondary characters, particularly Maeve, and hope Frank finds a way to use her in his future investigations. The supernatural element adds a bit of intrigue and any fan of the series will enjoy this one. It can definitely be read as a standalone, as well. show less

Murder on Waverly Place, the eleventh book in Victoria Thompson's Gaslight Mystery series, gives us a glimpse into the workings of the spiritualists or mediums of the late 19th century. By 'workings' I mean tricks of the trade.

Sarah Brandt doesn't believe in ghosts, but her mother talks her into attending. Elizabeth Decker wants to beg her dead daughter's forgiveness and is certain Maggie will talk to her sister, if she'll talk to anyone. (Maggie's story is tragic. No wonder Mrs. Decker feels such guilt!)

Sarah isn't present when her mother attends a second seance, one in which a murder is committed. While I didn't believe some of the things said by some of the characters involved, I didn't guess how the murder was done. I did guess show more what the object was that Frank gave to Maeve to help protect her. The information provided about it was interesting.

Sarah, Elizabeth, and Maeve all play their part in solving the mystery, somewhat to Frank Malloy's annoyance. We also learn more about Maeve's family.

The unmasking was fun to listen to. Do I believe that the medium, Madame Serafina, could talk to ghosts? No, but there is a hint she might be a little psychic.

There are some references to earlier events. They come from book ten, Murder on Bank Street. show less

This is the eleventh book in the Gaslight Mysteries series by Victoria Thompson. Midwife Sarah Brandt’s sister, Maggie died many years ago after giving birth to her son. She had been disowned by their father who subsequently ruined her husband’s chances of getting a job that could support them. Mrs Decker, Sarah’s mother, has never forgiven herself for the role she played in her daughter’s death. Now, one of her friends has introduced her to Madame Serafina and the world of seances. Unwilling to go without support, and desperate not to involve her husband, she asks Sarah to join her. Sarah is suspicious from the beginning but feels better going with her mother to make certain she won't be taken advantage of.

I like the series show more and while figuring out who the murderer was is not the hardest thing to do, in this case I couldn't figure out how the crime was actually committed. I also love seeing Sarah's mother, Mrs. Decker, transition over the past few books. She's an engaging character and the perfect person to focus this story around.

Murder on Waverly Place is a very entertaining entry in this series. I always enjoy the exchanges between Sarah and New York City policeman Frank Malloy when they solve a mystery together. The author provides historical details that add authenticity to the story. I enjoy the secondary characters, particularly Maeve, and hope Frank finds a way to use her in his future investigations. The supernatural element adds a bit of intrigue and any fan of the series will enjoy this one. It can definitely be read as a standalone, as well. show less

Sarah's mother (Mrs. Decker) talks Sarah into accompanying her to a seance to try to talk to Sarah's deceased sister. Her mother returns for a second one which ends up with one of the attendees being murdered. She insists on calling Detective Frank Malloy to the scene because she knows he will find the truth. Malloy calls Sarah to try to get her mother out without being seen. They end up taking "Madame Serafina" to Sarah's house to prevent her being taken to the Tombs while the murder is investigated. All the participants at the seance were holding one another's wrists, yet someone in that room had to have committed the act of murder. It was an interesting puzzle. I'm a bit uncomfortable with seances and other occultic practices in show more books, but this one at least showed that it was fraudulent. show less