Book Talks

Hello to all,
This Tennessee rainy weather has been keeping me out of my gardens but on the plus side has made for extra reading time.
Although I enjoy many types of mystery novels and short stories this weekend historical mysteries hit the spot along with some home made vegetable soup.

The three books I read last weekend were:

Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Mystery “Murder on Washington Square” Book 4
Rhys Bowne’s The Molly Murphy series “Murphy’s Law” Book 1
Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher “Murder on the Ballarat Train” Book 3

Each of these authors is accurate with historical details and nuance of the locations. Thompson and Bowne books are placed in New York City at the turn of the century (1901)
The protagonists are strong, likeable, and independent young women from very different backgrounds. Thompson’s heroine, Sarah Brandt is an upper class young woman that has turned her back on her privileged upbringing and has chosen instead to work as a midwife. In “Murder on Washington Square” Nelson, the son of Sarah’s friend and neighbor is afraid he has gotten his mistress in a delicate condition, and asks Sarah to talk with the woman.

In “Murphy’s Law” Bowne’s heroine Molly Murphy is newly emigrated from Ireland. Molly left in Ireland after the local laird’s son attacked her. Molly, fearing arrest, made her way to London to become lost in the big city. Through a series of events she makes her way to NYC and the Ellis Island immigration station.

Both authors show the tension, hopefulness and rough conditions of the immigrants in New York at that time and since both women become friends with a local policeman the corrupt Tammany Hall politics scene is part of the backdrop of these quick pace mysteries. I enjoy that in each series historical figures like Teddy Roosevelt, NYC Police Commissioner are brought in as part of the background of the stories.

Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher (fry-knee) is an Australia flapper in the 1920’s. Phryne is wealthy, fashionable, strong and independent. She has many talents including being a pilot and is versed in the martial arts. In “Murder on the Ballarat Train” Phryne and Dot, her servant and friend are napping during the trip. She wakes up to a car full of chloroform fumes.
When she pulls the emergency brake to stop the train and breaks the windows to let fresh air the real reason for the diversion is found.

Learning about the roaring 20’s down under is great fun and while Phryne is a bit more outrageous then Molly or Sarah, all three women’s stories include a wonderful sense of time and place with a diverse mix of supporting characters who entertain and educate the reader about life in the early 20th century.

Dale Stapp