Murder in Chinatown marks the ninth book in the Gaslight Mystery series which features the smart and likable midwife, Sarah Brandt and Detective Sergeant, Frank Malloy in turn-of-the-century New York City.
This time around Sarah is called to Chinatown to deliver a baby and there she will meet a group of Irish women who have married Chinese men. Sarah learns that Chinese women aren’t allowed in America and she’ll see how these mixed-race couples and their children are facing prejudice.
When Angel Lee, niece of the woman Sarah was attending, goes missing the Lee women ask Sarah to help them. They know the police will often do nothing or expect a high price for their help. Sarah has forged a strong relationship with Detective Sergeant Malloy so she will appeal to him for help, vowing all along that she will try to stay clear of the murder investigation this time.
The same cast of characters from previous books is back in this installment with my favorite aside from Sarah and Frank being Sarah’s neighbor, Mrs. Ellsworth, who always talks of premonitions. As with the other entries, Thompson has described a vivid world.
My only complaint is that Sarah and Frank’s relationship seems to have stalled. Although I read mysteries for the whodunit, I find myself enjoying the romance angle of this series a lot, and when nine books have been written and there isn’t much happening with the main characters I get a bit anxious and expect more. There is one major plot point, the death of Sarah’s husband, which Thompson seems to be working up to resolving which may be the catalyst for the relationship. So, I’m ready for book 10 in the series because I’m eager to find out what happens next.
Added 07/07