Turn of the century New York and academia is the background of this mystery.

Abigail Northrup is new to the teaching staff of the Normal School of Mahattan. A graduate of the school, she was of the new style of women called New Women. Women who chose a life of independence, and self-sufficiency over the domestic and dependency on men lifestyle.

She had been found stabbed in a gazebo on campus. Being well-liked on campus, finding the who and the why was difficult. Private Inspector Frank Mallory takes on the case by request of Northrup’s family. The police weren’t interested and the family wanted discreetness.

Frank’s wife, Sarah, has easier access to the all-female campus, so winds up assisting in the investigation. Through her work, she learns more about Abigail and her private life, which could be the source of the murder. But there is also something Abigail has uncovered, involving some of the College’s staff. Could that be a reason for her death? Or for the second death that follows?

An interesting series of a couple with two different lives that work well together. I’ve read a few of these and have a few more waiting for me on my shelf! ( )

Murder in Morningside Heights is a murder mystery. The aspects of this book that I enjoyed were that it was an easy read. Even though at least eight significant characters are mentioned, it is not hard to keep up with names and who is who. That alone made this very enjoyable. It was also a book of learning for me. I had never heard the term "Boston marriages". I liked the independent woman theme throughout the book. I think a woman should be able to live alone before having ANY kind of relationship, because that helps when life throws you a curve and you need Plans B - Z. My favorite characters were Frank (the hired detective) and his wife Sarah. Both are opposites, yet obviously love each other, and they have that kind of funny snarky humor that keeps a marriage alive. Several aspects did influence me to give this book one less star. When I started this book, I did not realize that this was other time era, and kept saying "huh" to myself before realizing it. The layout of the book could have prevented this. The author's note is at the end. It is not a "spoiler", and I think it was better suited at the beginning, to set the background. Also, I felt like several of the male characters were presented in kind of a weak way at times, like Frank. Some of their verbalized thoughts to me did not seem to be what would be typical of a male. Someone might argue that it was fiction. True, but the story itself seemed SO REAL and jumped from the pages (which would be one of the pros, of course). I really thought I had solved at least one of the two "mysteries" fairly early on, but did not. That being said, looking back, the clues were clearly in front of my face. My own personal biases may have influenced the wrong guesses. As much as I loved the strong independent woman theme, the man giving in easily, being overly concerned for his female partner might have been a tad unbelievable. The "big lie" that started this story to me was overblown. The lie could have ended in anything less than a murder. I was expecting the lie to be as big as the murder, so if you read this first, don't get so caught up in wondering what the lie is. This is still a great murder mystery book, definitely more a chic literature read, but not like any other murder mystery I had read. Also, if you are concerned about reading murder mysteries before bedtime, this one shouldn't really keep you up horrified. So that was a plus for me, but for adrenaline junkies, probably a negative. Enjoy! ( )

Murder in Morningside Heights
2 Stars

Now a private investigator, Frank Malloy, is hired by the parents of a young woman on the grounds of the Normal school in Morningside Heights. Who would have wanted the French teacher dead?

Unfortunately, there is nothing new or interesting in this installment. In fact, the series has stagnated Frank and Sarah have settled into married life and there is little to no character development for them or any of the secondary cast.

The mystery is mundane with a predictable culprit and much of the investigation consists of repeated interviews and redundant musings.

Something needs to happen to shake things up in this series.
( )

My first for this series and by this author. It was good but not much of a mystery. Still entertaining and fun. ( )

Frank Mallory and his new wife Sarah are not use to the life of leisure that wealth has given them. Frank has begun a detective agency and has Gino Donatelli for an assistant. Of course, Sarah and Mauve jump into the adventure whenever they are needed. In this caper, a young woman has been brutally murdered in a gazebo of a local women’s college. Abigail teaches at the college and lives with two other women teachers. Victoria Thompson presents many interesting facts such as a “Boston” marriage and the rules of teaching at a woman’s college. Is the murder a result of a love triangle or is the murder concerning a scandal waiting to be reported? Victoria Thompson relates many of the customs and rules of Knickerbocker New York that are very interesting. ( )