It's always a pleasure to watch a series grow from strength to strength, and this is exactly what I've seen happen with Ann Parker's Silver Rush series. There's always some fascinating historical snippets to learn, a fantastic setting, an engrossing mystery to solve, and a strong, intelligent main character to cheer on. Inez Stannert has not had an easy life, and she's needed every bit of her intelligence and determination to survive and to succeed.

What makes A Dying Note even more interesting is the addition of young Antonia Gizzi to the cast of characters. Antonia's short life has been even more difficult--she and her mother were abandoned by her father, and as her mother lay dying, Antonia had to learn how to live on the streets of Leadville. This little girl is sharp as a tack and, as my grandfather would say, as independent as a hog on ice. I loved Antonia's ability to answer questions truthfully without actually telling the honest truth. That takes a lot of skill. She's used to making her own decisions, and she doesn't trust anyone but Inez. Inez is probably the only person strong enough to deal with Antonia, and I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what happens next.

The pace of A Dying Note is excellent, and the scenes in which various characters are being followed through the streets of San Francisco are downright nerve-wracking. Even though the whodunit is relatively easy to deduce, learning all the hows and whys and getting the person out into the open is fun. This series is for all fans of historical mysteries, and if you haven't given it a try yet, I suggest you start at the beginning with Silver Lies. You've got some good reading ahead of you! ( )

A Dying Note is the sixth book in the Silver Rush series.

With this book we now find Inez Stannert and her ward, Antonia Gizzi, living in San Francisco. Inez is working D&S House of Music and Curiosities where she is the manager and gives music lesson. The founder and Inez’s partner, Nick Donato is a well-respected businessman and accomplished musician and spends a good part of his time seeking employment for musicians who frequent his establishment. The story centers around one of these musicians, Jamie Monroe. Monroe hopes to secure steady employment so he and Carmella Donato, Nick’s sister, can get married.

One day Inez is shocked to see Mrs. “Frisco Flo” Sweet, a madam and business partner of Inez from Leadville enter the music store. She learns from Frisco Flo that Harry Gallagher, a rich silver mine owner, has made her come with him to help look for his son. Gallagher has also engaged Wolter deBruin to aid in the search. Gallagher has threatened both them to ruin their businesses and reputations.

Then an unidentified body is discovered and with information that Flo has provided Inez knows that the body is that of Jamie Monroe, but is really Robert Gallagher, Harry’s son. Inez decides to keep this information from Gallagher for as long she can, hoping to learn who the killer is before telling Gallagher, thereby saving their businesses and reputations.

This is a wonderful historical series. The author has done a great job of researching, plotting and telling an interesting and exciting story and also providing an interesting and believable cast of characters.

Also included is a rather extensive list of references to learn more about the late 1800’s in San Francisco.

I will definitely be watching for the next book in this exciting series to see what adventures Inez and Antonia will have. ( )