I had mixed feelings about this 6th book in the Gilded Age Mystery series which was set in 1890 New York City. This was the first book I've read in the series and I liked the recurring characters. However, the subject matter, the horrific crimes against the women in this book, were almost too painful to read.

The book was well done but I'm not sure this is a series I want to continue with.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.) ( )

Crimes against women and children have existed since time immemorial. The 1890s of New York City were no exception, as expounded upon in Rosemary Simpson's most recent addition to her, "A Gilded Age" mystery series. Protagonist Prudence MacKenzie is pondering a serious matter while seated on a quiet park bench with her sandwich at her side and friendly canine "Blossom" eyeing said sandwich. When, out of nowhere, a street urchin snags the sandwich and absconds with it down the street with Prudence and Blossom in hot pursuit. Prudence catches up with the miscreant only to discover that he was tending an ill, badly mistreated young woman sorely in need of medical attention. Swift to action, Prudence hails a hansom cab and gets the young woman into the care of a nearby Quaker doctor. While recovering in the Friends Refuge for the Sick Poor, the young girl, aided by the sandwich thief, slips away in the night. Fearing for their lives, Prudence seeks to find the pair before the abuser does. Will she be able to find them and save them. Only time will tell.

Oh how I do love a well written historical mystery with just the right amount of solid background research. It adds interesting detail to the story without allowing the story to be bogged down by it. Author Rosemary Simpson has the balance of this down to a science and entertains the reader with lots of interesting historical facts of 1890 New York City which engages the reader's imagination without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail. This sixth installment in her Gilded Age Mystery series is perfectly balanced in this regard. We hear the rustle of the ladies' gowns as they sidle down a darkened hallway or the rhythmic clopping sound of horse hooves on the cobblestone streets. The vignettes are richly described and transport the reader to another time and place.

Certainly Ms. Simpson's fine turn of phrase drew me into the book and her strong female protagonist, Prudence (daughter schooled in law by her father, a judge) held my interest as she put forth an image of a feisty, bright and fearless women in an age where such character was extraordinary. Prudence and her partner, Geoffrey run an investigative law firm. He is a southern gentleman schooled in law and a former Pinkerton man. There's a developing spark between them as he tries to steer her away from seemingly dangerous situations but Prudence will have none of it and that's what he so admires about her. She's an independent woman with a strong mind of her own, an admirable trait and simultaneously vexing to Geoffrey.

If you enjoy well written and well researched historical mysteries, then I commend to you this wonderful series. You shan't be disappointed. ( )

I'm having mixed feelings about Rosemary Simpson's The Dead Cry Justice. It's the first of her mysteries I've read, and I found the cast of characters quite appealing: a judge's daughter turned private investigator, several former Pinkerton agents, a few individuals whose backgrounds are still mysterious, even though the series is up to its sixth volume, and a gang of street children who are the equivalent of Holmes' Baker Street Irregulars. I would be quite happy to spend more time with them by moving both backwards and forwards in this series.

But... (you knew there'd be a "but" didn't you?) the mystery in this particular title pushed the limits of what I want to read as entertainment. It's not a spoiler to say that The Dead Cry Justice revolves around the abuse suffered by street children during New York's gilded age. But the particular nature of that abuse made finishing this title a challenge for me. I'm hoping that if I go back and look over the other volumes in this series that I'll be able to find some that don't leave me teetering on that brink of discomfort. I want to spend more time with these characters—but only if I can do so on my own terms.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own. ( )

historical-places-events, historical-research, Jacob Riis, brothels, NYC, 1890s, abduction, suspense, law-enforcement, ex-Pinkerton, class-consciousness, refuge, therapy-dog, misogyny, investigators, investigation*****

This is a tough read because such things still happen to victims of trafficking everywhere in the world.
A stolen sandwich leads the investigative pair of Hunter (the ex-Pinkerton) and MacKenzie (wealthy daughter of a prominent former judge) Investigative Law on the trail of some very vile men with the help of their usual inventive assistants plus a wealthy police inspector with an agenda much like theirs. Along the way we meet the intrepid journalist Nelly Bly (10 Days in a Madhouse), Jacob Riis (photographer who exposed life in the tenements in *The Golden Age*), the daughter of Jay Gould, the Quaker Refuge in the notorious 5 Points, and even a prominent brothel keeper. And how could one forget the disgusting misogynist law professor at NYU Law School? We not only learn about depravity, but quite a lot about the very expensive Fashion Dolls of the day. The plot has a lot of suspense and moves along irregularly (but that's a good thing) with lots of twists and red herrings. All of the characters are clear and engaging. Very well done.
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you. ( )