Mary C. reviewed on 11/6/2010 + 41 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Sarah Brandt grew up in a moneyed and influential family in turn of the century New York City, but due to marrying for love rather than status, she is now a widowed midwife trying to help those of the low social classes all the while needing to keep herself from becoming one of the destitute. Having had no contact with her parents since the death of her husband, she must rely on herself, so when called to help with the delivery of a baby at a boarding house, Sarah spies a young girl who looks remarkably like a friend she had during her 'society' days. Returning to the boarding house the next day to check on the new baby and mother, Sarah is shocked to learn that the girl has been murdered.

Enter Frank Malloy, a NYC police detective, who has some morals in a corrupt department. He questions Sarah and finds to his dismay that she is not easily intimidated like most people in the lower income bracket. He enlists her to help search the young girl's room in an attempt to rattle Sarah and there they find identification indicating that the murdered girl was the daughter of a highly placed social family and the younger sister of a former friend of Sarah's. From here starts an uneasy working relationship between Frank and Sarah. The young girl's family is more concerned about scandal and being ostracized in society if the truth of the murder comes out which makes finding the girl's killer to be a daunting task. Sarah is willing to get information and pass it on; Frank isn't so sure he wants her help even when Sarah comes up with more than he does. However, Malloy soon realizes that he is going to need all the help he can get even if it does come from a person in a profession that he despises.

Naturally, there will be a couple more murders along the way, but the entire plot is in keeping with the social and political requirements of the time. (In fact, this book had shades of Anne Perry's style.) Class distinction is rampant, no one trusts the police department, Sarah has her own issues with the police, and Malloy has his personal issues with midwifery. Nothing is sugar coated. The interaction between the two characters is realistic and even though there are minor hints that a relationship may develop, it's going to take a long time.

If you are like me, you won't see the ending coming. It is very well done.

I had stumbled across this series quite by chance and decided to give the first book a try. I think I have found the start of a new book series relationship, and I will definitely be looking for the next book!

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