This latest Thompson book is a crossover novel bringing together the characters from her two mystery series for the first time: the Gaslight Mysteries and the Counterfeit Lady Mysteries. New York City circa 1900 —when the adopted (and highly successful) daughter of Frank Malloy and his wife Sarah (Gaslight Mysteries) becomes enamored with a handsome man who is urging a quick wedding, their worried suspicions take them to the lawyer Gideon Bates whose wife, once a con-woman extraordinaire (Counterfeit Lady Mysteries), helps conceive a plot to unmask the interloper without raising the ire of the bride to be. It’s fun, full of period bits (I love the fact that the ringing of the newly installed telephone terrifies its upper class owner as it is jarring and assumed to be a harbinger of ill!), and the integration of the two character sets done so smoothly it’s difficult to remember that they began fictional life in two distinct series.
It is with great sadness that I report that Victoria Thompson passed away in late 2024. This book, conceived and partially written by Victoria, was completed by her daughter Ellen. I am happy (and surprised) to say that I couldn’t tell the difference — very unusual in my experience. I am looking forward to future installments!
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on July 28th, 2026.
Books to look forward to ... 