Lies That Comfort and Betray
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Average rating3.5
For fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age, explore the dark side of the alluring world of America’s 19th century elite in this gripping series of riveting mysteries… From the author of What the Dead Leave Behind, this suspenseful and richly atmospheric mystery captures both the elegance and sophistication of New York’s Gilded Age—and the secrets and bloody terrors that lurk behind its elegant facades . . . Heiress Prudence MacKenzie is a valuable partner to attorney Geoffrey Hunter, despite the fact that women are not admitted to the bar in nineteenth-century New York. And though their office is a comfortable distance from the violence of the city’s slums, the firm of Hunter and MacKenzie is about to come dangerously close to a high-profile killer across the pond . . . Nora Kenny works in Prudence’s Fifth Avenue house, just as her mother once served Prudence’s mother. As children, they played freely together, before retreating into their respective social classes. Still, they remain fond of each other. So when Nora’s body is discovered in a local park, Prudence is devastated. As other poor, vulnerable young women fall victim, the police are confounded. Has the Ripper crossed the Atlantic to find a new hunting ground? Is someone copying his crimes? A former Pinkerton agent, Geoffrey intends to step in, and Prudence is equally determined. But a killer with a disordered mind and an incomprehensible motive may prove too elusive for even this experienced pair to outwit. Praise for What the Dead Leave Behind “Simpson's debut, first in a planned series, features complex characters, a vivid look at old New York in the late 1800s, and a mystery with a twist.” —Kirkus Reviews “This is a story to savor . . . Prudence is a stubborn, quick-witted American heroine who will remind readers of Tasha Alexander’s Lady Emily Ashton and Deanna Raybourn’s Lady Julia Grey.”—Booklist
Series
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8 primary books#2 in A Gilded Age Mystery
A Gilded Age Mystery is a 8-book series with 8 released primary works first released in 2017 with contributions by Rosemary Simpson.
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''I've learned to prefer the starkest of truths to the most comforting of lies.''
In my opinion, there is only one city whose gritty historical background can be compared to London's and, naturally, I'm referring to New York. The diversity of the population, the vast gap between the upper and lower classes compose a fascinating scenery of a city that was trying to find its identity at the time. I think that Simpson succeeded in all levels with this mystery novel.
The setting is in New York during the late 19th century and in London, Jack the Ripper has brought terror in the Londoners' hearts. In New York, young women who work as maids for wealthy families are murdered in a horrible manner that echoes the crimes in Whitechapel. The authorities of the city believe there is a copycat of Jack the Ripper walking among the respectable citizens. Geoffrey Hunter, a former Pinkerton, is the owner of an investigative law firm. Prudence MacKenzie, a young heiress, is his right hand and the major brain of his enterprise.
I have the weird habit of beginning a mystery series with the second of even third book. I find that it gives me better insight into the development of a character and, many times, I don't waste time on background information since the important events of the past will always find themselves in the narration. I wanted to start The Gilded Age series for quite some time and I wasn't disappointed. Both the premise and the execution were satisfying. Simpson depicts a realistic image of New York, fully delving into the bleak scenery and some of the darkest of themes. She uses the issues of bigotry and religious fundamentalism in a clever way, along with the prejudices and the stereotypes that forced the classes to engage in a battle that led nowhere. Add certain hints of sexual perversion, illegal abortions and the marginalization of the immigrants and the mix gets quite interesting.
Prudence and Geoffrey are very interesting, well-drawn characters that support the story and make you care for them. The dialogue is quite good and faithful of the era and the descriptions are vivid although I could do with a little less repetition.
As a super fan of ‘‘Ripper Street'' and ‘‘The Alienist'', I cannot but recommend this wholeheartedly.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.
My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com
