Brooklyn On Fire

It is National Popcorn Day!  Who doesn't like popcorn?  It was always a tradition with my father and myself.  When I was little we had the popcorn popper where you used oil (did I just date myself). The last few years we used microwave popcorn.  My favorite popcorn is from the movie theater.  It is always so delicious.  On this day in 1953 viewers tuned in to I Love Lucy to watch Lucy give birth to little Ricky.  In 1977 snow actually fell in Miami!  It is the only time in history that Miami has seen snow.  This tidbit will make you laugh.  In 1935 Coopers Inc. sells the worlds first pair of briefs (for men) at Marshall Fields in Chicago.

Brooklyn on Fire by Lawrence H. Levy is the second book in A Mary Handley Mystery series. It is April 1890 in Brooklyn, New York.  Mary Handley is working at Lazlo’s Books since her last case.  Mary is also advertising herself as a Consulting Detective (for hire) and has an office in the back room of the bookstore (Lazlo loves that she is a detective and encourages her work).   Mary is approached by Emily Worsham.  She wants to hire Mary to investigate the death of her uncle, John Worsham.  The catch is that John Worsham died twenty-one years previously.  Emily pays Mary for two weeks’ work and asks her to send updates via mail (she does not live in New York).  Emily believes her uncle was murdered and did not die from natural causes.  Mary starts to investigate and there is more to this case than she originally thought.  There are some people who believe the past needs to stay buried (along with their secrets) and will do what they can to stop Mary’s investigation.  Mary wants to prove she is a good detective (better than a man and the police department) and will not stop her investigation until she finds all the answers.

Brooklyn on Fire is a good book, but not great (not as wonderful as the first book in this series).  There is a lot going on in this book.  Personally, I felt it was too much.   Brooklyn on Fire is well written, has a good mystery, and a strong, female main character.  I give Brooklyn on Fire 4 out of 5 stars.  I just think the author tried to put too much in one book (I only summarized the mystery above).  We have New York City wanting to consolidate Brooklyn (incorporate it into NYC) with the bigwigs from both cities conniving, romance between Mary and George Vanderbilt, Mary’s brother gets engaged (which was nice) as well as the main mystery (which is very complicated).  I will, though, read the next book in A Mary Handley Mystery series.  I keep hoping Mary will get hired on with the police.

The first book in A Mary Handley Mystery series is Second Street Station (it is very good).  I received a complimentary copy of Brooklyn on Fire from Blogging for Books, LibraryThing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am currently reading Grace's Forgiveness by Molly Jebber (it is good). Before I close today I wanted to share a joke!  What building has the most stories?  The Library (of course)!  Have a great Tuesday!  Stay warm (good excuse to stay inside and read) and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader