Review: Murder on Oak Street by I. M. Foster
Today, I'm delighted to share my review for a clever American whodunit, Murder on Oak Street by I. M. Foster!
The novel is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club, so make sure to check all the fascinating tour stops here.
Murder on Oak Street
The story begins in 1902, when Dr Daniel O'Halleran is called to a death in a run-down building in a poor area of New York. A man has fallen several floors to his death, and as the dead man reeks of whiskey, the investigation quickly leads to a dead end. But Daniel has doubts whether the man had really murdered a young woman prior to his own death. But the authorities consider it a closed case.
Blurb:
New York, 1904. After two years as a coroner’s physician for the city of New York, Daniel O’Halleran is more frustrated than ever. What’s the point when the authorities consistently brush aside his findings for the sake of expediency? So when his fiancée leaves him standing at the altar on their wedding day, he takes it as a sign that it's time to move on and eagerly accepts an offer to assist the local coroner in the small Long Island village of Patchogue.
Though the coroner advises him that life on Long Island is far more subdued than that of the city, Daniel hasn’t been there a month when the pretty librarian, Kathleen Brissedon, asks him to look into a two-year-old murder case that took place in the city. Oddly enough, the case she’s referring to was the first one he ever worked on, and the verdict never sat right with him.
Eager for the chance to investigate it anew, Daniel agrees to look into it in his spare time, but when a fresh murder occurs in his own backyard, he can’t shake his gut feeling that the two cases are connected. Can he discover the link before another life is taken, or will murder shake the peaceful South Shore village once again?
Buy Link:
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Universal Buy Link
About the Author:
I. M. Foster
I. M. Foster is the pen name author Inez Foster uses to write her South Shore Mystery series, set on Edwardian Long Island. Inez also writes historical romances under the pseudonym Andrea Matthews, and has so far published two series in that genre: the Thunder on the Moor series, a time-travel romance set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Borders, and the Cross of Ciaran series, which follows the adventures of a fifth century Celt who finds himself in love with a twentieth century archaeologist.
Inez is a historian and librarian, who love to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogically speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. Inez is a member of the Long Island Romance Writers, the Historical Novel Society, and Sisters in Crime.
Connect with I. M. Foster:
Website
The novel is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club, so make sure to check all the fascinating tour stops here.
A South Shore Mystery
I. M. Foster
The story begins in 1902, when Dr Daniel O'Halleran is called to a death in a run-down building in a poor area of New York. A man has fallen several floors to his death, and as the dead man reeks of whiskey, the investigation quickly leads to a dead end. But Daniel has doubts whether the man had really murdered a young woman prior to his own death. But the authorities consider it a closed case.
Two years later, with his engagement to a wealthy socialite in tatters due to his lowly background (details of which the author drip-feeds through the story), Daniel jumps at the chance of relocating outside of town, to a Long Island village, to become assistant coroner.
In a twist of fate, he arrives at a time when the widow of the man from 2 years earlier dies, leaving a second husband, a son, Patrick, from her first marriage, and several step-children. Her first husband's property had been signed over to her second husband, Thomas Brissedon, a ruthless businessman with high ambitions. Brissedon's eldest daughter, Kathleen, asks Daniel to look into the death of Patrick's father, whose reputation had been tarnished following his mysterious death. Unbeknownst to Kathleen and Daniel, Patrick and his mother had also engaged an investigator to do some digging, and the revelations are staggering.
Then, a murder occurs, and Daniel has not only this new investigation to conduct, but also uncover the past. With a plethora of potential suspects, Daniel must set aside his growing feelings for Kathleen to find the truth. Will it be a happy end for him, or will he be disappointed again? And will he find the murderer before more deaths happen? Find out in the book!
Murder on Oak Street is a clever whodunit, told from different points of view. We have Daniel's, Kathleen's and Patrick's, and several other family members feature prominently. It's an intricate plot, where different characters uncover different details in their search for the truth – or for hiding it.
Daniel is a likeable hero. Honest, direct, raised as part of a prominent family, but fully aware of his true background. He has integrity, and his disillusionment with the council's attitude towards certain deaths is to his credit. He is driven by a need to uncover the truth, for himself and for Kathleen, and he makes for a reliable and interesting character.
Kathleen is somewhat naive, but in her kindness, she doesn't want to harm people. She's unaware of the lengths her father goes to to get what he wants, and her brother Colin, and half-brother, Patrick are both keen to protect her from the truth.
The plot makes a few intriguing twists and turns, especially regarding the things Thomas wants Patrick to do to gain access to the money his mother left him. Caught in the web, as he wants to complete his studies and needs his step-father's funds, Patrick obeys. He's a troubled soul, wounded by the nasty rumours about his dead father, and his mother's death. He only trusts Kathleen.
Then there are several secondary characters: Kathleen's brother Colin, a drunkard and gambler, her cousin Jeremy, and Brighton, Colin's friend who wants to court her, against her father's wishes.
Because there are so many characters, and several points of view, it can get confusing to remember who is who. At times, I found they distract from the actual plot, and I wondered about their importance.
But Daniel's dogged determination keeps us informed about the murder, the various suspects – and their motivations. The author cleverly adds false trails, so it's not clear at all who the murderer is. The setting is intriguing, and throughout, the plot keeps us guessing.
Murder on Oak Street is a thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery with a very likeable lead character, and a plethora of secondary characters all with their own secrets. A highly recommended, cleverly plotted whodunit!
But Daniel's dogged determination keeps us informed about the murder, the various suspects – and their motivations. The author cleverly adds false trails, so it's not clear at all who the murderer is. The setting is intriguing, and throughout, the plot keeps us guessing.
Murder on Oak Street is a thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery with a very likeable lead character, and a plethora of secondary characters all with their own secrets. A highly recommended, cleverly plotted whodunit!
~~~
Blurb:
New York, 1904. After two years as a coroner’s physician for the city of New York, Daniel O’Halleran is more frustrated than ever. What’s the point when the authorities consistently brush aside his findings for the sake of expediency? So when his fiancée leaves him standing at the altar on their wedding day, he takes it as a sign that it's time to move on and eagerly accepts an offer to assist the local coroner in the small Long Island village of Patchogue.
Though the coroner advises him that life on Long Island is far more subdued than that of the city, Daniel hasn’t been there a month when the pretty librarian, Kathleen Brissedon, asks him to look into a two-year-old murder case that took place in the city. Oddly enough, the case she’s referring to was the first one he ever worked on, and the verdict never sat right with him.
Eager for the chance to investigate it anew, Daniel agrees to look into it in his spare time, but when a fresh murder occurs in his own backyard, he can’t shake his gut feeling that the two cases are connected. Can he discover the link before another life is taken, or will murder shake the peaceful South Shore village once again?
Buy Link:
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Universal Buy Link
~~~
About the Author:
I. M. Foster
I. M. Foster is the pen name author Inez Foster uses to write her South Shore Mystery series, set on Edwardian Long Island. Inez also writes historical romances under the pseudonym Andrea Matthews, and has so far published two series in that genre: the Thunder on the Moor series, a time-travel romance set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Borders, and the Cross of Ciaran series, which follows the adventures of a fifth century Celt who finds himself in love with a twentieth century archaeologist.
Inez is a historian and librarian, who love to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogically speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. Inez is a member of the Long Island Romance Writers, the Historical Novel Society, and Sisters in Crime.
Connect with I. M. Foster:
Website
Comments
Post a Comment