Blackstone and the New World

May 1, 2009
A visit to New York shows Sam Blackstone that crime solving requires the same skills no matter the location.

The New York City police commissioner asks Inspector Blackstone, who's been sent by Scotland Yard to pick up a prisoner, to help solve the murder of Inspector O'Brien, a crusader against the police corruption that runs rampant in the era of Tammany Hall. His only assistant is Detective Sergeant Meade, the former partner who worshipped O'Brien. The son of a well-to-do family, Meade may be the only other police officer in the city who can't be bribed. Though Meade is certain that O'Brien was murdered by someone he was investigating for corruption, especially as all the relevant files have vanished, Blackstone keeps a more open mind. As he's introduced to politicians, thieves, prostitutes and shoals of crooked policeman, he's amazed to learn that the city is run on a system of bribes and rewards. A visit to the home of the wife and children O'Brien left behind leads to an important break when their maid, who initially seems unusually upset, cuts her wrists and dies proclaiming that O'Brien's death was her fault. Blackstone's long experience (Blackstone and the Heart of Darkness, 2007, etc.) leads him to a very different solution than Meade ever imagined.

Spencer's procedural, set in the bustling New York City of 1900, offers a fresh venue for the hero and provides a satisfying twist at the end.

(COPYRIGHT (2009) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

May 1, 2009
Set in New York in 1900, Spencers latest installment in her likable Inspector Sam Blackstone series has the intrepid British policeman sailing to America to bring back a prisoner whos been extradited to England. On board the ship, Blackstone meets a young New York policeman named Alex Meade. Later Blackstone learns that this very junior policeman is assigned to investigate the murder of another cop, Inspector Patrick OBrien. All Blackstone wants to do is leave New York as soon as possible with his prisoner, but he finds himself drawn against his will into the investigation of OBriens death. No one but Meade, who idolized OBrien, seems to care whether the murder is solved or not. Thats like waving a red flag infront of the bullish Blackstone's eyes. This engaging procedural offers an entertaining look at policing in New York at the end of the nineteenth century.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)