When danger will test their faith in one another ...

I am slowly rediscovering reading mystery/thriller tales, younger I devoured all the Agatha Christie then Lilian Jackson Brown (love cats) then Anne Perry which combined everything I love, amateur sleuths, historical setting and romance.
And this debut novel has everything to keep me glued to its pages. Intriguing characters with a past, a burgeoning romance plus danger and a series of crime to unravel.
On top, it is constructed like a romance, offering the two heroes a voice when in the many other mysteries I have read, only the lead character get his point of view transcribed.
The period added too to my delights while reading, I love to learn about the Gilded-Age, this time with a step in the past and another in the future.
Genevieve is privileged, not only by birth. Her family does not fit in any classical standard, a mother fighting for women’s right, a father advocating on the verge of eradication species, a n explorer for a brother and an architect for the other. This is not the usual for the upper crust.
They embrace their differences, thus when she decided to follow her path by becoming a reporter, they supported her.
She turned from Astor 400 debutante to newspapers columnist. While it was her therapy after her failed season, she desperately wants to prove herself thus tracking the sensation of the moment, the modern Robin Hood breaking in the house of the privileged.
Daniel is a walking conundrum, a veil between the lowly and the lofty. From the beginning, it is easy to see he is not who he appears. He wears a mask on all occasions. His past is no true surprise when he reveals it as many hints were spread. He is a man torn between an oath he made to himself and a desire to free himself from it for a less lonely future. With his own roundabout ways, he tries to improve the life of those he shares a past with as he understands their pleas.
They are supported by a bunch of as much unconventional friends, Rupert the destitute earl, Callie also facing the same predicament, Eliza the artist, Esmie the no so demure wallflower....

The mystery part is quite devious, even if the villains were easy to figure out. Not all the villains get their right comeuppance, but their scheming ways are halted.
As first in a series, Daniel and Genevieve’s relationship is left unresolved, theirs is no insta love, sure there is an attraction but it is also full of doubts and their lack of trust nearly tore them apart, so we are left with a thread of hope to keep us on edge until the next in this series.
A 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for this entrancing story, I am now left with the need to know what will come next.

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Genevieve Stewart is an upper class woman working as a journalist under a pen name for an NYC newspaper. She is tired of all the fluff pieces her editor assigns her and is determined to uncover the identity of the mysterious Robin Hood who is stealing from the rich and supposedly giving to the poor. As she’s following leads of a story she is cornered in a dangerous part of NYC. One of the ruffians sends her home with a terse warning to stay away from the story. At a ball the next night she discovers that the ruffian, Daniel, is also a member of high society. After unsuccessfully persuading Genevieve to drop the story, they form a truce and decide to work together under the ruse of courtship. There are some murders and Genevieve is attacked. The story has become quite dangerous as pasts are revealed and the story begins to take form. I really enjoyed this, especially the characters. They were well developed and real. It takes place in the gilded age of New York City where there is a stark contrast between the haves and the have nots. Society rules about gender roles are also quite restrictive and Genevieve struggles with what is expected of her. Daniel and Genevieve make great partners and I enjoyed their camaraderie. Most all the loose ends were tied up but there are a few more leads for the next story in this series. There also was quite a cliffhanger at the end. I’m usually not a fan of cliffhangers but for some reason this one didn’t annoy me as much as they usually do. I am looking forward to the next adventure. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

4.5 stars

This is the first book in the A Gilded Gotham mystery series by Kate Belli.

Genevieve Stewart, aka journalist Polly Palmer, is in search of the elusive jewel thief dubbed Robin Hood. The book starts off in the roughest part of town and this is where she finds a man who is coincidently from her own posher neck of the woods. Together they work to uncover this thief.

This book is more about uncovering the jewel thief and getting the story than uncovering the person committing the actual murders. The book takes us on a jaunty trail around the city showing us from time to time how women are not quite equal to men and how tough the living was day to day even for the more posh set. It was interesting to see how Genevieve kept moving forward even in the midst of chaos and trouble that crossed her path.

I wonder what book two will be about since this is the beginning of a new series. Many of the questions I had were answered in this book so I wonder what will draw us into the action of book two. I do like the two main characters. They are vastly different yet in some ways greatly similar.

This was an easy read with an intricate plotline that kept my attention all the way through. I did have my suspicions who “Robin Hood” might be but discovered near the end that my thoughts were incorrect. The characters were compelling and I don’t have a great grasp on who the secondary characters may be but I am assured that whatever the plot of book two, I will be completely entertained.

If you love a good historical cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Genevieve Stewart is tired of reporting on baby contests and fluff pieces and missing out on serious issues. If she can discover the identity of Robin Hood, the thief preying on New York’s wealthy, she can make a name for herself. When she hears some men discussing Robin Hood she follows them, ending in an alley and a confrontation where she is saved by Daniel McCaffrey. While he is shabbily dressed, he is well spoken and does not entirely fit in the rough neighborhood. Several nights later she encounters Daniel once again at the Huffington ball. When the Huffington’s are later robbed, Genevieve suspects that she has found Robin Hood. When she begins to follow him he decides to confront her.

Raised in the poorer neighborhoods by his sister, she was later employed by a wealthy man who developed feelings for her. He saw to Daniel’s education and later made him his sole heir. He now has connections in the mansions of the city and with members of the gang that he belonged to as a boy, making him aware of the poor living conditions in the city. A commission has been proposed to look into the conditions, but the members include men who would use it as an opportunity to increase their own wealth. Working with Genevieve, he advises her to investigate and follow the money trail. The murder of a member of society and an attack on Genevieve tell her she is getting close to an answer.

From the city’s back alleys to the glittering ballrooms of the New York elite, Daniel and Genevieve work together to expose corruption. Having been hounded by reporters in the past, it is hard for Daniel to trust her at first. As the investigation progresses, trust begins to grow but Robin Hood’s identity remains a question that stands between them. This is an interesting look at New York society in the 1880s and will appeal to fans of historical mysteries. I would like to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing this book for my review.

Title: Deception by Gaslight - A Gilded Gotham Mystery
Author: Kate Belli
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
ISBN: 9781643854649
Edition: ebook
Publication date: 06/10/2020

Content:
"Glittering Gilded-Age New York holds its lavish charms--and a litany of deadly sins--as intrepid reporter Genevieve Stewart uncovers a trail of corruption and murder.

As a chill sets in on New York City in the winter of 1888, a jewel thief dubbed the "Robin Hood of the Lower East Side" has been stealing from the city's wealthiest and giving to the poor. Genevieve Stewart--a young woman whose family is part of Mrs. Astor's famed 400 but who has forged a life of her own as a reporter--decides to chase the story, but gets more than she bargained for: a murder victim sprawled in a dark alley in the dangerous Five Points neighborhood.
A handsome neighborhood tough comes to her rescue--but when she encounters the same man at a glamorous ball a few nights later, she realizes he's society scion Daniel McCaffrey. Could this be her Robin Hood? When two more murders rock the Knickerbocker world, it becomes apparent that something much more sinister is afoot than a few stolen diamond necklaces. Genevieve is determined to prove that Daniel is Robin Hood--but she's loath to believe he is a killer as well. From the glittering lights of Fifth Avenue to the sordid back alleys of Five Points, the truth is just one murder away."

Opinion:
First of all, I need to appreciate the beautiful cover. I totally fell in love with it from the beginning.

Now I want to say something about the story itself. First, it was a bit confusing to follow but after just a few pages I've already gotten into the story. The theme was pretty nice. I love Robin Hood and everything that has something to do with his story. So, I was excited to read this book and I haven't been disappointed. The protagonists are pretty interesting, especially the main protagonist Genevieve Stewart. She has a very strong character what I really liked about her. Robin Hood has been converted into a more modern version and I actually liked the modern touch of it. In combination with the murder, the story was also thrilling, what I really appreciated.

Conclusion:
This is a very nice and more modern adaption of Robin Hood, which I would definitely recommend to everyone loving Robin Hood and/or thrilling stories.

This is a worthy entry into the historical mystery category. Genevieve, a reporter, finds herself mired in the case of a man who wants to be known as Robin Hood. It's the Gilded Age in New York City and this vigilante is burglarizing the homes of rich people with secrets. Is Daniel MCCaffrey Robin Hood? That's the question Genevieve must answer after she realizes the man she met on the Bowery is actually, like herself, a member of high society. These two will end up working together but will they trust one another? Good characters and a good use of the period make this a good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

What a fun & engrossing read! I loved the characters--Genevieve & Daniel both refuse to live life according to the strict societal rules of the Gilded Age and it's quite a treat to learn more about them. I loved the juxtaposition between the world of the Astor 400 and the notorious Five Points neighborhood. The costume balls were as richly described as the seedy back alley bars in the most crime ridden area of Manhattan.

The mystery felt a little light to me and some clues were unraveled so fast it made my head spin a bit but it didn't turn me off the book. Part of the charm was watching Genevieve & Daniel work together and get to know one another better which is something I hope continues into the next book. I'm excited for the next installment in the series to see what Genevieve & Daniel get mixed up in next.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books & Netgalley for an ARC.

Take one part murder mystery, one part corruption investigation and intrigue, add a dash of romance and put it all in turn of the century New York high society and you’ve got Deception by Gaslight by Kate Belli. It's a thoroughly enjoyable adventure and mystery for Genevieve, member of a blue stocking family from New York who, when her engagement and society wedding was cancelled by her fiance one week prior to the wedding, had embraced her future as an eventual spinster and pursued a job at the local newspaper.
She is a talented reporter who is relegated to stories lie the “best baby contest” when she has an interest in doing more serious news. With the richest of the city being robbed by someone who has been dubbed “Robin Hood” since he robs from the richest of the rich and gives the money to the poor, Genevieve sets herself the task of writing an expose of the robber and thereby making a name for herself in her chosen field.
As she pursues her goal, she comes across a group of toughs, one of whom is the most handsome man she has ever met, in an alley on the wrong side of town. As she challenges the trio, who have been talking about Robin Hood, she spies a dead body with a head wound, the likely cause of his demise. While trying to see more, she is bundled out of the alley by the handsome tough when one of the other three try to drag her into a building in the alley.
Genevieve’s curiosity is further tweaked when she attends one of the social functions of the season and spies the handsome tough at the ball, only this time in elegant black tie. To further her confusion, she learns he is the elusive Daniel McCaffrey, who inherited one of the richest estates in NY City, setting off the rumor mill as everyone tries to find out who he is, what his relationship was to his benefactor, and why he was named sole heir.
Genevieve and Daniel are drawn together as the book continues, with Daniel being constantly amazed at his feelings toward Genevieve and both of them aware they have an unspoken connection. They soon form an alliance to try and learn what is behind at least one if not two deaths and how they are linked to a corporation that appears shady; but about which almost no information can be found.
As their relationship expands, Daniel finally opens up to Genevieve, sharing his life story with her, the first time he has ever done so. While Genevieve remains interested in the Robin Hood story, her interest is more and more drawn to the corporation, it’s investors, and it’s business. As she gets closer to the information, she is attacked by an unknown assailant which draws her even closer to Daniel as they decide to pool their information and unmask the corporation for the shell corporation it is.
The book is well written, in a style somewhat reminiscent of the golden age of mystery with fancy balls and a peek into high society. Pacing is excellent and although it might be easy to put down and pick back up; the level of interest is so strong the urge is always to read “just one more chapter”. This pulls the reader through the book at a rapid pace.
The solutions as to Robin Hood’s identity and the goals of the corporation are both reached in a satisfactory fashion. While the relationship between the two is not resolved, the reader can reach their own conclusions as the book ends. The only frustration I have is the cliff-hanger on the final page of the book, however the book is too well written to avoid it because of that.
My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for providing me an advanced digital read copy of this book. The opinions offered in this review are entirely my own.

This was such a fun historical mystery! I don't tend to read too many mystery novels (not sure why because I really love puzzles and mystery movies), but this was just the perfect amount of mystery/thriller to suck you into the genre.

Set in the late 1800s of New York City, you follow reporter Genevieve Stewart as she sets out to unravel the mysterious Robin Hood who has been targeting societies rich socialites. Filled with action, mystery, some romance, and of course suspense, this multiple POV story will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat!

This book does end on a cliffhanger so be warned! Highly recommend to all who enjoy mystery, thriller or historical fiction novels.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary eARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes. I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me this opportunity!

I couldn't wait to dive into this book. A mystery set in New York City in the late 1800s. I thought it was well done period piece taking place in high society. There seems to be a real life Robin Hood among the riches, but what starts as somewhat innocent thieving leadsto murder.

The main characters are Genevieve, a reporter, and Daniel, who reminded me a far less elusive Mr Gatsby. Genevieve sets off to prove Daniel is Robin Hood, but can't seem to believe he's a killer as well.

This book is part mystery, part drama and almost a romance. The drama about the period and the families was well written. I would have liked it better if there was more romance. The mystery portion seemed to lack a bit of oomph.

Overall, I'm giving it 4 stars because I really did feel like I was in the late 1800s and if I knew the mystery was more "light" (think Clue), I would have enjoyed it more, but I had higher expectations, hoping to be wowed by the mystery.

Thank you Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Great, really great, really, really, really great. Loved this book. Loved the characters especially Mr. Pineapple Waistcoat a/k/a gorgeous, hunky, Daniel McCaffrey, and our heroine Genevieve Stewart, loved the political history, loved the mystery and the clandestine goings on, loved the back stories, loved it all. Set in the latter portion of the nineteenth century Kate Belli tackles many if the issues of the times including graft and corruption in politics that make today’s goings on seem like child’s play. The many restrictions women faced in society and the workforce is neatly inserted and put under the microscope as are the Irish gangs that controlled so much of the lower east side neighborhood of Manhattan known as Five Points. There is crime, robberies, attempted murders, murder, investigations, a look at the illustrious and monied 400 and their society balls. There was also an ending that made me scream. What next Ms. Belli? Please make it soon.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an ARC,

I really enjoyed this one. The mystery was winding and sharp, and I enjoyed unraveling it along with the main characters. The heroine is smart and strong, but still a bit naive about the ways of the world. Fortunately, this doesn’t make her careless or silly - she’s much confident for that. The hero is world-weary and has experienced more than most in life, suffering horribly losses, but this doesn’t make him cynical. He still wants to right the wrongs done by others.

There’s maybe a touch of romance, and a cliff-hanger ending, so I’m very much looking forward to the next book!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Excellent Start for New Gay Nineties Era Clean Mystery Series
This book is the first in a new series. It takes place in 1888 which is the beginning of the 'Gay Nineties'. The story introduces our pair of heroes who get along like a future Nick and Nora Charles. I can't wait to see where that goes. The plot is excellent and has some great twists. Nothing is over-explained and the readers are treated like they have brains. This has all of the earmarks for a great series. I will be watching for the next installment.

New York, 1888. Prepare to be whirled from the gilded ballrooms of the Astor 400 to a dead-end alley in Five Points. We are thrown into the novel immediately with a quirky opening line and the story zips along nicely with great enthusiasm.

The main protagonist, Genevieve Stewart, is a thoroughly modern filly who no doubt would have been labelled “plucky” by contemporaries. She is a likeable and engaging guide through the competing worlds in Deception by Gaslight. This is a fun tale with interesting characters and makes for a diverting read during darker times.

Marvellous fun!

Genevieve is a New York socialite with a not-so-secret identity as hard-working newspaper journalist Polly Parker, and her world comes wonderfully alive in this historical crime novel with a romantic sub-plot.

There's a Robin Hood jewel thief at large in the city, and now he's started killing his victims... or has he? Genevieve suspects the wonderfully handsome and mysterious outsider Daniel McCaffrey as the criminal, but she can't see him as a killer... and he seems determined that the two of them will work together to solve the crime.

I very much enjoyed the late 19th Century New York Society (with all its sinister layers) that came across in this high-paced mystery, and the characters were enjoyable to spend time with.

I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley.

The story begins with reporter Genevieve Stewart following some men into a rough part of town in her quest to discover who the mysterious "Robin Hood" is. The thief has been preying on members of New York's 400 and sending letters telling about the victim's misdeeds to justify the thefts. Finding out who the mysterious thief is would do wonders for her fledgling career as a journalist. She needs something after being dumped almost at the altar by her fiance.

But wandering around on the Lower East Side isn't particularly safe and she is rescued by a handsome stranger. Imagine her surprise when she sees the same stranger at the next night's social gathering and discovers the he is the mysterious Daniel McCaffrey who was the heir of Jacob Van Joost even though no one knows the relationship between them.

The two are working at cross purposes for quite a while in the story. Genevieve wonders if he could be Robin Hood and he has to overcome his prejudice about reporters who have made up all sorts of stories about him in order to sell papers. But, once the thefts become murders, the two begin working together to find out what is happening.

I enjoyed the main characters in this one. They are both intriguing people. The side characters also have lots of possibilities as stars of further books in this series. I also liked the setting. New York City and the changing social landscape when the old rich are being supplanted by the new rich and the political landscape of the city added rich detail to the story and were key features in the plot.

Fans of historical mysteries will enjoy this story and its interesting characters.

I had mixed feelings on this book.

I love historical mysteries, and this premise caught my attention. While there was a lot to like, it took me a long time to get into this story. Most of the time when this happens to me, the problem is the characterization.

That’s not the case here. I did like the main characters. Genevieve is a delightful heroine. Left at the altar by her fiancé a while back, she stays away from romance and concentrates on her career in journalism. Now if only her editor would let her write more than society columns about engagement balls, flower shows, and PT Barnum’s “Best Baby” contest, she could prove that she’s just as good a journalist as her male colleagues. If she could only have that break-through story. Like the identity of Robin Hood . . .

Daniel is the heir to the late Jacob Aster’s fortune, though no one knows why. Is he Aster’s illegitimate son? A nephew? A distant relative? Who is this man? Ever since he inherited it, journalists and society have dogged his steps, determined to find out more about this good-looking bachelor. Needless to say, he has no reason to like the persistent Genevieve Stewart, especially once she becomes convinced that he’s Robin Hood. The problem is, he needs her help digging up information buried in newspaper archives, information that points to a larger conspiracy . . .

It was fun to see the two leads develop a working relationship. Yes, there’s a romantic element to it. But there’s more to Genevieve and Daniel’s relationship than their subtle physical attraction. These are two people who can complement each other’s strengths. I sense the beginning of a true friendship between them.

Unlike most of the Astor 400 families, the Stewarts are delightfully eccentric. One brother is an archeologist in Egypt, battling sand and bugs. Another brother is a rising star in architecture, and Genevieve senses that he’s hiding something. Her mother has gone to jail for speaking on such unladylike topics as the women’s suffrage and birth control. Her father is notorious for his court battle to protect an almost-extinct bird species. The wealthy Mrs. Bradley wishes to use their feathers to decorate a hat, and Mr. Stewart braves public ridicule to protect the Koola bird. (Mrs. Bradley hasn’t forgiven him, either.) They love and support each other, including Genevieve’s fledgling career as a journalist.

While I enjoyed the book, I did have some qualms about the mystery itself. Much of the plot relies on the characters’ gut feelings: Daniel senses that he can trust Genevieve (though he trusts almost no one); Genevieve senses that Daniel is connected to Robin Hood (though there’s little proof beyond an overheard bit of conversation); a certain character’s death is connected to these robberies, and so on. It’s not bad. Maybe once or twice is okay. But it’s not satisfying. I had to rely on the characters telling me their intuitions rather than seeing evidence to make those connections myself.

There are also too many coincidences. Sometimes people are conveniently and unrealistically available and willing to give information to Genevieve and Daniel.

I also had issues with certain things from a writing craft perspective. (I have spent too much time beta reading fiction not to notice certain weaknesses.) It bothered me a great deal and made it difficult for me to concentrate on the story. Yet halfway through the novel, my interest picked up. Someone I had dismissed as a nasty-ish minor character acts unexpectedly brave in an unanticipated and very public manner.

From there, I was hooked. Several characters who had appeared shallow ended up playing more decisive roles in the action. I also enjoyed the mystery’s resolution. But I had mixed feelings about the book’s ending, which felt like the beginning of another book.

This appears to be the start of a series. There’s certainly plenty of potential material for future mysteries. The Stewart family alone would cover a few books! Genevieve’s BFFs, Callie and Eliza, as well as Daniel’s close friend Rupert, all have potential as stories. Save for a cousin, Daniel’s own family is dead. But his servants are all from the wrong side of town and could play larger roles in future mysteries. I’m especially hoping Asher, the prizefighter-turned-personal secretary, will have a sizeable role. Kate Belli’s created a cast of intriguing characters who can be explored in greater depth.

Overall, this was a good start to the series. Despite my problems with certain aspects of the writing and plotting, the characters have enough depth to keep my interest. I will be interested to see where book two takes Genevieve and Daniel.

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Note #2: This will appear on my blog on 5 October 2020.

This is the first book of this mystery series set in late 1880s NYC.
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A journalist, Genevieve who is from an eccentric, but wealthy family tried to unmask a thief, Robin Hood who has been coming up in the city. By chasing to identify the thief, she gets entangled in secrets, murder, corruption and so forth.
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Genevieve is an ambitious and dignified female protagonist and lovable character. Her relationship with Daniel is captivating and I can't wait to read them in the sequel!
The story is intriguing and thrilling, involving tangled riddles, but in some parts, I felt a bit predictable. I like the setting of the story, class society, gangs, politics etc. The description of grossy high society and the shadow of the city intrigued me a lot. I just needed more surprises in the riddles.
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I marked this book as 4 stars out of 5. I recommend this book to a fan of historical mystery!
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An impressive debut novel. I became invested in the main characters as well as many of the side characters. The backdrop of NYC corruption in the late 1800s was extremely fun. I loved the whole play on "Robin Hood" and how this story had a unique mystery element to it.

It is a cute fun read. Not necessarily earth-shattering, but if you, like me, are an absolute addict for a good murder mystery set in the interwar era with a strong female lead, you can't go wrong with this one.