3.5 out of 5 stars.

A fast paced murder mystery, a cat and mouse-esque relationship and a righteous thief bind this story together.

However, there were at times quite a lot of moments that were just high society scenes that didn't lend itself to the plot at all. I felt that some of the side characters could have played bigger roles or had more depth to them.

I did enjoy the dynamic between the two main characters however, and enjoyed the journalistic side.

While not the most original of plots I did enjoy reading this light cozy. I love the era...the Gilded Age of NY and this author does a great job describing it and keeping events and characters true to the period. A little mystery, a little romance....all in all time well spent. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

Deception by Gaslight is the first in a new series by Kate Belli. Genevieve Stewart is trying to make a career for herself as a reporter due to her failed engagement and no marriage prospects due to her eccentric family. The novel begins with Genevieve trying to investigate the new Robin Hood that is stealing from the rich and giving to the poor but the story evolves into something more sinister than just thefts. I enjoyed the story of Genevieve and Daniel and the two POV's through out. I was really was rooting for them but then ending left me irritated and frustrated just because they wanted to lead into the next story.

I was provided with an electronic ARC through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed reading this book. Good characters and very well written. I enjoyed the story and didn't guess "whodunnit" which is a nice change as its sometimes obvious from the beginning. Would read more by this author and think it would be good to have more books featuring characters from this novel.

Glittering jewels and jewel thieves and murder. Deception by Gaslight is a mystery with a small dash of romance. The first in a forthcoming series, this novel sets up the sleuthing team and the complex backgrounds of the characters. Guinevere and Daniel are amusing together and I truly enjoyed their clashes and banter as well as the side characters, but the mystery was less captivating for me. I was looking for more character development alongside the mystery. I didn’t realize this was going to be a series at first, so the next book will probably provide what I was missing. Now that the world and characters are established, I will easily dive back into the story as the writing is well-done.

For fans of Tasha Alexander, Deanna Raybourne, and Laurie R. King.

Thanks to Netgalley & Crooked Lane Books for my review copy.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for sharing an advanced reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

The story begins in New York in the winter of 1888 when a "Robin Hood" begins stealing jewels from the wealthy and giving to the poor. Genevieve is a 26 year old reporter hoping to investigate but as a woman is struggling to be given the assignment. While checking out some information in a rough part of town she "meets" Daniel in the midst of some shady happenings. They encounter each other just days later at a major ball, discovering neither is who they appeared to be at first.

It's a mostly enjoyable mystery novel with good chemistry between the lead characters and a bit of murder and mayhem added into the mix. I really liked the story a lot and found myself reading late into the night to find out what happens. I look forward to reading more by the writer.

I give this 3.5 stars.

New York, 1888: At twenty-six, Genevieve Stewart is a single woman due to a failed engagement and who was born to a wealthy family. As such, she is part of New York society, but is trying to make a name for herself as a journalist. She follows a lead on the notorious “Robin Hood” –a thief who is going after the wealthiest members of society. Her ambition leads her into one of the roughest parts of the city where she meets Daniel—a rich man who grew up in the poorest neighborhood. She thinks he is the thief and trails him doggedly. Unfortunately, her investigation leads her into serious trouble—and an intriguing partnership to find the thief—and the murderer who is framing him. The story has a lot of details as to what life was like in 1888 NYC. From the rich and powerful and their lavish parties, to the working poor, living in the slums.

What I liked: The world building. Though light on some sensory details (what did the slums smell like compared to Genevieve’s uptown neighborhood?), there is enough richness of background to embed you in the story. I liked Genevieve and her family. They are “society” but in an unconventional way. I loved Esmie and how she eventually finds herself. And I liked the scene in Genevieve’s friend’s home when she faces two men, one of whom is Robin Hood, and shows how well she can aim a gun! Loved this scene.

What I didn’t like: I wasn’t especially fond of the fact that the ultimate bad guy didn’t get his, but… from what I saw in the “ending” there is more to come so I assume he’ll get his sometime. And, although the mystery in this book is solved, there were enough loose ends left dangling that you know there will be more adventures for Genevieve.

If you like cozy historical mysteries, I do recommend this book. Though I found it a bit slow at first, by the middle/end, I couldn’t put it down. It will keep you turning the pages, even though it's not a real heart pounding story. I look forward to more adventures with Genevieve and Daniel.

A historical fiction in the winter of 1888, with thefts, murder, corruption in high places and an investigative pair of a journalist and a society scion. I like historical fiction for their freshness and background information. This book has the former but lacks the latter. The unravelling of the suspense could have been better. An enjoyable read for fans of this genre.

WHile some parts of this book were fun to read, others became very tedious and I found myself wanting to skip ahead. I didn't, sticking it out to the end.

Deception by Gaslight takes place in NY at the turn of the twentieth century. Protagonist Genevive Stewart is from a wealthy if unconventional family. She works at a news paper as the only woman on staff. During this time a great many of the NY 400 families are being robbed by someone the press has dubbed ROBIN HOOD. As soon as I read that my mind immediately went to the MGM musical Robin and the Seven Hoods.

The hero is a wealthy man who may or may not be RobinHood and Genevive is determined to find out if he is. Plot points appear, diverge, and the two are thrown together more times than not. A plot about tenement housing issues gets these two "working" together to unearth a sinister plot.

There are a couple of murders, more robberies, and the identity of Robin Hood is revealed towards the end. Who it is is almost laughable.

For a debut novel this one is well written and I thoroughly enjoyed the main character of Genevive. The ending hints at this being a series, so that's something to look forward to.

It's winter 1888 NYC. Genevieve Stewart is young woman born to one of the city's wealthiest families. After a failed engagement, she becomes a journalist, determined to make a name for herself. Following a lead on the biggest story in the city, "Robin Hood". She finds herself in a 5 Points alley, late at night with a body and 3 terrifying men. When 2 of them threaten her, the 3rd, a very handsome young man, comes to her rescue. A few night later, while attending a ball, who does she see across the room, but the man who saved her that night in the alley, Daniel McCaffery. After confronting him about his reasons for being in one of the worst parts of the city, these 2 unlikely allies will try to uncover the mysteries behind "Robin Hood" and the number of bodies that are turning up in his wake.

So starts Deception by Gaslight. I'm fairly new to reading Historic Mysteries. I usually go more for Adventure Thrillers. I asked to review this book because I liked what I read in the blurb. A young headstrong woman, in an age when women were not meant to make their own way, is determined to live her life on her own terms. Even if it means finding herself in a bit of trouble now and then. This book doesn't disappoint.

The story has a lot of details as to what life was like in 1888 NYC. From the rich and powerful and their lavish parties, to the working poor, living in the slums.

If you like Historic Mysteries, (or even Cozy Mysteries) I would highly recommend this book. It will keep you turning the pages, even though it's not a real heart pounding story. I hope this is the beginning of a series for these 2 characters. I'd definitely be interested in reading more of their exploits together. A really good read.

Deception By Gaslight is a wonderfully written novel with characters worth rooting for. I honestly couldn’t put the book down. Genevieve and Daniel make a great sleuthing pair. I loved the setting of the story, taking place in New York City in the late 1800s. The author’s attention to detail is amazing and made me feel like I was actually in the ballroom or the back alleys of the city.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a dash of romance added in

"Deception by Gaslight" managed to be quite the surprise for me. I hadn't read anything by Kate Belli and the large majority of the historical fiction I've read lately was a bit of a let down. I was rather wary of tackling a historical mystery in light of that. This book managed to blow me away. I enjoyed it far more than I expected I would. I'm definitely going to read more from Kate Belli in the future.

I haven't read many historical mysteries lately but the synopsis of this one sounded intriguing. This time period is fascinating and Kate is an interesting character. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.

Genevieve Stewart is from a prominent but eccentric family. After a broken engagement she wants to prove herself as a reporter. She begins to investigate a thief styling himself as “Robin Hood” for the NYC Globe newspaper.

Through her investigations she meets Daniel McCaffrey. He is the mysterious heir to the Van Joost fortune with a questionable background who just happens to be at all the crime scenes.

But “Robin Hood” goes beyond simply robbing from the rich and giving to the poor. Dead bodies begin to appear with the robberies and Genevieve can help but suspect Daniel.

The attraction and secrets between Genevieve and Daniel begin to mount. Can they trust each other before they become targets themselves?

An impressive debut novel. Kate Belli has created so many characters to work with for subsequent books for a series. I became invested in the main characters. As well as in Daniel’s friend Rupert and Genevieve’s friends Callie and Eliza. The backdrop of NYC corruption in the late 1800’s is compelling too.

P.S. Beautiful cover

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC