Murder on Oak Street by I. M. Foster Book Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: November 4, 2022
Publisher: independent
Page Length: 503
Series: A South Shore Mystery
Genre: Historical Mystery

Synopsis

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?

My Thoughts

After being jilted at the altar and resigning from his position as coroner's physician for the city of New York, Dr Daniel O'Halleran eagerly takes up a new role as assistant coroner in Patchogue, a small village on Long Island.

When Thomas Brissedon is murdered in his own home, Daniel is surprised to find a connection to the first suspicious death he attended two years before when Cornelius Desmond, a successful business man and philanthropist, was found dead in a dilapidated tenement after allegedly stabbing a prostitute to death. The case was never investigated properly and this rankled with Daniel as he suspected that Cornelius Desmond had been murdered.

The latest victim, Thomas Brissedon, was a ruthless man who would do anything to enlarge his business empire. He ruled his family and the rest of his household with an iron fist, saving his more brutal methods of control for his step-son, Patrick Desmond, the son of Cornelius.

With Thomas being such a despicable character, there is a long list of suspects. Family, servants, friends and business associates all come under scrutiny, but the evidence points squarely towards Patrick. Daniel, however, keeps an open mind and delves deep into the lives of all concerned to uncover a web of lies and family secrets and, ultimately, a murderer.

Not only was Thomas unlikable, but several of the other characters were too. Their behaviour towards one another was downright nasty and cruel, but formed an integral part of the novel. I hoped that they'd all get their comeuppance and they did, in a way.

Murder on Oak Street is a very intriguing mystery. The investigation does take a while (the novel is quite long), but it never stagnates due to the many interesting developments. The links between the two cases are very cleverly done. And to lighten the mood, there is even a budding romance.

As mentioned, there are plenty of suspects. All with plausible reasons to want Thomas dead. When the reveal came, I was surprised who Thomas' murderer turned out to be. I love a mystery that keeps me guessing until the end.

Murder on Oak Street is a great start to a new mystery series. I'm looking forward to Dr Daniel O'Halleran's next case.

Where to Purchase

This title is available to read with #KindleUnlimited.

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Meet the Author

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 Inez:
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