Publishers Weekly
08/08/2022
Belli’s evocative third Gilded Gotham mystery (after 2021’s Betrayal on the Bowery) finds society-page reporter Genevieve Stewart and her sometime investigative partner, wealthy upstart Daniel McCaffrey, leaving Newport, R.I., in the summer of 1889 for New York City, because Genevieve’s artist’s-model friend, Callie Maple, wants her to look into the murder of a fellow model, Beatrice Holler. Callie fears Beatrice is the latest victim of a killer targeting models, and the police have been of no use. At the risk of their lives, Genevieve and Daniel use their connections among the Astor 400 and the city’s underworld to try to unmask the fiend before another young woman is struck down. Appearances by real-life artists, such as painter William Merritt Chase, and descriptions of long-gone landmarks, such as the Elephantine Colossus at Coney Island, lend historical verisimilitude. At times, though, excessive background detail slows the plot and undermines the building of suspense. The growing attraction between Genevieve and Daniel gets a light, sympathetic touch. Anne Perry fans will be pleased. Agent: Danielle Egan-Miller, Browne and Miller Literary Assoc. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Treachery on Tenth Street:
“Evocative . . . Anne Perry fans will be pleased.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A rich combination of mystery and boldly painted historic detail.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“[A] well-researched, intriguing historical mystery depicting culture and social class in Gilded-Age Gotham.”
—Library Journal
“Keeps you on the edge of your seat with a lush writing style that sends you back to the 1800s.”
—San Francisco Book Review, 5-star review
“A vivid picture of Gilded Age New York.”
—Historical Novel Society
Praise for the Gilded Gotham Mysteries:
“Belli's captivating debut is a delicious blend of mystery, romance and historical intrigue. The evocative, Gilded-Age setting and richly-drawn characters make this the kind of book you sink into and don't want to leave."
—Elizabeth Blackwell, author of RED MISTRESS and ON A COLD DARK SEA
“Complex conspiracy, exciting action, and the allure of a contradictory romance make this debut novel a page-turner."
—Rosemary Simpson, author of the Gilded Age mysteries
"From Fifth Avenue mansions to back alley pubs, a gutsy female reporter and a rags-to-riches millionaire take on societal intrigue and political double-dealing in this entertaining and romantic tale of Gilded Age New York."
—Alyssa Maxwell, author of the Gilded Newport Mysteries
“[A] riveting, carefully researched, [and] well-plotted mystery.”
—Library Journal, starred review
“This first in a promising series drops readers right into the dirty, cutthroat streets of a bygone Gotham, introduces a couple whose fortunes they’ll wish to follow, and makes a great recommendation for fans of Mariah Fredericks.”
—Booklist, starred review
"Strong characters bolster an excellent mystery brimming with danger, romance, and historical tidbits."
—Kirkus Reviews
“Belli evocatively portrays Gilded Age New York.”
—Publishers Weekly
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries.”
—Seattle Book Review
Library Journal
09/01/2022
It's sweltering in New York City in July 1889, and investigative journalist Genevieve Stewart and wealthy businessman Daniel McCaffrey are trying to enjoy the beaches of Newport, RI, when they're called back to the city by Callie Maple, an old friend of Genevieve's who fell from grace when her grandmother died and left her penniless. Now Callie's working as an artist's model, and one of her model friends has just been killed, her throat cut, in what police are unbelievably calling an accident. It seems that the NYPD is trying to keep the model's death quiet as they deal with the furor caused by tabloid claims that London's Jack the Ripper has moved to New York. Genevieve and Daniel look into the model's murder, their investigation keeps leading them back to the famous artists hangout in the Tenth Street Studio Building, but the killer stays one step ahead of them. VERDICT Belli follows Betrayal on the Bowery with another well-researched, intriguing historical mystery depicting culture and social class in Gilded-Age Gotham.—Lesa Holstine
Kirkus Reviews
2022-08-17
A determined reporter hunts a killer from society parties to the mean streets of 1880s New York.
Genevieve Stewart and Daniel McCaffrey reluctantly leave Newport’s ocean breezes for the furnace of a New York City summer in response to Genevieve's friend Callie Maple’s fears that another friend has been murdered. Although Genevieve is the society reporter for the New York Globe, investigative reporting is her goal. Callie, who came from a wealthy family that lost their money and, with it, her prospects for a good marriage, has taken up the bohemian lifestyle of an artist’s model and mistress to support herself. Daniel, who grew up in the world of dangerous gangs before he inherited a fortune, is not shocked by Callie's lifestyle, and Genevieve ignores the impropriety to search for the killer of Callie's friend Bea Holler, another model whom the police insist cut her own throat. Rumors hint that Jack the Ripper’s moved to New York, threatening a panic the police want to prevent. Soon Genevieve and Daniel are immersed in the lifestyles of artists, models, and the wealthy men who often take them as mistresses. Although they don’t believe the Ripper theory, there may indeed be a serial killer who’s marked Callie next on his list. Daniel, who’s madly in love with Genevieve, will do anything to help and protect her. This new puzzle will prove the extent of his love, which will be rewarded if the daring couple can stay alive long enough to solve the puzzling case.
A rich combination of mystery and boldly painted historic detail.
