Wilson, who continues the most complex murder mystery in San Francisco in the 1880s. This hero is an idiot of the first order, a truly unforgettable groundbreaking lawyer with intelligence and heart. In fact, all the important recurring characters have been very well made and are now my adorable friends. Needless to say, in addition to Sarah, the other comprehensive and adorable character in all of these books is San Francisco herself. The writer, Shirley Tolman, has an enviable knack for creating standout features, twice as impressive as her portrait of a city just beginning to become one of a kind. Her sense of time and place brings the place to life and adds to the enjoyment of the story.
The story literally begins with an uproar when her brother becomes the victim of a bullet in the dark. Is it just an unfortunate accident or a deliberate attempt to assassinate Samuel? As the bodies pile up, Sarah herself becomes the target of another photoshoot in Telegraph Hill. There are a few subplots along the way with subtle hints as to who is behind the multiple murders, so there's plenty to include here. The depth of research that the author had to do to integrate local government administration, estate law, the rise of sensational yellow press, police procedures (or lack thereof), litigation procedures, etc., is truly impressive.
My final word is to ask Shirley Tollman to release Book 6 in this wonderful series as soon as possible. Whodunit! Everyone, please read on and enjoy yourself.
I'm Shirley Tollman's Sara Woolson Mystery (Rincon Hill Scandal: Sara Woolson's Mystery (Sara Wrangler's Mystery), Cliff House Strangler, Russian Hill Murder, Nobu Hill Murder) I'm a longtime fan of. Anyone familiar with the fascinating city will miss its look and feel before the 1906 earthquake. The heroine of her novel is one of the first female lawyers to practice in California. in this case), while at the same time-fighting assumptions and justice based on her gender. (The common line is "I have a California attorney's license, despite my gender.) _Death on Telegraph Hill_has a bit of a surprise fix, but I'm enjoying the series. There are all the elements.
Thalmann continues to spin several dishes at once in this novel. Wilson's brother, Samuel, was shot, several suspects were cremated on a stake (possibly suicide, perhaps murder...), another was stabbed by an ally, the third was buried in a shallow grave, and another. Even Sarah herself was shot when he first investigated her brother's life attempts and later death.
While investigating these murders, Wilson filed a lawsuit on behalf of the SPCA (the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-San Francisco was clearly the epicenter of progress and liberalism in the 1880s). It's a bullfighting ring and I also agree to defend the man accused of the aforementioned murder. How (or if) these incidents are related is part of Telegraph Hill's broader death puzzle. It's a testament to Tolman's skill as a writer who can continue many plotlines at the same time while directing the reader to solve a crime (or misinformation - I don't want spoilers left). Are these murders related? Are they somehow related to the proposed bullring?
Because of the complexity of the novel, it is difficult to put it down. To some, Sarah's voice may be strange - she speaks like a female from the nineteenth century, so makeup rules, manners, and situations may seem strange. I think it would add realism to the characters and stories, but I'm sorry if I didn't say it. Even more disturbing was how many threads were tied together. I really like the smaller details that give so much importance to the final 'whodunit'. For those reading the Wilson series, the romantic tension between Wilson and Robert Campbell is heightened by the move to Resolve. However, the door is still wide open as to how this particular personal element can be resolved. More fun by Tolman to show you how this ends.
In terms of ambiguity, that's better than most of the time. The characters are clearly written and the plot is in the spotlight. The photos of both the city and the time are fantastic, which is one of the reasons I keep looking for more by Tolman. The ending to the murder is a bit simple, but I would recommend this book as well as the series.
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