A Murder on Jane Street by Cathy Cash Spellman is a 2019 The Wild Harp & Co. Publication.

An unusual thriller-

Fitzhugh Donovan, a retired NYPD chief, is now a bookstore owner, primarily catering to crime fiction readers. Through this avenue he becomes acquainted with his elderly neighbor. But when the old woman asked Donovan to come to her home, saying she thinks she is in danger, he arrives too late- the woman had already been savagely murdered.

Now he and his family apply all the resources at their disposal, including some unorthodox ones pertaining to psychic intuitions, to find out why anyone would want to kill their neighbor. What they uncover is a shocking discovery that could affect the future power structure of the country and will put the entire Donovan family in extreme danger.

This is a book that has been hanging out on my TBR list for a couple of years. I had forgotten about it until I started culling through my TBR list this year.

Although the synopsis is intriguing, based on the cover and title, I was expecting a standard mystery, with no expectations beyond that. Although I knew the book would remain my list, I felt compelled to read this one sooner, rather than later.

As it turns out, my instincts paid off- but I was still taken by surprise when the plot turned towards a very dark period of history, and reveals a shocking conspiracy that leads right up to the present day.

The plot was strong, dark and highly suspenseful, but the author occasionally added elements that stole some of that intensity. In this case, the paranormal aspects didn't really fit with the story line, and I thought the book would have been better without them.

There were a few times with suspension of believe is called upon, but, other than that, I got a little more from this mystery than I had bargained for. I would love to see this team of sleuths work together again someday!

*Note- I noticed that some folks were categorizing this book as a cozy mystery. I would urge caution if you are a regular reader of that genre, as the only thing constituting such a label is the amateur sleuths.

Other than that one technicality, the plot is darker than most cozies, and there is some references to torture and violence some cozy fans might not be accustomed to.

That said, this is a very good mystery most crime fiction readers will enjoy! ( )

This is a really exciting historical fiction novel. Historical fiction novels that contain enough threads of reality that they make you question what you know of history are always the most interesting because they make you question what you think you know of history. This story certainly masters this criterion.

The Donovan family led by patriarch Fitzhugh Donovan. Fitz is a retired police chief who lives in New York, in a brownstone with his two daughters and his granddaughter. His neighbor, an elderly woman well into her 90’s makes a claim to Fitz that she has a matter of life and death to discuss with him, and that she wants him to come over later so she can discuss this with him. Only, when Fitz returns to her apartment, his elderly neighbor has been murdered, in a most brutal way.

The cops seem content to write off the old woman’s death as a botched robbery. Something about the death of the old lady doesn’t sit with Fitz, and he starts digging. He soon discovers that his old neighbor had left behind clues about who may have killed her and why. With the help of his family, and a select group of unique friends, Fitz uncovers a decades old conspiracy.

This is a fun, fast paced novel. Definitely a recommended read. I look forward to hearing more from these characters in future novels. Novel supplied by Netgalley. ( )

The brutal murder of the little old lady next door puts FitzHugh Donovan on the case. A retired New York City Police Chief, he knows a cover-up when he sees one and his Irish Cop conscience can't let that happen.

Now, Fitz, his family and his quirky band of Bleecker Street Irregulars are ensnared in the bizarre secret the woman died to protect.

Is this a cold case turned hot again, or an unspeakable conspiracy that could alter the course of history?

Fitz doesn't yet know how high the stakes are, that failure isn't an option, and that the little old lady was so much more than she appeared. But he's trying to keep everyone alive long enough to find out.

I did not enjoy this. Nothing felt like it was developed enough to invest in and the plot and subplots were predictable and boring.

*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review* ( )

A Murder on Jane Street must be the first in a series of mysteries by Cathy Cash Spellman. If she doesn’t take this delightful group of people to new books and new mysteries, it will be a waste. FitzHugh Donovan is a retired NYPD Chief of Police. He lives with his daughters Rory and Maeva and his granddaughter Finn. All are strong personalities who are devoted to each other.

When the ninety-some-year-old neighbor woman asked FitzHugh for help, he immediately commits to assist her, but then she is murdered before she has a chance to explain the threat she faces. Luckily she left some clues. Fitzhugh is able to call in the help of experts in archives, history, science and technology to assist, but when they finally understand who they are up against, it seems nothing can be done.

A Murder on Jane Street is a great introduction to an investigative team that will be fun to follow. It mixes a bit of romance with intrigue in a way that reminds me of the LoveSwept serial romance books with an investigative team who works together. I have to credit Spellman for a unique ending for her book. I can’t spoil it but will say I’ve not seen anything like it before.

A Murder on Jane Street will be released July 16th. I received an e-galley from the publisher through NetGalley.

A Murder on Jane Street at Wild Harp & Company
Cathy Cash Spellman author site

https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpress.com/2019/07/17/9781475606980/ ( )

A Murder On Jane Street
By
Cathy Cash Spellman

What it's all about...

So...an elderly neighbor dies...is murdered actually. But she leaves her next door neighbor some volumes, journals, papers about something she has been guarding and keeping secret her entire life. It has to do with wars, Hitler and secret plots. That’s really all that I should tell you because this book is such a huge mystery. It’s also a mystery that you won’t get until you actually become absorbed in this book...as I did.

My thoughts after reading this book...

Finn and his daughters and his granddaughter and her friends and their friends all become a part of this massive mystery that involves research and technical involvement and translations and so much danger that there were times I had to totally pull myself out of this book because I worried about everyone so much.

What I loved best...

As much as I loved the entire story I loved these odd and quirky characters who worked together to come to an ending that their elderly neighbor deserved.

What potential readers might want to know...

This book is big and juicy. It had...incredibly...both short and long chapters...hundreds of them! I read it on my Oasis but it must be a big thick book in real book form. I loved every bit of this book!

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my choice to read and review it. ( )