An electrical apparatus electrocutes a man and Dr. Benjamin Bradshaw is called in to investigate. Bradshaw developed the apparatus four years earlier so he has a personal interest in discovering what went wrong. He quickly determines that someone inserted a bridge to bypass the capacitors that reduce the strength of the electric charge, converting the machine into a murder weapon.

The health spa had only four guests at the time the fatality occurred, a married couple, a rich gold miner, and the con artist who had convinced Bradshaw to develop the machine four years earlier. Before long the husband is poisoned and the con artist dies while fleeing the police. The police conclude that the con artist poisoned the husband and that the original death was to an accident. They regard the cases as closed, but Bradshaw is convinced that they are mistaken.

Pajer’s depiction of Seattle and western Washington in 1905 is excellent. Even more impressive is her ability to portray the average person’s understanding of electricity during that era. She contrasts that nicely with the expertise of Bradshaw. At times these technical and historic details threaten to bog down “Capacity For Murder,” but for the most part she weaves these into the story in a skillful manner.

The Dr. Benjamin Bradshaw mysteries focus narrowly on Bradshaw. A familiar cast of supporting characters appear in each novel: Henry, Bradshaw’s best friend and assistant; Justin, his son; Mrs. Prouty his housekeeper; Missouri, his romantic interest; and a small group of his students. Unfortunately, all are one-dimensional sketches. The creation of more fully formed characters that have a significant role would leaven the historical and technical elements and help to maintain interest by moving the plot along at a livelier pace.

“Capacity For Murder,” the third entry in the Dr. Benjamin Bradshaw mystery series, is both enjoyable and enlightening. Mystery fans that have not yet discovered this series are in for a treat. ( )

First Line: It all began with a freckle-faced youth delivering a telegram.

The University of Washington's Professor Benjamin Bradshaw is beginning to get a reputation as an electrical forensic investigator-- even beyond the city limits of Seattle at the turn of the twentieth century. When Dr. Arnold Hornsby of the Healing Sands Sanitarium in Ocean Springs, Washington, sends an urgent telegram for him to come investigate the death of one of his patients, Bradshaw agrees, taking a rather large party of people with him.

Once there, it takes Bradshaw only moments to see that Dr. Hornsby's equipment had been tampered with and that David Hollister was murdered. It almost has to be one of the guests staying at the sanitarium when Hollister died, but which one? Trying to find the answer is ultimately going to have Bradshaw sending his students and family members back to Seattle to get out of the range of a deadly killer.

The more Benjamin Bradshaw mysteries I read, the more I enjoy them. Author Bernadette Pajer gives quite a sense of Seattle in the early 1900s, as well as the feeling of possibility and advancement in the fields of science and invention. Even though my knowledge of the era is sound, I always learn something new whenever I read the latest investigation of this university professor. (This time I learned why-- when I was growing up-- some of the older folks called matches "safety matches." Believe me, safety was desperately needed!)

Benjamin Bradshaw is a man who has been severely scarred by a bad marriage and the death of his wife. He found some measure of peace by retreating into solitude, focusing on his son's welfare and on his own inventions, and by over-organizing his daily routines. I read quite a few mystery series, and many of them give the impression that the characters shut themselves away in a closet between books. Not so here. In Capacity for Murder, we find out some of the things Bradshaw's been doing to put a bit of spice into his personal life since the last book. For some reason, I like knowing that he's been out and about in between investigations; it adds a welcome bit of realism to any author's characterizations.

Life at a sanitarium in a rather remote seaside location is well-drawn, and I loved the various characters traveling from Healing Sands to the closest towns by Stanley Steamer. The identity of the killer is meant to be rather obvious; what's so good about knowing the person's identity is that you have more brain cells available to try to deduce just how the murder was carried out-- and the buildup of suspense leading up to the investigation's conclusion is excellent.

Bernadette Pajer's Professor Bradshaw mysteries give a true sense of the place and the era during intriguing investigations peopled by characters who evolve, who make me care about them... and who make me laugh. Pajer's books just keep getting better-- and I happily recommend this series to all historical mystery lovers. ( )

Professor Bradshaw was called to a sanatorium because there was an electrical accident that killed a person who happened to be the handyman and the son in law of the owner. The other patients were Mr Moss a recent millionaire, Mr and Mrs Thompson, a husband and wife and Mr Loomis a salesman/conman. Professor Bradshaw arrives at the coast with his assistant and students were along to keep their lessons going.
It is a great storyline and wonderful characters and real life events were mixed into the story. I highly recommend this� book. Thanks to Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press ( )