Published: July 09, 2010
Words: 68,694 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781452435541

Short description

Irish-born governess Nell Sweeney and Brahmin black sheep Dr. Will Hewitt infiltrate the worst Irish slum in Boston to keep Detective Colin Cook from being framed for murder in Book #5 of P.B. Ryan’s celebrated historical mystery series, Murder in the North End. Originally published by Berkley Prime Crime, a division of Penguin Group, Inc.

Extended description

Irish-born governess Nell Sweeney and Brahmin black sheep Dr. Will Hewitt infiltrate the worst Irish slum in Boston to keep Detective Colin Cook from being framed for murder in Book #5 of P.B. Ryan’s bestselling historical mystery series, Murder in the North End. Originally published by Berkley Prime Crime, a division of Penguin Group, Inc.

"Summary: Colin Cook was the only officer in the city’s Detective Bureau not to be found guilty of corruption and to escape being demoted or fired. But now he is a fugitive, wanted for killing a petty criminal in Boston’s North End, and the police believe Nell knows where the Irish cop is hiding. Nell doesn’t know where Colin is, nor does she believe her friend is capable of murder. To prove his innocence, she descends into the seedy and dangerous slums of the North End to look into the matter. Nell isn’t afraid of her fellow immigrants in the neighborhood, but Dr. Will Hewitt has his doubts—and he won’t let her conduct the investig.. (Read more) Irish-born governess Nell Sweeney and Brahmin black sheep Dr. Will Hewitt infiltrate the worst Irish slum in Boston to keep Detective Colin Cook from being framed for murder in Book #5 of P.B. Ryan’s bestselling historical mystery series, Murder in the North End. Originally published by Berkley Prime Crime, a division of Penguin Group, Inc.

"Summary: Colin Cook was the only officer in the city’s Detective Bureau not to be found guilty of corruption and to escape being demoted or fired. But now he is a fugitive, wanted for killing a petty criminal in Boston’s North End, and the police believe Nell knows where the Irish cop is hiding. Nell doesn’t know where Colin is, nor does she believe her friend is capable of murder. To prove his innocence, she descends into the seedy and dangerous slums of the North End to look into the matter. Nell isn’t afraid of her fellow immigrants in the neighborhood, but Dr. Will Hewitt has his doubts—and he won’t let her conduct the investigation alone.
Comments: The Hewitts have gone to the Cape for their annual summer retreat, but Nell has remained in Boston to clear Detective Cook’s name. The odious, and disgraced, ex-detective Charles Skinner is sure that Nell is conspiring to keep him hidden, and he has threatened Nell. This doesn’t weaken her resolve to help her friend, but it puts her in danger. Before she gets far in the investigation, Will shows up and offers to help her—and protect her from Skinner. Will has returned from Shanghai, having realized that it’s too easy to give in to temptation. He would rather not lose his hard-won battle against opium addiction, or lose Nell’s regard, by returning to old habits. But nothing has changed for him in Boston, so Will is still in the same predicament he was before—in love with a woman he can’t have. He has two job offers to contemplate while helping Nell clear Cook’s name: take the five year teaching contract at Harvard, or go to France at President Grant’s request. Something has changed, though. Nell has begun to question her devotion to the Catholic Church. Will’s words to her at Gracie’s birthday party, the previous year, have affected her more than he knows—that it would be the Church, not God, turning its back on her if she was excommunicated. For the first time, Nell is willing to pursue a divorce. The ending is even more heart breaking than the previous book.
Favorite Quote:
“You befriended me when I needed a friend, you saved me when I needed a savior. Your presence in my life has shone a light upon my soul that will never be extinguished. For that precious gift, I shall be forever in your debt.”—Will’s note to Nell
Babbling Book Reviews

More praise for Murder in the North End:

“It’s always a good day when a new Nell Sweeney book arrives.” CA Reviews

“Plucky Nell and her helpmate Will are well developed characters who are likeable and smart. The cast of supporting characters in this book is colorful and well drawn, making the book an easy read. All of the books in this series are enjoyable; Murder in the North End is no exception. P.B. Ryan has made a successful transition from romance to mystery novels and I eagerly await the next Gilded Age mystery.” Cozy Library

“Murder in the North End is a light read that you can cozy up to on a cold winter night in your easy chair by the fire...” MyShelf.com

About the Author:

Patricia Ryan, aka P.B. Ryan, has written more than two dozen novels, which have garnered rave reviews and been published in over twenty countries. A RITA winner and four-time nominee, she is also the recipient of two Romantic Times Awards and a Mary Higgins Clark Award nomination for Still Life With Murder, the second book of her historical mystery series featuring Boston governess Nell Sweeney. Pat’s Evil Twin, Pamela Burford, is also a published romance novelist.
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Tags

romantic suspense, mystery, historical fiction, gilded age, love story, amateur sleuth, boston, americana, historical novel, beach read, women sleuths, mystery series, historical mystery, governess, boston irish, nell sweeney, boston history

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Reviews

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Review by: VR Christensen on Dec. 18, 2011 :
Some really interesting characters are introduced to us in this installment of the Nell Sweeney mysteries, including an oversized brothel matron and a street rat with a good heart and a great deal of potential. None are more engaging, however, than our hero and heroine, together once again to rescue a friend from the hangman's noose. This slowly drawn love affair is TORTURE! But I love it, from the moment he shows up, quite unexpectedly, to the cliff-hanger ending. I didn't even pause this time before beginning the next book. The last book! Oh what will I do when there is no more Will and Nell?
(reviewed within a week of purchase)

Review by: Estara Swanberg on Aug. 18, 2010 :
Now this was more like it. A good reason for sleuthing - helping a friend getting framed for murder (much like in the first book) and we get more insight into how the really poor Irish lived in Boston at the time, and get introduced to Mrs. Cook and further the acquaintance with Colin Cook whom I liked a lot before.

No real blackmail necessary, just some acting and fisticuffs for Will. And we get a lovely high point in Nell's and Will's relationship which wouldn't have worked in any other situation, so seemed to come naturally.

I was quite happy to not have to see the corpse this time, too.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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