Brooklyn on Fire: A Mary Handley Mystery

(Paperback)

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Brooklyn's most witty and daring detective risks everything to solve a dangerous triple-murder case After closing a case with the Brooklyn Police Department, Mary Handley is determined to become an official detective in her own right. And when Emily Worsham shows up at her new office- convinced her uncle John Worsham was murdered and desperate for answers-Mary's second assignment begins. As she investigates the curious circumstances surrounding John's death, Mary soon finds herself entangled in a high-stakes family scandal, a series of interconnected murders, political corruption, untrustworthy sources, and an unexpected romance with a central member of New York's elite. Featuring historic figures like Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and the Vanderbilt family, Brooklyn on Fire takes Mary on a wild journey from New York City to North Carolina to uncover not only the truth of one man's death, but to unravel the mystery in three murders - with links tied perilously close to her own personal world.

Reviews

"Book clubs rejoice! A new mystery series has arrived on bookshelves and it's spectacular. Lovers of historicalfiction and mystery, humor and social mores, will love Brooklyn on Fire.Detective Mary Handley is a total original. Deft, wise, and ambitious, Handley has a moral center anda longing heart. Her world can not confine her. Nineteenth century New York City is painted with color and verve, as Mr. Levy weaves history and its colorful true characters with fictional elements that will have you reading long into the night.Brooklyn on Fire has Mary leaving her post with the New York Police Department and going out on her own, (heroffice is operated out of a bookstore!) You will root for Mary every step of the way, as you will for every installment of this series to come.The only mystery here: where's the next one, Mr. Levy We're waiting!"
Adriana Trigiani, New York Timesbestselling author of The Shoemaker's Wife

"Brooklyn on Fire is a well-told tale of greed, class warfare, and bigotry that keeps the reader turning pages to a most satisfying conclusion. A delightful heroine, whip-smart and believable, makes this a strong addition to what I hope will be a long-running series for Lawrence H. Levy."
G.M. Malliet, Agatha Award-winning author of the St. Just and the Max Tudor crime novels

"The second book in Levys Mary Handley series puts the gal gumshoein the middle of a mysterious murder involving a high-stakes family scandal. Soon Handley is rubbing noses with Carnegies, the Rockefellers and the Vanderbilts. A wild journey down the Eastern Seaboard ensues, not to mention a romance with a member of New Yorks elite."New York Post

"An intriguing mystery...this series is a keeper for those seeking a fiercely independent heroine to root for,"
Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star

Engaging[A] charming historical.
Publishers Weekly

"A worthy sequel to Second Street Station. Handley is an independent, insightful detective from the same mold as Charles Todds Bess Crawford and Frances Brodys Kate Shackleton.
Booklist

"[A] gem...You will keep these pages turning until the very end, because the way Levy writes is among the truly 'high class'."Suspense Magazine

"Levy's follow-up to Second Street Station is another compelling mystery featuring consulting detective Mary Handley. Real historic figures mix well with the story, and Handley is a strong heroine...Levy makes the reader feel like they have been transported back in time."
RT Book Reviews

"Levy does a fine job of mixing historical characters and situations with his feisty, liberated detective."
Kirkus Reviews


Praise for Second Street Station:

"Based on an actual incident and featuring real people involved in the case, this stunning debut by Levy, an award-winning TV writer (Seinfeld; Family Ties; Roseanne), offers a thought-provoking look at life for women in the late 19th century as well as a perplexing murder investigation. Mary is an unconventional, unforgettable protagonist who will appeal to readers who enjoy Jacqueline Winspear (Maisie Dobbs), Sarah R. Shaber (Louise's War), or Susan Elia MacNeal (Mr. Churchill's Secretary)."
Library Journal(starred review)

A promising series kickoff that presents a morally strong heroine with a mystery that cleverly intertwines fact and fiction.
Kirkus Reviews

"Mary Handley, anunconventional nineteenth-century female sleuth whom readers are sure to love...overcomes trainedkillersusing her jujitsu skills and quick witsand even finds time to take a lover, in defiance of socialpropriety. Readers wont expect the surprise denouement as Handley steals the show and guaranteesreadership for a sequel."
Booklist

Second Street Stationis a debut novel and the first, I hope, of many more Mary Handley mysteries. Mary is a fearless young woman, and not someone easily thwarted. There are plenty of suspects in the Goodrich murder, but readers will have difficulty figuring out the true killer. This is a great beginning of a potentially excellent series. I highly recommendSecond Street Station.
Romance Reviews Today

An ingenious story with unforgettable fictional characters, crossing paths with well known historical ones. I learned a lot from this book, the main thing being that I could never write one.
Larry David

Second Street Stationis a great read. Following Mary Handley through this Victorian adventure makes you feel like youve found some lost Sherlock Holmes story. Its impressive that the characters, many based on actual historical figures, are always funny, but the greatest delight is the mystery itself.
Matthew Weiner, creator ofMad Men

I love books in which the female sleuth defies stereotype without losing her authenticity. This one is even more impressive because Mary Handley is based on a real person. An added delight is the number of well-known historical figures who are intertwined with the story.
Rhys Bowen,New York Timesbestselling author of the Molly Murphy and A Royal Spyness historical mysteries

Lawrence H. Levy brings Mary Handley, to life with deft hands, giving readers who love strong and capable female sleuths a character bound to be their new favorite.Second Street Stationis the perfect combination of wit blended with an engaging and clever plot.
Tasha Alexander,New York Timesbestselling author ofAnd Only to DeceiveandThe Counterfeit Heiress

What do you do with a young Victorian woman so intelligent, yet so insubordinate thatshe is sacked from her last positionIf you are the Brooklyn Police Department and she happens to be Lawrence H. Levy's delightful heroine, Mary Handley, the only sensible thing is to make her the city's first policewoman.A fun setting, a resourceful heroine, and a plot that combines danger, humor, and proper sleuthing... What more could anyone want
Will Thomas, author ofSome Danger InvolvedandFatal Enquiry

Author Bio

LAWRENCE H. LEVYis a highly regarded film and TV writer who is a Writers Guild Award winner and two-time Emmy nominee. He has written for various hit TV shows such as Family Ties, Saved by the Bell, Roseanne, and Seinfeld.Brooklyn on Fireis his second novel.