Thompson writes of New York in the 1890's with a midwife, Sarah Brandt, as the main character of this mystery series, Gaslight Mystery. Thompson shows the plight of young, unmarried immigrants women who desire more than the hard life of a married woman. These unmarried pleasure-seeking women are called Charity Girls due to the fact that they give sexual favors for trinkets instead of money. Sarah Brandt jumps into the investigation of the murder of four of these girls when she learns the police will not pursue the murders. Thompson exposes the state of the police department in New York and hints at the reform started by Teddy Roosevelt. Thompson also points out the differences between the poor and the rich, and the origin of the term Knickerbockers. Thompson describes the pleasures and sights at the newly opened Coney Island, as well as presenting a perspective of the expense of pleasure. Sarah Brandt, a widow, is a strong-minded, independent woman at a time in history when women married or lived with parents. I hope to read more of this series.