The Gilded Cage

Marshall Webb and Rebecca Davies #2

by Troy Soos

In the riveting Island of Tears, Troy Soos introduced dime-novelist Marshall Webb and reformer Rebecca Davies. Now, the critically acclaimed author plunges readers once again into the gritty underside of turn-of-the-century New York, as Marshall and Rebecca reunite to take on Tammany Hall and the city's ruthless elite. A cholera epidemic has forced New York's immigrants into quarantine, and fear and panic ripple through the city. Amid a shaky economy, Rebecca Davies' father cuts off funding for her woman's shelter. Rather than turn these destitute women out onto the cold, dangerous streets, Rebecca seeks investment help from Lyman Sinclair, a remarkably successful young banker. But when Sinclair is found dead--an apparent suicide--and Rebecca's money is nowhere to be found, the police refuse to investigate further. Determined to recoup her money, Rebecca approaches her friend, writer marshall Webb. Together, Rebecca and Marshall unravel a web of corruption that runs from the top levels of Wall Street, through the lavish theaters of Broadway, to the mean streets of the Bowery. At its heart is a massive cover-up, marked by unquenchable ambition and greed that could shake the very foundations of New York City.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Historical Mystery, Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

Troy Soos is a writer and teacher based in Winter Park, Florida. Soos is best known for his "Mickey Rawlings" series of historical baseball novels (seven books set from 1912 to 1923). He also authored a four-book historical mystery series set in 1890s New York featuring Marshall Webb and Rebecca Davies. Soos has written a nonfiction history of early New England baseball history, "Before the Curse," and two mystery short stories ("Pick-Off Play" and "Decision of the Umpire") now available as e-books. His newest release is "The Tomb That Ruth Built," the seventh in the Mickey Rawlings series (published March 2014).
Series:
* Mickey Rawlings
* Marshall Webb and Rebecca Davies

Reviews

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this a 4.5 rating. Enjoyment comes from the characters and locations in Soos' books as much, if not more so, than the stories. Once again he captures the atmosphere of late-19th century New York City. It's a nice follow-up to the first of this series, "Island of Tears." I enjoy his baseball-related series more, but this series is starting to grow on me.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy enjoyable read. Good insight to the Tammany Hall period in New York City.

[Susan Gottfried]

This was the second in a series, and it's been years since I read the first, but the setting is strong and it's easy to catch back up on what's going on. It helps that the mystery is self-contained.

Or maybe I should say mysteries, plural. There are a bunch of them: the poisoning of women, a dead body, a strange sale, a mistress...

And I think that's the problem here. There's a lot going on, and yet the plot isn't smooth. It stops and starts. Nothing happens for a bit, then a lot happens. And it's interesting when it's happening, and the idea of the rich controlling every aspect of society is so timely, as well. It's just...

The pacing is off. So don't expect this to be something that grabs you and holds you. It's more like a leisurely read that'll hold your interest but not do much beyond that.

[Jill H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book has perfectly melded history and mystery into a great read. Set in New York City in the last decade of the 19th century it has all the elements of the time......Tammany Hall, the financial panic of that decade, Mrs. Astor's 400, and kept women. How can you top that? The author captures to perfection the ambiance of the Gilded Age and then throws in a murder for good measure. The story is well researched and the protagonists are clearly drawn. A very entertaining book for the history or mystery buff.

[Maren · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was a lot of interesting historical details in the book, and several intricate plot lines to follow, but I kept waiting for something exciting and suspenseful to happen, since this is a mystery. It was really boring, and the way it all turned out was somewhat predictable, and all the story's loose ends were pulled together in literally a page and a half.

[grundoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 As has always been the case, Soos' obsession with the period makes for fun and informational reading. I enjoyed the story here, yet the ending felt lazy, and the need to tie resolution of many concurrent issues to a single set of protagonists just plain silly - a simple fact-based epilogue, outside the scope of the character storyline, would much better serve the purpose.

[Michael Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Troy Soos' characterizations og the late 19th century. Soos has an inate ability to transport the reader to the period with excellent research and writing skills. I believe I could research as well, however Soos has the ability to create the era with clear precise words. Bravo.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason I am picking up these Irish into Americ books that overlap in history and in real characters. Perhaps it's because I'm an Irish decendent......I love the details of New york and Ireland at the turn of the century.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this mystery novel set in the Gilded Age and it was OK. Wouldn't use it as a supplement to an entry-level American history class or nothin', but it's clear someone was paying attention during that lecture.

[Linda Suter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Troy Soos writes nice easy read mysteries taking place around the beginning of the 20th century. He provides tidbits of history, for example this book talked quite a bit about Tammany Hall. Nice easy, enjoyable read.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really fast read, mystery.