Treachery on Tenth Street is the third book in the A Gilded Gotham Mystery series by Kate Belli.
It’s July 1898, and New York is experiencing a streak of sweltering weather. Genevieve Stewart has headed for Newport for the summer, where she will be covering the season’s social events. Genevieve is looking forward to spending the summer visiting with her friend Esme, her husband Rupert, and her friend Daniel. Her close friend, Callie, has come out of hiding and has asked Genevieve to investigate the murder of a fellow model, Bea. Bea had been modeling for an artist in the Tenth Street Building, where several artists have studios. Callie relates that the police called Bea’s death suicide, even though Bea’s throat had been cut. Genevieve and Daniel return to New York City, where they will encounter their nemesis Detective Longstreet, who warns them away from any investigation on their own. A second model suffers a similar fate, and even though the police don’t let the deaths be known, a reporter learns of the deaths and writes an article wondering if Jack The Ripper has come to the United States. Much to their dislike, Genevieve and Daniel realize that they need to get Longstreet to agree not to let any more information get to the press while they continue their investigation. Their investigation will lead them from members of society to some prominent artists and to the seedy Five Point area to seek help from some mobsters. Every lead they follow seems to end up turning into a dead end. When Genevieve reviews pictures taken at the crime scenes, she knows who the killer is, But will they get to the killer before any other models are killed?
I always look forward to reading the latest book in this exciting series. The books are well-written, plotted, and historically accurate. Ms. Belli also provides readers with engaging, believable, and well-developed characters.
I’m looking forward to the next book to see what adventures Genevieve and Daniel will have and if there will be a romantic interest for this duo.