Prescott and Associates, counselors-at-law, are hired by a representative of the James CrawDEATH IN SARATOGA SPRINGS
Charles O’Brien
Kensington June 2014
Prescott and Associates, counselors-at-law, are hired by a representative of the James Crawford family -- Mr. Virgil Crawford, their butler. Fifteen year old Ruth Colt, the daughter of the Crawford's housekeeper Martha, has been missing for a month. Ruth had a job as a chambermaid but her disappearance did not cause the police any concern. It is suspected that Ruth was a victim of a man calling himself “Mr. Johnson”, but is actually Captain Jed Crake, a wealthy meatpacking executive and a distinguished cavalry officer under General Sherman. Crake keeps all politicians and law enforcement bribed very well so that he can pretty much do as he wishes without repercussions. There is a very sad and horrendous history between the remaining Crawford family – the brother James and his sister Edith – and Jed Crake. There is very little doubt that Ruth Colt is dead, and that her body was disposed of at the meatpacking facility.
Pamela Thompson is an investigator for Prescott and she and another agent, Harry Miller go to Saratoga Springs because Captain Crake and his wife are visiting the waters there. A young woman that Pamela had once helped works in the Grand Union Hotel, and she is framed for murder. Pamela and Harry must do double duty finding two killers now.
Charles O’Brien is the author of THE ROBBER BARRONS, the first Gilded Age Mystery, featuring Prescott and Associates. Pamela, who was once a client of Jeremiah Prescott, is turning into a cracker-jack sleuth, and it appears that there may be a bit of a romance brewing between the lady and her boss. DEATH IN SARATOGA SPRINGS, the second book in this mystery series, is an intriguing mixture of fact and fiction. Great characters, perfect pace, and a good feeling of place and time, along with a wondrous narrative all claim pride of place in this novel. The villain is evil incarnate, and the hero of the story is a true Southern gentleman. This is a really good and entertaining tale.