The first auto show at Madison Square Garden sounds like an intriguing event!  With its assortment of electric, steam, and gasoline powered cars, there is something exciting for everyone.  Except one wealthy businessman, who meets his demise under the wheels of his own vehicle.  The 25th book in the long running Gaslight mystery series delivers up another stellar mystery in MURDER ON MADISON SQUARE. 

     Private Detective Frank Malloy receives a visit from Ethel Bing, a woman who would like to divorce her wealthy husband.  However, divorce is complicated in New York in 1900, where the only legal grounds for divorce is adultery.  Frank advises her that he cannot help with fabricating evidence and sends her on her way.  Frank and Sarah later encounter Ethel Bing again when attending an auto show in Madison Square Garden.  Ethel’s husband, Alfred Bing, is an investor in an electric motorcar company.  Alfred seems pleasant enough, although he dotes too much on his stepdaughter Carrie.  Several days later, Frank and Sarah learn from the newspaper that Alfred Bing was killed by one of his own personal vehicles.  The driver of the vehicle fled the scene.  Who wanted the wealthy businessman dead?  Could it have been his business partner?  A worker in the car shop?  An abandoned former wife or someone else in the Bing household?  As Frank, Sarah, Gino, and Maeve start investigating, they learn some unpleasant truths about Alfred Bing and realize he may have just gotten what he deserved.

     I must admit, I have not read the Gaslight mysteries in the past, but I am now definitely hooked.  The historical details about New York City and cars are integrated well into the novel.  The characters are all intelligent and highly likeable as they traverse the city and interview suspects.  The story weaves through an intricate plot taking us on a ride filled with secrets and scandalous relationships that revolve around Mr. Bing, a truly heinous individual.  There is deceit, greed, jealousy, revenge, and a brazen attack.  As the suspect list grows and evolves, readers will keep turning the pages to learn the truth.  Filled with all the right elements of a good story, this mystery will entertain and delight mystery lovers everywhere.