Brooklyn on Fire: A Mary Handley Mystery

Lawrence H. Levy

Jan 2016 · Mary Handley Book 2 · Sold by Crown

About this ebook

Brooklyn’s most witty and daring detective risks everything to solve a dangerous triple-murder case

After closing a case with the Brooklyn Police Department, Mary Handley is determined to become an official detective in her own right. And when Emily Worsham shows up at her new office— convinced her uncle John Worsham was murdered and desperate for answers—Mary’s second assignment begins. 

As she investigates the curious circumstances surrounding John’s death, Mary soon finds herself entangled in a high-stakes family scandal, a series of interconnected murders, political corruption, untrustworthy sources, and an unexpected romance with a central member of New York's elite. 

Featuring historic figures like Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and the Vanderbilt family, Brooklyn on Fire takes Mary on a wild journey from New York City to North Carolina to uncover not only the truth of one man's death, but to unravel the mystery in three murders – with links tied perilously close to her own personal world. 

Don’t miss any of Lawrence H. Levy’s enchanting Mary Handley mysteries:
SECOND STREET STATION • BROOKLYN ON FIRE • LAST STOP IN BROOKLYN • NEAR PROSPECT PARK (Coming Soon!)

Ratings and reviews

Brooklyn on Fire by Lawrence H. Levy is the second book in A Mary Handley Mystery series. It is April 1890 in Brooklyn, New York. Mary Handley is working at Lazlo’s Books since her last case. Mary is also advertising herself as a Consulting Detective (for hire) and has an office in the back room of the bookstore (Lazlo loves that she is a detective and encourages her work). Mary is approached by Emily Worsham. She wants to hire Mary to investigate the death of her uncle, John Worsham. The catch is that John Worsham died twenty-one years previously. Emily pays Mary for two weeks’ work and asks her to send updates via mail (she does not live in New York). Emily believes her uncle was murdered and did not die from natural causes. Mary starts to investigate and there is more to this case than she originally thought. There are some people who believe the past needs to stay buried (along with their secrets) and will do what they can to stop Mary’s investigation. Mary wants to prove she is a good detective (better than a man and the police department) and will not stop her investigation until she finds all the answers. Brooklyn on Fire is a good book, but not great (not as wonderful as the first book in this series). There is a lot going on in this book. Personally, I felt it was too much. Brooklyn on Fire is well written, has a good mystery, and a strong, female main character. I give Brooklyn on Fire 4 out of 5 stars. I just think the author tried to put too much in one book (I only summarized the mystery above). We have New York City wanting to consolidate Brooklyn (incorporate it into NYC) with the bigwigs from both cities conniving, romance between Mary and George Vanderbilt, Mary’s brother gets engaged (which was nice) as well as the main mystery (which is very complicated). Also, the stories jumped around (leading to the confusion). One minute you are with Mary, then with the politicians, then George Vanderbilt, the deceased elderly women with cats (that she treated like people), etc. I will, though, read the next book in A Mary Handley Mystery series. I keep hoping Mary will get hired on with the police. I received a complimentary copy of Brooklyn on Fire from Blogging for Books, LibraryThing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

About the author

LAWRENCE H. LEVY is a highly regarded film and TV writer who is a Writers Guild Award winner and two-time Emmy nominee. He has written for various hit TV shows such as Family Ties, Saved by the Bell, Roseanne, and Seinfeld. Brooklyn on Fire is his second novel.