Murder on Nob Hill

Murder on Nob Hill (Sarah Woolson Mysteries) Shirley Tallman did a great job of introducing Sarah Woolson. Sarah is a new attorney, and immediately gets invoved in a mystery. You better believe that the fact that Sarah is a FEMALE attorney in early 20th century San Francisco causes astonishment, consternation, and many outcries. I do love reading historical mysteries and I have not had as much fun reading about San Francisco since Dianne Day's Fremont Jones series. I like Miss Woolson, and her family and friends, more with each paragraph. I have the first three books of the series and can hardly wait for the fourth book to be published. (Also, Shirley Tallman has an interesting website.)

I found Murder on Nob Hill to be a delightful blend of a good who-done-it and accurate historical reporting. Since I devour historical non-fiction, I was pleased to see that Shirley Tallman has done an excellent job of research of the City of San Francisco during the 1880's. All of her historical facts are true. So it's a book that's enjoyable and informative all at the same time. Sarah Woolson is very fiesty and sometimes overly ideal. She does stretch the envelope of what was socially and politically acceptable at that time. However, the bottom line is, she wants to solve the mysteries she finds herself entangled in and do good for others. I found myself rooting her on and enjoying the small advances she made in furthering her causes. All in all, a very good start to a new Historical Mystery Series by Shirley Tallman. Those of you who love a good who-done-it will enjoy Murder on Nob Hill immensely.

I don't know where Patricia Ann "Bookmark" is coming from. Did she read the same book I did? MURDER ON NOB HILL is anything but slow-moving and boring. I thought it was a terrific historical novel. Not only did it move FAST, but the author kept me guessing about the identity of the killer until the very end. I've lent this book to lots of my mystery-lover friends, and they all agree with me that Sarah Woolson is the best new mystery character to come along in years! She's intelligent, fun, clever, out-spoken and dedicated to helping the underdog. I don't know how Patricia the "Bookmark" could say she's "spoiled". How can you call someone spoiled who's willing to give their life to make sure you get justice in a court of law? I thought she was anything BUT spoiled! (Sorry, but the "Bookmark's" review really got me fuming.) I've also read the second book in the series, THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS, and I think it's also SUPER! And in the Russian Hill book, Sarah actually goes to court to defend a man accused of murder. I can't wait to read the new Sarah Woolson mystery, hopefully VERY SOON! Keep 'em coming, Shirley! And don't pay any attention to Patricia the "Bookmark". You've got a red-hot mystery series going here. I forgot to mention that I was born and raised in San Francisco, and lived there until I got married. That's another great thing about Shirley Tallman's Sarah Woolson Series. She's really got the heart of San Francisco down pat! MURDER ON NOB HILL is by far one of the VERY BEST HISTORICAL MYSTERIES I've read in a long, long time!!!

I completely and thoroughly enjoyed this book! What a treat from start to finish! First of all, I loved the cover of the book. As a fan of the Victorian era, this beautiful cover just beckoned me to open it's pages from the moment I laid eyes on it. Once opened, it did not disappoint. Sarah Woolson is an inspiring, fiesty main character who pushes Victorian oppression of women to the limit with every move she makes. A 19th century Legally Blonde comes to mind. From the start, one is compelled to see Sarah through each swipe of near-disaster and every victory over the male characters who would see her back down in defeat. History buffs will also find this novel a wonderful jaunt back to the roots of San Francisco. Ms. Tallman has obviously done a great deal of research, as I did not find one detail that was inaccurate or out of character with this great city's beginnings in the 1800's. As far as suspense, Ms. Tallman has weaved such a tightly wrapped, fast paced tale of intrique, that I was kept guessing until the very end. There are so many twists and turns that it is hard to put the book down until one has reached the final breathless conclusion of who really "done" it. I hope that Ms. Tallman goes on to write a sequel to this wonderful murder mystery. I will be one of the first to buy a copy! Sincerely, KL Hunter Danville, CA

A well-written historical mystery that deals with sexism, racism and drugs,but in a manner that allows the reader to enter into that world of the 1870's without being depressed or angry. The author's knowledge of San Francisco makes the reading all the more enjoyable to anyone who has visited or lived there.