The Cliff House Strangler

I thought the first two books in the Sarah Woolson series were great, but THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGLER is even better! Not only is it beautifully written (a real cut above most of the books in this genre in stores now). I just couldn't put it down -- it's a real page-turner!! And the ending took me completely by surprise, yet when I looked back at all the clues, it made perfect sense. I was born and raised in San Francisco, and believe me Tallman really brings the city to life in vivid detail. I can just feel what it must have been like to have lived here in the 1880s. Best of all, I love her characters (especially Robert Campbell and young Eddie Cooper). I'm so glad she brought them back in book three. (BTW, is Pierce Godfrey coming back into Sarah's life? Now there's a real hunk!) I also admire Sarah Woolson so much for daring to practice law at a time when most women hardly left their homes. And she does it HER way, refusing to give in to all the men who demand that she stay home and tend to her knitting. A warning, though. Make sure you have some time to spare when you start reading CLIFF HOUSE, because you're not going to want to put it down!! The many twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat and guessing until the very last page! This book is truly an excellent example of an historical murder mystery done right!! Congratulations, Shirley, and many thanks for giving your readers a book that's so much fun to read. I hope you write many, many more!!

This author stories keep getting better and better. Her series is a breath of fresh air: A step back in time mystery that is a real page turner. The book is a mixture of subtle clues mixed with historical period details and well developed characters. The story moves right along keeping you interested in what will happen next. Eagerly awaiting her next book about Sarah.

In the 1880s in San Francisco, attorney Sarah Woolson has left the prestigious firm of Shepard, Shepard, McNaughton, and Hall to begin her own practice over the objection of her lawyer boyfriend Robert Campbell. He objects even louder when she persuades him to accompany her to Cliff House for a séance hosted by Russian psychic Madame Karpova on a stormy night. Eleven guests in all including Senator Gaylord and his wife attend. Madame Karpova sets the mood and seems to be talking with those from beyond as she performs a dazzling array of parlor tricks. However, uninvited gate crasher columnist Darien Moss whose scorn causes Dmitry Serkov to leave in disgust decides to expose her as a fraud when the lights go out; when they return he is dead strangled by a balalaika string. Sarah investigates with Robert at her side trying to keep her out of trouble while her brother and father abet her efforts even when more séance attendees die. The third Woolson historical tale is more of a whodunit than a legal thriller though a subplot involving an abused spouse with a child fleeing from an alcoholic husband is stunning. The excitement and sense of time and place remains strong (see MURDER ON NOB HILL and THE RUSSIAN HILL MURDERS). The story line is fast-paced as Sarah seems to be battling ghosts, gypsies, gulls, and government in her effort to uncover the culprit. With homage to Christie's And Then There Was One, readers will wonder who did it and why Harriet Klausner

The Cliff House Strangler continues the Sarah Woolson series with a great story that provides the many twists & turns that we have come to expect from Ms. Tallman. Her characters & settings convey a story that makes you feel as if you have returned to San Francisco of yesteryear!

THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGLER is a fast-paced, intriguing mystery with authentic historical details that make you feel like you're actually there. Set in 1880s San Francisco, female attorney Sarah Woolson is a brave, outspoken, caring heroine who will go to any lengths to help her clients, in contrast to some of her opinionated and prejudiced male colleagues. I loved the psychic sub-plot, which reflects the obsession with spiritualism during this time period. Tallman kept me guessing whodunit until the very end of the book! A real page turner. I highly recommend this third book in the Sarah Woolson historical mystery series. In my opinion, it's the best one yet!!