Cleopatra's Dagger

By: Carole Lawrence

Narrated by: Kate Rudd

Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

A journalist in nineteenth-century New York matches wits with a serial killer in a gripping thriller by the prizewinning author of the Ian Hamilton Mysteries.

New York, 1880. Elizabeth van den Broek is the only female reporter at the Herald, the city’s most popular newspaper. Then she and her bohemian friend Carlotta Ackerman find a woman’s body wrapped like a mummy in a freshly dug hole in Central Park - the intended site of an obelisk called Cleopatra’s Needle. The macabre discovery takes Elizabeth away from the society pages to follow an investigation into New York City’s darkest shadows.

When more bodies turn up, each tied to Egyptian lore, Elizabeth is onto a headline-making scoop more sinister than she could have imagined. Her reporting has readers spellbound, and each new clue implicates New York’s richest and most powerful citizens. And a serial killer is watching every headline.

Now a madman with an indecipherable motive is coming after Elizabeth and everyone she loves. She wants a good story? She may have to die to get it.

©2022 Carole Bugge. (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“The youthful, exuberant voice of narrator Kate Rudd brings to life reporter Elizabeth van den Broek, who becomes personally involved in the fiendish murders of a serial killer who is obsessed with Egyptian mythology.… The youthful photographer, Evans; the drink-impaired old seaman, Sea Dog; the sophisticated Cordelia are a few of the excellent portrayals that enhance this audiobook.” —AudioFile Magazine

“The riveting story of a female journalist in nineteenth-century New York who must match wits with a serial killer…a vivid murder mystery thriller that is superbly performed by the narrative skills of vocal actor and storyteller Kate Rudd. …a fine and recommended pick for…the personal lists of fans [of] historical mysteries featuring a female sleuth trying to catch a killer in spite of the misogyny that surrounds her in latter decades of the 19th Century.” —Midwest Book Review

“Lawrence makes New York City come alive with numerous colorful details…Fans of Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight mysteries will hope for a sequel.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

great historical mystery

I enjoyed this mystery. It has a strong female protagonist fighting to work in a man's profession (Investigative Journalist). Her family is fairly prominent and she should just marry and have babies, and they try to give her all the puff pieces and society pages. She stumbles on a murder scene and coerces the editor to let her report on the crime.

It's mostly straight mystery, though there are some interesting parts about her family, family secrets, and interesting new friends. I like this kind of mystery because it has to be solved without computers, cell phones, cars and modern forensics.

Enola Holmes, Move Over

Don't miss this current five dollar sale novel. I have never been a big fan of narrator Kate Rudd, But she narrated a classic of Meryl Sawyer,Tempting fate an all-time favorite of mine so after listening to it a third time I thought I need to give this narrator a second chance and went looking for a good entertaing listen. This did the trick! Ms Rudd has earned her good ratings. She does mysteries very well as in this early chauvinistic New York setting. BEWARE: ch 20 if you have issues with assault and Rape .
Boy, the ladies who forged ahead to make a living in a predominantly male society in those days was a wonderful listen. As a very strong woman, I could appreciate the guts it took to push forward and attain their goals.
Were my comments of Help?

Cleopatra’s dagger is not sharp

The story line lagged in places either due to the narrator or the plot itself. Some characters also seemed incomplete. That being said it was not a bad book. Just not a novel of the standard of a Conan Doyle.

What age group reading this book

The reason for that question is a reviewer stated that they should let us reader know about the sexual assault. This was back in the 1800 hundreds and that is happening there as it is now in the 20 century. Maybe if we as person be honest with our children then they would act their ages not a 12 year old saying her name is they,it etc. I believed the book was an awesome read loved it. Thank you.

pleasantly surprised

this was a recommended read, I don't usually deviate from my usual authors but I I took a chance and I'm glad I did.

I am woman hear me roar!

A good mystery. plot and characters. my first book by Carol Lawrence. I will be reading more. Kate Rudd is an excellent narrator (I listened to the audible version. I chose it as my months free book as a kindle prime member. Glad I did. I did not figure out who killer.was and was.surprised when the killer was revealed!

Cleopatra journry

This was first book listened to by author ,a great story and good ending. kudos

Surprisingly good!

I truly appreciated that there was a true delve into these characters explaining who they all were and what they were about! I did not expect some of the drama most especially that she would be assaulted! But it truly lent to the storyline and allowed for you to understand a lot of her motivation! It was a great mystery and was a great period piece with appropriate language, but not offensive! Great listen so take the ride… it’s worth it!!!!

unique story mixing historical fiction and murder

liked the main character and her determination to find the killer. a good mystery and engaging ending.

Fun story and great performance

The performer really brought the characters to life! The story was gripping and kept me guessing. The author did a great job of misleading me. I thought I had guess the killer's identity, but was wrong. Great job