Second Street Station

A Mary Handley Mystery

By: Lawrence H. Levy

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

A historical mystery featuring the witty and wily Mary Handley, the first woman detective in Brooklyn, as she tries to prove herself in a man's world while solving a high profile murder.

Mary Handley is a not your typical late-nineteenth century lady. She's fiery, clever, daring—and she’s not about to conform to the gender norms of the day. Not long after being fired from her job at the hat factory for insubordinate behavior, Mary finds herself at the murder scene of Charles Goodrich, the brother of a prominent alderman and former bookkeeper of Thomas Edison. When Mary proves her acumen as a sleuth, she is hired by the Brooklyn police department—as the city’s first female policewoman—to solve the crime. The top brass of the department expect her to fail, but Mary has other plans. As she delves into the mystery, she finds herself questioning the likes of J. P. Morgan, Thomas Edison, and Nikola Tesla. Mary soon discovers the key to solving the case goes well beyond finding a murderer and depends on her ability to unearth the machinations of the city’s most prominent and respected public figures, men who will go to great lengths to protect their secrets.

Much like Mr. Churchill’s Secretary and Maisie Dobbs, Second Street Station presents a portrait of a world plunging into modernity through the eyes of a clever female sleuth. Mary Handley is an unforgettable protagonist whose wit, humor, and charm will delight listeners from the very first chapter.

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!)

©2015 Lawrence H. Levy (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

A Library Journal Best Mystery of 2015

"Based on an actual incident and featuring real people involved in the case, this stunning debut by Levy, an award-winning TV writer (Seinfeld; Family Ties; Roseanne), offers a thought-provoking look at life for women in the late 19th century as well as a perplexing murder investigation. Mary is an unconventional, unforgettable protagonist who will appeal to readers who enjoy Jacqueline Winspear (Maisie Dobbs), Sarah R. Shaber (Louise's War), or Susan Elia MacNeal (Mr. Churchill's Secretary)."—Library Journal (starred review)

“A promising series kickoff that presents a morally strong heroine with a mystery that cleverly intertwines fact and fiction.”—Kirkus Reviews

"Mary Handley, an unconventional nineteenth-century female sleuth whom readers are sure to love...overcomes trained killers—using her jujitsu skills and quick wits—and even finds time to take a lover, in defiance of social propriety. Readers won’t expect the surprise denouement as Handley steals the show and guarantees readership for a sequel."—Booklist

Not quite there ...

Although a worthy topic for this well-researched historical fiction, Second Street Station seemed awkward to me. I was off-put by the "Bowler Hat" and "Mustache" names and occasionally cringed at phrases such as one describing a man as eager as a dog in heat. Could I have misheard that? Hope so! Cassandra Campbell did a fine job with challenging material; like the book, however, her narration couldn't reduce the tension between melodrama and mystery.

Entertaining and fun. It would make a good basis for a comic book.

I liked the simple story line even within the mysteries as they evolved. Sometimes the dialog was irritatingly slow.

Fact + Fiction = Brilliant read!

I was so surprised when I heard this sample, I couldn't download this book fast enough!

This is my third audible book, and although the first two were written by excellent, best-selling authors, the narration detracted so much from story content, I didn't think I'd remain with Audible.

Then I stumbled across Second Street Station - just finished it 2 hours ago, and am looking forward to browsing Audible for more by this author and this narrator. If you enjoy an excellent, well-narrated story, this is for you!

This book is a perfect blend of fact and fiction and is brilliantly narrated.

I'll admit it - I couldn't finish it.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Better writing, better narration.

What could Lawrence H. Levy have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Better writing, for example, if the author knew the difference between the word "expletive" and "explanation" which was used incorrectly about 30 minutes into it. Also there were more cliche's than I can stand, even for light entertainment. Why do I think this may have been self-published?

How did the narrator detract from the book?

It was like listening to a children's or YA book, the narration was very wide-eyed and arch.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment.

Cookie cutter mystery

This mystery seems to have been developed using a checklist to address issues of political correctness. Forcing as many such issues as possible into a historical mystery detracts from a rather ridiculous story. The heroine is not believable as a character and it is difficult to have much concern for the perils she encounters. Almost routed for the contract killer!

Exasperating heroine--I'm rooting for the killer!

Overly confident and self-congratulatory, Mary has little more decernable empathy than the hired gun only known as "bowler hat" (seriously??) Almost every character is a 2-d, trite stereotype, about whom you could not care less!!

Another re-writing of history

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Nobody

What could Lawrence H. Levy have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Tried to make it gross, everything was "off." Another attempt of someone trying to Re-write history. Tried to lower well know history characters characters & integrity, & standards.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Not a good quality of writing.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

None

Any additional comments?

I don't enjoy the baser things of life. A good read is uplifting. For example, with Dick Francis, even the bad guy has good character qualities and they are interesting.