Murder at Crossways (2019) by Alyssa Maxwell

1001 Novels: A Library of America

Murder at Crossways (2019)

by Alyssa Maxwell

Newport, Rhode Island

Rhode Island: 4/9

  This is a straight-forward genre detective novel set among "the 400" in 1898 in Newport, Rhode Island.  The constant use of the phrase "the 400," which was coined to describe the smart set in turn of the 20th century New York City, testifies to the extent to which the Newport described here was an economic colony of New York.  Maxwell's lady detective is Emmaline Cross, a Newport local and member of a cadet branch of the Vanderbilt family.  Cornelius shows up in his dotage, and Murder at Crossways is stuffed with observations that make it clear that Maxwell has read her Edith Wharton.  Incredibly, editor Susan Straight selected this book over a book by Edith Wharton who actually lived in Newport and frequently set parts of her books there. 

    I guess the idea is that everyone has read Edith Wharton in school or what have you.  Although neither the characters or plot is particularly interesting does have some moments, like the part of the plot that revolves around the characters learning about the effects of cocaine (it was still legal back then) and the frenetic description of the various carriages that the characters use to tool around Newport in the pre-automobile era.

  I listened to the Audiobook version which was not great- how much gee-wilikers girl detective voice does a guy have to hear to get the point.