It’s no secret I’m a fan of Frederick’s historical novels (The Lindbergh Nanny; The Wharton Plot) but her newest, Murder on 34th Street, might just be my favorite.
Readers will immediately be drawn in by the voice she has created for protagonist Grace Verlander, with its mix of wryness and keen observation. As the assistant HR person at Macy’s huge Herald Square site, Grace has a knack for keeping things running smoothly when a less accomplished person would flounder. She’s smart and while she has her own baggage, she doesn’t let anything interfere with the position she’s worked hard to achieve.
It’s the run-up to the huge Thanksgiving Day parade in 1932, and New Yorkers need something to look forward to in the Depression, which has affected everyone, especially job seekers. When the store Santa receives a death threat, Grace takes this seriously, and speaks to the store detective, a former policeman, about increasing security around the man chosen to represent Kris Kringle that season.
Yet despite all of their efforts, there is a murder, and Grace is determined to not only find the killer, but to save Macy’s reputation. She will have the help of a window decorator she encounters, but is mostly on her own, using her knowledge of the employees and of the store’s inner workings to investigate as more deaths occur.
And just when she thinks she has it figured out, an ending twist turns things upside down to a surprising climax.
There is plenty here that makes this a great read, from the snappy dialogue, to Grace’s inner thoughts, to the significant research Frederick’s has done about how the Macy’s parade functioned in this era behind the scenes.
New York City springs to life under her talented pen, and gives readers an engrossing read they will devour. Highly recommended.
