Murder on Oak Street

South Side Mystery, #1

by

I.M. Foster

At a possibly intimidating 500 pages in length, Murder on Oak Street proves to be an absorbing and entertaining historical mystery story that is not to be overlooked.

Murder on Oak Street is the first book in author I.M. Foster’s historical South Side Mystery series, and despite its healthy length of a smidge over 500 pages, it was an intriguing, entertaining, and absorbing reading experience. After being left at the altar, Dr. Daniel O’Halleran, one of New York City’s busy coroner’s physicians, decides a change of scenery is in order and takes a job in the small Long Island community of Patchogue, assisting the local coroner. Rather than peace and quiet, Danny is thrust back into investigating a cold case murder – the very case with which he started his career in NYC two years earlier and felt never received the attention it deserved. 

Danny is a charming, engaging character with a hidden childhood secret. Adopted by the wealthy Adams family, he grew up in comfort and luxury but with a burning desire to get justice for the victims he investigates. 

The plot progresses steadily as O’Halleran settles into his first job in New York City, eventually making the move to Patchogue on Long Island. The author’s writing and storytelling abilities drew me into the story immediately with vivid characterizations and descriptions of the early 1900s time period and I was hooked until the final page. There were a lot of twists and turns and plenty of suspects to rule out on the way to the story’s conclusion, keeping me on my toes and definitely on the edge of my seat for the duration. 

I recommend MURDER ON OAK STREET to historical mystery readers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.