The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye

The Gods of Gotham (Timothy Wilde #1)

by Lyndsay Faye (Goodreads Author)

 4.11  ·   rating details  ·  188 ratings  ·  84 reviews

Just read the other reviews.  Faye's story grabs you from the first sentence and doesn't let go.  My only regret is that the library glued down the flaps, covering up part of the map of Manhattan on the inner covers.  Timothy Wilde and his brother Val seem a little bigger than life - orphans after fire took their parents lives.  Val lives by his wits as Party boss - the Democrats.  Wilde is made penniless when southern Manhattan burns to the ground - his savings and his job as bartender up in smoke.  Then they both join the new New York police force - called the Copper Stars for their badges.  
They are both drawn in to the investigation of the death of a child, whose body is brutally mutilated.  Tim rescues a young girl and protects her in his house - while risking his life to discover the villains.


The mystery is deep - involving numerous New York characters.  Faye has all the historical details that make you feel you are there.  I had no idea about the religious hatred of Catholics brought about by the influx of Irish refugees.  With vice and graft the norm, I wonder how any progress was ever made.  I read the book in almost one sitting over a weekend - you just can't put it down.  

And it looks like there are more planned!