The Cliff House Strangler

Sarah Woolson #3

by Shirley Tallman

Nineteenth-century attorney Sarah Woolson is still trying to get her life together. Against her family's wishes, she opens her own San Francisco law firm, only to find that clients---paying clients, that is---are wary of allowing a woman to manage their legal affairs. Just when her patience, as well as her money, are about to run out, Sarah and her friend and former colleague, Robert Campbell, attend a séance at San Francisco's Cliff House. Making their way through the worst storm of the season, they arrive at their destination to find themselves in for much more than, in Robert's words, "silly parlor tricks." After a dramatic display of spirit apparitions, flying trumpets, and phantom music, Madame Olga Karpova---a renowned Russian clairvoyant---and her guests make a grisly discovery: One of the twelve people seated at the table has been brutally strangled.
Later, when two more séance participants are found slain, Sarah is pressed into defending the accused murderer. Working on her client's case, she quickly finds herself at the center of a complicated murder plot involving ghosts, gypsies, and City Hall, all the while facing off with Robert in a volatile legal battle and investigating her brother Frederick's shady political dealings. Hardly proper behavior for a nineteenth-century woman, but Sarah wouldn't have it any other way.
Feisty and determined, Sarah continues to flout the notions of "proper" femininity in this series that is a turn-of-the-century answer to Legally Blonde.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Historical, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller

336 pages, Hardcover

First published July 10, 2007

About the author

Shirley Tallman is an accomplished screenwriter and author who resides with her husband in Eugene, Oregon. She is currently working on various movie projects and the fourth book in the Sarah Woolson series. "

Reviews

[Jeanne Adamek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found The Cliff House Strangler thoroughly enjoyable! I really liked reading about Sarah's family--they were extremely interesting. And of course I loved Sarah. I would compare her to being a cross of Amelia Peabody and Judy Bolton.

And realizing that all this sounds a bit dis-jointed I just want to say that I am savoring this mystery series. The series (and especially this book) have much what I really appreciate--Strong but likeable characters, and interesting story with an old fashioned flavor.

1/7/22
4.5 stars

[Juliana Philippa · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) While I enjoyed this book, it definitely was not as good as the other two in the series that I have read so far. The mystery was not the best or most interesting, likewise with many of the new characters. The regulars - particularly Sarah and Robert - also didn't seem as vibrant as they have in the other two. I love that Robert is coming closer and closer to telling Sarah how he feels and the two quotes below were absolute favorites.

Bottom Line
Basically, I think it's worth it if you're reading the whole series, but not great as a stand-alone.

Favorite Quotes

"As a matter of fact, despite your obstinacy, your infernal prying, and the fact that you invariably blurt out whatever comes into your head, regardless of the consequences, I admit that there are times when I find you irresistible, too." I stared in astonishment at Robert's back as he rose to pay the bill. What in heaven's name, I wondered, did he mean by that?
(p125)

Gruffly, he cleared his throat. "Don't take this as a blanket approval of your tactics, Sarah, but if I'm ever unfortunate enough to get in trouble with the law, I want you to represent me."

Before I could respond to this startling and totally out-of-the-blue compliment, he opened the door and was nudging me inside. I caught a quick glance of his face before he walked off toward the dining room. He was actually blushing!
(p210)

The Sarah Woolson Mystery Series
Book 1 - Murder on Nob Hill (4 stars)
Book 2 - The Russian Hill Murders (4 stars)
Book 3 - The Cliff House Strangler (3.5 stars)
Book 4 - Scandal on Rincon Hill

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series. Set in turn-of-the-century San Francisco where women are just starting to gain more rights, and Sarah Woolson is a wonderful main character.

Sarah is just managing to keep her own law firm going with whatever cases she can get, most people thinking a female attorney must be a joke, so she is struggling. But Sarah is philosophical and determined and she refuses to give up so she manages.

This time around we are dealing with psychics, Russians, abusive husbands and Sarah's continuing complicated relationship with Robert, not to mention her own family and the drama they manage to contribute to her life.

This is a great series if you like strong female characters that are smart and resourceful, but are still trying to figure out a completely new world while, solving murders, of course! Easy reading, enjoyable series. Three books in and I am still liking it.

[Gerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars

[RuthG · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title struck me as sounding like the sort of book that would have a lurid cover. Actually, it's the third in the Sarah Woolson series as she continues her career as an attorney. As usual, the mystery and the historical details are interesting. After reading this series I certainly wouldn't want to ride in a horse-drawn vehicle on a crowded street. The author seems to always describe very rough rides. I find her descriptions of the clothing of the day interesting too. Imagine going to court in a hat and bustle!

[Ahtims · Rating 2 out of 5]

the beginning was interesting, the middle slacked and the ending was boring. I could just finish this book. The story revolves around a female advocate in the early twentieth century, who is a bit of a rebel and fights against injustice to women. She gets embroiled in a murder mystery - strangling of a news reporter who is loathed by many, with good reasons. There are exotic Russians, secretive politicians and pesky big brothers, a loyal servant or two, and a couple of paramours. I would not like to read another book by this author.

[Kathie H · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this book at a county library book sale. It was a discard and cost $1. Oh my goodness, it was not good. I gave it 2 stars because I enjoyed hearing about the clothes of the late 1800s and I also like the idea of a strong female protagonist. Whew, what a slog this book was. Much too long. I don't usually throw away books but I will consider doing so with this one. Wouldn't want to foist it off on any other unsuspecting soul.

[Evie Halfacre · Rating 3 out of 5]

This mystery was alright...I didn't care much for the characters.....Robert just annoyed me....I know there was suppose to be chemistry between him and Sara....but I did not see it....I will not be reading any other books in this series......

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Cliff House Strangler by Shirley Tallman is the third book of the Sarah Woolson mystery series set in turn-of-the-20th-century San Francisco. Sarah Woolson is a plucky young woman attorney, an unexpected profession for a woman of high society. Most of her family deplores her career and her decision to start her own business, but she is determined to succeed.

Sarah's brother Samuel is the exception to her family's disapproval. He's secretly a newspaper reporter, which would also dismay their conservative family, if they knew. On a night Samuel is over-committed to chasing potential newsworthy events, Sarah agrees to cover a seance at the Cliff House. Madame Karpova emigrated with her brother from Russia, and has become quite a sensation with her predictions and visitations. Samuel hopes Sarah will discover tricks and gadgets used during the seance, to uncover them as frauds, a possible coup for the newspaper.

Robert, Sarah's former colleague at a prestigious law firm, agrees to attend the seance with Sarah. He's a reluctant supporter of her feisty energy and drive to succeed, but usually prefers she behave traditionally. He's also reluctant to admit his attraction to Sarah (of which she's unaware). A fierce storm makes their trip to the Cliff House (by horse and carriage) challenging and dangerous, and provides a dramatic background for the seance.

A sensationalist newspaper reporter makes an unwanted, unexpected appearance at the seance. Most of the attendees' identities surprise Sarah. All have reputations to lose if the much-hated reporter reports they were there. Which makes for plenty of suspects when he's murdered during the seance. The police make the easy arrest - Karpova's brother. To them, he's a foreigner, of no social or political consequence; the other seance attendees are locals, many socially prominent.

Madame Karpova requests Sarah represent her brother. Needing clients for her business, and having her own doubts as to his guilt, Sarah cannot refuse. She knows the police will not look any further for the real killer, with a convenient suspect in jail.

Sarah also has agreed to a nearly impossible case: a woman who escaped her husband's abuse, wants a divorce, and custody of their young sons. In San Francisco society, a wealthy husband always won in any case of this kind. He after all could afford the best schools for the boys. Sarah's sense of justice compels her to fight for the boys' best chance of happiness, with their mother.

Sarah persists in her investigations of both cases, against great odds. A tremendous breakthrough in evidence, at the last minute, links the cases and achieves justice.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) This is the third book in the series. Sarah is struggling to keep her solo law practice going. As a favor to her brother who is writing an article, she attends a seance, accompanied by her friend and fellow lawyer, Robert, at the Cliff House. The weather is terrible and adds to the spooky nature of the event. She is surprised to see a reporter who has many enemies and delights in belittling the participants. When he ends up dead at the table, the group is forced to stay the night. After another attempted attack during the night, Sarah returns home, only to find out later that another of the night’s participants has been murdered. She iis surprised when Madame Olga hires her to defend her brother, who has been accused of the murder. So she begins an investigation into the case. She also finds herself on the opposite side of a divorce case from Robert, which causes some tension between them. As she tries to figure out the case, she finds a tangled set of circumstances that dive into a murky political mix, one that may threaten her own family. This was a good mystery that kept you thinking.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful journey to the late 1800's. I enjoyed my stay and love how Ms. Tallman portrays Sarah in these books. Sarah is one tough lady with a woman's sensibilities. I love her character and these books remind me of the Sarah Brandt books by Victoria Thompson. They have a very strong character that happens to be a woman and she doesn't always do what her family wants her to do.

I like the setting for San Francisco because Ms. Tallman paints the picture so you can see what is happening. I feel like I am transported back in time with hats and bustles.

I didn't really know who the killer was and was a little surprised at the ending, but loved the entire book. I can't wait to read the next in the series. 5 out of 5 for me.

[Ann Boytim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third book in this series - 19th century attorney Sarah Woolson is trying to get her business a going concern but things are difficulo for a woman trying to make her way in San Francisco. Sarah and her former colleague Robert attend a seance at Cliff House. The setting is gloomy as a storm rages outside as the seance begins but ends in a murder. The Russian clairvoyant and her brither and daughter all suspects in thid murder of a ruthless reporter but things are not as they seem and this book keps you guessing.

[Kem · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started out slow, but picked up quickly. There were two culprits, which made it difficult to guess the who. I love what we learn of life in the 1800's was like in San Francisco. I've visited there many many times over the years and can picture places described. It's fun reading. I really like the heroine.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turn of the century murder mystery with a female defense attorney at the helm. Having spent over 40+ years in San Francisco, I totally enjoyed reading this book with characters that brought an old San Francisco Cliff House back to life while it was in its heyday.

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out as a good mystery but lost it's way in the middle with too many deaths. I had the main villian figured out a third of the way throughout the book. The secondary villian about three quarters of the way throughout the book. Oh well.

[Catherine Siemann · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are catnip for me, with the whole women's legal history aspect, plus they're just fun! The seance setup of this one engaged me a little less than the first two, but it's lovely to see Sarah's developing law practice and to see her world continue to develop.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Sarah Woolson novel but I will definitely read more. Old copyright (2007) but those are some of the best before authors felt compelled to make everything so graphic, sexual and horrifying !!

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Robert less and less. Maybe I am glad this series seems to be only 5 books, ending on an alleged cliffhanger re: Robert and Sarah.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this book and series. It’s a great historical mystery. Sarah is a wonderful heroine. Robert is great and grumbly. I love the facts about old San Francisco. Recommend!

[Nyssy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very entertaining 🧚🏼‍♂️. Amongst other things, it tickles the emotions of exasperation of the men of that century. 😆

[Alicia Mesa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book in a truly enjoyable series.

[Britt, Book Habitue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a good mystery but Robert's attitude is getting both tiresome and ridiculous. Even if it is probably realistic.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series about a woman lawyer in the 1880s. This book was pretty good but not as good as the first in the series.

[Christen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the addition of the Spiritualist element in this installment. Robert was more annoying in this installment. But, I love Sarah's conviction. I like this series alot.

[Tam May · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Amazon review:

This is the third in the Sarah Woolson mysteries. If I could give this review a 3 1/2 stars, I would. The mystery is engaging with many interesting twists and the writer does a nice job of giving the atmosphere of San Francisco without making it sound like a travel brochure. The main character is a great feminist character as well.

The reason why I give this book 3 stars is because of two reasons.

The first is the character of Robert. Even though he's a main character, he never evolves realistically like the other characters. Even though he's appeared in all 3 books in the series, he is still sputtering around like a pompous jerk for most of the story and being dim about the obvious. That was fine in the first book, but considering that he accompanies Sarah on her investigations, you would expect him to be a little more supportive. It feels like the author thought she needed to bring in a character that was close to Sarah but constantly battling her, so his character feels contrived. So the potential of the character (and Sarah's relationship to him) is totally lost. Because of this, his character also seems contradictory. One minute, he is accusing Sarah of having an "active imagination" making connections that are obvious and the next, he is accompanying her, helping her in the investigation with relish.

The second is the prose style of the author. Although this book is more historically authentic in the word choices and tone than Book 2, The author continuously gives "stage directions" to the reader, punctuating most sentences with obvious adjectives guiding the reader how he/she is supposed to understand what the characters are saying or doing. For example, rather than let the reader understand that a character is avoiding a question by his/her dialogue, we're told this directly (this isn't an exact example, but a prototype). The first two books also suffered from this but the third one seems to really lay it on thick so that it's distracting and makes the reader feel as if they aren't capable of interpreting the character's reactions and emotions by themselves. It also makes the story quite choppy and difficult to get through. This might be excusable in the first book, but in the third, I was disappointed to see that the writer didn't seem to improve at all.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE CLIFF HOUSE STRANGLER (Mystery-Sarah Woolson-San Francisco-Victorian) – G+
Tallman, Shirley – 3rd in series
St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2007, US Hardcover – ISBN: 0312357567
First Sentence: “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this!” Robert Campbell grumbled.
*** Nineteenth-century attorney Sarah Woolson has opened her own law office and has her first two cases. Sarah and her friend Robert Campbell, attend a séance conducted by Russian clairvoyant Madame Olga Karpova and attended by several prominent San Franciscans. During the séance, one of the attendees, a reporter, is murdered. Other attendees are subsequently attacked and murdered and Sarah is hired to defend Madame Olga’s brother. Sarah’s second case is for an abused woman. Obtaining a divorce from the husband is relatively simple. More difficult is trying to gain custody of the two sons, particularly in light of the lack of women’s rights and the husband claiming his wife had been a drunkard and adulteress.
*** Tallman knows how to incorporate historical events, social issues, political intrigue and murder into one engrossing mystery. I love the character of Sarah, a smart and determined young lady who has become an attorney in an age where women had few rights. I also enjoy the dynamics of Sarah’s family, but find Robert, her friend, almost too much of a contrast; his stubbornness becomes annoying. The only small bone I have to pick is the book opening with a severe thunderstorm; something that rarely happens in San Francisco. This was a very enjoyable book with enough complexity to keep the story really interesting yet all the threads nicely tied up at the end.

[Kathleen Hagen]

The Cliff House Strangler: a Sarah Wilson Mystery, by Shirley Tallman, B-plus. Narrated by Carrington McDuffy, produced by Blackstone, downloaded from audible.com.

Tallman’s first two mysteries in this series were narrated by Anna Fields, AKA Kate Fleming, and this book begins with a nice dedication to her from the author. The new narrator, Carrington McDuffy, is probably one of the best fits to take over series that were being recorded by Fields. She does a wonderful job with different voices in this narrative. It is sometime in the 1800’s and Sarah Wilson has started a private practice in San Francisco, where she is the first woman attorney to practice in the city. She attends a seance performed by a famous Russian clairvoyant visiting San Francisco. The seance is invaded by a nosey and particularly obnoxious reporter that no one wants there-someone who collects information on people and publishes it in a tabloid. The lights go down, and suddenly there is a scream and when the lights come up the reporter is dead. Sarah is defending a woman in a divorce action where her husband’s response was to agree to divorce but sue for full custody of their children. The husband, a famous man in town, is a wife abuser and a drunkard. But this case becomes entangled with the murder at the seance. Only Sarah believes her client and starts to untangle a web of contract fraud involving many of the city’s most well-known citizens. This was a nice comfort read with a smart brave female lawyer protagonist set in the mid 1800’s.

[keisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cozy read.

I have enjoyed this series very much. Its definitely worth your time. Miss Tallman can actually take you to San Francisco with her words.

[Debbie Maskus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am enthralled with this series set in San Francisco during the 1890's. The story begins on a stormy night at the Cliff House, a San Francisco legend built in 1863. Sarah Woolson and her friend, Robert Campbell, are guests of a séance being conducted by a Russian clairvoyant. The raging storm extinguishes the candles, and during this period of blackness, Darien Moss, a mean spirited reporter is strangled. Sarah jumps into the investigation, but not soon enough, as another member of the séance is strangled. Mayhem unfolds, with more murders, with Sarah's brother Frederick arrested, with an attempt on Sarah's life, and with Sarah's handling of a divorce and child custody case. Sarah's semi romantic interest from the previous book, Pierce Godfrey, receives further mention in this installment. Will Pierce return to San Francisco for Sarah? According to correspondence from Pierce, he is planning a return during the holidays. The story points to the corruption in government and in the police department, and to the plight of women. I would love to return to San Francisco and visit the Cliff House after reading this story.