Saturday, April 10, 2010

31 BOND STREET: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
31 BOND STREET

BY ELLEN HORAN

ABOUT THE BOOK:

31 Bond Street
, an unforgettable literary debut from Ellen Horan, is based on the true story of a brutal murder, a desperate mother and mistress, and the vicious constraints of 19th century society. Fans of Caleb Carr’s The Alienist, Edith Wharton’s The House of Myrth, and John Berendt’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil will love the stunning prose and beautiful imagery of 31 Bond Street.

Who killed Dr. Harvey Burdell?

Though there are no witnesses and no clues, fingers point to Emma Cunningham, the refined, pale-skinned widow who managed Burdell’s house and his servants. Rumored to be a black-hearted gold digger with designs on the doctor’s name and fortune, Emma is immediately put under house arrest during a murder investigation. A swift conviction is sure to catapult flamboyant district attorney Abraham Oakey Hall into the mayor’s seat. But one formidable obstacle stands in his way: the defense attorney Henry Clinton. Committed to justice and the law, Clinton will aid the vulnerable widow in her desperate fight to save herself from the gallows.

Set in 1857 New York, this gripping mystery is also a richly detailed excavation of a lost age. Horan vividly re-creates a tumultuous era characterized by a sensationalist press, aggressive new wealth, a booming real-estate market, corruption, racial conflict, economic inequality between men and women, and the erosion of the old codes of behavior. A tale of murder, sex, greed, and politics, this spellbinding narrative transports readers to a time that eerily echoes our own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A photo editor for books and magazines, Ellen Horan has worked on staff and in a freelance capacity for many publications, including Vanity Fair , Vogue , House & Garden , Forbes , and ARTnews , as well as for a number of book publishers. 31 Bond Street is her first novel.
Visit Ellen's website regarding the book at 31 Bond Street.com.

REVEW:

Set in the influential New York City of 1857 and based on the true story of a gruesome murder that occurred at that time, Helen Horan’s first novel, 31 BOND STREET, reads like a sophisticated murder mystery and does not disappoint. Bond Street was the stylish heart of the wealthy and prosperous in New York City in that time, complete from the clichéd high society to the stereotypical policemen of the era.

As Horan’s novel begins, John, a young errand boy, finds his employer, the dentist Dr. Burdell, brutally murdered in his office. As one of the these residents who lived at 31 Bond Street, Dr. Harvey Burdell, had a young woman, Emma Cunningham and her daughters, living upstairs in his house and of course all suspicion is directed at her. Emma appeals to Mr. Henry Clinton, local criminal attorney, for help because she has been confined to 31 Bond Street without representation by the prosecutor who is confident that Emma is involved and seeks an easy conviction.

The well-defined characters make the story ring true starting with the victim, Harvey Burdell, who is depicted as being a complete scum, a womanizer, and involved in corruption which includes transporting slaves, to the accused Emma Cunningham. Bell’s negro driver, Samuel, John, the 11 year old errand boy, defense attorney Henry Clinton, an attorney without an immoral bone in his body, and the corrupt district attorney, Abraham Oakley Hall round out the main players in what is a shocking balance of murder, suspense, and passion. The subplots of slave trade and the corrupt police department add to the accurate depiction of this era in American history. An intriguing drama of a historically themed suspense, Ellen Horan’s time-honored novel is alive with mystery, excitement, conspiracy and nostalgia and is worthy of your attention.

GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KYLE AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS EXCITING

BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!



--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT AUTHOR ELLEN HORAN'S 31 BOND STREET WEBSITE WHEN YOU CLICK HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT THE BOOK FROM THE REVIEW OR DESCRIPTION ABOVE THAT WOULD MAKE YOU WANT TO READ IT

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON HOW YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG OR SUBSCRIBE. IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW YET, YOU CAN BY SUBSCRIBING VIA EMAIL, FOLLOW ON GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT, OR ON FACEBOOK WITH NETWORK IN LEFT HAND COLUMN TODAY..OR ALL THREE! EACH WAY YOU FOLLOW IS A SEPARATE ENTRY AND COMMENT. IF YOU FOLLOW ANOTHER WAY, JUST LET ME KNOW AND IT ALSO CAN BE AN ENTRY!


GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST,
APRIL 23!

GOOD LUCK

117 comments:

Lost Without a Clue said...

Well being a New York resident I found the pictures interesting in her trailer. It gives you another view of this city. I also found it interesting the pictures shown makes me wonder if those are really the characters portrayed in the book.

marimasiel@gmail.com

Lost Without a Clue said...

I am a google follower.

Marimasiel@gmail.com

Lost Without a Clue said...

Well from the review I really want to now whether it was her that really kill him, or if they managed to pin it on her

Marimasiel@gmail.com

Linda Kish said...

The website is set up to look like an old-time newspaper but also has a cool little video about the book



lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

Your review makes this sound really good. I haven't read any books set in the 1900's yet.



lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

FB fan



lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

GFC follower



lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Maybe I'm mistaken. As far as I can remember I've never read a True Crime book. This is surprising because I love mysteries. I would like to wet my feet with this one. This one interests me because it's likened to The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. I have read that book at least three times. Just talking about it makes me want to read it again. Yup, I would like to read 31 Bond Street because I love to read about the values of American society in the past, the historical past. I would love, love to read this book.

teakettle58(at)yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I have my answers to the questions backwards. This one is about Ellen Horan's website which is fantastic. I watched the book trialer. The book has to be great. I did learn that the crime, I think, happens on the eve of the Civil War. I love novels with a background of Civil War days especially one taking place in the North. One of my many favorite mystery authors is Ann Macmillan. Her mysteries take place during the Civil War. The ladies' gloves shown by the trailer really fascinated me. I've got to read this book.

Anonymous said...

I understand this is a true crime written in novel form. That makes it more than perfect.

Anonymous said...

I have blogged about the giveaway in my sidebar. http://readwithtea.blogspot.com

By the way I love First Time authors. I am in a challenge about Debut authors.

teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow in my Google Reader. I follow by email.

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I thought that the book trailer at the website was really interesting.

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I follow via Google Connect and I'm also an RSS feed subscriber.

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

Tweeted:

http://twitter.com/bookmonstrosity/status/11933845861

fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

Colleen Turner said...

Yeah, first one! I went to the author's website, which is beautiful, but it really wasn't that informative. It gave a synopsis of the book as well as an excerpt, and told us that the author was a freelance writer, but you already gave us almost all the information in your post (very thorough).
Thanks,
Colleen
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

Your review and the book synopsis make this sound GOOD! My favorite type of story is historical fiction, but I sadly don't know very much about american history. I would love to find out more about the shady police force, harsh media (did they have papparazzi?)and the unfair separation of the sexes and races.
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I am a fan on Facebook!
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I follow via google connect.
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I follow you via email!
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com

Margie said...

I love the look of the website...the old newspaper feel, the black and white drawings, the clever key that updates. Very well done.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

The book sounds fascinating from the review....the background of the 1850s, the interesting characters, and the fact that it is based on a true story. Mysteries with good background details are some of my favorite books.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

Facebook fan
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

blog follower via GFC
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Kitty said...

I could not read a thing on her site and we have a super powerful PC. It looks nice but is not practical. I went to another site and found that--Horan’s descriptive writing immerses the reader in mid-19th century New York

Pamela Keener said...

I absolutely love a mystery and te characters described in this book sounds, to me, as if they came out of the clue boardgame into the book. The many aspects involving all the major players and their ambitions make this a book that will be put on my wish list.
Thanks for the review.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk490(at)comcast(dot)net

Angie said...

I'm on dial up and am having problems getting to the authors website. I will try again when I get to the library.

aksimmo at brainerd dot net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow via Google reader & e-mail subscriber.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

Oops I also follow with Facebook
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Angie said...

I love books that are based on true stories. I always learn so much about people and the world we live in.

aksimmo at brainerd dot net

Pamela Keener said...

First of all I love the look of Ellen's website. A review of her book says once you started it you can't put it down. This is my kind of book.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Angie said...

I am an email subscriber

aksimmo at brainerd dot net

Margie said...

email subscriber
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

bermudaonion said...

I love the way the book's web site is set up! milou2ster(at)gmail.com

booklover0226 said...

Ellen's author webpage looks like an old newspaper; the format is pretty neat and I like it.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

booklover0226 said...

I enjoyed Caleb Carr's The Alienist; the setting and mystery was great. Since 31 Bond Street takes place in the same era, I think I'll enjoy it.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

booklover0226 said...

I follow by Google Friends Connect.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

booklover0226 said...

I subscribe via email.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

booklover0226 said...

I posted on Twitter..

http://twitter.com/bl0226/status/11951201770


Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I like the fact it is based on a true story. Would be very interested in reading the book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Terri said...

I thought the video/"trailer" for her book was fantastic! Made to look like the trailer for a movie or the opening credits for a legal drama tv show, it's a novel and eye-catching way to advertise her novel. In fact, it made me decide to enter the giveaway!

Terri said...

At first glance, I didn't think I wanted to read this book. Stories set in the 19th century don't usually catch my eye. But, reading that the story is actually based on an actual murder piqued my interest. Also, the review mentioned the "well-defined characters" and that description decided it for me.

Terri said...

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/dahbou/status/11952554595

Terri said...

I follow your blog's feed in a reader.

Terri said...

I follow with Google Friend Connect.

Terri said...

I follow through Networked Blogs. Winsomethingalready Terri

traveler said...

the website is fascinating and m ost interesting are the photos in the trailer. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

The review captivated my interest immediately and the era is appealing and unique. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

ossmcalc said...

It looks like something that might have been printed in 1857 and really looks interesting when the blood splatter starts to run. Makes me wonder in the short video if the lady has not already been convicted.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

When the book is described as containing a tale of murder, sex, greed, and politics, it certainly caught my attention. It sounds like the making of a great murder mystery in a time when women had very little rights.

thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/11963584091

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I am a subscriber via email.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I am a Fan on Facebook.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I follow on Google Friend Connect.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

Follow you on GFC-Lisa Richards


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

+1 This has two of my favorite genres in one book-historical fiction & suspense

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

+1 Ellen has had articles published in several magazines I read--Vanity Fair, Vogue, House & Garden


alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

+1 tweeted--alterlisa
http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2010/04/31-bond-street-review-and-giveaway.html

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

+1 follow you on networked blogs- Lisa richards

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

+1 subscribe by email--alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Lisa Richards/alterlisa said...

+1 follow you on Facebook BWBII-Lisa Ann Richards

alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

Katy said...

A murder mystery and courtroom drama--set in 19th century? Sounds right up my alley.

srfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com

Katy said...

I am following through Google Friend Connect.

srfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com

Katy said...

OK, that trailer (at the author's site) was downright creepy and gripping at the same time! I so want to win this book!

srfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com

Katy said...

Tweeted! http://twitter.com/afewmorepages/status/11974673740

srfbluemama[at]gmail[dot]com

enyl said...

The drawings and photographs from the time of the murder were intresting.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

Tweeted.
twitter.com@enylstil#31
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

e-mail subscriber.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

NetworkedBlogs follower.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

enyl said...

GFC follower.
enyl(at)inbox(dot)com

brokenteepee said...

I like the black and white drawings
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

historical murder mysteries are always intriguing
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

I subscribe
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

brokenteepee said...

I follow in google
thank you
kaiminani at gmail dot com

bison61 said...

it explores NY City before the civil war-I think that would be interesting

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I love her website, and the trailor for the book is really good.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

rubynreba said...

I think the website is so attractive with the look of the old newspapers.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I love true crime stories. It is always interesting to see how their detectives worked in a different time period.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I am a email subscriber.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

rubynreba said...

It sounds like a mysterious book that would hold my interest.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I am a Facebook friend
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I subscribe by email
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I follow on google friend.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

Glenn said...

The 1850's New York setting appears interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.

glenn_pessano AT yahoo DOT com

Alyce said...

I love that her author webpage is set up like an old-fashioned Newspaper clipping.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Alyce said...

I follow your blog.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Alyce said...

I think the thing that attracts me to the book the most is that it is based on a true story, and is a murder mystery. Sounds like it would be a compelling read.

akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

Misusedinnocence said...

I think it's awesome that the website is in 1800's style.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I follow on gfc/blog.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Misusedinnocence said...

I love books based on this time period and the description really makes me want to read it.

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Vera said...

What a cool website! I love how everything is done in newspaper format! vvperesk@gmail.com

Vera said...

I subscribe by email. vvperesk@gmail.com

Vera said...

From your review it seems like the author did a lot of research into that period of American history, and that's always great to see in books. I love reading AND learning something. vvperesk@gmail.com

catss99 said...

I love true crime books--i'm a psych grad student and recently published an article on why women love them, so this is right up my alley.
her website is really well designed. i like that there was an excerpt. just a really cool site
amanda
catss99@yahoo.com

catss99 said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/catss99/status/12330335975
catss99@yahoo.com

catss99 said...

i follow w google friends
catss99@yahoo.com

catss99 said...

i like that the book is set up a as a mystery with no clear cut killer
catss99@yahoo.com

Debbie F said...

I follow networked blogs!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I follow thru google friend connect

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

I follow on google reader!

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Debbie F said...

Sounds like a true crime novel - would love to read this! thanks

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Carol M said...

I liked the black and white drawings and the way her site broke you back in time.
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Carol M said...

I enjoy mysteries and love to try to solve them as I read. I especially enjoy books that involve the legal system. This sounds really good!
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Carol M said...

I FOLLOW ON GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT.
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Carol M said...

I subscribe by email.
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Carol M said...

Tweet
http://twitter.com/CarolAnnM/status/12650477497
mittens0831 at aol dot com

Sarah E said...

I found it interesting to watch the video on the author's website about the novel, 31 Bond Street.

Please enter me in this giveaway!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I love history. A novel based on a real-life crime committed in 1857 in NYC sounds like an excellent read!

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I follow via Google Reader/GFC.

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I follow via e-mail.

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I follow via Facebook's Networked Blogs.

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I'm a Facebook fan (Sarah Emmerson).

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I follow you on Twitter (@saemmerson).

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sarah E said...

I tweeted:

http://twitter.com/saemmerson/status/12724066231

saemmerson at yahoo dot com

Sarah E

Sue said...

Very cool site. I loved reading on the authors page under a "Terrible Tragedy" and seeing the use of 8 1/2 o'clock. Just funny.
Thanks for the giveaway.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

Sue said...

I liked the term "well-defined characters" in your review. I love it when characters are well developed instead of leaving you wondering...
Thanks for the giveaway.

s.mickelson at gmail dot com

CLICK HERE TO
SEE MY POLICY