Murder on Astor Place — Victoria Thompson

As a midwife-in the turn-of-the-century tenements of New York City, Sarah Brandt has seen suffering and joy, birth and death. Now she is about to take part in something more unusual in the crime-ridden streets of the teeming city -- a search for justice.

After a routine delivery, Sarah visits her patient in a rooming house--and discovers that another boarder, a young girl, has been killed. At the request of Sergeant Frank Malloy, she searches the girl's room. She discovers that the victim is from one of the most prominent families in New York--and the sister of an old friend. The powerful family, fearful of scandal, refuses to permit an investigation. But with Malloy's help, Sarah begins a dangerous quest to bring the killer to justice before death claims another victim...