I enjoy a story with a female lead. Especially one who has to work the odds to get the recognition she deserves. Very often in the past centuries such women have been relegated to the dimmer parts of history and not acknowledged for the trail blazers they were.
Dr Julia Lewis a qualified doctor is one such woman. Grand daughter of a doctor she qualified in America because women were not allowed to study medicine in 1866 England. Now called upon to assist in a gory crime scene, she has to face derision not just from the coppers, but also from Detective Tennant who thinks she is incapable of handling the case.
When murder after murder occurs and clues point to numerous people first those connected to the theatre and especially the drag clubs of the day, the Doctor starts her own investigation of trying to follow sequence and logic. When the suspicions fall on the workhouse, it finds many people linked to the murder, all who are perfectly good suspects.
How it all pans out is ingenious. Not just solving the crime, but the social commentary on the times was very, very good. It gives a setting to the story which enhances the read.
Sent by Kensington Books for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.
The Nallur temple in the very North of Sri Lanka, revered by many.
I like a strong female lead in a book like this, too. :D
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI also enjoy books about females, historical or contemporary, who overcome obstacles to show their true worth.
ReplyDeleteThe temple is interesting and dramatic.
I like female leads too, especially in situations like the protagonist in this one. I am glad you liked Murder by Lamplight, Mystica. I hope to read this one.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful temple. Your photograph captures much of the detail.