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Dr. Julia Lewis #1
Murder by Lamplight
For fans of Andrea Penrose and Deanna Raybourn, and anyone who relishes riveting, well-researched historical fiction, this inventive and enthralling debut mystery set in Victorian London pairs the unconventional, trailblazing Dr. Julia Lewis with a traditional and skeptical police inspector, as they try to stop a wily serial killer whose vengeance has turned personal.
November 1866: The grisly murder site in London’s East End is thronged with onlookers. None of them expect the calmly efficient young woman among them to be a medical doctor, arrived to examine the corpse. Inspector Richard Tennant, overseeing the investigation, at first makes no effort to disguise his skepticism. But Dr. Julia Lewis is accustomed to such condescension . . .
To study medicine, Julia had to leave Britain, where universities still bar their doors to women, and travel to America. She returned home to work in her grandfather’s practice—and to find London in the grip of a devastating cholera epidemic. In four years, however, she has seen nothing quite like a local clergyman’s body sexually mutilated and displayed in a manner that she—and Tennant—both suspect is personal.
Days later, another body is found with links to the first, and Tennant calls in Dr. Lewis again. The murderer begins sending the police taunting letters and tantalizing clues, though the trail leads in multiple directions, from London’s music halls to its grim workhouses and dank sewers. Lewis and Tennant struggle to understand the killer’s dark obsessions and motivations. But there is new urgency, for the doctor’s role appears to have shifted from expert to target. And this killer is no impulsive monster, but a fiendishly calculating opponent, determined to see his plan through to its terrifying conclusion . . .
November 1866: The grisly murder site in London’s East End is thronged with onlookers. None of them expect the calmly efficient young woman among them to be a medical doctor, arrived to examine the corpse. Inspector Richard Tennant, overseeing the investigation, at first makes no effort to disguise his skepticism. But Dr. Julia Lewis is accustomed to such condescension . . .
To study medicine, Julia had to leave Britain, where universities still bar their doors to women, and travel to America. She returned home to work in her grandfather’s practice—and to find London in the grip of a devastating cholera epidemic. In four years, however, she has seen nothing quite like a local clergyman’s body sexually mutilated and displayed in a manner that she—and Tennant—both suspect is personal.
Days later, another body is found with links to the first, and Tennant calls in Dr. Lewis again. The murderer begins sending the police taunting letters and tantalizing clues, though the trail leads in multiple directions, from London’s music halls to its grim workhouses and dank sewers. Lewis and Tennant struggle to understand the killer’s dark obsessions and motivations. But there is new urgency, for the doctor’s role appears to have shifted from expert to target. And this killer is no impulsive monster, but a fiendishly calculating opponent, determined to see his plan through to its terrifying conclusion . . .
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2024
730 people are currently reading
10430 people want to read
About the author
Patrice McDonough
5 books172 followersPatrice McDonough is the author of the Dr. Julia Lewis Mystery series set in Victorian England. MURDER BY LAMPLIGHT and A SLASH OF EMERALD are the first two books in the series. She is a native of the Garden State, has a master’s degree in history from Rutgers University/NJIT. She taught history and served as Department Chair at Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township, NJ, a college preparatory high school for girls, was named an Outstanding Educator by the Archdiocese of Newark in 1995, and is a member of the Historical Writers of America, the Mystery Writers of America, and the Historical Novels Society. She spends her leisure time traveling, sailing, missing puts on the golf course, and reading the histories, mysteries, and historical novels piled high on her night table.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 410 reviews
January 27, 2024
Murder by Lamplight
by Patrice McDonough is a historical mystery set in Victorian London in November 1866. It features Detective Inspector Richard Tennant of Scotland Yard and Dr. Julia Lewis, one of Britain’s first female physicians. The two team up to investigate a series of gruesome murders that are linked. The murderer sends the police taunting letters and clues, but how many must die before the killer is caught?
Julia is overworked between her practice and operating a clinic in an impoverished part of town. She is direct, intelligent, curious, and wants to be listened to; not just seen. Richard is dour, aloof, guarded, has a steely resolve, and isn’t easy to know. Shrewd Sergeant Graves and young, but meticulous, Constable O’Malley assist them in their investigations. The characters have depth and seemed to come to life as the story unfolds. Readers also get insight into the killer as his or her viewpoint and thoughts are also occasionally revealed.
The narrative flows a little unevenly, but has a twisty and absorbing plot that is atmospheric. The story immediately fascinated me from the first chapter to its shocking conclusion. One of the things I enjoy about historical fiction is learning something new. In this case, I learned more about the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak in London and life in workhouses, as well as the beginning of women physicians in England. Readers should be aware that there are graphic descriptions of the sanitary conditions of the times. Themes include murder, immigration, racism, poverty, family, revenge, patience, friendship, and much more.
Overall, this dark, gritty, and engaging book has great characterization with likeable main characters, excellent worldbuilding, and a solid mystery. Readers who appreciate historical mystery stories will likely enjoy this novel. I hope that this becomes a series.
Kensington Books and Patrice McDonough provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 20, 2024.
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My 4.18 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Julia is overworked between her practice and operating a clinic in an impoverished part of town. She is direct, intelligent, curious, and wants to be listened to; not just seen. Richard is dour, aloof, guarded, has a steely resolve, and isn’t easy to know. Shrewd Sergeant Graves and young, but meticulous, Constable O’Malley assist them in their investigations. The characters have depth and seemed to come to life as the story unfolds. Readers also get insight into the killer as his or her viewpoint and thoughts are also occasionally revealed.
The narrative flows a little unevenly, but has a twisty and absorbing plot that is atmospheric. The story immediately fascinated me from the first chapter to its shocking conclusion. One of the things I enjoy about historical fiction is learning something new. In this case, I learned more about the 1854 Broad Street cholera outbreak in London and life in workhouses, as well as the beginning of women physicians in England. Readers should be aware that there are graphic descriptions of the sanitary conditions of the times. Themes include murder, immigration, racism, poverty, family, revenge, patience, friendship, and much more.
Overall, this dark, gritty, and engaging book has great characterization with likeable main characters, excellent worldbuilding, and a solid mystery. Readers who appreciate historical mystery stories will likely enjoy this novel. I hope that this becomes a series.
Kensington Books and Patrice McDonough provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 20, 2024.
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My 4.18 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
June 24, 2024
I want to be nice but this was terrible
I will say that the author seems like she really enjoyed the research, the time period and the subject matter and the prose was well written, unfortunately that doesn’t make up for dragging plot, excessive info dumping and stilted dialogue. Please find a really strict editor next time and listen to them.
All this info, though probably really interesting to a person doing the research, dragged the story down and made this book a chore to read. A book can be technically well written but also have a very bad reader experience and though I believe authors should write what they love, they have to consider how a reader will digest a story and this story was like eating a brick. Debut author’s syndrome is really at play here; just because you researched all this info doesn’t make it plot necessary, it’s ok to not include it, the effort wasn’t wasted.
No one needed so much information on sewer systems through the ages, NO ONE!! 😵💫
To be fair, I loved the idea behind this book, I love historical fiction with female doctors and I love grumpy detectives who have troubled pasts. The mystery was sound and picked up right away, but sadly it needed to be punchier and faster moving. Authenticity is great, history lessons are not. Not in fiction. I HATE feeling like I’m reading a book filled with expositional ‘teachy’ moments and dialogue that reads like an after school special.
Also the writing style was quite episodic which affected the flow. This is another newbie/rookie thing I’ve noticed in years of reading arcs. Each chapter or sub-chapter is written like a separate scene and not interwoven into the narrative in a cohesive way. It’s crammed full of vignettes that felt out of place and served only to give us nuggets of non-plot-significant historical facts. Overall it felt jerky and the transitions were lacking. This book was extremely put-downable because there were so many sub chapters, the breaks often came less than two pages apart. Whenever I’d get to a break, I’d take a break and read something else. The style was not immersive for me and I felt like I was drinking from a firehose with all the telling and little showing.
Also the way the author built red herrings was annoying
I’d love to rate this better, because it was really well researched and obviously a passion project, but sadly it was not at all engaging. I will give a bonus star for having the murders involve two penile dismemberments and one penile crushing, I love gruesome dick trauma and rate it highly, it’s my own personal policy and I stand by it 🤣.
Dab, our next buddy read will be a five star, I can feel it 🫶🏻.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy, obviously this was my honest review.
I will say that the author seems like she really enjoyed the research, the time period and the subject matter and the prose was well written, unfortunately that doesn’t make up for dragging plot, excessive info dumping and stilted dialogue. Please find a really strict editor next time and listen to them.
All this info, though probably really interesting to a person doing the research, dragged the story down and made this book a chore to read. A book can be technically well written but also have a very bad reader experience and though I believe authors should write what they love, they have to consider how a reader will digest a story and this story was like eating a brick. Debut author’s syndrome is really at play here; just because you researched all this info doesn’t make it plot necessary, it’s ok to not include it, the effort wasn’t wasted.
No one needed so much information on sewer systems through the ages, NO ONE!! 😵💫
To be fair, I loved the idea behind this book, I love historical fiction with female doctors and I love grumpy detectives who have troubled pasts. The mystery was sound and picked up right away, but sadly it needed to be punchier and faster moving. Authenticity is great, history lessons are not. Not in fiction. I HATE feeling like I’m reading a book filled with expositional ‘teachy’ moments and dialogue that reads like an after school special.
Also the writing style was quite episodic which affected the flow. This is another newbie/rookie thing I’ve noticed in years of reading arcs. Each chapter or sub-chapter is written like a separate scene and not interwoven into the narrative in a cohesive way. It’s crammed full of vignettes that felt out of place and served only to give us nuggets of non-plot-significant historical facts. Overall it felt jerky and the transitions were lacking. This book was extremely put-downable because there were so many sub chapters, the breaks often came less than two pages apart. Whenever I’d get to a break, I’d take a break and read something else. The style was not immersive for me and I felt like I was drinking from a firehose with all the telling and little showing.
Also the way the author built red herrings was annoying
I’d love to rate this better, because it was really well researched and obviously a passion project, but sadly it was not at all engaging. I will give a bonus star for having the murders involve two penile dismemberments and one penile crushing, I love gruesome dick trauma and rate it highly, it’s my own personal policy and I stand by it 🤣.
Dab, our next buddy read will be a five star, I can feel it 🫶🏻.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy, obviously this was my honest review.
September 1, 2023
If you like Dora the Explorer but feel like you're too old for it, try this book. You will learn a lot and, since it’s a version for older kids, there are dicks getting chopped off left and right, so you stay awake.
This book has been written by a history teacher. Do you know how do I know that? Because there’s a history lesson on every. Single. Page. There’s Florence Nightingale and Joseph Paxton, there is syphilis, cholera and teenagers dying in labor. There’s even a whole lecture about the history of sewerage in London. Sadly the storyline gets lost in all the lessons.
Don't get me wrong, I like and appreciate well researched books. I even enjoy details inspired by true events, but a historical background should be just that, a background. Unfortunately the plot-background balance in this book is off and it’s really annoying when you’re trying to solve a mystery and instead you keep getting irrelevant historical tidbits.
However if you read between the lines you will find a murder mystery and even a subtle hint of a romance.
The mystery started off well but went downhill pretty quickly and it had some very disturbing angles so I’m currently busy forgetting it. I’ll focus on all the new things I learned about Victorian England instead.
Thanks Kristina for going through this with me, at least we had fun ranting 😈
Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
——-
Buddy read with Kristina!
This book has been written by a history teacher. Do you know how do I know that? Because there’s a history lesson on every. Single. Page. There’s Florence Nightingale and Joseph Paxton, there is syphilis, cholera and teenagers dying in labor. There’s even a whole lecture about the history of sewerage in London. Sadly the storyline gets lost in all the lessons.
Don't get me wrong, I like and appreciate well researched books. I even enjoy details inspired by true events, but a historical background should be just that, a background. Unfortunately the plot-background balance in this book is off and it’s really annoying when you’re trying to solve a mystery and instead you keep getting irrelevant historical tidbits.
However if you read between the lines you will find a murder mystery and even a subtle hint of a romance.
The mystery started off well but went downhill pretty quickly and it had some very disturbing angles so I’m currently busy forgetting it. I’ll focus on all the new things I learned about Victorian England instead.
Thanks Kristina for going through this with me, at least we had fun ranting 😈
Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
——-
Buddy read with Kristina!
February 15, 2024
I enjoy a good historical fiction story every now and then; it’s a nice break from the all the contemporary stuff I typically read. However, I especially love stories with strong, bold, intelligent, and sassy female MC’s and Dr Julia Lewis was perfect in this role. As a 19th century, female doctor in a country that doesn’t educate female doctors, she is most certainly a rarity among the British population and especially among the “coppers” of London. Scotland Yard Det Tennant is a cop with a humongous chip on his shoulder for the way he has been treated since coming home injured from the war.
The story takes place in 1866 during another cholera breakout (there were many back then). The book summary introduces the primary storyline of Dr Julia consulting with Det Tennant on the bodies of the two victims that were brutally murdered and mutilated. Most of the story revolves around Det Tennant and his Sergeant Graves and Constable O’Malley investigating the murders and Dr Julia trying to insert herself in the investigation whenever and wherever she can, much to the public displeasure of Det Tennant, even though secretly he sometimes appreciates it.
The story flips back and forth between Det Tennant and Dr Julia and the killer. The killings continue and the dead bodies get worse and worse and the killer suddenly makes it clear he’s now targeting Dr Julia. McDonough has weaved such a twisted and intricate story that well into the second half, I still have no clue who the killer can be. It can be one or more of several suspects. I love it when a writer can do that!
As much as I loved this story and the way it was written and unfolded, one of the things about this story that really bothered me were the constant descriptions of how foul and fetid the streets of London were. The graphic descriptions of the disgusting conditions of the streets and the homes of the poor with hazardous waste flowing everywhere and the detailed descriptions of the overwhelming stench were so over the top. Visualizing this was horrible, even though I found myself becoming more and more invested in the story. It got to the point, somewhere deep in the second half, where I just started to flip through those parts. Enough already!!! London back then was a cesspool of disease and filth! I got it the first 10x times you described it!
Anyway, I liked Dr Julia and based on the ending it seems like this can be the start of a new series. I hope it is because I would definitely read more about her if the author chose to continue her storyline. I want to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #KensingtonBooks #MurderbyLamplight
The story takes place in 1866 during another cholera breakout (there were many back then). The book summary introduces the primary storyline of Dr Julia consulting with Det Tennant on the bodies of the two victims that were brutally murdered and mutilated. Most of the story revolves around Det Tennant and his Sergeant Graves and Constable O’Malley investigating the murders and Dr Julia trying to insert herself in the investigation whenever and wherever she can, much to the public displeasure of Det Tennant, even though secretly he sometimes appreciates it.
The story flips back and forth between Det Tennant and Dr Julia and the killer. The killings continue and the dead bodies get worse and worse and the killer suddenly makes it clear he’s now targeting Dr Julia. McDonough has weaved such a twisted and intricate story that well into the second half, I still have no clue who the killer can be. It can be one or more of several suspects. I love it when a writer can do that!
As much as I loved this story and the way it was written and unfolded, one of the things about this story that really bothered me were the constant descriptions of how foul and fetid the streets of London were. The graphic descriptions of the disgusting conditions of the streets and the homes of the poor with hazardous waste flowing everywhere and the detailed descriptions of the overwhelming stench were so over the top. Visualizing this was horrible, even though I found myself becoming more and more invested in the story. It got to the point, somewhere deep in the second half, where I just started to flip through those parts. Enough already!!! London back then was a cesspool of disease and filth! I got it the first 10x times you described it!
Anyway, I liked Dr Julia and based on the ending it seems like this can be the start of a new series. I hope it is because I would definitely read more about her if the author chose to continue her storyline. I want to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #KensingtonBooks #MurderbyLamplight
April 15, 2024
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
MURDER BY LAMPLIGHT (A Dr. Lewis Mystery Book #!) by Patrice McDonough is an intriguing historical crime mystery that pulls you into a world of poverty and depravity in Victorian London. One of England’s first female physicians and a taciturn Detective Inspector find themselves working together to solve a series of heinous murders. This is the first book in the series and a realistic look at society in 1866.
Dr. Julia Lewis has always wanted to study medicine and become a physician like her father and grandfather, but to achieve that goal she had to travel to relatives in the United States to attend medical college. She returns to live with and practice with her grandfather in Victorian London.
While her grandfather is on another call, Julia responds to the request of the police to study a corpse at a murder scene. Detective Inspector Richard Tennant of Scotland Yard is shocked when a female doctor arrives, but Julia is used to the skepticism and goes on to prove her professionalism with the lurid scene. When another body is found with similar clues, Tennant reaches out to Julia to inspect the body once again. The killer is having a laugh at Tennant and the authorities with written clues and misdirection but when Julia is targeted, there is a new urgency to find this killer.
I loved this introduction to these new well-developed main characters and am very happy this will be a series. Julia is a strong, independent female lead who lives outside the norms of the society of her times and I always enjoy reading about and following these types of characters. Richard is her perfect foil. He seems to be a man of his times, but he has demons from his past and yet he finds something about this female doctor not only aggravating, but intriguing. I am looking forward to reading about how the author moves this hint of a relationship forward in future books.
I found the research into this period in London very thorough and it brought me right into the dark, gritty slums of Whitechapel and the debates about the cholera outbreaks. The murder mystery plot is full of twists and suspects, and I was shocked with the discovery at the climax. This book is graphic with descriptions of the violence done to the murder victims, sexual assault, male rape, prostitution, and homosexuality. The descriptions of living in the slums of London are also written with the truth of the times and not watered down.
I recommend this historically realistic first crime mystery in the Dr. Lewis Mystery series and I am looking forward to many more.
MURDER BY LAMPLIGHT (A Dr. Lewis Mystery Book #!) by Patrice McDonough is an intriguing historical crime mystery that pulls you into a world of poverty and depravity in Victorian London. One of England’s first female physicians and a taciturn Detective Inspector find themselves working together to solve a series of heinous murders. This is the first book in the series and a realistic look at society in 1866.
Dr. Julia Lewis has always wanted to study medicine and become a physician like her father and grandfather, but to achieve that goal she had to travel to relatives in the United States to attend medical college. She returns to live with and practice with her grandfather in Victorian London.
While her grandfather is on another call, Julia responds to the request of the police to study a corpse at a murder scene. Detective Inspector Richard Tennant of Scotland Yard is shocked when a female doctor arrives, but Julia is used to the skepticism and goes on to prove her professionalism with the lurid scene. When another body is found with similar clues, Tennant reaches out to Julia to inspect the body once again. The killer is having a laugh at Tennant and the authorities with written clues and misdirection but when Julia is targeted, there is a new urgency to find this killer.
I loved this introduction to these new well-developed main characters and am very happy this will be a series. Julia is a strong, independent female lead who lives outside the norms of the society of her times and I always enjoy reading about and following these types of characters. Richard is her perfect foil. He seems to be a man of his times, but he has demons from his past and yet he finds something about this female doctor not only aggravating, but intriguing. I am looking forward to reading about how the author moves this hint of a relationship forward in future books.
I found the research into this period in London very thorough and it brought me right into the dark, gritty slums of Whitechapel and the debates about the cholera outbreaks. The murder mystery plot is full of twists and suspects, and I was shocked with the discovery at the climax. This book is graphic with descriptions of the violence done to the murder victims, sexual assault, male rape, prostitution, and homosexuality. The descriptions of living in the slums of London are also written with the truth of the times and not watered down.
I recommend this historically realistic first crime mystery in the Dr. Lewis Mystery series and I am looking forward to many more.
November 8, 2025
This was a very interesting story set in London in 1866 with a series of gruesome murders and a strange calling card. Dr. Julia Lewis, a third generation doctor and one of a very few women doctors, is called to help Detective Inspector Tennant of Scotland Yard with examining a body and then another and another with several murders that are all connected. As the layers are removed to find answers, the clues lead in different directions but all come together in the end and with a very surprising killer. I enjoyed the narrator and her ability to speak all the voices. I listened via Libby.
April 22, 2024
London, England. November 1866. Patrice McDonough’s Murder by Lamplight (Dr. Julia Lewis, #1) is
great murder mystery which presents the plight with which female physicians had to confront in Victorian England. A murder has been committed in London’s East End. Detective Inspector Tennant has requested that Dr. Andrew Lewis come to the murder scene. Dr. Lewis appears, Dr. Julia Lewis, the granddaughter of Dr Andrew Lewis, and to say Detective Inspector Tennant is dumbfounded is an understatement. Women physicians were few and far between because of the Victorian viewpoint that women were ‘less than’ in the man’s world of Victorian London and many other places. This debut novel I enjoyed so very much. The protagonist, Dr. Julia Lewis, is intelligent, determined, and direct which ‘upsets’ many males who are completely comfortable in the male dominated Victorian period. I give DI Tennant some credit as he tries to accept this female physician. “Her manner was off-putting - not mannish, exactly, but oddly direct for a woman.” DI Tennant even agrees with this Dr. Lewis. The murder “was personal.” Dr Julia Lewis graduated from an American medical school because she was not allowed to attend medical school in England. Dr. Julia Lewis continues to ‘rattle the cage’ of DI Tennant. “You’ve concluded that men excel because they are male….Let’s give girls and boys the same education. Then we’ll see what women can do.” DI Tennant’s response states the point of view during the story’s time frame. “That’s rather unlikely…..” One huge major area that blocked women was the law. “…as a married woman, I would have no independent legal identity. ……the law would declare me a ‘feme covert’ - covered by full protection - and authority- of my husband. My property would be his to command.” Dr. Julia Lewis is bright, feisty, a good doctor, and a fighter for women’s rights. I would be standing right next to her fighting for the same goals as she. So looking forward to #2. Loved it! 5 stars.
great murder mystery which presents the plight with which female physicians had to confront in Victorian England. A murder has been committed in London’s East End. Detective Inspector Tennant has requested that Dr. Andrew Lewis come to the murder scene. Dr. Lewis appears, Dr. Julia Lewis, the granddaughter of Dr Andrew Lewis, and to say Detective Inspector Tennant is dumbfounded is an understatement. Women physicians were few and far between because of the Victorian viewpoint that women were ‘less than’ in the man’s world of Victorian London and many other places. This debut novel I enjoyed so very much. The protagonist, Dr. Julia Lewis, is intelligent, determined, and direct which ‘upsets’ many males who are completely comfortable in the male dominated Victorian period. I give DI Tennant some credit as he tries to accept this female physician. “Her manner was off-putting - not mannish, exactly, but oddly direct for a woman.” DI Tennant even agrees with this Dr. Lewis. The murder “was personal.” Dr Julia Lewis graduated from an American medical school because she was not allowed to attend medical school in England. Dr. Julia Lewis continues to ‘rattle the cage’ of DI Tennant. “You’ve concluded that men excel because they are male….Let’s give girls and boys the same education. Then we’ll see what women can do.” DI Tennant’s response states the point of view during the story’s time frame. “That’s rather unlikely…..” One huge major area that blocked women was the law. “…as a married woman, I would have no independent legal identity. ……the law would declare me a ‘feme covert’ - covered by full protection - and authority- of my husband. My property would be his to command.” Dr. Julia Lewis is bright, feisty, a good doctor, and a fighter for women’s rights. I would be standing right next to her fighting for the same goals as she. So looking forward to #2. Loved it! 5 stars.
June 1, 2025
3 Debut Novel Stars
An enjoyable debut novel with a pleasantly provocative premise. I was totally taken by the gracious and assertive protagonist Dr. Julia Lewis, one of Britain's first female physicians, called upon by Scotland Yard to examine murder victims. The Victorian London setting was moody, and the cast of characters blithely engaging. However, this was rather ho-hum as far as mysteries go, and falls far short of being any kind of "thriller" 🤷🏼♀️.
As a professional woman in a conventionally male dominated occupation I could relate to Dr. Lewis's quandry after having been leered at, condescended to, and brushed off by contemporaries:
"Whenever Julia pondered the state of affairs between the sexes, she found them wanting. The arrangement of society and the straitjacket of propriety that regulated relationships made it almost impossible for men and women to converse in meaningful ways...there was no chart at all for navigating the unfamiliar waters of a professional association."
A conundrum persuant to communication between the sexes for time immemorial.
The novel was about 100 pages too long for the mystery it was attempting to shoulder. In conclusion, I share the feelings of LucidDreams702 (a Mystery, Crime, and Thriller member and co-reader) who commented, "I just wanted better for the great group of characters we were introduced to."
One of the May BOTMs in the Mystery, Crime, & Thriller Group🧚♀️🙋🏼.
An enjoyable debut novel with a pleasantly provocative premise. I was totally taken by the gracious and assertive protagonist Dr. Julia Lewis, one of Britain's first female physicians, called upon by Scotland Yard to examine murder victims. The Victorian London setting was moody, and the cast of characters blithely engaging. However, this was rather ho-hum as far as mysteries go, and falls far short of being any kind of "thriller" 🤷🏼♀️.
As a professional woman in a conventionally male dominated occupation I could relate to Dr. Lewis's quandry after having been leered at, condescended to, and brushed off by contemporaries:
"Whenever Julia pondered the state of affairs between the sexes, she found them wanting. The arrangement of society and the straitjacket of propriety that regulated relationships made it almost impossible for men and women to converse in meaningful ways...there was no chart at all for navigating the unfamiliar waters of a professional association."
A conundrum persuant to communication between the sexes for time immemorial.
The novel was about 100 pages too long for the mystery it was attempting to shoulder. In conclusion, I share the feelings of LucidDreams702 (a Mystery, Crime, and Thriller member and co-reader) who commented, "I just wanted better for the great group of characters we were introduced to."
One of the May BOTMs in the Mystery, Crime, & Thriller Group🧚♀️🙋🏼.
April 9, 2024
This debut novel lands us squarely in the middle of London in 1866 and it’s not pretty. The city is filthy, with streets filled with muck, so much so that youngsters with brooms earn a living by clearing a path for the well-to-do to cross the street without getting too dirty. Julia Lewis is a female doctor, something rather unusual in those days. She is the granddaughter of a doctor and was educated at the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, the only way for an English woman to get a medical degree at that time.
Because her grandfather is ill, Julia takes his place when he is called on by Scotland Yard to check on a dead body. Thus begins a partnership of sorts with Inspector Tennant. Over the course of the book, they try to find the connection that links a number of deaths, all of whom have a popped balloon in their pockets and all of whom are mutilated in some gruesome way. The details are not for the faint-hearted, but the story is fascinating and pulled me in quickly.
Every time I read a book about London in the nineteenth century, I shudder at the lack of sanitary conditions (unless you were rich, of course), the lack of opportunity and freedom for women, and the suffocating fog. The book also highlights the plight of men who preferred the company of other men; it was totally illegal and very dangerous. I am thankful for our current times, even with all the issues we are facing!
The mystery was excellent. The perpetrator surprised me, for sure.
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient, and allowed me to continue with the story even when I could not sit down and read. The audiobook was well narrated by Henrietta Meire.
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Because her grandfather is ill, Julia takes his place when he is called on by Scotland Yard to check on a dead body. Thus begins a partnership of sorts with Inspector Tennant. Over the course of the book, they try to find the connection that links a number of deaths, all of whom have a popped balloon in their pockets and all of whom are mutilated in some gruesome way. The details are not for the faint-hearted, but the story is fascinating and pulled me in quickly.
Every time I read a book about London in the nineteenth century, I shudder at the lack of sanitary conditions (unless you were rich, of course), the lack of opportunity and freedom for women, and the suffocating fog. The book also highlights the plight of men who preferred the company of other men; it was totally illegal and very dangerous. I am thankful for our current times, even with all the issues we are facing!
The mystery was excellent. The perpetrator surprised me, for sure.
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient, and allowed me to continue with the story even when I could not sit down and read. The audiobook was well narrated by Henrietta Meire.
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
March 27, 2024
Synopsis
It’s 1866 in London and no one expects a female doctor to help investigate the grizzliest serial murders, but that is just what Dr. Julia Lewis does. She is a woman who can keep her calm demeaner while facing the aftermath of gruesome violence and take charge of the crime scene. She teams up with Scotland Yard to bring down a serial killer.
My Overall Thoughts
I always love a good female protagonist showing up the men who underestimate her. I think most women can identify with this even if we are certain we would toss our cookies in Dr. Lewis’ shoes. She gave me someone to root for. I was pulled in from the start and could not put the book down.
What I Didn't Love
Dr. Lewis is pretty flat as a character. I was not sure if she was supposed to be a character with little emotion, but I really could have used so more development of her. I wanted her to have every win. I was invested. I just didn’t feel that I knew her very intimately.
Potentially Offensive Content
Graphic Violence
Blood and Gore
What I Loved
I loved reading about a strong, female character in a traditionally male role. The book was very atmospheric. The eeriness was almost too much. I really felt myself transported.
I Would Recommend This Book To
Female readers with a strong stomach and a desire to cheer another strong woman on.
It’s 1866 in London and no one expects a female doctor to help investigate the grizzliest serial murders, but that is just what Dr. Julia Lewis does. She is a woman who can keep her calm demeaner while facing the aftermath of gruesome violence and take charge of the crime scene. She teams up with Scotland Yard to bring down a serial killer.
My Overall Thoughts
I always love a good female protagonist showing up the men who underestimate her. I think most women can identify with this even if we are certain we would toss our cookies in Dr. Lewis’ shoes. She gave me someone to root for. I was pulled in from the start and could not put the book down.
What I Didn't Love
Dr. Lewis is pretty flat as a character. I was not sure if she was supposed to be a character with little emotion, but I really could have used so more development of her. I wanted her to have every win. I was invested. I just didn’t feel that I knew her very intimately.
Potentially Offensive Content
Graphic Violence
Blood and Gore
What I Loved
I loved reading about a strong, female character in a traditionally male role. The book was very atmospheric. The eeriness was almost too much. I really felt myself transported.
I Would Recommend This Book To
Female readers with a strong stomach and a desire to cheer another strong woman on.
November 30, 2023
2.5 stars I love gritty Victorian mysteries with a hint of romance, but this missed the mark. Too much info dumping, characters hard to connect with, and dull dialogue. This wasn’t “Paris sewers in Les Mis” level of info dumping, but character development would have been a better use of all that word count that was wasted on history lessons.
Julia and Tennant needed to have deeper conversations to get me invested rather than her sniping and him presuming for a few lines, and neither one stood out much more than the supporting characters. The chapters’ sections were short and choppy and it made it hard to get invested in the scene or the characters. Not everyone will have the patience to wade through to the end. If Julia and Tennant had better chemistry, the middle slog might’ve not been so bad.
I’d try another if this is a series, but I hope the next is better edited.
This needs a serious trigger warning for CSA.
I received an arc from NetGalley
Julia and Tennant needed to have deeper conversations to get me invested rather than her sniping and him presuming for a few lines, and neither one stood out much more than the supporting characters. The chapters’ sections were short and choppy and it made it hard to get invested in the scene or the characters. Not everyone will have the patience to wade through to the end. If Julia and Tennant had better chemistry, the middle slog might’ve not been so bad.
I’d try another if this is a series, but I hope the next is better edited.
This needs a serious trigger warning for CSA.
I received an arc from NetGalley
February 17, 2024
A serial killer in Whitechapel!
A feisty female doctor, and an emotionally wounded Crimean soldier, now a Detective Inspector with Scotland Yard. A serial killer stalking victims in Victorian London, seemingly centered around the Whitechapel area. Targeted, mutilated victims who all have to have some sort of link but what it is has Detective Inspector Tennant and his constables floundering, playing catch-up.
Dr. Julia Lewis and Tennant first meet over a body and an autopsy. All clues point towards a Whitechapel connection but the clues are mired in nursery rhymes. The perpetrator taunts the Inspector with Notes written in purple ink. Along the way he targets Dr. Julia!
McDonough gives us a more than thorough background look at life for the ordinary person at this time (maybe too much) Cholera and typhus are rampant, work house conditions disgustingly rabid, and the lives of those living in these areas less than sanitary.
With these living conditions somehow central, with more victims appearing, the doctor and the inspector race to find the killer. What do the victims have in common?
Inspector Tennant has his superior, Chief Inspector Clark, demanding the impossible. It seems he feels Tennant was foisted upon him. Tennant and his men are run ragged trying to solve the murders and keep their chief happy. Well, keep Tennant in his position also.
The end was totally surprising!
I’m looking forward to more from this debut author.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
A feisty female doctor, and an emotionally wounded Crimean soldier, now a Detective Inspector with Scotland Yard. A serial killer stalking victims in Victorian London, seemingly centered around the Whitechapel area. Targeted, mutilated victims who all have to have some sort of link but what it is has Detective Inspector Tennant and his constables floundering, playing catch-up.
Dr. Julia Lewis and Tennant first meet over a body and an autopsy. All clues point towards a Whitechapel connection but the clues are mired in nursery rhymes. The perpetrator taunts the Inspector with Notes written in purple ink. Along the way he targets Dr. Julia!
McDonough gives us a more than thorough background look at life for the ordinary person at this time (maybe too much) Cholera and typhus are rampant, work house conditions disgustingly rabid, and the lives of those living in these areas less than sanitary.
With these living conditions somehow central, with more victims appearing, the doctor and the inspector race to find the killer. What do the victims have in common?
Inspector Tennant has his superior, Chief Inspector Clark, demanding the impossible. It seems he feels Tennant was foisted upon him. Tennant and his men are run ragged trying to solve the murders and keep their chief happy. Well, keep Tennant in his position also.
The end was totally surprising!
I’m looking forward to more from this debut author.
A Kensington Books ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
July 29, 2024
4.5 stars
January 11, 2024
Good, a bit rambling and well researched. I can see why some didn't like it and some did, it all boils down to what your taste is and what your mood is. I went for vibes and a historical murder mystery with a women physician was a good point.
Further RTC
TW: mutilation, death, murder, mention of rape, swearing,
Further RTC
TW: mutilation, death, murder, mention of rape, swearing,
February 29, 2024
I really wanted to love this book. The story line and plot were unique and pulled me too it. Unfortunately there was just too much history and I love history. Sometimes less is more and editing is important. I hope this author tries again. They have talent.
February 8, 2025
This historical fiction mystery transports the reader to the fog-drenched streets and gas-lit alleys of Victorian London. When Inspector Richard Tennant requests the presence of a medical examiner to examine the corpse of the murdered Rev.. Tobias Atwater, he is surprised when Dr. Julia Lewis arrives substituting for her ill grandfather. No medical school in England at that time was allowing entrance into their progrram. Always wanting to be a physician, she travelled to the United States to obtain her education. Shortly after the first murder, it soon becomes apparent that this may be a serial killing when the second victim appears killed in a similar fashion and possibly a revenge killing. The investigation soon reveals secrets that may place Dr. Lewis in the killer's crosshairs.
Julia and Tennant are both intelligent and determined protagonists, but not without their respective vulnerabilities. The third voice in the book is the antagonist known only as the Watcher. The primary characters were all richly developed as well s Victorian London. One could almost hear the carriage wheels on the city's stoned streets. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in period mysteries and intricate plot twists and red herrings. I never did identify the killer until the climax reveal.
Julia and Tennant are both intelligent and determined protagonists, but not without their respective vulnerabilities. The third voice in the book is the antagonist known only as the Watcher. The primary characters were all richly developed as well s Victorian London. One could almost hear the carriage wheels on the city's stoned streets. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in period mysteries and intricate plot twists and red herrings. I never did identify the killer until the climax reveal.
November 20, 2025
BRAVO!
I enjoy listening to books with a strong female protagonist and this book does not disappoint in that respect. It also does it subtly with no need of action scenes just cerebral and dealing with the adverse conditions towards women without long winded criticism of how prejudicial those are.
The pace of the book is excellent. It deals with the issues of tracking a serial killer with practicality. The murder scenes are well described without dwelling in them or becoming too graphic. The main characters are described in depth and the peripheral ones enough to get a good sense of who they are. There’s some small flaws in the plot but not enough to derail the narrative.
It is highly entertaining and I found myself wanting to get back to the story ASAP to see how it would unfold. The ending is witty and not the expected Hollywood happy one.
I can’t wait for the sequel as there’s a subtle hint to it and this is book #1.
I enjoy listening to books with a strong female protagonist and this book does not disappoint in that respect. It also does it subtly with no need of action scenes just cerebral and dealing with the adverse conditions towards women without long winded criticism of how prejudicial those are.
The pace of the book is excellent. It deals with the issues of tracking a serial killer with practicality. The murder scenes are well described without dwelling in them or becoming too graphic. The main characters are described in depth and the peripheral ones enough to get a good sense of who they are. There’s some small flaws in the plot but not enough to derail the narrative.
It is highly entertaining and I found myself wanting to get back to the story ASAP to see how it would unfold. The ending is witty and not the expected Hollywood happy one.
I can’t wait for the sequel as there’s a subtle hint to it and this is book #1.
July 4, 2023
Murder by Lamplight by Patrice Mcdonough is an excellent his mystery that is the first in a new series. I really liked it.
This book takes place mainly in Victorian London 1866. There are plenty of historical references, information, and setting of the scenes for the reader to easily understand the grim situations that a lot of people experienced during the decades of the mid 19th century. To see and understand that this time for many was a balance between two worlds: that of the past, dark, sometimes dank, and restricting and conventional, and that of the newly emerging society of change and potential understanding, was very interesting.
This is definitely a darker historical murder mystery. Some of the material, murders, and what some of the characters went through in their pasts, and present, is not for the faint of heart. I don’t think that it took anything away from the book, its narrative, or the messages, but just a bit of a hint of what is to come for some readers that could be more squeamish. I did enjoy the puzzle, and the murder(s) and mysteries within and how it progressed. There were times when I thought I might know the culprit, but wasn’t completely sure until the end…so that was a plus as well.
I really liked the cast of characters, especially the main characters Dr. Julia Lewis and Inspector Detective Richard Tennant: Julia being one of the rare female physicians in England at that time and Richard being an Inspector with Scotland Yard. Their pasts, personalities, and their working ( and maybe personal) chemistry was spot on. I am really looking forward to the next book and how it will explore this relationship.
I liked this book a lot and recommend it for anyone that likes dark historical murder/mysteries and detective novels.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/20/24.
This book takes place mainly in Victorian London 1866. There are plenty of historical references, information, and setting of the scenes for the reader to easily understand the grim situations that a lot of people experienced during the decades of the mid 19th century. To see and understand that this time for many was a balance between two worlds: that of the past, dark, sometimes dank, and restricting and conventional, and that of the newly emerging society of change and potential understanding, was very interesting.
This is definitely a darker historical murder mystery. Some of the material, murders, and what some of the characters went through in their pasts, and present, is not for the faint of heart. I don’t think that it took anything away from the book, its narrative, or the messages, but just a bit of a hint of what is to come for some readers that could be more squeamish. I did enjoy the puzzle, and the murder(s) and mysteries within and how it progressed. There were times when I thought I might know the culprit, but wasn’t completely sure until the end…so that was a plus as well.
I really liked the cast of characters, especially the main characters Dr. Julia Lewis and Inspector Detective Richard Tennant: Julia being one of the rare female physicians in England at that time and Richard being an Inspector with Scotland Yard. Their pasts, personalities, and their working ( and maybe personal) chemistry was spot on. I am really looking forward to the next book and how it will explore this relationship.
I liked this book a lot and recommend it for anyone that likes dark historical murder/mysteries and detective novels.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/20/24.
March 18, 2024
4 strong stars for this London-set Victorian era (1866) book.
When I saw the first pre-publication notices for this book I wondered what the author could bring to a familiar trope. I shouldn't have worried. She brought a lot: a stellar mystery (I was stumped), a strong female lead (I loved Dr. Julia Lewis) and the requisite skeptical, stoic senior Scotland Yard Detective Inspector (I liked Richard Tennant, he had an interesting backstory).
The plot is a familiar one--serial killer with a motive known only to him, a variety of victims without an obvious connection, an object left behind as a calling card. This villain even wrote taunting letters to the police. The author made this familiar scenario work for me by making me care about the two main characters and by crafting a clever whodunnit. And she supplied a nice cast of supporting characters: Julia's doctor grandfather, her aunt Lady Aurelia, Constable O'Malley, and several others, including the obnoxious newspaper reporter Johnny Osborne.
I really enjoyed this debut and I am looking forward to further meetings with Dr Lewis and Inspector Tennant.
When I saw the first pre-publication notices for this book I wondered what the author could bring to a familiar trope. I shouldn't have worried. She brought a lot: a stellar mystery (I was stumped), a strong female lead (I loved Dr. Julia Lewis) and the requisite skeptical, stoic senior Scotland Yard Detective Inspector (I liked Richard Tennant, he had an interesting backstory).
The plot is a familiar one--serial killer with a motive known only to him, a variety of victims without an obvious connection, an object left behind as a calling card. This villain even wrote taunting letters to the police. The author made this familiar scenario work for me by making me care about the two main characters and by crafting a clever whodunnit. And she supplied a nice cast of supporting characters: Julia's doctor grandfather, her aunt Lady Aurelia, Constable O'Malley, and several others, including the obnoxious newspaper reporter Johnny Osborne.
I really enjoyed this debut and I am looking forward to further meetings with Dr Lewis and Inspector Tennant.
April 1, 2025
To be listened to—that’s what any intelligent woman wants, Julia thought. Deep down. She wanted to be heard, not merely seen."After graduating from the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, Dr. Julia Lewis returned from Philadelphia to join her grandfather, Dr. Andrew Lewis, in private practice in London. Julia also worked at the Whitechapel Clinic in the East End. Her unexpected appearance as a medical examiner at a gruesome crime scene, due to her coverage during her grandfather's convalescence from a heart attack, surprised Constable O'Malley, Inspector Richard Tennant, and Detective Sergeant Jonathan Graves. While Julia's professionalism at the scene, her written report, and her responses to follow-up questions were impressive, Inspector Tennant intended to call upon a different examiner for the next crime scene. He did not foresee a situation where Julia's services were necessary.
The historical mystery was compelling from the beginning, with its atmospheric writing immersing the reader in the setting of 1866 Victorian London. The author’s meticulous blend of research and narrative created gripping crime scenes and an investigation filled with red herrings. Alongside the suspense, the narrative vividly highlights socio-economic differences, showcases meaningful character development, explores the interplay of relationships, and how past experiences often influence present actions.
Dr. Julia Lewis and Inspector Richard Tennant have a complementary dynamic in their interactions. The story is engaging on its own, but serves as a strong foundation for future developments. I look forward to seeing what unfolds when Julia and Tennant cross paths again.
Special thanks to the Kensington Books BTC Staff for recommending this title as a February alternative for the 2025 BTC Reading Challenge. Without the suggestion, I might not have discovered the novel independently, and I’m so happy I didn’t miss it!
Reviewer's Note: The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania, founded in 1850, was the first medical school in the world to offer women the opportunity to earn an M.D. degree. Renamed the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1867, it has a significant legacy of admitting students from around the globe. I have a personal connection to the college and the hospital after the WMC facilities were relocated to Henry Avenue in East Falls, Philadelphia. It is a great pleasure to read a well-written novel that incorporates the rich history of this institution and its commitment to educating women in medicine.
April 9, 2025
Many thanks to Goodreads and Kensington for providing a copy! The BBC is probably working on an adaptation as I write this and if they’re not, they should be! One of the best Historical Thrillers that I’ve read in a long time and I’m excited to recommend this to one of my friends, who shares my love of murder mysteries…and of people getting what they deserve.
October 22, 2024
A fantastically atmospheric Victorian mystery with a very engaging heroine. A female doctor who also serves as a coroner for the police, in London's gritty underworld? I am so there! McDonough clearly knows her history, but this book is anything but dry. She brings her characters fully to life with evocative prose and a plot that rockets along.
March 16, 2024
Out of the safety cast from the Victorian age London lamplights, sets the stage for a gripping tale of murder, deceit, and redemption. With vivid imagery and intricate plot twists, the author skillfully navigates through the city's underbelly, back alley courts, and cholera infested sess pools, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. A must-read!
This book is exactly what I want when looking for a period piece murder mystery! The author writes with accurate details of 19th century London. This novel highlights the day to day problems and living conditions while also moving you along with a gripping series of murders that you just cant wait to find out who’s the one behind the “pop”
This book is exactly what I want when looking for a period piece murder mystery! The author writes with accurate details of 19th century London. This novel highlights the day to day problems and living conditions while also moving you along with a gripping series of murders that you just cant wait to find out who’s the one behind the “pop”
April 10, 2024
This was a really good Victorian murder mystery and I enjoyed it quite a lot!
Victorian-era London was a brutal time and place for pretty much everyone but the wealthiest of the aristocracy, and this book delivers the feel of the time very well. A reader can feel the damp and the fog, and smell the fetid stench of the poorer areas of the city in the writing. Given the subject matter that sets a perfect tone for the story.
The characters are wonderful here. Julia as one of few female doctors at the time is everything a strong female character should be. She's strong, capable, defiant and determined to fulfill her calling of healing people. But she's also kind, gentle loving and very likable. I was totally a fan of her straight from the first page of the book.
Inspector Tennant is also a complex character, but also very likable and relatable. He has his demons, as does Julia, but it makes them even more relatable as we get to know them.
As far as the murder investigation, there's a twist that I absolutely did not see coming and it was a bit heart-breaking as well as being - for me anyway - quite a shock. It did make for a very dramatic and suspenseful ending however and was a clever plot point by the author.
I hope there will be more books in this series, because I really enjoyed this and would definitely read more about Julia and Tennant!
Victorian-era London was a brutal time and place for pretty much everyone but the wealthiest of the aristocracy, and this book delivers the feel of the time very well. A reader can feel the damp and the fog, and smell the fetid stench of the poorer areas of the city in the writing. Given the subject matter that sets a perfect tone for the story.
The characters are wonderful here. Julia as one of few female doctors at the time is everything a strong female character should be. She's strong, capable, defiant and determined to fulfill her calling of healing people. But she's also kind, gentle loving and very likable. I was totally a fan of her straight from the first page of the book.
Inspector Tennant is also a complex character, but also very likable and relatable. He has his demons, as does Julia, but it makes them even more relatable as we get to know them.
As far as the murder investigation, there's a twist that I absolutely did not see coming and it was a bit heart-breaking as well as being - for me anyway - quite a shock. It did make for a very dramatic and suspenseful ending however and was a clever plot point by the author.
I hope there will be more books in this series, because I really enjoyed this and would definitely read more about Julia and Tennant!
March 10, 2024
I was instantly hooked when I saw that this story revolves around one of the first female physicians and a detective working together to solve grisly crimes; and the cover reeled me in even more as it revealed a time period that interests me.
Unfortunately, the execution left me wanting more. The story did not flow for me and I found my mind wandering when the author would expound upon historical details. I highly enjoy history, but I was looking for it to be more flawlessly embedded into the setting and not take center stage in lieu of character development.
I think this kind of storytelling might work better for a person who is okay with the structure that I described above-it all depends on your storytelling preferences.
Thank you Kensington Books for the opportunity to respond to this story. All opinions are my own.
2.25✨’s
Unfortunately, the execution left me wanting more. The story did not flow for me and I found my mind wandering when the author would expound upon historical details. I highly enjoy history, but I was looking for it to be more flawlessly embedded into the setting and not take center stage in lieu of character development.
I think this kind of storytelling might work better for a person who is okay with the structure that I described above-it all depends on your storytelling preferences.
Thank you Kensington Books for the opportunity to respond to this story. All opinions are my own.
2.25✨’s
February 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this twisty murder mystery. Dr Lewis is an excellent doctor trying to find her way in a society that really doesn't want to admit that women are competent beings. She's matter of fact, dedicated and a fairly quiet feminist who enjoys tweaking the ego of the investigating officer, Detective Inspector Tennant. He's trying to find the perpetrator of some truly despicable murders and mutilations in a shifting environment full of red herrings, sleight of hand and childhood horrors. I know that some reviews mentioned that there was too much explanation and exposition but I didn't find that at all. I liked the main characters as well as the minor ones and would read another book in the series.
May 12, 2025
Lots of reviews of this one so I will just say it was a very good book for me and a page turner. I have read other books set in London during this time frame so I could relate to what was going on and I loved the characters. Didn't see who our bad guy was until the end. Looking forward to book 2 in this series.
May 19, 2025
I unfortunately DNF this at 35%. So heavy on the historical background of places and customs to the point that I’ve completely lost track of the murder mystery plot. I felt like I was taking a tour of Victorian England more than anything else.
May 17, 2025
I won’t be reading the second book in the Dr. Julia Lewis series. While ‘Murder by Lamplight’, book one of a series by Patrice McDonough, is a good enough historical 19th-century London mystery, I was put off by the economical writing, as well as by the story being a bit like a script for a B-movie to me.
Quotes:
”Minutes ticked by, and Julia tapped her umbrella against her side. She looked down at the watch hanging on its chain and then up at O’Malley. The constable smoothed the ends of his bushy mustache and turned away, whistling an off-key tune. Finally, a well-tailored man with military bearing approached and touched the brim of his hat.”
”A henna-haired prostitute—wonderful, Tennant thought. There were hundreds in East London alone, and not one would talk to the police. He dropped the report on his desk and swiveled to look out his window. The leaden sky and curling chimney smoke failed to inspire. He tipped his chair back and stared at the web of cracks in the ceiling paint. The crime scene—something wrong there. Something about the position of Atwater’s body nagged at him.”
Nothing wrong with this book or the writing, but it was all too familiar to me, consisting entirely of scenes and dialogue I’ve seen in hundreds of mid-twentieth-century black and white movies streaming on TCM.
I have copied the book blurb:
In the twilight streets of Victorian London, a gruesome series of murders unfolds, and Dr. Julia Lewis—one of Britain’s first female physicians—along with the aloof Detective Inspector Tennant of Scotland Yard reluctantly team up to investigate in this atmospheric, vividly authentic historical mystery series debut.
November 1866: The grisly murder site in London’s East End is thronged with onlookers. None of them expect the calmly efficient young woman among them to be a medical doctor, arrived to examine the corpse. Inspector Richard Tennant, overseeing the investigation, at first makes no effort to disguise his skepticism. But Dr. Julia Lewis is accustomed to such condescension . . .
To study medicine, Julia had to leave Britain, where universities still bar their doors to women, and travel to America. She returned home to work in her grandfather’s practice—and to find London in the grip of a devastating cholera epidemic. In four years, however, she has seen nothing quite like this—a local clergyman’s body sexually mutilated and displayed in a manner that she—and Tennant—both suspect is personal.
Days later, another body is found with links to the first, and Tennant calls in Dr. Lewis again. The murderer begins sending the police taunting letters and tantalizing clues—though the trail leads in multiple directions, from London’s music halls to its grim workhouses and dank sewers. Lewis and Tennant struggle to understand the killer’s dark obsessions and motivations. But there is new urgency, for the doctor’s role appears to have shifted from expert to target. And this killer is no impulsive monster, but a fiendishly calculating opponent, determined to see his plan through to its terrifying conclusion . . .”
The book has everything a mystery fan expects to the ultimate degree. It is SO everything it seemed to me to be a novel consisting entirely of cliches, especially the dialogue. There is nothing wrong with that in this case because they are appropriately placed. But I wished that maybe a little tongue-in-cheek styling was present instead of the straightforward approach that was taken as if this plot or the expected mystery drama was original and new. The author also has included quite a lot of minutia, in a breezy quick hit of inclusion, of what can only be described as admirable in-depth research by the author into everyday 19th-century London. However, the economy of descriptive words was not my cup of tea.
Quotes:
”Minutes ticked by, and Julia tapped her umbrella against her side. She looked down at the watch hanging on its chain and then up at O’Malley. The constable smoothed the ends of his bushy mustache and turned away, whistling an off-key tune. Finally, a well-tailored man with military bearing approached and touched the brim of his hat.”
”A henna-haired prostitute—wonderful, Tennant thought. There were hundreds in East London alone, and not one would talk to the police. He dropped the report on his desk and swiveled to look out his window. The leaden sky and curling chimney smoke failed to inspire. He tipped his chair back and stared at the web of cracks in the ceiling paint. The crime scene—something wrong there. Something about the position of Atwater’s body nagged at him.”
Nothing wrong with this book or the writing, but it was all too familiar to me, consisting entirely of scenes and dialogue I’ve seen in hundreds of mid-twentieth-century black and white movies streaming on TCM.
I have copied the book blurb:
In the twilight streets of Victorian London, a gruesome series of murders unfolds, and Dr. Julia Lewis—one of Britain’s first female physicians—along with the aloof Detective Inspector Tennant of Scotland Yard reluctantly team up to investigate in this atmospheric, vividly authentic historical mystery series debut.
November 1866: The grisly murder site in London’s East End is thronged with onlookers. None of them expect the calmly efficient young woman among them to be a medical doctor, arrived to examine the corpse. Inspector Richard Tennant, overseeing the investigation, at first makes no effort to disguise his skepticism. But Dr. Julia Lewis is accustomed to such condescension . . .
To study medicine, Julia had to leave Britain, where universities still bar their doors to women, and travel to America. She returned home to work in her grandfather’s practice—and to find London in the grip of a devastating cholera epidemic. In four years, however, she has seen nothing quite like this—a local clergyman’s body sexually mutilated and displayed in a manner that she—and Tennant—both suspect is personal.
Days later, another body is found with links to the first, and Tennant calls in Dr. Lewis again. The murderer begins sending the police taunting letters and tantalizing clues—though the trail leads in multiple directions, from London’s music halls to its grim workhouses and dank sewers. Lewis and Tennant struggle to understand the killer’s dark obsessions and motivations. But there is new urgency, for the doctor’s role appears to have shifted from expert to target. And this killer is no impulsive monster, but a fiendishly calculating opponent, determined to see his plan through to its terrifying conclusion . . .”
The book has everything a mystery fan expects to the ultimate degree. It is SO everything it seemed to me to be a novel consisting entirely of cliches, especially the dialogue. There is nothing wrong with that in this case because they are appropriately placed. But I wished that maybe a little tongue-in-cheek styling was present instead of the straightforward approach that was taken as if this plot or the expected mystery drama was original and new. The author also has included quite a lot of minutia, in a breezy quick hit of inclusion, of what can only be described as admirable in-depth research by the author into everyday 19th-century London. However, the economy of descriptive words was not my cup of tea.
June 20, 2024
This book had so many good points — some great turns of phrase, well-done research, a solid cast of characters, a great whodunnit twist — but it also had plenty of elements that brought it down for me. Choppy and uneven pacing and plotting, inconsistent character development/ actions, awkward dialogue, a bit of telling-not-showing, some irrelevant scenes, a lot of issues raised that weren’t fully explored — the whole thing just didn’t quite flow very well.
Also, for a book centered on the doctor, disappointing that she wasn’t really the one who solved the mystery — nor does she avoid or save herself from the inevitable (stereotypical) peril at the hands of the culprit at the end (she even went willingly with the murderer and had zero clue until he confessed to her, and then — despite her claim that the inspector f’ed up her plan of talking the guy out of killing her — ended up having to be saved from by that same inspector).
This was another ‘great premise, not so great execution’ book that read like a rough draft — really needed an editor to help smooth it out, but I do hope the author gives it another shot.
Also, for a book centered on the doctor, disappointing that she wasn’t really the one who solved the mystery — nor does she avoid or save herself from the inevitable (stereotypical) peril at the hands of the culprit at the end (she even went willingly with the murderer and had zero clue until he confessed to her, and then — despite her claim that the inspector f’ed up her plan of talking the guy out of killing her — ended up having to be saved from by that same inspector).
This was another ‘great premise, not so great execution’ book that read like a rough draft — really needed an editor to help smooth it out, but I do hope the author gives it another shot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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