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The Anatomy of Deception
Philadelphia, 1889
In the morgue of the city hospital, physicians uncover the corpse of a beautiful young woman. What they see takes their breath away.
Within days, one of the surgeons, Ephraim Carroll, strongly suspects that he knows the woman's identity. His investigations take him from the bloody and brutal medical world in which he practices and into the drawing rooms of Philadelphia's high society where he soon learns that nothing - and no one - is what they seem.
Plunged into a maze of deception and deadly secrets, Carroll is forced to choose between exposing a killer, undoing a terrible wrong, and, quite possibly, protecting the future of medicine itself.
Set in a world in which pregnancy could result in agonising death, and doctors killed more patients than they cured, The Anatomy of Deception is an intriguing and richly atmospheric blend of history, early forensic science and knife-edge suspense.
In the morgue of the city hospital, physicians uncover the corpse of a beautiful young woman. What they see takes their breath away.
Within days, one of the surgeons, Ephraim Carroll, strongly suspects that he knows the woman's identity. His investigations take him from the bloody and brutal medical world in which he practices and into the drawing rooms of Philadelphia's high society where he soon learns that nothing - and no one - is what they seem.
Plunged into a maze of deception and deadly secrets, Carroll is forced to choose between exposing a killer, undoing a terrible wrong, and, quite possibly, protecting the future of medicine itself.
Set in a world in which pregnancy could result in agonising death, and doctors killed more patients than they cured, The Anatomy of Deception is an intriguing and richly atmospheric blend of history, early forensic science and knife-edge suspense.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
63 people are currently reading
3113 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Goldstone
45 books199 followersLawrence Goldstone is the author of fourteen books of both fiction and non-fiction. Six of those books were co-authored with his wife, Nancy, but they now write separately to save what is left of their dishes.
Goldstone's articles, reviews, and opinion pieces have appeared in, among other publications, the Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Hartford Courant, and Berkshire Eagle. He has also written for a number of magazines that have gone bust, although he denies any cause and effect.
His first novel, Rights, won a New American Writing Award but he now cringes at its awkward prose. (Anatomy of Deception and The Astronomer are much better.)
Despite a seemingly incurable tendency to say what's on his mind (thus mortifying Nancy), Goldstone has been widely interviewed on both radio and television, with appearances on, among others, "Fresh Air" (NPR), "To the Best of Our Knowledge" (NPR), "The Faith Middleton Show" (NPR), "Tavis Smiley" (PBS), and Leonard Lopate (WNYC). His work has also been profiled in The New York Times, The Toronto Star, numerous regional newspapers, Salon, and Slate.
Goldstone holds a PhD in American Constitutional Studies from the New School. His friends thus call him DrG, although he can barely touch the rim. (Sigh. Can't make a layup anymore either.) He and his beloved bride founded and ran an innovative series of parent-child book groups, which they documented in Deconstructing Penguins. He has also been a teacher, lecturer, senior member of a Wall Street trading firm, taxi driver, actor, quiz show contestant, and policy analyst at the Hudson Institute.
He is a unerring stock picker. Everything he buys instantly goes down.
Goldstone's articles, reviews, and opinion pieces have appeared in, among other publications, the Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Hartford Courant, and Berkshire Eagle. He has also written for a number of magazines that have gone bust, although he denies any cause and effect.
His first novel, Rights, won a New American Writing Award but he now cringes at its awkward prose. (Anatomy of Deception and The Astronomer are much better.)
Despite a seemingly incurable tendency to say what's on his mind (thus mortifying Nancy), Goldstone has been widely interviewed on both radio and television, with appearances on, among others, "Fresh Air" (NPR), "To the Best of Our Knowledge" (NPR), "The Faith Middleton Show" (NPR), "Tavis Smiley" (PBS), and Leonard Lopate (WNYC). His work has also been profiled in The New York Times, The Toronto Star, numerous regional newspapers, Salon, and Slate.
Goldstone holds a PhD in American Constitutional Studies from the New School. His friends thus call him DrG, although he can barely touch the rim. (Sigh. Can't make a layup anymore either.) He and his beloved bride founded and ran an innovative series of parent-child book groups, which they documented in Deconstructing Penguins. He has also been a teacher, lecturer, senior member of a Wall Street trading firm, taxi driver, actor, quiz show contestant, and policy analyst at the Hudson Institute.
He is a unerring stock picker. Everything he buys instantly goes down.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 294 reviews
July 19, 2012
I found the author's writing style to be excellent. However, the comparison at the beginning of the novel to the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes is ambitious to say the least, and unfortunately made the rest of the story seem like an excercise in unfulfilled promise. Not that it didn't have it's exciting moments, but Sherlock Holmes still seems a little too epic of a comparison for this particular story.The details that appealed to me most were actually the dialogue and the fascinating state of medicine in the Victorian Era.
One other thing I must mention is that I found the core plot line somewhat far along the oh-no-we-must-rescue-or-avenge-the-sweet-innocent-helpless-damsel-in-distress-y line to put it anywhere but rather high up on the cheese-o-meter for my taste.
While the girl was certainly the victim of unfortunate circumstance at the outset, the street abortionists would not have existed if no one chose to use their services. The intense villianization of the abortionists and portrayal of those who chose their services as helpless victims of greedy monsters, as if they had been dragged in and chained down for the procedure against their will, instead of actively seeking out and coming for the procedure purely of their own choice, was irriating to say the least.However, I acknowledge that this is probably a reflection of the moral sentiments of the times, which seemed to regard women as brainless wonders, essentially freeing them from culpeability or complicity in any wrongdoing.On the flip side, the "sacrifice" of Farnshaw, while horrible, was realistic enough in its misfortune to act as a sufficient counterbalance to the apparent cheesiness of Victorian morality.
Above all however, I have to congratulate the author for his intriguing choice of setting and subject matter, and his talented way with words :)No one should be put off a read by my few qualms,as this book easily charmed its way to four stars!
One other thing I must mention is that I found the core plot line somewhat far along the oh-no-we-must-rescue-or-avenge-the-sweet-innocent-helpless-damsel-in-distress-y line to put it anywhere but rather high up on the cheese-o-meter for my taste.
While the girl was certainly the victim of unfortunate circumstance at the outset, the street abortionists would not have existed if no one chose to use their services. The intense villianization of the abortionists and portrayal of those who chose their services as helpless victims of greedy monsters, as if they had been dragged in and chained down for the procedure against their will, instead of actively seeking out and coming for the procedure purely of their own choice, was irriating to say the least.However, I acknowledge that this is probably a reflection of the moral sentiments of the times, which seemed to regard women as brainless wonders, essentially freeing them from culpeability or complicity in any wrongdoing.On the flip side, the "sacrifice" of Farnshaw, while horrible, was realistic enough in its misfortune to act as a sufficient counterbalance to the apparent cheesiness of Victorian morality.
Above all however, I have to congratulate the author for his intriguing choice of setting and subject matter, and his talented way with words :)No one should be put off a read by my few qualms,as this book easily charmed its way to four stars!
February 17, 2011
If you are looking for a period piece that cen be liken to Caleb Carr's, "The Alienist", I strongly recommend, "The Anatomy of Deception". The story takes place in the late 1800's in Philadelphia. In a morgue, called the Dead House, several physicians are doing autopsies on bodies found on the streets. When uncovering the last body, the primary physician quickly requests that the body be covered up and sent back to the morgue. The body was of a young girl from a prominent family who was to have been traveling in Europe.
Ephraim Carroll, one of the attending physicians, is asked by friends of the girl to look into her disappearance. Carroll finds out the girl may have died (murdered) in a botched abortion. He must face several members of prominent Philadelphia society, his peers in the medical field, the police, and the underside of Philadelphia life due to his findings.
Ephraim is faced with moral and ethical issues as he gets closer and closer to the murderer. He finds he is not only dealing with an abortionist but someone who may be dealing in the drug trade.
The unusual conclusion finds an innocent man being murdered in prison, and Ephraim struggling with the moral dilemma of letting the murderer go free.
The reader should be aware that the book starts very intensely with the autopsies in the morgue, and then proceeds to several chapters of building characters, before getting into the complications of the murder and the morals of humanity.
Although a work of fiction, several of the characters were real people. The famed Father of Modern Medicine, William Osler, Williams Stewart Halsted who performed the first emergency blood transfusion and invented surgical gloves, and painter Thomas Eakins all make an appearance in the book.
Ephraim Carroll, one of the attending physicians, is asked by friends of the girl to look into her disappearance. Carroll finds out the girl may have died (murdered) in a botched abortion. He must face several members of prominent Philadelphia society, his peers in the medical field, the police, and the underside of Philadelphia life due to his findings.
Ephraim is faced with moral and ethical issues as he gets closer and closer to the murderer. He finds he is not only dealing with an abortionist but someone who may be dealing in the drug trade.
The unusual conclusion finds an innocent man being murdered in prison, and Ephraim struggling with the moral dilemma of letting the murderer go free.
The reader should be aware that the book starts very intensely with the autopsies in the morgue, and then proceeds to several chapters of building characters, before getting into the complications of the murder and the morals of humanity.
Although a work of fiction, several of the characters were real people. The famed Father of Modern Medicine, William Osler, Williams Stewart Halsted who performed the first emergency blood transfusion and invented surgical gloves, and painter Thomas Eakins all make an appearance in the book.
May 9, 2015
First Sentence: For days, clouds had hung over the frigid city, promising snow, and ephemeral late winter veneer of white, but the temperature had suddenly risen and a cold, stinging drizzle had arrived instead.
Dr. Ephraim Carroll has left his practice in Chicago to learn from the esteemed Dr. William Osler in Philadelphia. During an anatomy session, Osler the corpse of a young woman seems to be a shock to Osler and another student, Turk, bringing the class to an abrupt end. Upon Turk’s death, which Carroll discovers is from arsenic; questions arise for which Carroll is determined to find answers.
A strong opening that immediately establishes a clear sense of place and time is always a pleasure. Goldstone does not only that, but sets the mood and enables us to feel the apprehension of the protagonist.
Not only are we in the time and initial company of Arthur Conan Doyle, but the style of the narrative and dialogue reflect the prior, bringing the reader most assuredly into the Victorian period, such as with the description of the morgue…”It was a place of spirits, where the tortured souls of hundreds, perhaps thousands, who had died from abuse, disease, want or ignorance would spend their last moments in the company of the living before they were removed for their solitary rest and placed in the ground forever.” The inclusion of actual figures from the period only further cements this feeling. I was less happy, however, that some were used in ways which were vastly changed for the purpose of the plot. At least, the author kindly told us of these changes at the end of the book.
This is a time of great progress and advancements in medicine and surgical techniques such as women doctors and sterilization, as well as technology with the development of Eastman’s box camera. It is also the time when John’s Hopkins is being built and staffed. All these elements become important aspects of the plot although there were times when the medical details tended to overtake the plot.
The plot starts of quite sedately, but there’s certainly nothing boring about it. Threads and patterns begin to form. There is considerable medical and forensic information to which the more squeamish might object, but it is also fascinating. The characters also begin to take a more substantial form, particularly Simpson, the female student.
“The Anatomy of Deception” is delightfully unpredictable. The path of the plot turns suddenly and you are presented with something quite unexpected with a story of very good intrigue and suspense.
THE ANATOMY OF DECEPTION (Hist Mys-Dr. Ephraim Carroll-Philadelphia-1889) – VG
Goldstone, Lawrence – Standalone
Delacorte Press – January 2008
Dr. Ephraim Carroll has left his practice in Chicago to learn from the esteemed Dr. William Osler in Philadelphia. During an anatomy session, Osler the corpse of a young woman seems to be a shock to Osler and another student, Turk, bringing the class to an abrupt end. Upon Turk’s death, which Carroll discovers is from arsenic; questions arise for which Carroll is determined to find answers.
A strong opening that immediately establishes a clear sense of place and time is always a pleasure. Goldstone does not only that, but sets the mood and enables us to feel the apprehension of the protagonist.
Not only are we in the time and initial company of Arthur Conan Doyle, but the style of the narrative and dialogue reflect the prior, bringing the reader most assuredly into the Victorian period, such as with the description of the morgue…”It was a place of spirits, where the tortured souls of hundreds, perhaps thousands, who had died from abuse, disease, want or ignorance would spend their last moments in the company of the living before they were removed for their solitary rest and placed in the ground forever.” The inclusion of actual figures from the period only further cements this feeling. I was less happy, however, that some were used in ways which were vastly changed for the purpose of the plot. At least, the author kindly told us of these changes at the end of the book.
This is a time of great progress and advancements in medicine and surgical techniques such as women doctors and sterilization, as well as technology with the development of Eastman’s box camera. It is also the time when John’s Hopkins is being built and staffed. All these elements become important aspects of the plot although there were times when the medical details tended to overtake the plot.
The plot starts of quite sedately, but there’s certainly nothing boring about it. Threads and patterns begin to form. There is considerable medical and forensic information to which the more squeamish might object, but it is also fascinating. The characters also begin to take a more substantial form, particularly Simpson, the female student.
“The Anatomy of Deception” is delightfully unpredictable. The path of the plot turns suddenly and you are presented with something quite unexpected with a story of very good intrigue and suspense.
THE ANATOMY OF DECEPTION (Hist Mys-Dr. Ephraim Carroll-Philadelphia-1889) – VG
Goldstone, Lawrence – Standalone
Delacorte Press – January 2008
February 23, 2023
Philadelphia, 1889, & a group of young surgeons, including Ephraim Carroll, are observing autopsies carried out by Dr William Osler. When one of the coffins is opened to reveal the corpse of a beautiful young woman, Carroll notices that both Osler & a fellow surgeon, George Turk, have a momentarily odd reaction before the lid closed & Osler hurriedly moves on. For the first time since he has known him, Turk invites Carroll out to the theatre that evening & they end up at a pub called The Fatted Calf.
Turk introduces Carroll to two dancers from the show they have just seen, but Carroll's attention is taken by a strange event when Turk has an argument with a man Carroll has never seen before, but he is sure that he also momentarily spots Dr Osler. Turk waves off any enquiries but the evening ends abruptly. Carroll is rather the worse for wear the following morning but Turk does not appear at all. Nor the next day. Carroll decides to track him down & finds him at death's door & it soon becomes apparent that he has been murdered. Does this have anything to do with the argument or the odd reaction at the autopsy?
The plot itself is okay, it's apparent quite early on what the main thread is going to be about. The issue for me was the main character. Carroll thinks of himself as educated & cerebral whereas he actually does most of his thinking with another part of his body entirely. He's also a bit of a hypocrite & very shallow when it comes to women. After starting a tentative friendship with Mary Simpson, the only female student on the staff, as soon as he gets a sniff that a more attractive, richer young woman may be interested, he then completely ignores Simpson & rebuffs her attempts to continue their conversations (that he initiated), then is surprised when Simpson acts coolly towards him later on. As I said before, it's an okay read but it's not a book I would be in a hurry to reread at any point.
Turk introduces Carroll to two dancers from the show they have just seen, but Carroll's attention is taken by a strange event when Turk has an argument with a man Carroll has never seen before, but he is sure that he also momentarily spots Dr Osler. Turk waves off any enquiries but the evening ends abruptly. Carroll is rather the worse for wear the following morning but Turk does not appear at all. Nor the next day. Carroll decides to track him down & finds him at death's door & it soon becomes apparent that he has been murdered. Does this have anything to do with the argument or the odd reaction at the autopsy?
The plot itself is okay, it's apparent quite early on what the main thread is going to be about. The issue for me was the main character. Carroll thinks of himself as educated & cerebral whereas he actually does most of his thinking with another part of his body entirely. He's also a bit of a hypocrite & very shallow when it comes to women. After starting a tentative friendship with Mary Simpson, the only female student on the staff, as soon as he gets a sniff that a more attractive, richer young woman may be interested, he then completely ignores Simpson & rebuffs her attempts to continue their conversations (that he initiated), then is surprised when Simpson acts coolly towards him later on. As I said before, it's an okay read but it's not a book I would be in a hurry to reread at any point.
December 29, 2010
I loathed this read so much that I am contemplating taking it out of my crime thriller bookshelf. Man oh man, there wasn't much crime nor thriller going on here.
This book seemed more of an authors attempt to share his knowledge of American history and his research ability. 332 pages and the last 100 held 'some' (and I use the word 'some' quite loosely) crime solving. The former 232? Ramble concerning all things excluding crime solving.
I don't begrudge other people who might enjoy this book, I only admit that I am not one of that exclusive club.
This book seemed more of an authors attempt to share his knowledge of American history and his research ability. 332 pages and the last 100 held 'some' (and I use the word 'some' quite loosely) crime solving. The former 232? Ramble concerning all things excluding crime solving.
I don't begrudge other people who might enjoy this book, I only admit that I am not one of that exclusive club.
January 23, 2015
A quite good work of historical suspense. I especially liked how the author was able to weave real life characters into the narrative and make it very plausible and the sections on medical procedures which were well done. The main character was a bit wearing at times though but probably historically accurate. Listened to the audio version which was read by David Ackroyd who did a great job with the first person narration.
November 22, 2016
This checked a number of interest boxes for me: historical fiction, history of medicine, history of pharmaceuticals, and mystery. Definitely recommend for people interested in the same topics.
August 14, 2009
Extremely interesting! A murder mystery woven into late 19th C medicine and practices. A somewhat naive main character working around an assemblage of real 19th C physicians.
May 12, 2018
In 1889, at the same as James Norton is chasing a killer and confronting his own demons in Paris in Lisa Appignanesi's Paris Requiem, which by unusual coincidence I read just a few days ago, young surgeon Ephraim Carroll is undergoing rather similar adventures in Philadelphia.
What made The Anatomy of Deception especially interesting to me from the outset was that among its characters are several figures who're important to the history of medicine, not least William Osler, about whom I knew little beyond the name and reputation until reading this novel -- he's one of those figures whose name I keep encountering while engaged in my own work. I now, thanks to The Anatomy of Deception and a couple of handy reference books, plus Wikipedia, know a little bit more . . . although I'm not sure I can face either Cushing's or Bliss's biography of the man, both those books being monumental.
Also of interest in this context, although less central to the tale, is the medical pioneer William Halsted, of note because he remained a brilliant surgeon despite being hopelessly addicted to opiates.
But I have digressed . . .
Ephraim is training under Osler at Philadelphia's University Hospital. One day, during the course of a series of dissections there, he notices Osler reacting oddly to the sight of the next corpse in line at the morgue; even odder, Osler abruptly decides to conclude the day's proceedings. One of the other young doctors present, George Turk, likewise seems startled on seeing the corpse. It's a puzzle that Ephraim tries but fails to put to the back of his mind.
Soon after, however, Ephraim goes to Turk's lodgings and finds the man dying. The death has all the symptoms of cholera, yet that diagnosis seems too trite to Ephraim. Sure enough, thanks to his suspicions, it's revealed that Turk died of arsenical poisoning. It's a case of murder!
In due course, as a result of the friendship -- which escalates -- of the hypnotically beautiful Abigail Benedict, Ephraim has a pretty clear hunch as to who the dead girl was and why Turk reacted so strangely in the morgue. But in order for him to tease out exactly what has been going on and to identify the murderer, Ephraim must tangle with thugs and thieves, "dancers" and danger, and even the then-notorious painter Thomas Eakins. And, despite his obsession with Abigail, the friendship steadily grows between him and another young doctor, Mary Simpson, unique among the hospital's physicians in being a -- gasp! -- woman . . .
The Anatomy of Deception is a highly impressive debut for Goldstone, previously known for books in the history of science. Ephraim's narration of his tale is quite convincingly 19th-century, which is to say that the prose may not be to everyone's taste (especially those with short attention spans). A related and I think more serious problem is that the book does take a while to get going: the scene setting and the medical background information have fascination in their own right, but it seems to take far too long before Goldstone remembers that this is a mystery novel he's supposed to be writing. That said, early perseverance is more than repaid once we get into the thick of things.
Should Goldstone ever feel inclined to write a sequel/companion novel to this one, I hope it'll have Mary Simpson as its central character. Perhaps my major disappointment on turning the final page was that her story was left incomplete. As a women permitted -- thanks to Osler -- to work in what was then regarded as exclusively a male profession, she was a character who immediately drew me in. Because it takes Ephraim a while to recognize how sterling an individual she is, we see less of her in the novel than I'd have liked.
Goldstone has, I see, written a couple of other historical novels since this one (one of which, I've just realized, I actually own), and I'm now really quite keen to read them.
One caveat: Goldstone's afterword on the history behind the novel is well worth reading but contains a truly massive spoiler.
What made The Anatomy of Deception especially interesting to me from the outset was that among its characters are several figures who're important to the history of medicine, not least William Osler, about whom I knew little beyond the name and reputation until reading this novel -- he's one of those figures whose name I keep encountering while engaged in my own work. I now, thanks to The Anatomy of Deception and a couple of handy reference books, plus Wikipedia, know a little bit more . . . although I'm not sure I can face either Cushing's or Bliss's biography of the man, both those books being monumental.
Also of interest in this context, although less central to the tale, is the medical pioneer William Halsted, of note because he remained a brilliant surgeon despite being hopelessly addicted to opiates.
But I have digressed . . .
Ephraim is training under Osler at Philadelphia's University Hospital. One day, during the course of a series of dissections there, he notices Osler reacting oddly to the sight of the next corpse in line at the morgue; even odder, Osler abruptly decides to conclude the day's proceedings. One of the other young doctors present, George Turk, likewise seems startled on seeing the corpse. It's a puzzle that Ephraim tries but fails to put to the back of his mind.
Soon after, however, Ephraim goes to Turk's lodgings and finds the man dying. The death has all the symptoms of cholera, yet that diagnosis seems too trite to Ephraim. Sure enough, thanks to his suspicions, it's revealed that Turk died of arsenical poisoning. It's a case of murder!
In due course, as a result of the friendship -- which escalates -- of the hypnotically beautiful Abigail Benedict, Ephraim has a pretty clear hunch as to who the dead girl was and why Turk reacted so strangely in the morgue. But in order for him to tease out exactly what has been going on and to identify the murderer, Ephraim must tangle with thugs and thieves, "dancers" and danger, and even the then-notorious painter Thomas Eakins. And, despite his obsession with Abigail, the friendship steadily grows between him and another young doctor, Mary Simpson, unique among the hospital's physicians in being a -- gasp! -- woman . . .
The Anatomy of Deception is a highly impressive debut for Goldstone, previously known for books in the history of science. Ephraim's narration of his tale is quite convincingly 19th-century, which is to say that the prose may not be to everyone's taste (especially those with short attention spans). A related and I think more serious problem is that the book does take a while to get going: the scene setting and the medical background information have fascination in their own right, but it seems to take far too long before Goldstone remembers that this is a mystery novel he's supposed to be writing. That said, early perseverance is more than repaid once we get into the thick of things.
Should Goldstone ever feel inclined to write a sequel/companion novel to this one, I hope it'll have Mary Simpson as its central character. Perhaps my major disappointment on turning the final page was that her story was left incomplete. As a women permitted -- thanks to Osler -- to work in what was then regarded as exclusively a male profession, she was a character who immediately drew me in. Because it takes Ephraim a while to recognize how sterling an individual she is, we see less of her in the novel than I'd have liked.
Goldstone has, I see, written a couple of other historical novels since this one (one of which, I've just realized, I actually own), and I'm now really quite keen to read them.
One caveat: Goldstone's afterword on the history behind the novel is well worth reading but contains a truly massive spoiler.
January 30, 2015
A historical forensic mystery, the novel was set in 1889 Philadelphia. The book was well researched and that although complicated - the plot was entertaining in a didactic way.
The novel featured real people and fictionalized characters together. One of the real people in the novel was Dr. William Osler who has been referred to as 'the father of modern medicine'. Dr. William Osler was a bibliophile who collected the works of Michael Servetus. Another was Dr. William Stewart Halsted, an American surgeon of some reknown. I did not approve of the way the real people in the novel were portrayed in a less than flattering light. I think the author took unnecessary liberties in that regard. Perhaps the author should have used fictionalized characters to be implicated in the crimes, and left the real people's memory unsullied.
The painting on the dustjacket is a famous work by artist Thomas Eakins which now hangs at Johns Hopkins Medical Center.
"Anatomy of Deception" depicted the 'old-boy' network thought prevalent in the medical profession. The idea that physicians will cover for each other, regardless of whether guilty or innocent. Another theme was the moral rationale of 'the greater good'. The question of who is valuable... the dilemma of sacrificing a few for the benefit of the many...
The book accurately described historical medical practices and recounted several events in this pivotal time in the history of medicine. During the time period in which the novel was set, autopsies were very controversial and the fact that the doctors in the novel used autopsies to further their knowledge of the human body made them ahead of their time and ground-breakers in the practice of forensic medicine.
The novel featured real people and fictionalized characters together. One of the real people in the novel was Dr. William Osler who has been referred to as 'the father of modern medicine'. Dr. William Osler was a bibliophile who collected the works of Michael Servetus. Another was Dr. William Stewart Halsted, an American surgeon of some reknown. I did not approve of the way the real people in the novel were portrayed in a less than flattering light. I think the author took unnecessary liberties in that regard. Perhaps the author should have used fictionalized characters to be implicated in the crimes, and left the real people's memory unsullied.
The painting on the dustjacket is a famous work by artist Thomas Eakins which now hangs at Johns Hopkins Medical Center.
"Anatomy of Deception" depicted the 'old-boy' network thought prevalent in the medical profession. The idea that physicians will cover for each other, regardless of whether guilty or innocent. Another theme was the moral rationale of 'the greater good'. The question of who is valuable... the dilemma of sacrificing a few for the benefit of the many...
The book accurately described historical medical practices and recounted several events in this pivotal time in the history of medicine. During the time period in which the novel was set, autopsies were very controversial and the fact that the doctors in the novel used autopsies to further their knowledge of the human body made them ahead of their time and ground-breakers in the practice of forensic medicine.
July 21, 2011
Anatomy of Deception is an enjoyable, light murder mystery, speckled throughout with social historical nuggets. I love that Goldstone uses real people in his intrigue, in this case famous physician William Osler who is known as the father of modern medicine, and William Halstead, a pioneer of surgical technique. Others reviewers have frowned upon this, but in what is obviously a work of fiction the reader should know not to take what the men say and do as some type of truth. It's important to realize that medical knowledge was built on what some would consider ambiguous moral practices, and I took Goldstone's use of such lauded individuals as more allegorical nod to this principle than literal.
While trying to figure out whodunnit, we get treated to a snapshot of historical medical practice (the appalling post-surgical mortality before anti-septic practices were routine, the danger of coping with unwanted pregnancies before birth control was widely available). Goldstone keeps his writing simple enough to be read for pleasure and entertainment, yet his plot is engaging. The characters suffer from being passed over, simplified, and we never really get to know why the prudish narrator, physician Ephraim Carroll, is so hell bent on solving the murder mystery. That's OK, Anatomy of Deception enjoyable on the historical work alone.
While trying to figure out whodunnit, we get treated to a snapshot of historical medical practice (the appalling post-surgical mortality before anti-septic practices were routine, the danger of coping with unwanted pregnancies before birth control was widely available). Goldstone keeps his writing simple enough to be read for pleasure and entertainment, yet his plot is engaging. The characters suffer from being passed over, simplified, and we never really get to know why the prudish narrator, physician Ephraim Carroll, is so hell bent on solving the murder mystery. That's OK, Anatomy of Deception enjoyable on the historical work alone.
March 10, 2009
As a period mystery, this was a good one. I had one small problem with the plot - and maybe it's from recently reading about cholera in Ghost Map - but it was an impossibility that a doctor of that time would not treat what he believed to be cholera with the proven treatment of drinking untainted water to rehydrate. The author even referenced the discovery of the cause. I found myself screaming at the book things like, "No, no, nooo! You don't understand cholera at allllll!"
Oh, and the plot was about icky things, just to remind us that Victorian times were not some pure and halcyon days we've lost forever. The resolution was a bit clunky although nicely "shocking." I had made the mistake of turning to the back to see if there was some historical info and got hit in the face with a spoiler. So, Don't do that!
Oh, and the plot was about icky things, just to remind us that Victorian times were not some pure and halcyon days we've lost forever. The resolution was a bit clunky although nicely "shocking." I had made the mistake of turning to the back to see if there was some historical info and got hit in the face with a spoiler. So, Don't do that!
July 30, 2011
I was really sucked into this book. I've always liked this time period and especially the mystery and barbarism of medicine at that time. This was a great thriller and kept me hanging until the very end. Not only is the story interesting, but the author gives us fantastic insight as to what life was actually like in that time. The characters were believable and likable and each I was drawn into each one in different ways. Med students, morgues, and murder...a difficult combination to put down and I was sorry when it was over, seemingly all too quickly.
January 6, 2021
I picked this up at a thrift shop because it looked interesting, I like period novels. It is set in 1880's and it was very good! Several doctors and students were accepted to study under Professor Osler, and pleased to do so. One was a woman (scandalous), one a "rich kid from Yale", one an orphan "worked his way up", and one (the narrator) was from Chicago where he had worked as a doctor for a few years, and wanted to learn more. Then a series of events began and all their lives began to change as one of their own was murdered.
June 15, 2023
I've been reading book after book this year that I haven't loved. This is the first one in 2023, in about 25 books that I have LOVED.
August 25, 2008
Lawrence Goldstone's "The Anatomy of Deception" is that rare example of fiction that illuminates an obscure but important bit of history, while at the same time managing to capture the reader in suspense and intrigue more typically associated with a contemporary thriller/mystery. Goldstone takes us back to Philadelphia, circa 1889, to the clinics of University Hospital and Philadelphia General; more specifically to "The Dead House" - the morgue - that serves both. Here, with dissection of human corpses only recently legalized, and still controversial, Dr. William Osler presides as a teaching physician over a class of young medical doctors. But when the corpse of an attractive but unidentified young woman shows up on the autopsy table, the venerable professor goes pale, and decides to put his scalpel away and cut again another day. But this peaks the curiosity of star student Dr. Ephraim Carroll. Subsequent events lead Carroll on a quest to identify the unfortunate woman and the cause of her death - a quest that takes on greater urgency - and greater danger - when others surrounding the clinic begin to die. From Philly's upper crust society's parlors to her seediest bars and brothels, Goldstone takes the reader through a well paced, highly entertaining romp of murder, deception, bad love and bad booze, of drugs both helpful and harmful - an intelligent balance of Sherlock Holmes and CSI.
For my tastes, "The Anatomy of Deception" covers all the bases. It is a believable story that uncovers a previously undiscovered thread of history and science - in this case the formative days of modern surgery and diagnostics. I'm certainly no MD, but as a layman, I found the author's research authoritative, educational, and very interesting, with more than a few "wow, why didn't I know that?" moments. The characters were credible, as well they should be: Goldstone includes historical figures like Dr. Osler, Dr. William Halsted, and even the Philadelphia artist, Thomas Eakins, whose realistic depictions of sculling on the Schuylkill and the surgical clinics of Gross and Agnew literally bring Goldstone's words to life. Beyond the medicine, the culture and society of Victorian Philadelphia is well-captured, providing the kind of historical detail and authority that separates the grat novel from one merely good.
But aside from all this, "The Anatomy of Deception" is simply a fine mystery, well crafted and cleverly plotted, that while admittedly taking some risky liberties with the lives and reputations of Osler, Halsted, and Eakins, nonetheless succeeds in entertaining while at the same time posing some sticky moral dilemmas. The naive and idealistic Dr. Carroll is a well-drawn and likable protagonist and narrator, providing vulnerability and poignancy to tie the threads of what could have been disparate and arcane story lines.
I'd describe Goldstone as a cross between Matthew Pearl (The Dante Club, The Poe Shadow) and Caleb Carr: an easier read than Pearl, with much of the verbosity left behind, while more history and authenticity than Carr's entertaining and well done mysteries of late 19th century New York City (The Alienist, Angel of Darkness). Whether it is suspense, history, medicine, murder, or even a love story that raises your pulse, you'll find something to like here. Well done, Mr. Goldstone!
For my tastes, "The Anatomy of Deception" covers all the bases. It is a believable story that uncovers a previously undiscovered thread of history and science - in this case the formative days of modern surgery and diagnostics. I'm certainly no MD, but as a layman, I found the author's research authoritative, educational, and very interesting, with more than a few "wow, why didn't I know that?" moments. The characters were credible, as well they should be: Goldstone includes historical figures like Dr. Osler, Dr. William Halsted, and even the Philadelphia artist, Thomas Eakins, whose realistic depictions of sculling on the Schuylkill and the surgical clinics of Gross and Agnew literally bring Goldstone's words to life. Beyond the medicine, the culture and society of Victorian Philadelphia is well-captured, providing the kind of historical detail and authority that separates the grat novel from one merely good.
But aside from all this, "The Anatomy of Deception" is simply a fine mystery, well crafted and cleverly plotted, that while admittedly taking some risky liberties with the lives and reputations of Osler, Halsted, and Eakins, nonetheless succeeds in entertaining while at the same time posing some sticky moral dilemmas. The naive and idealistic Dr. Carroll is a well-drawn and likable protagonist and narrator, providing vulnerability and poignancy to tie the threads of what could have been disparate and arcane story lines.
I'd describe Goldstone as a cross between Matthew Pearl (The Dante Club, The Poe Shadow) and Caleb Carr: an easier read than Pearl, with much of the verbosity left behind, while more history and authenticity than Carr's entertaining and well done mysteries of late 19th century New York City (The Alienist, Angel of Darkness). Whether it is suspense, history, medicine, murder, or even a love story that raises your pulse, you'll find something to like here. Well done, Mr. Goldstone!
August 6, 2012
I waited for the audio-book version of this for a full year, and while it wasn't the best book I've ever read, it was a good historical fiction story and I did enjoy it so I'd say it was worth the wait.
Dr. Ephraim Carroll, a young Philadelphia doctor, is studying under the renowned medical doctor and professor William Osler [in a neat Canadian connection, Osler is Canadian and has a major medical centre here in his name today]. Ephraim is hoping to build a career in medicine and is thrilled to be working under Dr. Osler, who is a trail-blazer and advocate of newer methods of medicine, including autopsy to learn more about the human body, among other controversial methods of medical activity.
One day in the "dead house" as the autopsy room is called, Dr. Osler, and another doctor in training react strangely to the body of a young woman. Ephraim is puzzled by the reaction, and as he makes inquiries, a number of disturbing facts come to his attention. Then, another death, that of the other doctor in training further complicates the situation and makes Ephraim determined to find out what is going on, despite the many people trying to convince him to leave the events alone, including his mentor, Dr. Osler.
The book is a complex and many layered murder mystery, combined with history about the early development of the medical establishment in America in the late 1800's into the new century. The characters are engaging, the plot is well done and the ending - without giving any spoilers - is not what one expects.
The book was a bit long, with perhaps more "colour" and descriptions of the time and details about every room and street, etc. but that is the only complaint and it is a small one. One thing I should mention though is that as this is a story about doctors, there is some fairly graphic description of surgery and autopsies, so if you are particularly squeamish about that sort of thing, this may not be the book for you, but I enjoyed this story.
Dr. Ephraim Carroll, a young Philadelphia doctor, is studying under the renowned medical doctor and professor William Osler [in a neat Canadian connection, Osler is Canadian and has a major medical centre here in his name today]. Ephraim is hoping to build a career in medicine and is thrilled to be working under Dr. Osler, who is a trail-blazer and advocate of newer methods of medicine, including autopsy to learn more about the human body, among other controversial methods of medical activity.
One day in the "dead house" as the autopsy room is called, Dr. Osler, and another doctor in training react strangely to the body of a young woman. Ephraim is puzzled by the reaction, and as he makes inquiries, a number of disturbing facts come to his attention. Then, another death, that of the other doctor in training further complicates the situation and makes Ephraim determined to find out what is going on, despite the many people trying to convince him to leave the events alone, including his mentor, Dr. Osler.
The book is a complex and many layered murder mystery, combined with history about the early development of the medical establishment in America in the late 1800's into the new century. The characters are engaging, the plot is well done and the ending - without giving any spoilers - is not what one expects.
The book was a bit long, with perhaps more "colour" and descriptions of the time and details about every room and street, etc. but that is the only complaint and it is a small one. One thing I should mention though is that as this is a story about doctors, there is some fairly graphic description of surgery and autopsies, so if you are particularly squeamish about that sort of thing, this may not be the book for you, but I enjoyed this story.
March 31, 2009
How long does a famous person have to be dead before a writer can concoct a "fictional" story about his supposed involvement in murder and its cover-up? Not just one, but two famous people are major implicated characters in this story. Is it okay to just say, "fiction", and, "it's not based on anything"? Does it make sense, after the fiction solves the supposed case, to write a last chapter that follows the fictional and non-fictional characters into the next years? Is that fact or fiction? I know this is all the rage in movies, it adds verisimilitude to say that, after the action of the plot, in future years Mickey M did this, and Donald D did that, in the style of a reporter. The author adds a note at the end, explaining that it's all a work of his imagination, except for the alleged morphine addiction of one famous person for which he offers documentation.
Goldstone writes well but I would have preferred that he write about fictional characters and not historic ones. I didn't know either of the historical characters, active more than a century ago, but I know people who were named after them. I realize that these particular famous people have been made into saints, which they probably weren't, as Goldstone is at pains to elaborate. Maybe he is as annoyed as I am at the creation of celebrities and "saints" out of merely successful and useful people, and wants to deflate a couple of them.
Goldstone writes well but I would have preferred that he write about fictional characters and not historic ones. I didn't know either of the historical characters, active more than a century ago, but I know people who were named after them. I realize that these particular famous people have been made into saints, which they probably weren't, as Goldstone is at pains to elaborate. Maybe he is as annoyed as I am at the creation of celebrities and "saints" out of merely successful and useful people, and wants to deflate a couple of them.
August 20, 2014
Dr. George Farnshaw Halsted
"I was accepted on the staff of Bellevue Hospital and my interest turned from general medicine to surgery. Although Lister's advocacy of asepsis had converted a small percentage of the staff, most of the surgeons continued to perform operations under filthy conditions, wearing street clothes and handling instruments with unwashed hands. One or two even smoked cigars as they cut. I was convinced that hygienic surgery would vastly reduce infection, and I became somewhat fanatical on the subject. ..."
Page 258
I really enjoyed reading about the advances in surgery and the chemical companies. I'm not sure I liked Dr. Ephraim Carroll. He was so capricious. First he thinks: this one did it. Then, no, that other one did it. Or: I want to marry Abigail, she is so lovely and refined. No, I should marry Dr. Mary Simpson because she is steady and trustworthy. No, let me marry this other woman even though she is not "mercurial and intoxicating like Abigail Benedict nor formidable and determined like Mary Simpson, but she is kind, gentle, and accepting of my faults.
"I was accepted on the staff of Bellevue Hospital and my interest turned from general medicine to surgery. Although Lister's advocacy of asepsis had converted a small percentage of the staff, most of the surgeons continued to perform operations under filthy conditions, wearing street clothes and handling instruments with unwashed hands. One or two even smoked cigars as they cut. I was convinced that hygienic surgery would vastly reduce infection, and I became somewhat fanatical on the subject. ..."
Page 258
I really enjoyed reading about the advances in surgery and the chemical companies. I'm not sure I liked Dr. Ephraim Carroll. He was so capricious. First he thinks: this one did it. Then, no, that other one did it. Or: I want to marry Abigail, she is so lovely and refined. No, I should marry Dr. Mary Simpson because she is steady and trustworthy. No, let me marry this other woman even though she is not "mercurial and intoxicating like Abigail Benedict nor formidable and determined like Mary Simpson, but she is kind, gentle, and accepting of my faults.
December 31, 2015
Ephraim Carroll, a physician from a deprived background, is thrilled to study under the renowned Dr. Osler in turn-of-the-century Philadelphia. When a young woman turns up in the Dead House and draws an unusual reaction from Osler and from one of Carroll’s colleagues, he is naturally intrigued. At the same time, he’s drawn into a relationship with a somewhat bohemian young lady from a wealthy family who asks him to investigate the disappearance of a friend of hers. What Carroll discovers on his two-pronged investigation will challenge his idolization of Dr. Osler and his own rather smug, self-satisfied knowledge of the world.[return][return]As a first person narrator, Carroll is rather likeable even in his pronounced priggishness and naiveté. The tone of the novel is sometimes dry, but the plot moves quickly enough. The ending is not exactly unexpected, but is well-suited to the character’s moral development. There are consequences for the errors he’s made and the mystery’s solution leaves vast gray moral areas, but the combination is not unsatisfying.
June 22, 2016
The Anatomy of Deception is a historical medical murder mystery set in 19th century Philadelphia. Two characters are prominent physicians who were real people though fictionalized. This is an interesting story which covers the state of medicine and women's rights or lack there of at the time.
Dr. Carroll is our main character who studies under Dr. Osler an expert in the controversial practice of autopsy. Osler believes that much can be learned. At the time most of these were done on the destitute. It is while teaching his students in the morgue a body shows up that visibly disturbs the great doctor. He literally slams the lid on the autopsy. Later the body disappears. And so the mystery begins.
Dr. Carroll travels into the upper echelons of society and the dregs to find the identity of the corpse, who killed them and why. He has to make decisions which will try his conscience and his loyalties.
Dr. Carroll is our main character who studies under Dr. Osler an expert in the controversial practice of autopsy. Osler believes that much can be learned. At the time most of these were done on the destitute. It is while teaching his students in the morgue a body shows up that visibly disturbs the great doctor. He literally slams the lid on the autopsy. Later the body disappears. And so the mystery begins.
Dr. Carroll travels into the upper echelons of society and the dregs to find the identity of the corpse, who killed them and why. He has to make decisions which will try his conscience and his loyalties.
January 13, 2013
I'd give it more a 2.5 stars, but rounded up for the historical portrayal of medicine in Philadelphia, a topic I know a bit about since working for the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. The book took a while to get going, with plenty of detailed surgical descriptions. The fictional protagonist, Dr. Ephraim Carroll, a student of actual physician William Osler, becomes intrigued when the corpse of a young woman for autopsy provokes a shocked reaction from fellow student, Dr. Turk and from Dr. Osler. Carroll soon finds himself investigating the disappearance of a society woman, who matches the dead girls description.
This was a good story, but the mood was a little preachy at times, and Dr. Carroll, for his medical smarts, sometimes seemed too naive about the world. I just didn't find myself sucked in, though the medical history aspect interested me.
This was a good story, but the mood was a little preachy at times, and Dr. Carroll, for his medical smarts, sometimes seemed too naive about the world. I just didn't find myself sucked in, though the medical history aspect interested me.
March 1, 2013
An engaging historical mystery combining high society, back alleys and the beginnings of forensic science, this novel has young Dr Ephraim Carroll on the hunt for the truth about the disappearance of a young Philidelphia scoiety women. While Dr. Carroll and many of the other characters are fictional, there are a number of real doctors woven into the tale.
The story opens with a fairly detailed accounting of a autosopy, and there is quite a bit of medical terminology throughout the book, which made some parts slow reading. There was also some really interesting information about the development of Johns Hopkins Hospital and University. The story is narrated by Dr. Carroll and told in the speech and descriptive manner of the late 1800's, and has a moral overtone reminiscent of the period.
Well researched, with authors' notes at the end, this was a enjoyable read.
The story opens with a fairly detailed accounting of a autosopy, and there is quite a bit of medical terminology throughout the book, which made some parts slow reading. There was also some really interesting information about the development of Johns Hopkins Hospital and University. The story is narrated by Dr. Carroll and told in the speech and descriptive manner of the late 1800's, and has a moral overtone reminiscent of the period.
Well researched, with authors' notes at the end, this was a enjoyable read.
November 27, 2010
I would give this a 2 1/2, but I didn't like it quite enough for a 3. It was an interesting mystery, but not interesting enough for my taste. It was slow to get started, and then there were only brief moments of excitement between periods of flowery description and long words, detailed descriptions of autopsy procedures (bad choice for lunch reading), and medical politics. There wasn't even really an exciting climax, just a moment of realization. I found the ending kind of unsatisfying, and my sense of justice felt cheated. Basically, it's a decent mystery, especially if you're interested in medical things, but a little too slow-moving for me.
January 23, 2016
Having recently read, and enjoyed Goldstone's "The Astronomer", I wanted to see what else he had written. Goldstone has a master's touch with historical fiction. He puts enough real facts into his books, that though you know you're reading fiction, it feels like you are actually "in" the story. This particular book deals with murder most foul, by a doctor, in a back-alley abortion, in 1889. Some of the characters are actual historical figures, which lends more credibility to the story, in my opinion. The characters are well-written, the plot is suspenseful, and quickly paced. If historical fiction is your thing, you shouldn't miss any of Mr. Goldstone's books.
January 22, 2015
Efraim Carroll is a young doctor/researcher in Philadelphia in the late 19th century, when surgical procedures, anesthetism, illegal abortions, and autopsies as a way of understanding the human body are just beginning. This was a supremely interesting time, and the story, in which a murdered body eventually shows up, was well worth reading. Thanks to Shomeret for the recommendation.
May 17, 2008
This was an entertaining read, but I found the factual bits about the history of medicine (especially at Johns Hopkins)more interesting than the actual plot. If I didn't already know of the actual doctors, I might not have found the book as interesting.
April 16, 2011
Almost a five-star. Mystery intertwined with history of medicine. Great mix!
January 11, 2018
Meh. Slow moving but interesting in topic and description. Good writing but the story was a little predictable.
April 26, 2023
I honestly loved this book. I went in blindly, finding it at the library and finding the synopsis intriguing. Maybe it's my lack of passion for historical fiction, but the fact that this book managed to get my attention and keep my intrigue, was unexpected.
I really became attached to all of the characters, despite most of their period-related ignorance and apathy. The author did a great job, in my opinion, of making most of them at least worthy of some sympathy. I find that in some historical fiction, authors tend to dehumanize the real-life people in the story. In this book, though, I had a great time fact-checking the claims in the book and reading up on the character's real-life counterparts.
As far as the plot goes, the mystery wasn't too special. A lot of it was predictable, which isn't necessarily bad! I still enjoyed watching our MC unravel the bloody mystery despite me already having the most of it figured out. There was also some great emotion in the book. There were some parts, specifically in the end and the epilogue, that made me quite emotional. Philosophical questions were raised, and the brutal fact of one's own mortality was presented bluntly.
Above all else, I loved Goldstone's writing style. He had such beautiful writing, and everything flowed so nice. I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue, and could appreciate how much research must have gone into the writing of the book.
But, with all pros come supporting cons, and this book is not free of them.
The biggest part of the story that bothered me was how objectified the women were. Granted, this could very well be a period-related commentary, but nontheless it was irritating. Our MC, Doctor Carroll, was maybe the worst when it came to this. He throws away his love interest at even the mention of another, and his objectification is VERY apparent. I'm hoping this was a commentary, and we weren't meant to sympathize with Carroll in these situations.
Another flaw is the pacing. I feel like some parts of the book could have moved faster, other parts could have slowed down, but nonetheless the book is brilliant.
I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes a good macabre mystery. The atmosphere is amazing, very grisly and gothic. Gives me Sweeny Todd vibes. As someone who wouldn't consider myself a 'fan' of historical fiction, I couldn't put this book down. Try it out!
I really became attached to all of the characters, despite most of their period-related ignorance and apathy. The author did a great job, in my opinion, of making most of them at least worthy of some sympathy. I find that in some historical fiction, authors tend to dehumanize the real-life people in the story. In this book, though, I had a great time fact-checking the claims in the book and reading up on the character's real-life counterparts.
As far as the plot goes, the mystery wasn't too special. A lot of it was predictable, which isn't necessarily bad! I still enjoyed watching our MC unravel the bloody mystery despite me already having the most of it figured out. There was also some great emotion in the book. There were some parts, specifically in the end and the epilogue, that made me quite emotional. Philosophical questions were raised, and the brutal fact of one's own mortality was presented bluntly.
Above all else, I loved Goldstone's writing style. He had such beautiful writing, and everything flowed so nice. I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue, and could appreciate how much research must have gone into the writing of the book.
But, with all pros come supporting cons, and this book is not free of them.
The biggest part of the story that bothered me was how objectified the women were. Granted, this could very well be a period-related commentary, but nontheless it was irritating. Our MC, Doctor Carroll, was maybe the worst when it came to this. He throws away his love interest at even the mention of another, and his objectification is VERY apparent. I'm hoping this was a commentary, and we weren't meant to sympathize with Carroll in these situations.
Another flaw is the pacing. I feel like some parts of the book could have moved faster, other parts could have slowed down, but nonetheless the book is brilliant.
I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes a good macabre mystery. The atmosphere is amazing, very grisly and gothic. Gives me Sweeny Todd vibes. As someone who wouldn't consider myself a 'fan' of historical fiction, I couldn't put this book down. Try it out!
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