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Sinclair
Edinburgh surgeon, James Sinclair is prepared to give up his family and the woman he loves to make his fortune with East India Company but when things don’t go to plan he is forced to start his life anew. Returning to London Sinclair finds himself torn between the love of two women - the young and attractive widow Charlotte Leadam the owner of the Tooley Street apothecary shop and the vivacious and clever Iona McNeal.
Thus begins the Tales of Tooley Street, a heart-warming and gripping saga about a family of apothecary surgeons in 18th century London. Set against the corruption and greed of the East India Company and the development of the medical profession in Georgian London this story of love and friendship has a cast of characters that will imprint themselves onto your heart forever.
Thus begins the Tales of Tooley Street, a heart-warming and gripping saga about a family of apothecary surgeons in 18th century London. Set against the corruption and greed of the East India Company and the development of the medical profession in Georgian London this story of love and friendship has a cast of characters that will imprint themselves onto your heart forever.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
464 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2017
3 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
About the author
Julia Herdman
3 books25 followershttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Sinclair-Too...
I’ve always liked talking about things nice girls shouldn’t mention in polite conversation – politics, religion, sex and money. I studied history at university because of it.
In my early teens I was devouring Jean Plaidy and Winston Graham novels by the dozen. At university I moved onto first hand testimony including the Roman classics, Norse sagas and the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
Now my interest and inspiration is in the development of the urban middle class, particularly the development of the medical profession in Edinburgh and London.
My Tales of Tooley Street series is inspired by a real family of Apothecary Surgeons, the Leadams, who lived and worked there from the late 18th century to the mid 19th century.
https://juliaherdman.com/books/
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 31, 2017
Sinclair, Tales of Tooley Street Vol. 1 by Julia Herdman is historical fiction and a twisting love story set in Georgian England, a setting I’ve come to enjoy from the mysteries written by William Savage. The author did not disappoint with this first outing, and I look forward to more from her.
Sinclair begins with two disparate story lines. Edinburgh surgeon, James Sinclair, is leaving England and his beloved, a woman he feels is out of his reach in society, to make his fortune with the East India Company. As a surgeon, Sinclair was educated in a medical school in Edinburgh, learning to perform surgeries, and trained in obstetrics. The ship on which he sails runs into a ferocious storm and founders on the English coast. Only he and Captain Greenwood, who is overseeing a company of British soldiers deployed to India, survive the shipwreck. Both return to London shaken and adrift in their lives, both needing to find a way to support themselves.
The second story line begins in a Yorkshire farmhouse, where John Leadam and his mother, Charlotte, are mourning the sudden death of Christopher Leadam, a surgeon at Guy’s Hospital in London who, together with his wife, ran an apothecary on Tooley Street. Apothecaries at that time were not legal practitioners of medicine but had the drugs to treat people who could not afford a physician. Charlotte, as a woman, could not continue to run the apothecary without the onsite presence of a physician. John was his father’s apprentice, hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps. Now their lives were also adrift. Charlotte has no idea how she will support herself and her son, other than moving back into her parents’ upper class home. She dreads being married off by her mother, who disapproved of her deceased husband, to a wealthy, older man.
Gradually the lives of Charlotte, John, and Sinclair begin to interweave, brought together by Charlotte’s brother-in-law, who happens to be Sinclair’s lawyer. The book is interesting on many different levels: the plight of women and their utter dependence on men in Georgian society; the practice of medicine at the time; social customs; and the growing attraction between Charlotte and Sinclair and their off-again, on-again relationship. The author does not shirk from some of the more distasteful details of Sinclair’s dalliances nor the results of typically unprotected sex: disease or pregnancy and death.
There are many colorful characters to draw the reader, and the author does a perfect job making them memorable. The historical background is wonderfully detailed, as is the medical scene in London, evidence of the author’s interest in the medicine of the time. There are love affairs with twists and turns, villains and saviors, passion and politics – in short, everything needed for a great read.
The author was inspired to begin writing The Tales of Tooley Street series by a real family of apothecary surgeons, the Leadams, who lived and worked in London there from the late 18th century to the mid- 19th century.
I highly recommend this book: five stars.
Sinclair begins with two disparate story lines. Edinburgh surgeon, James Sinclair, is leaving England and his beloved, a woman he feels is out of his reach in society, to make his fortune with the East India Company. As a surgeon, Sinclair was educated in a medical school in Edinburgh, learning to perform surgeries, and trained in obstetrics. The ship on which he sails runs into a ferocious storm and founders on the English coast. Only he and Captain Greenwood, who is overseeing a company of British soldiers deployed to India, survive the shipwreck. Both return to London shaken and adrift in their lives, both needing to find a way to support themselves.
The second story line begins in a Yorkshire farmhouse, where John Leadam and his mother, Charlotte, are mourning the sudden death of Christopher Leadam, a surgeon at Guy’s Hospital in London who, together with his wife, ran an apothecary on Tooley Street. Apothecaries at that time were not legal practitioners of medicine but had the drugs to treat people who could not afford a physician. Charlotte, as a woman, could not continue to run the apothecary without the onsite presence of a physician. John was his father’s apprentice, hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps. Now their lives were also adrift. Charlotte has no idea how she will support herself and her son, other than moving back into her parents’ upper class home. She dreads being married off by her mother, who disapproved of her deceased husband, to a wealthy, older man.
Gradually the lives of Charlotte, John, and Sinclair begin to interweave, brought together by Charlotte’s brother-in-law, who happens to be Sinclair’s lawyer. The book is interesting on many different levels: the plight of women and their utter dependence on men in Georgian society; the practice of medicine at the time; social customs; and the growing attraction between Charlotte and Sinclair and their off-again, on-again relationship. The author does not shirk from some of the more distasteful details of Sinclair’s dalliances nor the results of typically unprotected sex: disease or pregnancy and death.
There are many colorful characters to draw the reader, and the author does a perfect job making them memorable. The historical background is wonderfully detailed, as is the medical scene in London, evidence of the author’s interest in the medicine of the time. There are love affairs with twists and turns, villains and saviors, passion and politics – in short, everything needed for a great read.
The author was inspired to begin writing The Tales of Tooley Street series by a real family of apothecary surgeons, the Leadams, who lived and worked in London there from the late 18th century to the mid- 19th century.
I highly recommend this book: five stars.
July 16, 2017
***RECEIVED FROM GOODREADS GIVEAWAY***
The first couple of chapters didn't really grip me right away however once Sinclair had got himself settled into the house at Tooley Street with Charlotte, I found myself enjoying the medical side of the story as well as the relationships between the characters. I didn't like how Sinclair behaves, however, I've read enough books now to know that there has to be some strife in there somewhere for all to be well later on. All in all a good read that is full of well researched historical information.
The first couple of chapters didn't really grip me right away however once Sinclair had got himself settled into the house at Tooley Street with Charlotte, I found myself enjoying the medical side of the story as well as the relationships between the characters. I didn't like how Sinclair behaves, however, I've read enough books now to know that there has to be some strife in there somewhere for all to be well later on. All in all a good read that is full of well researched historical information.
June 28, 2017
Reviewed for Rosie Amber's Review Team
I gave this book 4* on Amazon, which means 'I liked it', as does 3* on Goodreads.
Sinclair is a drama set in the late 18th century, mostly in various areas of London. It beings with the Scottish protagonist, James Sinclair—eager to escape the disapproval of his father yet reluctant to leave the woman he loves—setting sail for India, where he is to take up a post as a physician/surgeon. Alas, he gets no further than Dorset; after violent storms, the ship is wrecked. Sinclair is among the meagre number of survivors, along with the outgoing and friendly Captain Frank Greenwood. Together, they make their way back to London.
Meanwhile, back in Southwark, widow Charlotte Leadam is in great difficulty. Mourning her husband, she faces bankruptcy, and also has to deal with and overpowering and aspirational mother and sister, both eager to run her life.
The novel is extremely well researched, with all sorts of historically interesting snippets, much about the medical practices of the time and plenty of social and domestic detail. The author has a pleasantly readable writing style, and I very much liked the social tittle-tattle and snobbery aspect involving the wives and mothers, which made for some excellent, amusing characterisation.
A slight downside for me was the lack of plot direction; there are many, many characters, and the narrative 'head-hops' constantly between character points of view, of which there are many. There are so many plot diversions and side-plots that it was a bit like reading an 18th century version of The Archers or EastEnders. However, I understand that this is the first in a series, so I'm guessing this is exactly what it is: the continuing story of the colourful characters connected to Tooley Street! All the relationships, possible relationships and social gatherings certainly entertained me, though I kept expecting plot threads to develop into a main storyline, or deepen; certain aspects could have made for interesting reading, such as the corruption within the East India Company, the HMS Bounty, Charlotte's potential bankruptcy, but were only touched upon in passing, with the main storylines remaining domestic. Personal woes for Sinclair and Greenwood do provide more intrigue, and bring some of the other threads together. I liked the last paragraph very much, incidentally.
To sum up, as a 'life and times' sort of work, or an illustration of the period, it's a good example, and, although a bit too 'cosy' and HEA for me, I'd recommend it to lovers of the family saga genre or anyone who likes nicely written, lovingly researched, light historical fiction.
I gave this book 4* on Amazon, which means 'I liked it', as does 3* on Goodreads.
Sinclair is a drama set in the late 18th century, mostly in various areas of London. It beings with the Scottish protagonist, James Sinclair—eager to escape the disapproval of his father yet reluctant to leave the woman he loves—setting sail for India, where he is to take up a post as a physician/surgeon. Alas, he gets no further than Dorset; after violent storms, the ship is wrecked. Sinclair is among the meagre number of survivors, along with the outgoing and friendly Captain Frank Greenwood. Together, they make their way back to London.
Meanwhile, back in Southwark, widow Charlotte Leadam is in great difficulty. Mourning her husband, she faces bankruptcy, and also has to deal with and overpowering and aspirational mother and sister, both eager to run her life.
The novel is extremely well researched, with all sorts of historically interesting snippets, much about the medical practices of the time and plenty of social and domestic detail. The author has a pleasantly readable writing style, and I very much liked the social tittle-tattle and snobbery aspect involving the wives and mothers, which made for some excellent, amusing characterisation.
A slight downside for me was the lack of plot direction; there are many, many characters, and the narrative 'head-hops' constantly between character points of view, of which there are many. There are so many plot diversions and side-plots that it was a bit like reading an 18th century version of The Archers or EastEnders. However, I understand that this is the first in a series, so I'm guessing this is exactly what it is: the continuing story of the colourful characters connected to Tooley Street! All the relationships, possible relationships and social gatherings certainly entertained me, though I kept expecting plot threads to develop into a main storyline, or deepen; certain aspects could have made for interesting reading, such as the corruption within the East India Company, the HMS Bounty, Charlotte's potential bankruptcy, but were only touched upon in passing, with the main storylines remaining domestic. Personal woes for Sinclair and Greenwood do provide more intrigue, and bring some of the other threads together. I liked the last paragraph very much, incidentally.
To sum up, as a 'life and times' sort of work, or an illustration of the period, it's a good example, and, although a bit too 'cosy' and HEA for me, I'd recommend it to lovers of the family saga genre or anyone who likes nicely written, lovingly researched, light historical fiction.
July 3, 2017
After a surfeit of Tudor novels, my preferred era for historical fiction is the Victorian age, but I am beginning to discover the rich seam of social life, politics and sexual tension in the Georgian age.
In Julia Herdmans’ novel, we meet Edinburgh surgeon James Sinclair leaving his unhappy life in Edinburgh for a rewarding future with the East India Company. Luckily for the reader he is thwarted in this plan and instead takes a partnership in a surgeon/apothecary business in south London. The story reveals the suffering of so many patients in those days and the sometimes unhelpful remedies provided. Sinclair is a caring, astute doctor who does his best for his patients and trains his apprentices well, but he is somewhat inadequate in his understanding of women.
There are several other fascinating characters in this novel, particularly Charlotte Leadam, recently widowed and struggling to survive without entering into an unhappy, pecuniary marriage. As the plot progresses the families of Charlotte and Sinclair become enmeshed and his selfish behaviour threatens them all. Against the background of the social life of London, Yorkshire and Edinburgh the story tells of evil doings and generous spirits.
This is the first book of a family saga and its satisfying conclusion, though possibly too perfect, sets the scene for more interesting developments in a following volume. This was a book I opened each evening with great interest as I got to know this talented, enigmatic man and hoped that he would sort out his life.
In Julia Herdmans’ novel, we meet Edinburgh surgeon James Sinclair leaving his unhappy life in Edinburgh for a rewarding future with the East India Company. Luckily for the reader he is thwarted in this plan and instead takes a partnership in a surgeon/apothecary business in south London. The story reveals the suffering of so many patients in those days and the sometimes unhelpful remedies provided. Sinclair is a caring, astute doctor who does his best for his patients and trains his apprentices well, but he is somewhat inadequate in his understanding of women.
There are several other fascinating characters in this novel, particularly Charlotte Leadam, recently widowed and struggling to survive without entering into an unhappy, pecuniary marriage. As the plot progresses the families of Charlotte and Sinclair become enmeshed and his selfish behaviour threatens them all. Against the background of the social life of London, Yorkshire and Edinburgh the story tells of evil doings and generous spirits.
This is the first book of a family saga and its satisfying conclusion, though possibly too perfect, sets the scene for more interesting developments in a following volume. This was a book I opened each evening with great interest as I got to know this talented, enigmatic man and hoped that he would sort out his life.
April 16, 2017
I enjoyed "Sinclair" very much. It's fast-paced, and the characters are well-drawn and believable.
And I always enjoy historical fiction where a few real-life people turn up, even as minor characters.
This is definitely a good read!
And I always enjoy historical fiction where a few real-life people turn up, even as minor characters.
This is definitely a good read!
February 17, 2018
I must admit that I truly love a good historical fiction and that I found it in reading Sinclair. Scottish Dr. James Sinclair is a wonderful lead character along with the widow Charlotte and her son John. Add in some "colourful" characters to the mix that give flavour to the story and a plot that starts aboard a ship bound for India, involves a shipwreck and moves along to practicing medicine in Georgian London (another selling point for me). A good dose of romance and a well researched historical background round this story out. I couldn't help but love this book and I'm looking forward to the next one!
August 1, 2017
I really enjoyed reading Sinclair , and I am really looking forward to Vol 2. I definitely recommend it.
April 4, 2018
After a bland diet of chick-lit, to while away time during convalescence, I started 'Sinclair'. My convalescence was transformed. I may not have liked all the characters to begin with, but they were undeniably human and, after a time, I found I cared very much what happened to them. And a lot did happen to them in a strange and beautifully-evoked world. Fascinating.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews