What a story! Although a follow-up to THE GILDED HOUR (released in 2015), this could be read as a standalone, though I'd definitely not recommend it. Indeed it is captivating and mesmerizing in its scope and depth of life in New York City in 1884. The hefty novel (670 pages) is great historical fiction and focuses on two very strong women, the Drs. Anna and Sophie Savard, cousins who are two of the few practicing women physicians during this time period. Related through a very complicated bloodline, Anna is white and Sophie is mulatto, and their family tree is as diverse as can be imagined. Their relationship to their huge family is so complex that it requires a section in the front of the book listing all the primary characters! You may need to refer to it especially if you haven't read the first book. Regardless, the author is very adept at explanations and detail to help keep them straight.
The novel begins with Dr. Sophie Savard Verhoeven's return to New York after accompanying her husband, Peter (Cap), to Switzerland where he died of tuberculosis. She has kept up with her extended family though many letters during her absence, and comes back to claim her husband's estate and to, hopefully, establish a scholarship program for "colored girls who want to study medicine." Sophie, a specialist in gynecology, quickly reconnects with her cousin, Dr. Anna Savard Mezzanote -- physician and surgeon -- who has married Detective Sergeant Mezzanote of the New York Police. In no time at all, Sophie and Anna, along with Jack and his partner DS Oscar Maroney, become embroiled in a mystery that seems to have a link to a case that stymied them in the first book, the unsolved Multipara Homicides. Nine different women sought out illegal operations (abortions) and were essentially murdered by whomever performed the procedure; the deaths of these women were intentional. The perpetrator was never caught or convicted though Jack and Oscar have their suspicions. When another victim turns up in the morgue showing signs of imprisonment and torture, Jack, Oscar, Sophie and Anna step up their investigation. Meanwhile, there are many family dramas and other activities to keep them all very busy. NO SPOILERS
I really enjoyed this book and it took me far longer than usual to read because I savored every page and kept rereading certain parts. I love historical fiction, especially if it has anything medical in it, and there was so much within the narrative to provide the descriptiveness and information that I crave. I loved the characters and their quirks -- there's nothing like a large family to add some spice and flavor to a story. It's a great saga and I hope that there will be another book to follow as I still have a huge interest in them all and want to know more. Any fan of a good mystery cloaked in historical detail will be completely engrossed. It can't be over!
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishers for this e-book ARC to savor and review. Don't miss it!
This is a sequel to THE GILDED HOUR and is meant to be read after finishing that one.
Genre - historical fiction, family saga, mystery
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