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brendadiaz's review against another edition
3.0
Binged listened to the audiobook for book club (I have terrible time management skills)
I’m not really into mystery books so I had to force myself to get into it
I’m not really into mystery books so I had to force myself to get into it
boggsyroo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
It was definitely a 5-star read for me. It had just the right amount of intrigue and suspense to keep me interested. At one point I thought I had figured out how the book was going to end but then the author threw a curveball and it took a totally different turn I'm normally not one for the changing POVs in a book but here, it was done right. I really like being able to hear how a character's mindset changed about another for the better. There was also a good look into the fight for women's equality in 1875 and how people of different classes were treated. If you like historical fiction, and mysteries, this is a good one.
gigilandx7's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
madele's review
There is too much historical in this historical fiction. It's just lecturing me about medicine in the 19th century
the_liberalafrican16's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was an interesting story as historical thrillers go. It was inspirational to read about the women’s college and female doctors defying the restrictions placed on them in a time where women’s rights were constantly suppressed. There were some chapters that seemed rushed specially towards the end but all in all it was a pretty decent story. Not much of a twist because it’s obvious, who the primary figures are and who the main person behind the mystery was. I think overall it was a decent story- it didn’t blow me away but it was educational with the historical component and a fairly interesting plot.
rusereviews's review against another edition
4.0
(3.5 stars, rounded up)
Murder By Degrees by Ritu Mukerji is a debut historical cozy mystery featuring a pioneering woman doctor in the 1870s. The audiobook is narrated by Gabra Zackman.
In 1875 Philadelphia, Dr. Lydia Weston is gearing up to teach her students at the start of a new term. When a body is dredged out of the Schuylkill River, the death is initially deemed a suicide. Lydia is suspicious as she knew the young woman in question, and inserts herself into the investigation.
This is a solid debut and I'm definitely interested in continuing on with the series, should more books be published. All of the characters (even secondary ones) are well developed. Even though I figured out part of the mystery, I enjoyed the plot and pacing.
One of the strengths of this book is the fact that our heroine Lydia allies herself with detectives Volcker and Davies to assist in the investigation, instead of trying to do it all by herself. They are a good team, and are able to throw spaghetti at the wall pretty well between them.
Another strength is the description of the medical classes and clinic work that Lydia performs, as the author, Ritu Mukerji, is a doctor in real life. She was a medical student in Philadelphia, and her knowledge of the city also shines. I especially enjoyed the shout out for the beginnings of the Mütter museum.
This is a time period I'm not too familiar with and it was interesting to see that slice of life.
CW: murder, description of surgery, classism, misogyny, abduction
I received a copy of this book to review. Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the paperback ARC and Simon Audio (via LibroFM) for the audiobook. All opinions contained herein are my own.
If you want to see more from me, check out my blog, Bookstagram, TheStoryGraph, Bluesky, Facebook or Twitter.
Murder By Degrees by Ritu Mukerji is a debut historical cozy mystery featuring a pioneering woman doctor in the 1870s. The audiobook is narrated by Gabra Zackman.
In 1875 Philadelphia, Dr. Lydia Weston is gearing up to teach her students at the start of a new term. When a body is dredged out of the Schuylkill River, the death is initially deemed a suicide. Lydia is suspicious as she knew the young woman in question, and inserts herself into the investigation.
This is a solid debut and I'm definitely interested in continuing on with the series, should more books be published. All of the characters (even secondary ones) are well developed. Even though I figured out part of the mystery, I enjoyed the plot and pacing.
One of the strengths of this book is the fact that our heroine Lydia allies herself with detectives Volcker and Davies to assist in the investigation, instead of trying to do it all by herself. They are a good team, and are able to throw spaghetti at the wall pretty well between them.
Another strength is the description of the medical classes and clinic work that Lydia performs, as the author, Ritu Mukerji, is a doctor in real life. She was a medical student in Philadelphia, and her knowledge of the city also shines. I especially enjoyed the shout out for the beginnings of the Mütter museum.
This is a time period I'm not too familiar with and it was interesting to see that slice of life.
CW: murder, description of surgery, classism, misogyny, abduction
I received a copy of this book to review. Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the paperback ARC and Simon Audio (via LibroFM) for the audiobook. All opinions contained herein are my own.
If you want to see more from me, check out my blog, Bookstagram, TheStoryGraph, Bluesky, Facebook or Twitter.
mayafwood's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
timgrubbs's review against another edition
4.0
A historical mystery utilizing a female doctor as one of the lead investigators…
Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji is a debut mystery novel set in the 1870s…
In the aftermath of the American civil war with the United States on the verge of change…a murder occurs…drawing in Philadelphia detectives and a female doctor to consult on the body…
Unfortunately one mystery soon becomes two…as the stakes start to grow in a mystery that involves revenge, infidelity, poisoning, and poetry!!!
The world is on the verge of change as it approaches the end of the 19th century, but the reasons for cold blooded murder have not…
Fine little story that could have probably had more medical scenes…
Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji is a debut mystery novel set in the 1870s…
In the aftermath of the American civil war with the United States on the verge of change…a murder occurs…drawing in Philadelphia detectives and a female doctor to consult on the body…
Unfortunately one mystery soon becomes two…as the stakes start to grow in a mystery that involves revenge, infidelity, poisoning, and poetry!!!
The world is on the verge of change as it approaches the end of the 19th century, but the reasons for cold blooded murder have not…
Fine little story that could have probably had more medical scenes…