sergek94's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
During a tumultuous time in France, a young lady was found brutally murdered in an alleyway corner in the city, with her stomach cut wide-open, and her insides sprawled out. No one cares about this woman, because she is one of the many prostitutes in the city who are looked down upon by the general population. What makes this murder quite peculiar is that there were no signs of struggle on her body. Could it be that this was not a murder, but an illegal abortion procedure gone wrong? Or is there something much darker behind this lady's death?
Madeleine Karno is tasked by the police force to try and solve this mystery. She is an astute detective who is highly observant and analytical, who has a masterful knowledge of human anatomy. Not only that, but she is the first female to have been accepted as a student at a university in her city. Madeleine has a lot to prove, living in a society that is misogynistic and discriminatory towards women. To top it all off, she also has to struggle with the fact that the man she is engaged with is bisexual, and one of his previous male lovers is back in the picture and is extremely hostile towards Madeleine.
More than the mystery aspect of this novel, I appreciated Madeleine's storyline regarding her willingness to break gender norms and to prove herself as an equal to men in the highly masculine space of academia. Additionally, the novel is full of interesting information on the anatomy of human beings and animals, such as octopuses. The author has done good research on the topics she wrote about, and this is an intellectually stimulating read.
The mystery aspect of the novel was alright, but nothing spectacular in my opinion. We can easily guess who the culprit is in my opinion, and the reveal at the end wasn't something that really moved me, though it was still done decently enough.
I would recommend this novel if you're interested in reading about an intelligent and astute woman trying to make it in 19th century France, even if the mystery portion itself isn't very grabbing.
3 stars.
“If Mama had lived, ... I hope she would have supported and approved of her daughter’s ambitions to accomplish something in this life. She taught me to read when I was five years old. If she knew what I was doing now, if she knew that I had been accepted at the university—the university , Papa—don’t you think she would have been just a little bit proud?”
Madeleine Karno is tasked by the police force to try and solve this mystery. She is an astute detective who is highly observant and analytical, who has a masterful knowledge of human anatomy. Not only that, but she is the first female to have been accepted as a student at a university in her city. Madeleine has a lot to prove, living in a society that is misogynistic and discriminatory towards women. To top it all off, she also has to struggle with the fact that the man she is engaged with is bisexual, and one of his previous male lovers is back in the picture and is extremely hostile towards Madeleine.
More than the mystery aspect of this novel, I appreciated Madeleine's storyline regarding her willingness to break gender norms and to prove herself as an equal to men in the highly masculine space of academia. Additionally, the novel is full of interesting information on the anatomy of human beings and animals, such as octopuses. The author has done good research on the topics she wrote about, and this is an intellectually stimulating read.
The mystery aspect of the novel was alright, but nothing spectacular in my opinion. We can easily guess who the culprit is in my opinion, and the reveal at the end wasn't something that really moved me, though it was still done decently enough.
I would recommend this novel if you're interested in reading about an intelligent and astute woman trying to make it in 19th century France, even if the mystery portion itself isn't very grabbing.
3 stars.
“If Mama had lived, ... I hope she would have supported and approved of her daughter’s ambitions to accomplish something in this life. She taught me to read when I was five years old. If she knew what I was doing now, if she knew that I had been accepted at the university—the university , Papa—don’t you think she would have been just a little bit proud?”
vynna's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
I really enjoyed this book up until the last 80 or so pages. The conclusion was unsatisfying and everything was wrapped up too quickly and neatly. Some of the later decisions made by characters didn’t make sense to me and their actions seemed quite contradictory to their beliefs. The plot loses its mystery pretty fast and it’s obvious who is guilty within the first 100 pages, so it’s just a matter of finding out their motive. However, I enjoyed reading about the main character and her experience as a woman seeking an education in the nineteenth century as well as finding her place in a male dominated society. I think her interactions with other characters were lacking, but she shone while doing her own independent sleuthing. This book definitely lost its thrill the longer it went on, but I still enjoyed reading it and was eager to know how the story would play out. Despite my disappointment with the ending, it was a worthwhile read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Murder, Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Medical trauma
thirs's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
leighymn's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book so much... until the last third of the book. Loved the LGBTQ representation, especially is this 1800's historical fiction and how the main character was problematic as hell about it but the book was super aware of it. There was no chemistry at all between MC and August though, let's be real. I thought there was tons of mystery and intrigue for the first 100 or so pages but then it took too many left turns for me. Don't get me wrong it was interesting but the main character often fell flat and felt unlikeable to me. The twists felt rushed and the conclusion to the mystery seemed to be decided too early and I don't know. I loved the Author's voice, I'll definitely check out her other novels.
radioactve_piano's review against another edition
4.0
What a fun "fun read"! I picked it up as a side read, and was pleasantly surprised at how brainy it is. A stretch of a character, but believable! Thoroughly enjoyable writing, and engaging storyline (and subplots).
jennybeastie's review against another edition
4.0
Delighted with a new Madeleine Karno mystery -- still gory, still medicinally focused, still psychologically intense. I'm also really enjoying the portrait of the time period. I'm a little puzzled at the ramifications of the ending, given Madeleine's thoughtful aversion to motherhood, and am deeply interested to see where the series goes next, if the series continues.
Also, urgh, vivisection.
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
Also, urgh, vivisection.
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
reneethelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
*the publisher provides an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
As a history nerd I really appreciated the historical details in this. This turn-of-the-20th-century time period is one of my favorites to read and study. Kaaberbøl includes key components of the time period like xenophobia, nationalism, militarism, and eugenics. She particularly articulates the views and processes of prostitution. France like many western countries was in the midst of reform movements whereby middle class reformers sought to improve their countries and standards of living. Some of these movement were extremely beneficial to society, such as city sanitation, more healthcare services for women and children, education and worker's rights, etc. We still live with the benefits of these reform movements. However, there were other questionable movements such as the regulation of prostitution. In some respects it can be argued that this benefited the prostitutes by decriminalizing it and creating mandatory health examinations to prevent the spread of infectious disease. Though the intentions may have good (and you know that they say about the road to hell) in practice the regulation of prostitution - and women's bodies - was rife with class prejudice and racism. I think the author does an admirable job at accurately portraying that in her novel. Moreover, one of the characters is bisexual. Kaaberbøl also accurately portrays the consequences of being "outed" as well as the unfortunate classification of same-sex sexual relations as a "degenerate" or "deviant" behavior in the medical and emerging field of psychology. So, in my opinion, the author handled complex historical material with a deft hand!
Though I applaud the author's historical accuracy, a few things fell short in this novel, at least for me! I think the story was bogged down by the minutiae of the heroine's daily life and did not provide enough investigation. I enjoyed the dynamics of Madeleine Karno's experience as the first female student at her university as well as her relationship with her fiancé, I would have liked a stronger focus on how our heroine was uniquely equipped to solve this crime. Additionally, the ending is a classic deus ex machina. I think the ending is what really curbed my enthusiasm for the novel. Without revealing details, it all seemed a little convenient and neatly wrapped up for my taste.
As a history nerd I really appreciated the historical details in this. This turn-of-the-20th-century time period is one of my favorites to read and study. Kaaberbøl includes key components of the time period like xenophobia, nationalism, militarism, and eugenics. She particularly articulates the views and processes of prostitution. France like many western countries was in the midst of reform movements whereby middle class reformers sought to improve their countries and standards of living. Some of these movement were extremely beneficial to society, such as city sanitation, more healthcare services for women and children, education and worker's rights, etc. We still live with the benefits of these reform movements. However, there were other questionable movements such as the regulation of prostitution. In some respects it can be argued that this benefited the prostitutes by decriminalizing it and creating mandatory health examinations to prevent the spread of infectious disease. Though the intentions may have good (and you know that they say about the road to hell) in practice the regulation of prostitution - and women's bodies - was rife with class prejudice and racism. I think the author does an admirable job at accurately portraying that in her novel. Moreover, one of the characters is bisexual. Kaaberbøl also accurately portrays the consequences of being "outed" as well as the unfortunate classification of same-sex sexual relations as a "degenerate" or "deviant" behavior in the medical and emerging field of psychology. So, in my opinion, the author handled complex historical material with a deft hand!
Though I applaud the author's historical accuracy, a few things fell short in this novel, at least for me! I think the story was bogged down by the minutiae of the heroine's daily life and did not provide enough investigation. I enjoyed the dynamics of Madeleine Karno's experience as the first female student at her university as well as her relationship with her fiancé, I would have liked a stronger focus on how our heroine was uniquely equipped to solve this crime. Additionally, the ending is a classic deus ex machina. I think the ending is what really curbed my enthusiasm for the novel. Without revealing details, it all seemed a little convenient and neatly wrapped up for my taste.
raoionna's review against another edition
3.0
Wonderful female protagonist who is the daughter of a coroner
vnesting's review against another edition
4.0
Madeleine is a bright young woman who wants to pursue a career in forensic pathology. If she succeeds, she will be the first woman in France to do so. She already assists her father in doing autopsies, and her curiosity is piqued when a young woman is found with unusual abdominal incisions. Does France have its own Jack the Ripper-style killer?
From the opening scene, this latest Madeleine Karno mystery is a tension-filled and absorbing listen. The narrator effectively draws listeners into Madeleine's life in 1894 France, and manages both the voices and pacing perfectly.
Highly recommended.
From the opening scene, this latest Madeleine Karno mystery is a tension-filled and absorbing listen. The narrator effectively draws listeners into Madeleine's life in 1894 France, and manages both the voices and pacing perfectly.
Highly recommended.
libmiko's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Bit heavy-handed, but I can’t help admiring Madeleine Karno.