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clusterofpetals's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
kristinmagoo's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic mystery with wonderful characters who ALL act like real human beings. Can't wait to read the next one
lisas_library_factory's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
blueberry0531's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma
Moderate: Confinement, Death, and Rape
knit_and_purl's review against another edition
As much as I wanted to love it, I just couldn't find my footing with this one. The story sounds right up my alley--mystery, historical, medicine--but the writing was slow and never seemed to get the right momentum. The mystery barely surfaces in the first 80 pages, and although I thought the author did an amazing job capturing the atmosphere of the period, I wanted more. I might try it again another time, but at this moment, this wasn't the book for me.
rita_reads_books's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
roseangel2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Medical trauma
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Miscarriage, Vomit, and Abortion
bmbriar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this mostly in one sitting, and couldn't put it down. As a lover of the hyper-specific genre "woman* in medicine in the Victorian Era also solves crimes", I was excited to find a new series to dive into.
The main strength of this book was its protagonist. Sarah is so well drawn and beautifully flawed while also being incredibly loveable. She also not a very good detective, which was actually quite refreshing to read. The focus is more on her emotional arc than on the actual mystery, but they worked very well in service of each other.
In terms of the mystery itself, there was one element that I thought was drawn out a little too long after it had been made obvious(that Lucy was Professor M's sister) but in terms of the murder itself, I found the reveal satisfying in that I hadn't called it, but everything immediately slotted into place.
I'm already looking forward to reading Sarah's next adventure!
The main strength of this book was its protagonist. Sarah is so well drawn and beautifully flawed while also being incredibly loveable. She also not a very good detective, which was actually quite refreshing to read. The focus is more on her emotional arc than on the actual mystery, but they worked very well in service of each other.
In terms of the mystery itself, there was one element that I thought was drawn out a little too long after it had been made obvious
I'm already looking forward to reading Sarah's next adventure!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Medical content
Moderate: Rape