I love the discovery of a debut novel. Patrice McDonough’s Murder by Lamplight is a fast-paced, fascinating historical mystery set in Victorian England in 1866. It features two protagonists who have been through rough times. Despite their differences, they’re able to work together as a team to uncover a surprising serial killer.
Dr. Julia Lewis went to medical school in Philadelphia, one of the few places to teach women. Now, she’s one of Britain’s first female physicians, in practice with her grandfather. Inspector Richard Tennant is a Crimean War veteran, now with Scotland Yard. He’s appalled when Dr. Julia Lewis shows up at his crime scene when he was expecting her grandfather. The victim is a clergyman, “The Saint of Spitalfields”.
Dr. Lewis has to work “harder than any man”, but she knows what she’s doing, even at the crime scene. Tennant successfully solved the “Railway Murders”, but, this current case leaves him stymied, and notes from the killer tease him that he hanged the wrong man for the “Railway Murders”. He needs the medical advice Dr. Julia Lewis can provide.
As the deaths pile up, as the newspaper and the killer taunt the police, they’re led first in one direction, and then the other. How are the victims selected? What do they have in common?
McDonough doesn’t write like a debut author. Through Dr. Julia Lewis’ eyes, she exposes the poverty-stricken and working class neighborhoods of Victorian London, the sections affected by cholera, typhus, and other diseases. Although the Lewis family has money, Julia Lewis sees the streets of London through a doctor’s eys, and McDonough allows the reader to see that as well.
With two well-developed characters, a fascinating setting, and a surprising killer, I’m hoping Murder by Lamplight launches a new series.
Patrice McDonough’s website is https://www.patricemcdonough1789.com/
Murder by Lamplight by Patrice McDonough. Kensington, 2024. ISBN 9781496746368 (hardcover), 336p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley from NetGalley in order to review the book for a journal.
I wonder if the overlap with Rita Mukerji’s recent book is just a coincidence or the beginning of a trend? Possibly that medical school in Philadelphia will be leading to more historical mysteries.
I wondered the same thing, MM, since I read them so close together in time. Both are excellent books.
Thanks for the review.
Shout out to the Clark County public library having the ebook available already. Although I do have a couple of other books to finish first.
Oh, I always like a shout out to a library!
This one sounds very good and I’ll look for it. Funny that the first thing I noticed was the last names of the protagonists – Lewis and Tennant. Can you tell that I have watched and do watch a lot of British crime shows? Robbie Lewis and Jane Tennant – ha!
David Tennant for me, Kay! It was very good.
OK, I messed up. Jane Tennant is the character on NCIS Hawaii. It’s Helen Mirran’s Jane Tennison I’m thinking of. And David Tennant is also good, Lesa. 🙂
Looks really good!
It is, Carol.
This looks good Lesa. Looking for a copy now.
Since today is release day, and it’s a debut author, I hope you can find it, Susan.
Just found it on Hoopla! My lucky day.
I hope you enjoy it!