Review: Murder by Degrees

 Dr. Lydia Weston is beginning the new term at Woman’s Medical College in 1875 Philadelphia. She has a thriving medical practice and teaches aspiring female doctors. One of her patients, a young maid, fails to show up for an appointment, and Lydia soon finds herself caught up in the disappearance of the maid, a murder, and a suspicious death. She is convinced the three things are connected. Working closely with the police she knows she is getting closer to a killer when she is threatened then attacked. It’s a race to find the killer before Lydia becomes the next victim.

Ritu Mukerji’s “Murder by Degrees” is suitably atmospheric, but also explores the challenges women in medicine faced in the 19th century. Though Lydia’s practice is thriving and she is a highly respected professor, she still faces questions about her ability to effectively diagnose and treat patients. She is a confident woman and is bolstered by close friends and confidantes. I hope to see more of Dr. Lydia Weston.

Some of the vocabulary is technical, especially when discussing human anatomy and injuries to the human body.

This book is great for readers who like historical mysteries, historical mysteries in the U.S., or historical mysteries that feature characters from medical fields. "Murder by Degrees" publishes later this month.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.