Donati follows up her Gilded Hour with this sequel. Set in 1884 New York City the story follows the Savard cousins and their extended families. Dr. Anna Savard is glad to have her cousin Sophie back home, but both women are mourning the death of Sophie’s husband. The city is still consumed with the mystery of who committed the brutal murders of multiple women who had been looking for help in ending an unwanted pregnancy. Anna’s husband is a detective on the case and the police are frustrated that they haven’t caught the murderer. The first novel in the Waverly Place series left the case unsolved, as to the identity of the butcher who caused the women’s deaths. Readers will be anxious to learn who was responsible and Donati weaves an intricate tale of mystery that keeps readers in suspense.

This sequel has many of the same beloved characters as the first. The female Savard doctors and their aunts compose one of the close-knit family units. Another is the Mezzanotte family: the parents, siblings and cousins of Anna’s husband Jack. But there are other intriguing characters such as Jack’s detective partner Oscar, who livens up the action. The orphan children who Anna has been fostering, bring warmth and tenderness to the adult setting.

This is a story about women who embody strength of will and character. They dedicate their lives to healing, while facing a number of issues such as racial tension, religious zealotry, anti-feminist attitudes, and intolerance. Given the tensions of today, readers will see contemporary similarities to the problems that these characters faced over a hundred years ago.

The story is rich in plot and in characterization. Donati builds a world of capable women surrounded by loving families. These women will not be cowed by threats and intimidation. They will stand firm for the rights of women and children and fight oppression, cruelty and anyone deliberately causing harm. It doesn’t hurt to have the perfect husband, like Anna has and Sophie had. So these central characters are fortunate to have strong men who encourage them to make the world better and heal those who are hurting. Plus, the women use their intelligence to help crack the mystery of the heinous murders.

This is a wonderful ending to the series that showcases important issues and presents us with family dynamics that are heartwarming and sometimes sad. Donati brings her mystery to a close and the Savard doctors’ stories to a sound conclusion.

Brilliant and absorbing—this book totally transported me away from life and into this historical era with these incredible women. I can’t believe I didn’t know this was the second book to The Gilded Hour, which I haven’t read yet but has been on my tbr for ages. I didn’t realize until after finishing, and though this works as a standalone I do wish I had read them both in order! I have since started reading The Gilded Hour and it is still great reading in reverse order.

Set in the 1880s in New York City, Where the Light Enters centers around the plight of female doctors, who were often discounted in favor of their male counterparts. Women in general had it hard at that time—they weren’t equal citizens with equal rights, the mortality rates during childbirth were high, and a woman finding herself with a pregnancy she can’t or didn’t want had no options. Men held all the power, and women were left to deal with their “sins”, as they say. (Sadly, though nearly 150 years later things are much better in this regard, it is disheartening how far we still have to go in the battle for equality)

Anna and Sophie Savard are cousins who are both trained in medicine and both practice women’s health. As the story picks up, Sophie is grieving the loss of her husband to TB and is planning to use her inheritance to set up funding for women in medicine. Meanwhile Anna is a surgeon who is married to detective Jack Mezzanotte, and the two have recently lost custody of their foster children since the church wants them raised by Catholics (which Anna and Jack are not).

When Jack calls on Anna and Sophie to consult on two of his cases, things take a turn. A banker’s wife has disappeared, and a young woman is found murdered. One thing becomes clear—women are disappearing and there is a killer on the loose.

This is a weighty novel, both in the themes it broaches and in the physical size. At 650 pages, I loved holding this book in my hands. It often felt as though the physical weight was an important manifestation of the important topics of the novel itself. I loved the way it was told through many different types of media. It felt like I had genuine primary source documents interspersed to validate the story, though I realize it is a work of fiction. It felt so real, and I could tell how much research Donati did when writing this. Including letters, formal reports, newspaper articles, and even mundane items from life such as shopping lists really made the book feel authentic. I often forgot it was a work of fiction because everything felt so real.

Themes of race, gender, class, socioeconomic disparity, religion, friendship, family, loss, violence, and equality make this a book that feels like I got so much more out of than a mere novel. Truly outstanding!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my copy. Opinions are my own.

A richly detailed historical novel, set in 1884, centering on two female physicians practicing in New York City, and their interesting extended families. Life has certainly thrown difficult and painful times to the main character Sophie so the title of the book is particularly apt. ‘‘The wound is the place where the light enters you’’, is a beautiful quote by the famous Persian poet, Rumi.
Although this is a follow up to the author's "The Gilded Age", it felt like a stand-alone story, quite satisfying and the multiple story-lines were compelling. (I will have to look for the previous one though). I do love strong female protagonists and this did not disappoint.

Book 2 in the series with Drs. Anna and Sophie Savard in Manhattan in the late 19th century. Sophie's beloved husband has died and she has returned to New York City. Artfully crafted and replete with wonderful descriptions and dialogue, Donati continues to enthrall me in this series as she did with her earlier Wilderness series. The research is impeccable - not because I know anything about life at that time for women physicians, struggling to be heard and acknowledged - but because I know how well and thoroughly she researched and brought to life characters in all of her historical novels. The details of the settings and the characters in this series are meticulous and just flow out so naturally that I felt, during the entire 600+ pages that I was a fly on the wall and literally there, in that time, and in those settings.

There's a mystery too - a real whodunit, and it's fascinating. In fact, every scene was fascinating, from the autopsies to the family interactions between the Savards and their extended families - WHERE THE LIGHT ENTERS is a real treat. I admit, I think I liked it a tiny bit better than THE GILDED HOUR, but by very little- and mostly because I was very interested in how the mystery was going to turn out. And now that I pretty sure know there will be a third in the series, I can't wait! Bravo...

Evocative descriptions, well-drawn characters and a medical/forensic mystery combine to make this a fascinating read. Sophie, a young doctor, is a strong woman of color in a time when this was practically unthinkable. Struggling with grief after the death of her husband, she plunges into her medical cases - and uncovers a diabolical and cunning adversary who is murdering women who seek birth control. Sophie's closest friend is married to a NYC police officer and together they attempt to solve this heinous series of murders.

For those who have read the series Into the Wilderness - Sophie is a descendant. This series - which includes the Gilded Hour and Where the Light Enters - is filled with richly drawn historical flavor and characters, Diana Gabaldon fans should give it a try!

I love this family tale, and Sara Donati's movement through early American history. This newest entry following the descendants of the families introduced in the Endless Forest continues the magic.

The Drs. Savant [Anna and Sophie] are involved in women's health, the killing of pregnant women over a period of time. With Anne's husband, Jack who is a NYC detective, they decipher clues and eventually discover who is the guilty person. Many twists and turns.
Sara Donati's description of life in 1884 is well researched and one is able to visualize NYC in that time period.

When I heard that the next book in Sara Donati's series was being published, I practically raced to NetGalley to find it. I reread "The Gilded Hour," in preparation, and coming right off that novel was the best way to get into this one because all of the story lines were fresh in my mind. Donati falls right back into the world as if it hadn't been four years since we had the pleasure of visiting. Though there is a bit less anticipation/thrill that the first one had since some of the mystery had already been solved in the first novel, it still was a pleasure to learn about what happens to the characters that I fell in love.

I have mixed feelings about this book.

Where the Light Enters was described as a story about two female surgeons in Brooklyn during the late 1800s and an engrossing murder mystery that is being investigated by one of the surgeon's detective husband. Ground-breaking surgeons, early Brooklyn, and a murder mystery...a trifecta of interest for me...only it wasn't.

The murder mystery was intriguing, but the author would meander away from the topic for ages, returning just in time to give me hope of more details and thus keep reading. There were so many characters to follow and drawn out social and irrelevant details that my interest kept wandering. I did not realize it was an epic and a sequel and that explains the lack of initial character development. I didn't learn key descriptions until nearly two-thirds of the way through the book. One thing about a Kindle is unless you look for it, you don't realize how long a book actually is. I trudged through this (600+) page book in hopes of solving the mystery which wrapped up intensely at the very end of the book.

The writing was good, the mystery was interesting, but the social filler left me flat, I think had I read the first book before this, I may have been more prepared for the experience. 3 1/2 stars.

Thanks to the NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Large characters with heart!

I found this tale somewhat difficult to be present with at first. I kept thinking I'd missed something. And I had! The first book! However, in the end that didn't matter. As the story emerged I was swept up into its dynamics.
Opening in 1884 with a series of letters and telegrams between obstetrician Dr. Sophie Savard, in a sanatorium in Switzerland and her family in New York, as her husband Cap battles tuberculosis.
This in effect recaps some of the actions from before and sets up for us some of what is to come.
Dr. Anna Savard is Sophie's cousin, friend and also a doctor. These two are the central axis of the story. As we look into this family I am struck by the powerful women stretching back, including mid wife Aunt Amelie and elder Aunt Quinlan, “Iakoiane ... It means clan mother." (And with that one line for me the mystery behind these women beckoned!) Women of color, strong and independent.
Anna's husband, Detective-Sergeant Jack Mezzanotte, seeks their help with some unusual murders. This in turn opens up dealings from the past that will impact on the present. And introduces us to the gregarious Italian partners in the story.
There are so many interesting characters that trying to pick one out above the rest is like trying to choose that first chocolate from the box.
There is a fascinating moment when these intrepid women struggle to understand the damaged and how out of that wounding darkness flowed. Compassion and horror vie. For the light to enter, the poison to be removed, the wound must be revealed, and our title comes full circle.
I was exhilarated by the way the tension ebbs and flows, runs off into side streams and then thunderously bursts back onto center stage.
This is a work I found powerful and intriguing, with a host of amazing characters that I intend to develop a further relationship with.

A Berkley ARC via NetGalley

The Light Enters is a follow-up to Donati’s previous novel, but stands on its own. The Gilded Hour a beautiful book.

"Where the Light Enters" is an epic historical novel set in 1884 in Manhattan. I didn't realize this continued the story in "The Gilded Hour," which I haven't read. This book thoroughly spoiled events in the previous book, and I'd recommend reading them in order. The first 6% of the story was simply newspaper articles, telegrams, and letters that update the reader on what has been going on with the characters since the end of the previous book. The story then became a narrative, though with some letters and newspaper articles thrown in.

The historical details were interesting and often drove the story, but there were too many story lines going on (including some ongoing from the previous book). It felt like the author wanted to tell too many stories at once. We have the story of Dr. Anna Savard and Dr. Sophie Savard facing prejudice as women doctors (and, in Sophie's case, for also being part Native American). And of Detective-Sergeant Jack Mezzanotte and his partner trying to solve a series of difficult cases. And of everything Sophie has to do to set up house as a widow and to start a scholarship program for colored women who want to become doctors. And the struggles of a young woman who's currently studying to become a doctor. And of each patient they see. And more.

The serial killer case was solved, but it was not the focus of the story until nearly the end and it didn't end in a satisfying way (like in a mystery genre. The killer deserved to hang as the killer made the choice to hurt those who never hurt the killer, but the main characters blamed someone else). There was no graphic sex (as in, 'he kissed her (usually covered body part)' type descriptions). There was a minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to those who really enjoy immersive historical detail and who won't mind the epic length.

Sophie has returned home since her husband succumbed to illness. She plans to open her big house as a safe place for young women to board while schooling. She's an Obstetrician herself and she knows how the men treat the women trying to enter what they consider "their" field. She's friends with Anna, her cousin, who is another doctor. They still have their struggles with some male doctors, but they can stand up for themselves.

Berkley Books invited me to read this book and partipate in the blog tour (thank you). It is being published today.

Anna is married to Jack, a Detective-Sergeant in the police force. He's working on cases he can use the doctor's help on. They have a serial killer who deliver women's babies and slashes them internally so they die in pain. Who could be so fiendish? They have suspects but no proof. They are also looking for a missing woman and hope they have some insight on that.

The women find connections and search for the truth. Their suspect tries to destroy them but the judge doesn't believe her lies.

This is a long story but it kept me glued to the book. There's something happening on every page.

The doctor's discover a woman was the killer and they search for truth. They find it...

This is a chilling story that holds your attention all the way through.

This book is a fantastic example of historical fiction. Donati brings 1884 New York to life. She brings you in to the setting, the political atmosphere and the feel of the time period. The story was beautifully written and well plotted. I enjoyed all of the intertwining story lines. Although this is book two in a series it can easily be read as a stand alone. Don’t be intimidated by the size, 661 pages, the story reads quickly and is hard to put down!

Summary: In 1884, Dr. Sophie Savard returns to New York to throw herself back into work following the death of her husband from tuberculosis. In New York, she is surrounded by friends and family, but also people who would love to see her fail. These are pioneering days for women in medicine and if that wasn’t enough cause for disgust and dislike among her male peers, she is also of mixed race.

Sophie’s husband left her a fortune, which she intends to put to good use by creating a scholarship for women of color to pursue medical careers as well as using her home as a dormitory. Sophie soon realizes that she must find and manage a staff in order to realize her dreams.

Meanwhile, her cousin Anna’s husband, a police officer, is dealing with a series of crimes against pregnant women. The women were murdered when they sought illegal abortions. When a prominent socialite goes missing after speaking to a person of interest in the case, everyone, especially the rumor-mongering press, fears the worst.

Sophie’s extended family faces additional challenges when a young child in their care becomes gravely ill.

Comments: Although Where the Light Enters is the second book in the series, it stands on its own. I read the first book, The Gilded Hour, when it came out in 2015 and loved it as much as this new one. In both novels, the author breathes life into her characters, including many of the more minor ones. I am hoping to get to know some of them better in future books! The historical setting is well-researched and although there are some timeline discrepancies that are spelled out in the author’s notes, they are minor. The pacing of the book is gentle, yet there were enough twists and turns in the plot lines to keep me turning the pages eagerly.

I think Sara Donati has found her writing niche in historical fiction. I read her Wilderness series several years ago. While those are more historical romance, her writing brought the settings and time period to life, foreshadowing her ability to write solid historical fiction. I still remember some of the characters in that series–a rarity for me.

Highly recommended for readers of Historical Fiction and Women’s Fiction. Also recommended for anyone with an interest in the history of women in medicine.

My Rating: 5 STARS

What a story! Although a follow-up to THE GILDED HOUR (released in 2015), this could be read as a standalone, though I'd definitely not recommend it. Indeed it is captivating and mesmerizing in its scope and depth of life in New York City in 1884. The hefty novel (670 pages) is great historical fiction and focuses on two very strong women, the Drs. Anna and Sophie Savard, cousins who are two of the few practicing women physicians during this time period. Related through a very complicated bloodline, Anna is white and Sophie is mulatto, and their family tree is as diverse as can be imagined. Their relationship to their huge family is so complex that it requires a section in the front of the book listing all the primary characters! You may need to refer to it especially if you haven't read the first book. Regardless, the author is very adept at explanations and detail to help keep them straight.

The novel begins with Dr. Sophie Savard Verhoeven's return to New York after accompanying her husband, Peter (Cap), to Switzerland where he died of tuberculosis. She has kept up with her extended family though many letters during her absence, and comes back to claim her husband's estate and to, hopefully, establish a scholarship program for "colored girls who want to study medicine." Sophie, a specialist in gynecology, quickly reconnects with her cousin, Dr. Anna Savard Mezzanote -- physician and surgeon -- who has married Detective Sergeant Mezzanote of the New York Police. In no time at all, Sophie and Anna, along with Jack and his partner DS Oscar Maroney, become embroiled in a mystery that seems to have a link to a case that stymied them in the first book, the unsolved Multipara Homicides. Nine different women sought out illegal operations (abortions) and were essentially murdered by whomever performed the procedure; the deaths of these women were intentional. The perpetrator was never caught or convicted though Jack and Oscar have their suspicions. When another victim turns up in the morgue showing signs of imprisonment and torture, Jack, Oscar, Sophie and Anna step up their investigation. Meanwhile, there are many family dramas and other activities to keep them all very busy. NO SPOILERS

I really enjoyed this book and it took me far longer than usual to read because I savored every page and kept rereading certain parts. I love historical fiction, especially if it has anything medical in it, and there was so much within the narrative to provide the descriptiveness and information that I crave. I loved the characters and their quirks -- there's nothing like a large family to add some spice and flavor to a story. It's a great saga and I hope that there will be another book to follow as I still have a huge interest in them all and want to know more. Any fan of a good mystery cloaked in historical detail will be completely engrossed. It can't be over!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishers for this e-book ARC to savor and review. Don't miss it!

Romance, mystery, historical fiction, this work covers so mmany genres, thus, making it appealing to a diverse audience. Boasting a strong female heroine, Where the Light Enters promises intensity and non-stop action which will grab the reader's interest from beginning to end.

This is the sequel to the book The Gilded Hour. Donati is the author of the wonderful 'Into The Wilderness' series, which is a great recommendation for fans of Diana Gabaldon. This series is a continuation of that series (later generations) and can be read on it's own...but I do suggest that customers read The Gilded Hour before this one. They are set in New York City in the 1880's and deal with the lives of the two main characters, who are cousins and both women doctors. There is a mystery and a lot about the state of women's heath issues during that time. If you are a fan of historical fiction and would like something other than WWII novels, this series is worth a try.

I had some difficulty sinking into Where the Light Enters, but once I did, I was hooked.

It is 1884 and Dr. Sophie Savard is trying to rebuild her life after the death of her husband from tuberculosis. She returns to New York, a wealthy woman, and with the help of her cousin, Anna, who is also a physician, she begins to bring her dreams to fruition.

It is difficult being a woman and a physician in the 1800s. But Sophie is also mixed race, and her dark skin closes a lot of doors. Because of her husband's wealth, their marriage was scandalous, and Sophie wants to keep a low profile and mourn in peace.

There is a lot going on, plot-wise, and I won't tell you all of it. Anna has two "adopted" orphans taken away from her because of religious reasons. Anna's husband, Jack, is a police detective. There is an old case where young, pregnant women were deliberately given botched abortions which resulted in their deaths. This case remains unsolved. Now a couple of new cases of missing persons have been discovered, and another death of a woman under mysterious circumstances. Anna and Sophie are consulted for their medical expertise. There are intermittent, seemingly unrelated, newspaper articles about scandals and crimes throughout the story.

There are many other characters, Aunt Quinlan, Elise (a medical student staying with her), the Lees (housekeepers), and Jack's partner, Oscar, to name a few that complete Where the Light Enters. I thought the depiction of life for women physicians might have made it look a bit too easy. Even though they were dismissed by many, to me they seemed to be more accepted than I would have believed. Money helps, I'm sure. And the stories about disturbing medical procedures, the conditions of orphanages, and depictions of the homeless were, no doubt, startlingly accurate.

Be warned: The first thing in the books is an extensive, four-page list of characters that is quite daunting. Followed by a family tree and a map! I almost put the book down right then. But my approach to these books is to just dig right in. If that list is really necessary, I'll end up putting the book down. In this case, it wasn't needed, so don't fret.

I had a hard time determining where the story was going. What is the main plotline? Is it the police investigations? Is it the orphans that are now staying with a relative of Anna? Is it Sophie's plans to use her house and finances to help other young women become doctors? And what do all those news articles mean? I persevered, and eventually, I could feel a rhythm to the tale. And it truly is about all of the above, but I guess mostly about the police investigations.

At the end of the book, the author's note states: "The newspaper articles tucked into various corners are all composites of actual accounts...You may wonder what those women have to do with the Savards, Quinlans, Verhoevans, and Mezzanottes; eventually, you will find out." Then she talks about the notes written for the previous novel in the series. This was the first indication that this was the second book in a series! I had seen "by the author of The Gilded Hour" when reading about Where the Light Enters, but not once does it indicate anywhere that this book is part of the same series! Now I need to go back and read The Gilded Hour.

The characterizations are what makes Where the Light Enters and what makes me long for more stories. If you are a fan of historical fiction you should let Sophie and Anna and Jack (and everyone else) into your heart too.

This is a long book but it goes by so quickly. This rich world of nineteenth century New York continues with disappearances and murders to solve. The Savard family helps with the cases while they deal with the unfortunate events the author likes throwing at them.
Considering that the Savard family never have it easy, there is something relaxing about this book. No matter what is thrown at them all the characters are strong enough and quick enough to overcome the odds. I love all the characters and am interested if there is more books written about them. It feels like this is the second season and there is an opening to a third season.
My only problem is that I wish the author would leave those Italian orphans alone. Sara Donati has traumatized them enough.