This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived. I did not have a chance to finish before it was archived.

Interesting historically, and an interesting book to read during a pandemic, as there are definite parallels to draw between the plot and now.

My main reason for the low rating was purely that this historical detail did not translate into a novel. A plague epidemic was the main plot, but other than that, the action sequences were just not very exciting and very few of the characters were people you could care about, even as much as to dislike the them. Additionally, a French woman was written with an outrageous accent which was not fun to read.

I didn’t hate this book as, as I said, the historical detail was good, but it was far too long and I struggled to stick with it to the end.

I wish I could say the premise of John Smolen’s Quarantine is what drew me to the novel, but the hard truth is that I’m a habitual cover slut and requested the novel on little more than an appreciation for the time period in which it appeared to be set.

The story hit the ground running and I was immediately drawn into the havoc and turmoil of disease struck Newburyport. My admiration, however, was short-lived and I ultimately found myself rather disillusioned by the tone of the narrative.

Smolens’ research shows and I enjoyed the medical aspects of the novel a great deal, but I found the novel needlessly crass and chock full of stereotypes, particularly those pertaining to women who a routinely painted as harpies and whores. The story got lost amidst Smolens these depictions and while I appreciate what the author was trying to say, the execution left an undeniably sour taste in my mouth.

*I never got around to reading and reviewing this title.*