In Murder by Degrees, Ritu Mukerji introduces us to Dr. Lydia Weston, a practicing physician in 1875 Philadelphia and instructor at the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, at a time when little faith and confidence was put in lady doctors by not only patients but her male counterparts as well.

Weston’s sharp eye, love of poetry and compassion for her patients and students drops her right in the middle of a murder investigation, when a patient is dragged from the Schuykill River and believed to be a suicide.
With an undeterred fervor, she works alongside her mentor Dr. Charles Stanley and a reluctant police inspector and his sergeant to find the truth.

Mukerji, a practicing internist for 15 years, layered in beautifully explained medical details without losing the reader. She also came to know the City of Brotherly Love while attending the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and well translated the marvels of the Philadelphia landscape.
The author also has a BA in history from Columbia University, so it’s no wonder that when this avid mystery reader decided to write her own crime fiction, it would be an historical mystery set in the city in its grand heyday, just before the Centennial Exhibition where the telephone, typewriter and sewing machine would be introduced.

This post-Civil War era also marks the early years of the women’s suffrage movement and is ripe with possibilities for Dr. Lydia Weston. With her protagonist now established, I look forward to Mukerji’s future installments of the series and the development of an even richer character, drawing even farther on lessons learned from her youth, as well as possible romantic involvement with a local police sergeant.

I recommend Murder by Degrees to mystery, historical mystery and medical drama fans. I received this Advance Reader’s copy of Murder by Degrees from Simon & Schuster, courtesy of NetGalley.

I just finished Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji and I absolutely loved it. As an avid reader and fan of historical mysteries,
I am already looking forward to the next installment in this series.

The story is set in Philadelphia in 1875. While I normally focus on Victorian era British mysteries, this series will receive priority consideration on my very long TBR list. The book features Dr. Lydia Weston, professor and anatomist, who is a very strong, intelligent, professional and relatable protagonist. Her intelligence and tenacity earned not only the respect of giants in the medical community but also the local police, as she assisted with a case involving a patient. I recommend this great read without reservation. Enjoy!

What an interesting mystery!

I loved the inclusion of women in medicine in this book. It added a unique aspect to the investigation and brought attention to the early history of women as doctors.

I wondered if things were a little too clean, so to speak, regarding my the discovery of the body. The little details to hint at another possibility were so well done.

There were a few twists I didn’t quite see coming that had me wondering how I missed them! A sign of a good book.

I am looking forward to the author’s next book and wonder if we will see these characters again.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the copy of this book. All views are my honest opinion.

Murder by Degree is one of the best books by a debut author that I have read in a long time. This historical fiction is a well rounded mystery that blurs the lines between cozy, police procedural and forensic procedural. The main character is a woman physician who is also a professor at the only women's medical school in philadelphia. When a patient and friend disappears, she gets involved in the investigation. The author captures late 19th century Philedelphia in minute detail with descriptions that establish time and place and social norms as well. She puts her undergraduate degree in history to good use. As a physician herself, her descriptions of medical practices at that time are accurate but sensatively described. Her intricate plot was well executed. I love a strong female protagonist and I hope that this novel is a first in series. I received an advanced reader's copy of this book through Netgalley, but it did not influence this review. I recommend this book to fans of historical mysteries and books with strong female sleuths.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free copy for review. All review opinions are my own.

In this historical mystery set in 1870s Philadelphia, Dr. Lydia Weston, a physician and professor at the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania, gets pulled into assisting with a murder investigation. One of her patients has gone missing and is presumed dead after a body fitting her description is found in the river.

What to expect:
- A strong, intelligent, and insightful female protagonist
- Multiple points-of-view
- Detailed descriptions, especially of medical procedures and 19th century Philadelphia (If you are squeamish, you may want to skim the medical sections.)
- Upstairs/downstairs, have/have nots, and upper class vs. working class dynamics

Mukerji takes time weaving the story, background, and character relationships and exploring the case. The details that Lydia uses to crack the case are clever, but the revelation of who is behind everything and the resolution felt a bit rushed to me. Overall, this is an interesting and carefully crafted debut.

Murder By Degrees is Ritu Mukerji's debut novel.

I was immediately intrigued by the publisher's description."

For fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Charles Todd, Murder by Degrees is a historical mystery set in 19th-century Philadelphia, following a pioneering woman doctor as she investigates the disappearance of a young patient who is presumed dead."

Dr. Lydia Weston is an ideal protagonist - intelligent, tenacious, determined and no stranger to the derision heaped on her by ignorant naysayers. Not surprisingly they're mostly men. I liked her from the get-go. She adroitly makes her way, teaching other women and practicing in a women's hospital. I admit I was somewhat surprised at the depth of knowledge of the human body and procedures at this time in history.

The supporting cast is a mixed bunch - those who are supporting and others who would like to see her fail. And....many who could be the answer to the whodunit.

I quite enjoy period mysteries for the skills that must be employed in an investigation - using interviews, intuition, seeing the connections and evidence and more rather than immediate answers from computers etc. It makes for a more personal read. Mukerji has done that and given us a multi layered crime to solve.

Murder By Degrees benefits from Mukerji's love of mysteries and her knowledge, as she is a practicing doctor.

Murder By Degrees is a really good debut and I'm hoping that its the first in a series.

Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji is a historical murder mystery set in 1875 Pennsylvania.

Dr. Lydia Weston is a teacher at the Women's Medical College of Philadelphia along with taking patients at the Spruce Street Clinic. One of her patients, Anna Ward, has been found dead floating in the river and Lydia feels partly responsible because the last time she saw Anna she knew something wasn't right but Anna wouldn't tell her what it was. Now it's too late, and Lydia is determined to find out what happened.

Inspector Volcker and Sargeant Davies are called in to investigate the body found in the river. When Dr. Weston asks to be included in the investigation, Davies is reluctant, but Volcker appreciates having someone who knew the deceased working with them. Lydia comes to be an asset to the investigation, helping with the autopsy and deciphering clues. But someone knows she's getting too close, and they aren't happy about it.

Well written and researched, it was a little bit of a slow burn for me, but it all came together in the end. There's quite a bit of medical jargon during some scenes, but things are explained well. The characters are fully fleshed out, with their own voices and personalities. There was a twist I didn't see coming, and the ending was pulled together nicely.

All in all, a great debut novel from Ritu Mukerji. If you enjoy historical fiction, or a good mystery, then you should pick this one up!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #SimonBooks for a digital copy of Murder By Degrees for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster. I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

Genre: Mystery, Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction
Gore Level: Medium. This one is interesting because Dr. Lydia Weston, the protagonist, gives detailed, clinical information. So, we don't see all the violence but have the aftermath described.

I enjoyed this mystery in so many ways.

The historical context is wonderful with details of the living conditions of the poor and wealthy. Women were not respected—especially as a doctor. Dr. Lydia Weston is a fascinating character. She's driven, helps others, and (mostly) keeps her temper in check. I'm actually glad that she's emotional at times over the issues she faces.

There is more than one mystery.

I was so focused on one of the questions, that I didn't think about the other. For this reason, I didn't see whodunnit until the author wanted readers to see it paragraphs before the reveal. All the clues were there—it was fantastic!

I will read more by this author. The mystery was well written and the characters and setting were intriguing.

This book goes in my highly recommended batch of mysteries.

Happy reading!

Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji was a strong historical mystery with a medical emphasis - combining all of my favorite genres. It is a mystery first and foremost, but I did learn some history, particularly about detective work as it pertained to autopsies. The way doctors were trained was also interesting, especially to learn there was an entire woman's college for aspiring physicians.

The mystery was paced evenly for most of the book but raced along to the finish a little too quickly and neatly in my estimation. Dr. Lydia Weston was a gutsy protagonist to cheer for, and I hope to see her in future books.

I will recommend this to readers who like historical mysteries.

I thank Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In 1875, Dr. Lydia Weston is a professor at the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania and an attending physician. She lives and works in Philadelphia, a bustling city that Ritu Mukerji portrays evocatively in “Murder by Degrees.” Lydia is undeterred by patients and colleagues who hold female doctors in contempt. She stands up for herself, fulfills her duties conscientiously, and relies on her close friends and colleagues for moral support.

When a bloated corpse with distorted features is extracted from the Schuylkill River, the police have reason to believe that Anna Ward—a chambermaid who worked for a wealthy couple—drowned herself in a fit of despair. Lydia knew and liked Anna, and she is determined to find out why this intelligent, curious, and likeable young lady would take such a drastic step.

Mukerji ably describes the challenges faced by accomplished and ambitious women like Lydia. In addition, the author shows the arrogance of certain affluent people who lord it over those they consider inferior. Although the book is weakened by its melodramatic, convoluted, and longwinded plot, “Murder by Degrees” has an appealing heroine and fascinating historical details. By the time all of its numerous threads are untangled, it becomes apparent that when investigating unnatural deaths, it is unwise to make hasty assumptions.

If you are looking for a book about historical fiction with elements of mystery and tension, this is the perfect pick.

Murder by Degrees is set in Philadelphia, 1875. Our protagonist, Dr. Lydia Weston is starting her term at the Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. Dr. Weston is a very dedicated professor and anatomist. When she befriends one of her patients named Anna Ward, everything will change. Anna's body is found in the river and ruled a suicide, but Lydia is convinced that something more sinister lurks in the dark. With the help of two other detectives, they will uncover secrets, cryptic poetry, and what really happened to Anna. I loved our protagonist so much. She had incredible knowledge of science and the human anatomy, that it felt like you were by her side solving the mystery.

I enjoyed the premise and story of this debut novel. Lydia is a very well rounded and thoughtfully smart main character. None of the characters felt like throwaways. For example each member of the Curtis' house staff could have their own story of their lives and it would be interesting. My only wish is that there wasn't so much medical terminology or background because it sidetracked and slowed down the plot.

Thanks to Ritu Mukerji, Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this ARC.

Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji is a crime fiction story set in Philadelphia in the late 1800s.

"Dr. Lydia Weston is a professor at the Women's Medical College. The body of a patient is found in the river. The police coroner calls it a suicide but Dr. Weston is not convinced and is reluctantly brought in to the investigation. Aided by poetry in the girl's diary, Lydia uncovers a long-buried secret. But she must act fast before she becomes the next target."

It's nice to see some crime fiction set during a period where investigators have to think and not rely solely on forensics (DNA). Mukerji does a good job hiding the killer and sending the reader off in different directions.
The ending felt a little rushed. And at times the medical science overwhelmed the story. It doesn't add to the story and can be skimmed if you want.

This is a crime procedural set at a time where many things were different than now. Mukerji writes about the attitude toward women in a way that's not heavy-handed but enough to make you take notice

Nice debut from Mukerji. I look forward to more stories from her.

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book at first, because it is neither a quick read nor a cozy mystery. The author has certainly done her research – a lot of historical information is included both about the setting (Philadelphia), about women and their roles and difficulties in becoming medical professionals, and the prejudices against women and the working class in the late 19th century. Our heroine, Dr. Lydia Weston, is a medical doctor, and her examinations and treatments of her patients are graphically described. All of the background information given helps the reader to empathize with Lydia and understand the choices she makes as she pursues the disappearance of the maid Anna. I thought the mystery was intriguing, with lots of twists and turns, and it kept me turning the pages! I will definitely be looking for the next book in the series. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Ritu Mukerji for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Murder by Degrees coming out October 17, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Philadelphia, 1875: It’s a new term at Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania. Dr. Lydia Weston, professor and anatomist, loves teaching her students in the lecture hall and hospital. When the body of a patient, Anna Ward, is taken out of the Schuylkill River, the young chambermaid’s death is ruled a suicide. But Lydia doesn’t believe the ruling and is called into the police investigation.

Aided by a journal filled with mysterious poetry, Lydia discovers more about the young woman she thought she knew. Through her skill at the autopsy table and her clinical experience, Lydia works on finding out the truth. Soon a long ago terrible secret will be revealed. But Lydia must act quickly, before she becomes the next target of those who wished harm to Anna.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. Not sure if it’s a debut author. I love historical murder mysteries, so I was interested in checking it out. I loved this book! I loved the heroine was one of the few women doctors during the time and she worked hard to be taken seriously in the field of medicine. She wasn’t overbearing, but she did what was necessary to solve the case. The time period is one of my favorites. They were on the cusp of modern medicine and inventions. The writing was really great and I was interested in the storyline. Hopefully there are more books coming out like this.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical murder mysteries!

Set in 1875, the story revolves around a doctor, a young woman, who is also a professor in an all woman school of medicine. A unique story line that worked well as an interesting and somewhat educational tale. Dr Lydia Weston will work with police investigators to solve a death that has all the hallmarks of murder but is declared a suicide. Women professionals were few in 1875. For this one women to fill so many skills that were considered "manly" makes the story more interesting as she handles the prejudice at every step of the investiagtion. A great murder mystery that adds extra to the characters and back story.

Murder by Degrees has a few of my favorite components to it: historical fiction, mystery, medical fiction, and a strong female character navigating the misogyny of her profession. This new mystery is set in 19th century Philadelphia and written by a physician. It’s well paced and is full of detail which will satisfy anyone with a medical background. I hope this marks the beginning of a new series.

What a total treat this book was! You can tell that the author had medical background (actually she is a doctor) because it would not have worked otherwise.
Set in Philadelphia in 1870, our heroine here is a female physician working in a world where women are not taken seriously. But although that fact is a backdrop for the story, this isn’t some feminist rant. Instead it’s a well written book with believable characters and a great plot. There is a lot of medical information but I found that very interesting . I loved that it is set in Philadelphia since I am so familiar with the city. The plot involves the mysterious disappearance/death of a young maid. Brought into the case by the local police detective and his assistant, Dr Lydia Weston a teacher at the Women’s Medical College of Philadelphia is alarmed when she realizes that she knew the victim who was a patient of hers. Determined to get to the bottom of the murder, Lydia sets out to investigate. There are numerous twists and turns and not all is what it seems.
A great book. I look forward to seeing more of these characters in what I hope will be a series.

You’ll be hooked from the prologue in this period mystery set in the 1870s as a doctor’s patient disappears and she becomes a part of the investigation!

I loved Dr. Weston as our female protagonist. She is such a forward-thinking proponent of women in medicine. Her intelligence is on full display as a physician, professor and detective when she gets brought in to assist on the case. And I especially loved how her empathy and compassionate bedside manner allowed the women being interviewed to open up to her and propel the investigation forward.

The precise medical terminology and passages of poetry used throughout weren’t my favorite parts, but I appreciate their inclusion to Dr. Weston’s characterization. Just went a little over my head at times! But if you like the tv show Bones, I think you’ll enjoy this one from the medical perspective with the added element of the historical time period. It’s a quick read at just over 300 pages, and has a satisfying ending (but no spoilers! 😉)

Thank you again to Simon & Schuster for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review as a part of the Simon Books Buddy program!

What a well done mystery. Set in the 1870’s in Philadelphia. The main character Lydia Weston is on of the few female physicians from that time period. She gets together with two police detectives and becomes a detective herself in a murder.
I loved the time period and the cast of characters. I believe this is the start of a series and I can’t wait for book two.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest opinion. Comes out on 10/17
4⭐️