Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji

Taking place in Philadelphia in the 1870s, Dr. Lydia Weston tries to help solve a murder. Author Mukerji treats the reader to lots of interesting facts about early Philadelphia and a hard look at the poor treatment of women, but especially women in the medical field of that time.

Lydia’s young patient Anna goes missing. The police are asking questions, but Lydia’s sharp intuition sends the men to the right places asking better questions. Many players could be suspects. Dr. Weston is threatened and an engaging story develops.

My thanks to #Simon&Schuster and #NetGalley for this book for my early review, and to the author for a well-paced, solid four star story for mystery readers to enjoy.

Murder by Degrees is a solid four star historical mystery. The novel is set in 1875 Philadelphia, as women start to become professional physicians. The main character, Lydia Weston becomes involved in investigating the murder of one of her patients.

The characters are interesting, the setting intriguing, and the mystery sufficiently twisty to stay compelling. This is a debut novel, and I look forward to reading more in what I hope will become a series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am a healthcare professional for almost 2 decades now and I do love a good medical drama or mystery. While this book is something that I am supposed to be invested in, some details were not necessary that it gets a little too much in being in an atmospheric theme. I feel like a lot of things described would have been easily removed and still enjoy the story. It was a good, cozy medical mystery overall, backed up with solid research and information.

Thank you to Netgalley, Simon Books and author Ritu Mukerji for an ARC (physical and eARC) in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you @SimonBooks #SimonBooksBuddy for the free book in exchange for honest review. 🤍

Murder by degrees is a story set in Philadelphia in the 19th century. The story's main protagonist is Dr. Lydia Weston, a doctor and a professor at the Women’s Medical College. The term has just started in session, and an unfortunate event happened with one of her patients, Anna. She became involved with the investigation by assisting the police in questioning some of the people she frequently interacted with.

One thing I liked about this book is the idea of having a female doctor during this time. There was a lot of misogyny during this period, and a lot of people believed that women were not capable of doing this line of work. Although this was the case, Dr. Lydia didn’t let this affect her as an individual, and she became a role model for her students. She stands up for women’s capabilities and fights back if she faces misogynistic remarks from her male colleagues.

Overall, I liked the setting of the story. There were many things to learn from, especially the author's explanation of how certain things were done in the medical field during this time. However, there is a lot of heavy medical jargon to look out for in this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advice copy of Murder by Degrees. As a native Philadelphian, the timing of the book—1876—and the post-war atmosphere and historic aspect of the story was of interest. Dr. Lydia Weston is the rare female practicing physician and teacher at The Pennsylvania Medical Society. When one of her students goes missing, she gets involved with the police in trying to understand what happened to her. The missing young woman, Anna Ward, has left behind her diary and clothing making it appear a suicide. But is it? At the heart of the book is a good story with interesting characters. In the early pages, there are descriptive passages on procedures undertaken to determine diagnoses, gross anatomy, and autopsies, that were very graphic and not for the faint of heart. I happen to be one of those so I found myself skimming swaths of the writing. The book also would have benefitted from better pacing.

Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji is a crime thriller that took me back to the late 1800s and led me on a chase to find a killer before it's too late. I loved the way this story was written. The historical aspect immersed me and never felt cumbersome or weighty in the story. This is a fast-paced medical thriller, and the short chapters, frequent action, and large dose of suspense keep the pace quick and engaging.

The medical aspect is fascinating primarily because of the period. I love that it adds a women empowerment angle since females in medicine were not commonly accepted back then. The main character, Lydia, is an excellent doctor who stands up when male practitioners denigrate women's abilities. The medical terms can be confusing because I don't know them, but that only impacted my reading experience minimally.

The main character, Lydia, is just incredible. She is easily someone I can get behind as a reader, and I loved learning more and more about her. Her past is seamlessly incorporated into the current story, and she is fully developed with layers that explain so much about her and her decisions.

A superb lead character, a women's empowerment thread, and a fast-pace make this thriller an exceptional read!

An atmospheric, clever debut with good characters and a twisty plot! It's 1875 in Philadelphia and when the body of a young woman is pulled from the river, it opens a mystery (and a can of worms) that Dr Lydia Weston, a pioneering physician finds herself working with the police to solve. It's not, as everyone thought, the body of her patient Anna, a housemaid who has been missing for two weeks. So who is it? And what is the connection between the family she worked for, the charitable institution she visited, a foundry fire during the Civil War, and so much more. The police, far ahead of their brethren, make her a full partner in the investigation (in part because she's better at interviewing women). There are wonderful small details here-and the poetry! And, best of all, there are twists, tricky ones. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. This was a great read and Lydia is a dynamic character I'd like to see again.

Good murder mystery set in 1875 Philadelphia. Dr. Lydia Weston when not fighting prejudice in a male dominated profession is helping the local police try and solve the disappearance of one of her patients. I really enjoyed this book.

Murder By Degrees was a good historical fiction murder mystery that I did enjoy reading. The two things that bothered me with the book was all the medical information the author gave us and to me the book was slow going. I would still recommend this book to others! Overall the author did a good job writing this and I would still read another book by her. Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for this ARC read in exchange of my honest review.

Murder by Degrees introduces Dr. Lydia Weston, a professor and clinician at the Women's Medical College in Philadelphia, 1875. Her patient/mentee, Anna Ward, has disappeared. It is out of character because she has a disabled brother and an adult sister who depend on the money she earns in service. When her body is pulled from the Schuykill River, an apparent suicide, Lydia gets involved with the initial autopsy and what turns into a police investigation. This takes us to the Curtis home where Anna worked, to a charity where Anna sometimes worked on her employer's behalf, helping poor women to get education and training. We learn about the Curtis foundry that had a serious fire in 1863, during the war. The Curtis's have a number of employees in service who were affected by the fire either directly or indirectly. We learn about Ida Thornton who established the charity with her great wealth. We find out about the other doctors at the medical school and the students. We follow the doings of the Curtis household.

I love Mukerji's use of verse from famous poets of the era. It is never too many lines and not too often and it's a pleasure to take a moment and read some lovely poetry that got woven into the storyline. I like Lydia a lot. The concept of a working woman in a professional field is still not okay with a lot of men in 1875, but the Quaker community influenced the founding of the medical college, now 25 years old. So there's also enough time that there's some acceptance. You can tell this was a period when medicine began to be more modernized and Lydia is well equipped to be on the "cutting edge." I like very much how Philadelphia forms the backdrop. I'm familiar enough with the city to recognize much of it in the book and it's used wonderfully. Mukerji is a pleasing writer as well.

The plot and twists were good but a few clues were obvious because they were not sneaked in adequately. For awhile I thought these clues were red herrings. Mukerji needs to be a bit more artful in placing the evidence without giving things away too early/obviously. Also, having given a clue, one ended up standing out because how a particular person behaved never jibed with the clue enough. So it seemed planted intentionally and detracted from otherwise good writing. There were also a couple of scenes that weren't as well and smoothly executed. It was like the writer was thinking, I have to pull this part together and it ended up being less believable scene than the largely believable plot/storyline. This is a very strong debut. I will read this series. The characters from the school and the police who will likely be working together in future books make good partners. I just hope it gets a bit more subtle and believable in how clues are placed and how some necessary connections are made. Highly recommend.

Murder by Degrees is a historical mystery that takes place in Philadelphia, 1875.

Dr. Lydia Weston is a professor at the Women’s Medical College and works at a clinic. One of her patients, Anna, a young housemaid has not shown up for her scheduled appointment. The body of a woman is found in the Schuylkill River. Lydia starts her own investigation into the young woman's death until she herself is in danger.

This was an interesting mystery. I liked the style of writing as it draws you in giving you some history wrapped up in a murder mystery.

This was a lot of fun, it felt like watching a murder mystery show. It stayed engaging throughout the whole novel and I could easily see it becoming a series. I think that the mystery wasn't too hard or too easy to figure out, and there were some twists and turns that kept me guessing. Overall really recommend it if you read historical fiction and mysteries.

“She willed herself to look back. He was there, just as she knew he would be… She lifted herself with her last remaining strength and jumped.”


Set in the late 1800s in post-war Philadelphia, this is an atmospheric mystery with disappearance and mysterious deaths, murder, and cover-ups.

The main character is a female physician, Dr. Weston, of Indian (India) descent during a time when females were not given much respect in the professional (or personal) world.

Having treated Anna, the missing young woman, in the past, Dr. Weston aids the police investigation into what happened to her.

Obviously technology is not the same then as it is now, so it was interesting to consider their methodology in following leads, determining cause of death, and tracking down a killer.

Some reviewers have commented that there are inaccuracies to this point. I have no qualifications to confirm or deny that, but to the average reader I don’t think there are any major discrepancies that would influence one’s enjoyment of the book.


I would give caution though, that you may not want to read this book on your lunch break. There are several medical scenes, including an autopsy, that are a bit graphic and not conducive to eating while reading.


Dr. Weston is Indian, but there wasn’t much of her heritage developed as far as character detail goes. There were a few descriptors here or there of items in her home that speak to her background, but otherwise, it was very much back burner and honestly, I even forgot a few times that she wasn’t white. (Which is probably partly because I’m white and it’s reflex to read my own ethnicity into characters, but partly because it just wasn’t a major part of her character as the author wrote it. )

This book speaks a lot to the disparities in class (rich vs poor) and gender (male vs female). I admit that sometimes I get tired of the discriminated-against-woman-living-in-a-man’s-world-and-having-to-prove-herself trope because it’s very popular right now. I’m probably not allowed to say that, especially as a woman, but hey, it’s what I often feel.

In Murder by Degrees the trope makes a lot of sense because of the context of the time period and so it didn’t get too annoying and the author didn’t make every male character to be against the protagonist so I appreciated that as well. All men, regardless of time period, aren’t misogynists.


Learning Corner

I had not read much during this time period and location so it was interesting to ‘travel’ somewhere new. There were a lot of references to places or streets that may mean something more to readers familiar with the Philly area, but I am not so if there were meant to be significant meaning behind any of it, it was lost on me.


As for the time period, I learned some interesting stuff.

The omnibus— an option for mass transport— was a thing. I found a picture of one here:

(photo in original post)

Body-snatching was a common occurrence. Corpses were stolen from graves and sold to medical schools for anatomy and dissection purposes. Sellers could get several month’s pay for a body so it was a lucrative ‘business.’

If you pour water into molten iron it will explode.

Mercury was used as a ‘healing’ agent. Thank goodness for scientific progression in medicine. Mercury has a whole host of negative side effects and harm to the body. It is also connected to the ‘Mad-Hatter’s’ disease because mercury was used in the felting process done by hatmakers and often resulted in tremors, anxiety, and depression.

Doctors were learning more about anesthesia during this time. This was coming off the Civil War when so many soldiers had to have limbs amputated… without anesthesia! I can’t even imagine.

The life expectancy in the 1800s was in the 60s during this time and it’s quite surprising considering the state of medicine at the time amongst other things! Quality of life, though, perhaps not as good.

Reading this book made me very thankful for modern medicine and doctors who know not to prescribe mercury…


SPOILER COMMENT

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So, after knowing the ending, I was thinking back to when Paul ran away from the police that one time they came back to the house. Then he’s just MIA and everyone is just like, oh yeah, we don’t know where Paul is.

But no one was ever too concerned about it. A couple times they were like, hey is Paul back, and they were told no and they just didn’t seem to think that was significant.

I think that disconnect between that moment and what we know at the end of Paul’s role feels like a hole I wish was filled.

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SPOILER OVER


Other Comments

After they find the body in the river, Dr. Weston was unsure about something.

“Something else was troubling her. It was what they hadn’t found. Something was missing and she couldn’t quite place it.”

I was curious to know what that was but I’m not sure if Mukerji ever closed that loop specifically.


There is a brief Halloween party scene. I read this in October so it had some fun October vibes and if you’re needing a book for a reading challenge that has a holiday in it, this may fit that prompt for you.


The title: Murder by Degrees.

I was trying to figure out what this title meant and why it was chosen. I can’t really tell. The only thing I can think of is that the murder was issued indirectly… by degrees… as in ‘six degrees of separation’ and how many people away someone is from you?

I don’t know if that’s right. That’s just all I could come up with because I don’t think the murder had to do with advanced educational degrees or with temperature, and it wasn’t a death where if, for example, a bullet missed by a tiny fraction.

What else is there?

So I think this book would have benefited from a different title. Unless I’m missing something.


Many reviewers seem to think that this will be a series.

I’m not sure why this is widely thought; this book could easily just be a standalone. There is no cliffhanger. Perhaps if they continue it, we’ll see the professional relationship between Dr. Weston and Davies (the police guy) continue to develop. There’s currently tension as Davies doesn’t take her very seriously, so there would be room for him to continue to grow in respect for her work and intellect and ability to help solve cases. I could see their partnership becoming a friendship.

That could work, but I don’t know how likely that would be.

Dr. Weston is a likable character and someone readers would definitely want to root for, especially given the era she lives in.

“It was her keen insight, her tenacity, and ultimately her courage that had brought them to the end of this arduous case.”


Recommendation

I would recommend this book. It’s not going to be a twisty hard-hitting thriller, but it’s a good mystery set in an interesting time period/place with a likable protagonist.

The beginning really draws you in and though I suspected some of the reveals, it was written in a way that did make me second guess myself.

I also appreciate that the book was clean. There was no cursing or sexual content other than stating some facts regarding the case or suspects in the case.

I think some of the medical details can take away from the story, the title could have been better, and a couple nitpicky things about the plot could be changed, but nothing that would make me think it’s not worth reading.

I say, go for it!


**Received an ARC via NetGalley*

[Content Advisory: none]

Murder by Degrees by Ritu Mukerji is a novel about pioneering women doctors on the early 19th century. While the book was had a lot of medical jargin this was a fast read. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book that really keeps you guessing on who was the real murderer and why the murders happened in the first place. I feel like this may turn into a series and would love to read more. Lydia is a strong female lead in this book that makes you want to attain any dream you may have, because it is possible. Read a likes if you do like this book would be A Botanist's Guide to Parties and Poisons, A Botansit's Guide to Flowers and Fatality (both by Kate Khavari) and Of <anner and Murder (Anastasia Hastings) and The Puzzle of Blackstone Lodge (Martin Edwards). These titles all have strong female protagonist in them.

In this book, Doctor Lydia Weston becomes concerned about an agitated patient who disappears. When a body is found, she is drawn into the investigation by Inspector Volcker and Sergeant Davies. An excellent mystery. Each step of the investigation is clear with no "jumps" in logic that are in other books. The characters are well developed. I liked the historical setting of 1875 Philadelphia. I also enjoyed reading about the struggles (and triumphs) of female doctors. The story is a slow build with a lot of medical stuff in the beginning, relevant for a teaching doctor but not directly related to the story. The mystery and action in the second half of the book definitely drew me in.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an early copy of the book.

This is a tricky one for me. It could be because I’m not personally super into detective novels, but something felt like it was missing. I loved the details, particularly in the beginning when it came to the autopsy. And generally speaking, the story was an interesting glimpse into 1800s Philadelphia, when woman doctors absolutely were not the norm. I felt it had too many characters that didn’t have much description, causing me to get them mixed up at times. Worth a chance if you’re into detective novels, just not for me.

What is the value of a human life? Can the taking of a life be atoned for completely? These are the central issued explored in Ritu Mukerji’s novel Murder By Degrees. Reminiscent of the Victorian-era set novels of Anne Perry and others, and set in Philadelphia in 1875, Mukerji’s story features Lydia Weston, a pioneering medical doctor and college professor (at the Women’s Medical College) and two detectives, one of whom, Davies, promises to be a possible partner - platonic or not - in subsequent novels. Mukerji unfolds her story at just the right pace, and although some of her solutions to the murder of a young woman, the disappearance of another, the death of a five-year old child, and the massive toll of death and serious injury in a horrifying factory incident rely a bit too much on coincidence, the resolution to most of these deaths/murders is satisfying, with only the factory incident’s cause left somewhat ambiguous. Assuming that Murder By Degrees is meant to be an ongoing series, Mukerji is off to a very promising start. I, among many other readers, will be eager to read the next entry. Recommended.

misogyny, misogynistic-era, historical-novel, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, medical-doctor, medical-history, medical-perspective, medical-treatment, local-law-enforcement, procedural, 1875*****

When men totally dismissed a woman with a Medical Degree as useless. Threatened much?
Excellent book for history geeks in the paramedical fields. Like this retired RN!
The scientific method as clearly applied to medicine and murder investigation in a historical time with gross misogyny. Told within the story of a Philadelphia MD and professor who becomes involved in the investigation by enlightened police Inspector Thomas Volcker and Sergeant Charles Ward as fostered by her mentor, Dr. Harlan Stanley, whom she helped with autopsies for the police. The plot centers around the investigation and has every bit as much due diligence as it can for the time. There are twists ans distractions along the way, and the characters are very well explored. Perfect for me!
I requested and received an eGalley from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley. Thank you!

Murder by Degrees
By Ritu Mukerji

This is a Victorian murder mystery with a feminist twist. Dr. Lydia Weston is an early graduate of medical school and practices teaches at Philadelphia's Women's Medical College. Raised in poverty, Dr. Weston has overcome long odds to become the independent woman she is.

When one of her patients – a certain Anna Ward to whom she has become attached – disappears, Lydia resolves to find out what happened to her. While she is searching for answers, a young woman's body is discovered in the Schuylkill River which is identified as Anna. Lydia offers to work with Inspector Volker and Sergeant Davies of the Philadelphia police to solve the murder. Her offer is met with skepticism, but her aide turns out to be invaluable.

Weston is a capable and intelligent woman who, like most women of the time, must prove herself over and over to her male counterparts. She serves as a role model for the poor young women who wished to get ahead in life. I found her to be believable and hope the author plans to write more about the indomitable Dr. Weston!

In the late nineteenth century, Dr. Lydia Weston’s life is busy with her work as a medical doctor at the Women’s Hospital and as a professor at the Women’s Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. When one of her patients goes missing, Lydia is pulled into the investigation. While inspectors Volcker and Davies are capable at their job, Lydia’s help becomes instrumental in solving a case that throws some twists their way and a bit of danger.

I was impressed by Mukerji’s debut novel. This was an engaging read with interesting characters and an intriguing mystery. We get an interesting cast of characters and the author leaves plenty of room for them to grow over what I hope will turn into a series.

My only qualm was the lengthy descriptions of an autopsy using a lot of medical jargon. The autopsy did not bother me, but the jargon took me out of the story a bit and slowed my reading pace.

Overall, I was glad that I picked up this book and took a chance on a new author. This book definitely gave me those cozy vibes that signal my successful immersion into a story (with the caveat that this is not a cozy mystery). I look forward to reading Mukerji’s next historical fiction and I hope we get to see Lydia and her cohorts in another mystery adventure.

Thank you Simon & Schuster via NetGalley for allowing me to respond to this book with my honest opinions.