Hello Fellow Reader,

This gritty historical mystery was exactly what I needed to get over my most recent reading slump. The gripping plot is filled with twists and turns that had me turning page after page. Dr. Julia Lewis is a smart and logical heroine who teams up with an abrasive and stern detective to solve gruesome murders. McDonough certainly had her characters well thought out, they felt real and raw, which I think shines in this genre of mysteries. I'm no historian but the worldbuilding was great and seemed to stem from McDonough spending her time with research. I also enjoyed the chapters that took place from the killer's perspective, it gave much-needed insight into the murders that we committed. Murder by Lamplight does have a couple of flaws; spotty narrative and rambling prose, but it was an otherwise enjoyable mystery.

Overall, perfect for those who enjoy dark historical mysteries.

I’m starting to think the historical mystery type books just aren’t for me. Like I don’t think they’re bad, they just don’t captivate me as much.
I always like the premise but it doesn’t stick with me afterwards.
This is all to say, I think this book is enjoyable, especially if you like this type of story, it just wasn’t for me. I did like that she was a female doctor in the time that really wasn’t a thing. Like heck yeah, stick it to the man. Also the detective guy being named Tennant was a plus in the intriguing column because I just think of David Tennant.

Thank you NetGalley for the read!

It is a well-written book that slowly reveals the complex characters and story. I could not put it down until the story was complete.

The book works as a brilliant study of characters, an enthralling suspense mystery, and a text of subtle social criticism. The characters of the book largely echo the social structure of the particular time and space. Julia Lewis is a strong woman who got the opportunity to do something that no woman has ever done in her country and had to pay the price. She's doubted, ridiculed, and even victimised for her choice, and she feels compelled to overcompensate by putting in more effort. We find a romance budding between her and Inspector Tennant, who is struggling to break out of his father's maligned past.

Murder by Lamplight is a very promising series-debut historical mystery by Patrice McDonough. Released 20th Feb 2024 by Kensington, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out from the same publisher in Jan 2025. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.

A well crafted thoroughly researched historical novel featuring an intelligent and driven young female physician in London in 1866. She's fully licensed (having used a legal loophole to join the register of practicing physicians after finishing her studies in the USA), and has joined her grandfather's practice. She has a very keen eye for detail, and employs critical reasoning and observation to also help the police with inquiries on a particularly brutal series of murders.

It's not really a cozy, there are some gruesome details including a fairly graphic post-mortem emasculation, but overall, the violence occurs chiefly off-page, so it's not truly horrifying. The author also doesn't shy away from the historically accurate but distressing sexism, racism, xenophobia, homophobia, poverty, and other unsavory details. Speaking of detail, the book is written around a framework of actual historical events and people, and interwoven with a lot of interesting real details of political and social movements of the time period. Ms. McDonough has definitely done her homework.

The characterizations are impressive (especially for a first book), and they're three dimensional and believable, with their own motivations and agendas. The murderer is particularly creepy, and has some internal monologue in the book, as well as a very "Jack-the-Ripper-esque" series of correspondence with the police.

There's a second book in the series due out in 1st quarter 2025 from the same publisher.

The unabridged audiobook version has a run time of 10 hours and 9 minutes and is capably read by Henrietta Meire. She has a light RP English accent, but does a credible job with the varied London accents both male and female. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Worth a look for readers of historical mystery and very well written. Readers who enjoy Deanna Raybourn, Anna Lee Huber, Tasha Alexander, et. al., will likely enjoy this book.

Four stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

As a deadly cholera pandemic burns its way through Victorian London in the winter of 1866, a trailblazing female physician and a skeptical Scotland Yard detective reluctantly team up to stop a sadistic killer in this dark, atmospheric, historical mystery. Realistic portrayal of Victorian England. Compelling characters and a well plotted mystery.

Murder by Lamplight by Patrice McDonough
Dr. Julia Lewis #1

Excellent story that had me guessing till the end ~ Great introduction to a new series!

What I liked:
* Dr. Julia Lewis: physician, trained in Pennsylvania, raised by her grandparents, strong, dedicated, professional, intelligent, compassionate, skilled, haunted by a past experience, willing to do what it takes, and it often takes more due to her gender, her future may not be quite as she expected
* Detective Inspector Richard Tennant: employed by Scotland Yard, Crimean War Veteran wounded in battle, had difficulties to deal with when he returned from battle, dedicated, intelligent, from a good background, good leader, strategist, rather taken with Julia
* Dr. Andrew Lewis: Julia’s grandfather, had an “episode” that will see him retiring soon, loves Julia and worries about her
* Aunt Caroline’s wisdom shared with her niece, Julia
* O’Malley: constable, works with Tennant, Irish, good at his job, hope to see more of him in the future
* The supporting characters I hope to see more of: Kate who is Julia’s lady’s maid, John Bingham – retired Quartermaster Sergeant and philanthropist with a mission, Johnny Osborne – journalist who is at times annoying but also intriguing
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing
* Thinking about the first female physicians and what they had to contend with
* That it felt true to the era, drew me in, and made me feel and care about the characters
* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the horrors of workhouses, cholera rampaging through communities, and the disparity between the lives of the haves and the havenots

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

This should have been right up my alley but I wonder if I prefer movies during this era. I always struggle with historical fiction because a lot of it feels aloof and this was no exception.

In this thrilling historical mystery, Patrice Mcdonough introduces readers to Julia Lewis, one of the few lady doctors in late nineteenth century London, and the story about how she gets involved in a serial killer case with Scotland Yard and DI Richard Tennant, a grumpy Crimean War vet who the killer keeps directly mentioning in his notes to Scotland Yard. As the plot thickens and the bodies pile up, Julia and Tennant have to work together across various seedy parts of London to capture the killer before they become victims too. Mcdonough’s characters are brilliant, complex, and difficult, and the relationship between Julia and Tennant, as well as the other Scotland Yard police officers on the case, is particularly enjoyable to follow as the case grows. Julia is a strong and competent heroine, determined to prove herself and make her own place in the world as a female doctor in 1866, and her stubbornness causes her to butt heads with Tennant as she becomes more involved in the case. With some twisted parallels to Jack the Ripper, this occasionally gory mystery brings readers into the London underworld and draws out narrative threads which have been forgotten by both history and fiction.

MURDER BY LAMPLIGHT (A Dr. Lewis Mystery Book #!) by Patrice McDonough is an intriguing historical crime mystery that pulls you into a world of poverty and depravity in Victorian London. One of England’s first female physicians and a taciturn Detective Inspector find themselves working together to solve a series of heinous murders. This is the first book in the series and a realistic look at society in 1866.
Dr. Julia Lewis has always wanted to study medicine and become a physician like her father and grandfather, but to achieve that goal she had to travel to relatives in the United States to attend medical college. She returns to live with and practice with her grandfather in Victorian London.

While her grandfather is on another call, Julia responds to the request of the police to study a corpse at a murder scene. Detective Inspector Richard Tennant of Scotland Yard is shocked when a female doctor arrives, but Julia is used to the skepticism and goes on to prove her professionalism with the lurid scene. When another body is found with similar clues, Tennant reaches out to Julia to inspect the body once again. The killer is having a laugh at Tennant and the authorities with written clues and misdirection but when Julia is targeted, there is a new urgency to find this killer.

I loved this introduction to these new well-developed main characters and am very happy this will be a series. Julia is a strong, independent female lead who lives outside the norms of the society of her times and I always enjoy reading about and following these types of characters. Richard is her perfect foil. He seems to be a man of his times, but he has demons from his past and yet he finds something about this female doctor not only aggravating, but intriguing. I am looking forward to reading about how the author moves this hint of a relationship forward in future books.

I found the research into this period in London very thorough and it brought me right into the dark, gritty slums of Whitechapel and the debates about the cholera outbreaks. The murder mystery plot is full of twists and suspects, and I was shocked with the discovery at the climax. This book is graphic with descriptions of the violence done to the murder victims, sexual assault, male rape, prostitution, and homosexuality. The descriptions of living in the slums of London are also written with the truth of the times and not watered down.

I recommend this historically realistic first crime mystery in the Dr. Lewis Mystery series and I am looking forward to many more.

This is a wonderful debut and an enthralling historical mystery. Set in Victorian London Murder by Lamplight is atmospheric, gripping, and very well written. The author seamlessly incorporates historical details with a vivid and captivating writing style that truly brings the time and place to life.

The central mystery is compelling and well crafted. There are enough red herrings in place to keep you guessing until the very end. I enjoyed the potential romance between Dr. Julia Lewis and Detective Inspector Tennant. Both characters are well developed and likable. Their relationship promises further intrigue as the series continues.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Book Review: Murder by Lamplight by Patrice McDonough

Rating: 4 stars

Summary:
Set in the atmospheric streets of Victorian London, "Murder by Lamplight" follows the story of Dr. Julia Lewis, one of Britain's first female physicians, and Detective Inspector Tennant as they reluctantly team up to investigate a series of gruesome murders in London's East End. Against the backdrop of a cholera epidemic, the duo unravels a twisted tale of murder, taunting clues, and dark obsessions. As they delve deeper into the case, they realize that the killer is not just a random monster but a cunning adversary with a terrifying plan.

My Review:
"Murder by Lamplight" by Patrice McDonough is a captivating debut historical mystery novel that seamlessly blends vivid historical details with a well-paced narrative. The cover art beautifully captures the moody essence of the story, setting the tone for a gripping read. One of the standout aspects of the book is the meticulous attention to historical accuracy, which brings Victorian London to life. McDonough's descriptive prowess shines through, immersing readers in the gritty streets, music halls, workhouses, and sewers of the era.

The mystery at the heart of the novel is cleverly crafted, with plenty of red herrings to keep readers guessing. The revelation of the culprit is genuinely surprising, a testament to McDonough's skill in weaving a complex and engaging plot. The characters, particularly Dr. Julia Lewis and Detective Inspector Tennant, are well-developed and endearing. The subtle hints of a budding romance add another layer of intrigue to the story, promising further depth in future installments.

Overall, "Murder by Lamplight" is a well-executed and thoroughly enjoyable novel that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries. Patrice McDonough's skillful storytelling and attention to detail make this debut a standout addition to the genre. Readers seeking a compelling blend of history, mystery, and suspense, "Murder by Lamplight" is a must-read that will keep you hooked until the very last page.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

It’s Fall of 1866 in London and there is a violent killer on the loose. Dr. Juila Lewis, one of Britain’s first female physicians, is brought onto this gruesome case as the medical examiner by Detective Inspector Tennant, and rather reluctantly the two of them team up to hunt down a killer. The killer is taunting Tennant and as the case goes on their focus seems to shift to Dr. Lewis so the two must solve the case before one of the ends up a victim.
This was a fantastic historical cozy mystery that had me hooked right from the beginning. This book was definitely written by someone who knows this period in history very well and it showed. Watching the struggles of those thought of as ‘less than’ through the lens of this story was well done and helped the story feel real and thus upped the stakes of the mystery for me. I really enjoyed being able to see events unfold from multiple points of view, especially the short moments we were seeing through the killer’s eyes. Overall a engaging start to what I can only hope will be a series because I need more from Lewis and Tennant.
Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis

It’s 1866 in London and no one expects a female doctor to help investigate the grizzliest serial murders, but that is just what Dr. Julia Lewis does. She is a woman who can keep her calm demeaner while facing the aftermath of gruesome violence and take charge of the crime scene. She teams up with Scotland Yard to bring down a serial killer.

My Overall Thoughts

I always love a good female protagonist showing up the men who underestimate her. I think most women can identify with this even if we are certain we would toss our cookies in Dr. Lewis’ shoes. She gave me someone to root for. I was pulled in from the start and could not put the book down.

What I Didn't Love

Dr. Lewis is pretty flat as a character. I was not sure if she was supposed to be a character with little emotion, but I really could have used so more development of her. I wanted her to have every win. I was invested. I just didn’t feel that I knew her very intimately.

Potentially Offensive Content

Graphic Violence

Blood and Gore

What I Loved

I loved reading about a strong, female character in a traditionally male role. The book was very atmospheric. The eeriness was almost too much. I really felt myself transported.

I Would Recommend This Book To

Female readers with a strong stomach and a desire to cheer another strong woman on.

Well written. The style is atmospheric and evocative, transporting readers to the gritty streets of London in 1866. The plot is rich in historical detail and well researched. The characters are intriguing, Dr. Lewis is a strong and determined woman. Overall an enjoyable read. I hope this becomes a series.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love historical timepiece books, but I do tend to struggle getting through them when there’s too much detail about it. Some of this book read a bit like a history lesson, which don’t get me wrong, I love to be educated, but at times it’s was a bit much. There were many aspects I did enjoy about this book besides that though! I appreciated the female lead, and paving the way for herself. I think the writing was beautifully done in a way that was atmospheric and contained a lot of different “controversial” topics. I would certainly recommend this read if you like timepieces, mysteries and strong female leads.

Thank you Net Galley and Kensington Books for the ARC!

While not exactly the author’s first professional writing, this is her first traditional publishing contract, and the first book in a planned trilogy; I hope this book is a solid success, because I really want to read the other two novels.

The characterizations are spot on, the world-building is fantastic, the historical research is impeccable, and the plotting is so very well done, I am tempted to limit this review to inchoate praise. (Not really; as regular readers know, I’m nothing if not verbose.)

Beware: PTSD; claustrophobia; abusive parents; antisemitism; racism; homophobia and queerphobia; sexual abuse of children; suicide; some gore.

One of the joys of this novel is how historical facts are presented to the reader by the characters. For example, as a woman dealing with men in positions of authority in early Victorian times, Julia must justify the legitimacy of her professional credentials to them, thus educating the reader. Tennant’s past involves serving in the in Crimean War, and thus a bit more of Britain’s imperialist history is brought to bear.

A secondary character is a wealthy businessman with racist and antisemitic views, interested in entering the political arena; another is an Irish immigrant, formerly a boxer and currently a police constable; yet another is a journalist, cynically writing for the sensationalist press; and a number of historical figures play peripheral roles, from Florence Nightingale to Sir Richard Mayne (first and longest serving Commissioner of the Metropolitan police), all providing occasion for further exposition that doesn’t feel contrived, as all the facts mentioned are either pertinent to the investigation, or part of the lived experiences of the characters.

The novel is set in a very specific period of British history, as the second industrial revolution was taking hold, and both science and policing were rapidly evolving, while the country struggled with major public health and economic issues, from the cholera and influenza epidemics, to immigration from the Empire’s own colonies and competition from foreign markets.

As the protagonists investigate the murders, the novel shows the whole gamut of social ills of the time; nationalism, racism, antisemitism, sexism, homophobia, and a visceral hatred for the poor that’s rooted in fear. (So many of the issues of the day so closely parallel today’s problems, one can’t help but notice, and realize how much of history we forget and then repeat).

At 330+ pages, and covering a period of several weeks, the story is allowed to breathe, as events unfold and the characters grow and develop in plausible ways. There’s a pervasive sense of urgency, as one by one more people are murdered, but the passage of time is fitting for a period where record keeping was not just spotty but hard to access, and both policing and forensic science were in their infancy.

Both of the main protagonists belong to Britain’s upper classes by birth, yet they both operate in circles far removed from high society: Doctor Julia Lewis, from a very wealthy family and grandniece to an Earl, allowed to practice medicine only through a loophole in the law (which was soon closed to forestalled the horrors of allowing females into the hallowed circle of Victorian professional classes), and Richard Tennant, formerly from Her Majesty’s Grenadiers Guards, and now part of the fairly new Detective Branch of the Metropolitan police.

Over the course of the novel, Julia and Tennant spar more than once about the purported limitations of the female mind, and the perceived fragility of the gender; Tennant can appreciate that Dr Lewis is professionally qualified as well as intelligent and insightful, and still cling to his sexist beliefs on what women should be and behave. For her part, Julia doesn’t much care for empty debate; she tends to prefer proving her point with facts, and action when possible; her drive to practice medicine is equaled by her fierce advocacy for the downtrodden.

For example, when discussing whether or not the poor are morally inferior:

“London is filled with brothels, you know that as well as I, Inspector. They infest the city. And everywhere, streetwalkers and rent boys wait for their customers in dark corners, thousands of them, most of them diseased. … Tell me, Inspector. Who are their clients? Some are the charming young men dressed in fine suits and snowy shirt fronts who ask for my hand at a ball.” (Chapter 4)

At the start of the novel, and in comparison with Julia, Tennant feels slightly wooden; soon, however, the man behind the stoic façade peeks out. Alongside other issues, he suffers from permanent physical injuries and PTSD:

“it had taken him six long months to recover from the physical injuries he’d sustained in the Crimea. He carried other wounds–the sweat-inducing nightmares and the suffocating terror that seized him whenever he found himself in a dark, confined space. … He’d spend hundreds of agonizing hours working to erase the traces of a limp, and he’d learned the tricks of concealing his invisible scars.” (Chapter 3)

Due to the nature of the murders, the investigation takes a close look at rent boys (street boys forced into prostitution out of desperation), molly houses, and cross-dressing, both as a purely artistic endeavor, such as performers in theaters and travelling troupes, and as gender presentation; the queerphobia and rigid morality of the time play an important part of the plot.

“All we want is to live our lives without fear or harassment. You… The police and the world make that impossible.” (minor character at a molly house, Chapter 9)

As the investigation into the murders stalls, due to dearth of witnesses and no obvious connections between the victims, the inspector and the doctor discuss alternative ways to approach the case, including considering the nascent field of psychology as a viable way to both find the necessary link and deduce the identity of the killer.

“The average juryman looking at a man in the dock understands a raving, wild-eyed lunatic, someone beyond reason. But a quiet, well-spoken fellow who calmly explains how he picked up a hatchet and chopped up his wife? How does one decide what to do with him? Is he insane, or is he evil? Should we confine him for life in Broadmoor Lunatic Asylum or send him to Newgate Prison to be hanged?”

“I don’t know, Inspector. Perhaps the unknowable should make us cautious. Hanging is so permanent.” (Chapter 6, DI Tennant, Dr Julia Lewis)

Minor characters have backstories and motivations; Q, the former Sergeant who runs an athletic club and also provides a refuge for street boys; Jackie, the abused street child whom Julia hires as a second porter at her clinic; Paddy O’Malley, the cheerful, careful and insightful Irish constable; Julie’s grandfather, and so on.

The author makes even the most unlikable characters three dimensional by showing the breadth of their humanity. Johnny Osborne, the yellow journalist, helps Julia navigate a tricky situation with a city official during a minor cholera outbreak; Sir Harry Jackson, founding member of the white nationalist Britannia Party (the historical inspiration, a breakaway faction from the National Front, briefly existed in the late 1970s), not only pays the highest wages in East London, but also carries out several acts of charity, discreetly, without seeking acknowledgment or gratitude.

There are some passages from the killer’s point of view, but they are few, brief, and not graphic; in fact, there’s very little gore in the novel, despite the brutal (and sexual) nature of the murders.

The plotting, as I mentioned at the top, is first rate; all that one needs to figure out the identity of the murderer is in the text, with sly misdirection, several viable suspects, and at least one obvious “gotcha!” moment. I particularly appreciated that there is enough page space devoted to the aftermath of the climactic revelations and final confrontation.

"What do you do after you nearly die? She knew the answer. It was both simple and infinitely complicated. You live, but not as you lived before." (Dr Julia Lewis, chapter 17)

Romance between the main characters is hinted at, and may develop further successive books. Julia is twenty eight and Richard in his early to mid-thirties, behaving as adults would in their circumstances. The later, very conscious of the limitations of both is career and personal circumstances, vis-a-vis hers; the former very much aware of the professional advantages of remaining single at a time where women’s property became their husband’s upon marriage–never mind the preponderance of venereal diseases among former military men of a certain age. (Yes, truly.)

Also, did I mention the competence porn?

The author is USian, but the use of language feels properly British and historically accurate (to me, for whom English is a second language).

In sum: this novel was an absolute delight for a mystery reader and a history lover, with enough crumbs that my genre romance heart is hooked.

Murder by Lamplight gets a 9.25 out of 10

I hope this is a series, because I definitely want to know what's going to happen to (and between) Julia Lewis and Richard Tennant. This book had everything: characters, atmosphere, drama, suspense.

As for the mystery, it was a decent whodunit, with some added "complications" because it was set in the late 19th century. Period crime has always been a hit and miss for me, but I enjoyed this one.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

I was instantly hooked when I saw that this story revolves around one of the first female physicians and a detective working together to solve grisly crimes; and the cover reeled me in even more as it revealed a time period that interests me.

Unfortunately, the execution left me wanting more. The story did not flow for me and I found my mind wandering when the author would expound upon historical details. I highly enjoy history, but I was looking for it to be more flawlessly embedded into the setting and not take center stage in lieu of character development.

I think this kind of storytelling might work better for a person who is okay with the structure that I described above-it all depends on your storytelling preferences.

Thank you Kensington Books for the opportunity to respond to this story. All opinions are my own.

2.25✨’s

This is a fantastic historical murder mystery. Fans of Murdoch Mysteries, Miss Scarlet and the Duke, or Miss Fisher will thoroughly enjoy.