I was provided an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

This book is very well written. The characters are interesting and they feel realistic, The plot for this story was super interesting. The only downside for my was the pacing. For a book, that was a thriller, it felt slower than expected which took me out of the story. I kept with it because of the characters and the written was beautiful.
the dialogue feels genuine, and the flow of the book is consistent. It is very well put together.

November 1866: The grisly murder site in London’s East End is thronged with onlookers. None of them expect the calmly efficient young woman among them to be a medical doctor, arrived to examine the corpse. Inspector Richard Tennant, overseeing the investigation, at first makes no effort to disguise his skepticism. But Dr. Julia Lewis is accustomed to such condescension . . .
To study medicine, Julia had to leave Britain, where universities still bar their doors to women, and travel to America. She returned home to work in her grandfather’s practice—and to find London in the grip of a devastating cholera epidemic. In four years, however, she has seen nothing quite like this—a local clergyman’s body sexually mutilated and displayed in a manner that she—and Tennant—both suspect is personal.
Days later, another body is found with links to the first, and Tennant calls in Dr. Lewis again. The murderer begins sending the police taunting letters and tantalizing clues—though the trail leads in multiple directions, from London’s music halls to its grim workhouses and dank sewers. Lewis and Tennant struggle to understand the killer’s dark obsessions and motivations. But there is new urgency, for the doctor’s role appears to have shifted from expert to target. And this killer is no impulsive monster, but a fiendishly calculating opponent, determined to see his plan through to its terrifying conclusion.

I was provided an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. I’ve been hesitant to review this book, as I am unsure how to rate it.

This book is wonderfully written. The characters are good, the dialogue feels genuine, and the flow of the book is consistent. It is very well put together.

That being said, I did DNF at 50% because the pace was too slow for me. I wholly believe this is just personal preference, as the book was just not for me. I think the author did a phenomenal job, especially for a debut novel.

I definitely think the book is worth giving a go. I love the title and love the premise. Unfortunately, the pacing was too slow for me.

Review also posted on Goodreads and Instagram

A wonderful, atmospheric, dark, feminist historical mystery. Quite gruesome, with good character development, a smidge of romantic tension, and an excellent ending. I literally gasped out loud in shock at the big reveal. Well plotted, intense, unputdownable.

Fans of Kerrigan Byrne’s Fiona mysteries will enjoy this, as may fans of The Lady Sherlock series as long as you’re up for a grittier & darker take.

Julia Lewis had to travel from London to Philadelphia to obtain her doctor’s license, as there were no medical schools in England teaching women. Her aging grandfather needs help with his practice, and she steps in for him when he is not available. When a dead body is found, she is called in to examine the victim. She has to run the gauntlet of the disbelieving men of the police force and prove herself able to do the job, no matter how messy.
The past haunts these characters, killer, detective, doctor. The mystery is an absorbing and compelling puzzle, with the voice of the killer interspersed. The setting is vivid and extensively researched, so the story comes truly alive.
I can’t seem to get enough Victorian Lady Sleuths to read. There are plenty out there, and Julia is one of my new favorites. I’m really hoping for a sequel or a series. Highly recommended.

Love the cover!

A promising premise, but I wasn't a fan of how the story flowed. I love Julie. She knows her capabilities and she doesn't shun from the norms of the society during that time.

Set in Victorian London, a female doctor and a dashing inspector work together to stop a serial killer. Great characters and plot twists. Excited to read more!

Dr. Julia is the type of character someone would want to meet outside of a book. She understands the 19th century society she was born into and does not thwart convention to prove she smarter, braver, and proove doesn't need help to catch the killer. Scotland Yard calls in Dr. Connolly is called upon by Scotland Yard to exam gruesome murder where the victims genitals have been removed, Dr. Julia shows up in lieu of her grandfather who is ill. At this point Murder by Lamplight by Patrice Mcdonough could have gone the way of the romantic cozy or the romantic rebel. Rather Mcdonough has well-written mid-Victorian era novel about an intelligent woman who understands her limitations as a physician in this society. The killer is introduced as a poor-house child in the prologue so the reader understands the importance of the clues as they are revealed by the adult killer, and the conclusion is satisfying. This book can be read in a few hours.

I really enjoyed this historical mystery. It contained many of the things I enjoy, history, female doctors, and a mystery where the reveal is fantastic and that I did not see coming at all.
The author was not afraid to showcase the effects of poverty in the 1860's especially in regards to health, and the effects this had on the various characters involved. I found the book to be well researched in regards to the health and science aspects (especially the recently discovered link between cholera and dirty water). The mystery aspect was a little more dark than I have been reading lately, and there was a good amount of description provided of the murder scenes, I didn't find it too be too gristly for my tastes, however for a more squeamish reader it might be an issue.
Overall I enjoyed this book, and if it were the beginning of a series I would be interested in reading more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a brilliant, unflinching, intriguing historical mystery. The author did her research and it shows (a historical note at the end of this book, explaining the socio-economic realities of 1860’s Britain would be an amazing addition to this book. The author has been committed in portraying the realities of the world in the 1860s, with the xenophobia, the racism, the sexism and misogyny of the time but at the same time weaved a mystery of red herrings, intrigue and coincidence induced coincidentals.
Julia is a strong willed woman in a world that is not kind to women of any class but knows the inherent privilege she has to be of the Finsbury Circus lot. Tenant is a solid, dependable, gruff male lead that has his eyes opened to the realities of the women's world through his work with Julia, the world of women who are beholden to men but also betrayed by them.
It is hard in many ways to review a mystery novel without taking away some of the enjoyment fans of this genre will have in the twists and turns of a well researched historical novel, set against a backdrop of poverty, cholera, workhouses and political reality of 1860s Britain. Highly recommend for fans of the genre!

Dr Julia,a rarity in 1866 Britain along with Inspector Tennant are thrown together to solve some grisly murders.Dr Julia is one of Britain’s first female doctors is met with derision by the police force who have never imagined a woman could be a Doctor.Time is of the essence as Dr Julia becomes a target of the murderer.Fast paced mystery with the beginnings of a romance make this book a good read,
Thankyou Netgalley and Kensington books for this ARC.

ADORED THIS! nice mystery but just a great starting book, i could clearly see a future together of all these characters and honestly their mini interactions unrelated to the actual murder had me SCREAMING!

I love Julia, a wonderful character. She was talented, charming and compassionate. The personalities of her and inspector were complementary to each other.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

Set in the mid-19th century a series of gruesome murders in London bring together the paths of one of the few female doctors Julia Lewis and Detective Inspector Richard Tennant. Both characters have suffered loss and misfortune to get where they are now and that will unite them in their search for the killer.
Patrice McDonough has managed to create a perfectly detailed atmosphere and makes us feel immersed in the Victorian era. The characters are very well developed, both main and secondary. Dr. Lewis is a strong and intelligent woman and D. I. Tennant is her perfect counterpoint. The relationship between them is complicated but there is a complicity that leads them to understand each other. I can't wait to find out how it will end in the next books which I will definitely read.
In short, a well-developed story with perfect characterization. I enjoyed it immensely and recommend it to all lovers of historical mystery.

Murder by Lamplight by Patrice Mcdonough is an excellent his mystery that is the first in a new series. I really liked it.

This book takes place mainly in Victorian London 1866. There are plenty of historical references, information, and setting of the scenes for the reader to easily understand the grim situations that a lot of people experienced during the decades of the mid 19th century. To see and understand that this time for many was a balance between two worlds: that of the past, dark, sometimes dank, and restricting and conventional, and that of the newly emerging society of change and potential understanding, was very interesting.

This is definitely a darker historical murder mystery. Some of the material, murders, and what some of the characters went through in their pasts, and present, is not for the faint of heart. I don’t think that it took anything away from the book, its narrative, or the messages, but just a bit of a hint of what is to come for some readers that could be more squeamish. I did enjoy the puzzle, and the murder(s) and mysteries within and how it progressed. There were times when I thought I might know the culprit, but wasn’t completely sure until the end…so that was a plus as well.

I really liked the cast of characters, especially the main characters Dr. Julia Lewis and Inspector Detective Richard Tennant: Julia being one of the rare female physicians in England at that time and Richard being an Inspector with Scotland Yard. Their pasts, personalities, and their working ( and maybe personal) chemistry was spot on. I am really looking forward to the next book and how it will explore this relationship.

I liked this book a lot and recommend it for anyone that likes dark historical murder/mysteries and detective novels.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/20/24.