I reviewed the first book in this series, and it continues to be a compelling read. In this installment, Julia gets involved with the art world when the brother of a friend commits suicide by drinking arsenic—the main component of a particular green in the artists’ palette. The world of artists and artists models overlaps and leads into the darker recesses of the human heart. Excellent writing, believable characters, great setting, and suspenseful mystery. Highly recommended.

I really enjoyed the second installment of the Dr. Julia Lewis Mystery series. I like way the main characters are developing. The writing was very good and the setting was authentic in detail. My only criticism is that the plot could have been a bit tighter. It seemed to drag on for awhile.

I enjoyed this mystery so, so much. I found it to be just as engaging as the first in the series. I loved that while it was primarily told from Dr. Julia’s POV, the author also includes narratives from a number of others, which I think helps to flesh out the story. Bravo! Thanks to Kensington for the ARC.

While there is an underlying romantic relationship between the two protaganists, Dr. Julia Lewis and Inspector Richard Tennant, the story only makes glancing references to it. This is primarily an historic mystery, and seems accurate to the period. The characters are pretty well fleshed out and the investigation takes several convoluted turns, which keeps the reader guessing. My only criticism is probably a matter of taste - I never got personally involved with .Julia and Richard. While they have interesting backgrounds and a supposed romance, there didn't seem to be much emotion between them. I did enjoy the book and recommend it, especially for armchair detectives.

Mcdonough delivers another fantastic historical mystery that delves into the darkness of the human condition. I was impressed by the rawness and take-no-holds narrative of her first Julia Lewis novel, and I remain so with the second installment in the series. She doesn't pull punches or romanticize Victorian London, and Julia remains a refreshing protagonist: competent, sure of herself, but aware of the privilege her life has offered. I enjoy the voice that Mcdonough writes with and only wish we had 10 more books in this series: right now! I also really enjoy Mdonough's attention to period detail, from fashion, to the smells of London streets, to the atmosphere of a gallery exhibition. It is always a treat to read someone who has clearly done their research.

However, I was frustrated by the fact that this is a "Dr. Julia Lewis Mystery" (as marketed) but Julia is very absent from the action in this novel. This should really be an "Inspector Richard Tennant Mystery." Julia is sidelined for most of the novel, content to inspect for veneral disease and advise on the role of doctors or women (or both) of the time. She's held at such remove, you could nearly have taken her out of the book and replaced her with her grandfather and little would have changed. I sincerely hope this was a choice because her role in the first novel was more action-forward and Mcdonough is a savvy enough writer to know that as a woman of the time, Julia would have been held back after such adventures for now, but will return to full investigative form and presence going forward.

Nevertheless, I am eagerly looking forward to the next installment in the series, so thank you to NetGalley and Kensington books for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.

This is the second in the series and it is just as good as the first though it could also be read as a stand alone, I really enjoyed how the author brought the historical aspect of this book to life, it was almost as if you could see and smell what was described. 1867 London - Dr Julia Lewis, a doctor who treats patients in a clinic, also performs autopsies when requested by the London Police and examines women who may have a contagious disease (STD's being very common at the time), she had been medically trained in the US then returned to England and was added to the list of doctors when foreign trained doctors were admitted,though the list did not specify that it should only be men. During this time women of a certain wealth would spend their time doing crafty type of things, including painting for those who had the talent. An upcoming show of various paintings has seen a number of paintings by female artists vandalized, Inspector Tennant has also found a woman who had been thrown out of a carriage, deceased, and not long after another was found in similar circumstances. There are a number of different plots that eventually tie together very nicely, there is also a lot of historical fact the author explains at the end. Overall a very good book that I would recommend and I am looking forward to the next. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Kensignton Books for the ARC.

Book 2 in this series kept my attention but was also pretty dark and depressing with the focus on kidnapping women, rape, and prostitution. I love Julia and her confidence in her role as a doctor and what she wants out of life. It felt like she didn’t spend as much time in her clinic and more time on the mystery and looking at art though, almost like a side job. It made me wonder what direction her future will go, whether she will stay focused on her medical career or solving mysteries with Scotland Yard. I hope the Inspector isn’t gone long as I also find his story interesting and want to know what he does on his quest to find justice. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

A Slash of Emerald is a great follow-up to Murder by Lamplight. Reminiscent of Bramwell (PBS, 1995-1998), Dr. Julia Lewis is fighting an uphill battle against misogyny towards women physicians in Victorian London. Inspector Richard Tennent of Scotland Yard recognizes her keen intellect and comes to rely on her observations in this investigation into prostitution and sex trafficking intertwined with prominent artists of the day. While I guessed the killer, red herrings kept me guessing the motive! I hope there will be many more entries in this series to come. I look forward to Julia's continued attempts to smash the hierarchy with Tennant's burgeoning support.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooksfor the opportunity to read an eARC of #ASlashofEmerald.

I really like this series, which includes interesting characters and lots of historical detail. More to come that stays strong!

Having read the first Dr. Julia Lewis novel, Murder by Lamplight, I was excited to have the opportunity to read A Slash of Emerald. It's fascinating to read about the struggles women endured to be accepted in the professions, and disheartening to read about how many women turned to prostitution to survive, as well as the number of young women who were trafficked and later discarded. Kudos to the author...this is one of the more well-written historical mystery series featuring women protagonists. The story moves along quickly, sparing us a lot of extraneous details, there's a budding romance but we aren't inundated by the main character's emotions. Not least, I didn't struggle with a lack of proofreading, as is increasingly common. I thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read the eARC, and I look forward to further titles in this series.

This is the second book in the series, but the first I've read and in fact the first book I've read by Patrice Mcdonough. I thought it was a thoroughly enjoyable Victorian-era mystery and I'm very happy to say I didn't see the ending coming! Great read!

It was great to be back in this world! While the mystery was less terrifying than book one, it was still very engaging and the suspenseful. I had an inkling about the perpetrator, but the clues kept me wondering until the end. The author once again did a great job of setting exploring the social issues of the time and incorporating them into the mystery. I enjoyed the progression of the relationship between Julia and Richard, and I'm very excited to see where their story will go.

I love this take on crime solving in the Victorian era - it's not just a look at how crimes were solved prior to the technologies available in modern days, it's also seeing how politics of the time and a female medical examiner would have played out during those years. Other than creating really interesting characters in Julia and Tennant as well as complex supporting characters another thing this author does really well is create situations were you actually feel bad for the murderer and not so bad for the victims. I did not feel particularly bad for the murder victims here as they were all pretty repugnant, but once again the author also has the murderer go just one step too far so you cannot feel completely bad for them. This story also has so many interesting twists and turns and events that do not seem connected at all only to be the next clue in figuring out what all is going on. For example, this goes from a frozen lake breaking up to threats against female artists to pornography/sex trafficking to multiple murders. And it never feels like there is too much going on or that the author is going out of their way to make things connect that really do not. I also really liked getting to see some of the story from a supporting character's point of voice - it added such an interesting dynamic to the story. The book ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger and definitely left me even more excited for book 3 to see what happens next!

3.5 stars for another entertaining read in the Dr Julia Lewis series. I’m wholly invested in where this series is going, and can’t wait for the next. The middle of the book sagged somewhat, and at one point I struggled with all the names and how they were all connected, but it came together nicely in the end. (Must brag that I did guess the murderer much before the reveal.)

(Review copy from NetGalley)

4.25/5⭐️

Second in the Dr. Julia Lewis mystery series set in the Victorian era, and I’m still enjoying Dr. Julia’s strength and determination in forging inroads as Scotland Yard’s first female medical examiner. She is supported by the intelligent and upstanding Detective Inspector Richard Tennant. Love them both and how they complement each other in their jobs.

This mystery involves the art world, specifically a group of female artists and artist models who are being targeted and threatened. A well thought out plot that kept me guessing on the villain.

I hope that this series continues as it’s smart, interesting and entertaining.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing the free early arc of A Slash of Emerald for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

The second book in this very promising series set in Victorian London is a well-plotted and enjoyable read. Dr, Julia Lewis is back and again working with the very open-minded Inspector we met in the first book in the series. This can be read as a standalone, although I’d recommend reading the first just because it’s also a good read. This time the mystery centers on murders and other crimes in the art world and specifically among artists’ models. As with the first book, this one gives good historical detail and context without becoming merely descriptive. We learn more about some of the characters’ pasts, and the mystery itself is well done. My only real quibble is one of personal preference, which is that I really dislike cliffhanger endings. That said, I’m looking forward to seeing how this one resolves. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

A well thought out Victorian mystery with the main character being a female MD. I didn't see the ending coming! A bit sad concerning how women were treated but a good story.

A gripping and compassionate mystery, set in Victorian London.
Disappearances of sitting models, murders, and suicide(s)—it all seems somehow linked and then again not. The knots are convincingly untangled at the end.
The story involves a true partnership between the detective inspector and a woman doctor. While both are more privileged than many in their position, they strive to do their best in the course of serving justice and those less privileged. The secondary characters are written out, compassionate and provide depth to the context.
The romance is very subtle and a slow burn. It also exists mainly in the comments of others. Nevertheless, it provides a welcome respite during the main story.

Can't wait for the third book (probably another year! :( ) and am curious how the author will resolve the final cliffhanger (that seems a bit out of character, but the final judgment is withheld until the resolution).

Can be read as a stand-alone, but is better as a continuation of the first part.
For the fans of historical mysteries by Andrea Penrose, Pam Lecky, Irina Shapiro, Isabella Duke and Emily L. Finch.

I was provided a free advanced reading copy by NetGalley. This is my honest - and voluntary- review.

This was delightful second installment following Dr. Julia Lewis, a female doctor practicing in London due to a loophole in British law. In the first installment, she joined forces with inspector Tenant in her role as police coroner and she continues to aid the police in this new investigation.

The plot follows Lewis and Tenant as they track down a kidnapping and prostitution ring at the highest levels of society. Running underneath this are the murders of several people connected with the prostitution ring and the art exhibit featuring female artists amid the suffrage movement.

I thought the plot blended and connected the story lines well and I definitely wasn’t expecting the big reveal until the very end. I liked that the plot moved quickly and didn’t waste time on unnecessary conversations but it also left me feeling uninvested at times. I also would have loved to see more of a connection between the main characters, but I’m guessing that will be saved for the next book.

All in all, a well written historical mystery that I really enjoyed! Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this early arc!

'A Slash of Emerald' is a historical mystery that has enough suspense and thrills. It also lays bare a period when the gender and class of people made them more vulnerable to heinous exploitation, thereby making the readers compelled to draw parallels with the present time and evaluate how far or how little we have progressed from then.