Age Level: Adult
Format: Book
**Caution: A few of the scenes in the novel are very graphic; readers who are a bit squeamish about blood and gore may not like portions of this novel.**
Dr. Ephraim Carroll, a doctor living in Philadelphia in the late 1880s, studies with one of the greatest minds in medicine, Dr. William Osler. When Osler reacts strangely to the sight of a young woman waiting for an autopsy, Carroll becomes suspicious. The death of a colleague forces Carroll to sort through lies and half-truths presented by his acquaintances, from a mysteriously charming wealthy socialite, a scandalized artist, and a drug-dependent doctor, to even Dr. Osler. As Carroll spirals into deep and dark conspiracies, he finds himself in constant danger from opposing forces. Facing moral choices everywhere he turns, Carroll has to decide his best course of action. When the truth comes out, who will be left standing?
Told through the eyes of Dr. Carroll, Goldstone's novel combines the art of medicine and surgery with suspicion extremely well. Almost from page one, the conspiracies begin, and a captivating plot unfolds. Every time a layer is cracked in the mystery, several more layers appear for Carroll, making him reevaluate everything and everyone he knows.
I enjoyed reading this combination historical fiction and thriller. I found it very riveting and hard to put down. Some of the scenes, especially the operating scenes, were so detailed it felt like I was there watching the surgery. Goldstone's writing style flows smoothly, making this novel a quick read. The epilogue was very satisfying for me. Goldstone's Author's Note section helped to bring historical facts and the fiction from the novel together.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in reading historical fiction or to anyone who loves to read thrillers.
Reviewed by Jessica
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