Murder by Lamplight

By: Patrice McDonough

Narrated by: Henrietta Meire

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. 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 . . .

©2024 Patrice McDonough (P)2024 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

well done

the narration was a bit challenging to start with, seemingly impersonal , but as it went on, it worked well for this story. as a tale, this is unique in having both main characters fully believable in their roles and fully professional as well. the heroine isn't absurdly rich, beautiful, smart or dumb, her actions are well within reality. The hero is neither absurdly dashing, nor broody, again, not dumb and not Mr genius. I hope to hear more from this author and the narrator

It was okay

I’m not sure why but I found this book a little boring. The ending was good but I struggled somewhat to pay attention.

Great mystery

This was a solid police procedural taking place in London in 1866. Problems of the lack of women’s rights are woven in, along with some history of the horrible treatment of the poor and the workhouses. I was skeptical at first since it was a sale book, but it held my attention throughout. And the budding incongruous romance was an added joy.

First Installment. Has Potential

I enjoy stories like this set in London during the 1800’s….that said, this story seemed to struggle to establish characters for the series. There were a few chapters that went off on a tangent and really did not contribute to the main story. Narration was good and the twist on the culprit was well done…but the characters need more development. That could have been done in the tangent chapters. Will see what the next installment brings.

The disturbing illumination of life in Dickensian London

The historical detail was as intriguing as it was horrifying, all sewn into a solid plot. It almost strayed into romance, but managed to avoid my eye roll…barely. I’d happily read another tale of Lewis & Tennant.

Great start to the series

I enjoyed this book. I saw some action it has turns and twist to keep you guessing

I Liked It!

It took me a bit, but once I got into the story I truly enjoyed this book. Parts were difficult to envision and so very sad with the evilness of mankind and inhumane treatment of those in the work houses. It was interesting to receive historical information of the living conditions in the mid 1800s in England and I was fascinated. The narrator was excellent!

More Please

Well developed characters. Well written. Story line enthralling. Hope the author has outlined more story plots.

Well Told Story-Many Surprises

Kept me wondering who the killer was, all through the story, even up until the end. Excellent!

McDonough a terrific new author!

Characters, plot, suspense, development: everything brilliantly done. And the narrator is terrific. Glad I found this author.