The Anatomist's Wife

Lady Darby Mystery, Book 1

De: Anna Lee Huber

Narrado por: Heather Wilds

Following the death of her husband, Lady Darby has taken refuge at her sister's estate, finding solace in her passion for painting. But when one of the house guests is murdered, her brother-in-law asks her to aid the insufferable Sebastian Gage - a fellow guest with some experience as an inquiry agent. While Gage is clearly more competent than she first assumed, Kiera isn't about to let her guard down, as accusations and rumors swirl. When Kiera and Gage's search leads them to even more gruesome discoveries, a series of disturbing notes urges Lady Darby to give up the inquiry. But Kiera is determined to protect her family and prove her innocence, even as she risks becoming the next victim.

©2012 Anna Aycock (P)2014 Tantor

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Huber's protagonist is complex and likable and the well-lotted mystery is filled with fascinating secondary characters. The setting is lavishly portrayed...you'll be engaged right to the end." ( RT Book Reviews)

first audible was enjoyable

Intriguing storyline and central character. Enjoyed it being read. Am willing to look into the next book.

Compelling story

The writing and character development is top notch. Sadly, the narration is not as good.

Monotone Narration

I recently tried to listen to this book for a second time. I pushed through the first chapters thinking the narration would get better. It did not. Unless I need to fall asleep, I will not attempt a third time. I did get up to Chapter 14 this time.

Great historical mystery with a tease of romance.

Great story line. Ending leaves you wanting more. Hurray for series! The narrator sounds a bit too monotone and flat for me but I can kinda overlook it.

Gruesome. I can't

Narrator was great. It's just too much gory detail with blood and wounds and vomit and just not for me. leaving this review for others that are not interested in gory detail

Strength from adversity

Keira, a widow and artist with an eye for detail, having suffered emotional abuse under her former husband, is wary of the judgement of her class after a smear campaign launched against her for her forced participation in her former husband’s anatomy textbook. 16 months after his death, while living with her sister and brother-in-law, the family invite guests for a house party which quickly goes awry.

When a woman’s body is found in the garden maze, suspicion immediately falls in Kiera by several members of the party. A guest, Mr Gage, who is the son of an inquiry agent, starts investigating while waiting on the legal authority to arrive in four days. He requires Kiera’s intimate anatomical knowledge about the injuries to the body and attention to detail for his investigation. This puts Kiera in contact with the people who are already considering her the prime suspect.

Initially, through gritted teeth, she participates in the investigation, helping Gage discover many of the clues left behind, while also unintentionally creating opportunity for herself to be seen as more than her unearned reputation by the group as a whole. When faced with a life or death situation, she possesses the fortitude and courage to ensure the culprit is handed justice while also insuring few others are injured.

Her grace under fire is recognized and rewarded. The ending is not quite a happily ever after, but more along the lines of a little light at the end of the tunnel - there is hope for more between Gage and Kiera. Can’t wait to read book 2.

Loch mystery

I found the story very interesting. I enjoy period pieces enjoyable if they get the nuances of the time correct. This story was very good at reflecting the bias of the times. Characters were nicely written. Would recommend.

My favorite book of 2021!

Fantastic book and narration! I love the entire series. I am looking forward to the rest of the books.

An Entertaining Mystery

I enjoyed the mystery, which has a likeable main character in Lady Darby, and a great historical setting in a Scottish castle. Lady Darby is an unconventional woman, and the story revolves around her efforts to solve a murder while also having to deal with the limitations that were placed on women in that time. The author is a bit wordy, constantly describing the details of Lady Darby's feelings, rather than showing them with action or dialogue, which was a bit tiresome, but I still very much enjoyed the book. The narrator has a somewhat unusual cadence that was just slightly distracting, but I was able to get past it and enjoy the book. I will definitely read the next one in the series.

Philandering Men, a Widow and Murder

The Anatomist’s Wife is a mix of murder mystery, romance and early forensic history. Lady Darby, widow of Sir Anthony Darby, has come to live with her sister and brother-in-law in the castle in the Scottish Highlands. Some time has past since her husband’s death, but no one, it seems has forgotten her trial and the accusations that she took part in the grave robbing and dissection of the bodies that was her husband’s occupation. Unseemly and illegal for women to take part in such enterprises, Kiera (Lady Darby) had fled London for the Scottish countryside, once her trial was over, to reside with her sister’s family. Having been forced to draw and paint the illustrations of the dissected bodies which her husband had cut open for his book, Kiera, herself had never wielded the knife nor taken part in any of the gruesome dismemberments. However, rumors still swirled about her, and she much preferred to stay to herself, retreating to her studio, where she painted portraits, mostly of her family. The first big social event at her sister’s remote country estate since Kiera’s arrival, becomes a crime scene with a beautiful young woman being murdered, and all the guests being sequestered until the magistrate can be summonsed. Meanwhile, Philip, Kiera’s brother-in-law, asks Kiera to assist Sebastian Gage, an inquiry agent at the party, in beginning the investigation. At first Gage is reluctant, but he slowly warms to the idea . . . and to Kiera. The particulars of the murder are gruesome, and Kiera’s experience beside her late husband are much more helpful than either of them had thought. With all of the house guests’ potential suspects, Gage has to tread lightly. All of the high society couples are snobs of the worst sort, especially the men, who bed women right and left. But the sweet relationship between Alana, Kiera’s sister and her husband, Philip is a breath of fresh air. Set in the 1830s when women were expected to obey their husbands, and not have any interests other than hearth and home, it’s an interesting story indeed. Kiera is an artist and anatomist. Gage is a dandy, handsome and knows it, expecting the women to croon over him. Kiera doesn’t . . . at least not outwardly. Which frustrates Gage to no end. Kiera, already having been married to a man who abused his control over her, a man chosen by her father, her wisdom is far beyond her twenty-five years. The closeness between she and her sister, Alana is precious, as well as the love between her and her sister’s children. There is depth and character to the story. The conclusion was very satisfying. I had to download the next in the series immediately. A series that makes you think . . . enjoy!