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Liked It “Takes you back to 1889 and how the medical profession learned about human anatomy. What people will do for a buck” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“I was eager to read this novel -- 1800s Philadelphia, body snatching, anatomy... It sounded breathtaking. The story, however, proved a little less shocking and thrilling than I had hoped. Dr. Ephraim Carroll becomes embroiled in the death of a socialite by botched abortion. The approach to this death/murder was altogether too clinical, too rigid, and the players seemed very removed from the darkness of the story. The denouement, though, was much better than the rest of the book. The pace improved and the ending was slightly unexpected, especially the conflict between ethics and medical advancement. And I did feel as though I learned a little about medicine. So-so read, with fluctuating highs and lows.”
Alethea wrote this review Friday, November 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Takes you back to 1889 and how the medical profession learned about human anatomy. What people will do for a buck”
Roxanne D wrote this review Tuesday, November 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This was an excellent book. Well written and exciting. The descriptions of surgery and autopsy were pretty intense but I got over it and found it fascinating. The mystery unfolds in such a way that I could hardly put the book down. The historical background is very interesting as well.”
Annie M wrote this review Monday, November 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Very descriptive and detailed. Interesting facts about medical history.”
Michelle W wrote this review Friday, August 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Very atmospheric and full of historical detail. I think he captured the language and attitudes of the times very well, a really thought-provoking read.”
Mary M wrote this review Saturday, June 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book is an engaging trip back to late 19th century Philadelphia. The protagonist, Ephraim Carroll, is a talented young doctor who is sensible and irrational by turns - perhaps not so much irrational as naive, and acts upon his suspicions without fully realizing the consequences. Ephraim has been selected by his mentor and idol, Dr. Osler, to begin working and teaching at the newly established Johns Hopkins. Before this happens though, there is a disappearance to solve. A young socialite has disappeared under suspicious circumstances - is she reallly in Europe, as her parents claim, or did Ephraim glimpse her face in the morgue? Is the death of Ephraim's colleague Dr. Turk a drug overdose, or was he poisoned by hands unknown?
Jery O wrote this review Friday, June 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The story is well written and intriguing, the only reason I did not rate this higher was because I felt it demonized both abortion and any woman who might choose to seek one - with the activities in our century of the past week, this just didn't sit well with me. It is probably a historically accurate depiction of prevalent opinion at the time. ”
“I actually listed to this on audio but I think it should be read - much of it has to do with life in Pennsylvania from loooooong ago and that makes the language in some of it a little difficult...
Kathleen C wrote this review Friday, May 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The story though, I liked, it was smart - a mystery that was more intelligent than Agatha Christie but not too complicated that one couldn't follow or would get confused.
I don't want to give too much away, but it was a good book and I would recommend it.”
“Entertaining quick read.”
Louise W wrote this review Saturday, April 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“A forensic thriller set in 1889 Philadelphia, that tries to answer the question: "Is the benefit of a thousand people more important than justice to one?" I'm not sure he succeeds on the moral dilemma, but it's a good read. ”
F Tessa B wrote this review Wednesday, January 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“story was just okay. What I found most interesting was the author's notes at the end that supplied that facts that the story was based on. good for book group as ethical decisions were contemplated. Interesting what surgery was like in the late 1800's”
Kristin W wrote this review Sunday, December 28 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
