I enjoyed this novel both because of its heroine, Nora Beady, but also for all the interesting details about the practice of medicine in the mid 19th century–fascinating and horrifying in equal measures.
Nora is the ward of a famous British surgeon, Horace Croft, who saved her from a cholera infection that killed her whole family when she was a child. Croft is brilliant and eccentric and that may be why he encourages Nora’s interest in biology, anatomy, and medicine, even though in mid 19th century England, women are forbidden to practice medicine, let alone become surgeons. However, Croft is not so absentminded that he doesn’t recognize the danger so Nora practices in secret in his home clinic and is seen as his assistant and a skilled medical illustrator. Though Nora recognizes that her unconventional upbringing means an uncertain future, she is content to continue to develop her skills and pursue her studies in secret.
That is, until Dr. Croft brings surgical resident, Dr. Daniel Gibson, into his practice and Nora must hide the extent of her skills. Dr. Gibson is from a well-to-do family that is already a bit scandalized by his choice of profession but he is similarly shocked to learn the role that Nora plays in Dr. Croft’s practice—a role he views as not appropriate for a young lady. As you might expect, sparks fly and not in a good way as Nora must move back into the shadows to protect her mentor’s practice and reputation.
What happens next is both expected and unexpected and involves the discovery that ether, at that point in time seen as a silly party trick, can also be used in surgical procedures. There is aromance but the bigger relationship is between Nora and her surgical dreams.
The author, Audrey Blake, is a pseudonym for the collaboration of authors, Regina Sirois and Jaima Fixsen, and it was interesting at the end of the novel to read about their writing process. Just an added plus to this engaging read.