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A review by krisrid
The Anatomy of Deception by Lawrence Goldstone
3.0
I waited for the audio-book version of this for a full year, and while it wasn't the best book I've ever read, it was a good historical fiction story and I did enjoy it so I'd say it was worth the wait.
Dr. Ephraim Carroll, a young Philadelphia doctor, is studying under the renowned medical doctor and professor William Osler [in a neat Canadian connection, Osler is Canadian and has a major medical centre here in his name today]. Ephraim is hoping to build a career in medicine and is thrilled to be working under Dr. Osler, who is a trail-blazer and advocate of newer methods of medicine, including autopsy to learn more about the human body, among other controversial methods of medical activity.
One day in the "dead house" as the autopsy room is called, Dr. Osler, and another doctor in training react strangely to the body of a young woman. Ephraim is puzzled by the reaction, and as he makes inquiries, a number of disturbing facts come to his attention. Then, another death, that of the other doctor in training further complicates the situation and makes Ephraim determined to find out what is going on, despite the many people trying to convince him to leave the events alone, including his mentor, Dr. Osler.
The book is a complex and many layered murder mystery, combined with history about the early development of the medical establishment in America in the late 1800's into the new century. The characters are engaging, the plot is well done and the ending - without giving any spoilers - is not what one expects.
The book was a bit long, with perhaps more "colour" and descriptions of the time and details about every room and street, etc. but that is the only complaint and it is a small one. One thing I should mention though is that as this is a story about doctors, there is some fairly graphic description of surgery and autopsies, so if you are particularly squeamish about that sort of thing, this may not be the book for you, but I enjoyed this story.
Dr. Ephraim Carroll, a young Philadelphia doctor, is studying under the renowned medical doctor and professor William Osler [in a neat Canadian connection, Osler is Canadian and has a major medical centre here in his name today]. Ephraim is hoping to build a career in medicine and is thrilled to be working under Dr. Osler, who is a trail-blazer and advocate of newer methods of medicine, including autopsy to learn more about the human body, among other controversial methods of medical activity.
One day in the "dead house" as the autopsy room is called, Dr. Osler, and another doctor in training react strangely to the body of a young woman. Ephraim is puzzled by the reaction, and as he makes inquiries, a number of disturbing facts come to his attention. Then, another death, that of the other doctor in training further complicates the situation and makes Ephraim determined to find out what is going on, despite the many people trying to convince him to leave the events alone, including his mentor, Dr. Osler.
The book is a complex and many layered murder mystery, combined with history about the early development of the medical establishment in America in the late 1800's into the new century. The characters are engaging, the plot is well done and the ending - without giving any spoilers - is not what one expects.
The book was a bit long, with perhaps more "colour" and descriptions of the time and details about every room and street, etc. but that is the only complaint and it is a small one. One thing I should mention though is that as this is a story about doctors, there is some fairly graphic description of surgery and autopsies, so if you are particularly squeamish about that sort of thing, this may not be the book for you, but I enjoyed this story.