Review of "The surgeon's house" by Jody Cooksley

At the end of the 19th century, a childless couple runs a home for women and their illegitimate children. It is a large house that used to be owned by a doctor and his family who performed terrible tests on the women and killed their babies. That surgeon and his family are executed or in an asylum now and the young matron tries to educate the young women and children and provide them them with a safe and loving home. But then one night their beloved cook gets murdered on the street.

I was not sure if this was a sequel or just a book with flashbacks. But one could read it without prior knowledge. Talking of prior knowledge: I recognised the killer's method what gave the killer away.

The house is very vividly described. I applaud the worldbuilding. But is there not something amiss in the timeline of the crazy lady? You also might like to explain a bit more to us ignorants how charities in those days worked. Why is dat board so powerful while the women earn their keep?

4 stars out of 5

You will be able to buy it here from the 22nd May 2025 onwards.