Patrice McDonough

Author interview: Patrice McDonough

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I really loved Patrice McDonough’s debut mystery, Murder by Lamplight, set in 1860’s London, and featuring a female doctor as the main character.  Much like Anne Perry, she’s not afraid to tackle social issues, and also like Perry she supplies the reader with some wonderful characters (hard to believe this was a debut!).  I am very much looking forward to more in the series, and Patrice was nice enough to answer some questions.

Q: I loved the main characters – as I think there are two, but let’s start with Julia.  Talk about making her a doctor at that time.  How many female doctors were there in London in 1866? read more

Patrice McDonough: Murder by Lamplight

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Debut

If I were a magic eight ball, I’d say that all signs point to this satisfying and enjoyable debut setting up a series with a long, long run.  Set in London in 1866, the central character is Dr. Julia Lewis, an American educated physician (it was not possible for women to get a degree in England at the time) who is running her grandfather’s practice. But because he is ill, when the office gets the order to attend to a murder victim, it’s Julia who must take the call.

The dead man is a priest, found mutilated and naked, and though the police on the scene are initially a bit shocked at Julia’s gender, they eventually accept her expertise.  Inspector Tennant is controlled and quiet, and he and the doctor begin awkwardly, but gradually smooth things out. read more