I waited a long time for this new title (The Surgeon’s Daughter) to be available on my Libby account. Totally worth it. I loved the first book in this duo (The Girl in His Shadow). And this book continues the story, following Nora on her quest for a medical degree from The University of Bologna, where women in the 19th century were allowed (barely) to study medicine.

Following a calling is one of my favorite literary themes. Nora definitely knows what she is called to, and she has a cheering section behind her. Additional themes about loyalty, integrity, women’s roles, scientific discovery, family and relationships add texture and emotion to the story line. This series matched well with my own science/medical background and with my love for exploring different historical time periods. And the love story woven in was well-done.

If you are a bit squeamish about anatomical things, or are sensitive to issues related to childbirth, you may want to read cautiously, but otherwise I think you will also enjoy this. It certainly hit all the right notes for me. Read “The Girl in His Shadow “ first.

American, Regina Sirois and Canadian, Jaima Fixsen, the writing duo with the nom de plume, Audrey Blake, have done it again!

In this sequel, they’ve taken us to 43 Great Queen Street, London and allowed us to watch Daniel and Dr. Horace Croft in action. We are able step to the operating table as they diagnose erysipelas, tetanus and diphtheria (child strangler) and operate on femoral hernia, bladder stones, and strangulated hernia.

They’ve also taken us to medical school in the late 1800s in Italy. The catalyst for this move begins with the challenges in the surgeon’s guild when it was discovered that Nora Beady had been illegally trained by her guardian, Dr Croft, and was (gasp!) assisting in operations. Thankful for connections, Nora is recruited by Dr. Salvio Perra, a teacher at the University of Bologna, and offered a place in the prestigious Italian medical school. Although women are accepted into this program, she still faces oppression. She blossoms under the only female doctor on staff, Dr. Magdalena Morenco, and works with her to improve Cesarean section operations.

I was shocked at the pressure put on Nora, characteristic of what female doctors of the time faced. If she actually was allowed a place at the operating table (and not fetching pillows) and it was successful, it was never talked about. If she failed at the operating table, it was proof for the males that she (women) shouldn’t be there. Women have come a long way and, yes, there are still miles to go. It left me appreciative of my university degree and respect received in my career as well as thankful for parents who raised me to be a strong woman. A STEM teacher, I find myself making a point to encourage female students with promise to pursue a career in the field. This took me back to Nora and although she didn’t have a mother as she grew up, she had many ‘mothers’ in her life; those who stepped up with guidance and love. We have a responsibility after reading this book - encourage and foster a love of learning, a sense of determination and appreciate the power of passing the torch to others.

This riveting historical novel brings to light the reality of a doctor’s life in the late 1800s:
“A doctor’s life, it often seemed, was a series of gambles mixed alternately with unsolvable and unnecessary problems.”

I’m confident Miss Beady’s journey is not over yet and I (fingers crossed) anticipate another 5-star installment in her road to a successful surgeon.

I was gifted this advance copy by Audrey Blake, Sourcebooks Landmark, and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

I didn't dig the plot as much as I did #1 but I'm such a sucker for historical medical fiction. I did REALLY appreciate their focus on vaccine preventable diseases . Us modern folks forget how devastating & deadly disease such as tetanus and diphtheria were. We are so fortunate to have life saving vaccines, it was a good reminder.

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Medicine has come so far and yet we still understand so little. Hopefully one day people will look back at cancer and think wow those poor people that used to have to struggle with that, if only they knew…

Nice look at some of the hostility a woman would have encountered when trying to become a physician in the 1800’s. Also interesting take on how csections became a feasible option

This took me way too long to read but it was a lovely story of Nora who pursues an education to become a doctor in the 1800’s. I was fascinated by the descriptions of diphtheria, tetanus, and early cesarean sections. Modern medicine has come so far.

What a wonderful story of a woman's foray into the medical field. I enjoyed Nora's tenacity and intelligence. I appreciated learning the old medical terms. I listened to the audio book and liked the narration and pacing. I'll definitely recommend this book to my friends! Thank you NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.