A Deadly Affection

by Cuyler Overholt Narrated by Carly Robins

Overview

New York City, 1907. At the dawn of the twentieth century, Americans believe that science, especially the medical sciences, will soon conquer all of mankind's ills. For a brief time medical schools open their doors to women, allowing them to join the scientific crusade. Genevieve Summerford is one woman who answers the call.... After a past family tragedy for which she holds herself to blame, Dr. Genevieve Summerford wants nothing more than to succeed in her new career as a psychiatrist, and win back the respect of her family and peers. That goal is thrown into jeopardy, however, when one of her patients is arrested for murder - a murder Genevieve fears she may have unwittingly provoked. Desperate to prove to herself and the authorities that her patient is innocent, she is forced to enlist the aid of an influential Tammany captain who once worked for her family as a stable boy, and whose motives for helping her now are open to doubt. Forging an uneasy alliance, the two uncover an astonishing secret about one of the city's most powerful families: a secret which, should Genevieve choose to reveal it, could bring down catastrophe on those she cares most about, but which, should she let it lie, will almost certainly send her patient to the electric chair.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

07/25/2016
Dr. Genevieve Summerford, the plucky heroine of Overholt’s intriguing first novel and series launch set in early 20th-century New York City, begins a psychotherapy group for women suffering from loss despite her father’s wishes that she practice “real” medicine. When Eliza Miner stops after the class to talk about how she’s still mourning the child she gave up at birth as a teen, Genevieve encourages Eliza to confront the doctor who took her baby. But when the doctor is found dead the following morning—with Eliza standing over him—Genevieve finds that she’s the only one who believes Eliza is innocent. Certain that Eliza was incapable of such brutality, Genevieve begins digging into the doctor’s adoption schemes in an effort to uncover another possible suspect. Old flame Simon Shaw, now a Tammany politician, lends a helping hand. Overholt makes fine use of early psychology in this richly detailed whodunit populated with believable characters. Agent: Victoria Lowes, Bent Agency. (Sept.)

From the Publisher

"this superb debut reflects the author’s impeccable research with its portrait of turn-of-the-century New York City. Discussion questions at the end focusing on women’s rights make this a solid book club choice." — Library Journal, Starred Review

"A well-paced, 20th-century whodunit full of dark secrets and fascinating intrigue." — Kirkus Reviews

"intriguing first novel…[a] richly detailed whodunit populated with believable characters. " — Publishers Weekly

"Backed by meticulous research and presented with acute attention to detail, the novel ... shines like a star in a highly competitive genre ... Even a seasoned reader of murder mysteries will be surprised at the number of false conclusions one can reach when [reading] Overholt's debut novel." — ForeWord Clarion Review, 5 Stars

"I had to put my life on hold until I'd finished it. What a satisfying finish...and what a smooth, complex, enlightening, riveting journey. A Deadly Affection is masterfully crafted, a delightful combination of suspense and romance. I cannot wait for Overholt's next novel." — Historical Novels Review

"Rich with historical detail, Overholt brings turn-of-the-century New York to vibrant and gritty life. Readers will become immersed in the plight of her psychiatrist heroine and eagerly follow her through the twists and turns of the human mind." — Anna Lee Huber, national bestselling author of the Lady Darby Mysteries

"Genevieve Summerford is a heroine with brains, compassion, and grit. A psychiatrist during a time women were supposed to be wives and mothers, she not only practices medicine, but also protects secrets, and solves murders. A riveting period puzzler, filled with history, mystery, and romance." — Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling author of the Maggie Hope series

"The characters are well-written, as is the mystery component, and the author also adds some fascinating elements, including psychological and sociological conflicts. " — RT Book Reviews

"Overholt’s story is a winning combination of intrigue and romance." — BookPage

Library Journal

★ 08/01/2016
Dr. Genevieve Summerford is a newly minted psychiatrist in 1907 New York. She opens a clinic in St. Christopher House at Holy Trinity Church and Mission, where she meets with a group of five women, all with psychosomatic illnesses. When one of her patients is accused of murdering a society doctor who took away her baby at birth, a horrified Genevieve questions whether she missed something in her training. She is also burdened with guilt over the death of her brother at a young age. As she investigates the case, Genevieve has to fight both societal norms and her father. VERDICT Initially self-published and winner of ForeWord Reviews' Book of the Year Award and the Next Generation Indie Book Award for best mystery, this superb debut reflects the author's impeccable research with its portrait of turn-of-the-century New York City. Discussion questions at the end focusing on women's rights make this a solid book club choice.

Kirkus Reviews

In Overholt's historical mystery, a young female doctor in early-20th-century New York must solve a bloody murder for which she feels partially responsible. In 1905 Dr. Genevieve Summerford finished third in her class at John Hopkins only to have her father disapprove of her decision to run a psychology research class for women with emotional trauma—a concerted effort in an emerging field to help people better their lives and prove that thoughts and feelings can influence body functions and health. Eliza Miner, a woman in Genevieve's study group, confides that she'd had a baby as a teenager that was taken from her by her doctor. Discussing the incident and options of confronting the doctor regarding the location of the now 20-year-old child, Genevieve's advice is misconstrued, and the following day the doctor is found brutally murdered—with Eliza standing over him covered in blood. Desperate to prove the innocence of her patient, find the real killer and salve her guilt for the inadvertent part she may have played, Genevieve must overcome a mountain of circumstantial evidence, confront a very powerful and influential family and subvert the stubbornness of the investigating officer who refuses to look any further than Eliza Miner. When Genevieve runs into Simon Shaw, a sordid reminder of her painful past, she realizes that the man who broke her heart may be the only one who can give her hope. Genevieve's story is compelling, from her difficult childhood that encompasses the travesty of bearing the blame for the death of her younger brother to the tragedy of losing her innocence to a naive teenage indiscretion, with both bearing equal weight of guilt. Though she longs for the acceptance and forgiveness of her father, Genevieve's unwavering determination to her profession allows her to remain steadfast and true. Replete with formal gowns and annual winter balls, Overholt's novel successfully captures the feel and tone of 20th-century New York in a deeply pleasing, nostalgically modern way. A solid plot pulls the reader in with little effort, while strong, flowing prose and captivating characters provide the incentive to remain to the very last page. In Dr. Genevieve Summerford, Overholt has beautifully rendered a symbol of strength and perseverance in a time of severe gender bias. A well-paced, 20th-century whodunit full of dark secrets and fascinating intrigue that easily keeps pace with 21st-century standards.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169818499
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	09/06/2016
Series:	Dr. Genevieve Summerford Mysteries , #1
Edition description:	Unabridged

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