Murder by Degrees - Ritu Mukerji

 Murder By Degrees is Ritu Mukerji's debut novel.

I was immediately intrigued by the publisher's description."

For fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Charles Todd, Murder by Degrees is a historical mystery set in 19th-century Philadelphia, following a pioneering woman doctor as she investigates the disappearance of a young patient who is presumed dead."

Dr. Lydia Weston is an ideal protagonist - intelligent, tenacious, determined and no stranger to the derision heaped on her by ignorant naysayers. Not surprisingly they're mostly men. I liked her from the get-go. She adroitly makes her way, teaching other women and practicing in a women's hospital. I admit I was somewhat surprised at the depth of knowledge of the human body and procedures at this time in history.

The supporting cast is a mixed bunch - those who are supporting and others who would like to see her fail. And....many who could be the answer to the whodunit. 

I quite enjoy period mysteries for the skills that must be employed in an investigation - using interviews, intuition, seeing the connections and evidence and more rather than immediate answers from computers etc. It makes for a more personal read. Mukerji has done that and given us a multi layered crime to solve.

Murder By Degrees benefits from Mukerji's love of mysteries and her knowledge as she is a practicing doctor.  

Gabra Zackman was the reader for Murder By Degrees. Her voice has movement to it - she brings emotions and action to her reading. She speaks clearly and is is easy to understand. Zackman creates different and identifiable voices for the many characters, males and females. I did end up turning the speed down a notch. I would rather savour the reading, rather than rush through it. She does a great job of presenting Mukerju's work. Hear for yourself - listen to  an excerpt of Murder By Degrees.

Murder By Degrees is a really good debut and I'm hoping that its the first in a series.