The Anatomist's Wife

"It was a small chamber decorated in comfortably worn furniture the shades of new leaves and lemon yellow."

As I read the description of the small chamber that is a parlor in the family wing of Gairloch Castle in 1830 Scotland, I realized how enchanted I was with Anna Lee Huber's writing. Lady Darby is an artist and I felt that the author was painting the scenes in my mind.

Lady Kiera Darby has been grateful for the respite and comfort of living at Gairloch Castle with her older sister Alana, husband Philip, Earl of Cromarty, and their 3 children, Malcolm, Philipa, and little baby Greer. Kiera has been far away from London and the gossip commentary and accusations after her husband's death but she can hardly deny her sister and show more brother-in-law the joy of entertaining and is bracing herself for the upcoming house party.

This historical mystery is a grim and haunting reminder of the control fathers and husbands had over their daughters and wives in the 19th century. At the same time, it is encouraging to see the courage and composure that Lady Darby has in knowing her own strengths and knowing she has the respect of her sister and brother-in-law.

There was one segment in the story that didn't ring true for me. Lady Darby is reminded to lock her bedroom door as she retires but the next morning she awakes to find Alana hovering over her bed. Even with the understanding that it is Alana's home, it seems highly unlikely that a castle bedroom door could be unlocked without waking the occupant particularly the morning after a murder.

I would also call attention to the author's "Historical Note" at the end of the novel. The author begins by sharing, "The Anatomist’s Wife was crafted using many interesting historical facts and tidbits. I would like to share just a few of the most fascinating." As a reader I wish I could extend my profound appreciation to authors of historical fiction who include this section as it highlights the extensive research accomplished illuminating history and the fine distinctions of creativity that together become a compelling and fascinating novel. Thank you Anna Lee Huber. show less

This mystery takes place at a house party in Scotland. Lady Keira Darby has taken refuge with her sister after her husband's death and accusations that she is an unnatural woman. Her husband was a famous surgeon and anatomist who married Keira for her artistic talents. He used her to make drawings of his dissections. Keira was forced to comply in order to be able to paint. She has the strong support of her sister and brother-in-law but most of society spread vicious rumors about her.

When a woman's butchered body is found in the maze, Keira is the focus of gossip again. Her brother-in-law pairs her with Sebastian Gage to investigate while the proper authorities travel there from Edinburgh. They have four days to solve the crime and clear show more Keira's name.

The woman had her throat slit and her five month fetus cut from her womb. Since her husband has been on his way to India for more than five months, Keira and Gage begin by looking at the lady's lovers. Several of them are also at the house party. They also become suspicious of the wife of one of the lovers who states that she was the murdered lady's best friend.

This was a nicely twisty mystery with a great setting. The Highlands of Scotland and the close quarters of the house party are nicely detailed. I liked the budding relationship between Keira and Gage and liked that she was the one who found the murderer despite Gage's greater experience in investigations. Keira, particularly, was a well-drawn character that the reader got to know. I liked the way she grew and changed during the story.

This book begins a series of historical mysteries and I was quick to order the rest of the series after reading this one. show less

Imagine that; a woman in 19th c. England who can actually think for herself (even when it's not socially acceptable). Here is Lady Darby, a much maligned, talented artist, who had been sold down the river by her father just to get her married off. She got the short end of that stick and is hiding out at her sister's Highland Castle following the untimely death of her calculating husband. There's a big social "do" up at the country estate and someone winds up dead. It's a four-day ride before the officials will make it to the hinterlands. The laird asks a guest with interrogative experience to lead an unofficial investigation with the assistance of capable and highly observant Lady Darby.
The story is told through Lady Darby's voice and show more observations. What an amazingly bright and courageous woman, and one who could easily steal the show but that's just not her style. I cannot wait for the next installment in this delightful and well-written series. show less

I enjoyed this book as a light historical mystery. It turned out to also be a romance, maybe in a Gothic sense. I'm looking forward to the second book in the series. Lady Darby is an artist which makes her very appealing. A few times I felt annoyed at the contemporary perspective on women's issues taking me out of the scene and setting. Lady Darby has enough clothing for a much wealthier woman, too, but the dress descriptions make for fun reading. The frequent mention of the green cloak was constantly belied by the red one on the woman on the cover of the book. I gave it a 4 star rating based on the quality for its genre. I don't expect it to be something that it isn't.

Anna Lee Huber has given us an excellent blend of mystery and historical detail wrapped up in a country house party. There's even a touch of romance as the story unfolds. The mystery is a complex one due to the background of the victim and the victim's interactions with everyone else at the country house. It takes time to sort through everything, and while I was sorting, I was enjoying Huber's look at high society in the year 1830. Having Kiera be so utterly reviled by everyone gives us a chance to see how the rich and shameless behave around her, and their behavior tells a great deal about them as people and as suspects.

Lady Darby's married life has given her some of the skills needed to be a good investigator. Already a talented show more artist, her husband nevertheless honed her skill by forcing her to notice minute details while he dissected and she drew. She also learned much in the way of medical matters, and by the same token she learned how to persevere through extremely unpleasant tasks.

Now that she and Gage have learned to value each other's investigative skills, it's going to be interesting to see them work together again. The rogue and the recluse. The private inquiry agent and the artist. The sought-after and the universally reviled. I'm definitely looking forward to the second book in this series. show less

The Anatomist's Wife
4.5 Stars

Lady Kiera Darby is a social outcast due to the revelation that she assisted her deceased husband in his anatomical dissections. Thus, when Lady Godwin is found murdered during a house party at the ancestral home of Kiera’s brother-in-law, suspicion naturally falls on her and she must make use of her knowledge of the human body to clear her name.

A well-paced mystery with an engaging protagonist and some intriguing hints at a romance to come.

Kiera is a particularly likable heroine as she is highly intelligent and in possession of a quiet strength and resilience that is very appealing. The manner in which she deals with society’s ignorant prejudices and hypocrisy, with honor and dignity, makes it show more impossible not to empathize with her predicament. She also grows in confidence as the story progresses and approaches every situation in a practical manner with no TSTL moments.

Kiera’s investigative partner, Sebastian Gage, is slightly more ambiguous with his rakish ways, and as the narrative is in the first person, it is never clear what his thoughts and feelings for Kiera are. Nevertheless, there is some intense sexual tension between the two and it will be interesting to see where this goes in future installments.

The mystery is well developed albeit a bit more detailed in the gruesome description department than other historical mysteries such as the Bess Crawford and Lady Julia series. The investigation unfolds at a solid pace (which is actually better than in the Lady Julia books) and the climax and resolution are exciting. While there is an abundance of suspects, it is rather easy to spot the culprit although the motive is more complex and diabolical.

Heather Wilds narration is very good. Her reading pace is more rapid than many other narrators, but she speaks clearly and there is no need to slow the speed. Nevertheless, her voices are not as distinct as they could have been, especially for the men but that's not a deal breaker.

Highly recommended for fans of the Lady Julia series by Deanna Raybourn. show less

The Anatomist's Wife (Berkley Prime Crime, $15.00) is a love story masquerading as a historical crime novel - and it's a good one!

Lady Kiera Darby came to the Gairloch estate in an attempt to hide from London's nobility. Her sister, the countess of Gairloch, welcomed her with open arms following the death -- and resulting mess -- of Kiera's husband, a respected anatomist living in the shadow of the great Burke and Hare scandal.

A painter by trade, Kiera takes refuge in Scotland and removes herself from the swirling world of manners and hateful gossip that plagues her.

An ancient castle beside a turbulent Scotch loch is ideal for a creepy murder mystery. The late Georgian period comes alive on the pages of this fast-paced thriller, as the show more reader is introduced to a party of selfish socialites visiting Gairloch. Each is hell-bent on getting their own way and climbing into the upper echelons of the ton, acquaintances be damned.

When the beautiful Lady Godwin's mutilated body is discovered in the gardens after dinner, it is clear that a cold-hearted murder walks among them - but who?

The isolated estate is set to lock-down for days, awaiting the arrival of the proper authorities. In the interim, the charming (and stubborn) Sebastian Gage, son of a well-respected investigator, attempts to unravel the mystery on his own terms.

A misunderstood artist with a dark past, the innocent Kiera is immediately suspected as Lady Godwin's vicious murderer. With all signs pointing to her guilt, the young Lady Darby must find a way to convince her family and their anxious guests that she is not the murderer. Independent to a fault, she must learn to work alongside Mr. Gage... and somehow convince him that she has been framed.With all bets against her, Kiera must solve the mystery before the murder can silence her forever.

Many tales of love and loss are woven into the plot of this quick read. Each character strives to find their own sort of happiness, whether that be realized through true love or the beds of their friends' wives and husbands. Unrequited love, unfulfilled dreams and a hunger for something more are what drive Huber's characters to their blessed and bitter ends.

No historical thriller is complete without a bit of romance. Huber's well-crafted characters are at times exasperating, but endearing. As this novel came to an end I slowed my reading, hoping to stretch and savor the last few pages. I didn't want to say goodbye to clever Kiera and the handsome Mr. Gage.

Anna Lee Huber must be awfully proud of her first novel. It is saturated with well-researched historical tidbits, providing a feeling of authenticity often difficult to achieve in this genre. A stellar debut, and I look forward to the next installment of her promising "Lady Darby" mystery series.

Get this novel from your local, independent bookseller!
Read more of my reviews at my blog: http://audreyellis.blogspot.com/2012/10/book-review-anatomists-wife-by-anna-lee.... show less