The past weighs heavy and poison runs deep: The Surgeon’s House by Jody Cooksley #bookreview #TheSurgeonsHouse #NetGalley

London, 1883.
The brutal murder of Rose Parmiter seems, at first glance, to be a random and senseless act. Rose was the beloved cook at Evergreen House, a place of refuge for women and children, a place from which they can start their lives afresh. Proprietor Rebecca Harris, is profoundly shocked by the death of her dear friend and alarmed at the mysterious events which begin to unfold shortly afterwards. Could the past be casting a shadow on the present? The malign legacy of the Everley family who called Evergreen home, cannot be ignored.
After two further deaths it becomes clear there is an evil presence infecting their sanctuary, and Rebecca must draw out the poison of the past so the Evergreen residents can finally make peace with the darkness in their lives.

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Hi and welcome to my review of The Surgeon’s House!

The Surgeon’s House is the follow-up of The Small Museum, which, honestly, I hadn’t even realised when I accepted the widget lovely Josie Rushin offered me. And once I did realise, truth be told, I was still a little hazy on the details myself, so don’t worry if you haven’t read The Small Museum: The Surgeon’s House stands perfectly well on its own. You’d be missing out, though, just saying.

I’ll cut right to the chase: I had a great time with The Surgeon’s House, just like I had fully expected to. I’ve said it many times before and I’ll say it again: I love Victorian England as a setting. It’s without a doubt one of my favourite eras to read about, it almost guarantees a gothic atmosphere, especially in the capable hands of Jody Cooksley.

Everything in Evergreen House is going well, women and children with traumatic pasts are finally safe and cared for, it’s not perfect but it sure comes close. But there is an element or two that is rather menacing, operating in the background, threatening to undo all the proprietors’ hard work. I was hooked from the start. That dark undertone, that first murder, those few quite creepy characters, it all had me and kept me fully invested.

Much like its predecessor, The Surgeon’s House is an atmospheric and engrossing gothic murder mystery and I would happily recommend it to fans of the genre.

The Surgeon’s House is out in digital formats and hardcover on 22 May, with the paperback to follow next year.

Massive thanks to Allison & Busby and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.