We were introduced to Sarah Gilchrist in THE WAGES OF SINS and her plight continues in THE UNQUIET HEART. Sarah has
always dreamed of becoming a doctor. However, because it's 1893, it is
the general opinion that women should not strive to be something other
than wives and mothers. And she has paid dearly for her dreams. Now,
she may have to marry a man she doesn't love because her family
demands it. But, then a housemaid in her fiance's house is murdered
and she wants to know if Miles had anything to do with it.
Just like the first book, the combination of a murder mystery and social
injustice in THE UNQUIET HEART
are equally interesting to read about. To have a female lead that is
aspiring to become a doctor in a world where female students have to
fight their ways all the time is fascinating to read about, as well as
infuriating. This book can definitely be read as a stand-alone. Sarah
Gilchrist's past indiscretions are mentioned in this book and you will get
to know why her family sent her away to Edinburgh, in addition to why
they are so hellbent on marrying her off. As for the murder, I was not
perhaps not that surprised over the ending, but it was definitely a good
ending.
The Sarah Gilchrist series is
one that I highly recommend to readers who love historical fiction that
deals with the suffragette moment. To read about the injustice women
faced every day would have been interesting to read about even
without the murder part. Although personally, I did love the
combination. Also, there is a broody love interest that will make even
those of us that prefer less romance swoon.
In this sequel to the acclaimed The Wages of
Sin—and once again set in moody fin de siecle
Edinburgh—Sarah Gilchrist finds herself trying to prove her
fiancé’s innocence in the midst of his murder trial.
Edinburgh, 1893.
Sarah Gilchrist has no intention of marrying her dull fiancé
Miles, the man her family hope will restore her reputation
and put an end to her dreams of becoming a doctor, but when
he is arrested for a murder she is sure he didn’t commit,
she finds herself his reluctant ally.
Beneath the genteel façade of upper class Edinburgh lurks
blackmail, adultery, poison, and madness, and Sarah must
return to Edinburgh’s slums, back alleys, and asylums as she
discovers the dark past about a family where no one is what
they seem, even Miles himself.
It also brings her back into the orbit of her mercurial
professor, Gregory Merchiston—he sees Sarah as his protege,
but can he stave off his demons long enough to teach her the
skills that will save her life?