A Slash of Emerald

Patrice McDonough

$49.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Kensington Publishing
25 March 2025

Crime & Mystery

A trailblazing female medical examiner in 1867 London and a skeptical Scotland Yard detective investigate a string of art world murders in this dark, atmospheric, historically rich mystery for readers of Andrea Penrose and Deanna Raynourn.

A trailblazing female medical examiner in 1867 London and a skeptical Scotland Yard detective investigate a string of art world murders in this dark, atmospheric, historically rich mystery for readers of Andrea Penrose and Deanna Raynourn.

London, 1867- Among the genteel young ladies of London society, painting is a perfectly acceptable pastime-but a woman who dares to pursue art as a profession is another prospect, indeed. Dr. Julia Lewis, familiar with the disrespect afforded women in untraditional careers, is hardly surprised when Scotland Yard shows little interest in complaints made by her friend, Mary Allingham, about a break-in at her art studio. Mary is just one of many ""lady painters"" being targeted by vandals.

Painters' sitters are vanishing, too-women viewed by some as dispensable outcasts. Inspector Richard Tennant, however, takes the attacks seriously, suspecting they're linked to the poison-pen letters received by additional members of the Allingham family. For Julia, the issue is complicated by Tennant's previous relationship with Mary's sister-in-law, Louisa, and by her own surprising reaction to that entanglement.

But when someone close to them commits suicide and a young woman turns up dead, the case can no longer be so easily ignored by 'respectable' society. Layer after layer, Julia and Tennant scrape away the facts of the case like paint from a canvas. What emerges is a somber picture of vice, depravity, and deception stretching from London's East End to the Far East-with a killer at its center, determined to get away with one last, grisly murder . . .

By: Patrice McDonough
Imprint: Kensington Publishing
Country of Publication: United States
Volume: 2
Dimensions: Height: 210mm, Width: 140mm,
Weight: 567g
ISBN: 9781496746399
ISBN 10: 1496746392
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 25 March 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Patrice McDonough is a former educator who taught history for more than three decades. A member of the Historical Writers of America, the Mystery Writers of America, and the Historical Novel Society, she splits her time between New Jersey and the Florida Gulf Coast. Please visit her online at PatriceMcDonough1789.com.

Reviews for A Slash of Emerald

Praise for Murder by Lamplight “This atmospheric, strong debut features two intriguing lead characters…Fans of Victorian mysteries, medical mysteries, and detective duos will appreciate this historical suspense. Suggest for fans of Andrea Penrose or Ritu Mukerji’s debut.” —Library Journal STARRED REVIEW “An unusually violent and methodical killer terrorizes 1866 London in McDonough’s debut…The spree of period murders, capped by a welcome surprise, provides the perfect backdrop for debates about gender politics.” —Kirkus Reviews “A stellar mystery, balancing the step-by-step collection of evidence and clues with the ruminations of the observant letter writer and leading to the gasp-inducing yet wholly believable identification of the perpetrator…Brilliant.” —Historical Novel Society “A promising start to a new series with a gritty, engaging plot and intriguing characters.” —Mystery & Suspense Magazine “All signs point to this satisfying and enjoyable debut setting up a series with a long, long run.” —Deadly Pleasures Magazine “This is simply the best series kick-off I’ve read since Victoria Thompson’s Murder on Astor Place.” —Aunt Agatha’s Mysteries “Enthralling debut. . . Mystery, pulse‑pounding suspense and a budding romance. More, please!” —Mary Jane Clark, New York Times Bestselling Author