Where the Light Enters by Sara Donati

Where the Light Enters by Sara Donati ISBN-13: 9780425271827 Hardback: 672 pages Publisher: Berkley Books Released: Sept, 10, 2019

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Obstetrician Dr. Sophie Savard returns home to the achingly familiar rhythms of Manhattan in the early spring of 1884 to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. With the help of Dr. Anna Savard, her dearest friend, cousin, and fellow physician, she plans to continue her work aiding the disadvantaged women society would rather forget.

As Sophie sets out to construct a new life for herself, Anna's husband, Detective-Sergeant Jack Mezzanotte calls on them both to consult on two new cases: the wife of a prominent banker has disappeared into thin air, and the corpse of a young woman is found with baffling wounds that suggest a killer is on the loose. In New York it seems that the advancement of women has brought out the worst in some men. Unable to ignore the plight of New York's less fortunate, these intrepid cousins draw on all resources to protect their patients.


My Review:
Where the Light Enters is an epic historical novel set in 1884 in Manhattan. I didn't realize this continued the story in "The Gilded Hour," which I haven't read. This book thoroughly spoiled events in the previous book, and I'd recommend reading them in order. The first 6% of the story was simply newspaper articles, telegrams, and letters that update the reader on what has been going on with the characters since the end of the previous book. The story then became a narrative, though with some letters and newspaper articles thrown in.

The historical details were interesting and often drove the story, but there were too many story lines going on (including some ongoing from the previous book). It felt like the author wanted to tell too many stories at once. We have the story of Dr. Anna Savard and Dr. Sophie Savard facing prejudice as women doctors (and, in Sophie's case, for also being part Native American). And of Detective-Sergeant Jack Mezzanotte and his partner trying to solve a series of difficult cases. And of everything Sophie has to do to set up house as a widow and to start a scholarship program for colored women who want to become doctors. And the struggles of a young woman who's currently studying to become a doctor. And of each patient they see. And more.

The serial killer case was solved, but it was not the focus of the story until nearly the end and it didn't end in a satisfying way (like in a mystery genre. The killer deserved to hang as the killer made the choice to hurt those who never hurt the killer, but the main characters blamed the person who abused the killer). There was no graphic sex (as in, 'he kissed her (usually covered body part)' type descriptions). There was a minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel to those who really enjoy immersive historical detail and who won't mind the epic length.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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