In the summer of 1896, amateur sleuth Emily Cabot meets two young Chinese women who have recently received medical degrees. She is inspired to make an important decision about her own life when she learns about the difficult choices they have made in order to pursue their careers. When one of the women is accused of poisoning a Chinese herbalist, Emily once again finds herself in the midst of a murder investigation. But, before the case can be solved, she must first settle a serious quarrel with her husband, help quell a political uprising, and overcome threats against her family. Timeless issues, such as restrictions on immigration, the conflict between Western and Eastern medicine, and women's struggle to balance family and work, are woven seamlessly throughout this riveting historical mystery. Rich with fascinating details of life in Chicago's original Chinatown, this fifth book in the Emily Cabot Mysteries series will continue to delight history buffs and mystery lovers alike.
About the Author
Frances McNamara grew up in Boston where her father served as Police Commissioner for ten years. She has degrees from Mount Holyoke and Simmons Colleges, and is now a librarian at the University of Chicago. She is working on the fourth book in the Emily Cabot mystery series, Death at Woods Hole. When not working or writing she can be found sailing on Lake Michigan.
My Thoughts
Death at Chinatown takes place in Chicago and Chicago's Chinatown in 1896. The era is strife with conflicts, restrictions on immigrants, Eastern and Western culture and the rights of women. A Chinese herbalist is murdered in Chinatown and Emily Cabot is recruited by the police Inspector Whitbread. Emily has assisted in solving a few other crimes in the past, but is now a full time wife and mother. She reluctantly agrees to help. Two other characters pivotal to the story are Drs. Ida Kahn and Mary Stone, two Chinese women who have recently graduated medical school, and their goal is to go back to China to open up a clinic. They are in Chicago with Gertrude Howe who is a pioneer missionary of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ida and Mary are expected to go back to China and open up a clinic, of which they do. Emily befriends them and when one of the women doctors is arrested for the murder, Emily is coerced by her husband, who at times seems insensitive, to seek the murderer. Emily, before having her children, had an academic career and a lectureship. She gave these up to stay with her children but her husband keeps insisting she go back to the academic life, which is strange in this day and age, considering men of this generation would rather see their wives home.
The author captures the atmosphere of the time, with vivid descriptions of Chinatown, it people and culture. This book is not only a mystery but a bit of an education, meaning the author gave us a glimpse into a small part of these two Chinese doctors. Drs.Ida Kahn, Mary Stone and Gertrude Howe were all very real people who should be admired for their own accomplishments. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is the fifth book in the series and the first I had read, but the book is definitely a stand alone novel.
I received a copy for review and was not monetarily compensated for said review.
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