A Deadly Affection and A Promise of Ruin are the first two novels in this series about a female doctor in 1907 New York whose practice is at the forefront of modern psychology; its setting, then, is similar to The Alienist, although the tone is quite different. Whereas that novel was quite bleak and disturbing, Overholt's works are lighter in their feel -- she doesn't shy away from the injustices and challenges of the age, but she doesn't wallow in them, either.
It also has a distinctly feminist perspective. The upper-class Genevieve has defied her upbringing by entering medical school; delightfully, her father is disappointed in her, not for becoming a doctor at all, but for becoming one of those newfangled psychiatrists rather than a medical doctor. Her mother worries about her finding a suitable husband, but also takes a genuine interest in her work. And Genevieve herself doesn't feel the need to denigrate the lifestyle of her friends, even if she does not wish it for herself. It's refreshing to read such a balanced approach to feminist pioneers; it wasn't all unrelenting oppression (although of course the fact that Genevieve is rich and white helps quite a bit).
The stories themselves were also satisfying, although I found the second one (about forced prostitution) not quite as engaging. The romantic subplot was good, too, and I hope Overholt doesn't drag it out over too many books. There's no word yet on a third, but I can only assume it's in the works.
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