The Midwife by Tricia Cresswell ★★★★★
In Victorian London, Dr Borthwick develops his practice as a successful accoucheur. Catering to both the desperately poor and increasingly wealthy clients.
Unfortunately, Dr Preston, a well established, though less capable accoucheur views Dr Borthwick as a threat. He will use dirty tricks to remove that threat.
In Victorian Alnwick, a woman is found on the moor during a thunderstorm. She has no clothes, no money, no name and no memory.
She is taken in by the Elliott family. Mary Elliott nurses the woman back to health, giving her the name Joanna.
Once recovered, Joanna must work on the farm to repay her debt. Unfortunately, it is run down and the house is a hovel. The living conditions are vile, as is the predatory John Elliott. Joanna is dirty, malnourished, ragged and vulnerable.
When Mary goes into labour, Joanna assists. She has midwifery skills and knowledge but no idea where the knowledge came from.
She begins to act as midwife for the local women but any payment is taken by John Elliott.
She finally finds the courage to leave.
In Alnwick she witnesses a butchery accident. Her swift action saves the butcher and leads her to a better life, working for the local doctor.
She tries desperately to remember her past but each memory is fleeting.
The book follows her story of survival in early Victorian England.
This is gritty, gripping and intriguing.
Tiny little breadcrumbs provide clues, which give you pause for thought, then the plot pulls you on again.
A really wonderful debut!
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.
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