A Murderous Malady

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It's 1854 and another outbreak of cholera has London in its grip. With various theories on how it spreads, Florence Nightingale works to treat the people infected. In A Murderous Malady by Christine Trent, there is more than cholera killing people. (A Murderous Malady will be published by Crooked Lane Books on May 17.)

When the coach shared by Elizabeth Herbert, the wife of the Secretary at War Sidney Herbert, and her father is fired upon in Soho, the coachman dies. Soon after Herbert's valet stumbles into to Florence's Establishment for Gentlewomen, a victim of cholera. Worried that someone is targeting his wife Herbert implores Florence to investigate the strange occurrence.

While Florence has her hands full with cholera victims, she nevertheless travels to Soho, the hot spot for the disease to investigate along with her faithful assistance Mary Clarke. Florence discovers a strange pair of dice in the pocket of the dead valet and despite asking everyone involved, cannot seem to determine the secret behind them. And there are many secrets kept in the Herbert family including Elizabeth's father's past experiences in Afghanistan, Sidney's prior love life and the special position in the household held by a privileged ladies maid.

Meanwhile Florence is battling not only cholera, but filthy hospitals and no nurses at one hospital in particular. When asked by the physicians at the hospital what they can do to quell the startling death rate, she encourages them to separate the injured from the sick, wash the sheets, clean the walls and open the windows. I know it sounds simple, but it was not the norm in those days to keep hospitals clean. Yikes!

By analyzing the research created by Dr. Snow and Reverend Henry Whitehead, they conclude that a water source is causing the spread of cholera rather than a naturally occurring miasma. This was a milestone in the prevention of cholera.

But Florence knows she needs to solve the murder of the Herbert's coachman before someone else dies. If you enjoy historical fiction you will love Florence Nightingale in London.