New York City, 1907.  At the dawn of the twentieth century, Americans believe that science, especially the medical sciences, will soon conquer all of mankind’s ills. For a brief time medical schools open their doors to women, allowing them to join the scientific crusade. Genevieve Summerford is one woman who answers the call….

After a past family tragedy for which she holds herself to blame, Dr. Genevieve Summerford wants nothing more than to succeed in her new career as a psychiatrist, and win back the respect of her family and peers.

That goal is thrown into jeopardy, however, when one of her patients is arrested for murder – a murder Genevieve fears she may have unwittingly provoked. Desperate to prove to herself and the authorities that her patient is innocent, she is forced to enlist the aid of an influential Tammany captain who once worked for her family as a stable boy, and whose motives for helping her now are open to doubt.

Forging an uneasy alliance, the two uncover an astonishing secret about one of the city’s most powerful families: a secret which, should Genevieve choose to reveal it, could bring down catastrophe on those she cares most about, but which, should she let it lie, will almost certainly send her patient to the electric chair.

From the reviewers:

Strong character development, a gripping plot, and what must have been a painstakingly researched history, make A Deadly Affection very hard to put down.  —  bbbustard  |  5 reviewers made a similar statement

Its exceptionally well researched and brings turn of the century New York City to life.  —  Emily C. Cronin  |  7 reviewers made a similar statement

It is just a wonderful book; the sort of book to get lost in over a lazy weekend.   —  Lucinda Jenney  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement

Overholt’s novel captures the tone of [early] 20th-century New York in a deeply pleasing way. Strong, flowing prose and captivating characters … pull the reader in to the very last page. A well-paced whodunit full of dark secrets and fascinating intrigue.” —  Kirkus, Starred Review

“Backed by meticulous research and presented with acute attention to detail, the novel … shines like a star in a highly competitive genre … Even a seasoned reader of murder mysteries will be surprised at the number of false conclusions one can reach when [reading] Overholt’s debut novel.” — ForeWord Clarion Review, 5 Stars

“For a book filled with murder, madness, and medical mystery, Cuyler Overholt’s A Deadly Affection was a real pleasure to read. Its only drawback: I had to put my life on hold until I’d finished it. What a satisfying finish … and what a smooth, complex, enlightening, riveting journey … A Deadly Affection is masterfully crafted, a delightful combination of suspense and romance. I cannot wait for Overholt’s next novel.”  — Historical Novels Review.

 

Visit Amazon’s Cuyler Overholt Page

Cuyler Overholt worked as a litigation attorney and freelance business writer before turning to fiction.

A Deadly Affection, her first novel, received the Next Generation Indie Book Award for best mystery and the ForeWord Firsts debut fiction award. The author’s interest in old New York was sparked by the reminiscences of her grandmother, whose life spanned over a century of the city’s history.

She lives with her husband, a psychologist, in the hills of Northwestern Connecticut, where she is currently at work on her second novel.

And here, in the comfort of your own browser, is your free sample of A Deadly Affection by Cuyler Overholt: