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    A Lady in Shadows: A Madeleine Karno Mystery
    A Lady in Shadows: A Madeleine Karno Mystery
    A Lady in Shadows: A Madeleine Karno Mystery
    Audiobook9 hours

    A Lady in Shadows: A Madeleine Karno Mystery

    Written by Lene Kaaberbol

    Narrated by Nicola Barber

    3.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    On June 2nd, 1894, in the wake of President Marie Francois Sadi Carnot's assassination, France descends into chaos and riots in the streets of Varbourg. Many lives are lost in the mayhem, but when one lady of the night is found murdered with brutal incisions and no sign of a struggle, it is clear something is amiss. Madeleine Karno, the tenacious protagonist from Doctor Death, must ask herself the terrifying question: Do they have their very own Jack the Ripper in France?

    Madeleine is no stranger to cases such as this. Though she is a woman in forensic pathology (a career that is considered unseemly even for a man), her recent work with a string of mysterious deaths has earned her some semblance of respect-she has even become the first female student to gain admission to the University of Varbourg. But there's only so much her physiology courses can do to help her uncover the mysteries of a mad scientist's brutal murders. Madeleine must do whatever it takes-investigate the darkest corners of the city and even work under cover-to track down a murderer at large. But if there's one thing the press has right about "Mademoiselle Death," it's this: it takes a woman to find a killer of women.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHighbridge Company
    Release dateDec 5, 2017
    ISBN9781681688701

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    Reviews for A Lady in Shadows

    3.5/5

    40 ratings13 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Delighted with a new Madeleine Karno mystery -- still gory, still medicinally focused, still psychologically intense. I'm also really enjoying the portrait of the time period. I'm a little puzzled at the ramifications of the ending, given Madeleine's thoughtful aversion to motherhood, and am deeply interested to see where the series goes next, if the series continues.

      Also, urgh, vivisection.

      Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
    • 3/5
      In 1894 Varbourg, France Madeleine Karno assists her father as a forensic pathologist ands is called out one morning to inspect a mutilated female body.
      An interesting historical mystery, not that difficult to reason the guilty party, but really couldn't get engaged with the characters.
      A NetGalley Book
    • 4/5
      This was an interesting murder mystery set in 1894 Vaubourg, France. The writing was well suited for a late nineteenth century story. The character of protagonist Madeleine Karnot was well developed, whereas that of other characters was not done quite as well. The setting of scene was rather bare bones. What strikes the reader is the graphic nature of horror described and the passion of the female protagonist to solve the murders of various discarded women. She was as a dog with a bone whereas the men in leadership roles were less than interested and found her tenacity rather annoying. I found the the narratives of the several deaths rather confusing. Perhaps, reading the written word might have made it a bit easier to follow the story's thread. Regardless, Nicola Barber did a spectacular job of reading this story and beautifully rendered varying voices for the dialogue of the various characters. Her French was lovely. However, her German would have benefited from some coaching.Triggers: graphic murder scenes, graphic sexual scenes, misogynyI am grateful to HighBridge Audio for having provided a complimentary copy of this audiobook. Their generosity, however, did not influence this review - the words of which are mine alone.
    • 3/5
      France 1894 a woman is found murdered w/ her abdomen slashed... Which leads to the question is there another Ripper running around.Madeline Karno, is an highly intelligent young woman who helps her father with his medical practice & autopsies. She is admitted to the University in hopes of becoming a doctor, but instead they move her to the Physiology classes, where she encounters the former male lover of her fiancée and an odd acting professor.As Madeline investigates the murder of the dead woman, she learns that the woman was pregnant and both her womb & fetus are missing. She also discovers that many of the free-living prostitutes in the city are being treated every-other-day with so called syphilis treatments, that turn out to be anything but.I read the book through, but was not entranced with the characters, they seemed rather flat and boring. The narratives were boring as well...
    • 3/5
      Madeline Karno, a.k.a. "Doctor Death", is female forensic pathologist in the late 1800s. She also finds herself to be an investigator as one particular case of a murdered prostitute whose abdomen was destroyed. Faced with constant scrutiny based on her being a female, Madeline is determined to find the young woman's murderer.This book is extremely detailed in the scientific aspects where the author has clearly done a lot of research not only in forensic pathology but for obstetrics. Furthermore, it is extremely detailed in the historical aspects which may have history buffs rejoicing. However, it is also heavy with multiple concepts thrown into it which can be confusing at times. I understand that the author was probably trying to point out how very different life was in the 19th century. Especially for a female, a bisexual, and a prostitute-these are actually three different characters. Yet, to me it felt distracting. For example: I am still not really sure what the point of Madeline's fiancee's former male lover had to do with the story. It seemed to be yet another (forced) example of what a wonderful character Madeline is in her willingness to still be with her fiancee as she would have to provide for him once they were married because this would otherwise put him exile. A lot of the book has to do with other characters complimenting the main character on her strength, intelligence, persistence, caring nature, fearlessness, and her slim figure. Personally, I found her to be my least favorite character as she came across as spoiled, quick to anger, disrespectful, and insufferable. Although this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. I was not even aware that this was the second book in a series until I went to write the review. For those who are fans of audio CDs and/or audiobooks in general, I would recommend listening to this book on AudioCD or audiobook. Nicola Barber does a wonderful job narrating the book and her inflections and varying voices greatly contribute to the overall tone of the book. Conversely, I would not recommend this book for anyone who may be triggered or offended by the following: graphic violence, kidnapping, murder, abortion, prostitution, infidelity, sexual scenarios, and anti-feminism. Moreover, if you find that trauma to the eye is especially offensive (like I do), be warned that there is an especially graphic scene involving that horrific concept. Please note: an audioCD of this book was generously provided by LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for an honest review.
    • 2/5
      This was not a favorite of mine. The story was good and engaging, however, it just seemed a little too long and tedious.

      My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for this advanced readers copy.
    • 4/5
      I love historical fiction mysteries and this book definitely falls into that genre. Set in Victorian London, this series features Madeleine Karno, whose father is a pathologist for the London police. Although Madeleine has hands on experience assisting her father with autopsies, she wants to become a doctor, a difficult feat during the Victorian era. So a lot of this story revolves around Madeleine's attempts to study physiology in a male dominated field, but the mystery is about the murder of prostitutes, executed in a gruesome Jack the Ripper style. For me, much of pleasure around this story is the technology (or lack thereof) of the times. No cell phones, no DNA evidence, how did mysteries get solved. And throughout this story is the fascinating look at the status of women - from prostitutes to high ladies - and their place in society.Great story!
    • 4/5
      I received an audiobook copy of this novel on CD and listened to it while driving AND often sitting in my car waiting. Sometimes it was sitting because I wanted to know what strange twist the story would take next. The narration is wonderful. For some listeners you may want to allow your ear time to get used to the beautiful accent. I know I missed some of the clues and details early on and will be going back to listen again. This is a book both genders can appreciate. It is dark crime for a mature audience. The topic can be sordid and twisted, the perpetrator deviant yet intelligent.It starts out with a crime against a working class female and we think we are going to be following along with a Jack-The-Ripper type case. This is so much more! Madeleine Karno is fighting for her right to become educated and follow in her father's footsteps as a medical professional. She, herself, is a type of medical detective and coroner's assistant. She is also a woman of compassion and open minded views. We view the conditions of the times and certain beliefs that may surprise you. As Madeleine finally thinks she may be getting some acceptance and regard as an intelligent, capable female she discovers a horrible truth. Be prepared for many such discoveries along the way.This is a book you will find yourself thinking about long after it is over.
    • 4/5
      This is an interesting historical mystery. The historical examination of the roles of women in the late 1800s is as engaging as the mystery. Madeleine Karno has been raised by her physician father. She examines victims of murder along with him. She wants, more than anything, to go to medical school and become a physician in her own right, but that is not allowed. When she is admitted, she thinks her prayers have been answered, however, it is the beginning of a nightmare that she may not survive.
    • 4/5
      Madeleine is a bright young woman who wants to pursue a career in forensic pathology. If she succeeds, she will be the first woman in France to do so. She already assists her father in doing autopsies, and her curiosity is piqued when a young woman is found with unusual abdominal incisions. Does France have its own Jack the Ripper-style killer? From the opening scene, this latest Madeleine Karno mystery is a tension-filled and absorbing listen. The narrator effectively draws listeners into Madeleine's life in 1894 France, and manages both the voices and pacing perfectly.Highly recommended.
    • 4/5
      This was the first audio book I have listened to. It narrated an interesting story set in the late 1800s with Madeline Karno as its protagonist. She is the daughter of a doctor and assists her father and local law enforcement in forensic examinations of deceased victims of crime. The book revolves around her investigation of the circumstances surrounding the unexplained death of a local lady of the evening. This investigation uncovers a macabre plan created by a professor of hers in medical school involving insemination of various women to increase the population and to permit further scientific studies. The book was unique in that Madeline Karno was ahead of her time in pursuing a medical career and in accepting her future husband's bisexuality. Although I listened rather than read this book, it was a good story and one I would recommend be read or listened to.
    • 4/5
      A Lady In Shadows (Madeleine Karno, #2) by Lene KaaberbølBook 2 in the Madeleine Karno series is set in nineteenth-century France.Assisting her father (a prominent forensic doctor), she has now earned the distinction of becoming the first female student to gain admission to the University of Varbourg.Her goal is additional education in forensic pathology.Amidst 1894 political unrest due to assassination of Marie François Sadi Carnot, President of the French Third Republic, "a lady of the night is found murdered with brutal incisions and no sign of a struggle."Madeleine follows her instincts in search of a precise killer.I found it to be a very interesting historical thriller drawn from the medical climate of this period and also a unique coming of age tale.4*English translation (2017) by Elisabeth Dyssegaard.Read by Nicola Barber
    • 4/5
      A historical mystery with lots of historical details, which I enjoy reading - she is the daughter of a forensic pathologist, so some of the details of the murder victims may not be for everyone - well written with a good main character & supporting characters - as mysteries go it is exciting.