SAWBONES by Melissa Lenhardt

SAWBONES by Melissa Lenhardt is an excellent bit of historical fiction. The story takes place in New York in 1817. Catherine Bennet is visiting a resurrection man because nobody else will let her practice so she can be better at ther trade -- medicine. Catherine is a Victorian anomaly a female doctor. On her way back from the resurrection man she is attacked by a man when he realizes that she is really not a man, she is just dressed like one so she can travel about freely at night. Her friend and one-time lover, James, saves her and soon tells her that she is accused of murdering a prominent man and of being his lover. Catherine decides to change her name to Laura Ellington and flee to Colorado with her dutiful maid, Maureen, to avoid the noose. Things soon turn tragic when their wagon train is violently attached by a group of Kiowa Indians. Catherine (now Laura) is a strong feminist role model for any era. She manages to maintain her strength, dignity and will to live against all odds. This story is a fantastic read with many different layers including love, loonging, feminism, history, the Wild West, Victorian Era, and lots of suspense. All of the characters are well developed which makes this book so solid. Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased honest review. The book will be published March 29, 2016.