THE ANATOMY OF DECEPTION

Ephraim Carroll is an idealistic young physician who comes to Philadelphia in 1889 to study medicine with the real-life Dr. William Osler, the father of modern medicine, who is preparing to head the nascent Johns Hopkins Medical School. Instead, Carroll finds himself at the center of the search for the person who murdered a prominent young woman, as well as some of his own colleagues. Historian Lawrence Goldstone's debut novel is highly entertaining, with plenty of twists, medical intrigue, and political implications. David Ackroyd is an effective narrator who captures the characters with vocal inflections and deft timing. Although Ackroyd mispronounces a few medical terms, his overall performance is captivating, and complements the book's engaging dialogue. D.J.S. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2008]