This book weaves together many types of historical knowledge in one place. It provides an account of the Manhattan Project in New York City to develop the atomic bomb. It covers the critical but relatively unheralded role that women played in supporting wartime efforts. It shows cultural gaps in New York elitist life. It spans medical subjects like poisons, plants, and remedies to toxic substances. The narrative also explores gender and sexuality, albeit in a manner more popular in the 2020s rather than the 1940s.
Will Scripps is an interested physics student who lives with his sister Maggie. The rest of their immediate family have all passed away. One day, they find a well-dressed woman outside their home who is semi-conscious and stuporous. They take her in to help her recover. From these well-meaning actions, however, a powerful well is tapped with deceit, violence, romance, intrigue, and other page-turning plot enticers.
The first half of the book engaged in more social and emotional material while the second half of the book took shape as an action-filled mystery. The characters at times bordered on lacking a central essence. Indeed, some psychological profiles – of one character in particular – pivoted so much that they seemed like two separate characters. Further, the second half, filled with action and medical intrigue, did not incorporate much of the emotional material from the first half. While reading, I wanted to know the conclusion, as in any good mystery, but I lost my affection for the individuals. I would have liked for more overlap in the two.
Overall, this is an interesting read that conforms to models of mystery and historical fiction. It lacks the sophisticated weaving of complex themes together that would make it a must read. Good, but not great.
The Half-Life of Ruby Fielding: A Novel
By Lydia Kang
Copyright (c) 2022
Lake Union Publishing
ASIN B09DYGMGSS
Page Count: 355
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
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