Kill-Grief - Softcover

Rance, Caroline

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0955861349 ISBN 13: 9780955861345

Publisher: Picnic Publishing Ltd, 2009

Synopsis

This is a debut novel by Caroline Rance inspired by her research into eighteenth century medicine while reading English and History at Keele university. Chester 1756: Mary Helsall starts a job as a nurse entering a world of stench and sickness where her caring duties are at odds with her impatient nature. She seeks solace in gin and a volatile relationship with hospital porter Anthony. But when a diseased beggar arrives for treatment, it becomes clear that he knows Mary has a lot to hide.From the bleak Wirral shore, to the screams of the operating theatre, and from a backstreet gin shop to the dungeons of the gaol, Mary searches for the hope of an independent future. First, though, she must fight the attraction of oblivion and make a choice between duty, money and a love overshadowed by addiction. An historical novel full of alcohol, gruesome diseases, surgery, smuggling, prison dungeons and general grimness. Florence Nightingale it ain't!! This, in a way, is one of its strengths i.e. it portrays nurses as individual women rather than caricatures. It wil appeal to book groups as there are plenty of issues for discussion. Its topical theme of women and alcohol links the 18th century with today.

About this title

About the Author

Caroline Rance is an at-home mum and a freelance copywriter and proof-reader. A former charity administrator, she read English and History at Keele University where her research into 18th century medicine inspired her to write her debut novel KILL-GRIEF. In 2005 she won the Chester Festival of Romance Poetry Competition. She is now writing her second novel for Picnic Publishing.

Edition details

• Publisher: Picnic Publishing Ltd
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0955861349
• ISBN 13: 9780955861345
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 371