The Five Step Plan

Dr. William Whitcraft has hit upon an ingenious way of curing women from bouts of hysteria. Putting into practice this eureka moment, his medical practice thrives, leading to his fiancée demanding more, his female patients flocking to his door, and the chance of his associates becoming jealous of him increasing. So when his dreams come tumbling down the good doctor has to claw his way back out of the quagmire, while at the same time keep his name and reputation intact.

The author has successfully painted a humorous view of the hypocrisy that permeated 19^th century England, clearly showing the delineation of haves and have-nots, the desire of those not belonging to the higher echelons of society to ingratiate themselves to this social class in the hopes of becoming one of them. Characterization is very well done. One cannot help but feel irritation and sympathy in equal measure for Dr Whitcraft, portrayed as bland as a wooden plank, yet esteemed in the affections of a procuress. The reader will find themselves rooting for the culprit to be brought to justice in the most humiliating of ways. The comeuppance of all antagonists is sweet and satisfying for the reader to even wish they were inside the story to watch the event unfold with glee. The plot is original and the subtle allusions of sex being a cure for hysteria is tastefully done.

Definitely a good read!

M.P. Ceja