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The Beauty Doctor: A Novel Kindle Edition
"A fantastic work of historical fiction. If I could have scored it higher than five stars, I would have." -Reader Views
" A powerful, richly drawn historical thriller that is as terrifying as it is absorbing. Highly recommended." -Best Thrillers
"Beauty is power," Dr. Rome told her. "And with enough power, one can achieve anything."
Straightening noses, trimming eyelids, lifting jowls ... In the year 1907, his revolutionary beauty surgery is considered daring, perhaps dangerous. Still, women want what Dr. Rome promises.
Neither is his young assistant, Abigail Platford, immune to Dr. Rome's persuasive charm. Abigail once dreamed of becoming a doctor, though of a much different sort. That dream ended with her father's tragic death from a medical error for which she holds herself responsible. But Dr. Rome, who proudly displays his medical degree from Johns Hopkins, seems to believe in her. If he were willing to act as her mentor, might there still be a chance to fulfill her dream of someday becoming a doctor serving New York City's poor?
But something feels terribly wrong, as though an insidious evil is closing in. Broken promises, lies, and intrigues abound. The powerful are threatening to destroy the weak, and a doctor's sacred duty hangs in the balance. Abigail no longer knows who to believe; but with Dr. Rome now her mentor and her lover, she desperately wants to trust him.
Even when she discovers that one of their patients has mysteriously disappeared.
From bestselling author Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard, a suspenseful work of historical fiction grounded in the social and moral issues of the Edwardian era in America. Finalist, Eric Hoffer Book Award (2018). Re-edited Second Edition with Author's Preface.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateJanuary 4, 2024
- File size1.6 MB
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Editorial Reviews
Review
" A powerful, richly drawn historical thriller that is as terrifying as it is absorbing. Highly recommended." -BestThrillers.com
"A compelling historical novel steeped in mystery with strong elements of a medical thriller... Great pacing, gripping plot, and very suspenseful." -Readers' Favorite Book Reviews
"The Beauty Doctor kept me reading and did not disappoint. ...an interesting plot and insight into the practice of medicine in the early twentieth century. I would recommend..." -Historical Novel Society Book Review
"A fantastic work of historical fiction. If I could have scored it higher than five stars, I would have." -READERVIEWS.com
"An interesting and unexpected story line that will keep readers wanting to know what happens next." -Joan Kron, award-winning filmmaker, former Contributing Editor-at-Large for ALLURE magazine
"As a plastic surgeon and a woman, I was fascinated by this tale that reflects on the early days of cosmetic surgery and the many ways human beings search for beauty and purpose in their lives. I loved the story from the very first chapter!" -Laurie A. Casas, MD
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B0CK9RFLSN
- Publisher : Black Rose Writing
- Accessibility : Learn more
- Publication date : January 4, 2024
- Edition : 2nd
- Language : English
- File size : 1.6 MB
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 347 pages
- Page Flip : Enabled
- Best Sellers Rank: #43,251 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #169 in Women's Crime Fiction
- #376 in Historical Mysteries (Kindle Store)
- #541 in Historical Mystery
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard is the author of bestselling historical and women's fiction. Her 2023 release, SISTERS OF CASTLE LEOD: A Novel (Book 1 of Historic Women of the Highlands), is Winner of the 2023 Maxy Award for Historical and Adventure Fiction and an Editors’ Choice of the Historical Novel Society. THE SEAFORTH HEIRESS: LADY OF THE LAST PROPHECY: A Novel (Book 2 of Historic Women of the Highlands) was an Amazon Kindle #1 New Release in Historical Biographical Fiction during August 2024 and has received favorable reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Independent Book Review, Readers' Favorite and others.
Elizabeth's historical mystery-thriller THE BEAUTY DOCTOR (2017, 2024) was a finalist for the prestigious Eric Hoffer Book Award. The book’s re-release in 2024 features a stunning new cover and an Author Preface with insights into social and moral issues of the Edwardian era that frame this shocking fictional story set in the early days of cosmetic surgery. Her historical novel TEMPTATION RAG was hailed by Publishers Weekly as a “resonant novel . . . about the birth and demise of ragtime . . . in which romance and creative passions abound.”
"I strive to write books that leave the reader with plenty to ponder," says Elizabeth. "Issues of trust, faith, and the role of destiny in our lives are themes that I often explore in my novels. I enjoy ambiguity, which is perhaps one reason I am fascinated by historical characters whose lives, in retrospect, can be interpreted in so many different ways."
To learn about Elizabeth Hutchison Bernard's latest releases, follow her on Amazon.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book entertaining and well-written, with an intriguing storyline that combines historical elements with a unique blend of mystery. They appreciate the character development and the historical medical content, with one customer noting how it opens minds to the subject of medicine. The book receives positive feedback for its romance elements, with one review mentioning a tender love story that elicits powerful emotions.
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Customers find the book readable and entertaining, with one mentioning it kept them interested throughout.
"...I loved this book! I usually read Thrillers, but I enjoyed the historical aspect of this book...." Read more
"A nice read not terribly complex or in depth. Very good historic sense. Smooth reading and interesting story as far as it goes" Read more
"...era – specifically, the development of plastic surgery – was full and rich, woven seamlessly into a plot that contained questions about scientific..." Read more
"It started out fine, very interesting, then half-way through the story line got just too weird and improbable. I quit the book." Read more
Customers enjoy the storyline of this historical fiction book, appreciating its unique blend of mystery and beautiful writing style, with one customer noting how the history is woven into the fictional narrative.
"...I loved this book! I usually read Thrillers, but I enjoyed the historical aspect of this book...." Read more
"A nice read not terribly complex or in depth. Very good historic sense. Smooth reading and interesting story as far as it goes" Read more
"...I highly recommend this historical medical thriller. The pacing is brisk and the characters are well-developed and memorable." Read more
"...the development of plastic surgery – was full and rich, woven seamlessly into a plot that contained questions about scientific ethics..." Read more
Customers find the book insightful, with one review noting it is well researched and grounded in medical practices, while another mentions it provides an interesting perspective on cosmetic surgery.
"Insightful on topics from abuse of Siamese twins to eugenics and whether women are worthy of becoming physicians, The Beauty Doctor is fine as a..." Read more
"It started out fine, very interesting, then half-way through the story line got just too weird and improbable. I quit the book." Read more
"...the early history of the modern beauty industry, well grounded in the medical practices and social controversies of the early 20th century...." Read more
"...A thoroughly informative, enjoyable read reflecting on the early days of this speciality." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as extraordinarily well written, with one customer noting how it pulls readers into the story immediately.
"...The writing pulls you into the story immediately and I could not put it down...." Read more
"...Very good historic sense. Smooth reading and interesting story as far as it goes" Read more
"...Elizabeth is a brilliant writer, the story line was intriguing and the characters were very interesting...." Read more
"This is an extraordinarily well written and researched story about the birth and advancement of plastic surgery in its infancy, all while treating..." Read more
Customers find the characters in the book very interesting.
"...The pacing is brisk and the characters are well-developed and memorable." Read more
"...novel was well plotted, very well researched and with good, interesting characters...." Read more
"...a brilliant writer, the story line was intriguing and the characters were very interesting...." Read more
"...The different cast of characters with many personalities made you want to learn more about them." Read more
Customers enjoy the romance in the book, with one review describing it as a tender love story that elicits powerful emotions.
"...blend of mystery, historical knowledge of the day and the romantic maturing of awoman." Read more
"...Abigail and Dr. Rome make an interesting couple, and Dr. Rome has just enough sleaze about him throughout the book to make his comeuppance at the..." Read more
"...Perfect read for a relaxed summer day. I found it a good romance but more so a good mystery. Fun!..." Read more
"...This novel elicits powerful emotions and is a true MUST read." Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024This is the first time I have read Elizabeth Hutchinson, Bernard. I loved this book! I usually read Thrillers, but I enjoyed the historical aspect of this book.
The writing pulls you into the story immediately and I could not put it down. I finished the book and immediately downloaded another book by this author. K. Strong
- Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024We forget that medicine and science were built on trial and error. This story reminded me of that. Its scary how close we are to blindly excepting the word of "professionals"
- Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2024A nice read not terribly complex or in depth. Very good historic sense. Smooth reading and interesting story as far as it goes
- Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2024The Beauty Doctor by Elizabeth Hutchinson Bernard is an extremely well-written historical novel. The main characters are Dr. Franklin Rome, who refers to himself as a ‘transformative surgeon’, is a handsome and talented doctor who may just be too good to be true, and his assistant Abigail Platford, an idealistic young woman who dreams of being a ‘real’ doctor, even as she finds herself under the hypnotic spell of her charming boss.
Despite a busy schedule of nose jobs and eyebrow lifts, Abigail begins to doubt the legitimacy of Rome’s medical practice and sets out to discover the well-hidden truth about the brilliant surgeon who shares her bed.
I highly recommend this historical medical thriller. The pacing is brisk and the characters are well-developed and memorable.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2024Insightful on topics from abuse of Siamese twins to eugenics and whether women are worthy of becoming physicians, The Beauty Doctor is fine as a freebie. Sexual tension is inadequate between the protagonist and the phony Dr. Rome, almost to a point where their trysts needn’t have been included in this sordid tale.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2017I’ll start by saying, in short: I enjoyed this book very much and would highly recommend it. Historical fiction can be a difficult genre, especially when it’s set against the backdrop of a scientific advance. Too much focus on the facts alone can make for a dry narrative; too much focus on the narrative can result in anachronism, when an author forgets the historical setting. I’m so pleased to report that this book (and its author) fell prey to neither of those traps! The narrative – storyline, pacing, dialogue, character development – are anything but dry. Quite the opposite! In fact, I finished the book in less than 24 hours because even when I put it down, I found myself wondering how the situation in which Abigail found herself would resolve! (That, for me, is the mark of a good read.) Further, I found that the author’s treatment of an interesting medical era – specifically, the development of plastic surgery – was full and rich, woven seamlessly into a plot that contained questions about scientific ethics (including eugenics), socioeconomic class issues, feminism in the pre-suffrage era, romance and professional propriety, and a woman’s role in the working world. To take on those looming questions (some of which still face us in the modern era) through fiction had to be no easy feat, and I commend Ms. Bernard highly for such an accomplishment. Anyone who purchases “The Beauty Doctor” undoubtedly will learn something, and I daresay each reader will end up engaged in a “dialogue” with the book over some of the interesting ethical dilemmas Abigail faces! I’ve never come across a book quite like this in the genre, and I believe this book truly offers something for everyone!
- Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2025Fast interesting read. Surprised what type of treatments were used for beauty. Would have liked the story to be a it longer.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024It started out fine, very interesting, then half-way through the story line got just too weird and improbable. I quit the book.
Top reviews from other countries
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in India on September 25, 2024
2.0 out of 5 stars Sluggish
More than a book it instead felt to be heavily inspired by daily soaps. The book could have had a great impact had there been any worthwhile plot or narrative.
- Happy ShopperReviewed in Canada on September 20, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Love it, took & read on summer break, great story.