The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen

Most of this story takes place in the 1830's in Boston, but the author ties it to a story set in a present day Boston suburb. Way back when, Rose Connelly’s sister died shortly after childbirth. Her husband didn’t want the baby and Rose assumed care for her niece, Meggie. But who was the father? Why did she have to keep her niece hidden? She falls in love with a med student of the day and they hope to make a life together with Meggie.

Recently divorced Julia Hamill has bought a run-down house in a Boston suburb. While trying to turn the rocky ground into a garden, she uncovers a skeleton. This leads her to wondering about the history of the house and whose body was in her back yard. She meets a neighbor; gets a call from an old guy in Maine about the house and previous owner; and basically spends her summer on a great adventure.

The descriptions of medical practices and medical education in the 1830s are truly horrible and appalling as well as the descriptions of the lifestyle of the less fortunate. Let’s be glad we’re alive and kicking today...not in the 1830's.