All In Her Hands
- Judith D Collins
- Mar 22
- 5 min read
By: Audrey Blake
Narrator: Susan Lyons
Recorded Books
ISBN: 9781464220241
Publisher: Soucebooks Landmark
Publication Date: 02/24/2026
Format: Paperback
My Rating: 4 Stars (ARC)
From USA Today bestselling author Audrey Blake comes a story of love, hope, and perseverance, following one woman's fight against an invisible enemy.
One woman physician. A group of talented midwives. A deadly disease spreading.
1849. Dr. Nora Gibson is the only female surgeon in London. In all of England, even. After earning her medical degree and overcoming the prejudice of those who wished to see her fail, she's finally earned her place at the Great Queen Street Hospital alongside her newlywed husband and her eccentric but ailing adoptive father, the great Dr. Horace Croft.
But peace is hard to come by as a physician, and for one like Nora, it's almost impossible. When Nora takes up the fight to bring midwives into the medical field, her already fragile reputation comes under fire by colleagues and London society itself. And if the possibility of losing her rights to practice medicine wasn't enough, a dangerous enemy has made itself known: the deadliest cholera epidemic in over a century. It's a swift disease that wreaks havoc and tragedy across the city, especially amongst the working classes, and Nora will do anything she can to help. Soon, she finds herself on the frontlines of the disease, and as those around her begin to fall, she'll have to find the strength to stand alone and maintain her greatest oath: to save lives. Whether she'll make it through, though, is up to fate.
Praise
"A lively, heartfelt novel following one woman who will do anything to realize her dreams. Historical fiction fans will love this."
― Julia Bryan Thomas, author of The Kennedy Girl
"Audrey Blake has crafted a masterful work of historical fiction! All in Her Hands sweeps you away with its richly drawn cast―characters so vivid and beloved they feel like old friends―and its stirring collision of a deadly London epidemic with the battle for women’s place in medicine. It’s one of those rare novels that transports you entirely―both in time and heart."
― Amanda Skenandore, author of The Medicine Woman of Galveston
"An ode to female doctors, nurses, and medical professionals everywhere, All in Her Hands is a compelling story of a brave woman facing down the prejudices of her time in a London not yet welcoming to her hard-won expertise. At times tender and others thrilling, Audrey Blake's latest novel sweeps you along to a satisfying and breathless conclusion."
― Heather Webb, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Hope Keeper
"Meticulously researched and profoundly human, All in Her Hands is a compelling blend of historical authenticity and emotional truth. Audrey Blake writes with compassion and precision, crafting a story that lingers long after the final page."
― Genevieve Graham, bestselling author of The Forgotten Home Child
About the Author
AUDREY BLAKE has a split personality― because she is the creative alter ego of Regina Sirois and Jaima Fixsen, two authors who met online in a survivor style writing contest. They live 1500 miles apart, but both are prairie girls: Jaima hails from Alberta, Canada, and Regina from the wheatfields of Kansas. Both are addicted to history, words, and stories of redoubtable women, and agree that their friendship, better and longer lasting than any other prize, is proof that good things happen in this random, crazy universe. WEBSITE
My Review
ALL IN HER HANDS is the third and final installment in Audrey Blake’s historical fiction series featuring the trailblazer, Dr. Nora Beady Gibson. Set in 1849 London, the atmospheric novel centers on Nora's dual battle against medical prejudice and a devastating public health crisis.
A masterful blend of high-stakes medical thriller and intimate character study.
Highlights...
~The Conflict:
A collision of a public health crisis and Victorian chauvinism.
~The Heroine:
An indomitable surgeon fighting for the soul of midwifery.
~The Atmosphere:
Atmospheric, unsparing, and deeply heartfelt.
The themes center on the collision of individual ambition with societal duty during a time of medical and social upheaval.
My thoughts...
Set against the visceral backdrop of 1849 London, ALL IN HER HANDS is a masterful conclusion to Audrey Blake’s medical trilogy. As a devastating cholera epidemic sweeps through the city, Dr. Nora Beady Gibson must navigate more than just an invisible plague; she is forced to defend her legitimacy in a field determined to shut her out.
The book moves beyond Nora's individual struggle to become a doctor and examines the broader societal structures of 1849 London.
Blake brilliantly balances meticulously researched medical history with a poignant exploration of the 'double burden' faced by women trailblazers. This is a stirring tribute to resilience, found family, and the high cost of progress.
In the final book in a trilogy, a key theme is that progress is not a straight line. Every step Nora takes forward is met with an attempt to pull her back. This makes the book feel very contemporary, as it explores how hard-won rights can be easily threatened by institutional gatekeeping.
The novel sits at the intersection of a terrifying public health crisis and a pivotal moment in the history of women's rights. The author expertly balances research with "profoundly human" storytelling.
Nora doesn't just have to fight a cholera epidemic; she has to fight the reputational damage of being a working wife. Vocation vs. domesticity, where the "invisible enemy" isn't just the disease, but the rigid Victorian social codes.
The audiobook....
I had the delightful experience of not only reading the book but also immersing myself in the audiobook version, which is beautifully narrated by the talented Susan Lyons. Her voice brought the story to life, adding a rich layer of depth and emotion that truly enhanced the historical authenticity of the narrative. The combination of her expressive narration and the vivid storytelling offered an engaging and immersive listening experience that I found utterly captivating.
The author uses the final installment to show that scientific progress is often messy, unpopular, and driven by those on the fringes. It serves as a tribute to the "real" women in white coats who paved the way for modern medicine.
ALL IN YOUR HANDS is a compelling blend of personal struggle and an intense public health crisis with vividly drawn characters. Ultimately, the book suggests that a person’s true legacy isn't found in a degree or a title, but in the lives saved during a crisis.
"A masterful blend of high-stakes medical thriller and intimate character study. Nora Beady Gibson’s trailblazing journey reminds us that while society may try to tie a woman's hands, her brilliance will always find a way to heal."
Recs...
For readers of historical fiction, medical research, history, 19th-century atmosphere, strong women, and unapologetic female leads challenging the status quo.
Special thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and RB Media Recorded Books for graciously sharing a digital and paperback advanced reading copy and listening copy.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 24, 2026
