The Nurse’s Secret

Written by Amanda Skenandore

Narrated by Vanessa Johansson

A richly-detailed and compelling historical saga for fans of Dilly Court, Sheila Newberry and Rosie Goodwin!

Una Kelly has grown up to be a rough-and-tumble grifter, able to filch a pocketbook in five seconds flat. But when another con-woman pins her for a murder she didn’t commit, Una is forced to flee. Running from the police, Una lies her way into an unlikely refuge: the nursing school at Bellevue Hospital.

Based on Florence Nightingale’s nursing principles, Bellevue is the first school of its kind in the country. Where once nurses were assumed to be ignorant and unskilled, Bellevue prizes discipline, intellect, and moral character, and only young women of good breeding need apply. At first, Una balks at her prim classmates and the doctors’ endless commands. Yet life on the streets has prepared her for the horrors of injury and disease found on the wards, and she slowly gains friendship and self-respect.

Just as she finds her footing, Una’s suspicions about a patient’s death put her at risk of exposure, and will force her to choose between her instinct for self-preservation, and exposing her identity in order to save others…

Readers love this book:

‘Definitely a book worth reading…I loved the plot and got caught up in it’ Mary

‘Different to anything I've read recently…Great characters and a gripping story, this book had it all’ Wendy

‘So much more than your usual historical saga…Great storyline and I really enjoyed the character of Una and her fight to better herself from humble beginnings’ Angela

‘The cover says that lovers of Dilly Court would enjoy this book…I for one did…as well as enjoyable I also found myself learning a lot too!!!’ Liza

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Release date: Jul 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9780008564247

Amanda Skenandore

Amanda Skenandore is an award-winning author of historical fiction and a registered nurse. Her debut novel, Between Earth and Sky was a Publishers Marketplace Buzz Books selection and winner of the American Library Association’s RUSA Reading List award for Best Historical Fiction of the year. Her third novel, The Second Life of Mirielle West was named an Apple Best Books of the Month and a Hoopla Book Club Pick. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and can be found online at AmandaSkenandore.com.

Reviews for The Nurse’s Secret

[thequietreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Una Kelly has lived the majority of her life on the streets and she’s learned that keeping herself safe is the most important thing. Thus, when a murder is falsely pinned on her, she is determined to take any opportunity, say whatever she has to, to stay away from the police. Who would suspect a nursing student of being the rough and tough street thief? But danger is lurking in the halls of Bellvue hospital, and Una will have to choose between keeping herself safe and stepping up to protect others.This was certainly an interesting listen. Una is as rough and tough as you might expect. She trusts no one and looks out for herself, which makes it difficult to like her. Her growth is gradual and she doesn’t even realize how her choices have changed her throughout the story. Medicine of the 1800’s was portrayed correctly, even though some of the details are not for the squeamish. I even feel like I learned some things that I didn’t know before: how the wards were cleaned and some of the duties of the students. Overall, this was enjoyable to listen to, though at times the plot seemed slow. The narrator did a good job of capturing the street-smart attitude of Una. There are a few four letter words in the narrative that fit the setting, but some sensitive readers might take offense. I received a free copy of the audiobook through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.

[celticlibrarian · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Historical mystery set in New York circa 1880s.Una is a gifted thief but falls afoul of the law and is arrested for murder when she cons her way into Bellevue Hospital as a probationary nurse trainee. She knows that she didn't kill anyone, but she can't forget that someone is continuing to strangle others who come from the streets. Can her extravagant ruse and many lies protect her as she investigates those deaths and somehow redeem herself as well.As a registered nurse, I always search for books that have anything to do with medicine or science. I also love reading about the origin of the profession so that I can marvel at how far things have come since its beginning. The details about how Una performed her duties and took care of her patients was the most interesting part of this book. I was dismayed that it took 14 chapters (almost 27% into the book) before she got there. I almost quit reading but stuck it out just so I could be reminded of how nurses have evolved through the century plus. So much of the narrative proved uninteresting and unrelated to what I had thought by the synopsis was going to be the gist of the novel. I really never warmed to Una and some of the things that happened made me scoff in disbelief at what she managed to get away with. She cheats, she doesn't do her job well, and she doesn't bother to do much nursing aside from being where she shouldn't. Of course there was a silly romance with a doctor. The amateur detecting Una does was also laughable. She sure is never where she is meant to be and her focus on finding out who is the murderer made her put herself and those who cared about her at risk. I finished it just because I always do in order to give an honest rating, but I feel generous in rounding up to 3 stars. I was very disappointed that there was not more about the nursing and honestly, the conclusion was a bit unbelievable. I had read and liked the Mirielle West book and that is why I requested this one. Would I try this author again -- maybe. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the e-book ARC to read and review.

[sheriawilkinson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Nurse's Secret by Amanda SkenandoreSet in 1880's New York City, young grifter Una Kelly is on the run. With nowhere to go, she cons her way into Bellevue Hospital and enters the Nurse's training program.When murders begin to occur she has to decide what to do. Look for the truth while (possibly) exposing her true identity, or keep her secrets to herself. Either way, life will never be the same for Una.A fantastic story with knowledge of early nursing (and) fascinating medical procedures from the past . Una has a rough life, she faces many personal and moral decisions. She finds herself in a situation not quite knowing what to do. I was engrossed from the begging until the end.Overall I found The Nurse's Secret thought-provoking, intriguing and thrilling. I highly recommend to all.

[cathygeha · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Nurse’s Secret by Amanda SkenandoreMedical practice and nursing have come a LONG way since the late 1800’s. I remember reading about Florence Nightingale and then later nurses through time, medical history in books my father owned, researching the same for history projects and then graduating from nursing in 1975. Nursing has changed even more since then and I don’t think I would be up to being a nurse on the floors without a great deal of study and practice. I was eager to read this book because of my interest in the subject, nursing and historical romances read through the decades, and because I enjoyed a previous book by this author. I am not sure if it was the story or the fact that I kept trying to read it while on vacation but did keep putting it down and thinking about not continuing. There was a LOT going on in the story beyond the nursing aspect of the story and how Una came to be in the nursing story – a serial killer on the loose, thieving, poverty, the circus, disease, bigotry, and yet I really did not connect as I would have liked to with Una or understand why she and the man she is most likely to end up with were actually attracted to one another. Perhaps if we had spent more time with Una and Edwin, I would have connected with them more. What I liked: * The fast-paced beginning and learning a bit about Una* The introduction of the murders that would take place* The idea of the nursing school * The pluck and perseverance of Una – though I did not admire her behavior at times* Drusilla Lewis – Dru – an intelligent, diligent, committed nursing student with a big heart wanting to be Una’s friend* Edwin: A medical student with a backstory of his own, wants to be a better physician than his ancestors and the physician he is learning from * The introduction of the ideas Lister brought to healing and hygiene in the medical field (although mostly hinted at)* The real feel of much that transpired* That the serial killer was found – though I found the way it transpired a bit unbelievable* The wisdom of some of the women in charge of the nursing programWhat I didn’t like: * The Fagin-like woman that took Una under her wing when Una was left at lose ends when young* The big divide between classes, bigotry, and treatment of the poor and destitute* Knowing that much of the story was based in reality and thinking about what time in those days must have been likeDid I enjoy this book? Yes, though it was a bit slow and harder for me to get into Would I read another book by this author? ProbablyThank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC – This is my honest review3-4 Stars

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Nurse’s Secret by Amanda Skenandore is an intriguing historical novel. I thought The Nurse’s Secret was well-written with realistic, developed characters. I found Una Kelly to be a resilient woman who is resourceful and clever. She had to survive after the death of her mother and her father’s decline into alcohol. I liked seeing Una’s character change as she learned nursing and made friendships. The book has a good premise. I was drawn into The Nurse’s Secret, and it held my interest. I liked learning about Bellevue and the school of nursing. We see how Lister’s ideas on germ prevention were ridiculed (he was far ahead of his time). Medical procedures were described and some of them had me cringing. Patients dying from conditions that can now be easily cured. Sometimes the treatment was worse than the disease. I thought the author captured the time period very well. I can tell she did her research especially regarding the nursing school. I thought she captured the attitudes of people. How the doctors treated nurses, snobbery of people with better breeding, and how people felt about Catholics and Irish. The mystery is well-plotted. I enjoyed following the clues (I love solving mysteries) to see if I could identify the guilty party. There is romance too. Una meets a doctor who is kind and intelligent. She does not know, though, if it is possible to have a happily ever after when she is hiding out from the law. This was an engaging and enjoyable historical novel. The Nurse’s Secret combines survival instincts, friendship, nursing, a murder mystery, and romance into one absorbing tale. Nurse’s Secret is an appealing historical novel with a talented pickpocket, a formidable fence, an offensive officer, an appealing article, a helpful hideout, a negative nelly nurse, and a tenacious killer.

[cassiesbooksreader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Nurse's Secret by Amanda Skenandore is Historical Fiction with mystery and suspense. Wow, I loved this book. The streets and people of New York in the 1880’s, with a hardened young woman just trying to survive. Secrets, adventures,criminals, murder mysteries, and trying to hide from the police. Of special interest to me was the nurses and doctors training at Bellevue Hospital in the 19th century. The whole hospital environment, the classes, the operating room, the teaching doctors and nurses, patient treatments and entire culture was exceptionally well written. It was so good I stayed up too late reading. I look forward to reading anything written by this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 5 Stars Bravo!

[mishker-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After her mother died in a fire and her father became lost to drink and the opium dens, Una Kelly takes to the streets of the Five Points in New York. She is picked up by Marm Blei who teaches her to be an expert pickpocket. When a deal goes wrong, a murder is pinned on Una. She escapes the police but has lost Marm Blei's protection. When Una sees an advertisement for nurse trainees at Bellevue Training School, she takes the opportunity to lie low for a while. In her new position, Una not only makes friends, but finds she might actually be good at nursing once she puts some effort into it. A life on the streets around a variety of different people as well as sickness, blood and filth has prepared her well. However, the strange murders that happened in the Points seem to be following her to the school. Una may be able to catch the killer, but she will have to expose her true self. The Nurse's Secret is a beautifully written historical fiction story set in 1880's New York City. The characters were all intriguing and I was engrossed with Una's story from the beginning where she was observing people to steal from and then helping a younger thief at the same time. The vivid descriptions brought the Five Points neighborhood to life as well as Bellevue Training School and the medical procedures there. I enjoyed seeing Una change as well as excel in Bellevue. With her roommate, Dru, Una was able to see what true friends are like and finally trust someone as well as have them trust her back. I found it interesting that Una was able to relate to all the patients there better than some of the other nurses due to her time on the streets. The incorporation of the mystery carried suspense throughout the story even though I had a good idea of who the culprit might be. The romance was well done and did not detract from the story. Overall, The Nurse's Secret is an immersive story of 1880's New York with strong characters and a great mystery. This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

[micareads · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Thanks to Amanda Skenandore, Highbridge Audio, and Netgalley for the chance to preview this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Una Kelly is a young grifter on the dangerous streets of New York merely trying to make her way through life with food in her stomach, a roof over her head, and a few coins in her pocket. She knows a good mark when she sees one and this keen sense nets her a beautiful pair of ruby cufflinks that she hopes to fence. The man she is to do business with is set to meet her in a dark alley where she happens upon his murder. Thought to be responsible for this murder, Una must flee and go into hiding.

After reading an article on the Bellevue School of Nursing, Una decides that this school will give her the perfect cover…a respectable female student from the new nursing school will be above reproach. While she initially does all she can to just skate by, she soon realizes that to keep her cover story in check she must put in the work. Slowly, Una begins to develop true friendships and care for her patients. When Una sees the body of an old friend who died from a drug overdose, she notices strange marks around her neck and begins to think that there is a murderer on the loose at Bellevue.

For the most part, the narrator, Vanessa Johannson, did a fine job. The one thing I do have to note is that there were several mispronunciations throughout the reading. In those days, a police van was called a black Mariah and not Maria as stated. It could be that it is pronounced Maria in other areas of the world but considering that the story takes place in New York City, local vernacular should be adhered to.

All in all, it was a decent story. I loved learning about the Bellevue School of Nursing and how they followed the advice of Florence Nightingale during the initial establishment of the school. The added mystery of the possible murderer at Bellevue was a nice touch that added to the story. This story was a little slower than Skenandore's first novel, The Second Life of Mireille West, but just as well researched.

[jetangen4571 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

1887, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, nyc, hospital-system, education, nursing-care, medical-treatment, petty-theftUna Kelly was dumped into the life of a grifter when first her father and then her "do gooder" mother died. She well remembered the lessons she was taught in that earlier life, but she needed to eat and survive. In order to escape a prison sentence, she asked a friend to help her with a false educational history so that she might apply for entrance into the new Belleview School of Nursing in NYC.This was in the days of (1887) Nellie Bly (10 Days In A Madhouse), Jacob Riis (photographer/writer of How the Other Half Lives), and The Nursing Job Description (hope it shows in the review) which includes 76 hour work weeks and tasks including shoveling coal and lighting the kerosene lamps.We are with her as she works hard, faces more misogynists in a day than she met on the street, and some days extracts petty revenge by picking and obnoxious person's pocket.Then things take a murderous twist and she needs to solve and prove!This is not an unbiased review. I was graduated from a School of Nursing in 1968 and wished at the time that this girl from Wisconsin could be accepted at Belleview.I requested and received a free e-book copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!https://advancedmedicalcertification....1887

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This read grabbed me from the first page to the end, I really couldn’t put it down!This Una Kelly’s story, a young woman who’s shoes I was soon walking in. Survival, yes, and no I don’t agree with how and what she did to just eat and sleep each day, but she had nothing.We are quickly shown that this grifter has a heart, she inwardly yells at herself, but does risk everything to help another. Sometimes helping her friends, does lead to trouble, and in the end manages to change her life forever.This is the 1880’s in NYC, and our girl now wants to be a nurse, or she wants meals and a bed, and a little safety. This is a pivoting time in medical care, and we meet the old practices head on, and hope for survival!For a girl who grew up on the streets, she is a smart cookie, and see how she is able to wiggle her way into the new program at Bellevue Hospital, and the new nursing program! What she doesn’t expect is a new friend, and a possible romance, along with a serial killer.This was a read that I never wanted to end, and make sure you read the Author’s notes at the end!I received this book through Edelweiss and the Publisher Kensington, and was not required to give a positive review.