Strange Practice: A Dr Greta Helsing Novel (Dr Greta Helsing)

by Vivian Shaw

'This book is a joy to read, unlocking every bit of delicious promise in the premise' B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog

Meet Greta Helsing, doctor to the undead.

After inheriting a highly specialised, and highly peculiar, medical practice, Dr Helsing spends her days treating London's undead for a host of ills: vocal strain in banshees, arthritis in barrow-wights and entropy in mummies. Although barely making ends meet, this is just the quiet, supernatural-adjacent life Greta's dreamed of since childhood.

But when a sect of murderous monks emerges, killing human undead and alike, Greta must use all her unusual skills to keep her supernatural clients - and the rest of London - safe.

'Shaw balances an agile mystery with a pitch-perfect, droll narrative and cast of loveable misfit characters'
Shelf Awareness

'An imaginative, delightfully droll debut'
Kirkus

• ISBN10: 0356508870
• ISBN13: 9780356508870
• Publish Date: 27 July 2017 (first published 25 July 2017)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Orbit
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 400
• Language: English

Reviews

[wyvernfriend]

I will admit that I haven't read all the books referred to in this one. It managed to be complete without it and neither tried to be over-clever about how much the author had read or talk down to me.
Dr Greta Helsing (they dropped the Von a few generations ago for political reasons) works as a medic for the supernatural creatures that occupy London beside the ordinary people. There are spells on her Harley Street rooms to keep prying eyes from seeing too much, but she's happy. Her work makes her happy, not so much cash but a lot of satisfaction. Then one day Ruthven (a vampire) calls her to tend to Varney the Vampire, who has been stabbed by a dagger and isn't healing properly. This leads her into a strange situation where a murderous bunch of monks are killing supernatural and ordinary mortal without any qualm. Messily. Mortal and immortal have to join forces to defeat an unusual enemy and they find that they work well together.
It was a fun read. Greta is so matter-of-fact about it all, she grew up with these people around her and she knows that she has value to them. She is also clever and wants to solve what's going on for her patient's sake and to keep peace. I really had a blast reading it.

[Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub]

This book is fantastic! Clever and fun, this is a must-read.

[Beth C.]

Review to come ;)

[Heather]

This is a great idea. A lot of the monsters from old horror stories are here. Dr. Helsing is trying to keep a practice afloat while having to keep her patients a secret.

I had a hard time remembering at points that this is a contemporary story. It kept feeling like it was a Victorian to me and then there would be modern technology.

It was well done. There are sequels planned and I will definitely read them.This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story