In this book set in the early 1800s, we meet the Winter sisters. Odd, reclusive, and a bit distrusting of others they keep to themselves as much as possible. The town decides it needs a doctor and young Dr Waycross brings his new-fangled medicine to Lawrenceville. This brings more conflict and distrust to the girls. They are known in the area for making potions and salves to heal. I found the book very interesting. I loved the fact it was set in Lawrenceville, Georgia, a place that I know well. It was fun imagining what this now very urban area was like in the early 1800s when my ancestors lived there. ( )

In The Winter Sisters, author Ted Westover seeks to create a frontier tale featuring a medicine show salesman, 3 sisters accused of witchcraft, and an almost quack doctor whose “scientific” remedies fail more than they succeed. While I enjoyed the occasional tongue-in-cheek bits of humor, the author’s use of archaic words and his tendency to speak in vague terms almost felt like the characters were enjoying an inside joke that I was not privy to. I was hoping for more from this book. It was entertaining, but the conclusion was confusing with no real explanation for why the story ended as it did. 2 stars. ( )

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I borrowed this eBook through Kindle Unlimited to read.

Story (4/5): This story alternates perspectives between Dr. Waycross and the Winter sisters. Dr. Waycross came to this small mountain town to start his career and learn more about rabies (there is a rabid panther in the area). Meanwhile the Winter sisters have practiced midwifery in this town for a long while until a conflict with the town pastor drove them out.

I enjoyed learning about all the crazy scientific cures Dr. Waycross brings to this town and also about all the traditional medicines the Winter sisters use. There is a bit of magic here because the youngest sister can cure people of deadly illness (and even death) with just her touch. This was an intriguing little story that was on the slower side but still enjoyable.

Characters (5/5): Dr. Waycross was an interesting look at doctors of the era, I enjoyed that he was open minded enough to realize that some of the Winter sisters’ herbal remedies were much more effective and less painful than his bloodletting and blistering. The oldest sister, Rebecca, is also a fairly amazing character. She is patient and caring and willing to blend her remedies with Aubrey’s in order to benefit the town and help its people despite the issues the townsfolk caused her and her family. All of the characters are fascinating and really well done.

Setting (4/5): This was an intriguing look back into the 1820’s frontier life. I loved learning about the medicine of the time and the struggles of the town to become a significant place on the map were interesting as well. I really enjoyed this historical setting and thought it was well portrayed.

Writing Style (4/5): For the most part I enjoyed the writing style here. The story is a bit slow and does have a tendency to flit willy nilly between different characters. However, it made for a cohesive story and I loved the blend of historical elements and strange fantasy that presented itself with the youngest sister’s healing powers. In general this was easy to read and engaging but could have used more consistent pacing.

My Summary (4/5): Overall I liked this and am glad I read it. I enjoyed a lot of historical aspects here and engaged with the characters really well. There are some good small mysteries that keep you intrigued and you can’t help but wonder what will become of the town, the sisters, and the doctor. It is a more deliberately paced novel but in the end I enjoyed it and plan to take a look at Westover’s other novels. I would recommend it to those who are intrigued by frontier life and the medicine of that time and don’t mind a bit of magical realism in their stories. ( )

Dr. Aubrey Waycross of Savannah, Georgia is invited by the Mayor of Lawrenceville, Georgia to become the town doctor. When Dr. Waycross arrives he discovers that Lawrenceville is a small mountain town with no paved roads and few niceties. He soon realizes that the town Preacher is a man he knows - and despises - since childhood. The people of Lawrenceville have little interest in being the patients of Dr. Waycross given the standard of medical practice in 1822 -- lancing, bleeding, and amputation. The people prefer to hike dangerous miles through the woods to Hope Hollow, the home of the Winter Sisters. These three young sisters, Rebecca, Sarah, and Effie are mainly practitioners of what we, these days, would call herbal medicine. In 1822 it would have been considered witchcraft. Rebecca and Sarah practice ritual magic and herbal medicine. Effie heals people by looking at them - if she feels like it. The relationship of the sisters is strained because of a recent episode when Effie "preferred not to " heal Rebecca's lover.
After meeting the Winter Sisters and seeing how they heal the people of the town, Dr. Waycross invites them to join in a practice with him. When a beloved daughter of the town is diagnosed with rabies the Winter sisters are blamed for infecting her. (rumor is that the rabid panther roaming the woods is their familiar). The Preacher tries to turn the town against the sisters and "their witchcraft". Dr. Waycross and the Winter sisters must use all their knowledge to win against superstition.
As a nurse who studies herbal medicine this seemed like a book I would love. But, the story moved slowly at times and I found myself getting bored and setting the book aside. I think the book could have used more sections on herb lore. ( )

This is a book that grabs you from the very first paragraph. It begins with a doctor moving to a rural area of Georgia where they are desparate for him to settle. There are tales of a panther roaming the woods and people are showing signs of rabies. Dr. Waycross arrives but he finds it’s not what he expected in so many ways.

The town had been relying on a family of sisters for their healing, the Winter Sisters, but the Preacher in town feels they are witches and so has used the power of his pulpit to scare them out of town. That does not stop people from seeking them out. This goes against the scientific training of Dr. Waycross but he is surprised when he finally meets them and finds them not to be stoop shouldered old women but rather attractive young women.

The two sides must come together when the sweetest member of the commutity falls ill. As they race to cure her they will need to fight superstition, the Preacher and whatever it is that ails her. Also, the good Dr. Waycross has discovered the effects of ether and he turns to it much like today’s addicts turn to heroin. It’s impacting his stability.

As I noted, I was drawn in by the writing from the very first paragraph. Mr. Westover’s writing style is pure magic; it creates the world of rural Georgia where you might just see a panther in the woods. The words flow in such a lyrical way you will find it very hard to put the book down until you turn the last page and once you do you will feel disoriented as you readjust to the real world. The characters are quirky and yet very believable until they are not. The world of the Winter Sisters is one that I was glad I visited. ( )