Skip to content

Welcome to old New York,

favored haunt of author Cuyler Overholt and setting of the Dr. Genevieve Summerford historical mysteries.

Nominated for the
Daphne Du Maurier Award

At the dawn of the 20th century, Americans believe that science, especially the medical sciences, will soon conquer all of mankind's ills. For a brief time medical schools open their doors to women, allowing them to join the scientific crusade. Genevieve Summerford is one woman who answers the call..

A PROMISE OF RUIN (Book 2)

As psychiatrist Dr. Genevieve Summerford watches from the docks, the body of a young Italian woman is pulled from Manhattan's East River, dampening the city's Independence Day festivities. The police suspect random violence -- but when Genevieve is asked to help find another young Italian woman who's gone missing, she soon discovers that something far more sinister is afoot.

"A tantalizing dish of murder, mystery, romance, and humor...Ms. Overholt infuses historical detail into her work with a deft master's touch."

V.S. Alexander, author of The Magdalen Girls

"Ah, the delight of discovering in the first chapter that a book's been written by a gifted storyteller! ... Overholt introduces early 20th century life skillfully and with flair ... [A] neatly turned plot with clever twists and heart-warming interactions."

Kingdom Books Mystery Reviews

"This book is absorbing on many levels...peopled with characters that have depth, humor and essential believability...A book to enjoy, but also to make one think. A keeper."

Historical Novels Review

"Set against the historical backdrop of a city teeming with immigrants, Overholt's second novel reveals the evils of a heinous trade that still goes on today."

Kirkus Reviews

"Overholt's second...is an impressive, wonderful read and a great continuation for the first book...powerful writing is combined with hardcore emotion and a serious mystery, creating a book that is very hard to put down."

RT Book Reviews

"Overholt's engrossing sequel ... delivers satisfying plot twists, and the themes of immigration-fueled tensions and crimes against women are well researched and timely."

Publishers Weekly

"A tantalizing dish of murder, mystery, romance, and humor...Ms. Overholt infuses historical detail into her work with a deft master's touch."

V.S. Alexander, author of The Magdalen Girls

"Ah, the delight of discovering in the first chapter that a book's been written by a gifted storyteller! ... Overholt introduces early 20th century life skillfully and with flair ... [A] neatly turned plot with clever twists and heart-warming interactions."

Kingdom Books Mystery Reviews

"This book is absorbing on many levels...peopled with characters that have depth, humor and essential believability...A book to enjoy, but also to make one think. A keeper."

Historical Novels Review

"Set against the historical backdrop of a city teeming with immigrants, Overholt's second novel reveals the evils of a heinous trade that still goes on today."

Kirkus Reviews

"Overholt's second...is an impressive, wonderful read and a great continuation for the first book...powerful writing is combined with hardcore emotion and a serious mystery, creating a book that is very hard to put down."

RT Book Reviews

"Overholt's engrossing sequel ... delivers satisfying plot twists, and the themes of immigration-fueled tensions and crimes against women are well researched and timely."

Publishers Weekly

Winner of ForeWord Reviews’ Book of the Year Award and the Next Generation Indie Award for Best Mystery, and Nominated for the Strand Critics Award for Best Debut.

A DEADLY AFFECTION (Book 1)

After a past family tragedy for which she holds herself to blame, Dr. Genevieve Summerford wants nothing more than to succeed in her new career as a psychiatrist, and win back the respect of her family and peers. That goal is thrown into jeopardy, however, when one of her patients is arrested for murder — a murder Genevieve fears she may have unwittingly provoked.

"Overholt's novel captures the tone of [early] 20th-century New York in a deeply pleasing way ... Strong prose and captivating characters ... pull the reader in to the very last page. A whodunit full of dark secrets and fascinating intrigue."

Kirkus, Starred Review

"For a book filled with murder, madness, and medical mystery, Cuyler Overholt’s A Deadly Affection was a real pleasure to read. Its only drawback: I had to put my life on hold until I’d finished it. What a satisfying finish … and what a smooth, complex, enlightening, riveting journey ... A Deadly Affection is masterfully crafted, a delightful combination of suspense and romance. I cannot wait for Overholt’s next novel."

Historical Novels Review

"Genevieve Summerford is a heroine with brains, compassion, and grit. A psychiatrist during a time women were supposed to be wives and mothers, she not only practices medicine, but also protects secrets, and solves murders. A riveting period puzzler, filled with history, mystery, and romance."

Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling author of the Maggie Hope series

"Rich with historical detail, Overholt brings turn-of-the-century New York to vibrant and gritty life. Readers will become immersed in the plight of her psychiatrist heroine and eagerly follow her through the twists and turns of the human mind."

Anna Lee Huber, national bestselling author of the Lady Darby mysteries.

"Backed by meticulous research and presented with acute attention to detail, the novel ... shines like a star in a highly competitive genre ... Even a seasoned reader of murder mysteries will be surprised at the number of false conclusions one can reach when [reading] Overholt's debut novel."

ForeWord Clarion Reviews, Five Stars

"...intriguing first novel...[a] richly detailed whodunit populated with believable characters."

Publishers Weekly

"This superb debut reflects the author's impeccable research with its portrait of turn-of-the-century New York City. Discussion questions at the end focusing on women's rights make this a solid book club choice."

Library Journal, Starred Review

"Overholt's novel captures the tone of [early] 20th-century New York in a deeply pleasing way ... Strong prose and captivating characters ... pull the reader in to the very last page. A whodunit full of dark secrets and fascinating intrigue."

Kirkus, Starred Review

"For a book filled with murder, madness, and medical mystery, Cuyler Overholt’s A Deadly Affection was a real pleasure to read. Its only drawback: I had to put my life on hold until I’d finished it. What a satisfying finish … and what a smooth, complex, enlightening, riveting journey ... A Deadly Affection is masterfully crafted, a delightful combination of suspense and romance. I cannot wait for Overholt’s next novel."

Historical Novels Review

"Genevieve Summerford is a heroine with brains, compassion, and grit. A psychiatrist during a time women were supposed to be wives and mothers, she not only practices medicine, but also protects secrets, and solves murders. A riveting period puzzler, filled with history, mystery, and romance."

Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling author of the Maggie Hope series

"Rich with historical detail, Overholt brings turn-of-the-century New York to vibrant and gritty life. Readers will become immersed in the plight of her psychiatrist heroine and eagerly follow her through the twists and turns of the human mind."

Anna Lee Huber, national bestselling author of the Lady Darby mysteries.

"Backed by meticulous research and presented with acute attention to detail, the novel ... shines like a star in a highly competitive genre ... Even a seasoned reader of murder mysteries will be surprised at the number of false conclusions one can reach when [reading] Overholt's debut novel."

ForeWord Clarion Reviews, Five Stars

"...intriguing first novel...[a] richly detailed whodunit populated with believable characters."

Publishers Weekly

"This superb debut reflects the author's impeccable research with its portrait of turn-of-the-century New York City. Discussion questions at the end focusing on women's rights make this a solid book club choice."

Library Journal, Starred Review

Scroll To Top