The story at the heart of this historical fiction is compelling and well-researched, but parts of the prose were repetitive and redundant. I also felt that the reader was assumed to be ignorant of some plot devices and connecting threads from earlier in the book. For instance,

when Pia and Mrs. Hudson don't understand why Rebecca nursed Baby Cooper and are later shocked to learn that Rebecca gave birth to him. Yes, I figured as much when Rebecca's story of being sent to the Hudson residence didn't make sense, and she wanted to spend time with the baby.

Overall, this was an approachable way to learn about the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic and how immigrants were treated in Philadelphia, but I won't go out of my way to read more books by Wiseman.