A brilliant read concerning a physician, Mannu, who travels through time to find a cure for the King's concubine Bel, where he meets Kate, who comes from modern day London.
It was a good story with well drawn characters and I highly recommend. An outstanding time travel novel.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future

An absolutely enchanting and magical love story that will leave you wanting more of Kate and Mannu, even more of Ninurta and his lover. I wonder why, though, Kate and Mannu had to go to a biotech specialist to learn how to make penicillin when you can find the recipe online by just searching for it.

This was so well written as a historical mystery novel, I enjoyed the suspenseful atmosphere and how the plot was used to create something that I enjoyed a lot. The characters had that feel that I was looking for and glad was so well in the mystery genre. Glenn Cooper has a great writing style and enjoyed that I read this.

The destinies of Kate, a prestigious Assyriologist, and Mannu, a doctor from the 7th century BC, will be intertwined by their desire to help a young concubine of King Ashurbanipal.
This novel undoubtedly has everything it takes to win over any reader. It has captivated me from the very beginning with its interesting characters and a story that combines time travel, history, action, and romance.

I like his books are different. This is my favorite so far. It is a story of time travel and romance. Good plot and characters. A little worded with some discreptions but a good read overall.

This was a thoughtful well constructed thriller with an interesting premise, that by using a particular ritual it is possible to travel in time.. In this case, a physician from Nineveh travels forward to find a cure for the ailing concubine of the king. The medical knowledge so7nfs realistic and the action, while bloody at times is not extreme. At its heart it becomes a love story between an Akkadian scholar and the physician with an Hea ending.

What a book! I loved every minute of it. Glenn is a natural storyteller who makes the story in the past flow simultaneously with the present day. Essentially Kate's world in the 21st Century is Ninevah of the 7th century BC. She is a master at the ancient language and is able to dialogue flawlessly with Mannu a physician of ancient Ninevah.
All is not well in the past for Mannu and he has come to the 21st century on a quest for help. He is followed by his friend Ninurta and a kind of minder who has murder on his mind. These three grown men arrive in our world, Two find love and the other well, he get's justice. I hope you are as curious as I was to find out what happens.
Thank you to Glenn for writing it (I hope that some day soon you will find your way to return to this to write the next chapter. Thank you Book Whisperer for publishing this book.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

If you like sweeping historical fiction with a dash of fantasy, a bit of romance and some mystery elements, this book is for you.

“The Physician of Nineveh “offers a premise both intriguing and somewhat absurd and give us the thrill of buried mysteries rather than hard science or action.

We have the story of a royal physician, Mannu-ki-Ashur, from the 7Th century BCE who time-cross into modern-day London in search of a cure for his dying love. In London he walks into Dr. Kate Mayne life, an Assyriologist expert in the secrets of ancient Mesopotamia, claiming to be from Niveneh.

The story goes back and forth between the two-time lines and is easy to follow. The written style is smooth and is richly imagined and laced with ancient secrets and a touch of the impossible. As for the time travel element, it’s simply a convenient device for effect. I didn’t think I would be so taken with this story but I simply loved it. I was easily transported to another time, another world and into a strange but charming story.

In a few words:

Absolutely an enchanting and magical story I enjoyed very much.

Well-said and well-done

I received a free DRC of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. This is definitely one of my top books of the year. It has drama, intrigue, time travel, romance, and some learning about ancient Ninevah and medicinal plants. I really enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down. It had lots of excitement and well-developed characters.

I had gotten a little bit tired of time travel books. They all seemed to follow the same formula. Boy or girl accidentally time travels. They meet someone and fall in love. They have to decide whether to go back to their time or stay with their love. While this book does have those elements, they are woven into a story very different than others I have read. And the decisions they make are new and unique. I definitely recommend this book.

This was a much more entertaining read than I was expecting given my lack of knowledge about Assyria. Cooper does a fine job painting a picture of the past without getting too bogged down in details and the stories merge well together. I also really enjoyed the subplot with Mannu’s well drawn friend Ninurta. I would read more of Cooper’s historical fiction for sure.

Her studies into ancient Assyria come crashing into her life when a physician of that time uses forbidden magic and arrives in London to find a cure for the king's concubine. The race is on and the interplay between them becomes more real than the religious restrictions or anyone's politics. Entrancing read.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Book Whisperer via NetGalley.
#ThePhysicianofNineveh by @glenn_cooper @bookwhispererink Pub Date Sep 03, 2025
#dualtimeline #AncientAssyria #modernLondon #romantic #historicalmystery #magic #cure

A brilliant read concerning a physician, Mannu, who travels through time to find a cure for the King's concubine Bel, where he meets Kate, who comes from modern day London. I found the premise a little far fetched and lost interest, not my typical genre. I normally love Glenn Cooper.

Physician of Nineveh by Glen Cooper – ★★★★☆

In Physician of Nineveh, Glen Cooper delivers his signature blend of well-researched history and imaginative storytelling. The medium-paced narrative allows you to fully soak in the rich world of ancient Nineveh while unraveling an engaging, multi-layered plot.

The historical details feel authentic, yet Cooper’s creative touches breathe life into the era and its characters. The moral dilemmas faced by the protagonist stay with you, and the story connects past and present in a way that feels both thoughtful and rewarding.

Perfect for fans of historical fiction who love the interplay of fact and fiction.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Past and present collide in this fast paced time travel thriller by Glenn Cooper.
Mannu, the Chief Physician of Nineveh must use forbidden magic to travel through time in order to find a remedy to cure King Ashurbanipal's favorite concubine. When he arrives in modern day London, Assyriologist Kate Mayne is one of the very few people who can help him find what he needs before time runs out.
This book transports the reader to the fascinating world of ancient Assyria where physicians, exorcists, and dividers all join forces to work the necessary magic to defeat the demons and ghosts that populate their cosmology; the world of King Ashurbanipal's library of tablets, great armies, and palaces. Imagine the stunned realization of Assyriologist Kate Mayne when a living breathing man magically arrives in London and the world she has only read about on broken tablets becomes real.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy! I have been pleasantly surprised by the uniqueness of this novel. I really liked the concept of a hint of sci-fi in here which was very refreshing in an historical fiction esque story. The weaving together of the story lines was cohesive, although not without a hint of author’s blessings to their luck.
The depictions of Nineveh were particularly beautiful and the amount of knowledge of this period definitely compelled this ancient historian!

The attention to how each Assyrian character took in the world was also appreciated and left me laughing at a few of their interpretations.

Personally, romance that is particularly soppy isn’t for me and so I’m slightly biased in my opinion of that aspect of the novel, however I was in full support of the characters having their happy endings and liked the idea that love is universal no matter the time period or culture.

I found the characters compelling, Chinedu was especially unique as he was a complex character who, while respecting his generosity, found him hard to like given his thirst for money within his intentions.

Overall, this is a solid novel that I enjoyed reading, there are minor mistakes of words in limited areas, although I’m sure this will be cleared up before the release of the book (the main example is towards the end of the book with the words ‘garbage disposal’, while picking at a small detail, it’s not term commonly used in England and I’m sure was placed in as a use of habit).

A little bit of time travel, a little bit of love, a little bit of betrayal.

The first quarter of the book was a bit slow to get through only because it was setting the stage for everything else. We see Kate, a modern day Assyriologist, who studies the ancient city of Nineveh including its dead language and cuneiform. We get to see what her line is like between family and friends. Alternatively we’re cast back into ancient Nineveh and learn of Mannu. His childhood and ultimately his rise to be the chief physician.

Around 1/3 of the way in, the place really picks up as their two worlds collide in an effort to find a cure for the kings pregnant concubine.

Some of the writing was a bit clunky or dense at times, but these passages were usually when getting into details about the archeology or history of certain things. There was a lot of balance between the heavier technical sections and driving story however.

I would have liked a little more epilogue to know what came of everyone but I guess that’s also part of the fun is getting to imagine your own HEA.

Loved this book -- 5 stars! Entertaining story that blends the ancient past with the present day. Lots of descriptive language that puts the reader right in the scene along with likable characters. Couldn't put it down and I absolutely love the way it ended!

I have enjoyed reading this historical thriller. It was fun delving into the lives of peoples of the ancient past and how those times collided with the present. Kate kind of got herself into a twist, as did Mannu, in a very novel way. Some romance conncecting the dots gave added seasoning, enticing this reader on.

There was some sexual ccontent that some readers may find objectional. Overall, there was suspense, some parts made me laugh and I was well satisfied with the ending - an outcome I dearly hoped for. So I came to the last page happily.

~ Eunice C., Reviewer/Blogger ~

August 2025

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

Nice mix of history, science, and archaeology mixed with time travel mixed with an inspirational story from a great author makes for a great read.

Not a bad book, not exceptional. Worth a read if you like historical fiction with time traveler twist.

This book!!! From the start I couldn’t put it down. Praise be to NetGalley for the absolute best book of my year so far! I didn’t want it to end and now I need to go and find everything else this author has ever written.

I also read and loved There Are Rivers in the Sky this year, so the similarities between the two stories is what piqued my interest, and I’m glad they did because if I hadn’t read the first book, I don’t know that I would have requested this one because it’s not my usual fare.

I loved both the Nineveh chapters and the London ones equally. The Nineveh setting was so vivid and fascinating, and I loved seeing Mannu and Ninnerta’s journeys through present day London. The quest for Bel’s cure was absolutely thrilling! I honestly didn’t want to have to pause reading this and it was frustrating to have to, you know, go to work and sleep and stuff like that 😅

I do love a time travel story and this one was done so well and so believably. Ten thousand stars.

Thanks to Book Whisperer for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions below my own.

I love a good time travel story. This might be one with the largest time gap I’ve ever read. We meet Mannu when he is a precocious young boy in Nineveh. He dreams of being a healer, but that is not his father‘s profession, so his road there is challenging. There are some significant time jumps, which aren’t always my favorite, but we hit the important points of his life, and feel really invested in him before we come to the impetus for his travel. In these days, magic and appeasing, the gods are a part of every day life and his healing profession. He performs a spell to save a woman he cares about and it takes him to modern day London. He’s of course, entirely jolted, but just happens to end up in a place with one of a handful of Assyriologists who speak Akkadian. She works to help him figure out how to make the cure he needs when he returns home. There is also a second pot line where two of his contemporaries have followed him into the future, and they end up in the crosshairs of some dangerous people.

This is the kind of story I hoped for when I read The Lost Apothecary. It’s vivid in both time points and while of course the time travel is not realistic (and there’s literally no mention of the butterfly effect and all of the knowledge that he brings home or what the impact of him actually saving this woman’s life is) the rest of the plot is. I enjoy this read right until the very end, I feel like the last chapter was a little too “wrap it up in a pretty bow to make the readers happy.” I was hoping it would go a different direction, but I think it will appeal to the romance readers. Frankly, I would’ve enjoyed it if it was just straight historical fiction, fantasy, mystery without the romance but that’s just my cold dead heart. LOL

Glenn Cooper’s writing style is as engaging as ever, and I always enjoy the way he weaves archaeology, history, and suspense together. The premise of The Physician of Nineveh is undeniably intriguing, with its mix of Assyrian history, lost love, and a race through time to uncover a cure. The historical detail and archaeological elements kept me interested throughout.

That said, the time-travel aspect didn’t quite work for me personally. While I can see how many readers will enjoy the romantic and fantastical layer it adds, I found myself more drawn to the historical and archaeological threads than to the leap into the supernatural.

Overall, it’s a creative and ambitious story that fans of time-slip romances will likely love, but for me it was more of a mixed experience.

The Physician of Nineveh by Glenn Cooper

Thank You NetGalley and Book Whisperer for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This is my first novel I read by Glenn Cooper and I really enjoyed it! I’ll definitely be reading more of his books! This novel alternates between two timelines: 7th century BCE in Nineveh and present day in London. In Nineveh, Mannu has become Chief Physician to King Ashurbanipal. Mannu has secretly loved Bel-ibni, the King’s number one concubine. She is now pregnant with the King’s heir and someone is set on derailing the king’s line by causing harm to Bel-ibni. She ends up stepping on a rusted rake in the garden and ends up with a severe infection. No one is able to cure here, not even the Chief Physician. Mannu hears of a dark magic where he can time travel to a time and place where he might be able to get a cure for her. He is willing to do anything. In present day London, Dr. Kate Mayne, a top expert in Assyria and only one of a handful of people able to speak Akkadian, is called in to see a mysterious man. At first, she is very doubtful and thinks he is crazy, but she is able to confirm Mannu is who he says he is. From there, both Kate and Mannu try to gather what they need in order for Mannu to go and save Bel-ibni. But there is more at play when enemies of the king try to thwart Mannu’s plan to save her. With a combination of historical mystery, romance that spans time itself, some time travel, and and archeological thrill ride, this novel is not one to miss! AVAILABLE September 3, 2025!

3.5 stars for me.
My thanks to the publisher Book whisperer to recommend this book to me and to NetGalley and the author for a lovely ride. I have read several of Glenn Coopers novels and like them.

There is something about his novels that always pulls me in, that blend of rigorous research with just enough imagination to make the seemingly impossible feel entirely plausible. The Physician of Nineveh carries that trademark once again, opening with a premise that is both compelling and tender. Mannu, a physician of ancient Assyria, stumbles into modern London on a desperate quest to save Bel, the concubine he cannot help but love. The clash of centuries, the weight of devotion, and the stark urgency of medicine across time make for a story that feels at once grand and intimate.

What shines brightest here is the world Cooper creates. Nineveh comes alive with its rituals, remedies and shadows of court intrigue, while London offers both bewilderment and possibility for a man so far from home. The details of Mannu’s craft, the pulse of medicine across eras, give the book a texture that is utterly absorbing. I could feel the weight of his knowledge, the limits of his tools, and the awe of seeing modern science through ancient eyes.

At the heart of this tale lie two love stories, three if one counts the one of Mannu's childhood friend who finds a love in the modern world, threads woven together yet pulling in different directions. Mannu and Bel’s love is tragic, doomed from the moment it takes root, yet powerful enough to drive his every risk and sacrifice. In contrast, Mannu’s connection with Kate in the present day offers solace, hope and a promise of something lasting. And yet, I longed for more. Their story is tender but hurried (to an extent driven by the timeline), never quite given the room to breathe that the earlier unspoken romance claimed so fully. The balance falters, leaving one love deeply etched in memory and the other sketched too lightly. Kate's final sacrifice does not assuage the senses enough.

If the book stumbles, it is in its sense of inevitability. The suspense is strong in the beginning, but as the path becomes clearer, the edges soften. By the time the resolution arrives, it feels almost too gentle, too certain, where I had hoped for sharper turns and deeper doubts.

Still, The Physician of Nineveh remains a tale worth reading, a story of love and sacrifice stretched across centuries. It offers the ache of what cannot be and the solace of what might yet endure. Ancient Assyria is felt and the characters spun by Glenn are so real including Mannu's competitors and compatriots, the political intrigue and pressures of serving a king given to whims so tangible and true. For me, it lingers most in its atmosphere, in the richness of its worlds, and in the questions it raises about devotion, healing and the bonds that time itself cannot break. What weakened the story for me was the science and the logic for the story which could have been circumvented by a greater focus on the modern love stories of Mannu and his friend Ninurta.
A thoughtful and engaging read that earns a steady 3.5 stars.

What stayed with me after closing the final page was not the neatness of the ending but the haunting echo of Mannu’s journey. The image of a healer out of his time, caught between two loves and two worlds, is one that quietly follows you long after the book is set aside. Sometimes it is not the conclusion that matters most, but the lingering ache of the choices made along the way.

Mannu loved growing up in Nineveh in 667 BCE. There was so much to see and do. His father had an important job at the palace, and Mannu could learn from him and take over the job. Mannu's curiosity led him in a different direction, and he apprenticed to become a physician. His ability led him to excel quickly. After the death of the head palace physician, Mannu was appointed to the position. His skills were tested when he was asked to cure the King's concubine. He had admired the lovely lady from afar. His cures were not successful, and pressure began mounting as the concubine became more ill. She was carrying the King's child, the focus of the King's attention.

Could another physician in another part of the world have a cure? Mannu was desperate. He used "black magic" and prayed that the gods help him find someone with a cure. Mannu finds a woman, Kate, who understands his language and wants to help him. Hopefully, Mannu can return with a remedy before the concubine dies.

Time travel, history, medicine, homeopathy, and romance combine in this enchanting story. Glenn Cooper's story is unique, full of charm and interesting characters. This book will appeal to history buffs, time-travel fans, and people who enjoy romance. This is a perfect book for cozy fall reading!

Thank you to Book Whisperer and Sean Loftus for the ARC!

Beautiful historical mystery with time travel, dual timelines, and vivid settings. 💫💫💫💫💫

Mannu lives in Niniveh 667 BCE. He dreams of being a physician for the king. He finally makes it to King Ashurbanipal's palace to become a physician. Manny works hard and excels as a physician. He is also in love with Bel-ibni, one of the king's concubines.

Kate Mayne is a professor at University College London. She specializes in Assyriology and also knows how to read and speak Akkadian.

Their paths cross in the future when Mannu needs a cure, and Kate is the one to help him find it and send him back to his time. But nothing is ever that easy, and while Mannu time travels, there are also some of the king's adversaries who plan on stopping Mannu from saving Bel-ibni and the heir she carries.

I really enjoyed this story, the time travel, the romance, and all the Assyrian history in Kate's world.

Thank you, Netgalley and Book Whisperer, for this gem ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

Dr. Kate Mayne is an expert in the lost city of Niverva and her life is turned upside down with the appearance of a doctor from Ninerva speaking about time travel. This was a fascinating story and it was easy to set aside reality and live in this wonderful novel. The storyline moves quickly and keeps you moving along until the end. There is romance, mystery, and intrigue all rolled up into one great story!

I rarely give 5 star reviews but I loved this book. Historical Fiction at its best! Thanks to The Book Whisperer for this EARC which I accessed through NetGalley.
I am really impressed by the research the author must have conducted to write a book about Nineveh. To say I found this book fascinating is an understatement. As I read I googled to find out what was actual history and looked at pictures of the ruins mentioned in the book.
To begin, Kate is a lecturer who is a specialist in the Akkadian language with an ability to speak the language and read Cuneiform. The story begins with her being interviewed about a murder in Kew Gardens.
Then we are thrown back to about 631 BCE where we watch Mannu grow up to be a physician in the court of the King. Every word was enchanting to me as we learn of how ill people were treated. There were 3 divisions, first exorcism, then divination and finally if the person were not cured, an actual physician was called. So when the King's favorite concubine falls ill ( through devious methods) Mannu, chief physician (who has been secretly in love with her his whole life) seeks to find a way to cure her, he delves into black magic. The God's send him to present day London, where he finds Kate, an Akkadian speaking scholar.
You will have to read the book to discover how this clash of cultures unfolds.
There is an extremely satisfying ending in everyday!
This is my honest review, read this book!

This unique book is beautifully written and plotted, and one I won't soon forget. The story takes place in two different times: London in the present, and Assyria in the 7th century BCE, roughly 2700 years apart in time. Assyria was located in what is now Iraq.

In the 7th century BC, Mannu is one of the main characters. He had been taken to the palace as a young boy to learn the art of healing, and has risen to be the head physician at the royal court. One of the King's favorite concubines suffers an injury that left her feverish, and none of Mannu's remedies worked. Mannu found instructions in a tablet that would send him through time, to a place where he could find a remedy for Bel.

In the future, Mannu has the great good fortune to encounter Kate, who happens to be able to read and speak the ancient Assyrian language. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. The ending was a delightful surprise.

I received an e-arc from the publisher Book Whisperer and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

What a unique premise with writing that draws you in from the first chapter! Anyone looking for a historical romance with action and an intriguing plotline should check this out. The time travel element is not something I read often but was very fun and well done! This book was a hidden gem and I am so thankful to NetGalley and Glenn Cooper for the chance to read it this summer!

I love a time travel story and I love a murder mystery but this book had so much more, it was also a quest story and falls-fast love story.

In the Seventh Century BCE Mannu ki-Ashur has risen to be the chief physician in the Mesopotamian city of Nineveh.

In modern day London Dr. Kate Mayne is a scholar of Ancient Mesopotamian an Assyrian culture.

When the King’s favorite concubine is drying of a mystery illness that the physician cannot heal even with the help of the King’s exorcist and diviner, Mannu seeks to use forbidden dark magic to take him physically to a time and place where he can learn a method to heal the concubine.

He finds himself in modern London completely out of time and place, unable to communicate and desperate to find his cure and return. Mannu and Kate team up to find a way for him gain the knowledge to save the woman in the past but other nefarious plots are afoot as well.

I really liked this story and appreciated that the time traveler from the past knew what he was attempting to do and it wasn’t your usual “oops, where/when am I?” kind of TT story, and that it was someone from the past not someone from the future going backwards. That said I felt a lot of the writing was stilted with more telling rather than showing otherwise this would have been a 5 star for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC Review copy

4.5 Stars

As the royal physician of Nineveh, Mannu-ki-Ashur carried a heavy burden when the woman he’d been pining for—the king’s favorite concubine fell gravely ill. In his desperate attempt to save her, he risked everything and found himself in an unfamiliar place and time. Fortunately, Dr. Kate Mayne, a modern-day Assyriology professor, came to his aid. Together, they raced against time while danger emerged from every direction, threatening their futures.

This book exceeded my expectations. The story was exciting with intriguing characters and an engaging plot. I loved exploring the life and politics of ancient Assyria. There were also plenty of amusing moments amid the tension. I liked the inclusion of romance elements, though they could have been better developed.

Mannu was loyal and honorable. I loved how much dedication he put into his job and responsibilities. I liked how Kate took matters into her own hands when it came to helping him. They worked well together in achieving their goals.

'The Physician of Nineveh' is a story of aspiration and tenacity. It would appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction laced with mystery and touch of romance.

"The Physician of Nineveh" by Glenn Cooper is a sweeping historical tale that effortlessly carries the reader between the opulence of 7th-century BCE Nineveh and the modern bustle of London. At its heart is Mannu-ki-Ashur, the devoted chief physician to King Ashurbanipal, whose care and quiet courage are tested when Bel-ibni, the king’s favored concubine, faces a life-threatening complication during pregnancy. Mannu’s journey becomes even more extraordinary when he is mysteriously transported to our own time, and must navigate a world of unfamiliar technology and customs with the help of Dr. Kate Mayne, a modern Assyriologist whose expertise and empathy guide him through this bewildering new reality.

What makes this novel so absorbing is the richness of its historical setting. Cooper brings Nineveh vividly to life, from the intricate architecture and vibrant streets to the rituals, medicine, and daily lives of its people. The city feels lived-in and authentic, and the stakes of Mannu and Bel-ibni’s story are made all the more urgent against this lush backdrop. The romance between Mannu and Bel-ibni is tender and affecting, suffused with the tension of a love tested by duty, politics, and fate. Meanwhile, Mannu’s interactions with Kate add a compelling layer of character development, showing resilience, adaptation, and the gentle forming of trust across time and culture.

There are moments where the novel falters slightly. The time-travel element, while imaginative, occasionally feels like a narrative convenience rather than a fully realized concept. Certain romantic developments could have been more deeply explored, and a few plot turns are somewhat predictable, which slightly tempers the tension.

Yet these minor flaws do little to diminish the overall experience. *The Physician of Nineveh* is an engaging, heartfelt story that blends historical intrigue with human emotion and a touch of fantasy. Its vivid setting, memorable characters, and poignant moments of love and loyalty make it a novel that lingers long after the final page. Cooper has crafted a world that is both vast and intimate, transporting the reader across centuries while never losing sight of the very human heart at its center.

Thanks so much to Book Whisperer for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This review also appears in www.readersvault.com and https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7872675841.

A love story across millennia, the story is split between modern day London where Kate is a lecturer in ancient Assyria and the last days of Nineveh, Assyria. We follow Manu as he grows to become the King’s physician. Bel, the King’s concubine is heavily pregnant when she cuts her foot on something, she granular develops a fever which becomes worse and nothing seems to help.
Manu uses black magic to travel in time to discover a cure.
An interesting story that is well written, my thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

Though I am normally not attracted to books with time travel, I really enjoyed this book. I do like historical fiction, so that part was fulfilled by Mannu and his story in Nineveh BCE. I was invested in the book from the get go. My only reservation is there is no acknowledgement of the butterfly effect and how Mannu with his new knowledge would definitely impact the past.
Overall, I would recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for mu honest opinion.

This my 2nd book by Glenn Cooper and I will definitely keep reading his books, The Physician of Nineveh was fascinating, and kept me engrossed to the end!
It is a time traveler story, opening with Mannu, the main character, becoming the Chief physician to King Ashurbanipal of Nineveh during 7th century BCE. The rich descriptive language and historical details about the culture and surroundings, bring ancient and captivating Ninevah to life, especially the practice of medicine, and their reverence for their gods as we follow Mannu from childhood to becoming a full physician.
Mannu is endearingly enamored of Bel-ibini, who becomes the King's favorite concubine. When she becomes deathly ill while pregnant, Mannu desperate search to help her results in his use of "black magic" and transporting him to current day London. He finds Dr. Kate Mayne, a top Assyrian expert, who speaks Akkadian and after a disbelieving initial meeting, helps Mannu.
There is a few of expletives in the current era, some violence and same sex scenes that are not graphic. The end was satisfying, and you could feel it resonate between the timelines.
This very unique historical fiction pulls you in with intrigue, romance, love, danger and very believable reactions/descriptions of the time travelers' POV. I highly recommend for The Physician of Nineveh for those who enjoy fascinating historical stories with imaginative weaving of ancient history, archeology and time travel.
A huge note of gratitude to publisher Book Whisperer and NetGalley for the ARC, it was a pleasure! All opinions expressed are my own.

I enjoyed this. POV of several characters (man heavy). Kate is the best. As a reader of romance, I feel the time travel and suspence plot is more polished than the love stories. I am possibly unconvinced by the ending. (Not possibly - I am unconvinced)/ A fun read regardless. Time well spent.

The Physician of Nineveh surprised me with its take on time travel. It was a fascinating divergence from the stereotypical time travel story and well-plotted.

Likes:
very descriptive, easily imagined verdant ancient city of Nineveh
many of the character's personalities and manner of relating
the length of time & number of chapters given to each respective era
the ending for the main characters (very satisfying)

Dislikes:
the vulgarity of the modern speakers
the emphasis on homosexuality (*secondary & tertiary characters)

I received an ARC; this is my honest review