LONGLISTED FOR THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAREdinburgh, 1847. Will Raven is a medical student, apprenticing for the brilliant and renowned Dr Simpson. Sarah Fisher is Simpson’s housemaid, and has all of Raven’s intelligence but none of his privileges.As bodies begin to appear across the Old Town, Raven and Sarah find themselves propelled headlong into the darkest shadows of … darkest shadows of Edinburgh’s underworld. And if either of them are to make it out alive, they will have to work together to find out who’s responsible for the gruesome deaths.
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This was an extraordinary book that I deeply enjoyed, the mystery was what kept me reading while the background in medicine it’s the true jewel of the book. The book starts with a dead prostitute and with the statement: “No decent story ought to begin with the death of a prostitute”, nonetheless the book proves itself wrong, there is much more than a decent story in its pages.
The book walked us through the use of ether as an anesthetic and the posterior find of chloroform as a better option. How religious groups opposed to the use of anesthetics while giving birth for being anti natural, pain was desirable. Abortions with terrible consequences and we follow the lives of these doctors that trained as men midwives. I was shock to learn how in some cases, the baby’s head had to be broken during birth to permit extraction in order to save the mother.
The main characters Will and Sarah are fantastic. Will has a dark past but he wants to better himself to find redemption, while Sarah is a housemaid with bigger ambitions. She tells to Dr Simpson that she does not want to be the best-read housemaid of the City and I loved her for that, and Simpson for replying, “It may not always be thus,’ he said softly. ‘And if things are ever to be different, it will take women like you to change them.” The whole Simpson’s household is full of wonderful characters that I’m sure will have their share of protagonism in the books to come.
This book was written under the pseudonymous Ambrose Parry by husband-wife Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman and honors Edinburgh as a leading city in the field of medicine.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Many Thanks Canongate Books, Ambrose Parry and Netgalley for the opportunity.
Edinburgh 1847 I have never read anything by this author, but when I read the blurb I was very intrigued. I have always been fascinated by Jack the Ripper and I wondered if this would follow along those lines. Well it was much more, bringing the new blossoming scientific and medical experiments to light which was often gruesome and with no care to the person.
Medical student Will Raven starts his apprenticeship with obstetrician Dr. Simpson. But Will is soon faced with the death of his friend Evie, a prostitute. He takes Sarah, his housemaid along to search in Edinburgh’s dark underworld to try to find the killer.
This author brought the characters and the surroundings to life and at times it was almost too much. Some of the medical procedures passages were tough to read, but it brought the suspense and mystery of the story together.
As more bodies and missing women start turning up, they become frantic in trying to find the murderer. Do yourself a favor. When you pick this book up, be sure you have the time to finish it because even after I closed the last page, I know this is one I will remember. Cannot wait to read the next story by fabulous duo.
The Way of All Flesh by Ambrose Parry on audiobook format is a fantastically done mystery that will have you applauding like a big dork when you reach the end. That’s right wherever you may be while you are listening or reading the book you’ll reach the end and wish to give Ambrose Parry several thundering rounds of applause.
I absolutely loved the mastery of storytelling and skill of humor in The Way of the Flesh. I would catch myself enthralled at the story unfolding, but also let out a giggle every so often at the clever writing. I will say that I knew who the “villain” was before the final chapters, but I was so thoroughly entertained I did not care that it was somewhat predictable.
I suggest you read The Way of All Flesh on audiobook format. The Scottish (I think or English) accents are heavenly to the American ear. It’s like having Sean Connery in your ear telling you a dirty joke. I loved it.
Sadly, Ambrose Parry does not have any other books out. I will be hawk eyed ready for the next one.
I enjoyed this historical mystery set in 1840s Edinburgh.
The story revolves around Will Raven, an assistant to a prominent male midwife, who along with a brilliant housemaid, sets out to solve some gruesome deaths of pregnant lower class women.
My only complaint here is the length. At 400+ pages it was simply too long and could have been wrapped up much sooner.
Good character development, interesting anesthesia history from that time but be forewarned that there is quite a bit of medical gruesomeness owing to the lack of knowledge/technology at that time.
Apparently there are to be a few more in this series, and yes, I’d definitely read more. However I do hope the pacing issue will be resolved in future efforts. There was not a lot of mystery solving taking place until around 75% through.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #Canongate for the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
The Way of All Flesh by Ambrose Parry a pseudonym for the husband and wife authors Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman. Historical fiction that takes place in 1847 Victoria Edinburgh. The characters and settings are so realistic you feel as if you are there watching every event. Excellent characters especially Raven and Sarah the reader knows them well. Wonderful insight into medical practice, knowledge and latest medications. The authors show in detail how medicine can be used for good or evil. Plenty of thrills, suspense, mystery romance and secrets. I look forward to reading all the books in this series and other books by the authors. My thanks to the authors, publisher and netgalley for making this book available to me to read and review. Well done.