The Way of All Flesh by Ambrose Parry
When I began this book I had no idea that Ambrose Parry was in fact the husband and wife team of Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman. I have read a number of Chris Brookmyre’s novels and have always been impressed with his writing and this was no exception. It was a very well researched and atmospheric historical novel which was set in Edinburgh in 1847. At this time Edinburgh was at the “cutting edge” of developments in surgery and this story weaves together the deaths of young women and the development of more effective methods of anesthesia.
The main character is Will Raven, who is penniless but has managed to secure a position as an apprentice to the eminent Dr Simpson whose medical specialty is childbirth and ways to make the process less dangerous and painful. Before Will is able to take up his role he finds a friend of his, a prostitute, dead in unusual circumstances and is set upon by thugs sent by a moneylender to retrieve money he owes. He therefore is a sorry sight as he first arrives at Dr Simpson’s establishment and does not endear himself to the staff.
The Edinburgh of the time is well described as is the position of women in society who are beholden to men and generally powerless. At the house he encounters Sarah, a servant, who is well read and dreams of furthering her scientific knowledge. Together they have to solve the mystery at the heart of the novel. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am keen to read more of their adventures.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Canongate for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I like the concept, I like the writing style, I like the setting and the characters and really quite a lot about this book, but it is just not gripping me. I'm dipping in and out, and then starting another book because I can't quite engage with carrying on with this one. I keep coming back to it, in between others, but more out of a sense of duty to finish what I committed to reviewing.

Probably not going to finish it. Like it, but don't love it enough.

An interesting and enjoyable read. I found it difficult to start with but then settled into the story and enjoyed the book. Definitely recommended.

I hope very much that this is the first of a new series. Set in 19th Century Edinburgh amongst the doctors of the time, the heroes are a young doctor and a medically-inclined maid. The story is strong but it's the characters and atmosphere that really carry the book.

An historical novel set in nineteenth century Edinburgh. It is very atmospheric of place and time. The roughness and squalor of the time is contrasted with the light, wry comic tone of the narrative.
The central character is a young student doctor, Will Raven, buffeted by life and events who, despite his incompetence and naivety, has a good heart. He is contrasted with the clever and resourceful Sarah Fisher, a housemaid frustrated by her lack of opportunities.
The story unfolds against the backdrop of the history of anaesthetics. Themes include the role of women in society, class distinctions and the use of legal and illegal medical practices. There is a crime to be solved but this does not fully come to the forefront of the novel until the latter half. The development of the characters plays a significant role throughout the novel.
The story is excellently written, fast-paced with likeable characters and there are plenty of plot twists to keep it exciting. The wry comedy gives a lightness that contrasts and emphasises the graphic horror of many of the medical practices of the time.
I loved this book and understand that this is the first book in a series. I greatly look forward to reading the next book and meeting the characters again.

Fabulous concept for a novel. Great to have found this new author and am very interested to see what happens next.

A mid-19th century novel set in Edinburgh with the main characters being a somewhat implausible , impoverished medical student taken on by a top gynaecologist and the Dr's housemaid who was maybe 150 years ahead of her time being portrayed as more like a modern woman. It was this mixture of old and new (not only personalities but in the terminology used) that I feel affected the story to its detriment. I am sure the facts were well researched medically and if there are more books to follow there is a base to work on.
I also found the story somewhat slow and while often appearing to be about to flicker into more life it often failed to deliver and remained somewhat unconvincing like some of its characters. For many readers I'm sure but sadly not for me.
Thank you to Canongate and NetGalley for the chance to give an honest review.

An excellent historical fiction set in 1800s Edinburgh, The Way of All Flesh is gripping, exciting, and informative. A fascinating insight into medicine and midwifery of the time. I especially enjoyed the subtle feminist themes woven through the story, about how women like Sarah are taught to be grateful for their station in life, and not to aspire to be anything more, and the women like Mina, "above stairs", who can only hope to become wives and mothers.

It’s 1847 and in Edinburgh, women are dying in gruesome ways. One of these women is prostitute Evie, friend of Will Raven, a doctor’s apprentice looking to claw his way to respectability through medicine. Initially assuming she died of drinking, her death starts to haunt him as he comes into contact with more women whose demise bear remarkable similarities. He has started working for the esteemed Dr Simpson, who specialises in childbirth and anaesthesia and we follow his progress as a medical man.

Slowly he connects the dots between the murders and has to enlist the help of Dr. Simpson’s housemaid-cum-assistant, the lively, outspoken and intelligent Sarah. Book-devouring Sarah is unhappy with her state of affairs, where as a woman she cannot even apply for a job in medicine, or anywhere a man would take her seriously. Drawn in to the challenge, she and Will work together despite the fact that they initially don’t get on.

There’s a bit of politics, intrigue, romance, drama and murder. Edinburgh is portrayed with character, well researched and accurate, full of interesting medical details. The characters are expertly written and the storyline gripping. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in two days – staying up way later than usual thinking one more chapter. I’m going to devour anything else written by Ambrose Parry, but I really hope we see more of Will Raven with a character led series – he has a lot more life to lead and I’d love to be there for it.

The Way of All Flesh is superb – gripping, atmospheric and satisfying. Five stars.

It's 1847 and medical student Will Raven, apprentice to the renowned obstetrician Dr Simpson, finds himself plunged into the dark and seedy backstreet life of Edinburgh when his prostitute friend Evie is found murdered … and then the deaths start mounting up. Dr Simpson’s housemaid Sarah Fisher takes an instant dislike to will when he first arrives in the practice, but the unlikely pair must team up if they are survive.

In the course of this crime thriller we are immersed in the fascinating medical world of the mid 19th century, including research into early anaesthetics – ether in particular. Interesting but quite gruesome in the detail of procedures carried out without anaesthesia at all, or with the inherent dangers, even death, of not getting the dosing right.

I think historical fiction fans may appreciate this and certainly the medical research aspect comes over as a bigger theme than the crime/thriller aspect. The book was well researched and written and had all the elements of a great story, but for me it just didn’t do it. The seediness of the setting was a challenge but that wouldn’t have mattered so much if the characters were more likeable. However, I found Will Raven a singularly unattractive character and Sarah Fisher little better, so I was unable to become invested in them or their story.

A really good read. Set in Edinburgh as medical knowledge advances and the use of anaesthesia is being tested and evaluated in the 19th century. A trainee doctor looks to work out why women are dying in suspicious circumstances and are those esteemed medical colleagues around him all that they claim to be? Impressive debut novel which is a collaboration between wonderful scottish crime writer Chris Brookmyre and Dr Marisa Haetzman, a consultant anesthetist and medical historian. The beginning of a very promising historical crime series, worth keeping an eye on.

Darkly atmospheric tale of a 19th century medical student and a housemaid investigating grisly murders in Edinburgh. Medical detailing is fascinating. A little relieved to see how much medicine has advance in the following years! A little slow to start, but well worth sticking with it. Well researched, great detail and lovely characterisation.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Historical fiction is something I only read from time to time. However I'd seen a few good reviews for this and one half of the writing team is Christopher Brookmyre a favourite author of mine. The other part of the team is apparently his wife, a consultant anaesthetist, who brings her obviously extensive medical knowledge into play here. The book focusses strongly on medicine, the medical profession and their quests for improved treatment. Some of the practices are rather barbaric and quite graphic however it also feels authentic.

I found the opening wonderfully atmospheric creating a feel for an Edinburgh around 1850 where death is commonplace and doctors are an established if somewhat experimental part of society. Raven, an aspiring medic, finds a dead body, female, who is someone he has "known" in the past. Afraid he may be accused of her murder he flees the scene but worries about how she may have died. This leads to the book's leitmotif of "another deid hoor".

Raven, in the employ of an established doctor, finds his interest in what happened to his friend is a subject shared by another member of the household. Sarah, a maid, would far rather spend time dealing with patients and learning from doctors. She also had a friend who has died in an apparently similar way to Raven's. The book follows their attempts to investigate the deaths.

The book manages to bring out both the darkness of the time and the rawness of the lives of many. I did find the lightness of touch and slight humour here good and typical of Brookmyre's other books. I really did find this a highly entertaining read. I enjoyed the characters of Raven and Sarah and their quest for the truth about what is going on in the backstreets of Edinburgh. The pace was good and the at times graphic feel of the era was vivid. Happily recommended to fans of historical fiction of this general sort.

The Way of All Flesh is the first in a new series by writing team Christopher Brookmyre and consultant anaesthetist Dr Marisa Haetzman. These two authors combine their skills to create a fast moving and scientifically accurate thriller that grips from the start and never lets up.
The story, set in 1847 Edinburgh, is centred around Will Raven, an apprentice to the famous real life gynaecologist Doctor Simpson and housemaid Sarah Fisher. Will has just completed his initial training and is in debt to a local money lender. He hopes that his new position in Doctor Simpson's household will allow him to soon repay what he owes but until that time he is in fear of being caught and tortured by enforcers trying to extract the money.
After a prostitute with whom Will is acquainted (in every way possible) is found dead showing every sign of being poisoned Will tries to investigate as the police, including the historical figure of James McLevy, have little interest in following up the death of a whore. Soon other women's bodies showing similar symptoms begin to appear and Will realises that he is on the trail of a backstreet abortionist.
Intertwined with the investigation we get to know the Simpson household, especially Sarah, a young housemaid who becomes a major player in the quest for the killer. We also meet Dr Simpson's unmarried sister in law and learn of her quest for a husband, his disapproving butler, terrifying cook, a noisy parrot and two doctors who conduct surgeries in the house.
At this time in history anaesthesia was just becoming accepted as a valid medical practice and Dr Simpson was at the forefront of championing it's effects for women in labour. He was often at loggerheads with some clergymen who felt that relief from the suffering of childbirth was against God's Will. Ether was the primary compound of choice for these early attempts at anaesthesia but it was not without risks and several patients' deaths had been attributed to it. Hence the search was on for any other compounds which might produce a similar effect but with less risk as the doctor who discovered such a drug would be guaranteed wealth for life.
During the course of the story chloroform is found to have a much better anaesthetic action and starts to become used in practice having been lauded by the famed Doctor Simpson.
Not all medical practitioners agreed with his methods though, some feeling that having the patient fully conscious as operations were performed could guide the surgeon's hand - unthinkable today perhaps but a common belief at the time.
Edinburgh itself is a major character in the story as it was, at the time, a world renowned centre of medical excellence. It is brought to life in the book as Will and his friends travel from the slums to the houses of the wealthy and from the dockyards of Leith to the outskirts of the city.
The story moves along at a good pace, the short chapters allowing us to gain clues to the crime as well as getting to know the characters without ever getting bogged down. The combined writing also adds medical authenticity to the story without losing pace, it is clear that Dr Marisa Haetzman is very well versed in her subject as well as being an excellent storyteller. It has to be said though that some of the descriptions of medical procedure (particularly an amputation carried out in front of students without anaesthetic) are very vivid and not for the faint hearted.
I was able to work out the identity of the criminal fairly easily as well as their modus operandi but that, in no way, detracted from my enjoyment of the story as I was keen to know what happened to our characters next and how, if at all, justice would be served.
It is clear that this is the first book in a series as there is more exposition an development of secondary characters than I would expect in a standalone story. I for one am very glad about this as I very much look forward to reading more of Will's adventures and, at the same time, learning more about this fascinating period in medical history.

A very interesting historical novel set in Edinburgh. A look at midwifery and the evolution of anaesthetics . The main story was also very good with robust characters and lots of mystery and mayhem.

Edinburgh is described to a tee ! The old town and the new town are very different even today but not quite as bad as back in the day ! The city really comes alive

Sarah the wonderful house maid is, for me, the star of the book. She’s ahead of her time and a natural healer. The early day medics are described well - a heady mixture of genuine healers and patent chasers and of course Edinburgh has always been a centre of medical care excellence.

It’s a straightforward read and a nice mixture of thriller and history

'The Way of All Flesh' is set in Edinburgh in 1847 and is at its heart a dark medical mystery. I love the setting of Victorian Edinburgh and this centres on the Old Town where young women are being found dead. Our MC Will Raven, is a medical student who is on his way to begin an apprenticeship with an esteemed local doctor, Dr Simpson. Simpson is unusual in that he helps the poorest or the richest and his home is a place for experiments and discoveries, particularly with anaesthesia - which does lead to a particularly humorous scene.
Raven discovers the body of a prostitute, who he knew personally, and this begins the mystery central to the book. Poor Will Raven does go on quite an adventure and he is viciously beaten up by a moneylenders gang within the opening pages! This is only the start! He is soon, reluctantly, teamed up with the Dr's housemaid Sarah Fisher as they both get caught up with the murders.
The writing is atmospheric and the scenes of both the Old and New towns are engaging and provide a fascinating backdrop to the drama. It seemed to be very well researched, and I am thankful I'm born in this century after some of the medical scenes!
I would have liked more development of the central characters of Will and Sarah - it was a little disjointed at times and I felt it could have been so much more...maybe there's a sequel on the horizon?

Generally an enjoyable read.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Canongate for the review copy

Medical thriller in mid 19th century Edinburgh, with gore. Excellent book based upon medical practitioners in Edinburgh covering both the New Town and the Old Town, so two very different social strata. Bodies of prostitutes turn up but the police have no strong interest - hoors are hoors and what do you expect? Will Raven, apprentice to Dr Simpson - specialising in midwifery/obstetrics - and Sarah Fisher, housemaid in the Simpson household, come together reluctantly to solve the murders; he knew one of the girls and Sarah was friends with another. They seem to have been poisoned and were also probably pregnant. The story brings in the development of medical techniques to help women during child birth - ether and chloroform to name but two - a painful and dangerous event for women at all levels of society. Brutal and dishonest doctors abound, although Simpson definitely is not one of these, and you can feel the rivalry between factions. Descriptions of the poorer parts of the city are vivid and the characters bring it to life. Running through this is also the general treatment of women at the time - wives or housemaids (or hoors) are the main options although we do get a vignette of an early female photographer, even if her work was publicised as being by her male counterpart of course. Sarah in particular has issues with this, being an intelligent woman, but not having the option of working for Dr Simpson as anything other than a housemaid although she does manage to act as medical secretary/receptionist at first. I noted that the story had been written by two people - this is not obvious from a reading as they clearly work well together and all the text meshes well. A compelling read and one which I thoroughly enjoyed too. Look forward to the next in the series hoping that the authors concentrate on a medical story and not too much on the developing relationship between Will and Sarah! Thanks to NetGalley and Canongate for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

I’m afraid I didn’t really get on with The Way Of All Flesh. I like Chris Brookmyre’s Jack Parlabane novels very much, but this, co-written by him and his wife Marisa Haetzman who is an anaesthetist, isn’t anything like as good.

Set in Edinburgh in 1850, Will Raven is an impoverished medical student (with a dark secret in his past, of course) who begins as an apprentice to the renowned Dr Simpson. There is a series of unexplained deaths (of women, naturally) which Raven and the housemaid Sarah begin to investigate.

There are some good things about the book. The medical history is very well researched and graphically and unflinchingly portrayed, for example. However, I found the whole thing a rather turgid read and pretty much a familiar set of stale clichés with an attempt at a historical setting which for me didn’t really convince. For example, Sarah is – you’ve guessed it – a spirited, intelligent young woman with ideas and attitudes imported straight from the early 21st Century. (Not again!) Raven begins to learn a few life lessons, while also being dragged into something which looks suspiciously like the Rebus/Big Ger Cafferty relationship...and so on. The language didn’t convince, either; it’s largely modern prose and the characters tend to speak in a non-Victorian way (the book closes with someone saying the two-word sentence, “Your choice.” for example) while the odd slightly archaic word or phrase just sticks out and sounds wrong. For example, a carriage pulls up drawn by two “lively steeds.” Apart from the jarring occurrence of the archaic word “steed” in modern prose, it’s incorrectly used; a “steed” is a horse being ridden or available for riding, not one drawing a carriage.

I’m sorry if I appear to nitpick, but all of this meant that I got no real sense of place or period and I found the story and characters rather stale and unconvincing. I had hoped for better from Brookmyre; I’ll wait for his next Parlabane book but in the meantime I can’t recommend this.

(My thanks to Canongate for an ARC via NetGalley.)

When a couple of young women are found dead in similar suspicious circumstances, medical student Will Raven - apprenticed to Dr Simpson and Simpson's housemaid Sarah investigate which leads them into some grave trouble.
This is a fast-paced gritty historical fiction set in 1840's Edinburgh, when Edinburgh led the world in the field of medicine.
This is a story of the birth of anaesthesia, of power and corruption.
I loved this and I'm glad there will be more.