Review: ‘The Art of Dying’
By Ambrose Parry
Canongate
Pub Date 29 Aug 2019. Reviewed 20 October 2019

Official description:
There’s a fine line between kill and cure. Edinburgh, 1849. Despite Edinburgh being at the forefront of modern medicine, hordes of patients are dying all across the city, with doctors finding their remedies powerless. But it is not just the deaths that dismay the esteemed Dr James Simpson. A whispering campaign seeks to blame him for the death of a patient in suspicious circumstances. Simpson’s protégé Will Raven and former housemaid Sarah Fisher are determined to clear their patron’s name. But with Raven battling against the dark side of his own nature, and Sarah endeavouring to expand her own medical knowledge beyond what society deems acceptable for a woman, the pair struggle to understand the cause of the deaths. Will and Sarah must unite and plunge into Edinburgh’s deadliest streets to clear Simpson’s name. But soon they discover that the true cause of these deaths has evaded suspicion purely because it is so unthinkable.

My review:
This is the second book in the Raven, Fisher and Simpson series set in Victorian Edinburgh in the 19C by Ambrose Parry, the pen name for husband and wife writing duo: Chris Brookmyre (known for his crime novels) and Dr Marisa Haetzman, a consultant anaesthetist. I have not read the first in the series so was not familiar with the characters but having heard a lot about it, I was intrigued.
This is a book packed with details and the characters are described in depth as are their relationships. However, I could not warm to Raven who takes himself far too seriously and dithers annoyingly in his relationship with Sarah. And for me there were just too many medical details and procedures that slowed down the plot. I did not find the murder mystery convincing and the lack of resolution at the end was frustrating.
However, if you like medical historical mysteries packed with period details, then this is the book for you.
My rating: 3 stars
Thanks to #NetGalley for eARC.
#TheArtOfDying #NetGalley

This is the second book by Ambrose Parry following newly qualified doctor Will Raven. Set in 1850s Edinburgh, it details the medical advances of the time, while also seeing Will going through the trials and tribulations of his relationship with Sarah and following the story of a serial killer as well! Well written, compulsive reading with a dramatic climax. A great read.

In this, the second novel featuring young doctor Will Raven and former housemaid Sarah Fisher, we explore the way people are judged by both their gender and their class in Victorian Edinburgh. Even Dr James Simpson, the esteemed physician, discoverer of safer anaesthesia and employer of both our main characters is not beyond the reach of scandal and Sarah is determined to disprove the rumours that he was responsible for the death of a patient. Of course, as a woman there are plenty of people who aren't willing to speak to her so she is obliged to try to recruit Will, even though the unrequited feelings between them cause tensions. Will is more concerned with avoiding the attentions of criminal underworld from a variety of countries (he never does things by halves does our Will...) and furthering his own ambitions. But when the deaths which he is investigating begin to look more like murders than a new disease (now never, alas, to be named after him) the two once again use Sarah's brains and Will's status as a male doctor to uncover the truth.

Amidst all the peril, plot twists and unrequitable passions we see Sarah becoming acquainted with the work of Mary Wollstonecraft and more and more frustrated with a society which judges her on her gender rather than her abilities. She realises that, since her marriage to a doctor (sadly, not Will) she has risen in class but is still unable to fulfil her dreams of becoming a physician herself. In fact, few of the women we see - from destitute prostitutes to the rich and frivolous - are able to control their own lives: a reminder of how far we have come. Since the book seems to set up the option (indeed the necessity) for sequels we shall see how far Sarah is able to progress with her own emancipation.

A gripping story with great characters. I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read more books from this author.

This book is a great sequel which I think could also stand on its own if you (for some reason) didn't want to read book #1. It's written beautifully and really submerges you in the era of the 1850s with patients falling fast in Edinburgh and a Doctor being blamed. But is he really at fault?

This book dives into our two main characters trying to find out who is truly to blame for all of these deaths, with a really interesting dynamic between the two of them.

Such a well written and dynamic historical fiction. Love this author's writing.

This is the sequel to The Way of All Flesh and picks up the story of Will Raven and Sarah Fisher.

It's now 1850 and Will has returned to Edinburgh to become Dr Simpson's assistant after studying in Europe. Sarah is no longer a housemaid and is now Mrs Banks, the wife of a doctor.

Dr Simpson's chloroform appears to be the cause of many deaths and Will and Sarah set out to clear his name. They soon realise that it's something more sinister and they find theirselves back on the murder trail.

Again it tells a gripping story with twists and turns and lots of insight into Victorian Edinburgh. You can almost smell the stench from the description of the old town streets.

The story works well even if you haven't read the first book (but you really should!)

Thank you to Netgalley and Canongate for the ARC

Involved in a shady situation in Germany, Will Raven comes back to Scotland and the house of his mentor, Dr Simpson where the situation is much changed from when he left. There is a new housemaid and Sarah Fisher, his close friend and confidante, is no longer Sarah Fisher. There's no time for Will to try and digest this news however, because Simpson has been accused of malpractice and Sarah wants to clear his name. Off on a chase around Edinburgh, closing in on their quarry is closer than anyone thinks.

I did enjoy "The Way of all Flesh" but actually I thought this one was even better. The authors have enough respect for their loyal readers not to have to rehash the characters we already know, so this time we learn even more about Sarah, Will and Dr Simpson's relationships as well as the fabulous cast of background characters both old and new.

I really like the fact that the authors champion the rights of women in a gentle but definitely firm fashion and the character of Sarah in particular is absolutely brilliantly written. As for poor old Will, he gets there in the end and in this novel, comes in to save the day when she needs him most.

This is a great series with a lovely cast which I can only see getting better and better and I am really looking forward to finding out where the authors decide to take our friends next!

Another cracker of a story on those Victorian Edinburgh streets.

It's great learning about the city of that time and the standard of living - not fragrant, nor was cleanliness a top priority. This comes as no surprise but the reminder of the sheer enormity of the slums and everyday situation of people's lives is jolting. Some of the medical beliefs make you laugh out loud; how naive we were back then and how far we've come. My only slight niggle is that some of these facts about the time, the history and attitudes are shoehorned in a little clumsily, especially at the beginning. It felt like I was reading a history lesson at one point and took me out of the story ever so slightly, but this is nitpicking at its extreme. As before, the prose is extremely readable, slick and masterfully structured.

Sarah and Will are as likeable as ever, perhaps even more so, although I hope Sarah does make a few personal mistakes at some point as she is well on her way to a sainthood at the moment! And the villains got a bit of history of their own to share, which I found very satisfying and wouldn't mind knowing even more.

There are twists and turns, some subtle and beautifully wrought, some more obvious but deliberately so, it seems. All great fun for a reader.

A very enjoyable follow-up to their terrific first book, 'The Way of All Flesh'.

A second brilliant outing for Will Raven and Sarah. Will has been in Europe extending his experience (in more ways than One) and is summoned back to Edinburgh to be the Professor's Assistant. Sarah has been promoted from housemaid to make herself indispensable in the practice and is ever keen to widen her knowledge. She has, in Will's absence become married to a doctor. The Professor's reputation is being attacked by colleagues who are jealous of his getting the credit for the introduction of Chloroform after the death of a patient, but when four members of the same family succumb in short order Sarah thinks there is something to investigate. Based partly on real events it is well researched and well written. Leaves you waiting for the next instalment

I loved the first in this series so I was delighted to see a second book featuring Will Raven & Sarah Fisher. Set in Victorian Edinburgh, it is a time of change & discovery in medicine. It is also a time where reputation is all.

When Will returns from Europe, he discovers that Sarah has married a doctor (something he hadn't dared to do, fearing for his reputation if he married a housemaid!) He also discovers that there are some seeking to blacken the name of Dr Simpson- his employer & mentor. With Sarah ( who continues to assist Dr Simpson, whilst soaking as much medical knowledge as she can) they investigate the rumours & in doing so, Will believes he may have discovered a new disease that seems to be wiping out whole families. In fact it is something worse.

Once again the atmosphere of the time & place are captured beautifully. The story is based on fact which adds to the stories authenticity. It really brings to the fore how poorly women were treated & how, no matter how brilliant you were, there was no place for those who sought to join the professions.

I loved this book & hope for more to come. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

An absolutely thrilling read. I was so happy to venture back into Victorian Edinburgh with Dr Raven and Sarah. The book twists and turns with a surprising twist I could never have seen coming. Cannot wait to see where this series goes next!

The Art of Dying is both an excellent Victorian medical murder mystery, and an educational and entertaining treatise on the talents and restrictions of intelligent women of the age.

I haven’t read The Way of All Flesh (although I certainly want to now!), but that didn’t hinder me from picking up the characters and story here as I went along. The only slight effect I noticed on this book is that it starts with Will Raven in Italy – fighting off assailants, bantering merrily with his friend and enjoying the company of a ladyfriend – clearly in reasonable spirits despite past and current events. I can only presume whether this is the Raven met in the previous book, because most of this story is set after his return to Edinburgh and the sarcastic roisterer is completely subsumed by a morose and pompous man struggling to reconcile his love for a remarkable woman with her lowly position in life. He does not come out well in comparison to Archie Banks on this matter!

Sarah Fisher, said remarkable woman, fares much better in reader estimations. She keeps her focus firmly on her patients, the doctors she supports and her family responsibilities; still finds time to aid other women with their health and domestic concerns; and keeps a tight hold on her own hopes and dreams throughout, always open to an opportunity for more from life. Which all makes her the perfect counterpoint to the murderer.

We, the readers, get an insider glimpse into the murderer’s thoughts and past, via excerpts from a written account that features later in the plot. As a result, the identity of the murderer, and even their motives, are less the focus of the mystery than the question of whether Raven and Sarah will be able to resolve the matter without either of them being hurt, embarrassed, or imprisoned.

The historical medical information presented throughout the book – specifically the information related to anaesthetic and obstetrics – is fascinating and clearly well-researched by the authors. I could definitely read more Raven and Fisher books just for this aspect alone, so engrossing were the insights presented. Conversely, I was less fond of the romantic aspects of the story, as I strongly feel Sarah deserves better than Raven – not because of his self-confessed ‘monstrous person’ doubts, but due to his adherence to status above all, despite (or perhaps because of) his own lack of it.

Fans of historical mystery fiction will enjoy this well-written and thought-provoking series. I’m off to catch up the previous book, in preparation for the next one!



‘And once again, here I am, in your company in the bloody aftermath of a fight.’
‘Maybe you are the one who courts mayhem and you are merely fortunate to have me on hand to assist. Have you thought of it that way?’
‘Not once. But often have I said you’d be the death of me.’
Raven searched his memory.
‘You have never once said that.’
‘No,’ he admitted, ‘but I must have thought it. So please prove me wrong. And don’t forget to wash the knife.’

– Ambrose Parry, The Art of Dying


Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

The Art of Dying is a worthy successor to The Way of all Flesh. Again set in Victorian Edinburgh, it was the perfect mix of the genteel and the grotesque. As a doctor, Will Raven to be comfortable and accepting of both of these realms. Things have changed between Raven and Sarah Fisher from the first book, but they are drawn together again, and Will must deal with the sides of himself he tries to keep at bay. In most ways, Sarah is the stronger character.
There is a compelling villain that lurks, mostly unseen, in the story. This villain is granted their own fascinating narrative in the book. I love how the book draws from real history as much as possible. Five stars.

Another fantastic read from this author. Historical Crime fiction is one of my favourite genres. I loved the first book The Way of all Flesh. An insight into Edinburgh 1850. Raven and Sarah the house maid are again playing a mature sleuth and are trying to find a killer. From the first I was transported back in time and I am walking the streets of Victorian Edinburgh. The research that goes into the story is fascinating and really brings the book to life. I LOVED IT!!!!! Another easy five stars and so Highly Recommended.
I would like to thank the author, Canongate and Netgalley for the ARC in return for giving an honest review.

I so enjoyed this second installment from Ambrose Parry. This book, like the first, is the perfect blend of history and mystery both lead by the impulses and perversions that drive humankind. This time there is much more personal drama circulating in the background which adds a different dimension, along with the medical history which I find fascinating especially as this case drew inspiration from an actual event. This is a compelling read and should be added to your TBR pile immediately.

Will Raven returns to Edinburgh after a year abroad. He is now the assistant to Dr Simpson and a fully fledged doctor in his own right. In leaving Edinburgh he had also left Sarah his worthy partner in crime solving but returns to find her married to another doctor. Will still has demons of his own to wrestle with.
The story is set in the 19th century and the medical issues of that time so there is much factual accuracy interwoven . Will is keen to make a name for himself and have a disease named after him. He thinks his opportunity has arisen when several people die of a strange unknown ailment . He and Sarah join forces to find out what or who is killing the patients in the background too Is the pioneering work of Dr Simpson in the use of chloroform as an anaesthetic. A rich and atmospheric story from the husband and wife team told very effectively in both third person and first person voices. I look forward to the next one

Thank you to Netgalley, Ambrose Parry and Canongate for my arc of The Art of Dying in exchange for an honest review. 

Synopsis: this is the second book in the series Raven, Fisher and Simpson and sees Will Raven return to Edinburgh a qualified doctor and about to take on a position in Dr Simpson's household. But all is not as it once was, Sarah is no longer the housemaid, a secretary has been hired to help Simpson organise his life, and accusations have been thrown at Simpson himself which threaten to ruin his reputation forever. Together Will and Sarah must fight to discover the real cause behind the accusations, even as they fight their own demons.

I really enjoyed The Way of All Flesh so was looking forward to getting into The Art of Dying. Some time had passed between the events of books 1 & 2 and it was great to see what the characters had been up to and explore new plot lines. Both Will and Sarah are great characters in their own way. I'd love to see Will's darkness explored a little more so hopefully that will come in future books, and what an ending! So excited to see what will happen while I'm rooting for one thing I'm rooting for the other so it will be interesting to see what happens in book three.

A historical thriller set in Edinburgh highlighting amongst other things the role that women were allowed to play in that period of history. Based roughly on historical medical facts from the time this is a well researched and developed thriller. Though not modern type of thriller it nevertheless moves at a good pace throughout.
Would look forward to reading more by this author.

I hadn't read the first book in this series, and whilst it didn't hinder the reading/understanding it would probably be more enjoyable if you had.

The book starts with Dr Will Raven and his friends in Berlin after a night out, when they are set upon but some masked men.

Will then returns to Edinburgh to work with his mentor, Dr Simpson, and also to see Sarah, who is a maid in the household. But things have changed and Sarah is now married, to a doctor no less.

Sarah investigates when rumours fly around Edinburgh about Dr Simpson in regards to the death of a woman, she asks Will to help but he refuses initially. He then has a change of heart, mainly because he believe's he has discovered a new disease 'Raven's Malady'. Alas this is actually the work of a serial killer,

Very atmospheric, good writing, if a little predictable in parts, but on the whole a good read, and would read the next one in the series.

One of my favourite read of this year!

Loved that it’s set in Edinburgh and the writing really brings it alive.

This is a genuinely enjoyable read with well thought out characters.