This is a book that you will struggle to put down. This is a book that all Edinburgh natives will want to read, to peruse the streets of Old Edinburgh in the imaginative writings of Ambrose Parry as he follows Dr Will Raven on both his medical investigations and his personal detective work.
The characters are far more developed than in the first two novels, and you find yourself really feeling for the characters Sarah and Raven. This is not a predictable thriller either, and even a few chapter before the end I was still unable to predict the final outcome. It had me guessing and wondering.
This is ultimately the story of a Junior Doctor, Will Raven, working under Dr Simpson. However it is also the story of Miss Sarah Fisher, a woman, an ex-housemaid, who wants to work her way into the medical world.
This is a must read, and I am thankful for being allowed to read this e-copy proof

As with its predecessors, I loved everything about this book. The atmospheric descriptions of some of the less salubrious areas of Edinburgh contrast with the opulence of the murder victim’s home in a well explored scene-setting. Raven and Sarah, once so close, are uncomfortable with each other initially. The murder mystery is well resolved when the two get their heads together. The immersion in the medical and political aspects of life in the mid-1800s is brilliantly exposed. It’s amazing to read of the number of genuine characters the authors have merged seamlessly into a fictional telling. One of the best historical crime/medical series in existence.

I’m a huge fan of the Will Raven and Sarah Fisher series and way so excited to receive this advanced copy.

This was another solid instalment in the series and did not disappoint. Will finds himself embroiled in another murder investigation and Sarah is asked for help by a housemaid in finding her baby she was forced to give up. But are the two connected.

I love all the medical history based on true events and people but it can be quite gruesome and this book especially is not for the faint hearted with graphic descriptions of corpses and medical procedures.

Even though this book is the third in the series the mystery works as a standalone but there are some events referenced from the previous books but not essential to to have read them to enjoy A Corruption Of Blood.

I really enjoyed this book and think it is my favourite so far- a must for any fan of the series

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for a review.

Thanks to NetGalley for this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I came onto this book having not read the first two - and rather stupidly on my part - not realising there was a one and two!

Despite this, I enjoyed reading this and the first two were seemingly unnecessary for reading book 3 - although I may be unaware of links that I would have noticed had I read them all.

It was an enthralling read and I definitely know I’ll be reading the other two.

A very interesting, well written and enjoyable read. The characters were cleverly woven and with an element of historical truth in certain areas of the story line. A clever plot which held your interest throughout, resulting in a page turning finale. Would certainly recommend.

Didnt get very far as I found this book incredibly boring. Neither subject matter nor writing style appealed.
Hopefully others will like it.

I had never even heard about the dark adventures of will and Sarah before reading this book (thank you Netgalley) it enraptured me, so much in fact I went and bought the previous 2 books about these characters in audiobook format and would advise any prospective reader to read books 1&2, although not strictly necessary it adds to the enjoyment

This series of books (of which this is the third) by Ambrose Parry is fantastic. They are so much more than historical whodunits. There is romance, not least the ongoing question of whether or not Will and Sarah will become a couple. There are wonderful, atmospheric descriptions of Edinburgh, with the contrasts between high society and those at the very bottom. There are the crimes which tend to have a medical bent so that there is information about both policing and medicine in the mid nineteenth century. Parry also exposes the hypocrisy of the Victorian age when, despite there being a woman in charge of the country, women were in general treated as lower than men in more or less every way. I cannot wait for the fourth book!!

Grateful thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Im not a fan of historica fiction however this nay just have changed my mind.

The Edinburgh backdrop is made dark and ominous in places which really sets the scene. The mixture of real and fiction is brilliant and makes it so easy to picture the scene rather than just read it.
I have obviously missed something with the first two books which if they are anything like this are must reads.

A Corruption of Blood does not disappoint! The third book involving Will Raven and the medical world of Victorian Edinburgh is a great read. Sarah has returned from Europe but her medical aspirations have taken a knock. However she soon has other things to occupy her. Can she get to the bottom of the missing babies and the elusive Mrs King. Meanwhile Will has been asked, by his new fiancée, to help prove that Gideon, a former fellow medical student, did not murder his father. Can Will overcome his dislike of Gideon & find out what did happen to Sir Ainsley Douglas.
A fantastic murder mystery which keeps you on your toes with it’s many twists & turns. An authentic setting in Edinburgh which allows you to walk in the footsteps of the characters & visualise where they are.
Book 4 please!

A Corruption of Blood is the third in a series of novels by Ambrose Parry following the investigative exploits of Sarah Fisher, Will Raven and Dr Simpson in Victorian Edinburgh. I've fallen in love with this series of books and have really enjoyed immersing myself back in them this week. The only criticism I have is that the plot can get a little repetitive when hearing the story or the big reveal from both Will and Sarah, in back to back chapters. Other than that I am fascinated by the obstacles in place against Sarah achieving her doctoring goals as a female.

Big thank you once again for @netgalley for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review. Out on 19th August 2021!

Another delightful and action packed adventure with the genial Scottish medical mavericks Will Raven and Sarah Fisher as they try to untangle the dangerous and deadly shenanigans festering within the upper echelons of Edinburgh's society. A Victorian murder mystery cleverly built on a twisty and devilish plot full of nasty and unforgettable characters, a fiendishly written whodunit that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat from start to finish. A richly detailed tapestry of 19th century Scottish society and a very compelling investigation conducted with "drums beating" by a very unique and very winsome couple! A delicious fictional treat that must be enjoyed without moderation!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Canongate for this wonderful ARC.

A Corruption of Blood is the third book in the Raven, Fisher, & Simpson series.
This is a crime thriller set in Edinburgh in the 1840's, when Edinburgh was leading the way in medical science.
Dr Raven has agreed to help an old adversary to prove his innocence and escape the hangman's noose. But something doesn't add up, is Raven on a false trail?
Fanbloodytastic!
This is fiction with a lot of fact. It's dark, gritty with a fabulous cast of characters.
I absolutely love this series.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the ARC.

This is the third book in this series with Dr Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. Set in Victorian Edinburgh, the two main characters are developing really nicely. An atmospheric piece, we go from one end of society to the other, where people think there are such differences between the two but as this story shows, they are all the same when it comes to sex and murder. Two seemingly unconnected murders merge satisfyingly together with skilful plotting. There is some grim reading where one of the murders is concerned, but unfortunately so true for the time. It portrays the attitudes towards women during this era, such as Sarah’s hopes of becoming a doctor herself and the blame heaped on unwed mothers. I enjoyed the use of real people of the time, such as Sir James Young Simpson and Dr Elizabeth Blackwell along with the characters. Very well researched and an excellent read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A Corruption of Blood is the third book in the series that follows Raven, Sarah and Dr Simpson (the inventor of chloroform).

This is an engaging and interesting story with several strands developing in parallel including the tension within the relationships of the main characters alongside the Mystery surrounding several murders. The writing is skilful and evocative of an old Edinburgh which pulls the reader into another world.

It can easily be read as a standalone novel although the two previous books are so good it would be a shame not to read them in sequence. A good 4⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and Canongate for an ARC edition in exchange for an honest review.

If you haven't read the Ambrose Party books before then you're in for a treat. Beautifully written medical murder/detective mysteries set in 19th century Edinburgh. The loveable main characters of Dr Raven and former housemate Sarah Fisher keep finding danger while trying to help solve crimes the police aren't looking at. Brilliant fiction that includes real historical people, facts and crimes.

This series just gets better with every book. Exceedingly well researched to make the context of Edinburgh recognisable, the period in which the story is set is also accurate. Will Raven, doctor and partner to the famous James Y Simpson, returns as a part time detective to solve, along with his friend Sarah, a murder and its ramifications. Will’s personal life is also all over the place as he tries to decide who to marry. An important theme underlying the story is the struggle of women to be able to access jobs seen as for men only. That too is carefully handled. Edinburgh society and its arrogance comes over well. As the author says, “The number of eminent men in Edinburgh is greatly exceeded by the number who consider themselves so”. The writing has humour as well as excitement. The story gains in complexity as it developed, then all becomes clear as it heads to a very satisfactory ending. This is a masterpiece of storytelling and I recommending strongly.

Ambrose Parry delivers another winner with an excellent, rip-roaring historical detective thriller, a fine addition to the series.

“A Corruption of Blood” is the third novel in the historical crime fiction series featuring Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. It’s probably not essential to have read books one and two, but it will help put Will and Sarah’s relationship in context, as well as fill in some background to both of their lives to date.

Picking up soon after the events of “The Art of Dying”, we’re back in Edinburgh in 1850 and Will is continuing his medical career under the tutelage of Sir James Simpson. Sarah, recently widowed, is travelling around Europe seeking Elizabeth Blackwell, a female doctor whom she hopes will help her pursue her own medical career. When Will is caught up in two seemingly unrelated crimes - the discovery of a murdered baby in the harbour at Leith and the death by poison of a wealthy socialite and businessman, we’re immediately launched into maze of blackmail, sibling rivalry, ambition and deceit.

What follows is another glorious romp through Victorian Edinburgh, with all the sights, smells and sounds we enjoyed in the previous books. Along the way, we learn about the choices women were forced to make, and the unscrupulous people who promised unmarried mothers a way out of disgrace whilst pairing their babies with wealthy couples looking to adopt. We also learn more about the dark and dirty shenanigans that make up polite society in 19th century Edinburgh.

Will and Sarah’s turbulent relationship continues, with complications, as we learn that Will is smitten by the attractive, wealthy, but intriguing Eugenie, who herself is caught up in the murders. Nevertheless, the chemistry between Will and Sarah continues to annoy and frustrate us as they strive to work together to solve the murders, while exploring their feelings for each other.

Ambrose Parry is the pen-name of husband-and-wife writing team, Christopher Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman and their books have been a staple of my historical detective fiction phase in recent months. Their research and attention to detail is immaculate and 19th century Edinburgh is brought vividly to life. Those familiar with Edinburgh will love the attention to detail in place names and locations. Fans of the first two books will thoroughly enjoy “A Corruption of Blood” while fans of ES Thomson, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and Antonia Hodgson will uncover a fascinating new world. Heartily recommended.

The third of a trilogy, which gets better with each book. I think these need to be read in order, to appreciate the full story and the feelings of the characters. There is not as much historical medical detail as in the first two books, but I do particularly like the weaving of real characters with fictional ones. I really hope there is a forth book in this excellent series.

Husband and wife writing team Ambrose Parry have done it again! Another excellent novel in the Will Raven/Sarah Fisher medical series set in nineteenth century Edinburgh.
In this story the focus is on familial relationships, in particular those between mothers and their children. Victorian mores make it very easy for unscrupulous people to set themselves up as ‘baby farmers’, promising unmarried mothers a way out of disgrace whilst pairing their babies with wealthy couples looking to adopt. In reality, most of these children do not go off to live happily ever after. Ambrose Parry’s detailed research ensures that the reader never questions the veracity of the plot and the novel’s structure ensures many tense and gripping moments.
For those invested in Will and Sarah’s turbulent relationship, it comes as quite a surprise early in the novel to learn that Will is courting the attractive, wealthy Eugenie and that his intentions are serious. Nevertheless, as the narrative unfolds it is clear that Will and Sarah still have plenty of chemistry and continue to support each other, whether in the consulting rooms or on Edinburgh’s least salubrious streets.
Whilst the novel is set in the past, it is sad to recognise that some of Sarah’s observations on the position of women are just as relevant today. Bearing in mind recent events, it is particularly poignant to read that, ‘Walking unaccompanied through any part of the city was ill-advised if you were a woman. It was a fear she had long since learned to accommodate Why was it that women were forced to alter their behaviour, when it was men whose conduct was at fault?’
Ambrose Parry has given us a thought-provoking, fascinating, engrossing tale. If you enjoyed the first two of the series, you will love this addition!
My thanks to NetGalley and Canongate Books for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.