The Art of Dying

Having read the first book featuring Will and Sarah and loved it, I couldn't wait to read the sequel. This book is just as great as the first. It ticks all the boxes for me, strong characters you care about, a gripping mystery, interesting plot twists and a well-paced narrative. In addition, the historical setting, the medical background and the sense menace interwoven with a light humour means that this book is another winner. Highly recommended.

‘The Art of Dying’ is the second book by Ambrose Parry (the pseudonym for a writing duo) that follows Will Raven, now a fully fledged doctor, and his rather intense, dramatic and volatile day to day life! It’s never dull and, as in the first book, Will is battling with the darkness that keeps invading his life.

I enjoyed the first book ‘The Way of All Flesh’ so was really looking forward to reading this one, and there’re no disappointments. This is another detailed historical novel, set in 1850s Edinburgh, that draws in real advances and thoughts in medical procedures of the day and the use of chloroform on patients.
Since the events at the end of the first book, Will has been travelling, advancing his medical knowledge and training. Dramatic events lead to his return to Edinburgh and he’s back working with Dr Simpson, a character based on the real life Dr James Young Simpson; professor of Midwifery at Edinburgh University.

Will also yearns to see Sarah again, a woman he regrets leaving and he’s not at all content with his reasons for leaving her. However, their reunion is not the one he expected and there’s more ups and downs to come.
At the heart of this book is a serial killer, and their voice becomes part of the narrative as well. I was really engrossed in the psychology of this aspect. I loved that the villain of the story is also based on an actual 19th century mass-murderer.
I loved the merging parts of the story-telling and the build up to a dramatic climax.
I devoured this book in one sitting; I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough! Loved the setting, the characters, the historical detail, the plotting of the crimes and the excitement of the ending.

Better than the first book! Can’t wait for the next! I’ll definitely be buying myself a copy on publication day! This also works really well as a stand-alone too.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced e-copy to review.

I've been waiting for this book since The Way Of All Flesh published last year, and it was worth the wait!

Will Raven is travelling Europe, learning more about medicine as well as the world in general. But he's not the only one who's changed since he left Edinburgh 2 years ago - Sarah Fisher has embarked on her own adventures, and Will's in for a rude awakening when he returns to the Simpson residence expecting everything to be the same...

As with the first book, The Art of Dying kicks off with a bang and doesn't let up. The seedy underside of Victorian Edinburgh is once more exposed and we see again how there's no escaping the dark underworld of crime, dodgy dealings and death.

I love Will and Sarah's characters - they are both beautifully drawn, full of life and flaws and all things in between. Once more we see Will's hubris get in the way of his own life, and Sarah's burning desire to do more and be more than society allows. Both characters still have a lot of growth to come, and I can't wait to read more in the next book!

I absolutely loved this book. It was proper on the edge of your seat stuff. It's one of those books where you find yourself saying "One more chapter, one more chapter." and end up reading several more chapters.
In this book, Will Raven returns to Edinburgh from Europe where he has qualified as a Doctor and is back at Queen street working at Dr Simpson's practice.
As Will gets settled into his new career, rumours are going round that Dr Simpson is responsible for the death of a patient in suspicious circumstances and Sarah Fisher - Dr Simpson's former housemaid - asks Will to help her clear the good Doctor's name.

I loved Ambrose Parry's first novel, The Way of All Flesh so was delighted to be given the opportunity to review the second in what is set to be a compelling series set mainly in Edinburgh and covering the history of obstetrics. The two main characters, Will Raven and Sarah Fisher are back in all their glory. It is two years on since they last met. Will has been continuing his medical studies abroad while Sarah, now married to a doctor, is increasingly trusted by her employer Dr Simpson to help with all sorts of medical matters. Sarah is determined to fight for her employer who is being slandered by two other Edinburgh doctors and unwittingly uncovers a series of mysterious deaths. Will, forever a little bit foolish thinks the deaths are down to a hitherto unknown disease and dreams of identifying 'Raven's Malady' which will set up his medical career for good. Of course it is not so simple.

The Art of Dying is equally as good as The Way of All Flesh. The characters are vibrant and Edinburgh itself becomes a character with the authors (a husband and wife team) demonstrating their knowledge of the city as well as the history of medicine. The language used is appropriate to the time period and also helps to set the scene. I strongly recommend this series and look forward to the next one. Thanks to Canongate and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is the second book in the series with Will Raven and Sarah Fisher set in mid-19th century Edinburgh. Will returns to Edinburgh as a doctor having been in Europe studying. They soon become imbroiled in solving a series of unexplained deaths. As in the previous book there is some details of medical practices of that time. It is a great read moving at a fast pace. I hope there will be more in the series.

The Art of Dying is a historical medical mystery about unexplained deaths and medical rivalries set in Edinburgh, the follow up to The Way of All Flesh by husband and wife writing team Ambrose Parry. Will Raven and Sarah Fisher are back, with Will now Dr Simpson's assistant and Sarah trying to expand her position giving medical help to the doctor despite the limitations placed on women. Dr Simpson's reputation is in trouble after one of his patients died in circumstances that other doctors have claimed are suspicious, but looking into this causes Raven and Sarah to uncover a lot more mysterious deaths and find some unlikely possible causes for them. At the same time, Raven continues to evade his pursuers and worry about his own nature, whilst Sarah has new troubles to worry about.

The first in the series was most interesting for its look at class and gender in the period, and the sequel certainly focuses on the latter, looking at the position of women in society and in the roles they can take. Once again, anaesthesia plays an important role in the novel, with Simpson's focus on chloroform still present, though there is slightly less of the medical focus as in the first one (or at least it feels like there is). The mystery narrative is unravelled using a good trope that allows for a few twists, and a wide cast of characters are kept up (though it feels very much like a book in a series for not resolving a number of side plots).

Historical mystery fans will likely enjoy this follow up, which combines a range of interesting characters with some real historical inspiration and a dark series of murders. Not one for the squeamish, but for people who like some historical research alongside the mystery.

I have been looking forward to this book, the second by Ambrose Parry, since reading the first one, The Way of all Flesh, last year. I was certainly not disappointed. The two main characters, Sarah and Will, are as interesting and sympathetic as in the previous novel which introduced them. A year has passed and things have changed for both characters. Will has been studying abroad and returns to Edinburgh not long into the book. To his astonishment he finds that Sarah is now married and no longer a housemaid in his patron's home. There is a third, initially unknown, voice in this book; someone whose first person narrative of murder forms the thriller element at the heart of the plot.
As with the previous novel in the series The Art of Dying is meticulously researched creating a superb sense of time and place (1850s Edinburgh) and embedding medical history into the narrative without in any way detracting from the tale. Characters from the previous novel are still around and influencing particularly Will and the choices he makes. Some of the less savoury characters introduced in The Way of All Flesh are further developed here and new characters are introduced Including those who will have a significant influence on Sarah.
Tension builds as the story progresses, characters and readers question motives and truths, moral dilemmas abound (particularly around questions of euthanasia and new surgical interventions but also around revenge and loyalty). This book really did have everything for me. I loved reading it and am sorry to have finished it. I do believe it stands alone but am sure if readers come to this first, they will be s desperate to read the prequel as I am to read the next in the series.
Ambrose Parry is the pen name for the two authors of this book, Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman. It is a fantastic feat of joint authorship, each writer bringing their specialist skills to the result which shows no signs of a join
With thanks to the publisher, Canongate, for the complimentary ARC of this book via Net Galley in return for an honest review.

In the second of these excellent historical/medical murder mysteries we find Will retuned from abroad to a married Sarah. Much angst. The two work together again to unravel the mystery of several deaths exhibiting strange symptoms. Nineteenth Century Edinburgh is once again well portrayed with its fine town houses and its nasty tenements. Places to be seen in and places you wouldn’t be seen dead in – or maybe you would. There are echoes from the previous book and many dilemmas for Will, which I found quite gripping. Seeing which way he chose to live his life, as he feared the devil within – his mother’s expression. The ending of the book is both exciting and satisfying. I would highly recommend it to all who love an historical mystery.

Thanks to Netgalley for a pre-publication copy.

Second in the series and I must say it grips you immediately. Will Raven, has recently returned from Europe to take up a position with Dr Simpson. Major changes have taken place in the house, and Simpson's household are experiencing upset and turmoil. However, Will once again finds himself thrown together with Sarah to hunt a serial killer.

If you love historical crime reads The Art of Dying ticks all of the boxes. Many of the characters existed, with fact and fiction blending together to make an entertaining, informative and exciting read. Unfortunately I now have to wait months for the next installment in the series.

I just love these books by Ambrose Parry - they are so atmospheric and full of history. The characters come from different backgrounds, so there is the whole above/below stairs thing going on. In this second novel in the series there is more about the emerging rights of women, in addition to the latest medical developments. I can't wait for the next instalment of Will and Sarah's adventures.

I'd been looking forward to reading this book ever since I finished "The Way of All Flesh" (the first in the series) last year. It has been well worth the wait and, if anything, this crime novel is even better than the previous one.

What I particularly like about these books, which are written by a wife and husband team, is that they are multi-faceted. The scientific detail has been expertly researched, as has the historical geography of Edinburgh, my home city; the characters are credible, well-drawn and fully developed, and the various themes are skillfully interwoven - all of which together makes for a very satisfying read. In my opinion, this is in stark contrast to many recently published crime novels which have just two or three disjointed threads of plot, superficial character development and little or no evidence of having been researched in depth.

There have been quite a few books published recently with a theme of childhood abuse and its effect on the abused child when adult. Where this book differs from most others is in its treatment of an individual's psychology and, especially, how this theme becomes an integral part of "The Art of Dying"'s narrative as opposed to a sensation piece to which reference is occasionally made.

Now I can't wait to read the third in this excellent series!

With many thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for giving me a copy of the book in exchange for this honest review.

Historical medical crime novel, set in Edinburgh in 1849. Dr Will Raven is back in the city, having done more medical training abroad, he's returned to rejoin Professor Simpson's household and successful obstetric practice. Former housemaid Sarah is still working for Simpson as a doctor's assistant, but has her own personal issues to contend with as she and Will start working together again - this time trying to track down a nurse who may be spreading a dangerous disease. Or is there more to it?

Ambrose Parry is the joint effort of Christopher Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman, this book is the follow up to The Way of All Flesh and has all the same good points - excellent plotting, accurate historical detail, sympathetic main characters. If you're paying attention, there are also brief references to one of Brookmyre's earlier characters and a pleasing Crocodile Dundee nod. It's a good story, expanding on some aspects of the first book but would also work well if you hadn't read that. I know that Haetzman is a medical doctor, which gives accuracy to the medical history aspects of the book (and a real gratitude for modern medicine and the NHS). The book touches on a real case where Simpson was accused of negligence, which shows up aspects of Edinburgh medical society for what it really was, as opposed to the glossier side we might often think of.

Recommended!

The second in the series of this superbly written historical crime novel set in Edinburgh in 1850.
The main characters centre around the house of Dr James Young Simpson (who was famous in the fields of obstetrics and anaesthetics). We are now a year on from the first book. As the book opens, Dr Will Raven is in Europe where he has been travelling for the past year. What will take him back to Edinburgh?
Sarah Fisher has always been very keen to progress in the field of medicine and this has been recognised by Dr Simpson since Will has been absent. Will is shocked to find that this is not the only the thing about Sarah’s circumstances that has changed in his absence.
They are rumours about the death of one of Dr Simpson’s patients. This could be very damaging to his career, but he does not seem to be quick to clear his name. Why is that? Does he have something to hide? Sarah thinks she and Will should help him. Will believes they should respect his privacy. Will Dr Simpson’s reputation be ruined?
Alongside this storyline, Will believes he has discovered a new illness. Sarah thinks there may be more rational explanation for the related deaths. Will Sarah and Will work together to get the bottom of the deaths?
Such a great book, I love the authors’ use of language and the characters are superb. Can’t wait for the third in the series!
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Anyone who enjoyed ‘The Way of All Flesh, Ambrose Parry’s first novel, set in Edinburgh in the mid-1800s, will be delighted to continue reading about the adventures of Will Raven and Sarah Fisher, two talented and unusual ‘outsiders’, working for the renowned Dr Simpson in Victorian Edinburgh. At the beginning of this novel Will has just returned from medical studies in Berlin whilst Sarah has been on an equally life-changing personal journey.
Once again, the writers have used historical facts as inspiration for this tale of detection. A serial killer is at large – a qualified nurse no less – who brings order to her chaotic life by controlling the lives of those close by, as referenced by the novel’s title. In ‘The Art of Dying’, we are led to understand why she has such a macabre penchant through extracts from her diary. Thus, her identity is no mystery for us to solve. However, Ambrose Parry executes a clever twist in the closing chapters of the story which reinforces just how calculating and clever this woman is.
Whilst ‘The Art of Dying’ is first and foremost a detective story, it is also a fascinating portrayal of Victorian Edinburgh seen through the experiences of the professional classes, the labouring poor, medical practices and the penal system. The city continues to feature strongly, by turns beautiful, grimy, misty and elegant. One moment, the stylish New Town and the next a filthy back alley off Canongate. Most memorable for me is the significant feminist thread running throughout the novel. Sarah grows more and more aware of the limited choices ahead of her but is inspired by the writing and actions of radicals such as Mary Wollstonecraft.
‘There is not a woman in this realm who does not understand what it is to be afraid…’ states the murderer of this tale and, of course, she is right. Let’s hope that Sarah Fisher will continue to battle for equality in Ambrose Parry’s next novel in this series, and let’s hope that Will Raven learns to encourage her to do so!
My thanks to NetGalley and Canongate for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

I was thrilled to be granted an early copy of this book, having not long finished the first (which I bought before I finished the advance copy) and pre-ordering the second (The Art of Dying) as soon as I realised there was going to be more!

I was so happy to be back in the company of Will Raven and Sarah, and I simply adored the way their relationship continues to grow in this 2nd instalment - what I need to know, immediately, is will there be more?

Edinburgh was bought back to life, we were introduced to new characters and spent time with old favourites, and all the twists and turns left me with 6 pages of notes and numerous ideas as to who, what and why - turns out I was only part right!
The real life events that inspired this particular novel are intriguing and I really loved that we had the chapters from the view of the murderer this time too, it added a wonderful, extra, level of creepiness to the whole thing.

I adored the inspiring new female characters in this one, they lent a depth to Sarah's continued frustrations about her lack of options, and allowed her to head off (as she does) with even more purpose this time.
During one conversation with a patient who worries her illness maybe punishment for the sin of not doing as her father bid, but forging her own life with a man she loved instead of one picked for her, Sarah tells her, "You simply lived your life as you wanted to, and I can see no fault in that. The sin is that more of us do not do likewise."

The beauty of this continuation, that by the end of it Raven would chose Sarah over his own reputation, something he failed to do in the first instalment, and also that she has made him realise that 'the devil in him' is his to control, not the other way around. For Raven (and Sarah) moving forward, I feel it will be his making!

Highly recommended, entirely possible to read as a single novel. but much better enjoyed as part of the series, it should be on the shelf of anyone who loves Edinburgh, the history of medicine, strong female characters and forward thinking men. Plus with a multi stranded tale that is woven together fantastically to bring us to a thoughtful and satisfying conclusion you would be a fool to miss out.

The Art of Dying is an enjoyable follow up to the Way of All Flesh, and nicely develops the story and characters, again with the interesting emphasis on Sarah’s - and women generally - position in society as an adjunct to a man, not seen as capable of being a professional in their own right. That makes the novel sound overtly worthy, and that couldn’t be more wrong - it’s a thriller that happens to be in 19th century Edinburgh with the medical revolution underway.
I didn’t find this book as strong as it’s predecessor, partly as the twists seemed more telegraphed in advance. An enjoyable journey nonetheless and i look forward to the next in the series (and to Brookmyre’s next solo work!).

Will Raven is back. I loved the first book in the series, The Way of All Flesh, and was delighted to be sent an advance copy of The Art of Dying. I enjoyed it very much. It didn't take long for me to be completely engrossed. The chores just had to wait.

Will finds himself back in Edinburgh after travelling and studying in Europe. He is now a qualified doctor and returns to take up a position as Dr Simpson’s assistant. However he returns to find there have been changes in the Simpson household. There are new members of staff and Sarah Fisher is no longer the housemaid. Sarah does have a role within the household but there also seems to be a bit of distance between them.

There have been a large number of unexplained deaths throughout the city, often involving entire families. The symptoms don’t seem to follow the usual pattern of any known disease and Will thinks he may have discovered a new disease. However when a whispering campaign is started, blaming Dr Simpson for the death of a patient in suspicious circumstances, Will and Sarah try to find the true cause of these deaths and also clear Dr Simpsons name.

There are many reasons for recommending this book. Firstly, it's good storytelling. The writing partnership that is Ambrose Parry has a lovely writing style and I got completely engrossed.

Secondly the writers make the locations seem so real it's as if you were actually there in 19th century Edinburgh. The dialogue is believable and there's a good pace to the story .

Thirdly the characters are very likeable. Will has his rough edges and has been known to get into fights and altercations but at heart he is a good surgeon.

Lastly while the book could be classed as historical fiction/ crime fiction, it is also a medical mystery. There is also a bit of humour and the possibility of romance. While The Art of Dying could be read as a stand-alone novel I would recommend reading the first book in the series, The Way of All Flesh, to get background on the characters.

I hope there will be more in this series. I don't think we've heard the last of some of the characters.

Another atmospheric and intriguing adventure with Will Raven and Sarah. A lot has changed since the last book. Will has returned from his European travels to take up his place with Dr. Simpson and is dismayed that his youthful prejudices have cost him dearly. This book is as much about Sarah and Will growing up, accepting their own foibles and starting to carve their own place in society as it is about the mysterious spate of deaths across Edinburgh. Working together Will and Sarah's relationship deepens as they race to solve the crimes and restore their mentor's reputation. It is a tense and exciting read and once again ends leaving me wanting more, much more. I do hope that this series continues as I want to know what direction the pair go in next and whether it will be together or apart.

My thanks go to the publishers and Net Galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Will Raven/Sarah Fisher series after the truly excellent 'The Way of All Flesh'. They are written by a husband and wife team - he's an award-winning thriller writer and she is a medical doctor with an interest in the history of medicine, so they really know their stuff on all fronts. I could not wait to read this book after loving the first one.

This is a fascinating, pacy and engaging story set in Victorian Edinburgh a while after the first book. Dr Will Raven has just returned to the city after a period travelling in Europe developing his medical knowledge. He returns to the house of Dr James Simpson, leading developer of chloroform as an anesthetic, where his former partner in investigations Sarah has been elevated above her status as housemaid and is learning medical skills for herself. It's an awkward reunion between the two former allies, although they soon have to work together when they notice a worrying pattern of deaths occurring in the city.

This book met all my high expectations. It's cleverly plotted and brings alive the setting of Victorian Edinburgh, from the hospital wards to consulting rooms, from the wealth of the doctors' lives to the less salubrious areas lived in by some of their patients. Sarah is a very appealing heroine, fighting for her right to learn medicine in a time and place that denied women such education. In comparison, Will is a rather infuriating hero who makes bad decisions and whose motives are not always pure, yet he also seems real and flawed and interesting; he definitely developed as a character during this book in a positive way.

I would whole heartedly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or who has an interest in medical history. However, the book should have much wider appeal - it is engrossing and well-researched and engaging, albeit a bit graphic in relation to the medical issues. Anyone and everyone should give it a go!

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the The Way of all Flesh I was looking forward to its sequel and being reacquainted with both the characters and early Victorian Edinburgh. I certainly was not disappointed as Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman in the collaborative pseudonym of Ambrose Parry have not only developed the characters here but have also again addressed the themes of the progress of medical science and most importantly gender equality that lies at the heart of this book. You do not have to read The Way of all Flesh before The Art of Dying but it is certainly recommended in order to gain a full appreciation of the characters and unfolding plot.

Based on the the authors artistic interpretation of true events the novel sees Will Raven returning to Edinburgh after a deadly time abroad to work for the famous Dr James Simpson. He quickly learns that the object of his affection Sarah Fisher is now married. Now Will and Sarah must team up to clear Dr Simpson from accusations emanating from the death of a patient in mysterious circumstances. From an alternating first person narration we learn that there appears to be a female serial killer at large who's exploits are made invisible by means of her gender and occupation.

Like the previous book this is a real page turner with all that hurrying around the city trying to uncover who is responsible for an increasing number of unexplained deaths. There is a great attention of detail here both in the medical writing and historical details which I'm sure was the result of much research. As someone with a knowledge of Edinburgh I could easily picture the topographical scenes depicted in my mind. I wonder if we will have more to read from Ambrose Parry I certainly hope so.

The Art of Dying is a sequel to The Way of all Flesh, about medicine and murder in nineteenth century Edinburgh. The prologue is written by a murderer but we have no idea yet of any killings; the murderer’s thoughts are spaced throughout the book, without giving anything away. We then travel to Berlin, where Raven, the chief protagonist of the previous book, is studying with his friend Henry; he gets himself into violent trouble, as is his wont. He’s an able chap but flawed, with demons he finds it hard to control.

On his return to Edinburgh, Raven is working closely with Dr James Simpson and his (sometime hair-raising) experiments with chloroform. He is displeased to find that in his absence Sarah (the housemaid bright enough to have become Simpson’s assistant and hungry for more medical knowledge), has married another doctor, but he has only himself to blame because he foolishly thought her beneath him and therefore an impediment to his career. The two still work closely when professional jealousy amongst the medics of Edinburgh starts a rumour that Simpson has killed a patient. They find that there have been too many deaths of a certain kind to be a coincidence and eventually they suspect murder. The reader knows from the parallel narrative that there is indeed a murderer at large but not how the murders are achieved. Raven’s past comes back to haunt him in the form of criminals who think he still owes them favours. This actually works to his advantage as the story reaches its crisis. I found this just as good a thriller as The Way of all Flesh: gripping. The authors even pinch a joke from Crocodile Dundee!

I read this thanks to Net Galley and it’s out on 29th August.

A historical novel based on facts on the medical profession in the Edinburgh of Victorian times. Newly graduated Doctors need to establish themselves and become obsessed with the need to become eminent by making some medical advance. This is a risky business, to try and fail is to be condemned and to succeed causes envy and back stabbing and slander by those who feel overlooked. It is also a male dominated profession into which a young woman is determined to break. When the young Doctor and his friend a young woman become aware of a series of deaths that is associated with one particular nurse there is excitement as it what it is. Could it be a new transmittable disease waiting to be discovered, or in the mind of the more down to earth, just a simple case of murder, how it all unfolds makes the story.

A really good sequel, The Art of Dying brings back the brilliant Raven, now Dr Raven, and Sarah, now married. I love how these books tackle important topics such as women's access to education and social class, as well as offering an insight into Victorian Edinburgh. A strong follow-up, looking forward to the next instalment.

This is a second trip into Victorian medical history from the husband and wife team of Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman. The duo cover lots of ground here, from surgical advancements in the nineteenth century, to the opportunities for women in that world, to the criminal underworld of Edinburgh, to a tragic romance, and an ever increasing death toll. They juggle all these balls well, with my interest kept throughout, and the various plotlines dovetailing neatly. The research is obviously thorough, but always worn lightly as the pages keep turning. It's a fast and gripping read, recommended for all fans of historical crime fiction.

Another wonderfully atmospheric tale of the Edinburgh doctor Will Raven . Set in the 1800s the sense of the old and new towns is perfectly portrayed in a tale of mass murder with a seemingly unlikely suspect but with the aid of Sarah,newly married,whilst our hero studied(and became involved in more violence) around Europe finally sees the truth. Interesting side plots keep it all bubbling along with various characters from the previous tale reappearing.. Well researched one can only look forward to move adventures of these gripping characters.

A cunning jigsaw of medicine, murder and mayhem, whose title, ‘The Art of Dying’, perfectly portrays the puzzle that lies ahead of Doctor Will Raven and medical assistant Sarah Fisher.

Much has changed since their last encounter. Will has been abroad, expanding both his knowledge and horizons, still finding that his past is stealthily stalking him. Although Sarah remains an assistant at their mutual mentor’s surgery in 52 Queen Street, Edinburgh, time proves that nothing, not even a lowly ‘housemaid’, can stand still for too long.

Combine the era and their chosen professions and yes, as you’d expect, a queue of unpleasant (but morbidly fascinating) ailments raise their ugly heads. Regardless of your social status, wealth, or moral standing, only a professional offering an accurate diagnosis, followed by the correct remedy, and a period of dutiful after-care may save you.

Whether you flourish or flounder is quite literally in their hands. Given the means, motive and opportunity this is something the more perverse among us might take advantage of – a horror not synonymous with such a respected field.

These ‘primitive’ times make investigating anomalies remarkably more challenging than your average contemporary crime thriller. The characters are restricted by technology, communication and rely on the calibre of a witness, living or deceased, and how far they want to personally pursue the matter.

It’s a great story that leaves a question mark over the next stage of this impressive duo’s lives. It also demonstrates the massive gender inequality at that time, and the competitive nature of those wishing to be celebrated by their peers for their achievements above all else.

Thoroughly looking forward to the next :)

This is a brilliant book, continuing the adventures of Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. The medical background of nineteenth century obstetrics and anisthetic is enthralling, and has clearly been thoroughly researched. Will is a flawed character, but eminently likeable. The book gives a good insight into life during this period, particularly the unequal position women were in. I did guess one twist in the plot, but that did not spoil my enjoyment at all. To get the most out of this book, I think the reader has to have read the previous volume: The Way of all Flesh. I sincerely hope there are more books to follow!

This sequel to The Way of All Flesh does not disappoint. It's another great romp through Edinburgh's dark past with some wonderful characters. It is historical fiction at its best and most entertaining.
Will Raven is in Germany, towards the end of a year of study and learning new skills; he is now Dr Raven. He soon returns to Dr Simpson's home and practice and we are reintroduced to some of the characters from the first book, and some new ones to add spice and excitement. I galloped through this book as it was such a good, fast paced read. I wish it could have taken longer as it will be a long wait now for the third which I hope will be forthcoming as Ambrose Parry make a good team. I am thankful to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review an e_ARC of this novel. Five very solid stars and highly recommended.

This book is the sequel to The Way of All Flesh, and it definitely didn't disappoint. I loved reading about the same characters in this historical setting.
It's really engaging, interesting, fast paced read.
If you like historical mysteries, I'd highly recommend.
Thanks a lot to Netgalley and the publisher for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Art of Dying by Ambrose Parry
Having read and enjoyed The Way of All Flesh by this husband and wife team Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman I was keen to read the further adventures involving Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. This novel opens in Germany with Will Raven in Germany becoming involved in yet another altercation which results in him fleeing back to Edinburgh where he takes up a post as assistant to Dr Simpson. He however finds much changed upon his return.
This book once again deals with the difficult role which women had in the 1850’s: despite her skill and aptitude Sarah would be unable to train to be a doctor. There are suggestions that this may be possible in other countries such as America. This is historical crime fiction of the highest calibre and interwoven amongst the events of the novel are real people and events. Will and Sarah are again called upon to investigate a series of unexplained deaths and also to rescue the reputation of Dr Simpson.
I am keen to see where this pair are led in the future and am grateful to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

We return to Victorian era Edinburgh with Ambrose Parry, aka the husband and wife writers, Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman, in this superb sequel to The Way of All Flesh. Will Raven has been expanding his horizons in Europe, increasing his medical knowledge and experience in Paris, Vienna, Leipzig and in Berlin where he and Henry are seriously assaulted at night. Now a qualified medic, he is looking forward to returning to Edinburgh and Sarah Fisher, as he accepts a position as assistant to his mentor, Dr James Young Simpson, much lauded after his discovery of the medical applications of chloroform. He expects nothing to have changed but he is to be rudely surprised, the biggest shock that Sarah is no longer a housemaid, but assisting Simpson, no longer living at the house, and has moved on from Will. Even though he had judged Sarah as an unsuitable woman for a man looking to secure a career as an established doctor, he is bereft at the loss of Sarah.

Simpson's reputation is being tarnished by some in the profession, blaming him for the death of a patient. Sarah wants Will to help her to challenge those impugning Simpson's reputation but Will refuses initially, not wanting to endanger his career. In the city, swathes of patients are dying at the hands of a mass murderer, with not a suspicion being raised. At first, Will labours under the misapprehension that a new malady is the source of the deaths but it is Sarah who begins to have the first inkling of the more horrifying truth, but an ambitious Will refuses to grant any credence to her theory. Sarah is facing challenging circumstances in her personal life, and a courageous, independent, dying female patient opens her eyes to the writings of Mary Wollstonecraft, equality for women, as she still dreams of training as a doctor. The conservative medical establishment is riddled with jealousies, rivalries, seething ambitious men, and slow to accept innovatory new practices, whilst refusing to countenance any thoughts of women becoming doctors. Will slowly begins to become aware that he is robbing himself of the life he ought to have if he lets his fears hold him back.

In an atmospheric narrative, Edinburgh itself holds centre stage as a main character, with its class distinctions and inequalities, the squalid conditions and dangers faced by the poor, the dark criminal underbelly, policing, the position of women, and the state of medical knowledge and practices of the era. The authors engage in skilful character development when it comes to both Will and Sarah, both of whom face major challenges in their lives, with major shifts in the way they think, for Sarah as she begins to envisage a future that she never would have entertained before and Will understanding that he should accept all that he is, as urged by Sarah and Gabriela. This is excellent and intelligent historical fiction, so well written, impressively researched with its rich authentic details and real life characters from the time, and above all else, it is such a gripping read. Highly recommended! Many thanks to Canongate for an ARC.

This sequel did not disappoint. I finished reading it today whilst through in Edinburgh for the day. It's easy to depict the characters in Victorian Edinburgh and the husband/wife duo under the name of Parry weave an unputdownable plot. Full of character development, social commentary and nail biting peril. I loved it every bit as much as the first in the series if not more. I can only hope this is not the last we will hear of Will and Sarah!
Thank you to Netgalley and Canongate books for my ARC.

This is the second instalment of this excellent series from Ambrose Parry. (The husband and wife team of Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman.)

Victorian Edinburgh and Will Raven returns from a year abroad, continuing his studies and broadening his horizons.
Much has changed in the past year, most notably with Sarah. Wills mentor Dr Simpson is also having problems, both domestically and professionally.
Will dives into his role as assistant to Dr Simpson and a full workload keeps him busy.
Sarah tries to enlist Ravens help in investigating the complaints against Simpson, he is initially reluctant to get involved but eventually comes on board.
During their investigations they stumble across what looks like a new disease that's killing people around Edinburgh.
As they delve deeper, Sarah is coming to believe that it's something altogether darker.

This is every bit as good as the first instalment in the series. The characters are engaging and very likeable. There is considerable growth in all the main characters from book one and plenty of room for more ahead.

I'm already looking forward to the next one.

This is brilliant follow up to the Way of All Flesh by husband and wife writing team Ambrose Parry. Will Raven has been broadening his medical experience abroad and returns to take up a position under his old mentor, Dr Simpson. Things are not as he expects however. The woman he rejected as unsuitable for a man wishing to make a name for himself in medicine is no longer a housemaid and has moved on. Sarah is now assisting Dr Simpson in his medical practice and Will realises how much he has lost. The pair are forced to team up when the death of a patient is used by jealous medical rivals to impugn his reputation. This is fast becoming my favourite series of historical medical mysteries. I love how the authors weave in threads of history, attitudes and mores of the time and set it so well against the leading base fort medical learning that Edinburgh was in the Victorian era. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Will Raven and Sarah Fisher return in Ambrose Parry’s second visit to 19th Century Edinburgh. Will returns from his travels in Europe to take up the position of Assistant to Dr Simpson. He is under the assumption that Sarah will still be a member of the Simpson household and is dismayed when he finds that that is not the case. However, they are once again thrown together to not only restore Dr Simpson’s reputation but to also solve a spate of deaths that at first seem natural. I so enjoyed the ‘The Way of All Flesh’ that I was a little anxious that Ambrose Parry, the husband and wife writing team, might not be able to deliver a similarly enjoyable follow-up. How wrong I was. This instalment equally captures an atmospheric and intense Victorian Edinburgh, whether in the tenements of the poor or the splendour of the well off. The reader is also given a glimpse into the hospitals and medical practices of the day. Blending fiction effortlessly with real characters and real events have proved to be Ambrose Parry’s forte and I for one am really looking forward to what happens next.

A superb second writing effort from the combined writing force that makes up Ambrose Parry.

Having given The Way of All Flesh five stars when I read that, I'm delighted to have enjoyed The Art of Dying just as much.

Based on historical truths and characters, a series of deaths seem suspicious. Will Raven and Sarah Fisher are back, investigating the background to events, and finding themselves also caught up in danger. Gripping and un-putdownable. Read it!

Full review to follow.

Another brilliant and chilling case featuring Will Raven and Sarah. Set two years after the first book everything has changed and Will’s return to Edinburgh is not all he expected it to be.

I love the blend of medical fact and medical fiction and they way the authors have brought to life the difficulties of medicine in the early days of chloroform and medical developments. The story sees the pair trying hard to prove Dr Simpson’s innocence against a case of medical negligence as well as looking into what could be an early case of an angel of mercy. Only in this case the victims have no need for release.

Full of mystery, fabulous characters and an undeniable chemistry between the two lead characters I loved delving back into their world. It’s very much a mans world still but Sarah holds her own, and with that ending I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Ambrose Parry's first book, The Way of All Flesh, introduced a terrific crime investigation team with a lot of potential, creating or recreating a successful and somewhat original blend of Victorian Gothic crime thriller and historical medical drama. Its depiction of crime on the backstreets of Edinburgh in the mid-19th century was consequently a little dark and grim, but there was a glimmer of light breaking through in the medical developments around anesthetics and hygiene, two things that were badly needed in Edinburgh, progressed by the real-life eminent physician Professor Simpson and his colleagues around this time.

Also progressing around this time, but perhaps not quite so rapidly, was the question of the treatment and attitudes towards women and women's rights. Dr Simpson's maid Sarah Fisher's knowledge of the issues faced by women, her own observations working with Dr Simpson in an unofficial nursing capacity gaining medical experience, would prove instrumental in helping Dr Simpson's new apprentice Will Raven solve a series of grim murders of women in those grim backstreets. The idea of a woman, from a working class background, being able to gain a medical qualification however are still remote.

It's now three years since the events of the first book teamed Will Raven up with Sarah Fisher and things have moved on in both of their lives, drawing them apart when there almost seemed to be a spark of something between them. Will has been studying abroad in Europe - and it hasn't been without incident - returning to Edinburgh as a qualified doctor to take up the post of assistant to Professor Simpson, his former, tutor, mentor and benefactor. He is intrigued to see how things rest now between him and Sarah, but is shocked to find that her personal circumstances have changed in the intervening years, which have also not been without incident.

Nonetheless, Sarah and Will are drawn together again to look into a number of matters that affect the Simpson household. One is the matter of missing money that can't be accounted for in the doctor's books, another is an attack on Simpson's reputation by some rivals in the medical field, but they soon find themselves also looking into a number of suspicious deaths of families being afflicted by some unknown disease. Questions relating to both the treatment of women and medical developments come to the fore again in The Art of Dying, this time with the addition of the suspicion - one confirmed by first-person accounts - that the serial killer this time is a woman, and worse, probably a nurse.

Without getting too modern in its outlook, The Art of Dying does touch upon contemporary issues relating to women that persist in our society today, highlighting attitudes and behaviours developed in the past that we are still to a large extent tied to today. Sarah's condition determines this to a large extent in the barriers that prevent her from becoming a doctor, having no say in the direction of her life, but the circumstances of the 'nurse' also presents another side of issues affecting those who are born into life traps of poverty, lack of opportunities, prejudice and injustice, and the book again brilliantly ties this into how this can give rise to crime.

That's unquestionably down to the fact that the collaboration - 'Ambrose Parry' being a pseudonym for a writing team comprising of author Chris Brookmyre and medical historian Marisa Haetzman - is a successful one that works brilliantly in blending their respective skills and knowledge into a seamless thriller. All those qualities that were evident in The Way of All Flesh - where social attitudes, poverty and crime interact - are again in place in The Art of Dying, and it's a marvellous crime thriller. More than this however, there's great attention paid to Raven and Sarah, to their respective characters and relationships, and to the progress each makes. These are not stock standstill characters thrown at a crime investigation, but ones who develop with the times and there's as much intrigue in their lives and relationships - and considerable potential - as there is in this period medical crime genre that Ambrose Parry has established.

* I received an advance copy of this book from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review *

Ambrose Parry returns with a second book set in Victorian Edinburgh during its medical and scientific revolution. Where the first book centred around Sir James Young Simpson (and others!) search for the perfect anaesthetic, this book focuses more on the man and his reputation. Edinburgh is still a thriving centre of medical science, and reputation is everything. The book starts with Simpson's reputation being besmirched by rivals and former colleagues, looking to suggest negligence. Will Raven and Sarah Fisher team up again to gradually peel away at the facts underlying the case in question and reveal some disturbing trends.

While the plot itself, and its numerous twists and turns, is not exactly ground-breaking, it is excellently told, with clues scattered here, there and everywhere. And to weave this tale around actual historic events and cases really appeals to my mind.

This book, and its predecessor, is one of the most immersive books I have read in a long time. The reader really gets to feel as if they are in Victorian era Edinburgh. Admittedly, I read a fair part of this book while commuting to work in Edinburgh (indeed my children were all born in the Sir James Young Simpson maternity unit of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary), but I feel the reader with less connection to the city would still get that same feeling.

There is again an underlying message of the treatment of women during those times (and indeed today), both how they are treated in the household and society and also their opportunities for a career and to explore their skills. Sarah Fisher is a strong female character who tolerates her place in society but yearns to break through the glass ceiling, proving her worth to all and sundry as she goes.

In contrast, Will Raven is somewhat spineless in this regard. He sees the issues with society but doesn't do much to act on it. Indeed, he starts the book having run away from Edinburgh and his chances of a relationship with a mere housekeeper, for fear of his heart dooming his medical career. Raven does get some amount of development, both in terms of his medical career, and also in terms of becoming the Victorian equivalent of "woke".

Parry's prose is fantastic and she (they?) truly allow the reader to feel the story unfold around them.

An utterly wonderful book with some interesting history lessons and important messages about the past that should help us build a fairer society today.

This is a really good sequel. I also think it would work well as a standalone. There is plenty of action set in beautiful Edinburgh. It is a great account of how medicine was practiced in the 1800s. I hope there are more books to come. Raven and Sarah are interesting characters to read about.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

I adore historical crime fiction so I jumped at the chance to read this on Netgalley. I wish I had read the first book in the series though as it probably would have given me more background on the characters. However, I still really enjoyed this book and I fell in love with the writing style and the historical setting; it was interesting to read a book set in historical Edinburgh rather than London. I also enjoyed learning about all the medical practices and ideas of the time.

The book was a nice mix of adventure, thriller, detective story and romance and I feel that the author really researched the setting and the historical period and this shone through in the writing. I will definitely read the first book in the series and any more that the author writes.

Edinburgh 1850, and Will Raven returns to the city after time abroad furthering his studies in medicine. He returns to take up a permanent post as a doctor in the city, but is shocked to find that Sarah Fisher, the other reason he chose to return, has moved on in her life. The two find themselves thrown together to try and clear the name of their mentor, Dr James Simpson, accused of malpractice that lead to the death of a patient.
But there is more than one mysterious death in Edinburgh. Raven and Sarah begin to see connections between a number of deaths due to mysterious ailments. It seems an angel of death is stalking the infirm, but with the Edinburgh underworld taking an interest in Raven once again, can a killer who can strike without trace be found?
This is a fascinating book, the second by Ambrose Parry – the husband and wife team of Christopher Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman. You may be familiar with Brookmyre’s name as the author of a multitude of crime fiction novels, Tartan Noir, if you like, but it is Haetzman’s research into the history of medicine that has inspired this series, which started with The Way Of All Flesh.
It is an absorbing read, focussing in part on the history of medicine – there’s quite a lot on the development of chloroform in this one. Now you may well think that the development of the use of chloroform in medicine isn’t an interesting subject – you know, I would have thought that too – but it is. The medical history stuff in this book is absolutely fascinating, but that isn’t the only strength.
The narrative focusses on three characters primarily, Raven, Sarah and the murderer. The first two are trying to find their place in the world. Raven is trying to settle into his life as a doctor and Sarah is trying to become a doctor, despite the attitudes of the time. There’s also the matter of their relationship which has struck a major complication. The murderer, meanwhile, is narrating their life experiences which has led them to their current choices.
One thing that I should say, this isn’t a mystery. It’s a thriller, with some twists and turns along the way that kept me reading, and it is a deeply satisfying read. But it’s not a whodunit – not that it ever claims to be, and well done for the publicist for not claiming it is.
This made a very pleasant change from my usual reading, and if the setting appeals, it is definitely worth your time.
Availability: The Art Of Dying is out in hardback and in ebook on August 29th. Many thanks to Canongate books for the review e-copy.

Having read the first in the Raven, Sarah and Simpson series and thoroughly enjoyed it, I was eager to return to 1850s Edinburgh. My review is short but sweet: another great book from Ambrose Parry! I was fully wrapped up in reconnecting with Raven and Sarah. Looking back on my review of the first book, this one was again, very well written. I'd said I didn't feel particularly connected to Simpson in the first book but that was much improved this time around, which I liked. The storyline itself was also quite compelling and definitely held my attention. I really cannot fault the book and would again, happily read the next in the series.

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Canongate for the ARC.

Oh My - this is just such an Excellent Read!
This is the second book in a series (the first of which I haven't read - but will) but easy to jump right into.
From the first pages and then periodically throughout the book we read about the harrowing life of the killer operating in Edinburgh in 1850.
Will Raven, a qualified doctor specialising in obstetrics, returns from Europe to become his mentor, Professor Simpson's. Assistant at his practice (and home) in Queens Street. Sarah, former housemaid to the Simpson family, now works assisting Dr Simpson and absorbing all the medical knowledge that she can.
These are Victorian times where male-dominated society has strong views on 'a woman's "place" and capabilities' and although Dr Simpson is one of the more 'enlightened', Raven struggles to reconcile his ideas of reputation and respectability and his abandoned love for Sarah the housemaid - what would his peers think of him should he considered marrying 'beneath him'.
When Dr Simpson is publicly slandered for malpractice by several medical colleagues Sarah is determined to clear his name. Eventually she convinces Raven that something is wrong with a series of deaths which have occurred, the patients all showing the same baffling symptoms prior to death. Raven thinks he's about to be lauded for discovering 'Raven's Malady' but Sarah believes otherwise.
This is a really great story involving serial killing, blackmail and slander all interwoven within the backdrop of the Simpson household and Will's and Sarah's daily lives within Victorian Edinburgh. The writing clearly portrays the atmosphere of the times, the grime, the weather, some appalling tenement living conditions and the poor who rely on Dr Simpson's practice and his family's generosity.
The characters are brilliantly drawn, the dialogue tinged with humour and the plot twists with sadness and surprise.
Thoroughly recommended.

Dr Will Raven returns to practise medicine in Edinburgh with Sir James Simpson to discover that much has changed above and below stairs at 52 Queen Street. Simpson's reputation is under attack and Raven, keen to preserve and promote his own, reluctantly joins forces with his colleague Sarah, to clear Simpson's name. But, in uncovering the truth, they discover something much darker and altogether more dangerous.

This is the second novel from Ambrose Parry about Will and Sarah and once again it combines historical figures with fictional ones to great effect. There are several strands to the plot – the threat to Simpson's reputation, the new relationship that must be negotiated between Will and Sarah, Raven's past that continues to haunt him … and new characters with their own agendas and the return of some old characters with theirs!

Having so many strands meant that the story ripped along at a good pace with red herrings, humour, historical comment, heart-ache and a growing sense of peril as the net closes in and the villain is exposed – all in all, another exciting romp through the back streets and broad thoroughfares of old Edinburgh in the company of two great characters.

Can't wait for Book 3!

This is a wonderful book. Part history, part novel, all Edinburgh. I benefited from the city being my second home for many years, and from the city centre being relatively unchanged in the past 200 or so years.
The port of Leith is no longer busy with vessels but the housing in Trinity, Portobello and the New Town remain.
As for Edinburgh Old Town...the tenements now house mainly students and the Lawnmarket, Cowgate etc no longer stink of urine and faeces...well, not to the same extent.
Scotland and advances in medicine go hand in hand. Reading of what could have been everyday life during the 1800s was a pleasure. As was the beginning of women charting their own course (although Mary was a wee bit too zealous). I would have loved to read what road Sarah took.
I suppose this book would be shelved as Historical fiction medical murder mystery. Or just Good.

Ambrose Parry’s “The Way Of All Flesh” was one of my crime novel highlights of 2018. I found its Victorian Edinburgh setting refreshing and the combination of an unpredictable crime set-up and a seamlessly incorporated history of medicine at the time was extremely effective. Two strong lead characters also helped, implying a lot of potential for this series.
This was Ambrose Parry’s debut novel but writing under that name is highly established crime writer Chris Brookmyre in collaboration with his anaesthesia expert wife Marisa Haetzman. This follow-up moves things on around a year with Dr Will Raven coming to the end of a tour of Europe and a violent incident in an alleyway before returning him back to the more familiar ground of Edinburgh where he has accepted the job of being his mentor Dr Simpson’s assistant. Here, he meets up again with another of Simpson’s employees, Sarah, but this time her circumstances have changed and it seems the authors are committed to keeping this couple who seem destined for one another apart.
The character of Simpson is based upon a real-life doctor noted for his discoveries with chloroform, which featured largely in the first book. Here, there is still experimentation with its usage, at one point it is served up as an alcoholic beverage but medically, anaesthetics have become more established and the issue now seems to be how to keep a patient alive after work has been done on them internally. Infection is the new priority.
The crime aspect comes via a woman not so keen on keeping the patients she is nursing alive and her narrative is interspersed throughout the text. I felt initially that the crime was taking a back seat compared to the medical history side of things but this is just Parry setting things us very nicely for us. Once again there were unpredictable twists and the novel builds just the way I always hope a crime novel will do.
Once again this is good quality fiction which is very readable, characters are developed (although Dr Simpson himself is more in the background) and I really want to know what is next for Will and Sarah. This series, in the space of two novels has established itself very well indeed.

The Art of Dying is published in hardback by Canongate on 29th August 2019 . Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the advance review copy.

From Good Reads:
I can't make up my mind whether this is better than the first - but its at least as good.

Victorian Edinburgh again takes centre stage as our heroes hunt a serial killer. You get a real feel of the old city - the slums, the smells, the tastes, the rich, the poor.

Will and Sarah have moved on as well, more developed, more grown up (I still frequently want to give Will a good shake though)

Love Simpson and Mclevy popping up.

As much historical fiction as historical crime fiction - but there is a cracking good crime story there.

Roll on number 3

Really enjoyed this book!

It is the second in a new series of murder mysteries set in late 19th century Edinburgh, with focus on the history of medicine, particularly obstetrics, surgery and public health. I wanted to read this as I loved the first book and I think this is a strong follow up.

The book is extremely well researched and a set in a fascinating time in medical discovery - prior to antibiotics with the recent discovery of chloroform becoming more widely used in certain surgical procedures and childbirth. It also looks at the different roles and restrictions on women in this Victorian period where societal values are starting to be challenged by writers such as Wollstonecraft.

I think the book is written extremely well, although I occasionally found the feelings between the two main characters a bit on the cheesy side. I also guessed the twist in the murder plot but it was still exciting and interesting psychologically.

Would strongly recommend.

The Art of Dying

Ambrose Parry

“The Art of Dying” is the second in what I suspect is going to be an extended series. After all, with themes such as the development of modern medicine, the position of women in society and their access to medical training, not to mention a “will they won’t they” relationship subplot, there is plenty to go at.

I loved “The Way of All Flesh”, and was delighted to read the second in the series, which I enjoyed just as much. As before it focusses on two main characters – Will Raven, now a qualified doctor and Sarah Fisher, once a housemaid who wants to become a doctor, now a married woman (who still has medical ambitions).
Really this book is about clever women who don’t have a legitimate way of using their brains. Sarah is lucky, her employer, based on the real Professor James Young Simpson, encourages her to become involved in medicine. The other main female character Mary Dempster has no such outlet, and her way around this problem is the engine which drives the book. The narrowness of female life is very well evoked.

“The Art of Dying” is also a vivid portrait of nineteenth century Edinburgh, contrasting the lives of the affluent middle class with those of the poor.

I’m definitely going to be looking out for the next book in the series – Ambrose Parry is going on my “authors to look out for” list!
Thanks to Canongate and Netgalley for the proof.

enjoyed this latest in the series a medical crime thriller based in 1849 Edinburgh and liked the part of the enlightened woman in the book some of the plot is based on actual events but its fast paced and drew me in until the end of the novel

Last year one of my favourite books was The Way of all Flesh by Ambrose Parry (the pseudonym of crime fiction author, Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman, a consultant anaesthetist). The Art of Dying is its sequel, continuing the story of Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. Once more this is a combination of historical fact and fiction; the social scene, historical and medical facts slotting perfectly into an intricate murder mystery. Beginning in Berlin in 1849 with a dramatic scene, as Will Raven is attacked by three masked men, it is mainly set in 1850 in Edinburgh, when a mysterious illness baffles doctors, who are unable to identify the disease, let alone cure their patients.

Will Raven, now a qualified doctor has returned from studying in Europe to take up the post of assistant to Dr James Simpson, who was Professor of Midwifery at Edinburgh University. Still in love with Sarah, he yearns to be re-united with her, but Will is dismayed to find that she had married during his absence. She was formerly Dr Simpson’s housemaid. Now she is an unqualified nurse, helping with Dr Simpson’s patients in the clinic he runs from his house. But when Dr Simpson is blamed for the death of a patient in suspicious circumstances, Sarah and Will join forces to clear his name. In doing so they uncover more unexplained deaths. Will thinks he may have discovered a new illness when he finds that four members of the same family in a wealthy area of the city have died within two weeks.

Sarah’s has her own problems as she is keen to be more than Dr Simpson’s assistant, but is hampered by the limited choices that women had, and she battles for more equality. There is so much packed into this novel. As well as a feminist theme with its strong female characters, it focuses on medical advances and practices, including the use of chloroform and the ethics and the dilemmas that presented. It also highlights the differences between the affluent professional classes and the poor working class. And it is an intriguing medical murder mystery, with several sub-plots and a wide cast of characters.

I really liked the setting, giving a great sense of place and full of atmosphere that adds to the tension and suspense of the murder mystery. I also liked the way the narrative is interrupted by short passages in the first person giving glimpses into the mind of a murderer – based on a real 19th century figure – and gradually the identity of this person becomes apparent. The Art of Dying is a well written and complex novel with credible characters, some based on real historical people and using nineteenth century textbooks reflecting the medical thinking of the period.

I loved The Art of Dying and I’m hoping there will be a third book as I really want to know what happens next to Will and Sarah. Although I think it is perfectly possible to read this as a standalone novel, I recommend reading The Way of All Flesh, focusing on Dr Simpson’s discovery of the anaesthetic properties of chloroform, before reading The Art of Dying.

Many thanks to Canongate Books for an e-book review copy via NetGalley.

Another excellent piece of historical crime from husband wife duo Ambrose Parry. Anyone who enjoyed the first novel will love this gripping, dark and exciting medical crime adventure, as our heroes try to clear the name of Dr Simpson in the dangerous streets of Edinburgh's Old Town! Would also recommend to fans of The Wages of Sin and vice versa!

A well written crime novel set in Scotland when medicine was very much experimental. Although I have read the first book in this series I felt that it was a good stand alone story. Good story lines and strong characters.

Oh wow....I just loved this book! I am a bit of a fan of Victorian murder mystery books, and this one I just couldn't put down from the first page. 

It's set in Edinburgh, at a time when women cannot be doctors, and must only be maids, wives, and be happy with their lot, though things are starting to change. Previously Dr Simpson's apprentice, Raven travelled with his friends after he qualified and has now returned to Edinburgh to become Dr Simpson's assistant - he finds things have changed a little since he left...

This book sucked me in from the start, the characters are likeable and well thought through (no one dimensional characters here!), the plot twists and turns - you are nicely led in one direction only to be thwarted - or have you been?!! It just doesn't let up! 

Anyway, there is a murderer on the loose...and Dr Simpson's reputation is also on the line, but he seems not to care...what is going on?!!!

Can the murderer be found?!!! 

This is the second book I have discovered, I'm going to have to hunt out the first.....don't worry though, it stands alone happily.

My thanks to Netgalley and Cannongate Books for the advance copy

Shaping up to be a great series. There's a mix of history, medicine, and murder with an insightful look at women and their place in society. Edinburgh in 1849 is not somewhere I'd chose to visit, if such things were possible.
The characters are well written and I'm looking forward to seeing how things develop.

Before reading this I had no idea what to expect and I was slightly surprised to find that the reader knows who the murderer is right from the start. I actually really loved this about the novel. You follow both the murderer and the characters who are trying to solve the case; having insight into their lives and picking up clues on what drives them.

There was a good amount of twists and surprises throughout the book and a few subplots which added depth to the story and to the characters. It was well written, descriptive and a thrilling read.

I loved the setting, the historical references and was even more thrilled when I discovered that some of the characters were based on real life people. For me that was the icing on the cake.

Although this was book two of a series and obvious links were being referred to surrounding the characters, the story was easy to follow and worked as a stand alone novel too.

I am eager to read the first book, The Way Of All Flesh, now and any future Ambrose Parry novels. Thank you to Netgalley and Canongate publishers for my ARC.

Even the title means that nothing here is quite what it seems to be. An exciting romp through a developing medical landscape where Love and life are as unexpected as the plot.
Essentially an historical novel which is well researched and offers a unique insight into the role of women in medicine and more importantly how they choose to use that knowledge !
Eloquently written in the style of a 19th Century novel the language can be complex but enlightening and educational too. I loved this storyline and looked forward to opening this book each night to watch the characters develop.

Having very much enjoyed the first collaboration between Chris Brookmyre and his wife, I was very much looking forward to The Art Of Dying, and I was not disappointed. The writing is excellent, the historical context is convincing and the descriptions of Edinburgh are superb. While not a crime novel in the conventional sense, there are crimes involved, and the central character of Dr Will Raven is fascinating. I hope this series will continue to enthrall.

A superb tale of medical intrigue and murder set in Victorian Edinburgh. We join Dr Will Raven for his second outing and a welcome return of all the main protagonists from The Way of All The Flesh (albeit this would be fine as a stand alone). Edinburgh and the era are richly developed as the background but it is the characters which make this book. For me, the plot was a little slow but it didn’t ruin my enjoyment and I think it a more rounded book than the first in the series. A definite recommendation!

With thanks to #netgalley and #canongate for the advance copy in consideration of an honest review

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“Nobody knows the value of a life who has not ended one…”

Having enjoyed, “The Way of All Flesh,” I was delighted to read the second in this series, written by Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman. The novel begins in Berlin. It is 1849 and Will Raven is touring, and studying, in Europe with his friend, Henry. After the men are attacked, Raven is, at first, relieved to be returning to Edinburgh, where he has accepted a post as Dr Simpson’s assistant.

Raven has hoped that everything would remain the same, when he returns, but things have changed in Queen Street. Dr Simpson has been accused of negligence, money has gone missing and the new maid is suspected. For, to Raven’s surprise, Sarah Fisher has moved on. With some arrogance, Raven had decided that Sarah’s status was too low for her to be considered as a wife, but his nose is put out of joint when he returns to find that she has married and that her husband, a doctor, is happy for her to continue her work assisting Dr Simpson.

Meanwhile, there is a murderer abroad and one that nobody suspects. Well, not until Sarah questions the sudden spate of unexplained deaths in the city. This is a series which is not only entertaining, but explores Sarah’s awakening and her changed status and understanding of where her life can take her, is fascinating to read. An interesting series and I look forward to reading on. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

A wonderful book and standalone follow up combining mass murder, historical treatment of both medicine and women set in 19th century Edinburgh. Truly fascinating view of both a more innocent and brutal time and people's expectations.