A Corruption of Blood

This is the third book in the series set in 19th century Edinburgh and featuring Sarah Fisher and Will Raven as the cental fictional characters in a novel populated with real and created characters from the world of medicine, science and law (both sides of the latter). The two main characters live in the household of Professor Simpson the real lilfe obstetrician and discoverer of the medical powers of chloroform. Sarah was initially a housemaid but is now a valued assistant to Professor Simpson and with his encouragement and support wishes to pursue a medical career of her own, an uncommon career path for a woman in the 1850s. Will came as an apprentice to Professor Simpson and is now on the cusp of setting up his own practice. Both characters love Professor Simpson dearly and he is a paternal figure to both of them, in sharp contrast to Will's own father and indeed to the fathers of two of the new fictitious characters in this novel: Gideon Douglas and Eugenie Todd. Familial relationships and parenting are a central theme of 'A Corruption of Blood', the title of which comes from the legal situation whereby criminals convicted of capital crime forefit their right to either inheritance or to pass on their wealth to descendants. In this story Will and Sarah are investigating a case of susected patricide and the whereabouts of a missing child. There are many twists and turns on the road to solution and considerable danger for both main protagonists.
As with the earlier two novels in this series I read this with great enjoyment and have already urged friends and family to look out for it on its publication in August. Ambrose Parry is the pseudonym for Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman writing together, utilising Haetzman's research for her Master’s degree in the History of Medicine to create this wonderful world of intrigue which captured my imagination from the start of the first book in the series and continues to excite me. In the process of reading I have also learned about the history of medicine and the position of women in Victorian society.
I highly recommend A Corruption of Blood and the whole series and am already looking forward to the next in the series. My thanks to the publisher, Canongate, for sending me a complimentary ARC of this title via Net Galley in return for an honest review.

Well this is fast becoming a huge favourite of mine. The characters, setting, gothic overtones and oh just everything really....Add Ambrose Parry's dark writing, the mix of fact and fiction and the dark dark tones of the medical world and this is gripping stuff. Recommended!!

I can't recommend this novel highly enough. A Corruption of Blood is the third in this historical series featuring Will Raven and Sarah Fisher at its heart. Like the earlier two, it has Will and Sarah working together to solve some of the distressing crimes that go on behind the seemingly respectable doors of Edinburgh society. This time the crimes are infanticide and patricide.

It starts with Will's discovery of a dead baby wrapped up in a parcel. The child has been strangled. The police man in charge is keen to solve the case and before long a poor woman is arrested and charged. No sooner than has Will dealt with this than an erstwhile enemy of his, Gideon, is arrested for the murder of his father. Will and Sarah have to work hard to find the links between these two cases and to ensure that the wrong people do not face the gallows.

This series gets better and better. I love the way Sarah is allowed to be her own person and how, in spite of Will and Sarah's mutual attraction, the obvious outcome is not the one reached. I also love the parallels between life today and life in Victorian Edinburgh. For example Will muses on the unfairness of how 'fallen' women are treated and how they are expected to change their ways whereas men turn their backs on them. There's also an pertinent reference to statues when Will talks to Sarah about how a particularly obnoxious (one might even say wicked) man will undoubtedly one day have a statue dedicated to him. It's all very relevant to today.

I also love the juxtaposition of fiction and non-fiction. Some of the characters are real, some not. Some of the incidents actually happened, some didn't. Parry makes it clear in notes at the end of the book which are which.

Finally a shout out for the descriptions of Edinburgh. These set the scene brilliantly and you feel as though you've been transported back in time to the dirt and smells of this outwardly respectable city which hid so much, Thanks to NetGalley and Canongate for the ARC.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What I love about a great historical novel:
Being taken by the hand and led into unknown eras
Meticulous adherence to register and historical accuracy
Engaging characters, fleshed out and coming to life
Authentic description of background, love for detail
Interweaving plotlines to draw in the reader

This is my third Will Raven/Sarah Banks book, loved it as much as the previous ones. Once again, full marks for Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman (aka Ambrose Parry). Thanks to Haetzman and her extensive research into the history of Scottish medicine, the medical aspects all ring true, there is never any hesitation or vagueness in the description. Edinburgh is recreated in all its grime and splendour. Since there is a male and female author collaborating here, protagonists of either gender are portrayed equally sensitively and both stand their own ground.
The plot in a nutshell: Edinburgh magnate poisoned and his son the suspect, Will and Sarah have to muster all their sleuthing powers to find out what really happened.
The plot helterskelter towards the end will have you holding on to your hats whilst teetering on the edge of your seat!
Another elegantly written, brilliantly entertaining read!
Please, Sir, can I have MORE?

A Corruption of Blood is the third outing for Dr Will Raven and Sarah Fisher set in 1850s Edinburgh.

Will is called upon to prove the innocence of Gideon Douglas of his father's murder while Sarah seeks out the elusive Mrs King who fosters out inconvenient babies.

Their probing of the underbelly of genteel Edinburgh brings them to the attention of the City police and criminals alike.

A riproaring tale which keeps you guessing until the end! A great read!

The Ambrose Parry duo have done it again - another well structured medical detective story, heavy in character development for Will and Sarah alongside the suitably convoluted plot. To no ones surprise, seemingly unconnected plot strands end up entangled but part of the joy is seeing how it will come together,
Historical Edinburgh is so well drawn it’s like an additional character, and the recognisable (as well as the long lost) fit together to really bring a genuine sense of place.
Once again I’m left looking forward to a fourth book.

The third book of this series and they seem to get better all of the time.
This story follows Sarah and Will and their continuing attraction for each other although it doesn’t quite end up as the reader might have wanted. Sarah’s position is expertly drawn – wanting to finish her studies and become a doctor but realising this might not be possible without the classical education she has obviously not been able to access. There are excellent parallels drawn to the position of women today; still not feeling safe to walk the street, the position of so called ‘fallen women’, and the problem of unwanted babies and what should be done about them; as well as very much wanted babies that are given up for adoption.
I hope this series runs and runs.

Wow this was a great book, corruption, blood spilt, lots of twists and turns....i couldnt put it down. The characters were great lots of detail about them, it made me feel as if was in that time period when i was reading it and really believe that was how things were.

This was just fantastic. Since finishing The Art of Dying, I have been impatiently waiting for part three of this series. Historical crime writing can be hard to do write and this is a masterpiece. Brilliantly written, with fully formed (if flawed) characters in a fascinating time period. Has me longing to visit Edinburgh again!

This is the third book in the excellent series featuring Will Raven and Sarah Fisher, set in 19th century Edinburgh. As with the previous books, this is intelligently written with a wonderful underlying humour. The historical atmosphere and the medical details are fascinating. The story flows smoothly producing a delightfully easy to read story. The character dynamics are the key to this series and drive the story along. Even the minor characters are interestingly complex. There were times when I felt I had anticipated the likely outcome of the plot and then another twist had me reassessing my theory. I loved this book just as much as the earlier ones and highly recommend this book.

Will Raven is still working in the household of Dr Simpson but Sarah is off on her visit to Europe and Will has a new girlfriend so things are looking positive for both of them. Then a very important person is killed, Will's girlfriend asks him to get involved, Sarah is back and the whole merry dance begins over again.

I enjoy this series as much for the background as the story itself. I know the authors use real people if they can and this really does help bring the story to a life of it's own, even outside the murders and mysteries that Will and Sarah seem to fall into.

The relationship between Will and Sarah is, of course, as complicated as ever and she is still struggling to find her place in the medical establishment as he is able to find his.

Once again, and engaging and interesting read with some really value added by the background to the story.

My only caution would be, this is not a series to start in the middle so start at book 1 for your best experience.

Ambrose Parry has delivered yet another fantastic title following the detective duo of Dr Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. Sarah returns forlorn from her travels around Europe to find Will engaged. Amid their awkwardness Will investigates the discovery of tiny wrapped baby boy while Sarah searches for a housemaids missing daughter. Their discoveries unearth a horrible reality of what happens to children that their parents are forced to give away.
Sarah and Will's relationship becomes ever more complex and this as much as the unraveling mystery will keep you turning pages long into the night. Expect to get no sleep until you have finished!

“A Corruption of Blood” is the third novel featuring Raven, Fisher and Simpson but I have to admit that it is the first one that I have read. The book stands up on its own and I didn’t need the characters back story to enjoy this novel. However, it may explain why I thought the book got off to a slow start. The nineteenth century setting took some getting used to but once the story grabbed me this became less of an issue.
The story is set in 1850’s Edinburgh and intermingles two very different sides of society. The protagonists as medical professionals sit somewhere between the gentry class who are mostly portrayed as a bunch of hypochondriacs and the lower classes who have to rely on a hospital for the poor when they are sick. The story follows two threads, one an investigation of a suspected murder and the other trying to locate a child that was given up for adoption. Needless to say both strands have a link.
There are many twist to this tale which keeps the reader guessing right to the end. All in all a very enjoyable read.

Populated with a host of real life characters A Corruption of Blood is the 3rd in the Raven and Fisher crime series. Set in Victorian Edinburgh, we find Fisher has gone to Paris to meet her hero Dr Elizabeth Blackwell, Raven however has met someone who may take the place of Fisher in his heart. He is also called upon to help an old 'enemy' out who has been charged with murder. Once again Raven and Fisher find they are drawn into the dark heart of Edinburgh where there is one law for the wealthy and another for the poor.

Yet again I really enjoyed this, I did work out a few things but that didn't spoil my reading experience one jot.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy.

I’ve just discovered that A Corruption of Blood is the third book in a Raven, Fisher, & Simpson series. I wish I’d known before I read it as it would have more easily set the scene!
This is a crime thriller set in Edinburgh in the 1840's, when Edinburgh was leading the way in medical science.
Dr Raven agrees to help an old adversary to prove his innocence and escape the hangman's noose because the woman he hopes to marry has asked him to. But is he still in love with Sarah?
This is fiction with a lot of fact. It's dark, gritty with a fabulous cast of characters. I couldn’t put it down & can’t wait for the next in the series

I enjoyed Ambrose Parry’s first two books about Dr Will Raven, practising medicine in grim nineteenth century Edinburgh. Sarah, now widowed, has returned from a trip abroad chastened, believing her dream of studying medicine is over. She also finds that in the meantime Will has met a woman he wants to marry, the daughter of an eminent doctor. But why does the doctor seem so pleased to get her off his hands? This mystery will last for most of the book. There are two murder themes here. One is the sudden death of an important, unpleasant Edinburgh figure and the arrest of his son for the murder. The other is about the ghastly trade of baby farming and the heartless murder of babies. These two stories turn out to be strangely connected and yet again Will and Sarah work together to solve the murders, in spite of the new woman in Will’s life. As in the first two books, the atmosphere of Edinburgh, with its extremes of wealth and poverty, its snobberies and hopelessness, is very well conveyed. Reading it, I was constantly thankful for modern medicine and shuddered every time a doctor began treating a new patient without washing his hands. A brilliantly original series. I read this thanks to NetGalley.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 latest offering in the series by Ambrose Parry continues where the previous novel left off. It again captures well the ambience of Victorian Edinburgh and convinces by its references to contemporary characters and events. As readers of previous novels in the series will know the plot continues the development of the life and career of Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. As in previous works in the series Will and Sarah are challenged by events and the circumstances of their respective backgrounds. The author’s skill is not restricted to well-paced and engaging storytelling. One of his particular talents is exposing in an entirely natural way the many differences in social attitudes and medical practice between the times in which the novel is set and the present day. That may sound clumsy and contrived, or - at worst - allowing a preachy perspective to get in the way of a good story; trust me, it doesn’t!

I love this series. Great to revisit Will, Sarah and Dr Simpson.

I like that historical facts are intertwined with a fictional story. Kept me gripped from page 1 to the end. Thoroughly recommend. Next book please. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for offering me the opportunity to read this in advance in return for an unbiased rd iew

A Corruption of Blood by Ambrose Parry
Having read The Art of Dying and The Way of All Flesh I was very much looking forward to reading this new outing for the husband and wife team who form Ambrose Parry. This time the novel is set in Edinburgh and there are wonderfully atmospheric descriptions of the city and some of its less salubrious areas. It is a gritty dark novel drawing on Chris Brookmyre’s crime thriller background and there is some wonderful historical medical detail.
There is a strong focus on the vulnerability of women particularly those at the poorer end of society. There is also a keen understanding that women, with the possible exception of widows, are wholly dependent upon men.
The story opens soon after the end of The Act of Dying. Will Raven is still working with Sir James Simpson and Sarah has been widowed and is keen to seek out Doctor Elizabeth Blackwell in the hopes of achieving her aim to train to become a doctor. Will is then caught up in two crimes which seem to be unrelated. – These are the discovery of a murdered baby in the harbour at Leith and the death by poison of a wealthy socialite and businessman. Straightaway we are launched into a network of blackmail, sibling rivalry and deceit.
This is a book I will definitely be recommending to all of my various book groups. Many thanks to the authors, the publishers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Having enjoyed the previous books in the series I was not disappointed in reading it. A further story of the medical scene in historical Edinburgh following two themes. One of the investigations following the discovery of a murdered baby and the other of murder in high society, that provides a fascinating insight into two disparate levels, that involving grand balls and high-born ladies at one end and chamber maids, prostitution, baby farming at the other. Our hero and heroine get involved into solving the mysteries and manage to finally settle their relationship and bring matters to a somewhat happy end.

A corruption of Blood by Ambrose Parry is the third in the Sarah Fisher / Will Raven series. You can read this as a standalone as I have not read the previous books in this series.
Set in 1850 Edinburgh Dr Will Raven is working under Dr Simpson and Sarah has gone on her travels to seek out Dr Elizabeth Blackwell that will help her with her medical career. Whilst she has gone Will Raven has got engaged to Eugenie, with the surprising blessings from her father.
He is asked to investigate the murder of Sir Alistair Douglas who was murdered, and his son Gideon has been accused of his murder. He faces the rope. But he claims he is innocent.
Will Raven after helping deliver a set of twins is called to the Port of Leith where a package is being found. When it is opened there is a body of a child. This is the result of baby farming. Now that Sarah Fisher is back, the pair investigate what happened to the child and catch the person responsible. Whilst doing this, their feelings for each other resurface.
This is a dark, gritty atmospheric story that I really enjoyed. I thought it was professionally researched and the characters were well developed and likeable. I usually find it hard to be kept engaged in a book like this, but I thought this was brilliant. I can’t wait to seek the others in the series and the next ones.

Another excellent episode in the Dr Will Raven and Sarah Fisher series set in Victorian Edinburgh. Dark deeds with baby trading and murders to the fore. The complex relationship between Raven and Fisher is strained by his involvement with a new lady friend and her seemingly overprotective father. Edinburgh high society is mixed with the lower elements of the Old Town and when a rich man is found dead with arsenic the apparent cause his son an ex student with Raven is accused of murder the tale enters an enthralling twisting stage. The city as in previous episodes is beautifully and atmospherically described all building to a satisfactory climax ! More please!
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The third episode of Ambrose Parry’s Victorian medical saga set in Edinburgh. Again it follows the life of Dr Will Raven and the cases he gets involved in, along with his love life and the trials and tribulations that that involves.

Corruption of Blood involves the inheritance laws in Scotland which can come to play in the event of a person being charged of an offence which could change the effects of a persons will. It also brings into play the life of women in Victorian society and what they are (and more so what they aren’t) allowed to do. It is interesting to see the women who became pioneers of medicine of the time and went against the socially accepted norms of the era.

A very enjoyable book and I look forward to reading further episodes of the life of Dr Will Raven and his associates.

When I found out there was a new Ambrose Parry coming out this year, I immediately pre-ordered it, when it appeared on NetGalley I requested it because I have zero patience waiting to read these books - thankfully, the publishers (and NetGalley) indulged me and I was able to step back in time with
Will Raven and Sarah Fisher, along with our regular cast, who have become firm favourites of mine as they walk the streets of a Victorian Edinburgh brought to life.

This tale picks up shortly after the events of book 2 (The Art of Dying) and starts off with an awful discovery and precedes to go back and forth between Raven and Sarah, as he navigates his feelings and his career and she travels across Europe in pursuit of a dream to become a doctor.

Things become complicated when Sarah returns home unexpectedly, and agrees to help the new housemaid, and a former student (who is not so likeable) of Raven's is arrested and requests his help to clear his name.

Raven and Sarah have to work out how each of them fits in the others lives again when so much has changed in just a few months, and when their singular investigations begin to blur into one, they find themselves in harms way, and blindsided by each new revelation.

Written in a familiar style, this book kept me guessing right up to the end, and so much happens that ties itself up in a beautiful constructed bow I am again in awe of the fantastic storytelling and characters that blends history so seamlessly with fiction.

This is a must for fans of historical fiction, medicine, Edinburgh, and characters you will adore. It can be read as a standalone, though I highly recommend starting at the beginning!

A solid 5 stars from me.

*Trigger Warnings
- infanticide,
- sexual abuse (discussed, not detailed)

I enjoyed this book immensely ,as I have the others in this series.Possibly because I live in Edinburgh and can identify all the locations as well as some of the real life characters ,but also because it’s so well plotted and the characters are so interesting.There’s a fair bit of medical history linked to James Simpson and his use of chloroform ,but this book also deals with the fact that women were not allowed to study medicine, and the double standards of the time with regard to women who had children out of wedlock which is written about in a very poignant and moving way.I love the characters of Raven and Sarah .and the chemistry between the two of them always makes you want to read on .There’s also a fair bit of humour which lightens the mood in spite of some very dark scenes.
I now can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinion.

#A corruption of blood #Ambrose Parry
#cannongate books #netgalley 
The geourgous historic city of Edinburgh is home to this atmospheric murder mystery. A Corruption of Blood is the third book in the series, written by Chris Brookmyre and his wife Marisa Haetzman as Ambrose Parry, featuring Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. Set in mid-nineteenth-century Edinburgh, Their research and attention to detail is thorough and beautifully immaculate and 19th century Edinburgh is brought vividly to life this thoroughly researched and beautifully written story highlights the realities of life for women at both ends of the social spectrum the medical advances, social behaviours, class system and exclusion of women from the professions,set the tone for this dark tale of deception and murder. I'd say it's probably not essential to have read books one and two, but it will certainly help you to put Will and Sarah’s relationship in context, as well as fill in some background to both of their lives to date.This is a really strong series 
This story begins again soon after the end of The Act of Dying.
Will Raven is steadily establishing his reputation as a doctor in Edinburgh, working alongside Dr James Young Simpson, Sarah Fisher (now married)is travelling through Europe at the beginning of the book.
Both will Raven and Sarah Fisher are drawn together to investigate when a disturbing discovery is made at the Edinburgh docs - that of a small baby, which has been murdered and hidden in the water. This begins the start of a twisted tale, reaching from the slums of Edinburgh into the highest levels of society, where the circumstances of your birth are no guarantee to your safety.

This is a really strong series. If you enjoyed the first two of the series, you will love this addition!
All views and opinions discussed here are my own.Many thanks to the authors, the publishers cannongate books and Net Galley for being kind enough to grant my request for this eARCand for the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

A Corruption of Blood is the third of the Will and Sarah murder thrillers set in Old Edinburgh. I look forward to the extravagant nastiness that each book indulges in.
This time, Will and Sarah are on the outs with each other and end up investigating the same grotesque case from two angles. The reader knows they are better together.
Justice must be served, although it is more natural justice here rather than that meted out by the punitive police force.

This is the third book in the series and even better than the two before. I read this one in two sittings. The characters are well drawn and the setting in a semi gothic Edinburgh is just perfect. I only wish I had saved it until the weekend to read in one indulgent go!

This is such a brilliant historical murder/mystery series set in Edinburgh in the 1800's where medical advances made major steps. The characters of Will and Sarah are totally believable and engaging. It is obvious that the authors have done extensive research in their attention to the detail of this period of history. Each of the three books can be read individually but I personally feel the reader gets more out of them by reading them in order. Excellent!

A Corruption of Blood is the third book in this wonderful historical medical mystery series set in Victorian Edinburgh. While each is a complete story, I think the characters and their behaviours will make a lot more sense if you read them in order. I had a good idea what to expect having loved the first two, and while initially I was disappointed that there wasn’t as much medicine in this one, the last part makes up for it, and it turned out to be just as good.

Several months after the events of The Art of Dying, Will Raven is still living at Professor Simpson’s house and happily working as his associate, while Sarah Fisher has embarked on a journey to meet Elizabeth Blackwell, famous as the first woman to obtain an official medical degree, in the hope of emulating her career. Returning home disappointed, she is distraught to learn that Will has become engaged to Eugenie, the daughter of an eminent physician, but must hide her feelings when they are thrown together once more by two unusual cases - the poisoning of a wealthy nobleman, apparently by his son, and the discovery of a dead baby wrapped up in a parcel in the Water of Leith.

The strengths of this series are the atmospheric descriptions of Auld Reekie - from the ostentatious mansions of the haves, to the slums inhabited by the unfortunate have-nots, the intriguing mix of real historical characters like Simpson and Blackwell, with our fictional protagonists Will and Sarah, backed up by a solid well-constructed mystery plot. There’s a fair bit of necessary sociopolitical commentary on the plight of the poor, especially women. I did find the first half a bit slow, with a bit too much focus on the characters’ relationships, but it definitely made up for it in the second half and I liked the way it ended, wrapping up the key plotlines but leaving things open for more adventures. While not particularly gory or violent, this covers some dark and distressing subjects with one particularly horrific scene that is necessary both for the plot and to show the hypocritical immorality of those responsible. 4.5 rounded up for the fascinating and well researched medical details.

I received a free ARC from Canongate Books via NetGalley and am posting this review voluntarily. A Corruption of Blood is published on August 19th.

Having read the previous two books in the series, as soon as I saw this instalment was available on Netgalley, I had to request it. And I wasn't disappointed.

The mystery in this book was a good 'un! I'd somewhat forgotten that Parry does not shy away from some harrowing storylines so prepare yourself. The scientific context and hstory, which Parry has again cleverly woven into the storyline, works really well as both a vehicle for perpetuating the mystery as well as for solving it.

I really enjoyed the further exploration of Sarah's life in this book: her hopes, dreams and ambitions. This illustrated the enormous struggle that women faced during that era -- not that it's completely eradicated now -- if they wanted to pursue specific roles: a career in medicine, in this case.

Another brilliantly written instalment that keeps you guessing. I look forward to more if there are more to come. Maybe with some further romance between Sarah and Raven. ;)

A great read. This is the third book in the series with Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. As their relationship carries on from the previous books they should be read in order. The story has a slow start with Will at home in Edinburgh and Sarah on the Continent but speeds up when she returns finding him betrothed to Eugenie. They are soon on the trail of a murderer and missing babies. As ever the book conjures up the atmosphere of Edinburgh and the state of medicine in the mid-eighteenth century. Although the plot is somewhat tenuous, the book is a joy to read.
This is an honest review of a complementary ARC.

A very enjoyable period thriller.
Well thought out and executed.
It was so good I will have to buy the first two in the series now. 😊

This is the third book in this series and I continue loving them. The research going into these books are amazing. They are very gripping, dark and atmospheric. Love the writing and mysteries.
Thanks a lot for this copy.

Dastardly deeds in Edinburgh society. What makes this series shine is the seedy side of nineteenth century Edinburgh and the strong relationship between Dr Will Raven and Sarah Fisher, the woman he once hoped would be his wife. In this third book, Raven is called in when a prominent businessman, Sir Ainsley Douglas, dies of arsenic poisoning. His son, Gideon, is suspected but Raven is not so sure. He also becomes involved in a case involving baby farming and infanticide. Grim but gripping. A real page turner.

Another excellent, well-researched, historical crime set in Victorian Edinburgh from Ambrose Parry, who I have been recommending to every historical crime aficionado I know. This is the third in the series featuring the fictional young doctor Will Raven and his friend Sarah who has been able to rise from a servant to a doctor’s assistant and is desperate to achieve her ambition to become a doctor. Both are fortunate to work and live with the real-life obstetrician Doctor Simpson who did so much to improve childbirth with the introduction of chloroform and the difficulties faced by women in an unjust society are central to the plot. In this case Raven is called on for assistance when a man he loathes has been accused of murder whilst at the same time becoming embroiled in the case of murdered babies after happening to walk past the river just as a baby’s body is found. The plot is fairly clearly signposted but with this series the development of the characters and those moments such as the one when a campaign is launched to lock up prostitutes with syphillis to keep men safe are the real reasons to become enthralled in this fabulous series.

This is the third book of Ambrose Parry's Raven, Fisher and Simpson series and this installment in their story was just as enjoyable as the previous ones. I feel it helps to have read the previous novels to understand the relationships between them all but maybe not essential.
A lot of research goes into these books and this shows. There is wonderful attention to detail regarding the social issues and medical practices at the time, all set with an intriguing murder mystery to solve.
Thank you to NetGalley and Canongate books for the advance copy.

Thanks to Canongate for a review copy.
I was delighted when the third book in the series of Will Raven and Sarah Fisher’s adventures was announced. It was well worth the wait.
Like its two predecessors this book is primarily set in nineteenth century Edinburgh during the medical revolution which was taking place at the time. Many real historical characters pepper the pages along with Will and Sarah. We also see some returning faces from the past along with a few new friends and villains. Because this story forms the latest episode in a much larger (and ongoing) story arc I would strongly recommend readers to work through these excellent novels in order as links to past and future books will be much more enjoyable this way.
The story picks up shortly after the end of the previous book and, as usual sees Will and Sarah thrust into several different situations, all of which require investigation. A strangled baby washed up in Leith and a murdered eminent citizen of the city form the backdrop of the novel. At first sight these cases seem to be wholly unrelated and yet, as the story progresses, it turns out that they are inextricably linked and that some consider reputation more important than life itself. As the tale continues some of the lengths to which people will go, either by choice or because they feel forced to do so, enter very dark territory and some readers may find the revelations distressing, especially as they are based upon true events. This is not a story for those who find historical (and almost casual) cruelty as well as some very unpalatable truths difficult to cope with.
There is, of course, another reason why these books are so compelling. The developing relationship between Will and Sarah is both the main narrative driver of the story arc and wholly addictive. I didn’t think that things could get more complicated between these two than they did in previous book but how wrong I was. Ambrose Parry (in reality Christopher Brookmyre writing with medical historian Marisa Haetzman) has clearly mapped a tortuous road for these two souls no matter how much the reader wants the course of true love to run smoothly for them. Given the complications this novel thrown at them in this novel it does not look like things will become simpler anytime soon.
Will and Sarah are very much the embodiment of natural justice in these books whilst Inspector James McLevy is the voice of the establishment. As long as someone pays for the crime he isn’t too worried about whether he’s got the right man (or woman) though I detected signs of him beginning to mellow a little in this story.
Dr Simpson, mentor to both Will and Sarah is, as always, a major presence in the book and it his unerring support for both these characters is a joy. He would like nothing better than to see Sarah qualify as a doctor although he recognises the formidable obstacles which she would face in this male dominated and thoroughly misogynistic age.
Although by the end of the book the main plot threads are nicely resolved this novel, perhaps more than pervious volumes, leaves a number of loose ends hanging, which, I am sure (and fervently hope) are hooks which will be picked up on in the future. Given that these are two well established authors writing a successful series I cannot believe that unresolved elements are there by accident or oversight!
These stories all bring the world of Edinburgh to life and the prose is written so well that it is easy to walk with Will and Sarah into grand houses or the poorest parts of the new town. The sights and smells are so well described that the reader could easily be there. As such they are enjoyable on many levels, they are compelling crime stories which bring history to life and cannot help but teach the reader something of the history of medical science which we take for granted today.
I cannot recommend this series highly enough and I thoroughly look forward to reading about Will and Sarah’s next adventure.

As always, loved this book.

The author/s attention to detail is phenomenal and the research that must go in to these books is huge.

I love books set in Scotland because I find it relatable and this is no different.

Atmospheric and dark, really enjoyable read.

Well ... I suppose I will start with a word of warning. This is not a very easy subject to read about. Nothing is glorified and there is nothing taken to gratuitous lengths within the story, but it does feature a very taboo subject, and of the death of children will cause you distress then you may want to exercise caution because the opening to the book is quite stark, and later discoveries do nothing to make the heart fill with warmth. That aside, this was yet another brilliantly researched, authentic feeling story which blends humour, history and mystery to entertain, and enrapture this. read from the very first page to the last.

Over the course of the three books I have really come to like the character of Will Raven. I'll be blunt - he came across as a bit of knob to begin with, but he has quickly redeemed himself and is now a character driven by principles and doing the right thing, especially by Sarah, even if his head and his heart tell are torn. As for Sarah, she is a woman that many can recognise, held back by society but determined to make her own way in spite of it. This time around though she is plagued by some self doubts which are untypical of her, but believable of her circumstances. There is an amazing chemistry between the two characters and no matter what conflicts may occur and whatever circumstance, and the authors, throws in their way, they make a formidable pair. Somehow you just know that as soon as they are involved, the criminals do not stand a chance.

There are two different threads to this story that lead our protagonists in. different directions initially, but ultimately resulting in their proving that two heads are far better than one. First up we have the murder of a very prominent Edinburgh resident. A former University mentee, and adversary, of Will Raven stands accused of his murder. A mutual friend persuades Raven to look into the murder against his better judgment, certain that the wrong person is set to be convicted. What we face here is a story full of tension, corruption and hidden truths which are as believable as they are shocking, but very much if the time. It is a twisted story of a fractured family, instantly recognisable, but give a unique Ambrose Parry twist that had me smiling in approval.

Sarah's quest is one which will very much tug at the heartstrings and resonates with news stories from the not so distant past. It ties in with other elements of the story in a tragic and emotional way, one which will sadden even the hardest of readers. It has been handled with care but also with authenticity, and whilst it is easy to suppose we know where that particular thread may lead, always be prepared to expect the unexpected. Perhaps it shouldn't have been - with hindsight, the clues are all there - but it certainly makes for quite the eyebrow raising moment.

This wouldn't be an Ambrose Parry novel without a lunk back to the medical side of Raven and Sarah's life and once again we are brought into the world of Dr Simpson, a blend of the factual and the imagined, which really adds another dimension to the stories. It is a thriller based in the world of medicine, rather than a medical thriller, but I have to admit that those scenes fascinate me every but as much as the wonderful array of characters and the rich settings that Ambrose Parry portray so beautifully. There are plenty of the old favourite characters littered throughout the story, as well as some new who most definitely throw a spanner in the works as far as our Detecting duo are concerned. Potentially big changes afoot but it has left me all the more intrigued to see what may come next. Definitely recommended.

Really enjoyed this book. wonderfully set, intriguing, complex characters and a murder mystery plot that kept you guessing until the very end. Parry also did a very accomplished job of pulling all the strands together neatly, and it didn't feel particularly forced. I hadn't come across this author or his books but am now keen to seek out the earlier books in this series to learn more about Raven and Sarah's histories.

This is the third book in the series. I have read and loved the previous books. Set in Scotland in the Victorian era the theme of all the books is medical/detective fiction. What I enjoy about these books are the medical practices that were used and actually how knowledgeable the Victorians were. Even though this book is set so far in the past some things still haven't changed.

The story centers around Will Carver, Sarah Fisher and Professor Simpson. I've particularly enjoyed the development of Sarah throughout the books from an housemaid to a trusted member of the team. I found it fascinating about the actual corruption of blood and what it means. This book is well researched, well written out and absolutely brilliant.

This is a stellar addition to the wonderful Ambrose Parry historical/medical series set in 1850s Edinburgh, an inspiring blend of fact and fiction, featuring the pioneering, compassionate real life Dr Simpson, and Dr Will Raven and Sarah Fisher that reside with him at 52 Queen Street. It immerses the reader in the grim realities of the city, its stench and poverty, the extreme inequalities, the dismal social norms and attitudes to women, and the hypocrisies, inhumanity and cruelties of the rich and powerful for whom reputation is all, cloaking the darker truths of who they really are. Sarah travels to Paris and Grafenberg with Mina in her quest to see the breaking Elizabeth Blackwell, a female doctor, a goal she is aspiring towards.

However, Sarah has her ambitions crushed, leaving her flailing, stranded and lost, wandering where she goes now and struggling with her sense of identity. The shock on her return of finding Will engaged to be married to Eugenie Todd, the daughter of a prominent physician, pulls her into a deeper despair, jealousy and depression, even though her feelings for Will are laced with ambiguity. Settling on the fact she is alone, she focuses on helping the distraught Christina, the maid, who had been forced to giving up her baby to a woman who has now gone missing. Will is in Leith, helping to deliver twins, when a package is fished out, its contents to be revealed to be the horror of a strangled baby. Eugenie has Will helping a man he disliked, the feckless Gideon, the son of Sir Alastair Douglas, who has been arrested for his father's murder and is facing the hangman's noose.

It is only when Sarah and Will begin working together that their different investigations begin to bear fruit and the connections between them begin to emerge, whilst simultaneously underlining the close relationship the two have with each other. Will's support of her has Sarah finding her old zest and ambitions, with the two of them discussing the truths of what they mean to each other. This is a hard hitting, twisted and dark read, of the nightmare realities and tragedies of baby farming, an inevitable consequence of the conditions poor women faced in a political environment dominated by the inhumanity of monsters like Sir Alastair Douglas, even women from wealthy families were not immune. We are given insights into the legal implications of ' a corruption of blood', and the state of the medical community and the science of the period. I must admit that I cannot wait to see how the Will, Eugenie and Sarah relationships develop in the future!! Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

I just loved this book as I did the first book in the series, somehow I have managed to miss the second, something that will be rectified very shortly. I love the history and the depth of research that has gone into writing this. Set in Edinburgh, a city proud of its medical footprint, it is from the nineteenth century, the book is atmospheric and very believable. I felt it had credence and added to what I already know about early medical practise. The characters are fascinating. Will Raven is a qualified doctor but has some way to achieve recognition for his work. I was a bit impatient to get into this book but that probably was because I wanted to find out what happened from previously. I relaxed when I got a grasp of things and I sat back to enjoy the read. This book did give me some late nights as I became immersed and I am sad now that is all over. A historical novel with a difference, it ticks so many boxes, especially history, medical, and mystery. I cant wait for more by this couple they really have found a great partnership here.

This is the third in the series of unputdownable Ambrose Parry medical mysteries. It's not essential to have read the books in the order in which they were written, but it helps to have the full backstories, not least for gauging how and why the dynamic between the two main characters, Will and Sarah, develops.

In common with the two previous books, "A Corruption of Blood " is written in a very readable, engaging style, and is full of interesting historical details of Edinburgh and of medical science. The various intertwining plots are totally gripping: even when the mysteries and cliffhangers have been resolved, this reader is left impatient to know what excitement happens next for Will and Sarah - and for their relationship.

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

This book is the third in a series, but it didn’t matter a bit that I hadn’t read the previous two - it stands very well on its own. It is a romp through the Victorian city of Edinburgh, complete with its inequities, poverty, privilege, intrigues and developing medical knowledge. Young Doctor Will Raven and his friend Sarah Fisher are working for the eminent obstetrician Simpson when the body of a baby is unearthed in a muddy dock. Is this death a one off, or are there more? What is the connection between the death and the great and good of the city? The plot here is complex, but it is so well written that the reader is always guided carefully through it and is never confused. The ending is very satisfying and leaves the reader hoping for more - the mark of a fine writer in my view.

I was delighted to receive a proof of this, the third in the Will Raven/Sarah Fisher series.

Set like the first two books in nineteenth century Edinburgh, the book portrays a society divided between man and woman, rich and poor. The story begins with the discovery of the body of a baby in the water of Leith. Then an eminent citizen is murdered. Surely these two events can’t be connected. But it seems they are and Will and Sarah become involved. The issue is complicated by Sarah’s growing feelings for Will, who has found someone else.

The threads of the plot are slowly unravelled, and by the end the reader has a picture of a deeply conservative society, where reputation is all. Fortunately, not all the threads are resolved, the main one being will Sarah ever achieve her ambition of becoming a doctor?

Like the previous two books in the series, this contains a lot of detail about the revolution in medicine which was taking place in Edinburgh at the time. I’m a glutton for detail and I found it fascinating. It’s done with a very light touch though, and it really does add to the story.

It would be possible to enjoy this as a standalone novel, but I really feel you should read the first two in the series first, so as to enjoy the development of the two main characters. I very much enjoyed meeting Will and Sarah again.
Thanks to Netgalley and Canongate for the proof.

This series - set in Victorian Edinburgh - is one of my absolute favourites!

I love how vividly the gloom and danger of the city is conveyed, I love the realistic characters and I love the medical basis for the books. The (married) writers - award-winning crime writer (Chris Brookmyre) and medical expert specialising in anaesthetics (Marisa Haetzman) - are a brilliant combination and I look forward to each new book in this series with anticipation.

And this one is an absolute gem!

In this story, Dr Will Raven begins to investigate the gruesome and tragic contents of a package that washes up in Leith. His work is interrupted by the poisoning of a wealthy Edinburgh figure - and Raven isn't wholly convinced that the right man will hang for the crime. Assisting him is Sarah Fisher - a women who has her sights on a career in medicine no matter the barriers caused by her gender - who has both her own reasons for investigating and a complex past with Raven.

The plotting of this book is just so clever. For something that starts relatively slowly with two separate investigations, the pace really picks up and the twists just keep coming! At the end, there were so many revelations and reversals of what I expected that I was reeling! I had no clue about the culprit or motives whatsoever (although the clues were all there) - and, to me, that makes a pretty fantastic read.

The setting of these books is a real strength. Victorian Edinburgh is a dark and twisted place, full of secrets and underhand dealings and danger - which I love. The streets aren't safe and the sights and smells of Raven's world are evoked strongly (I was going to say beautifully, but there isn't much beautiful about the morgues and poor houses, chloroform and pus that make up Raven's existence as a medical doctor).

As always, the character of Sarah Fisher is the one that I love most. She really conveys how hard it was for women to be taken seriously in their desire to practise medicine, especially women who have been hampered by their 'female' education. It does complicate the tentative romance between Fisher and Raven that has formed the backbone of this series as marriage would compromise her independence. This is something that is dealt with really sensitively and with clearly lots of thought about what are realistic but painful choices for the characters.

I honestly could go on forever about these books. Instead, I'll suggest that you pick up an Ambrose Parry book now if you love dark and grimy historical murder mysteries. This book could be read as a stand alone, but to fully appreciate the characters I'd suggest you begin with book one, 'The Way of All Flesh'.

Thanks to NetGalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Complex storylines, appealing characters and an exciting plot. The third book in this series develops the relationship between the two main characters as they navigate their desires and goals within their (historical) setting.
Highly recommended. But start with book one for the best reading experience.

This series! It's ridiculous how good it is! It really does provide the pure pleasure that makes reading a joy, a release and a privilege. And I have to say this one is the best so far! The murder mystery is an enthralling and pleasingly shocking romp and the convoluted relationship between Sarah and Raven is a perfectly constructed frustrated romance - they are the Ross and Rachel of Victorian Edinburgh! The plot is fast paced, twisty, tightly constructed and it plays out with just the right amount of reveals and hunches satisfied. The writing is light and engaging, the dialogue sharp and witty, and it's just delightfully compelling, a lot of fun and easy to absorb - and to be absorbed into! The characters are like old friends now. I also really appreciate the balance of the case to be solved and the personal relationships, mixed with the historical backdrop and the inclusion of real medical figures/facts.

Book III in the Raven and Fisher series opens in Edinburgh around 1850. Sarah, recently returned from Paris, where she had hoped to advance her unconventional quest to become a doctor, finds more unpalatable news awaits at Queen St.
Its not long before her assistance is sought, this time concerning missing babies, and independently, Raven gets involved in the aftermath of a sudden death.
Eventually Will and Sarah accept the additive effect of their joint efforts and despite all the obstacles, achieve resolution of sorts.
Ambrose Parry has discovered a winning formula in these atmospheric novels set in a time when medical knowledge and application was advancing apace. The interesting and entertaining lead players, Raven and Fisher plough on regardless, hampered at every turn by villains and the barriers of class and gender.
The balance is perfect; background information, action, love interest and whether Will can keep up his selflessness in the face of it. I cannot get enough of this series.

A Corruption of Blood is the last in the series featuring the amateur medical sleuths, Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. It follows The Way of All Flesh (2018) and The Art of Dying (2019). Set in 1850s Edinburgh it is the stomach-churning story of 'baby farming' in which illegitimate infants are bought and sold in the name of sending them to better homes than their young mothers — often prostitutes or the daughters of the city's wealthy — are able to provide, either because of poverty or because the family do not want the shame of it to ruin its reputation. This trilogy is a great read for fans of historical fiction.

Many thanks to Canongate and NetGalley for my ARC.

I loved the first two books in this series, but feel that the writing team have really hit their stride with this third instalment. The period atmosphere is still almost tangible as Will and Sarah make their way between the dire Edinburgh tenements of the poor and the grand houses of the rich and titled. At the core of the book is the ever developing relationship between Sarah and Will that appears to have settled into a comfortable friendship. However, there are moments that are deliciously tantalising where each, in turn, wonders whether they are being honest with themselves about their true feelings.

The mystery is one that raises interesting questions of the day. The idea that criminality and degenerateness was somehow hereditary was being challenged at the end of the 19th century as evidence was collected that examined the effects of poor environment, poverty and poor parenting. These ideas are explored, but never at the expense of the plot.

As in the previous books women's place in society is woven skilfully into the plot. Sarah is initially crushed as she tries to cope with the fact that the world she lives in is controlled by men. Slowly though she starts to see that there is scope to subvert societal expectations from within and play men at their own game. This is an interesting development in the series and one I am keen to see progress in future books.

The ending is both incredibly satisfying and thoroughly whetted my appetite for further adventures.

My thanks go to the publishers and NetGalley for the advance copy in return for an honest review.

An excellent read. Very good storyline and includes many historical features. I would throughly recommend this to readers interested in historical events.