Historical Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers
Canongate Books
19 Aug 2021
2/5
Netgalley
Dr Will Raven is a man seldom shocked by human remains, but even he is disturbed by the contents of a package washed up at the Port of Leith. Stranger still, a man Raven has long detested is pleading for his help to escape the hangman.
Back at 52 Queen Street, Sarah Fisher has set her sights on learning to practice medicine. Almost everyone seems intent on dissuading her from this ambition, but when word reaches her that a woman has recently obtained a medical degree despite her gender, Sarah decides to seek her out.
Raven's efforts to prove his erstwhile adversary's innocence are failing and he desperately needs Sarah's help. Putting their feelings for one another aside, their investigations will take them to both extremes of Edinburgh's social divide, where they discover that wealth and status cannot alter a fate written in the blood.
“A Corruption of Blood” immerses readers in the dark and atmospheric streets of Victorian Edinburgh, where danger lurks around every corner. Ambrose Parry, the pen name for the husband-and-wife duo Chris Brookmyre and Dr. Marisa Haetzman, crafts a gripping tale that combines medical intrigue, family secrets, and sinister murders.
Dr. Will Raven, a man accustomed to the macabre, is shaken by the discovery of a package washed up at the Port of Leith. Its contents lead him into a web of deception and treachery. Meanwhile, a man Raven despises seeks his help to escape the hangman’s noose.
In the same city, Sarah Fisher, determined to practice medicine despite societal norms, embarks on her own quest. When she learns of a woman who defied gender barriers to obtain a medical degree, Sarah’s resolve strengthens.
The chemistry between Raven and Fisher crackles as they navigate Edinburgh’s social divide. Their investigations take them from opulent mansions to the grittiest corners of the city. Wealth and status prove powerless against the inexorable fate written in blood.
Parry’s meticulous research shines through, grounding the narrative in historical accuracy. The medical backdrop adds depth, and the characters leap off the page. Raven’s determination and Fisher’s resilience make them a formidable team.
What sets “A Corruption of Blood” apart is its unflinching portrayal of taboo subjects. The opening scenes are stark, and the subsequent revelations are equally haunting. Yet, amidst the darkness, there’s hope and resilience.
If you relish historical mysteries with vivid settings, authentic characters, and a dash of medical intrigue, this book is a must-read. Ambrose Parry continues to deliver captivating tales that linger long after the final page.
