Sarah and Will clearly still both have feelings for each other, although Sarah is recently widowed after a brief marriage and Will is now courting a doctor’s daughter. He also knows Sarah needs to be free if she is to pursue her ambitions in medicine. It will be interesting to see how their relationship evolves over the series. In the meantime, they still work well together to help each other investigate their individual mysteries. Me ha gustado mucho el personaje de Raven, un chico con muchas ganas de salir adelante, con el sueño de salir de su pobreza y lograr destacar en la vida como médico, su lucha consigo mismo ante su angustia cuando cree que no puede lidiar con el dolor de sus pacientes y es inevitable sentir un poco de pena por él por la forma en que los demás lo tratan y lo ven en comparación a como quisiera que lo mirasen los demás. Quite Ugly One Morning is taken from Warren Zevon's album Mr. Bad Example - the last chapter title continues the song's chorus. During this time dangerous medications are dispensed, illegal operations and unscrupulous experiments are carried out on patients deemed to be of little consequence, mainly prostitutes and occasionally a poor servant girl. The goal is fame and enrichment. Historical mysteries have always fascinated me and to find one focusing on the medical world of the 19th century was something I couldn’t miss.

A Corruption of Blood would make an excellent summer read—really, an excellent read regardless of the time of year. If you enjoy historical mysteries, this is a title you won't want to miss. This historical novel set in Edinburgh in 1847 has one of the best opening paragraphs I’ve come across in a while. It immediately sets the tone: realistic, sly, and somewhat seedy. If the title sounds familiar, it’s because it’s borrowed from Samuel Butler’s gloomy 1903 meditation on sin and salvation in several generations of a Victorian family. I remember trudging through it on a weekend break to Strasbourg during my year abroad.

The book gives a good account of the use of ether and its sometimes fatal results, while the discovery of chloroform also makes an entrance. The medical world is buzzing with excitement and fear for the unknown. And who would have thought peri-peri could do anything other than spice up a good meal? Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives as it’s so well written. This is a worthy addition to the series and I look forward to the next one. Because of his dislike for Gideon, Raven believes he must be guilty of his father's death in his greed and haste for his inheritance. The legal term 'Corruption of Blood' is explained. Forfeiting the estate and wealth coming to him, the heir would become his sister's young son. Raven needs Sarah to help in his investigation. He finds Gideon's father was much despised. Were there other suspects for the murder? Slowly, the links between their cases are found to have some connection. They uncover a tangled web of deceit, murder and corruption. This is another lively entertaining caper to add to this very good series. It’s a good blend of a mystery or two with some magic set alongside the factual. It’s excellent on historical context and the medical detail of the day which has long fascinated me. The storytelling is colourful which makes it easy to connect with the plot. The style it’s written in is appropriate to the times and I like this touch. The characterisation is so good and has been throughout the series with Will and Sarah being such likeable central protagonists and their complicated dynamics especially with Will’s wife Eugenie in the mix, adds an interesting edge. James Simpson is more peripheral in this but the authors bring this medical legend to life. Ambrose Parry is the pen name of a husband and wife team ; crime writer Chris Brookmyre and consultant anaesthetist Dr Marisa Haetzman. This combination is a great one and the book is set up nicely for really interesting storylines in the future. Although not yet shown in Goodreads, I have read articles suggesting this will be a 7-8 book series and that the TV rights have been bought by Benedict Cumberbatch. What fun that will be!

Dr Will Raven and Sarah Fisher are the two main protagonists who operate out of 52 Queen Street, the base of Dr James Young Simpson, the eminent doctor whose pioneering work with chloroform, especially in childbirth, is professionally renowned. The medical context is pervasive throughout the story and leads into many clever connections and the wherewithal to solve the mystery. The research into the medical, social and historic elements, and their placement within the story, build an authentic narrative that is solidly believable. Siege Mentality, 2017 (ebook only - short story. Originally published as The Last Siege of Bothwell Castle in the Bloody Scotland anthology)

Advance Praise

Edinburgh is oozing muddy streets, dirty alleys, nasty operating theatres, fancy ladies and department stores. Together the two mysteries focus on many of the legal, medical and social issues of the day for both the wealthy and the more impoverished sides of society. There are some dark scenes as the plight of poor unmarried pregnant women and their babies is highlighted. Although the plot takes a little while to get moving, it’s well written and researched with the sights and sounds of Victorian Edinburgh flavouring the narrative. Brookmyre was born in Glasgow and raised and schooled in Barrhead, attending St. Mark's Primary School and St. Luke's High School, before attending the University of Glasgow. [3] The character development was fantastic, with Sarah and Will taking their societal roles, but not necessarily in the expected ways. The setting is also really interesting as Dr Simpson (a real historical figure) tries to find something to ease patients pain that is safer and more effective than Ether.