A Corruption of Blood

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really love historical fiction mysteries that incorporate real life people and events. So this one was right up my alley. On top of that, I loved it was set in Edinburgh. I can't say I have read too many mysteries set in Scotland in the 1800s. This is the third book in an ongoing (I assume) series, and it holds up very well as a standalone. The writing was brilliant. It was well paced and kept me turning the pages. The plot was intriguing. Dark, heartbreaking, and at times grisly. The characters themselves were also very likable. The one issue I had was the ending. Wasn't a fan of some of the decisions made. All in all, this was a cracking good read and gets two thumbs up from yours truly.

ARC Via NetGalley

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 development of the characters.

I loved the setting, the historical references and was even more thrilled when I discovered that some of the characters were based on real life people.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

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.