The Way of All Flesh – Ambrose Parry

Edinburgh, 1847. City of Medicine, Money, Murder.

Young women are being discovered dead across the Old Town, all having suffered similarly gruesome ends. In the New Town, medical student Will Raven is about to start his apprenticeship with the brilliant and renowned Dr Simpson.

Simpson’s patients range from the richest to the poorest of this divided city. His house is like no other, full of visiting luminaries and daring experiments in the new medical frontier of anaesthesia. It is here that Raven meets housemaid Sarah Fisher, who recognises trouble when she sees it and takes an immediate dislike to him. She has all of his intelligence but none of his privileges, in particular his medical education.

With each having their own motive to look deeper into these deaths, Raven and Sarah find themselves propelled headlong into the darkest shadows of Edinburgh’s underworld, where they will have to overcome their differences if they are to make it out alive.

 

My thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Blog Tours for the opportunity to host this leg of the paperback blog tour for The Way of All Flesh.  I received a copy of the book from the publisher to allow me to join the blog tour.

 

This is how to do Historical Fiction! The Way of All Flesh transports readers back to Edinburgh in the 1840’s and breathes life into the city and its residents. Add in a few unexplained deaths and prepare to lose yourself in the past.

It’s not just the Edinburgh of old which which will captivate readers, Will Raven and Sarah Fisher are the lead characters and you want to learn more about them, to see them overcome the challenges they face. You also want them to be a bit nicer to each other.

Raven is a trainee medical student. He is given the chance to work alongside Dr Simpson, a gentleman of fine standing and great repute. Raven hopes to learn from Simpson and advance his training. He is badly in need of money as he owes the wrong man too much coin.

Sarah Fisher also works in Doctor Simpson’s house. She is a housemaid but is well read, has basic medical knowledge and seems keen to advance her skills. It is not the done thing though and her household duties often get in the way of what Sarah would rather be doing.

When a young prostitute, known to Raven, is found dead the young man is determined to uncover why. He overhears the police describe her as another “deid hoor” and Raven cannot accept her life being dismissed so easily.

Sarah also knows of a young woman who has vanished unexpectedly and she too suspects foul play. The pair realise there may be a connection between the two incidents and an unlikely alliance is formed.

I often find historical stories to be hard going or overly fussy about detailing the events of the time. Not so with The Way of All Flesh, I flew through it and never felt the historical setting was being forced upon me. Locations are described efficiently and effectively without detracting from the events which are unfolding. The story zips along at a good pace and the “one more chapter” factor is very much a thing.

Dark times in the old city = great for readers. The Way of All Flesh should be in your suitcase this summer. Highly recommended.

 

 

The Way of All Flesh is published by Canongate Books and is available in paperback, digital and audiobook format.  You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Way-All-Flesh-Ambrose-Parry/dp/1786893800/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1556567944&sr=1-1