"This historical mystery is drenched in a menace that reeks of the mid 19th century before bursting into devouring flames."
This compelling and atmospheric mystery set in 1850 Edinburgh beautifully blends fact and fiction. While Will Raven agrees to help a man he detests, Sarah Fisher is intrigued by a woman who has obtained a medical degree. A Corruption of Blood is book three in the Raven and Fisher mystery series written by a husband and wife writing duo Ambrose Parry. You could potentially read this as a standalone but best to start with The Way of All Flesh, followed by The Art of Dying. An absolutely fascinating map had me pouring over the streets of Leith before I started to read. One of the things I love about this series is the balance of facts and real people from history that are weaved through the stories. As stated in the historical note: “the fun is in weaving true elements into a wider fiction, leaving the reader wondering which parts of the story really happened and which are the products of our combined imaginations”. So there is a convincing credibility to this writing, you can escape into the words and just believe. I particularly enjoy the relationship between the two main characters, it’s not an obvious one, yet suits who they are. The social commentary of the times is powerful as it slides its way through the plot. If there are any parts that you suspect might be coming, it is still done in such a way as to surprise. Chosen as a Liz Robinson Pick of the Month, if you open A Corruption of Blood you will find clever, thought-provoking writing, that is as fascinating and captivating as can be.