Description

SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 McILVANNEY PRIZE
LONGLISTED FOR THEAKSTON OLD PECULIER CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR

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

In the city’s Old Town a number of young women have been found dead, all having suffered similarly gruesome ends. Across the city 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 Raven’s intelligence but none of his privileges, in particular his medical education.

With each having their own motive to look deeper into the city’s spate of suspicious 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.

Publisher Review

Parry's Victorian Edinburgh comes vividly alive - and it's a world of pain -- VAL McDERMID The Way of All Flesh is a treat. The historical setting is fascinating, and all of Brookmyre's wit and storytelling verve are evident in this tale of scalpels and secrets * * The Times * * Menacing, witty and ingeniously plotted, Ambrose Parry's debut draws you into the dark heart of nineteenth-century Edinburgh and won't let you go until the final page -- S.J. PARRIS A rip-roaring tale of murder amid the medical experiments of 19th-century Edinburgh. The book brings both city and period to colourful life and is a joy to read -- IAN RANKIN * * Guardian * * Utterly compelling, this tale of Old Edinburgh is so full of characters and startling incident that I never wanted it to end -- DENISE MINA A thoroughly entertaining tale of murder and misadventure in 1840s Edinburgh * * Sunday Times * * A dynamic new arrival . . . Ambrose Parry's The Way of All Flesh is set in an 1840s Edinburgh where new science and old beliefs rub shoulders. Its twisty gothic plot is based on grisly real events -- NICCI FRENCH * * Observer * * An astonishing debut. The dark and dangerous past is brought thrillingly to life. I can't wait to read more of Raven and Sarah -- MARK BILLINGHAM The city of Burke and Hare has found a new classic murder. The Way of All Flesh is a darkly stylish mystery underpinned by hard facts and expert research. A hugely enjoyable debut -- LOUISE WELSH Exceptional -- IRVINE WELSH