This is the second book in the series with Will Raven and Sarah Fisher set in mid-19th century Edinburgh. Will returns to Edinburgh as a doctor having been in Europe studying. They soon become imbroiled in solving a series of unexplained deaths. As in the previous book there is some details of medical practices of that time. It is a great read moving at a fast pace. I hope there will be more in the series.

** spoiler alert ** Great follow up to The way of all flesh 
We've moved on a year,and despite seeing Europe,not a huge amount has changed for Will. Sarah however has had a complete change of circumstances... a Drs wife and pregnant too.
I can't help but feel making her a Drs wife is paving the way for her and Will to get together later.
There's a cold hearted killer,murdering people for what seems to be sexual gratification,and our two are on her trail when nobody else has noticed the killings.
Throw in some more medical stuff (which is always interesting) a few thugs,a thief and a dying husband and it's all very entertaining.
I say it a lot,but I've yet to find a Brookmyre book I don't like.
As Ambrose Parry,he just adds to that.(though credit also to Marisa Haetzman.)

The Art of Dying is a historical medical mystery about unexplained deaths and medical rivalries set in Edinburgh, the follow up to The Way of All Flesh by husband and wife writing team Ambrose Parry. Will Raven and Sarah Fisher are back, with Will now Dr Simpson's assistant and Sarah trying to expand her position giving medical help to the doctor despite the limitations placed on women. Dr Simpson's reputation is in trouble after one of his patients died in circumstances that other doctors have claimed are suspicious, but looking into this causes Raven and Sarah to uncover a lot more mysterious deaths and find some unlikely possible causes for them. At the same time, Raven continues to evade his pursuers and worry about his own nature, whilst Sarah has new troubles to worry about.

The first in the series was most interesting for its look at class and gender in the period, and the sequel certainly focuses on the latter, looking at the position of women in society and in the roles they can take. Once again, anaesthesia plays an important role in the novel, with Simpson's focus on chloroform still present, though there is slightly less of the medical focus as in the first one (or at least it feels like there is). The mystery narrative is unravelled using a good trope that allows for a few twists, and a wide cast of characters are kept up (though it feels very much like a book in a series for not resolving a number of side plots).

Historical mystery fans will likely enjoy this follow up, which combines a range of interesting characters with some real historical inspiration and a dark series of murders. Not one for the squeamish, but for people who like some historical research alongside the mystery.

I have been looking forward to this book, the second by Ambrose Parry, since reading the first one, The Way of all Flesh, last year. I was certainly not disappointed. The two main characters, Sarah and Will, are as interesting and sympathetic as in the previous novel which introduced them. A year has passed and things have changed for both characters. Will has been studying abroad and returns to Edinburgh not long into the book. To his astonishment he finds that Sarah is now married and no longer a housemaid in his patron's home. There is a third, initially unknown, voice in this book; someone whose first person narrative of murder forms the thriller element at the heart of the plot.
As with the previous novel in the series The Art of Dying is meticulously researched creating a superb sense of time and place (1850s Edinburgh) and embedding medical history into the narrative without in any way detracting from the tale. Characters from the previous novel are still around and influencing particularly Will and the choices he makes. Some of the less savoury characters introduced in The Way of All Flesh are further developed here and new characters are introduced Including those who will have a significant influence on Sarah.
Tension builds as the story progresses, characters and readers question motives and truths, moral dilemmas abound (particularly around questions of euthanasia and new surgical interventions but also around revenge and loyalty). This book really did have everything for me. I loved reading it and am sorry to have finished it. I do believe it stands alone but am sure if readers come to this first, they will be s desperate to read the prequel as I am to read the next in the series.
Ambrose Parry is the pen name for the two authors of this book, Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman. It is a fantastic feat of joint authorship, each writer bringing their specialist skills to the result which shows no signs of a join
With thanks to the publisher, Canongate, for the complimentary ARC of this book via Net Galley in return for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. It was proper on the edge of your seat stuff. It's one of those books where you find yourself saying "One more chapter, one more chapter." and end up reading several more chapters.
In this book, Will Raven returns to Edinburgh from Europe where he has qualified as a Doctor and is back at Queen street working at Dr Simpson's practice.
As Will gets settled into his new career, rumours are going round that Dr Simpson is responsible for the death of a patient in suspicious circumstances and Sarah Fisher - Dr Simpson's former housemaid - asks Will to help her clear the good Doctor's name.

I've been waiting for this book since The Way Of All Flesh published last year, and it was worth the wait!

Will Raven is travelling Europe, learning more about medicine as well as the world in general. But he's not the only one who's changed since he left Edinburgh 2 years ago - Sarah Fisher has embarked on her own adventures, and Will's in for a rude awakening when he returns to the Simpson residence expecting everything to be the same...

As with the first book, The Art of Dying kicks off with a bang and doesn't let up. The seedy underside of Victorian Edinburgh is once more exposed and we see again how there's no escaping the dark underworld of crime, dodgy dealings and death.

I love Will and Sarah's characters - they are both beautifully drawn, full of life and flaws and all things in between. Once more we see Will's hubris get in the way of his own life, and Sarah's burning desire to do more and be more than society allows. Both characters still have a lot of growth to come, and I can't wait to read more in the next book!

‘The Art of Dying’ is the second book by Ambrose Parry (the pseudonym for a writing duo) that follows Will Raven, now a fully fledged doctor, and his rather intense, dramatic and volatile day to day life! It’s never dull and, as in the first book, Will is battling with the darkness that keeps invading his life.

I enjoyed the first book ‘The Way of All Flesh’ so was really looking forward to reading this one, and there’re no disappointments. This is another detailed historical novel, set in 1850s Edinburgh, that draws in real advances and thoughts in medical procedures of the day and the use of chloroform on patients.
Since the events at the end of the first book, Will has been travelling, advancing his medical knowledge and training. Dramatic events lead to his return to Edinburgh and he’s back working with Dr Simpson, a character based on the real life Dr James Young Simpson; professor of Midwifery at Edinburgh University.

Will also yearns to see Sarah again, a woman he regrets leaving and he’s not at all content with his reasons for leaving her. However, their reunion is not the one he expected and there’s more ups and downs to come.
At the heart of this book is a serial killer, and their voice becomes part of the narrative as well. I was really engrossed in the psychology of this aspect. I loved that the villain of the story is also based on an actual 19th century mass-murderer.
I loved the merging parts of the story-telling and the build up to a dramatic climax.
I devoured this book in one sitting; I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough! Loved the setting, the characters, the historical detail, the plotting of the crimes and the excitement of the ending.

Better than the first book! Can’t wait for the next! I’ll definitely be buying myself a copy on publication day! This also works really well as a stand-alone too.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced e-copy to review.

Having read the first book featuring Will and Sarah and loved it, I couldn't wait to read the sequel. This book is just as great as the first. It ticks all the boxes for me, strong characters you care about, a gripping mystery, interesting plot twists and a well-paced narrative. In addition, the historical setting, the medical background and the sense menace interwoven with a light humour means that this book is another winner. Highly recommended.