Dark secrets in Edinburgh.
I did not realise this book was part of a series, I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Edinburgh, old town and new town, lots of differences between them.
A long list of characters mostly Doctors, so it helps to keep a list.
Dr Raven works with Dr Simpson, they are both trained in gynaecology, a profession dominated by men in 1853, Sarah is eager to become a midwife although she is not taken seriously by majority of medical men.
A mesmerist is working at the theatre and appears to have a breakthrough in curing and operating on some patients, he starts to teach Sarah his techniques.
Some body parts are discovered in a Doctors room, and the race is on to identify them before more murders are committed. The story races on with old enemies appearing and a lot of illusion.
Thank you NetGalley, Ambrose and Canongate for this ARC

Have binged my way through this series and feel so attached to the characters. Very engaging and well told tale.

The preachy angle about women's right to be a medical doctor in this work of historical fiction is no doubt worthy but its insistent thrum through the story of the rise of mesmerism as a worthy treatment factor in early obstetricians office makes things dull. The young male doctor's work as a medical man delivering babies is not highly regarded either .. and while this is all interesting historically, it makes it all feel.weighed down with history lessons. And, yes, she prevails by the end!

Voices of the Dead, the fourth book in Ambrose Parry’s Raven, Fisher, and Simpson series, is perhaps the most captivating yet. Set in late nineteenth-century Edinburgh, it skillfully blends historical intrigue with a gripping crime mystery. The plot centers on the controversial use of mesmerism, adding depth to the story.

Protagonists Will Raven and Sarah Fisher face intense moral dilemmas, with Sarah questioning whether her ambition is clouding her judgment, and Will haunted by his violent past. Their evolving relationship, filled with tension and near-intimacy, is a highlight of the series.

The novel reintroduces familiar characters in unexpected roles, and the authors expertly craft sympathy for even flawed figures. The story builds to a tense, thrilling climax, keeping readers on edge.

Voices of the Dead is a masterful addition to the series, leaving fans eager for more. Ambrose Parry has once again delivered a historical crime mystery that’s both ingenious and absorbing.

Hypnosis and body parts

Will Raven thinks hypnotherapy, the new craze, is all hocus pocus. Sarah Fisher thinks there might be something in it and is willing to see the evidence. Raven is involved in seeking out the source of random body parts across Edinburgh and preventing another Burke and Hare type scandal developing. Sarah becomes involved with the mysterious financier of a charismatic American hypnotherapist. Raven finds both the mysterious and the charismatic men suspicious, especially since Sarah doesn’t, and also because the prime suspect for the body parts is a skilful actor who cannot be found.

This is a really entertaining read, filled with thrills, twists and turns and a number of surprises throughout. The series just seems to get better with each new novel, and this, I think, is the best yet.

Didn’t start it. I didn’t realise it’s book four in a series so will need to read the other three first. Completely my fault, will catch up as soon as possible.

I had high hopes for this book as I love historical fiction and suspense/thrillers but it really didn't deliver for me. The twists were too obvious - I shouldn't be able to guess the main reveals from the start. The writing is quite basic and the book employs some cheap dramatic tricks that really soured it for me. Without giving anything away, the real kicker was the funeral scene where the author briefly misleads the reader as if he has pictured a scene in a movie where one scene ends with a character in a life and death situation and then the next scene opens at a funeral. Pan to said person's family at the funeral and even insert a comment about how their father wishes they had never met the main character (implying he had something to do with said person's death) and then cut to the coffin and surprise it's someone totally unrelated! This kind of thing may work in film sometimes but does not work in literature. I have not read any of Ambrose Parry's other works so am not familiar with the series but I do not see how that would have changed my experience in reading this book at all.

Ambrose Parry’s “Voices of the Dead” delivers a great historical crime fix.

Although I have enjoyed all of the preceding novels in this series, I didn’t know that Ambrose Parry is a penname for Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman (a consultant anaesthetist) which explains the fusion of medical history, dry humour and intriguing plot.

Set in a fascinating 1853 Edinburgh, the novel explores the intriguing intersection of scientific advancement and the public’s fascination with spiritualism. The investigative duo, Dr. Will Raven and Sarah Fisher, are a capable pair. Raven’s cautious approach balances Fisher’s ambition, making them a team worth rooting for. Their investigation into a series of gruesome discoveries is well-paced, taking them through the city’s underbelly and grand medical halls.

Parry’s prose is effective, bringing Edinburgh’s contrasting landscapes to life. The dialogue is sharp, with moments of dry wit amidst the tension. The plot is cleverly constructed, offering twists that keep you engaged without being overly complex.

If you’re looking for a historical crime novel that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking, “Voices of the Dead” is worth checking out. It’s a dark and atmospheric tale with a satisfying conclusion.

This was the first time reading a book by Ambrose Parry and wished I had discovered his writing earlier. An excellent mystery and thrilling read. As this was the 4th in the series now going to make a point reading the earlier books in the series.

Book 4 in the Raven and Fisher series from the duo who make up Ambrose Parry, and my fourth 5-star review.

The writing is so good, the story so clever, the characters engaging - I can't help wanting Book 5 immediately!

Following the discovery of dismembered bodies, this time Will Raven and Sarah Fisher find themselves on the case again, alongside the intriguing worlds of mesmerism and spiritualism which are earning quite a following. Raven's old adversary, the money lender Flint is back, and he's got his own scheming going on.

Packed full of adventure, this is a great read.

I loved this book the historic aspect and the introduction of hypnotherapy.... Dr Will Raven is a busy man with his patients delivering babies and body parts turning up in the Surgeons Hall, if there is going to be a scandal then it has to be stopped before it gets going.....
Sarah Fisher on the other hand is fed up with her medical career and looks into the field of mesmerism that is open to women
Meanwhile Dr Will Raven finds some evidence that may implicate a famous actor and a master of disguise....

Edingburth 1853 the tale is set and what a tale, with a combination of characters that work. This is a murder mystery that tickles my senses and has me reading into the night; is taken everywhere, and I mean everywhere... Absolutely five stars from me and more more more, please

Totally mesmerising!
But I refer to the writing and not the cunning art employed at the heart of this superb crime thriller based in Edinburgh.
Known as the medical capital in 19th century Ambrose Parry once again delves into the extraordinary development of medicine alongside science - and here some dodgy quacks and cranks.
I love both the main characters Will Raven and Sarah Fisher - although Will's marriage to Eugenie with one son James and another in the way does perhaps lend a little annoyance to the obvious flirtation (love?) between the couple in the marvellous setting of Dr Simpson's medical practice.
When bits of bodies start turning up we are also thrown into that era of the 'bodysnatchers' fame of Burke and Hare with here a turn of mesmerism and cures. Once again some characters of the past, with a twist perhaps, reappear, like Flint the money lender who is now himself a faux 'gentleman' also feeding financially off the new medicinal cures being bandied about the city.
The connection with the theatre actors of Laurence and Lydia Butters adds to that other seen as seedy profession and also hints at the paradox of differing sexualities being accepted behind some doors and not others.
A very entertaining, and often informative read, but not where research deadens the plot - well at least unless you were the victim!

Another outing for Will Raven and Sarah, this time body parts are found in Surgeon's Hall and the irascible new Senior surgeon wants Raven to help get this cleared up so there is no bad odeur for the surgeons. Sarah meanwhile is fascinated by an exhibition of mesmerism, and wonders if she could usefully learn how to practice this exciting new discipline. In the background is Flint - Raven's old nemesis and his giant enforcer, now terminally ill, who Will has promised to keep out of the hands of those who would sell him to the anatomists .As events unfold and more bodies appear, these threads tangle together into an exciting and dramatic detective story.. Terrific!

The fourth of the series set in 19th century Edinburgh involving Raven and Sarah which I thoroughly enjoyed. I finished reading it before I realised I had never finished an earlier book "The Way of All Flesh" so it made for an interesting double read out of order!
An excellent book - where and how will these two main characters end?
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

This is terrific - I loved every minute! Set in Victorian Edinburgh this tale involves characters from three previous novels but can easily be read as a stand alone. Dr Will Raven, aspiring gynaecologist helps the police surgeon when body parts are found across town, Sarah ,once a housemaid and now desperate to use her medical skills but thwarted by society's prejudices does what she can to help him. Meanwhile, the birth of hypnosis is brought to Scotland as is a popular medium. Together all three plots neatly come together to shape a very well written story. I loved reading about the public reactions to the hypnosis and like to imagine how this was received at the time (ably helped by brilliant descriptions) The pace is steady, the writing excellent and the plot has enough intrigue to sustain. Overall a great story that I didn't want to finish!
With thanks to Net Galley and Canongate for this arc.

In 1853 Edinburgh, bits of a woman’s body are turning up in odd places. Doctor Will Raven and his associate Sarah Fisher quickly become involved because of their help to the police in previous Investigations. As a search for the rest of the body gets underway, suspicions quickly centre on an actor, Laurence Butters, since both he and his wife have suddenly disappeared. Although Sarah provides some useful insights, she is distracted because she has become interested in Mesmerism. The medical fraternity are mistrustful of this new procedure, but certain that, if it is a real effect, it is certainly medical and therefore theirs. Sarah has always wanted to be a doctor but, like all professions, it is men-only. Although she is sceptical, she does see this skill as being open to her, and so possibly providing an entry to the profession. As it happens, an American doctor, Harland Malham, an expert in the technique has recently come to Edinburgh and is seeking to set up a centre for the training of people in the art. Sarah is accepted as a trainee, and also becomes friendly with his financial backer, Mr Somerville. Meanwhile Will, partly to escape stresses at home, is becoming deeply involved with the murder investigation, but also with his old enemy, Flint, the money-lender (AKA Loan-shark) and his giant enforcer Gregor. Untangling the conflicting evidence takes time and patience to resolve.

This is the fourth book in the series but is a perfectly acceptable stand-alone; although some of the personal interactions between Will and Sarah make more sense if you know the previous books. The writing is very accommodating for the reader, not pastiche of Scott or Stevenson but with its own flavour. The background details are impressive and, based on my passing acquaintance with Edinburgh and its history, believable. The atmosphere they provide enhances the tension. The plot, although it has a few twists, is not hard to untangle, but that doesn’t detract from the fun of reading the story (I said something similar in a review of a previous book). I’m rating this 4.5, which will round up to a slightly generous 5.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

*A big thank-you to Ambrose Parry, Canongate Books, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
Book 4 in one of my favourite series did not disappoint me. Sarah Fisher and Will Raven continue their medical advancement, be it in different forms. Each of them wants independence in their own way, hence Sarah's interest in mesmerism, and Will's dream to set up his own practice. The past follows Raven closely, and we learn more of his days before becoming dr Raven.
This time Sarah and Will follow what starts as a morbid case of a dismembered body and what leads to an unexpected twist for both of them. The mysterious case unravels and in the background we learn about Victorian obsession mesmerism.
Ambrose Parry's (or the duo's) writing is excellent, and so is their description of Edinburgh in the second half of the 19th century. Period details and the world of medicine then should be given highest praise as one feels while reading as if one is then and there, which is the most a fan of historical fiction can ask for.

This was a gripping read, I thought the characters were intriguing and I'm going to keep an eye out for more from this author.

I adored the characters. I felt sad to let them go when I finished the book so wasn’t I just delighted to discover they are part of a whole series. I will stock up on the previous titles and to hell with the overdraft!

This is a slow burn which then ramps up into excitable scenes.
There’s no messing about with long winded dialogue to get to the next interesting development. Every chapter is relevant.

There’s subtle humour interspersed between the pages even though this book has a slightly macabre theme, which doesn’t feel disrespectful, and some jolly good twists thrown in for good measure.

Immensely enjoyable and highly recommended.

With many thanks to NetGalley and Canongate for the ARC.

An Ambrose Parry is the perfect way to escape into a world that is unfamiliar and learn something along the way! While it is a series they can each be read on their own as enough of the backstory is given as needs for the current story but doesn't spoil it for those who haven't read the earlier ones.

This is historical fiction at its best. Lots of interesting details about medicine and life in 19th century Edinburgh and an excellent mystery with great characters.

I highly recommend this.