This is a page-turning gothic thriller and Isobel Tait is a rewardingly resilient, intelligent and resourceful heroine whose grief drives her to avenge her son after he goes missing. Facing the closed ranks of the Victorian male establishment she eventually finds an unlikely ally in the thoughtful and honest detective Adam. Seeking incriminating evidence against the ambitious surgeon Dr.Burnett, Isobel infiltrates his household and finds herself dusting his collection of 'specimens', which she is convinced includes her son's heart. With in-depth characters who are psychologically interesting, I learned a lot about Edinburgh society in the early 1820s, and enjoyed the way themes around racism were explored.

The Specimen has medical experiments, creepy doctors and horrifying oddities and specimens littering the pages. These are exactly the sorts of things I want to read about when I'm given a gothic novel. With a focus on medical spectacles and Victorian Edinburgh, it invites the reader into a sinister world where missing people do not rest in peace but rest in pieces (if you’ll excuse the pun).

In this novel, we follow Isobel Tait, the mother of a young boy with a rare heart condition. Whilst most would find this tragic, the famous Dr Burnett is fascinated by such conditions and just so happens to acquire a new specimen when Isobel’s son goes missing. Determined to unravel the mystery, she decides to join Dr Burnett’s staff as the keeper of his gruesome collection.

One of the most haunting things about this story is that it is based on true crimes that were committed in Edinburgh in the 19th century. I would definitely recommend reading the reader’s note as she goes into more detail and the truth makes the horrors of this story more hard-hitting. It even made me question our own medical practices and the ethics of displaying body parts in museums. If you go to almost any natural history museum you will find bones and bits on display. This proves that we’re not quite as far away from the spectators in this book as we think.

If I had to pick, I think that my two favourite parts of the book were the setting and the descriptions. The author has a wonderful way of writing, and she really creates a rich picture of Edinburgh. Having lived in Scotland myself, I loved reading about familiar, and not so familiar places and seeing them through the lens of history. Edinburgh is also the prefect place for a gothic story. Its architecture, haunted history and the perpetually gloomy weather make it incredibly atmospheric. Similarly, the author’s focus on the specimens and the people who come to gawk at private collections drives home the body horror aspect of the story. Not only are the watchers voyeuristically looking at stolen body parts, but the reader is too.

This is an eerie story made even more sinister by the truth behind it all. I would recommend it to fans of classics like Frankenstein and for people who wanted to read a book like Stalking Jack the Ripper but with more adult themes and horror elements.

Edinburgh, 1826 & single mother, Isobel Tait is worried about her son Thomas. Ever since an earlier bout of illness Thomas has had health complications & the usual treatments aren't working. Isobel is directed to a new doctor, a specialist called Dr Burnett, who diagnoses Thomas with a rare heart complaint. Shortly following the appointment, Isobel begins to suspect that they are being followed by a man with a scarred face, & a week or so later when Thomas disappears, Isobel reports him to the police. The senior detective is abrupt & dismissive whilst the younger detective, Adam Kerr, seems sympathetic but there is little he can do. Months later, Isobel is coaxed out for an afternoon out by a neighbour & finds herself at an exhibition of rare cases by Dr Burnett, & in one glass case is a small heart with the exact same issue as Thomas. Coincidence? Or murder?

This is a really great read. The author uses the history of Edinburgh & its links with the 'Resurrectionists' (body snatchers) to weave a tale that grabs the attention & never lets go. The narrative is told from two points of view: Isobel. & Adam Kerr = the detective who has his own battles as he is of Native American descent which in the early 19th century would have seriously limited his career. We see another side to him with his dealings with a young orphan whose mother has also gone missing. If I had any criticism it would probably be that the ending went on slightly too long but it's a very minor quibble. If you like historical fiction with a darker gothic edge, you may like this one. 4.5 stars (rounded down)

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Sourcebooks UK/Poisoned Pen Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

The Specimen by Jaima Fixsen is a dark historical tale with a hint of magical realism. Set in 1826 Edinburgh, a time when the medical field was considerably less ethical than we hope it is today, the book tells the story of one woman's quest to expose the truth about what happened to her young son. Isobel Tait's little boy has been unwell since a bout of yellow fever permanently damaged his heart, causing scarring that renders it less efficient. Several doctors have said there is nothing they can do and when the famous Dr Burnett confirms their diagnosis, Isobel is determined to make the most of the little time she has left with her son. That time is even shorter than she imagined since the child goes missing within days and is never seen again, but when a suspicious specimen finds its way into Dr Burnett's famous collection, Isobel is convinced that he is somehow involved in her son's disappearance. Just how far is the doctor willing to go for his collection? In a desperate attempt to unmask a killer Isobel goes undercover as a housekeeper in his home, risking discovery and possible death every day.
This was an absolutely gripping story and I loved the character of Isobel, her determination and quick wits made it easy to root for her success, especially since the other main POV character, Dr Burnett was so despicable - hungry for fame, fortune and the approval of his peers, and willing to go to any lengths to get what he wants. I thought the author did a very good job of making the setting come to life and giving some historical context to the story, it is clear that she did her research and the fruits of those labours really added to my enjoyment of the story.
If you like dark historical fiction with gothic vibes and a hint of magical realism then this book is definitely worth adding to your list.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

I do not usually read historical fiction but the horror and gothic themes of this book peaked my interest. Overall I found this book very compelling and the gothic and horror themes were very well. I did struggle with the pacing of the book as it starts off very fast paced and then slows and the timeline did make me feel a little distanced from the story. However, I did find myself enjoying the book once I had focused on it.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press, Jaima Fixsen, and NetGallery for allowing me to read this book before publication.

Based around true historic events, particularly influenced by the Burke & Hare murders.

I love that it was told from the perspective of Thomas’ mother.
Helping to humanise the victims as I think this is what usually gets lost, that they were a person and there will be someone feeling grief and loss.

A gothic murder mystery that had me riveted.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers.
4/5⭐️

We must all take care, for murder is never far behind us. It watches and waits. It haunts our steps and disturbs our sleep for sometimes, it is inevitable, and we are caught in its grisly clutches...
Edinburgh 1826 is a city is full of the ghosts of those murdered, if we choose to see them, they could tell us their story. This is one such tale. Read on, if you dare..

Young Thomas Tait's heart was beyond repair following an attack of Scarlet Fever, his breathing laboured and his skin tinged with blue. His doting mother Isobel keeps body and soul together with her music lessons. The doctor was kind and diligent but nothing would help Thomas. Until Isobel met Dr Conall Burnett, specimen collector. Butterflies or stamps you would think ? But no, body parts were Dr Burnetts macabre passion, abnormal body parts, for no-one has an interest in the normal, no-one would pay to see that.
One day while Isobel is working, Thomas goes missing. Could he have been taken by the disfigured man who followed them home from the park ? Could the unthinkable have happened, could Dr Burnett have wanted Thomas for his collection. Are we right to think the worst, the reader and the characters both ? Have we written to boy off to murder and disection ?
Was this just the raving of a grief striken mother or was there some sinister practices at large in the city. When more people with peculiar and rare conditions go missing, Detective Adam Kerr becomes suspicious, and Isobel decides she must act..
Gripping, thrilling murder mystery centering on the Anatomists of Burke and Hares' Edinburgh.
Suse

This book is why I love historical fiction.
It took me straight to Edinburgh in 1826 and because I live in Edinburgh I could vividly picture the scenes and imagine where the story was taking place.
Having been to the surgeon’s hall museum and seeing the hundreds of human organs and skeletons on display I could only love reading this book.
It took me on an adventure imagine what life back then would have been like and remembering how close to reality this book really was.
The characters have a good description about them and made me feel for them. They emanate feelings and emotions that captivated me and kept me hooked throughout the story.
The whole plot with it’s different twists kept me thrilled and I couldn’t put this book down.
The front cover is very pretty and goes well with the dark theme of this book. It’s definitely one that I woulf have picked up in a bookshop.
I will be recommending this book, it’s definitely one to read if you are interested in historical fiction and the dark history surrounding body snatchers in Scotland back in the 19th century.
I chose to give this book four stars mainly because it was predictable and I did start to want to finish it when I got to the 75% mark. I finished it and enjoyed it though but the ending could maybe have been a bit quicker as it’s already predictable.

I enjoyed the gothic, eerie elements of this book but I struggled with the writing and the jumping around, timeline wise. I wish it wasn’t so quick paced in the beginning and slower in the middle, it was a real stop start plot and book to read. However, I did enjoy the gothic nature and the more creepy elements. The setting of Edinburgh was also a great addition for a book focused on horror.

"The Specimen" by Jaima Fixsen is well worth a read if you are into: historical novels, things in jars, Edinburgh, body-snatching and more. Isobel knows she doesn't have much time left with her little boy due to his heart condition but when he goes missing, she is distraught. When she sees a heart (with his condition) in a jar at a doctor's museum (of things in jars) then she grows suspicious. An excellent plan is hatched and the story flows nicely onwards from there. A sad story but one with justice at the heart (pardon the pun) of it.

The Specimen: Jaima Fixsen 🫀

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Jaima Fixsen for giving me the opportunity to read The Specimen as an arc.

Based on a true story, The Specimen is an intriguing work of historical fiction which explores a woman’s search for truth and vengeance in the darkest of places. Deadly secrets are hidden in plain sight on a freshly dusted shelf…

This book is set in 1826 in Edinburgh and is not the usual genre I would normally go for. However, I am so glad I decided to give it a try.

The Specimen by Jaima Fixsen originally piqued my interest as I have a fascination with specimens and oddities. I was even further intrigued when I found out that it was based on a true story! That true story being Burke and Hare and Dr Robert Knox.

This book is gripping and tense making you want to know more about the characters and the specimens. It is also beautifully written.

I would happily pick up another one of Jaima Fixsens books!

4+ 🌟


Even without reading the blurb, I get bad vibes off anybody with bits of bodies floating in jars.
Medicine man or not.
A cracking read.
I was there with Isobel every step of the way. I felt her love for Thomas, her grief, and her determination to prove that she was right about dodgy goings on.
She was a tough cookie.
My heart went to Kerr though, he and Nan won me over completely.
A few nice surprises along the way, and the authors notes are well worth a read at the end too.
I VERY much enjoyed this one!

This was a really excellent and mysterious gothic book set in Edinburgh with well rounded characters and an engrossing story. This flowed so well with good pacing and it was hard to put down

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc