4.5 ⭐️

A great addition to this series. By this stage in a series, I know I'm going to really love a book because I'm so invested in the characters, but the story here was really good too. Blackmail, trafficking, corruption, prostitution, the seedier side to Victorian Edinburgh.

This is the last book in the series & it did feel like the tale was brought to a satisfying close without being overwritten. There was mention made of old characters from the beginning & it was good to see certain characters get what they deserved, both good & bad.

If you like well written historical fiction with a criminal element & brilliant characters, then I recommend you go back to the beginning of the Raven & Fisher series as it's worth the read.

‘The Death of Shame’ is the final novel in the Will Raven and Sarah Fisher series, so the front cover informs us. The duo become involved in the shady worlds of pornography and prostitution when Sarah is concerned for her young niece Annabelle, fresh in to Edinburgh and hoping to work one of the many wealthy families in the city. However, she disappears and her frantic mother implores Sarah to find her, fearing the worst.

There is less focus on nineteenth century medical practices in this novel than in some of the earlier stories. The focus is more on the growth of tabloid-style journalism, the anti-brothels protest movement and pornographic photography, alongside a good measure of blackmail! As ever, the authors have clearly researched their subject matter meticulously and there is plenty of historical detail included which ensures that the places and practices described feel authentic.

Sarah continues to feel frustrated as an ambitious woman who is denied certain medical paths. And she is well aware that there are many like her whose ambitions will never come to fruition. ‘She thought of all the other women who populated the city. All with so much to give, so much to contribute, so much light to shine, but surrounded by men intent on extinguishing these fragile flames lest they burn brighter than their own.’

However, the authors do bring the series to a close in as satisfying a way as possible for this duo, given their circumstances. Despite the times they live in, because of their loyalty to each other, they may well prosper.

My thanks to NetGalley and Canongate Books for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

I am a fan of Chris Brookmyre and loved the first four Ambrose Parry books, so I was delighted and excited to get my hands on the final instalment. When I started reading, I felt a little wistful knowing it’s the last one in the series but hopeful for a satisfying conclusion. However, as I was reading I gradually started getting the sense that perhaps the series had run its course. While I mostly enjoyed the story, this final book didn’t seem on par with the previous books. The writing felt less sharp, the characters lacked the depth and complexity I had come to love, and the story wrapped up with a chick-lit, sugary ending that felt out of step with the tone of the earlier books. All in all, while it was a pleasure to revisit familiar characters one last time, the final chapter of the series left me a bit underwhelmed. Still, the series as a whole remains a favourite—and I’m grateful for the ride.

The Death of shame is the final book in the Raven and Fisher Mystery series by Ambrose Parry.

This final installment takes place in 1854, Raven is now working separately from Dr Simpson and there is the unexpected death of Cameron Todd and what seems to be a whole host of mystery surrounding his death.
There is suspected suicide, odd notes and strange circumstances.

Dr Todd was the father of Will Raven’s wife, and there is suspicion and uncertainty around it all. Dr Raven is drawn into a whole scandalous affair. This story has an almighty climax and has me shrieking in my head.

Twists that you could not have anticipated.

This is a great end to the series. The characters and the scenery has you drawn into 19th century Edinburgh Medical politics and all that it involves. I’ve loved seeing how the characters develop throughout the series and how they interact with each other. And no I don’t just love it cos it is set in my hometown. A great read.

A straight 5* novel from me! I love Ambrose Parry's novels because they always closely follow historical facts, people and social conditions! This novel is no exception focusing on women's place in society, either as wives, independent minds or striving to learn and live professionally. Unfortunately, as we know women did not have easy, particularly if we look into women resourcing to prostitution. With its thrilling , angering and brilliant plot, based on actual facts and people here as well, this novel takes the reader to a dark Edinburgh when a few dead people have a lot to say but do not dare... I loved it and highly recommended it.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

If you’re already a fan of the Raven and Fisher series, you’re in for a treat with The Death of Shame. And if you’re not, this is a brilliant place to start. Once again we’re right back in 19th-century Edinburgh, full of dark alleyways, fog, hidden corners and a whole lot of secrets. This one feels a bit deeper than the last few: it’s more emotional, more psychological but still with that clever mystery at the heart of it.

What really struck me is how well it looks at shame. Not just as something society uses to control people, especially women, but also how it eats away at you from the inside. It’s all tied into the story in a way that feels really human and very relevant, even though it’s set over a hundred years ago.

Will Raven and Sarah Fisher are still such a brilliant pair to follow. Their relationship has this lovely tension running through it — a bit of spark, a bit of frustration, loads of mutual respect. Sarah, in particular, continues to be the kind of female character I love: she’s smart, capable, determined and not afraid to push against what’s expected of her. Watching her navigate the world she’s in is one of the best parts of the book.

Parry also brings in lots of fascinating detail about early medicine without making it too heavy. You get a real sense of what it would’ve been like to live through that time. I think my favourite thing about these novels is the setting! I can picture all of the dark alleys and closes and Edinburgh actually feels like another character — moody, mysterious and absolutely full of atmosphere.

If you love a historical crime novel with real depth, strong characters and a good dose of tension, I can’t recommend this enough. Five stars from me!

Oh and I loved the historical note at the back and ended up down a Titanic rabbit hole.

The Death of Shame is the fifth and final instalment in the Raven and Fisher series, and wow, what an ending.
1854, Edinburgh....
Will's father-in-law is found dead at the bottom of the Scott monument, and Sarah's niece who left Perth to take up a position as a maid has vanished without a trace.
As Raven and Fisher make some enquiries about the incidents, they're confronted by blackmail, prostitution and Edinburgh's sordid criminal underworld that's hiding in plain sight.
This is a lot darker than the previous books.
I've loved this series, I'm sad that it's come to an end.
I highly recommend this.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC. 5*

What an ending for the final book in this excellent series featuring Raven and Fisher. Sarah has financed Will Raven's new practice, he in turn has promised to secretly train Sarah giving her the much needed medical experience she desires. Will's wife Eugenie is unhappy with the situation but things quickly take a turn for the worse and Sarah and Will find themselves delving into the darkest trade in Victorian Edinburgh.

This historical murder/mystery series mixes with ease real life characters from the period with our fictional heroes. This last book in the series is certainly the darkest and is chilling in places.

I loved The Death of Shame. I appreciated the centering of Sarah in the story, as she navigates misogyny, double standards and the poor choices available to women in the Victorian Era.

The authorial team come up with another fast paced adventure set in Victorian Edinburgh. As before Sarah battles to oppose sexism and misogyny and to support the rights of women; both she and Will fight against the criminal underworld. The stories are always based on historical reality: this time the abduction and sexual exploitation of girls by criminal gangs making money from the appetites of men including (especially) the great and the good. Familiar characters appear: Dr Simpson (in a minor role), his servants, James Quinton - rather an Uriah Heap type - and a reformed violent money lender that we met in the first book of the series.
Although this is the fifth in the series it avoids the common failing of becoming a soap opera.
An enjoyable read.

Another fantastic mystery from Ambrose Parry. The lives of Will & Sarah have moved on but still mystery & intrigue follows them. A blackmailer is talking the wealthy ‘gents’ of Edinburgh & Will needs to get to the bottom of it. Meanwhile Sarah is plunged into the dark underbelly of Edinburgh’s sex trade but are their searches linked.
I can’t get my head round the fact that this is the end of Raven & Fisher but maybe AP will reconsider. Here’s hoping!🤞

‘The Death of Shame’, by Ambrose Parry,is book five in the superb series featuring Dr. Will Raven,his Apprentice Sarah Fisher,and the esteemed Dr. James Young Simpson.
Once more we are transported back to nineteenth century Edinburgh,Scotland,and realistically emerged in the cityscape and extreme challenges of those times.
The story makes an impactful start with the death of an eminent highly respected citizen crashing to their death from one of the city’s most notable landmarks.It turns out that there have been several instances of prominent individuals facing blackmail to avoid scandalous ruination of their reputations.
When Sarah begins to search for her sister-in-law’s missing teenage daughter Annabelle ,it turns out this is linked to sinister forces using deep rooted exploitation and hidden corruption that directly affects many lives ,including Will,his wife Eugenie and Dr.Simpson.A remarkable fictional tale based on some historical incidents that includes many ethical elements and important issues that remain relevant to the present day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canongate Books for an Advance Readers Copy.

Part of a series set in Edinburgh featuring Dr Will Raven. Interesting times in the world of medicine and the advance of women. A good read.

A fitting conclusion to a fine series.

"The Death of Shame" opens in May 1854, some months after the events of "Voices of the Dead". True to her word, Sarah has used her money to help Will start up his own practice. In return he will secretly train her up to be a doctor, despite the staid medical profession denying women the right to be doctors. Their relationship remains precarious, neither one wishing to do anything to risk their friendship. His wife, Eugenie, already looks upon Sarah as a rival for her husband's affections. And when her father, famous doctor, Cameron Todd is found dead at the base of the Scott monument, Eugenie looks to him to support, regardless of his fledgling practice.

At the same time, Sarah's sister-in-law appears in Edinburgh, seeking her help in tracing Sarah's cousin, Annabel. The girl was due to start work as a maid, but has vanished in mysterious circumstances.

Soon both Sarah and Will are drawn into a series of events which slowly coalesce into a larger problem involving human trafficking, blackmail and prostitution. They soon realise that corruption is widespread at all levels of Edinburgh society, and no one is what they seem. The story is told once again, against the backdrop of 19th century Edinburgh - the clean and upper-class New Town, and the Old Town, full of dark alleys and dangerous places. Their investigations take them to brothels, gambling houses, and to meetings of social reformers where those with fortunes to lose, go to any means to halt proceedings. And as the reasons for Doctor Todd's death become clear, Will realises life will never be the same again.

Fans of the series will be happy to see plenty of old faces - friendly and not-so-friendly. Dr Simpson, his house a riot of noise and colour, Inspector McLevy continues to ask for help, and Magnus Cunningham remains a problem for both Sarah and Will. Both also are exposed to the fledgling tabloid press, where sensationalism take precedence over facts.

The cover of the book states quite plainly 'The Final Raven and Fisher Mystery' and fans of the series will be hoping to see several storylines tied up. To say if they are, or not, would be to spoil the reading, but either way, it's doubtful anyone will be disappointed with the book. It's bound to be a fan favourite.

Thoroughly recommended.

Possible spoilers

4+ ⭐


I'm definitely a fan of Brookmyre, and am currently working my way through his old books on audio.
I think he does all genres well.
The addition of Dr Marisa Haetzman has made for a cracking series.
Raven and Fisher are a top duo, not just in terms of fighting crime, but in their approach to life, people and each other.
This one held quite a few surprising moments, and there were times it felt like this REALLY could be the end (make it not so)
I felt it brought back the majority of characters and gave them /us closure.
Really appreciated the facts at the end, tying into how true parts of the story were.
Bonus were the illustrations at the start of each chapter.