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I really love historical fiction mysteries that incorporate real life people and events. So this one was right up my alley. On top of that, I loved it was set in Edinburgh. I can't say I have read too many mysteries set in Scotland in the 1800s. This is the third book in an ongoing (I assume) series, and it holds up very well as a standalone. The writing was brilliant. It was well paced and kept me turning the pages. The plot was intriguing. Dark, heartbreaking, and at times grisly. The characters themselves were also very likable. The one issue I had was the ending. Wasn't a fan of some of the decisions made. All in all, this was a cracking good read and gets two thumbs up from yours truly.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

An amazing follow-up to the previous books. Sarah and Will’s story still keeps my attention and I can hardly wait for what happens next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.

OH MY GOSH. This book just tore me apart. One of the best books I have read this year. I cannot really review this because it needs to unfold unheeded to the reader, with no preconceived notions - this is an absolute case of it being good going in cold and having things revealed to you as they are to the characters.
Will and Sarah are some of my favorite characters and while Will is Will, Sarah really shines in this book. It was so awesome to see her take a bigger role than in the previous books. The mystery was REALLY good [<i>I guessed a bunch of things and was convinced I was wrong about them, but then I was right and I was gobsmacked - there has only been one thing I was wrong about and TBH, I am so glad I was because it was unconscionable and I don't know that I could have handled that</s>] and the subject matter was so freaking chilling that at times I didn't know if I should shudder or cry or both. I just have the hardest time wrapping my head around people who can do something as depraved as what happens [the multiple things. Things I know still happen over and over still today] in this book - it broke my heart over and over and over again. This was a really well done book and it just makes me love this series even more. I cannot wait for more.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ambrose Parry, and Cannongate Books US/Cannongate Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Corruption of Blood is the third book in Ambrose Parry's Raven, Fisher, and Simpson historical mystery series. If you haven't read the first book, well, I didn't either. Sigh. This mystery stands alone, but I feel like I've missed so much background and the histories and relationships of the main characters. Still, it did not impede my enjoyment of this book at all. It starts off slow, but stick with it....the payoff is worth it! An interesting point: Ambrose Parry is the nom de plume of spouse writing team Chris Brookmyre and Dr. Marisa Haetzman.

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1850. Dr. Will Raven isn't shocked by much, having seen many human remains plus having had a violent past, but he is very unsettled by the little package that washes up at the Port of Leith. What it contains is just devastating. If this wasn't enough to deal with, a man who attended medical school with Raven requests his help to save him from the gallows. Raven detests him, but he agrees to help. Former housemaid and medical assistant to Raven and Dr. James Simpson (a brilliant doctor who pioneered work with chloroform) Sarah Fisher wishes to be a doctor. She meets a woman who became a doctor despite her gender for inspiration, but things don't go well, and she returns home. Raven is in desperate need of help in proving the man he detests innocent, and he is grateful for Sarah's help, despite the two struggling with their feelings for one another. Things become extremely difficult and deadly; can this complicated mystery possibly be solved?

This was a fascinating story of medicine in 1850, the rich and the poor, women's inequality and difficult relationships. As I stated earlier, stick with the slow start; it's well worth it. Also, I recommend reading on an e-reader, as there were many words I had to look up; maybe you're all smarter than me, but I admit I was stumped a lot. All three of our leads are fascinating. It appears that James Simpson was a real person! Simpson is the character around whom all others revolve. Raven apparently had a difficult and violent childhood, but with perseverance and the mentoring of Dr. Simpson he became a doctor. Sarah rose from being a housemaid to an assistant to the doctors, but she had a dream of becoming a doctor herself. The harsh realities of women attempting to better themselves and have a real career in that time period was a slap in the face to her. Raven and Sarah have relationships issues from the past, which become much more difficult for both when Raven became engaged to the daughter of a doctor. There were two fascinating interconnected mysteries here. I had absolutely no idea how the authors would be able to tie them together, but they did it brilliantly. The social issues of the time that were addressed in this book are disturbing. Baby farming and the death of infants will break your heart. Prostitutes who had no other choice but to service men and were blamed for venereal disease and leading men astray were treated with contempt, but absolutely no blame were put on the men; you will be angry as hell about this situation. I found this entire story to be fascinating, and I'm glad that I bought the first two books in audiobooks format...I can't wait to dive into them! I'm also impatiently looking forward to the next volume.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Once upon a time, I used to be a reader who had to read any series books in order. No exceptions. In the past few years, I've moved past that, willing to jump in with the newest book and then go back to the beginning if I enjoyed what I read. I've been lucky doing that, seldom choosing a series that didn't tell enough of the backstory to start me off on the right foot. Well... A Corruption of Blood, the third book in the Raven & Fisher historical series set in 1850s Edinburgh, Scotland, was not a good choice to jump into this new-to-me series. I spent almost the first half of the book feeling like an outsider and struggling to get the cast of characters straight as well as all their relationships with each other.

The mystery in this book isn't all that mysterious, although something a bad guy says did make my jaw drop. There were also a few too many romantic entanglements to suit me, although they never did cross my imaginary line in the sand.

What I did enjoy about this book is its depiction of the practice of medicine at that time, its mix of barbarism and advancement, as well as the almost insurmountable divide between the rich and the poor. And-- fancy that-- some of the same problems faced then are the exact same ones we face today. The more things change...

Now that I have my bearings in this Raven & Fisher series, am I going to continue reading? Even though I did like the story on the whole and I did appreciate the historical setting, I think one visit with Will Raven and Sarah Fisher is enough for me. Your mileage may certainly vary.

I hadn't read the previous books in this series, but that didn't matter in the slightest. I quickly understand who is who and what relationships connect the characters.

I liked these characters instantly. Maybe I wasn't entirely convinced of Sarah at first, but as soon as she got involved in solving one of the mysteries, I quickly appreciated her sharp mind and uncompromising attitude. She and Raven are a truly well-written character. They have complex personalities and some flaws that make them remarkable, while their past and experiences influence the decisions they make. Plus, they're both smart and great at solving mysteries. I liked this duo.

I also enjoyed the mysteries Sarah and Raven must solve. Both were well embedded in the historical period in which the book is set. Both mysteries were also truly fascinating, I couldn't wait to get the whole thing sorted out. It turned out that I predicted some things correctly. But it did not take away the pleasure of discovering all the smaller secrets and enjoying the twists.

Some aspects of the mystery are related to newborns and unwanted pregnancies, including crimes against very young children. Just be aware of this if you find these topics problematic. These crimes are not described in great detail, but they can evoke difficult emotions.

I will certainly read more books in this series. I'm really curious to see how relations between Sarah, Raven and Eugenie will develop. And whether Eugenie would join in solving mysteries with the two of them. I think she could bring another interesting element to their investigations.

Another fantastic entry in this series!! It's back to Victorian Edinburgh and Will Raven and Sarah Fisher for more extraordinary mystery and adventure. Life for Dr. Will Raven means continuing his work with Dr. Simpson, finding a new love and an old nemesis mixed up in a murder. Sarah Fisher continues to strive for her goal of studying medicine while dealing with some new setbacks while also trying to help a friend locate her missing child. I love being drawn right back into the world of Victorian medicine and the lives of all the classes living in Edinburgh. The mysteries again had me guessing(incorrectly!!) at the possible outcomes and of course the twists were unexpected and heartbreaking. This story will keep you enthralled just as the others have in this wonderful series!!

While I was invested in the mysteries within this third in series, I wasn’t quite as happy with the progression of relationships.

There are actually two cases that are interconnected, one involves the death of a wealthy but unscrupulous man, the other, missing babies. (Caution, there are at least a couple of very dark issues here).

The connection between Dr. Raven and Sarah becomes a bit convoluted in this one and takes an unexpected turn which was a bit of a disappointment for me. And I was also a bit thrown by some of Raven’s actions. But otherwise a good read, and I’m looking forward to any further adventures.

My thanks to #NetGalley and #CanongateBooks for providing me the free early arc for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

Thanks to the publishers, author and Netgalley for an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In this 3rd book in the series, Raven and Sarah use their incredible skills and intelligence to uncover the murder of a prominent society member and uncover an evil and immoral criminal enterprise, all the while trying to define what they mean to each other.

I have read all the books in the series and they keep getting better and better. The combination of excellent writing, brilliant plot and keen historical detail make these books some of my favourites. I always look forward to reading them and relish every word.

All I can say is, please let there be more!

I enjoyed this latest book in the series. The characters are great and I really enjoyed seeing what happens to them in this book. I wanted a faster pace for this one but I did enjoy the plot twists.

1850 On walking back from a delivery in the Port of Leith, someone discovers the body of a baby in the River Forth. Dr Will Raven becomes interested in the case. Meanwhile Sarah Fisher has returned to Dr Simpson's home only to become involved in the disappearance of a maid's baby. Also Dr Will Raven is ask to help prove the innocence of a murder suspect, but it is someone he dislikes.
A slow paced Victorican mystery, well-written and entertaining with its likeable characters. Another good addition to the series which can easily be read as a standalone story.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed A Corruption of Blood. I did not realize that there were earlier books in the series but will definitely be reading them. Dr. Will Raven is there when a baby is pulled out of the local river. How did it get there? In the meantime a prominent gentleman is murdered and his son accused. At the behest of a mutual friend, Will investigates despite his longtime enmity with the suspect. The character are fascinating, no one perfect but all striving to be better and help those less fortunate. I have to admit it took me a while to discover the culprit and the way the two different storylines wove together was extremely well done! I was truly invested in the characters by the end and look forward to seeing what happens next! Thank you to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of #ACorruptionofBlood.

Part of a series this is the next story in the lives of Dr Will Raven and Sarah Fisher in Victorian Edinburgh. Sarah is fighting to be able to join medicine as a women. Her journey to follow this chance leaves Will behind with both not sure of their relationship. Will’s find of a package found in the river leads to old adversaries and a mystery that will entwin with Sarah’s promise to find a lost child. A well paced mystery with the welcome return of regular characters from previous books. I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Ambrose Parry, the writing duo, has done it again. I enjoyed revisiting Victorian Edinburgh and the characters I've grown to love (Raven, Fisher, and Simpson). If you've read the first two novels in this series, you won't be disappointed by this third installment. Filled with fun plot twists, an interesting mystery, and a satisfying conclusion, this medical thriller is sure to grip you until the end.

A very enjoyable third installment of this series. The two main characters are excellent as are the many peripheral characters in the household. Time and place are very nicely evoked. Writing is very good and the plot was very clever. A pleasure to read.

My thanks to NetGalley and Canongate Books for the privilege of reading the ARC in return for an honest review. This is the third atmospheric novel that transports the reader to the mid-1800s of Edinburgh. A Corruption of Blood continues the brilliant, well-researched series that immerses the reader in the legal and medical aspects of the era and the deep divisions in the social fabric. The characters. both fictional and historical, seem very authentic to their time and place. It explores the challenges of the impoverished and privileged within a well-constructed, twisty mystery.

This novel continues the story of the recurring characters of Dr. Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. They work from the home of the eminent Dr. James Simpson. He is a real-life doctor renowned for pioneering chloroform. Sarah has travelled in Europe to meet Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, one of the first qualified women doctors. Sarah has been well aware of the impediments she faces in her ambition to become a medical doctor in the male-dominated profession. She returns to Edinburgh, downhearted and discouraged. Her goal seems to be impossibly blocked and unattainable.

Raven has just attended the difficult delivery of twins and is present at the discovery of a dead infant, murdered and discarded in the river. During Sarah's absence, Raven has formed a romantic relationship with Eugenie, daughter of a leading physician, Dr. Cameron Todd. They are contemplating marriage. Eugenie pleads with Raven to investigate the death of the powerful and corrupt Sir Ainsley Douglas and prove that her old friend, Gideon, the son and heir of Douglas, is innocent of the murder. He has been charged and will probably hang for the crime. Raven detests the dissolute, arrogant, and idle Gideon from past associations but feels compelled to follow Eugenie's wishes.

Sarah is jealous of Raven's new romantic interest, which adds to her disillusionment of becoming a practicing doctor. A request from a maid sets her on the path of discovering a 'baby farm'. Unmarried girls and impoverished parents believed they were ensuring a bright future for their babies by paying a woman to find good homes for them. Some of the babies were, in turn, sold to unknown homes, but many died from neglect or were killed.

Because of his dislike for Gideon, Raven believes he must be guilty of his father's death in his greed and haste for his inheritance. The legal term 'Corruption of Blood' is explained. Forfeiting the estate and wealth coming to him, the heir would become his sister's young son. Raven needs Sarah to help in his investigation. He finds Gideon's father was much despised. Were there other suspects for the murder? Slowly, the links between their cases are found to have some connection. They uncover a tangled web of deceit, murder and corruption.

The conclusion was disappointing for me, but I believe was true to its place and times. Recommended for readers who enjoy historical fiction based on research and fact, memorable characters, medical history, and a well-plotted complex mystery.

This is the third book featuring Dr Wilberforce (Will) Raven, Sarah Fisher and Dr James Simpson as the main characters. Though I think this book could be read as a standalone, reading the previous two provides back story on the characters and motives. Dr Raven had just attended to the birth of twins and while on his way home notices a gathering of people removing a package from the water nearby. He gets involved and opens the package to find a deceased baby inside. A gruesome start to say the least. In flashbacks we find out that Sarah had travelled to various parts of Europe, Paris in particular, in an effort to meet her inspiration for aspiring to become a doctor, Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to become a Doctor. Sarah returns to Edinburgh disenchanted after Dr Blackwell reveals that Sarah would have to become knowledgeable in a number of subjects she believes are beyond her reach. Dr Raven and Sarah are friends, though they have previously been close, and that closeness lingers between them. Dr Raven has met a woman, Eugenie Todd, the daughter of another Doctor, whom he becomes attracted to, they start to meet clandestinely. After a large party to announce to upcoming nuptials of an acquaintance to Dr Simpson, that Dr Raven and Sarah also attend, Sir Ainsley Douglas is found deceased. It was determined that arsenic was in his stomach and his son is arrested for his murder. His son then requests Dr Raven to investigate, he claims he is innocent. Dr Raven and Sarah investigate and the clues they find during their investigations are revealed, some of which are red herrings, others put them in danger. This was a very good story and I highly recommend it and the first two. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A fantastic novel set in Victoran times in Edinburgh , which features Raven as a main character. That the characters are well drawn becomes apparent early on in the book. A terrific read, which is highly recommended. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me an advance copy of this book.