I'm going to be completely honest, I requested this book on a whim because I had just talked to a customer about Burke and Hare and when I saw them mentioned in the synopsis I was like "oh, it's fate". When I was actually approved for it a few days later though I kind of regretted it, because it seemed rather impulsive and I wasn't entirely sure if this book was worth my time. Holy crap am I glad I both requested this and then actually decided to give it a chance, because it really surprised me. This book is a few different things, it's a historical fiction with elements of true crime, it's a mystery/thriller, and a love story, and honestly I'm not sure it should really work, but it does. I loved following our main character around, even when he was just doing mundane things like going to class. The love story was also just great. It feels real, but there's also that element of danger, because this is a historical novel, and thus affection between two men was considered a very serious crime. I think that the weakest part of this book was probably the mystery element, which I will admit felt a little rushed. It really only appeared in the last quarter or so of the book. If you go into this book looking for a full-blown mystery novel I do think you will be disappointed, because while there are mystery elements that's not what it's about. It's about a young man coming of age and learning to live on his own and figure out what and who he is. Part of how he does this is by becoming a resurrectionist, and that leads him into a mystery element, but I would argue that at it's core that's not really the point of the book. Either way, for what it was and how I went into it (with basically no expectations at all) I was so pleasantly surprised. I think the only issue I could really find is that there was only one female character, and the role she played was only serving to move the story forward. Seeing as she was an actual historical figure though, and the setting the book takes place in (at that point in time women were not known to be overly involved in body snatching or medical schools) it wasn't overly unbelievable. In the end this book really ended up standing out to me, and I really hope it finds its audience. I certainly will be recommending it to as many people as I can, and I'll be working on a shelf-talker to be put up when it arrives. I'll be eagerly awaiting Dunlap's next novel, and will have my fingers crossed these two main characters might even get to come back in a sequel, because while things are wrapped up well enough for the story to be a stand-alone, I do believe there are enough threads left open for another story to be told later down the line.

A stunning and impressive debut, in the same lane as Daniel Kraus's <i> Rotters </i>, Donna Tart's <i> Secret History </i>, and Andrew Joseph White's <I> The Spirit Bares its Teeth <i>.

I was hooked on <I>The Resurrectonist</i> from the first page. The writing style is reminiscent of gothic classics, which adds to the immersive experience of the novel itself. The traditional writing doesn't deter from the modern touch, however. In fact, Dunlap uses plenty of modern tropes in a classical way that make the story and the romance that much more interesting.

Truly an addictive, high-stakes book with a charming romance. An instant-buy for me and my library. A. Rae Dunlap is a promising author and I look forward to reading more from her.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Resurrectionist is a stunning debut novel, set in 19th century Edinburgh. James is setting out on a path to become a surgeon, but is led off the 'straight and narrow' University path when he meets Aneurin (Nye) who takes him under his wing and into the seedy underworld of body snatching. James becomes ensconced with the so-called "Resurrectionists" and gets caught-up in their life-or-death schemes as rival gangs move in and fight for power and prestige. Everything comes to a head when James and Nye find themselves working with Burke and Hare (yes, the infamous Burke and Hare) and inadvertently put targets on their backs and must escape with their lives.

The story and characters are beautifully written, managing to mix science, body-snatching, and murder with a story of love, courage and personal resilience. The narrative definitely does not shy away from the visceral realities of the era, describing blood-soaked scenes of dissection and corpses with detail. These elements make the story feel authentic. A great combination of fact and fiction and excellent character development.

This book was exquisitely macabre and very entertaining to read. You can't help but love James and Nye and their trials and tribulations. I will definitely be recommending this book to my dark academia and horror/thriller friends, and as the January book for my book club!

Aaarghhh this book is everything!! A gay graverobbing story set in a gloomy private surgical school of Victorian Edinburgh?!! YES YES YES 🖤

The (in)famous duo Burke and Hare play a big role within this work, and I have never read anything that combines all the elements i LOVE so much in one book. Could. Not. Get. Enough!!

What i loved the most tho, apart from the atmosphere, gruseome scenes and twisted sense of humor of the characters, was the relationship between James and Aneurin. Nye was a complex kid well developed, and i absolutely loved whatever came out of his wicked mouth.

Also, the writing was really refreshing. @araewrites used rather old words and expressions, making it seem like the main character James wrote it himself. It was him telling his story, and the choice of using such antique language was fitting and added a whole other dimension of succes.

There is one lil twist that made me want to throw my phone against the wall, and thats because these characters found a way in my heart and THAT WAS SO FREAKING UNFAIR!!!!

Will definitely buy a copy of this once it comes out. Adored it. Thanks a million to the author, publisher and Netgally for allowing me to read! 🖤

It was a solid book, I liked it but it has some flaws in the writing style. Still it was enjoyable, I liked the characters although the main character at times was kind of insufferable with all his naivety. With the writing my major complain is that there is an abuse in the using of adverbs, with such frecuency of them that it took me out of the reading mood several times.

The pacing at frist is pretty slow, but then when the main characters start to know each other gives the story a sense of progress, and it was fun to see their dynamic. I also liked the romance between them.

Despite its flaws, the book was entertaining even though I felt that there was much more that could be done with a story of this kind.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advance copy of this novel that looks at the lengths many young students used to have to go through to advance their medical knowledge, lengths including midnight shovel parties, dealing with unsavory people and even a little bit of murder.

For some reason, an unconscious reason I do swear, much of my recent readings have been quaint and curious books of medical history. I am not sure why, I have no real history in medicine, nor have any one I care about been ill or made infirm by disease, but medical history seems to be my reading du jour. And my word, much of it is simply grotesque. Large rooms filled with men trying to watch a man in waistcoats saw off a leg. The person losing said leg not with anything close to anesthesia or even ether, with the additional joy of having a 50/50 chance of losing the wrong limb. The doctor, self-proclaimed in many cases covered in blood from previous operations talking while cutting. Sometimes stabbing himself and later dying of infection maybe from a previous patient, as gentlemen never washed their hands. These men, always only men for a long period of time, learning their trade, and having to engage in a darker trade to find bodies to learn on. Recently expired, sometimes from disease, sometimes from something else. This is the world our protagonist finds himself, in the novel The Resurrectionist, by A. Rae Dunlap about a young man trying to find himself, and finding out the world is darker and uglier than he ever knew.

James Willoughby is a man who has never really found a place for himself. An extra son in a family of means, but not frivolity, Willoughby was chosen to enter the clergy, and was attending Oxford University when the truth occurred to him. Willoughby was not made for the clergy, but maybe for medicine. Willoughby shared this information with his family, and the same night his father leaves the Earth, leaving Willoughby even more confused. Edinburgh, Scotland is the place of learning for the medical arts, and Willoughby goes there, full of hopes and dreams, dreams that a lack of wealth soon come crashing down. Though he does make a friend in Aneurin “Nye” MacKinnon. Without money Willoughby can not afford to practice the skills he is being taught in school. Nye offers him a solution, one Willoughby is eager to take, until he finds out the truth. Nye needs Willoughby's help in his other occupation, digging up bodies who have recently passed and selling them to students for their education. Willoughby enters a world far darker than he thought possible, confused with feelings for both Nye, and learning. The the world of body snatching has many dark sides, and some of that darkness might be coming for Willoughby.

A very atmospheric dark tale told in a different style. One can tell that Dunlap did a lot of research, as the characters ring true and one gets a feeling for Edinburgh through the writing. And the dark trade of body snatching. There are many real people from history who appear in this story, and all of them are well-written and interesting. Willoughby might be a bit dumb sometimes, but that might be because of the feelings he has for Nye, the guilt he has, and the fact that the world is in many ways new to him. I liked the writing, a bit of Charles Palliser mixed with a tad of Ann Rule.

A nice spooky little tale. A good mix of history, medical, gore, and crime, and one with a lot of feeling and sense of place. Perfect to read before a fire, or waiting for the watchman to look the other way at the cemetery.

“This, dear reader, is the story of my Resurrection”

“For the first time ever, my life was mine, and I was determined to live it to the fullest”

A dark academia book with anatomy and a bit of a complicated love story? Sign me up!!! What a catchy and exciting beginning for a book!! The author manages to draw you in from the very start with the first chapter !!! A posh noble young man who was supposed to become entangled with the church, decided to study anatomy !!! What a plot !! Add to that a little bit of a love story that blossoms between secrets and bodies … this book was real fun !!! Fast and easy to get into and out. You can easily read it in a day as a palate cleanser from any other book. Getting through James’ story felt almost like reading a novel where you know the beginning and end but not really sure how you get there. The only thing you know is that you’ll enjoy the ride. Putting in the same book, mystery, anatomy, a bit of fun and a sweet LGBTQIA love story, feels like the perfect idea for a cozy book that allows you to get into the autumn/winter season you’re not sure how to define!!! Especially in that dark academia vibes !!! I really like the way this author writes the storyline and the poetry with which they describe love and relationship !!! A beautiful new experience and I can’t wait to read more!!!

“Alright. Let’s go rescue a corpse from some shrubbery”

“But don’t for one moment pretend that love was a choice. Love is duty. Love is sacrifice”

“For he was everything. And for all my inexperience and shy trepidation, for all my bashful rumblings and insecure ramblings, he was all I could want in moments of intimacy: tender, patient, and endlessly joyful. … It could never be unnatural”

4.5 stars and my thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC!

"I crave no absolution but yours."

James is a hopeful doctor in Edinburgh and the easiest way to earn money for tuition is to take his colleague Aneurin's (Nye's) offer on body snatching and grave digging. After experiencing some reservations about the job itself, James finds himself among friends with Nye's crew and maybe something more with Nye himself.

I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting! Not to say I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but I started this book and got about 20% in before I put it down for a few days. Decided to pick it back up and give it an honest shot.

I liked James as a character, but I really loved Aneurin. I loved that there was no 3rd act breakup. I loved that it was silly and stupid and charming. My only critique is that Aneurin talked too much like James, despite being from Iona in the Inner Hebrides. It could be that it was just easier to have their dialog look and feel so similar, but there was only one scene with Nye speaking Gaelic that gave any indication that he wasn't also from London.

I was very pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed this book; I’m not a fan of true crime, but perhaps the historical distance makes it more palatable to me, as opposed to a modern context in which the victims of a high profile case may be around to read the story. Instead, this novel focuses more on James’ journey of self-discovery, his intellectual interests and his romantic preferences, with the network of different degrees of crime in upholding a growing area of study with major teething problems, woven around his narrative. I also loved the development in James and Nye’s relationship as they learn to open up to and trust one another, keeping each other safe as they delve deeper into the turn of events upsetting the equilibrium of the body snatching network of Edinburgh’s private medical schools. As a bonus, I am also a big fan of James’ narrative voice and how the writing style incorporates his artistic tone as well as his scientifically inclined ways of thinking, of seeing and processing the world.

Wow this book stole my heart with its unique writing and gothic medical horror and to top it off a beautiful love story. In this book we follow James who unsure what he wants in life ends up in Edinburgh in medical school.Due to his family poor financial condition he finds himself desperate for money and gets sucked into an underground world of grave robbing he never expected. We follow along as James faces many conflicts both internal and in the real world.
To start with I am a sucker for 19th century medical story’s so I was definitely the audience for this book. With that being said the writing was amazing in this book it was unique and kept me engaged but felt so true to the time period of this book. I was also shocked this was a debut with the writing and characters being so engaging. I also loved the characters the romance between James and Nye was one I was rooting for. Look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the different aspects of this novel. On one hand, we have social mobility, both upward and downward. There is also characterization of our main characters that gives them excellent and developed personality. The subtle differences that class and experience have on their personalities is great. As for the setting, I have no complaints; as a former resident of Edinburgh, it checks out and is easy to follow. The Resurrectionist puts forth the question: who pays the cost for development? It is a scientific and moral conundrum that continues in a different manner to this day.
I highly recommend this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. The only thing I had issue with was pacing.

This was a fabulous read this year, appealing to morbid curiosity and mystery alike! In the same vein as The Artful Dodger and The Alienist, our main characters were delightful and interesting to watch throughout the novel. I loved this! 4/5

Thank you A. Rae Dunlap, NetGalley, and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to review.

I was very excited for this as I thought this would be very atmospheric and interesting. I DNF'd this at 25%. Unfortunately, I felt like I was making myself read this, I wasn't connecting to the characters, and just did not feel that this had depth. I don't believe that this was for me and felt that this may be better suited for a male audience.

The cover is well done and part of what attracted me to this novel.

Thank you again and I am sorry that I did not connect with this book. I will not be posting a review anywhere.

This was an incredibly cool and trippy thriller, but most of all I loved all the actual true crime story interwoven with a beautiful love story. It was way more than I expected and I truly enjoyed every minute! The whole book was amazing, can’t wait to read more from the author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for sending me an advance copy of The Resurrectionist.

After reading The Burial Plot earlier this year, I was left wanting more of the grave-digging elements (which only happened in the first few pages). So when this book crossed my path, I thought I'd found exactly what I was looking for. But I ended up with mixed feelings about it, and I want to focus mainly on what didn't work for me.

The writing style was all over the place, honestly. It starts off with this lovely historical vibe that really got me excited, but then suddenly shifts into modern-sounding prose that kept pulling me out of the time period. The first-person narration didn't help matters, I kept thinking how much better this would have worked with an omniscient narrator who could really lean into that gothic atmosphere.

Let's talk about our main character, who frankly felt too naive for his own good. Being gay in the 19th century was incredibly dangerous (the gay element is not a spoiler, it's right there in the book's tags), but he acts almost oblivious to this reality while everyone around him clearly understands the risks. Then there's Aneurin/Nye, and yes, that random name change halfway through was odd. When we first meet him, I pictured this middle-aged guy with bad teeth and ghostly pale skin. Imagine my confusion when he turned out to be this attractive twenty-something instead. And what was with those random fits of hysterical laughter? They felt completely out of place.

The book reads like it's trying to straddle the line between YA and adult fiction, but never quite finds its footing. Don't get me wrong, it tackles some dark themes, but it could have gone much deeper into the ominous, threatening atmosphere it was hinting at. The plot loses its way about halfway through, suddenly introducing two new problems that felt forced rather than natural developments. My advice? Skip the synopsis, it gives away too much, and you'll probably enjoy the book more going in blind.

Three stars for some interesting ideas, but this one could have been so much more.

A. Rae Dunlap's The Resurrectionists is an enthralling blend of gothic horror and historical fiction, delving into Edinburgh’s dark past during the infamous Burke and Hare era. The story follows James, a medical student navigating the dark world of body-snatching amid his pursuit of anatomical knowledge.

The novel is very well researched, creating an atmospheric backdrop that is immersive, vividly evoking the grim streets and shadowy corners of 19th-century Edinburgh.

The characters, particularly James and Aneurin are deeply human, and their relationships natural and engaging. Through James's journey, Dunlap explores themes of ambition, identity, and moral conflict. James’s personal evolution—from a young man entranced by scientific discovery to someone grappling with ethical dilemmas—is both poignant and compelling. Aneurin, a charismatic and enigmatic figure, adds depth to the interpersonal dynamics, making their relationships feel authentic.

The city itself becomes a character, with its fog-drenched alleys and bustling pubs providing a vivid backdrop to the story's dark academia tone.

With believable characters and a macabre yet heartfelt tone, this debut is perfect for fans of dark academia and morally complex tales steeped in history.

In The Resurrectionist, James Willoughby trades his posh life at Oxford for the bustling, unfamiliar streets of Edinburgh, determined to fulfill his dream of becoming a surgeon. Although the university is the hub of medical innovation in the New Enlightenment, only the private dissection schools offer the “hands-on” education that James feels is necessary to complete his education. Unfortunately, the cost of tuition at his chosen school, run by Dr. Louis Malstrom, is far beyond his means and James, in desperation, naively strikes a deal with Dr. Malstrom’s assistant, the mysterious and charismatic Aneurin “Nye” MacKinnon. What James doesn’t know is that he has become an accomplice to a gang of body snatchers, also known as Resurrectionists, who procure fresh corpses for Edinburgh's dissection schools. As James descends into the shadowy world of the Resurrectionists, he finds himself a target of a rival gang, including the ruthless duo Burke and Hare, who will stop at nothing to dominate the lucrative trade in the dead.

This novel was simply unputdownable. A. Rae Dunlap captures the duality of Edinburgh—the enlightened, scholarly atmosphere and its dark, gritty underbelly—in vivid, often gruesome, but undeniably beautiful detail. This book truly has something for everyone, with elements of dark academia, true crime and romance. Although I started this book for the historical fiction and mystery elements, the evolving relationship between James and Nye had me kicking my feet in glee! While the plot delves into macabre and serious subject matter, Dunlap skillfully balances the darker tones with moments of levity, adding depth and warmth to the characters. The Resurrectionist is an exceptional debut novel - I cannot wait to read more from Dunlap!

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for providing an advance copy of this book for review through NetGalley. All opinions are my own!

James is a medical student in 1828 who travels to Edinburgh, Scotland to pursue his dream. Coming from a privileged upbringing, he is unwittingly thrust into the macabre and disturbing underworld of practices used to procure bodies for medical study (ie “body snatching” from fresh graves). He is struck with the ethical dilemma of whether to become involved in body snatching, or to abandon his dream of becoming a doctor. Along the way he develops a romantic relationship with another man, which in those times could have him hanged for the “crime.” The couple are soon thrust into a murder mystery, which I don’t want to spoil by divulging more!

I. Could. Not. Put. This. Book. Down. As a medical professional myself, I have always been fascinated—and horrified—by the gruesome methods used in those times to learn about the human body. I greatly appreciated the author’s extensive research into the subject, and even her inclusion of actual people involved in body snatching.

I loved the inclusion of the love story, which added so much more depth to the novel. And speaking of depth, as soon as you think you know everything about a character, there is yet another layer added to their story.

This novel is shocking, gruesome, and disturbing; but at the same time, it is heartwarming and uplifting! I will be recommending this to everyone, and A. Rae Dunlap is officially one of my auto-buy authors. I have already ordered the physical copy to place on my bookshelf!

Big thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the gifted eARC!

"Was I, the noble son of a landed family, about to tow a freshly stolen corpse into my chamber window and exchange it for money? No, not money, Progress, I reminded myself firmly. It was simply a matter of supply and demand."
4.75☆|5

Edinburgh in 1828, grave robbers, macabre elements, a bit of queerness, and a main character so naïve that it was flirting with stupidity at some points — and yet we love him —, what is there not to love?

This book is so great that I can't seem to find the words to describe my reading experience properly. I devoured it and finished it in a few days, even though it took me weeks to end a book those days. I got so attached to the characters because they are really, really, loveable. We follow James, who gave up on his Oxford studies and ended up in Edinburgh to become a surgeon. We are going to discover the city as well as the world of medicine at the same time that he and I love it really much! He was a bit naïve at times, sometimes reaching stupidity, but it added a bit of humour to the story, making you wonder “…he can't be that stupid can he” (those are actual notes that I wrote at some point). But the rest of the cast was also really loveable! I loved Charlie a lot, and I am afraid that if I start talking about Aneurin I'll still be here tomorrow (he is so incredible, a really chaotic type of character).

But characters are nothing without a story, and my, what a story! The author takes us with him in the old street of Edinburg, in the Surgeon'*, and in the graveyard, and somehow, we never once want to leave. That writing style combined with that plot was a pleasure, and I simply couldn’t put it down. I am pretty sure that it is A. Rae Dunlap's debut and let me tell you, he nailed it.

Another thing that makes me want to scream about this are the relationships. The beautiful one between Marie and Nie, the one between James and his friends that I have found quite interesting and funny at times. But also, the romance. It was so beautiful, and I adored them. The way James sees Aneurin? I just wanted to scream in a corner. Just gonna put this quote here but know that I crave for historical queer romance and characters.

"Whether drinking by my side at the Pig, eyeing me appraisingly across the hall at Malstrom’s, or splayed out casually in my desk chair recovering from the rigors of a dig, he was my North Star whenever the darkness of doubt threatened to envelop me."

I am afraid that reading this may have given me a new interest for that subject (I do take recommendations if anyone has any) but it is worth it. This book will be out on December 24th, and I do recommend it a lot.

This is such a strong debut! I was captivated from the very first page. the gothic setting and exhilarating plot are absolute highlights. We follow James Willoughby who pursues becoming a physician in Edinburgh. He then gets offered a deal he cannot decline by Aneurin “Nye” MacKinnon. The job, however, leads him down a different path than expected.

The character development from James was simply beautiful. I loved following his journey and being in the head of a well fleshed out character. His romance with Nye was just perfection. The friendship that naturally turned into yearning was so well done. I enjoyed the fact that the romance didn’t take over the entire story. It was so cute, but it wasn’t a central driving force which is great. Nye is such an endearing character that everyone will fall in love with.

The plot and all the shenanigans they got up to was delivered so well. The vibes were a combo of Frankenstein and Penny Dreadful, which are right up my alley. If you enjoy morbid tales, endearing characters, and an atmospheric historical gothic setting, I highly recommend this!