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!

I’ll be honest, this one took me a minute to get into it. But once I was there, I was in.
The book had an interesting opening, setting up James’s relationships, past, and desires while introducing us to his tone of voice. As narrators go, I enjoyed his unique perspective. He was someone that I wanted to follow along as he came to terms with the ideals instilled in him from his upbringing, and how that changed through his immersion in the medical field and the scientific advancements that came from body snatching and dissection. The relationship here was sweet, and yet another way that James came into his own. Once Burke and Hare were introduced, the excitement really kicked up a notch and would lot me go until I finished the book. Definitely recommend.

I absolutely loved this book! Maybe it says something about me, but a story about body-snatching in 1800s Edinburgh turned out to be such a fun, oddly beautiful read. By the time I picked it up, I’d forgotten most of the description, so I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I got pulled into this historical setting—and the tie-ins with real people from 1800s Edinburgh were such a nice touch. Now I’m half-planning a trip just to see Surgeon’s Square in person!

The writing was really approachable, which is rare for historical fiction—usually, it can feel a bit heavy, but here, everything from the world-building to the mischievous characters was just so well done and felt spot-on for the time period. I did wish for a little more closure on where Nye and James ended up, but I also get why the ending was left a bit open. I just got so attached to them and really wanted the best for them 🥰

A darkly atmospheric and gripping historical novel set in 19th century Scotland. The story of body snatching combines historical fiction, true crime and dark academia. It is a perfect blend of fact and fiction, offering a stunning glimpse into the grisly origins of modern medicine.
Many thanks to Kensington and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

4.7 / 5.0

The Resurrectionist by Rae Dunlap is an historical fiction with dark vibes, queer romance, and a slow-burn murder mystery. It was immersive, intriguing, and intensely consumable. I enjoyed the characters and their interactions with other players, the environment, and especially one another. This book is a fantastic debut and I am excited to have another author to add to my list of preferred reads.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this ARC.

3.97 ★ — anatomy: a love story but yaoi. pretty quick after you get through the first couple chapters. the mc was likable from the first sentence he uttered, which is insane coming from me, because he's a man, and i never like male characters. how the author managed to portray a 20 year old (i'm assuming? since he's in his second or so year of college.) male in first person without being corny is beyond me. he's witty, intriguing, and full of personality. the plot is interesting too, but i honestly stayed mostly for james and the writing style. i didn't even remember there was supposed to be a murder mystery until like 75%, so there's that.

(there's a couple of instances of jimmy boy doing casual misogyny, which made me hate him for a while, but then i remembered this is set in the 1800s, so of course. duh. but he's not that awful. silver linings.)

thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy.

Body snatchers in 19th century Scotland and a sheltered queer gentleman getting his world turned upside-down!! “The Resurrectionist” is a riveting tale of dark academia and true crime. The romance and humor are well-written and cohesive with the book’s macabre themes.

The coolest place I visited this year was the Surgeon’s Hall Museum in Edinburgh. It’s really gruesome and educational - people have done some shocking things for the sake of medical science!? So, when I stumbled across “The Resurrectionist” on NetGalley (thank you to NG and Kensington for the eARC), I was eager to try it out. I went in with the expectation to feel immersed in that same kind of fascinatingly morbid setting, and this book expertly delivered on that.

Our protagonist, James, is naive and bit of a snob at the start (in a way I found comically endearing at times). But he is driven to learn, grow, and prove himself. He’s putting himself out there to study medicine in a new city (despite financial troubles) and break free from the confines of his upbringing. That fierce drive, along with him feeling drawn to the roguish and charismatic Aneurin, is how he winds up in a crew of body snatchers that dig up corpses for surgical dissection. It’s a high-stakes adventure that had me completely captivated.

The comedy throughout is superb and feels natural. They really had me giggling while they’re decapitating dead bodies?!? My guy Nye has ijbolitis fr (yes, that is the best way I can describe it!) Also, the romance had me swooning. ‘Be gay, do crimes’, as they say.

I only have two caveats, one about syntax and one about the story. There’s an excessive use of italics. I think it could be toned down, but maybe that’s just a personal vexation. The other thing is a big spoiler [idk how to hide spoilers on NetGalley so check out my Goodreads review to see it]. But ultimately, the story and characters were great, so I really recommend this book.

This book gave me Jack the Ripper times as a vibe. It’s sci-fi love mystery and murder all in one. I did really enjoy the read it kept me captivated and interested. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this for my honest review.

Imagine a Venn diagram with a circle for mystery; another for history of medicine; another for gay love; another for "resurrectionists," who at one time supplied medical schools with cadavers by digging up the recently buried; and then one more for notorious killers Burke and Hare (because, if you just kill people and immediately sell the bodies to medical schools, you don't have to do all that laborious digging). That little spot where all five circles overlap? That's where A. Rae Dunlap's The Resurrectionist fits in.

Dunlap deftly weaves together these disparate elements, mixing historical accuracy with vivid imaginings. As the plot progresses the reader gets pulled in more and more deeply. Really, the only thing I have to say is "dive in!"

I received a free electronic review copy of this title via the publisher; the opinions are my own.

I was immediately pulled into the vibrant historical setting of this novel. I loved following the tales of James and learning more about a sordid time in Edinburgh’s history. James and Nye were wonderful characters and I adored reading their story. This is a great read for anyone who loves true crime and history!

I wish that I had not waited so long to read this book as it was amazing. Having just returned from a trip to Edinburgh, it felt just the right time to read this book. Having explored the graveyards of the Scottish capital ,on guided walks, added such depth the the understanding of this wonderful book. I saw the cages built around the graves in Greyfriars cemetery to protect the bodies from resurrectionists such as James and Nye. This book came alive for me and filled the days I read it with such wonder. But this book and read it in Edinburgh, it's just like time travel.

From the moment I laid eyes on the cover and read the synopsis, I knew The Resurrectionist was going to be an extraordinary read. What I didn’t anticipate was just how much this debut novel would captivate me. A. Rae Dunlap’s work is nothing short of phenomenal—a blend of the macabre, dark academia, and the gothic that sets an exceptionally high standard for debut novels.

Dunlap’s writing is poetic and polished, vividly evoking the moody, shadowed world of 19th century Scotland. The author intertwines historical truth and fiction, drawing on the grim reality of the Resurrectionist movement and the infamous tale of Burke and Hare. This seamless merging of fact and storytelling creates a rich, immersive narrative. The pacing is well crafted, pulling readers—much like the protagonist, James Willoughby—into the dark and seductive realm of body snatching and medical progress.

James Willoughby is an endearing and complex protagonist. The first-person narrative allows readers deep access into his thoughts, making his struggles and ambitions all the more relatable. His character is defined by the tension between his privileged background and the harsh realities he encounters as he navigates this morally grey world. This class dynamic is a subtle yet powerful backbone of his development, showcasing his resilience and determination as he seeks freedom from his stifling family and strives for his own ambitions, even if it means crossing ethical lines.

The supporting characters are equally compelling, but Aneurin stands out with his razor-sharp wit, unbridled passion, and single-minded pursuit of medical advancement. Aneurin’s willingness to flout societal norms in favour of progress, his charm, and his cunning make him unforgettable.

The romance in the novel is delicately woven into the plot, enhancing the story without overpowering it. It feels natural and adds depth to the characters and their interactions. Dunlap’s balanced storytelling ensures that every element ties together cohesively.

In conclusion, The Resurrectionist is an exceptional read that has firmly earned its place as my favorite book of the year. Dunlap’s writing promises even more exciting works to come, and I will be eagerly awaiting future releases. For lovers of gothic, historical fiction with a touch of the macabre, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore when it becomes available.

Bodysnatching, human dissection, forbidden romance, and a big dose of old timey true crime….. what more could a reader want?! Well, if that reader is me, nothing. 5 stars - no notes! I was fully immersed from the first paragraph to the last. I will be reading/listening to the books and podcasts the author recommended on this subject at the end of the book.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest rating and review.

My interest was piqued for this novel for several reasons. The first, simply the title and the cover art. The cover is gorgeous and practically enough to make me want to read it without knowing what the book was about. The second, the concept of queer, gothic, and historical fiction colliding into one masterpiece of a debut. And, lastly, though not a notion that I was aware of at the start, is its true crime and real history elements. I was not aware of Burke and Hare prior to reading this, but upon its conclusion, I apprised my own knowledge banks of the two individuals, and it has only heightened my enjoyment and appreciation for The Resurrectionist.

In, The Resurrectionist we begin by following James, a former Oxford boy who has recently arrived in Scotland with aspirations set on becoming a Man of Science. Edinburgh, following a period of industrialization and scientific enlightenment, has become a hotspot for the field and James is eager to embark on his path to being a physician. But, as one might expect in 1828, the separation of classes was tantamount to the societal structure of the time, and when James’ own financial woes are nearly put on the forefront before he’s ever set foot in a physician’s gallery, he must learn new methodologies of procuring funds to support himself lest he find himself on the brink of social and economic ruin.

Enter, Nye, our love interest and a charming dissectionist who brings James into the fold of body snatching, procuring cadavers for several schools in the area, and otherwise skirting the coattails of something taboo in the underbelly of Edinburgh.

This novel was a dream to read, honestly. The prose was like butter, and the passages were so well-crafted, with the subject matter handled in a delicate and precise way. With ease, A. Rae Dunlap could have relied heavily in the shock value and gore of the time and field, but she instead focused on the cool precision of medical students in a field of survival, and that made the story all the more impactful for me.

The character exposition and growth, too, is something to be admired, as each character felt real and tangible with confliction emotions and morals surrounding necessity, desire and the overall drive to succeed and make something of them self. The romance was a guiding light against an otherwise dreary and dark time, and though the focus on romance was grander than I anticipated, it didn’t detract from the overall story.

As a debut, I think Dunlap has hit the nail on the head with The Resurrectionist as it truly is a fantastic blend of real-world events crafted and molded into digestible and enjoyable bites.

Five out of five moons, no question.

Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕 | 5/5

☠️

<b>”How could anything be unnatural when our coupling felt as easy as breathing air? How could the life I’d found with Nye be anything other than a benediction, full of grace? How could Nye ever be less than everything? For he was everything.”</b>

I loved this book! It was the perfect mix of historical, funny, poignant and action! While the things in the synopsis don’t start happening until the last half of the book, it still never feels dull, and when I got into a reading session, I would read 20-30% at a time!

The characters are lovable, the plot is intriguing, and the writing is playful and light. My one complaint would be the ending- no spoilers, but it left me a little unsatisfied.

Other than that, I highly recommend!

What if we dreamily looked into each other's eyes while digging up a grave?

Although this book didn’t make me go as feral as I was hoping I still had a really fun time with it. The Resurrectionist follows our main character James as he gets wrapped up in the grave robbing business in order to earn some money. I liked the way the story explored the medical field in the academic setting, making me aware of the lack of resources during this era. The crime aspect of the graveyard/grave robbing scenes were so disgusting and nerve wracking!

For the characters I really liked how the author honed in on James’s naivety making him easy to manipulate. Nye was also such an interesting character and I wasn’t fully convinced of his intentions till the very end. I would’ve loved it if the characters were a bit more unhinged, which is crazy to say because they are literal grave robbers, but I was ready for some crazy dissections and potential killings.

I think the romance was really well done and a nice touch to the story. It was more of a light romance aiding in adding additional stakes to the mystery and grave robbing business. Both James and Nye had such great chemistry and I really enjoyed the way they bounced off each other.

The story leaves off in a good place but I definitely would not be opposed to a potential expansion of their story in a sequel! Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for providing me with this ARC.

The ressurectionist by A. Rae Dunlap
Rating: 4/5 🌙's

Overview: all around the medical school in Eidenburg graves are being dug up and the bodies are missing. But they leave the clothes and possesions in the grave. James knows that Edinburg has to top medical school. He leaves his posh Oxford life to become something he didn't even know existed.

Thoughts: This book was one that I kept reading to uncover more and more of the plot as it built. Missing bodies. And elusive classes for the highest price under the wing of two rival schools. Dr. Knox and maelstrom. Once James meets Nye his world is flipped on its head. The truth on why Edinburgh and the private schools are so sought after. To me this book was full of revelations. The moral dilemmas kept my attention. The romance being so unheard of in year 1828. The posh family that James has back home all clashes together and test our love story. It's filled with mystery and challenges that keep the reader wrapped into this dark acedima story.

I would definitely recommend this book to members of the LGBTQ community. This book also touches a little on the tabooness and fear that people that were gay felt so many years ago and to a degree still worry about today

Thank you so much for the review copy. ❤️

I absolutely loved it, I dont know what it says about me as a person but I thought that a book about body snatching in 1800s Edinburg was fun and beautiful read.
By the time I started reading it I honestly had forgotten the description for the most part so i was really pleasantly suprised by the overall story and how easy it was to get into this historical novel that also had some great tie in's with actual people who lived in Edinburgh on 1800s and I knew nothing about but now am planning a trip to Edinburgh in my head and want to see the Surgeon's Square with my own eyes.
I think it was very well written and easy to read as often i find more historical ficton books be overwhelming but here it gave good context of the world the story was taking part in, great character building that was also fun and mischevious and every part it felt accurate for the point in time this story took in.
I would have love to get littlebit more at the end to know where the main characters ended up but i also see why the somewhat of a open ending really works here, i just want them happiness because i really grew fond on Nye and James.