The Art of Dying

‘Parry’s Victorian Edinburgh comes vividly alive – and it’s a world of pain’ Val McDermid’A rip-roaring tale of murder’ Ian RankinLONGLISTED FOR THE McILVANNEY PRIZE 2020Edinburgh, 1849. Hordes of patients are dying all across the city, with doctors finding their remedies powerless. And a whispering campaign seeks to paint Dr James Simpson, pioneer of medical chloroform, as a murderer.Determined to clear Simpson’s name, his protege Will Raven and former housemaid Sarah Fisher must plunge into Edinburgh’s deadliest streets and find out who or what is behind the deaths. Soon they discover that the cause of the deaths has evaded detection purely because it is so unthinkable.

Reviews of The Art of Dying

PRAISE FOR THE WAY OF ALL FLESH: Parry's Victorian Edinburgh comes vividly alive – and it's a world of pain — VAL McDERMID Some gore (historical gore doesn't count) but mostly nice historical detail (reminding you that doctors never do know everything) with a little overlay of romantic tension and a side of old-fashioned feminism. Compelling * * Financial Times * * Intriguing * * i * * Offers more of the alluring combination of crime fiction and historical fact seen in last year's The Way of All Flesh . . . The reader may need a tiny dose of chloroform to relax after all of these thrills. . . For any reader in need of a swift-acting tonic, I prescribe picking up this thriller as soon as possible * * Scotland on Sunday * * A menacing tale of murder amid the medical experiments of mid-19th century Edinburgh * * iNews * * The central characters and their relationship are the book's strengths . . . worth a read – the characters and setting are wonderful * * The Times * * Dark and visceral, gritty and charming, with a twisting plot and compelling characters – not least, Victorian Edinburgh at her deadliest. The immersive world of Ambrose Parry just gets better and better — JESS KIDD A gripping Victorian thriller * * Sunday Express * * Full of twists and turns – a great read * * Evening Times * * Gleeful, romping . . . The fog and stench of Edinburgh's Old Town definitely jump off the page . . . The central relationship between loveable rogue Raven and proto-feminist Fisher is the beating heart of The Art of Dying. Both characters are drawn with real empathy and nuance, and their complicated feelings for each other drive the book as much as the smart storylines. A great piece of storytelling * * Big Issue * *