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The Way of All Flesh cover art

The Way of All Flesh

By: Ambrose Parry
Narrated by: Bryan Dick, Louise Brealey
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Summary

Edinburgh, 1847. City of Medicine, Money, Murder.

Young women are being discovered dead across the Old Town, all having suffered similarly gruesome ends. In the New Town, medical student Will Raven is about to start his apprenticeship with the brilliant and renowned Dr Simpson.

Simpson's patients range from the richest to the poorest of this divided city. His house is like no other, full of visiting luminaries and daring experiments in the new medical frontier of anaesthesia. It is here that Raven meets housemaid Sarah Fisher, who recognises trouble when she sees it and takes an immediate dislike to him. She has all of his intelligence but none of his privileges, in particular his medical education.

With each having their own motive to look deeper into these deaths, Raven and Sarah find themselves propelled headlong into the darkest shadows of Edinburgh's underworld, where they will have to overcome their differences if they are to make it out alive.

©2018 Ambrose Parry (P)2018 Canongate Books Ltd

Critic reviews

"Parry's Victorian Edinburgh comes vividly alive - and it's a world of pain." (Val McDermid)
"Menacing, witty and ingeniously plotted, Ambrose Parry’s debut draws you into the dark heart of nineteenth-century Edinburgh and won’t let you go until the final page." (S.J. Parris)
"Utterly compelling, this tale of Old Edinburgh is so full of characters and startling incident that I never wanted it to end." (Denise Mina)

What listeners say about The Way of All Flesh

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Gripping tale

Loved this when I read it a few years ago so was pleased to find the audible version included with membership.
A very good production with two excellent narrators bringing Mr Raven and Miss Fisher to life in a way that made the story even more enjoyable.

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Amazing

Loved the writing of this book, dynamic between characters was great, love the setting and historical element, great storyline with twists and turns, very engaging! Can’t wait to listen to the rest of this series!

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Really enjoyable!

A really enjoyable romp through Victorian Edinburg! The narrators made the characters come to life!

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A well set historical caper

I felt that amidst the fun and mystery of the story, I gained a historical perspective of the development of medicine and anaesthesia. Learning shouldn't be this enjoyable, surely?

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Good very good

I REALY enjoyed the story very griping at times enjoyed from start to finish thank you

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A crime novel with depth.

I really enjoyed this book, from start to finish. It was well researched and historically convincing. It piqued my previous interest in the Victorian city, with its diverse social mix. Concerns about an underbelly of crime and deprivation seemingly threatened the affluence, stability and power of those more privileged.
I was also fascinated by the story's focus on the medical scene, within n
Nineteenth Century Scotland. Within this area, important breakthroughs were being made. The development of anaesthesia would be bring groundbreaking developments within surgery. Likewise, the developing area of maternal medicine would eventyally bring benifits to women across all classes. However, during this period, experimental procedures, desperation and greed combined to all to frequently resulted in patients suffering torturous treatment and death in the pursuit of cures. The book did well to highlight that, whilst also having the mysterious undercurrent of a historical crime novel.

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A Victorian thriller!

I thought it very intriguing and it gave an insight into the Victorian era of medicine and in particular obstetrics. I liked the use of 2 narrators for the 2 protagonists, especially considering the role and view of women of that time.

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Great listen

goo story, love all of the characters. was a free book but getting second book now.

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Brilliant book !

Loved it. Beautifully written. Lots of twists and turns- thoroughly enjoyed it! Looking forward to more books by Ambrose Party.

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great book

loved it! was included in membership so discovered by accident. now ready to listen to book 2

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