The Way of All Flesh

1847 Edinburgh, where Will Raven has just finished his training to be a doctor.  However, the night before he is to start working as an apprentice with Dr. Simpson, he is beset upon by two goons who work for a man to whom Raven owes money.  His face is slashed in the encounter.  Fortunately, Dr. Simpson takes it in stride.

The night before Raven had discovered his friend had died.  Although she was a prostitute, she was still his friend.

Working for Dr. Simpson, Raven finds the maid, Sarah Fraser, who brings him his patients to be somewhat impertinent.  In turn, she is not overly impressed by him.  She is fortunate to work for Dr. Simpson, because he so sympathetic to helping her learn more.

Raven decides to do some amateur sleuthing about his friend’s death.  He learns from a neighbour that the last person with her was a woman.  When a former maid is found dead near where Raven and Dr. Simpson are attending a patient, Raven notices that she is in the same contorted condition his friend was in.  He later learns that Sarah knew the victim.  He asks if she will help him find out more.  She will for a price.

They discover that both young women had been pregnant.  Could they have taken something to rid themselves of the baby?  Sarah learns that strychnine causes the body to contort as it did for the two young victims.  While working at the maternity hospital, Raven observes another young woman die in the same manner.  Who is providing them with this?  How can Raven and Sarah find out?

Author Ambrose Parry’s novel has intriguing insights into the medical world of the early Victorian era.  Raven and Sarah are in jeopardy as their investigation progresses.  What will the future hold for them?  Read on!