A Corruption of Blood by Ambrose Parry is the third book in the Raven, Fisher, Simpson series which is set in 19th century Edinburgh. I really enjoyed the first two books in the series (The Way of All Flesh and The Art of Dying) and if you are thinking about starting this series you will get most enjoyment from it if you read the books in the correct order.

This one begins with Will Raven delivering a set of very unexpected twins to a poor woman in Leith, Edinburgh’s port. On his way back to Queen Street he witnesses a noxious parcel being pulled out of the River Forth. It’s the beginning of a police investigation but the detective in charge is always quick to jump to conclusions and isn’t too worried about getting the correct perpetrator of any crime, he just wants to clear it up quickly.

Meanwhile Sarah Fisher has travelled abroad in search of advice from a woman who has been able to study medicine, but things don’t go as planned. Sarah’s relationship with Raven is even more confused than before, but that doesn’t stop them from conducting their own investigation into the various crimes that they’ve become involved with.

This series with its location of 19th century Edinburgh is so atmospheric, especially if you know the city. Presumably there will be another book in this series coming along soon, I’m looking forward to reading it already.

Ambrose Parry is the pseudonym of the Scottish author Christopher Brookmyre and his wife Dr Marisa Haetzman who is a consultant anaestethist, and the series revolves around the household of Dr Simpson who pioneered the use of chloroform, especially in childbirth. I can’t help wishing that I had got the same care that he gave to his patients while in labour!