The Specimen

In 1826 Edinburgh, Isobel Tait’s seven-year-old son, Thomas, is frail and growing weaker by the day. Concerned by his fatigue and difficulty breathing, Isobel takes him to see Dr. Conall Burnett, a renowned surgeon who diagnoses a rare condition: a damaged mitral valve in his heart. Dr. Burnett informs her that there is no treatment and that Thomas will likely die within a few years.

Though Isobel is not wealthy—working as a piano teacher—she is determined to make the most of their remaining time together. But soon after the diagnosis, Thomas goes missing and is never found.

A year later, still mourning her son, Isobel agrees to accompany a friend on an outing, unaware that they’ll be visiting Dr. Burnett’s private museum of unusual medical specimens. When she sees a tiny heart preserved in a jar—bearing the same defect as Thomas’s—she faints. Convinced that Dr. Burnett has somehow obtained her son’s heart, she becomes determined to learn the truth. Disguising herself, Isobel takes on the role of Dr. Burnett’s housekeeper, caring for his collection of specimens while secretly seeking answers.

This darkly gothic tale masterfully blends historical fiction with true crime, drawing on the real history of body snatchers and resurrection men in Scotland, who supplied the medical profession with cadavers to teach aspiring doctors during the early days of anatomical study. The novel vividly portrays the importance of unusual medical specimens to a doctor’s career, along with the ambition driving many to rise within the medical hierarchy to gain valuable teaching positions.

The story begins with a slow, atmospheric build that brings the gritty streets of 19th-century Edinburgh to life, gradually raising the tension as Isobel pursues justice for her missing son. The author effectively captures Isobel’s struggles as a single mother (posing as a widow) raising a sickly child with few friends, illustrating how difficult it was to find missing persons or recover kidnapped children in that era. Her love for her son fuels her courage as she infiltrates Dr. Burnett’s household, using her ingenuity and resolve to uncover the truth about the specimen she found.

Detective Adam Kerr, the investigator on Thomas’s case, is also a compelling figure. Marked by his mixed American Indian heritage, which would have been rare in Edinburgh at the time, he stands out within the police force. Yet he’s the only one who continues to care about Thomas’s disappearance, and together he and Isobel may finally uncover some answers.

This well-written, richly researched novel incorporates a touch of magical realism, bringing to life a dark chapter in Scotland’s history. The author’s attention to historical detail, combined with the haunting cover, adds to the story’s appeal. A gripping read, it’s highly recommended for fans of historical mysteries.

With thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for a copy to read.