If you’re in the mood for an atmospheric queer historical fiction, dark academic comedy (I just made that up), true crime mash up, this one is for you my friends. It’s 1828 Edinburgh, Scotland, when we encounter James Willoughby, who has more than disappointed his posh family by abandoning his Oxford studies in order to become a surgeon. He enrolls at university, only to discover he will not have the one thing he was willing to sacrifice everything for - the chance to work on a human cadaver. It is only the private and pioneering surgeries of Surgeon’s Square that will allow the “desecration.” But what’s a man to do? How about team up with the handsome and brilliant dissectionist Aneurin “Nye” Mackinnon, who offers him a place in renowned Dr. Malstrom’s surgery, if only he will assist in the acquisition of their demonstration subjects?

Inspired by the criminal case of Burke and Hare, The Resurrectionist has family drama, forbidden love, gore, body snatchers, and deadly rival gangs. Dive into the real world that revolutionized medical science, where life was truly stranger than fiction.


Many thanks to the author @AReaWrites, @KensingtonBooks, and @NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this eArc.

I love a queer gothic horror read, especially one based on a part of history I find fascinating. This did not disappoint and was entertaining and well-written, covering a lot of ground. I would recommend it to others who enjoy this genre. Thank you for the advanced copy read!

This had a very slow start and I made it about 55% before DNFing this book. The writing was beautiful, I’m just a mood reader with a short attention span so I need super fast paced stories to grab me.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with The Resurrectionist but what I found was a remarkably cozy, historical coming of age story, despite the gruesome nature of the characters’ work.

I really enjoyed the main character’s voice. They felt very chipper and jaunty and earnest, endearing themselves to the reader. I think their voice is what gave the story so much of its cozy feel.

The relationships built over the course of the novel felt earned through the storyline and the ending ramped up remarkably to give a strong finish.

Overall a fun time.

3.75 out of 5

Very hard to tell that this is a debut work, because it is wonderful. The time setting, the characters, the initial place of the story. So good. Also the cover of the book is so unique

This book is interesting in the true crime nature, but I found it really hard to get into. It was a good blend of fact and fiction and the actual writing of the story was good, if not slow and a little draggy in parts. I found the romance between James and Nye adorable and I loved that it was a queer aspect brought into what would have been a rather dangerous time for this to happen.

Thank you to the author for a chance to review.

We are set in 1828 with James as the protagonist, a wealthy man who, after the death of his father, decides to go to Edinburgh to study and become a surgeon, even against the wishes and economic situation of his family.
And it is just here that he meets Aneurin "Nye", the assistant of a prestigious teacher, with whom he will partner to advance his studies although other interests will arise later (if you know what I mean).
My biggest surprise with this book is that a large part of this story is inspired by real events, the way it mixes the story of James and Nye with the central intrigue was incredible.
Furthermore, the way in which we get to know its protagonists is very intimate that it is easy to get attached to them.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

This debut novel was a beautiful journey part historical fiction and part true crime, mixed deliciously with a healthy dose of dark humor;

We follow our main character, James, who has opted to ditch his life of high privilege at Oxford University to instead follow his dream of becoming a doctor in Edinburgh. He arrives in Edinburgh only to learn that the REAL opportunity he's been searching for lays within the private sector of medical schools. At these private medical schools, the students are afforded the ability work on actual human cadavers. James loses his family stipend, and doesn't know how he will pay for this endeavor, so he meets Nye and strikes up a deal. This deal is to join Nye's crew of "body snatchers" to stock the school with cadavers, and in exchange James can gain access to the medical training that he's dreamed of!

I loved the progression and development of the relationship between Nye and James. I also found the history of the medical history to be rich and fascinating.

The only downfall, in my opinion, was the pacing of this book. At times I found that the story was dragging along - while at other points in the story I was sitting on the edge of my seat and couldn't get enough. So this warrants a 3-star review from me.

Overall, I absolutely would recommend this book to anyone who has any interest in how the medical industry essentially was built.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the chance to read this wonderful debut novel in exchange for an honest review!

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-arc! 3/5 stars, a gothic inspired read that fell a little flat for me

despite the obvious gothic themes, I actually felt like this book wasn't that dark? there were definitely gorey elements to it and aspects of the plot that are dark - there's no getting around the gravedigging - but these were written in an almost comical, campy kind of way. it felt like dunlap was trying to put the reader to ease in an effort not to spook them from these darker topics but the lack of full dedication to the gothic themes made this feel comical instead. this, in combination with the way the characters spoke and james' inner dialogue at times made this feel more ya-esque as opposed to adult. and while the writing was solid and poetic, it felt almost corny and too over the top, which definitely made this feel like a ya book which isn't what I was expecting from something with such heavy handed gothic imagery. james teetered between annoying and endearing to me - I definitely have a soft spot for main characters who are struggling and feel alone, and dunlap does a great job of really letting us feel james' deeper emotions, but his naivety and gullibility was grating at times. nye as a character was interesting but somewhat underdeveloped, likely due to the limitations of first person pov. overall, an interesting and unique read but not something I'd necessarily recommend.

I did not know that this was based off a true story when I started reading it, what a rabbit whole it sent me down learning all about the body snatchers, Burke and Hare, and how the horrible events brought in positive change. My favorite part was discovering which characters were fiction and which ones where based on real people. I right out squealed when I was learning about the victims only to recognize the name of someone who had just gone missing in the book. I love when a book inspires me to learn, not only did this book do that but it offered a unique experience. The way that the lives of the fictional characters and those based on truth weaved together in a way that makes you imagine what it really could have been like to be alive during these murders.

Dark, morbid, and delicious–this part historical fiction, part dark comedy, part true crime, and part journey of queer self-discovery made *The Ressurectionist* one of the most unique stories I read this past year and an excellent debut novel.

Set alongside the development of medicine in 19th-century Scotland, we meet our main character James Willoughby who has left behind a life of privilege and a boring future in Oxford to pursue his dream to be a doctor in Edinburgh. Upon his arrival, he learns that the real medical training is happening at the private medical schools popping up all around the city that offer students the chance to work on real cadavers. Despite his posh appearance, as the third son of a struggling noble family, James doesn’t know how he will afford one of the private schools until he meets the mysterious and intriguing Aneurin “Nye” MacKinnon, an assistant and dissections at one of the best private schools. Nye strikes up a deal with James—join his crew of body snatchers to procure bodies for the school, and in exchange, gain access to the medical training he’s dreamed of. As James is taken in by this dangerous world and his relationship with grows Nye becomes something he never expected. But when a new gang comes to Edinburgh and other bodysnatchers start turning up dead, James’ new life suddenly has life-or-death stakes.

>> ❤️ What I loved: The setting and vibes were strong, with some great gothic and gory details that let me sink into the story. James and Nye were great protagonists and their sweet dynamic was something that I couldn’t get enough of! All of the medical history woven into this story was really engaging and fascinating to follow alongside the plot.
>> 💔 What I didn’t love: There were some minor issues with pacing for me, and I think our major antagonists could have been introduced earlier on in the plot. While I understand some reasons for it, there was a distinct lack of any female characters in this story which left me a wondering.

I highly recommend *The Ressurectionist* to fans of historical fiction, gothic fiction, and dark academia. I hope there’s more like this to come from A. Rae Dunlap in the future!

**Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 (4-4.5)**

**Acknowledgments & Disclaimers**
✨ Thank you to NetGalley, A. Rae Dunlap, and Kensington Publishing, for providing an ARC and the opportunity to share an honest review of this book.
✨ All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
✨ My reviews and ratings strive to evaluate books within their own age-demographic and genre.

"For the first time in my life, here—at the University, at Malstrom’s—I feel that I matter.”
Nye’s silver gaze bore into mine, and he clasped my chilly hands within his own. “You certainly do to me.”

A brilliant historical fiction novel with true crime and dark academia interwoven with murder, greed, and the grisly origins of modern medicine.

The writing style absolutely fascinated me, it was so smart and perfectly flawless. There were so many laugh at loud moments in the book even at the darkest moments the author could have turned around the situation into something fun. I absolutely loved every aspect of this story, it was the perfect amount of darkness with shred of hope and lightness behind. It was a thought-provoking and engaging novel that I enjoyed every moment of.

I loved the romantic aspect of the story between James and Aneurin. I haven't read a historical fiction with queer characters before and I absolutely loved when their relationship started to bloom. They were so sweet with lots of witty banter.

The author's note at the end gave an extra special feel to the book, explaining the true crime elements to the story and the historical background behind the novel.
I highly recommend reading it to everyone especially if you love dark tales and true crime.

“You came to Edinburgh because you were looking for the face of God and couldn’t find it in your Bible. Don’t cast blame on me if His true appearance is not the one of beatific serenity you’d been deceived into believing. This is the face of Progress, James. Don’t you dare look away from it.”
💉
The language and descriptions in this book are LUXURIOUS. So many details and descriptors, but all of it adds to the story!
The story itself is so fascinating! Our main character, James, is a son in a well off family, who struggles to find his path in life. He decides on joining the clergy, only to discover his true passion: science, in particular, medicine and surgery.
He travels to Edinburgh to start his education, only to find himself cut off from his allowance and forced to make a deal with the surgical professor's assistant in order to afford the semester.
James becomes a body snatcher.
This leads to so many misadventures and hilarity as this posh Englishman attempts to avoid the law, continue his studies, and start a relationship with his handsome coworker.
💉
This historical fiction gave such an entrancing look into what was happening during this time, and the birth of surgery and advanced medical study! I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
Thanks to KENSINGTON BOOKS and ARAEDULAP for the ARC! 💕

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

This focuses on James, a gentleman of a certain rank that decides to pursue medical school. as the third son of a to do family, he will not inherit much and must make his own way. Just a while into his term in Edinburgh, he loses his stipend and has to look for a way to stay in school and his classes. He becomes a resurrectionist, someone who digs up bodies for medical schools. But when fellow resurrectionists begin to go missing, he and his companion Nye have to figure out what's going on.

This book could be a bit slow at times, but I still enjoyed it immensely. Around the halfway mark, it really picked up pace. It felt historical and also modern which is a tricky balance. I love that the author was inspired by Lore, the podcast by Aaron Mahnke as well.

The Resurrectionist is a fantastic historical fiction novel that blends an engaging story with LGBTQ romance. The different parts of the story come together really well, making it an enjoyable and thought-provoking read. The book does a great job of bringing the time period to life and gives readers a clear picture of what life might have been like back then. It also explores the early days of modern medicine in a way that’s both interesting and easy to understand. With relatable characters and a mix of history, identity, and ethical challenges, this book is both informative and emotionally moving.

3.5 ⭐️

I had a lot of fun with The Resurrectionist. It was cheeky and dramatic, moody and exciting. I love the premise — a gothic tale surrounding the macabre origins of medical practice as we now imagine it, murder, mystery, and the gloomy fog of Edinburgh. The book felt, in spite of the high stakes and dark themes, somehow unserious, verging on twee. I enjoyed myself very much while reading it, but the characters' relationships and struggles were very tidy and quaint. Conflict resolution was uncomplicated. Good and bad people were clearly divided, where the good guys' flaws are actually sympathetic and not flaws at all, while the bad guys are disfigured and loathsome. Good guys have modern, progressive sensibilities, while bad guys are the only ones who adhere to what we now consider antiquated and problematic views. The writing was heavy-handed and, at times, corny, when it felt like it wanted to be serious. Despite only containing adult characters, this felt like a YA take on the gothic. I don't dislike YA necessarily, but it wasn't what I was expecting when I went in.

For what the book is, it is very, very good. If you like YA — and especially if you like dark, dramatic YA — and if you have an interest in gothic stories, I think that you will love this book. I can think of many friends I will recommend it to and who will have a fantastic time with it. Once I readjusted my expectations, I enjoyed myself reading it.

Personally, my favourite parts of the book were the occasion, in-depth explanations of early practices and advances in medicine as we know it. Those scenes were truly fascinating. I could have read another dozen sessions at the anatomical theatre or discussions about Aneurin's personal research and discoveries. They were intriguing but at the same time, humbling. Too often, we take for granted the power of modern medicine without being mindful of what it took to arrive here.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC Copy!

The cover grabbed my attention for this book and then the description hooked me. At first I had a hard time getting past the main characters pretentions personality but honestly it ended up being on of my favorite parts of the book. I have always been interested in the history of the grave robbing for medical purposes and have read a few nonfiction books about the subject before. You can really tell that the author really did their research into the time period and the methods and ways that were both abhorrent and also necessary for the advancement of science and medicine. They were not afraid to get into the truly graphic and cruel nature of the practice, but with characters that you cared about so much that no matter what they are doing you are still rooting for them the whole time.

Kensington with its history of profound writers knows the best when it comes to exciting story. Thank you Rae Dunlap and Kensington for approving my ARC’s request

I would like to apologize first that I have not finish the story and forgot to download so I can’t access the story right now. BUT the point that rope me to request the arc was the fact that it was MM, the characters was morally grey, and they was doing craziest crime together at 19th century in Oxford!!

I think the fans of historical thrillers and morally complex characters will enjoy this gripping story. And I would love to but the physical copy of the book so I can finish the story

This dark twisted gothic debut of a harrowing tale of crimes and schooling.
I tend to be drawn to medical school set during the 1800s as I enjoy the vibes and overall settings that are created around it. And The Resurrectionist was not a letdown.
The classic Scotland setting has an eerie, uneasy, dreaming feel in this story. Not only does this book have the vibes I was hoping for but the lead character is interesting. The Resurrectionists is an underground body snatcher and James somehow gets caught up in the dangerous and wild world of it.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the world. A. Rae Dunlap's storytelling is top-level. But I did feel a few times it was a little repetitive. I wish I had a little more school sense and got to know the side characters a bit more.
Murder, greed, and storytelling you can't help but get lost in.

From the summary and cover alone, I was very excited to read this book. Although I rarely enjoy or read old historical fiction, The Resurrectionist has proven me wrong. The beginning was a little slow, with some basic info and backstory on the MC James, but as it progresses it completely captured my attention. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and the romance that follows. I was super proud of James for slowly learning how to stand up for himself and growing into himself. I found myself endeared to the characters like Nye and even Mary, who was based off of a real person. I feel like it was easier to read because the historical figures were not the main focus of the story. If you like reading more about historical people this book might not be for you. It was sort of an after thought, but the book showed a quick glimpse of how lgbt relationships were viewed and prosecuted in the 1800s. I am glad that James and Nye stayed together anyways even after a couple scares. This book was very comforting to read for me. The historical fiction, true crime and dark academia combo is truly captivating and I just might read more of it. Thank you netgalley for the arc.