"Edinburgh, Scotland, 1828. Naïve but determined James Willoughby has abandoned his posh, sheltered life at Oxford to pursue a lifelong dream of studying surgery in Edinburgh. A shining beacon of medical discovery in the age of New Enlightenment, the city’s university offers everything James desires—except the chance to work on a human cadaver. For that, he needs to join one of the private schools in Surgeon’s Square, at a cost he cannot afford. In desperation, he strikes a deal with Aneurin “Nye” MacKinnon, a dashing young dissectionist with an artist’s eye for anatomy and a reckless passion for knowledge. Nye promises to help him gain the surgical experience he craves—but it doesn’t take long for James to realize he’s made a devil’s bargain . . . Nye is a body snatcher."

This is for fans of the macabre. This book is a great read that keeps you wanting to know more. It is dark and twisty! It reminds me of "Stalking Jack the Ripper"

James is the third son of minor nobility; meaning he has two choices in life join military or the church. As it is fairly obvious that he would make a terrible solider, he heads off to Oxford to study theology where he discovers they he has no interest in the church as well. What he does discover is a deep passion for medical science, and he is in the perfect time and place for it as the University at Edinburgh is the leading university in the world on the subject. So after convincing his family that he would make a far better physician than theologian, he sets off to Edinburgh only to find himself wrapped up in the infamous body trade as a Resurrectionist

Where to start with this one? This was nothing like what I expected, and I am so grateful for that. I was in all honesty looking forward to an interesting story about the body trade, Burke and Hare figured in there sure because I mean can you really write a story during this time frame in Edinburgh without them? What I got was a wonderfully hilarious, incredibly inspiring, coming of age story of a young man who just wants to escape the expectations his family and society have forced upon him. Not just that but one of the most natural, most beautiful romances, period, I have ever read. The fact that it's a gay romance is just icing on the cake. The progression of their relationship felt so natural to me that I'm not even sure how to describe it. It's like if I had been watching these two in real life and you see that chemistry, that spark between two people that you just know that they either are together or they will be. Dunlap somehow captured that spark and infused the pages of this book with it. I genuinely don't know how else to describe it.

Overall, I can not recommend this enough. It was a heartwarming, hilarious story that just happens to have two of Scotland's most infamous serial killers in it.

As always, thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the eArc!

I would say this book is extremely well written. It's basically a historical fiction based on Burke and Hare, which were two guys that were part of an elaborate scheme to snatch bodies from graves in order to sell and use at the medical school. The main character in this book, James was naive and coming from a different planet than what he was thrown into while trying to pursue his medical career. It was pretty entertaining to watch him navigating being on his own and doing whatever it took to stay on his preferred path, no matter what the circumstances might be. I didn't feel this book was took much of a "horror" book, although there were definitely some pretty gruesome parts as it relates to the descriptions of the bodies. No doubt I was seeing a clear picture of corpses in my mind while reading this! I was impressed by the author's knowledge on the topic of body snatching and was impressed by the story he was able to create. I was also impressed by the characters in the book and how they really came to life for me while reading this. Overall this book was twisty, mysterious, funny, witty, and a tad dark. I enjoyed it!

I would say this book is extremely well written. It's basically a historical fiction based on Burke and Hare, which were two guys that were part of an elaborate scheme to snatch bodies from graves in order to sell and use at the medical school. The main character in this book, James was naive and coming from a different planet than what he was thrown into while trying to pursue his medical career. It was pretty entertaining to watch him navigating being on his own and doing whatever it took to stay on his preferred path, no matter what the circumstances might be. I didn't feel this book was took much of a "horror" book, although there were definitely some pretty gruesome parts as it relates to the descriptions of the bodies. No doubt I was seeing a clear picture of corpses in my mind while reading this! I was impressed by the author's knowledge on the topic of body snatching and was impressed by the story he was able to create. I was also impressed by the characters in the book and how they really came to life for me while reading this. Overall this book was twisty, mysterious, funny, witty, and a tad dark. I enjoyed it!

If you're into true crime, forensics, mystery, historical fiction, and anything to do with surgery/dissection of bodies.. this book might be for you.

"It is the story of how a rose can blossom from even the bloodiest soil, of how light can grow from shadow, how love can grow from despair."

James Willoughby has decided to move to Edinburgh to pursue a degree in medicine. He quickly finds that going to university alone wouldn’t be sufficient and needs to attend a secondary anatomy school in order to actually work on cadavers rather than just observe from afar. However, his landed family has just fallen from grace. His father has just died - the blame cast squarely on James by his mother for shocking his father with his intended profession after thoroughly denouncing a role in the military or in the church - and it has come to light that his fathers debts from gambling far surpassed anyone’s wildest imaginings. As such, James must come up with a way to pay for his schooling. To that end, James seeks out the assistant at his chosen anatomy school and they work out an agreement that quickly devolves into James becoming one of the resurrection men - digging up bodies for use at the anatomy school, and ensnared in the drama of the criminal underworld of Edinburgh.

I can’t stress enough how wonderful this book was. From the very first page I was entranced. This book is so unbelievably funny, and equally well researched. The romance aspect is super sweet too.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

This is a coming-of-age tale of a posh boy who trades in a life of Latin and theory at Oxford for some hands on experience in the kirkyards of Edinburgh. A historical fiction inspired by Scotland’s prolific serial killers, Burke and Hare, this book features a delightful cast of characters; an exploration of sexuality and an unambiguous m/m romance that leaves no doubt our characters are queer; and a spot of body snatching to boot. I had a great time with James and Nye.

I enjoyed this a little more than I expected I might (considering this isn't a genre I ever really pick up). It took me a while to get invested but I was invested by the end.

I will say it was a little predictable in terms of the plot surrounding Burke and Hare but that didn't bother me too much. The fact that I wasn't sold on whether Nye was a good guy or not until the end helped keep a bit of suspense for me.

From a true crime perspective I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this, I mean it is a very historical case (therefore, no victims or families to be affected), and I don't immediately HATE using real historical criminals as the villains in a historical thriller, however, I do draw the line at using the names and stories of real victims. I guess the lines are super blurred when using a historical case as such a significant influence in a fictional story but.... idk to write about these victims as if they were just characters doesn't sit right with me. Mary Peterson and James Wilson were real people who were tragically murdered, they shouldn't be fodder for a fictional story.

All in all, I think anyone who likes queer historical horror would probably enjoy this, it has some gore but nothing too crazy so probably also a good gateway book for those wanting to venture into a darker genre.

Thank you to Netgally and Kensington Publishing for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The first half of this book was a slog to get through. I get that it was all a masterly crafted setup for the second half of the book, but I almost DNF because of it. After reading the author's notes in the back, it made a bit more sense, but I did not see the subtle hints of a relationship forming between Nye and James until it smacked me in the face. I don't typically read historical fiction, and that may play into my rating as well, but I picked this book solely on the cover and title. Overall, it was enjoyable and I finished the second half of the book rather quickly because the story finally grabbed my attention. 3.75 stars.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and I’m so glad I did. Without knowing anything about the historical aspect, I found the whole premise so delightfully morbid.

The author really grasps dark academia, pairing science with beautifully flowing prose in a near perfect matrimony. Our main character has an inner battle between his place in society, his thirst for knowledge and his scholastic endeavors, and his own personal code of ethics. I love the interpersonal relationship development between him and his friends, especially our roguish anti-hero, Aneurin or “Nye.” The conflicts in this book range from literal life-or-death to the more mundane “first world problems” of a “posh boy” from London.

This was a great macabre adventure with a romantic sub-plot and LGBTQ representation in the 1800’s, as well as heavy themes of class differentiations. This author is definitely one to watch out for and I’d certainly recommend this book!

This book was so much fun! I loved the contrast in James' and Nye's personalities and how they both grew throughout the book. I loved the general premise. A mix between Sherlock Holmes and Frankenstein. It was a great read!

"He was my North Star whenever the darkness of doubt threatened to envelop me. When I could not tell dreams from wakefulness, he remained my touchstone and my truth; a glimmer in his eye and a quirk of his lips were all that it took to make me feel manifest, whole and worthy" (A. Rae Dunlap; The Resurrectionist).

Tropes/themes:
- LGBTQ Representation
- True Crime (Burke and Hare Serial Killers)
- Historical Fiction

I want to start by thanking Netgalley and A. Rae Dunlap for the opportunity to read this novel in return for an honest review.
I went into this novel a little skeptical as I have never read a historical fiction before. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself absolutely enthralled and sucked in.

Not only is The Resurrectionist a historical fiction but it also contained true crime about the famous serial killers in scotland; Burke and Hare.
This novel is set in the early 1800s during the time medicine was slowly advancing. It follows the history of grave robbers and those that called themselves the "resurrectionists". We follow James on his physician journey from Oxford to Edinburgh. In Edinburgh he attends the university to which his friends tell him he must attend a private surgical school to become a proper physician and learn real medicine. Once the price of the private school fees is revealed to James he makes a deal with the schools assistant to waver half his fees in return for an easy regular favor. Little does James know what world he is getting into with this favor.

I loved not only the historical and true crime aspect of this novel, but also the way A. Rae Dunlap has integrated the LGTBQ aspect in that current time.

If you're looking to learn a little about history and want a captivating read that you cannot put down you must add The Resurrectionist to your TBR.

This was a very fascinating read. Historical fiction, crime and queer is a thrilling combination that had me wanting more. It was easy to get attached to the characters and the story. The writing was excellent.

Our gaze met, and for a mere millisecond, I felt a crackle of pure energy between us--the sort of sensation one experiences just before the world turns resoundingly on its head.

What a wonderful read this is! I loved how Dunlap effortlessly intertwined both historical fiction and true crime with a believably queer twist - not a moment of Aneurin & James' relationship felt shoehorned in, and I was enamoured with their tale. The writing itself is lyrical, powerful and with no shortage of wit, and there were many times I read with bated breath. I was thoroughly transported to Edinburgh and treasured the dirt under my fingernails - spectacular!

Thank you Kensington Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Resurrectionist is a delightfully macabre story that will pull you in from the first sentence. I devoured this title. James and his companion Aneurin do absolutely abhorrent things but you can't help but root for them. Their passion for science and the medical field leads them to some truly dark places. Dunlap's writing is concise but paints detailed scenes and entwines horror, romance, and history seamlessly. I was surprised to find out that this is the author's debut novel. I highly recommend this title and hope that my library decides to purchase it!

Thanks NetGalley for my first ARC, can't wait to read more!

I adored this debut novel from A. Rae Dunlap. I’m still amazed this is her first novel, it was so well written, well researched and has me wanting more!

A beautifully written and descriptive historical fiction which it so happens has a few connections to real life murderers William Burle and William Hare, which you can unravel reading this story! The story is based around the macabre origins of Modern medicine set in 19th century Edinburgh, Scotland.

Body snatching, dissection and surgeries, all intertwined with the Main characters, James Willoughby’s story of self acceptance and coming of age. A slow burning dark intriguing tale with a background of a beautifully crafted queer romance that pulls you through the well descriptive streets of Edinburgh effortlessly.

If you love dark gothic series like The Alienist, true crime stories with dark academia vibes, then you will adore this book aswell. I give this debit book 5 stars and am really hoping for a sequel!

Thankyou to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and author for the Arc in exchange for my honest review.

I picked this book knowing only that it involved Edinburgh (a favourite place of mine) and Burke & Hare. That was enough to get me interested but the story kept me hooked. The characters herein are so well put together, coupled with the way the author seamlessly adds world building, supplies a story that makes for an exciting novel.
Having never read a book with two MMC who are in a relationship before, I have no basis to state wether this aspect was dealt with appropriately, but I feel it was handled with care and consideration, leaving a description of an evolving relationship. I really enjoyed this book.

In the 19th century, James left Oxford to pursue a career in medicine, causing his father to suffer a fatal heart attack, according to his mother. He then moved to Scotland and enrolled at the University of Edinburgh. There, he learned from his new friends that he needed to attend a private school to gain the hands-on experience he desired. These private schools allowed students to practice dissection on human subjects. Due to his father's death, James couldn't afford the tuition, but he managed to strike a deal for 50% off in exchange for working a few hours a few nights per week. James settled into a routine of attending the university, going to the private school, working, and spending time with friends. However, in his fifth week, a pebble was thrown at his bedroom window, a corpse hidden in the bushes outside of his bedroom, and James found himself entangled in the world of body-snatching.

This captivating historical fiction, brimming with dark academia vibes, is an absolute must-read.

An excellent read, based on how the early medical field behaved to learn about human anatomy and physiology.

For that this is fascinating and informative. I say *based* on history but this isn’t nonfiction. Well-written with characters you can get attached to.

I highly recommend this for thriller fans and Pride month reads.

"Questa è la maxi storia di come la mia vita è cambiata, capovolta sotto sopra sia finita" (cit.)
The Resurrectionist è un romanzo di debutto deliziosamente decadente, dalle tinte gotiche. Dark academia, historical fiction e true crime si intrecciano nella Scozia del 19th secolo per dare vita ad una trama di omicidi, avidità, disgustosi rischi e preziose ricompense della nascita della medicina moderna.
James Willoughby rinuncia ad una vita elegante e protetta in quel di Oxford per studiare chirurgia a Edimburgo. L'università offre tutto ciò che uno studente possa desiderare, eccetto la pratica, che si apprende nelle numerose scuole private sparse per la città. Sarà in una di queste che si scontrerà con Aneurin "Nye" MacKinnon, un affascinante dissezionista con l'occhio d'artista e una sconsiderata, incosciente fame di conoscenza. Ben presto, James si troverà coinvolto nel fiorente ed illecito affare della riesumazione di cadaveri a scopi accademici e scientifici e si scontrerà con i truci Burke e Hare i famosi serial killer che terrorizzavano le strade di Edimburgo, al tempo.
Chi mi conosce sa che sono una big hater del romance, ma ammetto che Dunlop ha giocato bene le sue carte, creando una subplot che non prevale sulla trama principale, per niente fastidiosa, molto esplorativa dell'identità, che procede in parallelo con la passione dei più audaci pionieri della medicina e l'anatomia dei desideri umani.
La scrittura è quasi poetica e Dunlop ha fatto i compiti tinteggiando l'ambientazione scolastica con accurate descrizione medico/scientifiche e quella storica soffermandosi su usi e costumi dei diversi strati sociali.
James è un personaggio per cui non si può tifare: sciocco e ingenuo, abbastanza strambo e sufficientemente gay.
Ringrazion NetGalley e Kensington Publishing per la copia. Il romanzo sarà disponibile dal 24 dicembre 2024.

What an interesting read! You can tell it was thoroughly researched. I loved how intriguing and captivating the writing style is which is rare with debut works. Will definitely recommend this one to friends. Will post my thorough review on GR closer to pub date!