"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.

this was PERFECTION. from the writing to the atmospheric vibe, this was gothic incarnate and i ate up every moment! dunlap’s storytelling was exactly what this story needed and i will absolutely be searching for this feeling in more releases!! definitely recommend during spooky season

The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap

Edinburgh, Scotland. 1928. The black sheep of the family, James Willoughby, chooses to alter his career path despite being born into wealth. Pursuing his passion, he enrolled at the University of Edinburgh to master the art of incisionary techniques, or performing surgeries, to be more precise. A short time after arriving, he befriends a group of like-minded men who rave about private schools in the area and provide a more hands-on approach to learning. He starts helping the headmaster of a well-known private school and discovers how they obtain the cadavers they use. He quickly bonds with a young man nicknamed Nye, who teaches him the art of body snatching. Due to his father's drinking and gambling habits, James' family's wealth is dwindling. They can't pay his tuition and request he return home to help rebuild the family's reputation. However, because being a resurrectionist is a lucrative profession, unbeknownst to his family, James has surreptitiously found a way to pay for his education. Another school, however, requires bodies and is willing to go to any length, including murder, to ensure its success. Can James's secrets remain hidden from his family?

When we were kids, there was a cemetery close to my school. On our way home, my friends and I had to walk through it, which was scary, albeit enticing. During the day, I felt safe and protected from what lay beneath the soil. I have no idea what horrible experiences I might face during the hours of darkness. Ghosts? Ghoulies? Entities? The author, A. Rae Dunlap, has crafted a remarkable story of evocative mystery and burgeoning romance. Readers are frequently reminded that certain subjects were once considered taboo and punishable by death. Furthermore, we learn there is a moral code to exhuming bodies. At the forefront is our progress in humanity's understanding of the body, which avoids unnecessary grave robbery for petty theft.

If you love barren trees, foggy moonlit gravestones, and glowing lamplights shuddering in the wind-chilled night, then this book is for you. A new casket was excavated, filled with subtle eroticism that is common in newly minted relationships. It's all here, folks. The book deserves four out of five stars and comes highly recommended!

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing for providing the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

In the same vein as The Specimen, I LOVED this book. The stories of the real life body snatchers are wholly horrifying, but I'm so glad to see authors shedding light on a dark history. Absolutely loved this one and highly recommend!

Thank you for the opportunity to review an ARC. I will be discussing the historical context of The Resurrectionist with a book group after its public release. That being said, I appreciate the author's vivid descriptions of historically-rooted body-snatching practices and authentic graveyard defenses against body snatchers. While I admired the author's creativity in inserting real physicians and individuals related to the 1828 Burke and Hare murders in an almost Sherlockian caper, I occasionally found it difficult to lean into the portrayal of "Messieurs" Burke and Hare as calculating villains in competition with the body snatching gangs in the book. I also feel as though Burke and Hare could have been more developed as characters. I wonder if the author could have explored West Port characters with attention to the immigrant experience, as West Port was home to many Irish immigrants and seasonal workers. Nonetheless, the author did a great job rejuvenating popular interest in medical history and the morally complex practice of body snatching.

*3.5 stars

The Resurrectionist is a genre bending Gothic novel full of adventure, romance, and true crime elements. It takes place in Edinburgh, 1828, during the same time as the infamous real-life Burke and Hare murders.

James Willoughby, a third son with few advantages in life, has arrived in Edinburgh to make a career for himself as a surgeon, but he soon finds himself short on funds. Looking for quick money and opportunities, he is drawn into the lucrative world body snatching. While cadavers were in high demand for research and anatomical study in Edinburgh at this time, they were difficult to obtain through legal means. While James is aware of the risks of his new trade, he and his companions soon face more than any one of them bargained for when a new gang enters the scene.

This book has a lot of things going for it. I love how the author blended fact and fiction here. It made for a wildly entertaining read. It’s also apparent that she did her research.I felt like I was learning things without being bored. I learned about anatomy, the historical characters, deterrents that were used against body snatchers, et cetera. You can tell time and effort went into researching this work and then crafting a narrative that blends reality with an intricate plot. And I have to give the author credit because I think she struck a good balance with the right amount of medical terminology and historical references and also keeping the characters and the plot dynamic and playful. The characters and the story felt alive on the page, and that isn’t necessarily easy to achieve.

The writing style and language was also enjoyable. It was quotable and, overall, a quick read. The themes were engaging. The book dealt with themes around morality, tension between social mores and social progress, and rebirth and resurrection.

I definitely think this book is for readers who enjoy plot-driven narratives. It has elements of adventure, romance, historical fiction, and true crime, and may appeal broadly to readers from any of those genres. Certainly anyone familiar with this particular case should give this novel a go!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an eARC to review!*

This story was an immensely enjoyable read. I laughed at the shenanigans of this Mötley Crüe. The writing was beautiful and the plot kept me engaged. This new-to-me writer is incredibly talented and I am in awe.

My message to anyone willing to listen is to read this, you won’t be disappointed. There’s something in here for everyone. All the boxes are checked.

Thank you NetGalley for this title

The Resurrectionist is a gothic historical fiction set in Edinburgh around the time of the real-life Burke and Hare murders. It follows an eager but down on his luck (in terms of family situation and finances) medical student named James who requires help to make ends meet. He ends up being thrust unknowingly into the body snatching business after confiding in the surgeon's assistant Aneurin "Nye", but quickly becomes accustomed to it. And romance ensues. Meanwhile, there is trouble brewing within the community of body snatchers.

I really enjoyed this book!! I had a bit of a hard time getting into it at first, but once Nye came into the picture things quickly picked up and I was unable to put down the book. Dunlap writes in a way that really captures the atmosphere of this era, and every character and setting felt alive to me. I would have liked to know more about some of the characters, including Nye's crew and James' friends as some of them felt a little too expendable. I still really did enjoy all the side characters and felt like they brought a lot to the story. However, the ending just felt a little too rushed for me, especially the final confrontation. Furthermore, I felt like James' family situation was wrapped up a little too fast. So although I thought the rest of the book was fantastic, the end does bring down the rating just a little. Furthermore, I really enjoyed James' and Nye's relationship- they had a lot of chemistry and a lot of sweet moments. They made the book super fun and it was interesting to hear how the author hadn't meant to make them romantic at first, but that their relationship just gradually evolved into a romantic one.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable book and I definitely recommend it to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction and annoyances to lovers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Resurrectionist
By A. Rae Dunlap
4 ⭐️

This book is top notch for dark academia atmosphere. It loosely follows a Sherlock & Watson vibe. In this tale, the MCs (James as Watson and Aneurin/Nye as Sherlock) have the sweetest romance that vastly outshines the gory, for academics of course, and the mysterious. This story flirts with accuracy and has many Easter eggs for the historic-macabre enthusiasts to enjoy. James is a medical student who dazzles with a scalpel and aims to be the head of his class in spite of his devolving social status. Aneurin is an assistant to one of the most praised surgical instructors in the city with a mind that stays 10 steps ahead. They are a really fun pair to follow in this story.

I do wish there was more to the plot. Maybe more mystery, more suspense, more from the friend group dynamic - Charlie and Philip at gems, or even the romance, maybe - maybe not. The romance was very 🥰. This story follows its blurb extremely closely, even well after the 50% mark. As a fantasy reader, I typically expect a chunk of the book to expand beyond the blurb, and this one doesn’t.

Vibes: academia’s underbelly, Jack the Ripper goes to uni in Edinburgh, delightfully sweet MM romance soaked in cadaver juice

Thank you to NetGalley, A. Rae Dunlap, and Kensington Publishing for this eARC. 🧠

I thought it lacked depth, and I really thought it could've leaned deeper into the horrors of the lives that were taken and affected by body snatching. I love a good gruesome horror story, but I prefer when it digs a little deeper and creates a more tangible sense of fear. I love how the overall vibe felt though. The dingy streets, the unsettling university classes, the descent into maddness, and the blossoming gay romance was delightful.

Beautiful, dark, twisted, and I absolutely loved it. I am a huge fan of anything gothic-horror-romance and this beautiful novel served up all three in delicious quantities. I found the prose to be wonderfully written. It was comfortable and relaxing, even in its darker moments.

I know medical romance is a genre that is gaining attention in the US and while I wouldn't classify this entirely as medical romance, I would say it is a great introduction into that world. I also loved the true crime aspect of this novel. It lent a haunting believablity to the story.

This is a rare book where I would not want a sequel to happen as I love the main character of James and the world that was written and built here. But I hope the author continues to do other stories with other characters in this setting.

Dark and macabre books about anatomy and serial killers, tend to be riveting and engaging reads. This book is absolutely all of that and more.

James Willoughby has decided to leave his educational pursuits at Oxford and pursue a career in surgery in Edinburgh. Though his family is against it, he finds he is talented at the occupation even if his funds for schooling are running dangerously low.

He soon finds himself needing another way to make ends meet and to pay the school for his lessons, when an opportunity presents itself. It may be dark and dangerous, but needs must when in pursuit of reaching his goal.

I was highly entertained with this twisty, gothic story. The characters were flawed in all the best ways and even the storyline is one you may morally want to question. However, the history and the fiction woven together to create this narrative is engaging and keeps you reading to the end. I found I could envision the story easily, as the author paints a decidedly gruesome picture from time to time. The atmosphere of the story feel to always be in the gloom of night, on the verge of a storm and I am absolutely here for it.