I love historical true crime. I find it fascinating, and I love learning the historical, social, and forensic history that comes with it. So when I saw The Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap and learned it takes place in the 1820s and deals with resurrection men and Burke and Hare, I had to read it.

In The Resurrectionist, we follow James Willoughby, the third son of a “modestly-landed family.” James has rejected his family’s wishes to become a clergyman and enrolled in the prestigious medical college in Edinburgh to become a physician. To get the training he needs, he also joins a private surgeon school where he can practice on cadavers. This is the world where a lot of enlightened thinking happens, but also includes the circle of grave robbing “resurrection men” that supply the schools with fresh cadavers. There, James forms a relationship with Nye, a talented scientist and leader of a band of resurrection men. Just as James feels he’s found his calling and true companionship, a new threat appears, jeopardizing everything.

I loved this book. James and his relationship with Nye (which I adored) provide a core emotional throughline to the story. And his journey–both external as he’s navigating a new city and new life and internal as he discovers who he is, his desires, and independence–was an engaging experience.

But we also dive deep into dark history. This book doesn’t shy away from the anatomists of the day, including the details of what resurrection men did, how people studied anatomy, and how they practiced on cadavers. We get a dark look at the underworld that fueled the scientific enlightenment of the time and explore the acts that were necessary at the time for progress, as well as how they might test or exacerbate the morals and motivations of men (whether for scientific progress, survival, or greed).

While the synopsis does mention Burke and Hare, the main focus is James, Nye, and their search for freedom and scientific enlightenment. Other topics are lightly discussed and alluded to as well (class systems and oppression, policing inequities, queer rep during this time period, and more).

The only negative about this was that James and Nye dissolved into laughter together one too many times - it’s an action that’s overplayed/overwritten in novels a lot, and other actions could have been substituted in instead. But it’s a minor thing. Everything else was perfection (including the discussion questions that were included at the end of the ARC).

This is a must-read if you like:
- Dark history/historical true crime
- Queer historical stories
- Endearing romance
- Anatomy, scientific enlightenment
- Quick reads, absorbing stories
- The macabre

This story mashes up endearing characters and a heartwarming side romance with dark history and the macabre. It’s fun, engaging, and heartwarming in a way that made it hard to put down.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

Where to start? I came for the slow burn romance and left with a whole lot more. There was an underlying tension and excitement of things unfolding through James as he finds his place and identity away from family. The relationships that developed, especially with Aneurin, further enhanced James’ journey and made things more impactful. It was beautifully woven. And those moments between James and Aneurin? I’m all for it.

Highly recommended for those who love some suspense in their readings along with forensic file, true crime, and medical history. The slow-burn romance, while it gets sweeter, is secondary but with enough moments throughout to keep entertained on that aspect. This focuses on the boom of medical and surgical schools that popped up with need for cadavers and how they are sourced. A big part of that scene was Burke and Hare. This book prompt me to read deeper into this than what I knew about body snatchers, eventually to modern day changes that came around especially as someone privileged to attend anatomy labs as part of labs before.

Not too many jargons, which made the few terms feel a bit thrown in for the sake of it when in the school dissection portions, but could also be taken as the learning process.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Kensington publisher for this e-ARC copy! Honestly after this, might just grab a physical copy to re-read.

In 1828 Edinburgh, a medical student’s dream turns into a nightmare when he becomes entangled with body snatchers, facing deadly competition with the terrifying Burke and Hare.

This beautifully written and immersive novel is a mystery with hints of horror and romance. It’s creepy and atmospheric with a strong plot and well-developed characters. It’s gruesome in places, with lots of corpses, so be aware. Even though I’m sensitive to that sort of thing, it didn’t bother me in context. The book is a pleasure to read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The Resurrectionist captures Edinburgh’s cobbled streets lined with gray buildings, the boisterous university students, the early morning fog, the bustle of tradespeople and travelers, the smell of beer.

It’s 1828, and in defiance of his family’s wishes, James Willoughby embarks on a thrilling but ultimately dangerous adventure: to attend Edinburgh’s famed university to study medical science, whatever the cost. Soon, he is thrust into the darkly competitive world of body snatchers, to provide specimens to pay for the private anatomy school essential to his studies.

A. Rae Dunlap creates characters you care about, even though they’re involved in illicit and unethical acts—from James to the artistic dissectionist, the professional mourner, and the faithful lookout. As readers, we are rooting for them. That’s why The Resurrectionist is one of those gothic novels that’s hard to put down. It’s gory but good.

When I picked up The Resurrectionist, I was expecting a gothic-like mystery with some dead bodies. Well I feel like I got a little mystery and a few dead bodies, so not quite as expected.

James Willoughby is starting out his physician education in Scotland in 1828. Although he is a bit naive at life in general, he seems to take to the medical field fairly quickly. When he learns about the autopsy medical training programs available outside his institution, he was excited to get accepted to MacKinnon's program. Although the program is slightly outside his pocket change, the professor and his assistant offer an exchange of help for services with the program. James though didn't know he would be the lookout while they steal bodies from the local cemetery adjacent to his lodging. As James becomes more enmeshed in the body grabbing scene, he starts to see how utterly ruthless it is. Some are willing to take more precautions than others to obtain "fresh" specimens for a rival program.

Although I liked the premise of The Resurrectionist, the story itself fell flat for me. I wanted more about the actual resurrectionists. To me that was the most interesting part of the story, heck it's even the title. Once we learn it's meaning, we don't see much of the actual work they do until closer to the end of the novel. I thought the mystery was very predictable and not much of a mystery itself story wise. While this may have been the start of a series to come, I don't think I'd stick around to read any further. I'm sad that this debut didn't work for me. I didn't mind Dunlap's writing and would entertain reading another book from her in the future.

*The Resurrectionist* by A. Rae Dunlap is a pulse-pounding, mind-bending thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. This isn’t just another mystery—it’s a dark, gripping journey into the very heart of human obsession, the boundaries of morality, and the chilling consequences of playing with life and death. Dunlap has crafted a masterful narrative that pulls you deep into its sinister world, leaving you questioning everything you thought you knew about life, death, and the secrets buried in between.

At the center of it all is a protagonist whose determination to uncover the truth, no matter the cost, leads to a labyrinth of twists and turns that you won’t see coming. The plot is a brilliant web of intrigue and danger, with each chapter ramping up the tension and deepening the suspense. Dunlap doesn’t hold back—this book dives headfirst into the unsettling, the grotesque, and the unknown, exploring the fine line between science and madness.

What makes *The Resurrectionist* truly stand out, though, is Dunlap's ability to keep you guessing. Just when you think you've figured out the mystery, a new revelation turns everything on its head. The pacing is relentless, with short, sharp chapters that create an almost cinematic experience. There’s no room for breathing between the twists, and each shocking discovery leaves you even more hooked.

But it’s not just about the thrills—*The Resurrectionist* also delves into the deeper themes of obsession, identity, and the moral implications of resurrecting the past. The characters are complex and layered, particularly the protagonist, whose descent into the world of resurrection becomes as much an internal battle as an external one. The chilling atmosphere and dark undertones will linger with you long after the final page is turned.

If you love psychological thrillers that are equal parts smart, unsettling, and downright thrilling, *The Resurrectionist* is a must-read. With its edge-of-your-seat suspense, its chilling twists, and its eerie atmosphere, A. Rae Dunlap has delivered a thriller that is sure to haunt your thoughts and leave you breathless. Prepare to be captivated—and then shaken to your core.

Blending excellent fiction with select true crime facts, THE RESURRECTIONIST has a plot line that can only be called unique. Early to mid 1800's there was indeed a market for bodies that resulted in entire gangs devoted to "snatching" the newly buried. From the point of history, the bodies were used in the education of doctors and medical personnel. From the criminal point, the demand far outweighed the demand, so a fortune could be made. A Rae Dunlap has built a community of characters that will take readers deep into this unsavory market while still managing to retain their humanity. A unique story told in a unique manner that gives a fascinating fictional spin on this all too true era.

A wonderfully eerie historical fiction story set in Edinburgh, delightfully gothic and dark academia with a wonderful romance on the sidelines.

I cannot believe that this is the author's debut novel! It's a well-crafted tale of a clergy man aiming to become a physician, the best among most. In the story we follow James, a posh boy from London, who sets out to pursue his dream after losing his family estate.
Buckle up and prepare for an atmospheric story set in the autumn/winter semester of Edinburgh University and everything that becoming an up and coming surgeon and physician entails. Some elements of gore will spook you, others will be shrouded in the blissful veil of revolution, all with medical research at its core.

In the author's note we discover, that A. Rae Dunlap was inspired by true events around a notorious band of serial killers, which shows in their vast knowledge about the preexisting laws and societal norms.

The language is just right for a novel of this topic and setting. Other than a few errors in sentences or phrases repeating (probably due to my reading of an eARC) I found this book insanely engaging and well thought out. A. Rae Dunlap... prepare, for you are entering my auto-buy list!

An enormous thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this story early!

I was hooked from the beginning of this novel! Historical fiction with a conflicted protagonist (James) that’s set in 19th Century Edinburgh…Yes please. Then to find that due to a turn in fortune he has to supplement his medical schooling with body snatching? Umm, yeah, I was into it.

What I wasn’t expecting was to enjoy the characters and plot so absolutely. It was a happy surprise, as was the author’s engaging writing style. This was true crime meets love story meets class dynamics, and I was fully along for the ride.

The banter between James and Aneurin was witty, funny, and light, even when the subject matter was not. I found their relationship developed at a wonderful pace that made sense within the story itself (which was also well thought out and entertaining). I don’t know that there’s a single thing I would have changed about the characters in this book.

This is one of my favorite reads of the year, and I can’t wait to tell other people about how wonderful it is.

After a small slog of less than amazing reads in a row, this book was a most welcome surprise. I cannot overstate how much I adored our main character, James, and his 'friend'/'assistant' (iykyk), Aneurin. They really make the entire book work so well. I also enjoyed the setting - an early 1800s moment is always appreciated and the vibe was very much on point - and the focused upon medical and graverobbing aspects were continuously interesting. But it definitely was their relationship that kept me oh so invested, every time they're on page together it is just so hard to stop reading. Their dialogue was amazing, and the way they become even closer throughout the book as they try and avoid the law, other graverobbers, and the attacks of high society is amazing to read.
I would absolutely read another book in this world but I also love the idea of this one as a standalone, as I think the story was wrapped up very well in the end.

A very high 4 stars

The premise immediately hooked me - college students studying surgery in Edinburgh fall into body snatching as a way to provide corpses for surgical studies, and this book delivered. I really enjoyed the trajectory of the story as it felt complete and well thought out. My only criticism is I would have liked the third act to be a bit longer, but overall really enjoyed this story.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me, while the writing was wonderful and well done I just couldn't connect well with this story. I had to keep reminding myself this was set in historical times and the way people were in those times just really puts me off. The main character also just seemed way too immature to me and kind of annoyed me.

This would be a great book for someone who enjoys historical fiction and the way medicine was taught and learned back then though. It was also pretty accurate in terms of how people did body snatching back in the day so I appreciated that even if it put me off a bit.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. At first I was unsure of where the author was headed and if it would enjoyable at all, but as I began to fall in love with the crazy cast or characters I could barely put the book down.
The fact that the author brought in elements of true crime (Burke and Hare, their victims) made it even more delightful. James and Nye had such a fun interplay that I kept rooting for them all the way until the end.
You’ll love this if you enjoy science, historical fiction, and true crime.
I received an ARC of this title. All opinions are my own.

The Resurrectionist is a stunning and smart debut that blends historical fiction with a dark, atmospheric tale set in 19th-century Edinburgh.

Inspired by the real-life Burke and Hare killings, the story weaves in fictional elements while staying true to the time period. Following James Willoughby, a privileged young man drawn into the morally ambiguous world of body snatching, the book explores themes of medical advancement, self-discovery, and forbidden romance. The writing is beautifully poetic and vividly captures the shady streets and alleys of Edinburgh, immersing readers in the haunting world of resurrectionists who see themselves as scientific pioneers rather than grave robbers.

While I wish the Burke and Hare storyline could have been introduced earlier since that's what I expected the story to be about, the wit and sharp exploration of moral gray areas still make this a read that’s hard to put down. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction with a dark and thought-provoking edge

James Willoughby leaves his sheltered life at Oxford to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a surgeon. But when he arrives in Edinburgh, the center of the New Enlightenment, James quickly learns that the true education happens at the private anatomy schools, at a cost he can't afford. He strikes up a bargain with dissectionist Aneurin in order to gain admittance but doesn't realize he's thrown himself in league with a crew of resurrectionists, as they call themselves, diggers who steal fresh cadavers from the local graveyards to supply to the anatomy schools.

This was 100% one of the best debut novels I've read this year. I picked up the ARC of this book thinking I'd get an interesting historical fiction around the evolution of medical science and body snatching but ended up reading something so much more.

Dunlap weaves a beautifully crafted story around the true murders committed by Burke and Hare in 19th century Edinburgh. Although the MMCs James and Nye are entirely fictional, they're fully brought to life on the pages, and I appreciated that Dunlap's prose felt appropriate to the time period.

Read if you like:
Historical fiction
True crime
High stakes
Dark academia
Queer rep
Slow-burn romance

A. Rae Dunlap's The Resurrectionist is, in contrast, an atmospheric read. As a narrator, young James Willoughby's voice possesses much of the (over?)wrought lacy and exuberant style that is characteristic to period writing — it may understandably grate on some readers as melodramatic, but I personally find it fitting for the setting and easily charming.

Dunlap's prose can be in places r(/R)romantic and grippingly cinematic (e.g. the quote at the beginning of this review), but in others the phrasing stumbles into clichés and bland verse: Aneurin leaps through a window like an "avenging angel", and his eyes are described as (content warning for a literal stereotype star of bad fanfiction writing hot takes) "mesmerising orbs".

Speaking of Aneurin McKinnon – resurrectionist, medical assistant, talented anatomy illustrationist and gay mess – he cuts quite a Sherlockian figure. (The jury is still out if this iteration of The Great Detective knows about Galilean geocentrism, but he certainly knows about Galileo's laws of classical mechanics and their applications, and he will rub it in.) The narrative climax features him struggling against adversity in a fight scene delightfully reminiscent of the much-memed boxing match in 2009's Sherlock Holmes. I wish there was more of that.

Speaking (apropos awkward phrasings) of narrative voice: halfway through the book, a side character calls him by the nickname Nye, and James's narrative immediately switches to exclusively without an ounce of invitation or hesitation or an em dash in the internal dialogue, which I found to be disorientating and baffling, and a switch made utterly unnessary by the literary perspective already framed in the language of reminiscence. You can be consistent in your narration. If James had gone something like, "This is Nye, soon to become the beloved companion of my life. But, for now, I knew him as Mr. McKinnon, unreadable at the back of Malstrom's dissecting chamber..." that would have been, dare I say, kind of cute. So, why?

Speaking of pacing: the plot gets going the way you break down, slowly and then all at once, possibly gratuitously hurting a loved one in the process.

This is a fine and fun novel, but it really needed a more exacting editing hand. (Not pointing fingers at the author, editor or publisher; this is a systemic industry-wide issue, symptomatic of deeper pathologies of late stage capitalism and the media we consume.)

The Resurrectionist is the debut book by author A. Rae Dunlap. If this book is any indication, Ms. Dunlap has a great career as an author in her future. A blending of historical fiction, true crime and dark academia, this tale is an entertaining story of greed, murder, love, and the early beginnings of modern medicine. This, dear reader, simply put, is a tale of body snatching.

Naïve but determined James Willoughby decides to abandon his comfortable life at Oxford to study surgery, his lifelong dream, in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1828, Edinburgh is a shining pinnacle of medical discovery in the age of New Enlightenment. The city’s university offers everything James wants, except the chance to work on a human cadaver. In order to do that, James needs to join one of the private schools in Surgeon’s Square; unfortunately, that's not possible due to a lack of funds. Enter Aneurin “Nye” MacKinnon, a devil-may-care young dissectionist with an artist’s eye for anatomy and a thirst for knowledge. Nye promises James the surgical experience he desires, yet it comes at a cost: Nye is a body snatcher, and now James is an accomplice! James quickly joins the ranks of the Resurrectionists, body snatchers who steal fresh corpses from churchyards to be used as anatomical specimens in the private schools. Soon James and Nye are battling rival gangs of snatchers in a race for power in the surgery schools. They eventually find themselves in the sights of Burke and Hare, extremely dangerous men who are determined to be the kings of the body market and will do everything it takes, including murder...

If someone told me I would be delighted with a story about body snatchers, I would have laughed at them. (Then again, I have enjoyed some morbid stories in the past, so perhaps I shouldn't be surprised how much I enjoyed it! ) First of all, who knew body snatchers could be so charming or intelligent? The main characters, Nye and James, were marvelous. Both had a passion for learning and surgery, but they were very different. James came from a wealthy family who lost everything due to the father's follies, and his mother thought the shock of James wanting to leave Oxford to study surgery in Edinburgh may have indeed killed him. He had to make it on his own in his newly chosen path in medicine. Nye was dependent on only himself, with the help of his crew of body snatchers. Not only was Nye a dissectionist, but was also an assemblist who put together skeletons for medical schools and a talented anatomical artist. Well, and a body snatcher! The two were friendly at first, until James discovered that Nye had pulled him into the Resurrectionist business. Eventually James embraced his new life as a snatcher, and his was able to attend a private school due to Nye's intervention. The two young men became more than friends and co-workers, but also lovers. It was actually a very sweet and touching romance. I actually enjoyed learning more about body snatching. Though it was horrible for the relatives and friends of the deceased to have their loved one stolen, how else was the advancement of medicine to occur without hands-on study? One of the main reasons I wanted to read this book because I had learned about Burke and Hare from the Prime Video series Lore. These two real-life people weren't actually body snatchers; rather, they committed murder to deliver bodies to medical schools! The author did an excellent job of combining fact and fiction. I look forward to the next work by this talented new author.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The Resurrectionist is part coming-of-age, part historical fiction, part queer romance written in a style reminiscent of Mary Shelley. Third child, second son James Willoughby of the recently scandalously indebted London Willoughbys moves at the start of the book onto his third career path pursuing SCIENCE in the hopes of becoming a modern doctor. Soon, he learns the true education comes from attending private courses of study in the human anatomy dissection taught in the Parisian Method. The Irish setting in Edinburgh in 1828 is dark, cold, and littered with corpses freshly plucked from sacred ground. This may be the most informative novel I've read all year featuring real true crime and historically accurate serial killers and humanized victims. It was short yet thought-provoking, inciting a newfound curiosity in the development of modern medicine, anatomy, and physiology. The author recommends further reading in the acknowledgements, and there are intriguing discussion questions at the end about the nature of death and our response to it as a species. Honestly, thoroughly enjoyed this read and very highly recommend it.
Note: It appears this is a standalone novel. Though it does not end on a cliffhanger, I feel the door is left open to a potential series. But maybe that is wishful thinking.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this unique ARC!

I enjoyed the story, though it didn´t hook me until the second half. I think it just wasn´t for me (hence the short review), I believe this is a great book and that many people will love it!

The Resurrectionist is a dark tale of academia and historical fiction, concentrating on the notorious practice of bodysnatching, which is, in this case, carried out in order for students to gain hands-on medical knowledge in the early 19th century. It is also a pleasantly macabre ‘coming of age story’ about James as he learns who he is, aside from the man his domineering family want and expect him to be. I’m not a fan of romantic reads so I was pleased that the relationship between Nye and James wasn’t central to the plot - the author reaches an appropriate balance here, and I believe she handles the LGBTQ+ laws of the era sensitively.

All in all, The Resurrectionist is an interesting and meticulously researched read which explores intricacies of love/friendships and the ethics of medical progress – a highly recommended read.