This was a sad, gruesome but beautiful story, and almost unbelievably based on true events. Written so well. Would’ve liked to read more about the “life after” for other victims’ families.

I will proudly say that I have finally read my first historical fiction novel and I really loved it! This is a historical fiction mystery story that is done really well. Plus, isn’t this cover just GORGEOUS! One of the best of the year!

It’s 1826 and Isobel has a seven year old boy that has a heart condition, a heart murmur. She takes him to a doctor and the doctor informs her that he probably only has three more years left to live. Soon, he disappears without a trace.

Isobel becomes deeply depressed and the women invite her out one night. The show? A display of the doctor’s specimens, body parts collected in jars and what not. She begins to hear the exact beat of her son’s heart. Freaked out, she becomes determined to get closer to the doctor to find out if he killed him and stole his heart.

The writing hooked me right away! I could feel the distress and pain for Isobel. Rich descriptions of the town of Edinburgh, Scotland and the characters in the story. I loved that technology or social media was not even possible. Just a fleshed out story written really well! My favorite character was the detective and a young named Nan!

The author’s note was phenomenal! Do NOT MISS IT! These things really happened back then! The characters are based on a true story that is highly fascinating yet frightening. Even her husband plays a part in a character.

Thank you so much to Jaima Fixsen, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the opportunity!
Release date October 15, 2024
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨ Review ✨
The Specimen
Jaima Fixsen
Historical fiction, mystery
Release date: October 15, 2024
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Walk carefully, lest you become a part of Dr. Burnett's collection…
Based on true crimes, The Specimen is a mesmerizing story about one woman's search for truth and vengeance in the darkest of places—where the deadliest secrets lie hidden in plain sight, on a freshly dusted shelf.

This story was so beautifully written. I knew when I read the blurb about this story back in April that I HAD to get my hands on it.

We follow Isobel Tait through trying to find her missing son after a child’s heart is displayed in a Drs Oddities collection, matching the condition of her son.

Is that her son’s heart? Was he killed for it?
Who can she trust? Or will she be deemed as a mad woman in Edinburg?

Thank you @netgalley, @poisonedpenpress, & @jaimiafixsen for this ARC
I loved this read. It was suspenseful, gothic, & loosely based on true events.
One of my favorites from this year & I highly recommend the read! 🤍

#review #arc #reviewer #bookish

It's 19th century Edinburgh, and single mother Isobel Tait has just had the fright of her life. On a tour of celebrated doctor Connall Burnett's rare medical specimen collection, in a glass jar, beats a melody only she can hear: a heart with a mitral valve defect, just like the one the doctor diagnosed in her son before his disappearance a year ago.

Without the support of the police, Isobel is on her own to exact justice - and vengeance - and she'll stop at nothing to recover her son's heart and bring his murderer to justice.

This was a visceral, atmospheric read, and I couldn't put it down. The Specimen is based on the real-life case of Edinburgh's resurrection men, who fueled the advancement of anatomical study and medicine by grave robbing and sometimes, worse - with serial killer duo Burke and Hare most notorious among them.

Fixsen's tale of historical fiction and gothic suspense captivated me and kept me turning pages late into the night.

Isobel is fierce, courageous, and clever: all around a heroine to root for. Her adaptability and determination completely engrossed me and kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next.

I also loved Fixsen's author's note, which revealed more about what inspired Isobel's quest for justice, but also shared details about the inspiration for mixed Scottish-Mètis detective Adam Kerr, a kind and clever ally of Isobel's. Kerr was one of my favorite side characters, and I loved learning that his grandmother shared the name of a real Cree elder.

Don't sleep on this perfect fall read! You don't need to go in with a knowledge of the true crime case that inspired this book, though I was fascinated by how Fixsen's interpretation prioritized the perspectives of the resurrection men's forgotten victims. You may particularly enjoy The Specimen if you like dark history, Edgar Allan Poe, and Penny Dreadful.

Thank you so much to Poisoned Pen Books and Jaima Fixsen for the NetGalley e-ARC! The Specimen publishes October 15th.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Jaima Fixsen’s The Specimen is a masterful blend of historical fiction and true crime, set against the eerie backdrop of 1826 Edinburgh. This novel is a chilling exploration of a mother’s relentless quest for justice and the dark underbelly of medical practices in the 19th century.

The story follows Isobel Tait, a determined mother whose life takes a harrowing turn when her young son, Thomas, goes missing. The narrative begins with Isobel’s discovery of a tiny human heart in a jar, part of Dr. Connall Burnett’s macabre collection. This discovery sets her on a perilous journey into the world of resurrectionists and anatomists, as Isobel goes undercover as a maid in disguise in Burnett's home.

Isobel Tait is a compelling protagonist, driven by a fierce maternal instinct and unwavering resolve. Her transformation from a grieving mother to a cunning investigator is both believable and inspiring. Dr. Burnett, on the other hand, is a complex antagonist whose motivations and actions are shrouded in mystery, adding depth to the story.

Fixsen’s writing is atmospheric and evocative, vividly bringing 19th-century Edinburgh to life. Her meticulous attention to historical detail immerses readers in the period, while her skillful pacing keeps the tension high throughout the novel.

The Specimen delves into themes of loss, justice, and the ethical boundaries of scientific exploration. It raises thought-provoking questions about the lengths one would go to for the sake of knowledge and the moral implications of such pursuits.

Jaima Fixsen has crafted a gripping and unsettling tale that will captivate fans of historical fiction and true crime alike. The Specimen is a haunting reminder of the dark corners of history and the enduring strength of a mother’s love.

This novel is a flawless, and captivating must-read for those who appreciate well-researched historical narratives with a touch of the macabre.

This was so chilling and creepy, I absolutely loved it and the fact it’s based off a true story? Extra chilling! This book just goes to show that a mother will stop at nothing for justice for their child, no matter the time period or circumstances! I would have done the same thing. Very creepy and good read for spooky season, 10/10 never gonna look at specimens the same lol!

This is by far one of the best books I’ve read in 2024. Historical fiction is typically not my first choice but this story just blew me away. I was drew in by the description and beautiful cover! The writing was easy to follow and you could feel every emotion as you follow Isobel’s search for the truth about her son’s disappearance and justice. Pacing was perfect with great intensity that kept me at the edge of my seat.
I highly recommend it!

Having visited Edinburgh it was even more enjoyable to read this book and be able to picture all of the places the author was talking about. I enjoyed all of the characters and liked the different view points. Typically when I read books told from multiple viewpoints there's some I dislike more than others - in this case I liked them all.

“The specimen” is historical fiction with a touch of paranormal that is loosely based on true events.

The plot follows Isobel and her sickly son who has a rare heart condition. The time period is early 1800s when medical discoveries are in their height and things like specimens and autopsies are becoming a popular way for doctors and the public to learn about the human body, health and medicines.

Isabel takes her son to see a new doctor for a second opinion, the news isn’t what she wanted to hear but she is determined to spend the rest of their time enjoying the special things in life while they can. Soon after he son goes missing never to be found again. That is until a year later when she attends an event viewing specimens run by the same doctor.

When she sees a child’s heart with the same rare condition as her sons she knows in her soul this is what happened to her son, she is labelled as hysterical and delusional and with no help from the police she is determined to investigate on her own.

I enjoyed the historical aspects, the dialogue, the location setting in Edinburgh. I loved the police detective who did everything he could to help despite the lack of support from his colleagues. I enjoyed watching a friendship blossom between the two characters.

I found myself relating to Isobel, I wouldn’t fare well in those times because I would be too stubborn and strong minded to let society put me in a corner and I would have fury over peoples disbelief in my truth. I love how she didn’t let any of the negativity deter her for even a moment, she was determined to find justice for her son and let everyone know exactly how evil their adored doctor really was.

I was glad for the ending including the irony of what came to be. A very interesting tale made more interesting by the fact that some aspects are a reference to real events.

Thank you to Jaima Fixsen, Poisened Pen Press and NetGalley for the EARC.

Publish date: October 15th 2024

I love a good historical fiction, huge plus it's gothic! The Specimen by Jaima Fixsen is a wonderful historical fiction novel based on true stories and events that happened in history, but of course, with a creative twist. It tells the story of a woman, Isobel Tait, and her journey as she seeks justice for her son who was stolen from her and robbed of his heart. I enjoyed this story a lot - I love historical fiction that includes the dark things that occurred throughout history, like grave robbing, resurrectionists/ body snatching, and scientists on the verge on ground-breaking medical discoveries. This book gives us that, plus paranormal activity- hearing ghosts, hearing beating hearts of the dead, etc. All of that helped add to the already atmospheric setting of this book and an all-consuming plot! 5 stars!

Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Jaima Fixsen for this captivating read!

The Specimen tells the tale of a young, sickly boy who goes missing. Isobel and Thomas live in a small room in Edenbourgh, Scotland. Thomas contracted scarlet fever when he was young, which left his heart scarred and greatly compromised. Following an encounter with a Dr. Burnett, Isobel learns that Thomas has a rare heart defect and has not long to live. She is instructed to take her son home. With whatever time Thomas has left, Isobel decides to live life to the fullest. Isobel teaches music. While she is away teaching music lessons, she comes home to find her son missing. Her son's caretaker had fallen asleep and could not be woken. Thomas is nowhere to be found. One and a half years later. The search for Thomas continues. A variety of animal and human parts are displayed in jars in Dr. Burnett's office, which attracts onlookers from near and far. His collection is constantly expanding. Isobel and some friends visit Dr. Burnett's to see his latest specimens. Isobel comes across a specimen that is of a child's heart with the same rare defect her son possessed. She feels her heart racing and faints. Inquiring how they obtained the heart, she begins to question the medical student present. There is no question in Isobel's mind that this is her son's heart. A few days later, Isobel returns to the exhibit dressed in disquise and can't locate the heart. It's gone. Her son is crying out to her and this draws her to a side room, where she hears the sound of the beating heart calling out to her. She lights a match in her room and she sees her son's heart on a shelf. She quickly extinguishes the match after it starts to burn her hand. Her immediate departure from the room is followed by a questioning as to why she was there. Her response is that she thought it was the restroom. Could this really be her son's heart? She will need proof, but how? Is anyone going to believe her? Is she going to be considered mad? Did her son die for his heart?

So I am a bit of a history nerd. So this book was right up my alley. I've read non-fiction books about specimen and oddity collections of the 17-1900s ( think old style freak show but for body parts). So this book has me before I even began

The pacing and character developments were excellent, almost perfect! I was on the edge of my seat, turning pages as quickly as I could read them. The multiple POV worked perfectly also, giving us insight into the mind's of the characters.

Edinburgh is we're my family originated from so it was great hearing place names that are all too familiar to me. It also has the dark, gothic vibes this thriller needed for a setting!

This book also covered some deeper topics relevant today - racial prejudice, classism and the fact that money means power. At the same time it was emotional, leaving you grieving with the mother and fighting for her to succeed.

This book is excellent! It's going to be a hard choice ordering my top 10 of the year, but this will be there!

Just when I think I've heard the worst of what history has to offer, a little gem like this comes along and tells me I ain't seen nothing yet. The Specimen is terrifying and sickening. My stomach was clenched the entire time reading this, which my abs thank me for, but my anxiety could not handle. The main character Isobel comes across a heart that she thinks belongs to her son that went missing months prior. We follow her on her journey as she searches for answers and what she uncovers will make your heart stop. This was an excellent read but so heartbreaking.

This book surprised me with its ease: the setting, the characters, the lives at stake, were easy to delve into. Curiosity cabinets were a very real thing and what gives this book its steady waltzing heart is that it’s based in truth. The author based the beat of her story around the Burke and Hare murders that provided Dr. Knox with specimens for his own collection. The main character Isobel Tait is a force, relentless in her quest to catch the man she believes is responsible for her son, Thomas’s disappearance.

There was so much to like about this book that I struggled to find any criticisms about it. It kept excellent pace, keeping me on the edge of my seat at times, and while I don’t usually like books written in multiple POVs this one worked quite well. I highly recommend for lovers of historical fiction, a good mystery, and fierce leading females!

Jaima Fixsen's "The Specimen" is a captivating Gothic thriller rooted in true crime. Despite not typically favoring historical fiction, I was pleasantly surprised. The detailed period setting of Edinburgh and the intricate character development make it a worthwhile read and I was captivated from beginning to end.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Jaima Fixsen for the opportunity to read and review "The Specimen" prior to its publication date.

The Specimen follows grieving mother Isobel as she stumbles upon a coincidence that is too peculiar to believe. After browsing local celebrity Dr. Burnett’s medical specimen collection, she finds herself squarely in front of a human heart depicting a damaged mitral valve, the same condition her missing son suffered from. Isobel takes on the web of lies and deceit woven by Edinburgh’s underground medical field to find answers and exact the vengeance she desperately needs.

It seems fitting that my 50th read of the year is not only one of my favorites of 2024, but quite possibly one of my favorite reads of all time. This is my first Jaima Fixsen novel, but it certainly won’t be my last. I am absolutely blown away by Fixsen’s character creating and storytelling. Isobel is such a dynamic character that I only wish I could learn more about her life. It feels like Isobel could easily have a few more books written about her and we still wouldn’t know everything. Don’t even get me started on the setting of this novel! Every single scene perfectly matched the unsettling feeling that slowly grew throughout the whole story. I absolutely cannot get enough.

Overall, The Specimen earns its rank as my third 5 star book of the year. This will be one that I might even have to purchase a physical copy of, so you know it’s really that good. The Specimen is set to release on October 15, 2024, and I cannot recommend it enough! However, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE look at the content warnings for this book before diving in.

Thank you so much to Posioned Pen Press and NetGalley for this ARC!

The Specimen by Jaima Fixsen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Big thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC!

It took me a bit of time to get into this book, but once I got a feel for the writing style, I was able to get through it quickly. I don’t usually gravitate towards historical fiction, but when I found out that it was based on a true story, I knew I had to give it a try, and I’m glad I did. The biggest challenge for me was keeping track of the numerous characters who were referred to by their first and last names, and not always knowing immediately whose perspective the chapter was following. I wasn’t sure how the author, Jaima, was going to end the book with a happier conclusion to such a sad story of loss, but I’m very pleased with how she did it! The release date in October was definitely fitting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review!

It is important to note that The Specimen is based upon trued stories and drawn inspiration from the Burke and Hare murders in Edinburgh in 1828. These two would provide the anatomy school of Dr. Robert Knox with bodies by murdering vulnerable people. Unfortunately, Dr. Knox was never charged or called to testify. This provides a horrifying and fascinating glimpse into this dark period of medical history and its impact on communities.

Our main character, Isobel, is a single mother who earns money by providing piano lessons to wealthier clients. Her young son, Thomas, is a sweet boy, but has been suffering with some heart and breathing issues after a serious illness. After taking Thomas to Dr. Burnett, they learn that Thomas has a rare and fatal heart condition. While trying to make the most of their time together. Upon returning home from teaching piano lessons one day, Isobel cannot find Thomas anywhere. She is frantic and heartbroken wondering where he is or who took him. A police report is filed, however, with no leads and several cases of missing children the case goes cold. As the months pass by, Isobel is full of despair. Agreeing to go with some friends to a specimen exhibit of Dr. Burnett's, Isobel hears and sees a young heart specimen that seems to call for her in Thomas's voice. Desperate to find out what has happened to her son, Isobel hunts for the truth when she is frequently not believed due being a hysterical woman.

Right from the get-go this story grabbed me in ways that pulled on the heart strings of a mother's love and her endless search to find out the truth of what happened to her son. I also enjoyed the historical references and gothic atmosphere that attributed greatly to the story line. There is a lot of commentary on gender, classicism, racial discrimination, power, and privilege. There was great character development as I found Isobel tenacious and brave. While on the cusp of great medical discoveries, the dark underbelly is exploring at whose expense this knowledge came from and the many vulnerable souls who went missing during this time: women, young children, the destitute, and ill. There was also satisfaction in the conclusion of this book which I appreciated.

I thought this was a wonderful read and devoured it quickly!

"The Specimen" delivers a chilling blend of historical fiction and true crime, transporting readers to 1826 Edinburgh, a city shrouded in mystery and darkness. Isobel Tait's journey begins innocently enough, as she stumbles upon a tiny human heart in Dr. Burnett's collection of oddities. However, when she realizes the heart belonged to her missing son, Isobel's world is plunged into a nightmare of deceit and horror.

Author skillfully weaves a tale of suspense and intrigue, as Isobel delves deeper into Dr. Burnett's macabre world, determined to uncover the truth about her son's disappearance. With each twist and turn, the tension mounts, leaving readers on the edge of their seats until the shocking conclusion.

"The Specimen" is not just a gripping thriller; it's also a haunting exploration of the darkness that lurks within the human soul. As Isobel confronts the depths of human depravity, readers are forced to confront their own fears and moral dilemmas.

Based on true crimes, "The Specimen" offers a mesmerizing glimpse into a world where the line between good and evil is blurred, and where the deadliest secrets lie hidden in plain sight. Fans of historical fiction and true crime will be captivated by this atmospheric and spine-tingling tale.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an ARC of The Specimen.

I absolutely loved the plot for this book, it was such a unique idea and not like anything I had ever read before. I also loved the historical setting of the book, although historical fiction isn't usually my cup of tea, it worked perfectly here. My main complaint is that the pace was quite slow and I often confused the enormous number of characters. Sometimes the characters are referred to by their first names, sometimes by their last names. I honestly could have used a cheat sheet to keep all of the characters straight while reading.

3.5 stars rounded up