The Specimen by Jaima Fixsen
4.5 ⭐️

Thanks, @netgalley for the audiobook. My honest review:

The sinister story of Doctors buying corpses for medical teachings and the mother and detective determined to find justice.

I didn’t know about Edinburgh’s Resurrection Men and this was an absolute delight! It was sad and creepy and had me entertained the whole time.

Historical fiction mixed with thriller and sprinkled with magical realism.

I honestly think this book would be a great physical read, but the narrator was really good and brought real emotions to the story.

first, I'm always down when it comes to a fiction with real life events, in this case it's historical from the 19th century. The setting is perfect (Edinburgh) for a spooky/gothic/horror story. Reading it in autumn is a great way for setting an ambiance and getting cosy with a good tea and a blanket.

thank you net galley for the copy

Set during the height of medical curiosity and body stealing in 1820s Edinburgh, a mother sets out to find her missing son whom she believes has been kidnapped and murdered for the purpose of "collecting" his damaged heart. She discovers that many other people with "interesting" deformities are going missing, too.

I enjoyed Anatomy by Dana Schwartz, and this has similar vibes. It is mystery mixed with fantasy and horror. We also meet the Ribbonmen, an Irish secret society, and get a taste of the politics of that time.

Isabel's quest to bring her son's killers to justice is inspiring and heartbreaking. And I thought the story of investigator Adam Kair and his background was interesting. I love historical fiction and this book did not disappoint. The audiobook narrator did an excellent job voicing all of the characters. I listened at normal speed so that I could understand the accents!

Quite the spine-chilling tale! The Specimen follows Isobel Tait, a young mother in 1826 Edinburgh whose son Thomas has developed a heart murmur after a bout of scarlet fever. When the acclaimed Dr. Connell Burnett pronounces Thomas's condition as fatal, Isobel and Thomas agree to make his remaining few months as comfortable and happy as possible. Then, Thomas goes missing -- kidnapped, Isobel fears, by a mysterious burned man. When she visits Dr. Burnett's collection of medical specimens, she discovers a child's heart among them, and is certain it belongs to her son. Eventually aided by Detective Adam Kerr, Isobel sets out to reclaim Thomas's heart and destroy Dr. Burnett.

This audiobook, superbly narrated by Cathleen McCarron, was absolutely riveting. I'm very interested to look into the real life murders that provided inspiration for this story. Isobel is plucky and resolute, willing to act as dangerously and ruthlessly as Dr. Burnett, his "resurrection men" associates, and the unscrupulous medical men of Edinburgh. The Specimen examines how men of power and wealth can easily prey upon the poor and vulnerable, and what one determined woman can do to thwart their plans. Part murder mystery, part historical thriller, The Specimen is well worth the read.

Thanks NetGalley and RB Media for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

This book is based on a chilling true story. I was riveted from beginning to end. The voice acting was outstanding.

Great story, nothing incredibly unsurprising plot-wise, but it is based on true events, so that's not a negative thing.
I enjoyed the narrator for this audiobook version of the story, and they did a great job.

Updated and posted on TikTok November 10. Link below.
A chilling historical novel loosely based on true crimes
A mother whose young son has a rare heart condition is plunged into an unthinkable situation. This historical novel offers a rich vision of horrendous crimes with a remarkable and complex main character. The specimen has a brave MC, mystery, suspense, tenderness, horror, and a bit of romance.

RBMedia delivers a top-quality audiobook featuring an excellent, expressive vocal performance by Cathleen McCarren. This narrator has an impressive range, giving each character a distinctive voice, including a poignant portrayal of the little boy.The beginning entranced me with vivid scenes of the mother and child bond.

Unfortunately, as convolutions and unnecessary subplots multiply, plausibility strains and breaks. Overall, it’s well-written, with some beautiful passages. I appreciated the atmospheric scenes and the many details bringing to life nineteenth-century Edinburgh. Fixsen displays a mastery of ‘telling details,’ rendering a cinematic vision of the homes, streets, and specific items that matter in the novel.

Highlights:

Chilling depiction of medical obsession and arrogance, and brutal, criminal measures taken to obtain human specimens.
The characterizations and dynamics between the women, within and across class lines, ring true.
There are some good shocks and intriguing details about the specimens and forensic medicine.
The moments when her music matters--and the lasting bond with her son.

Because of the strong main character, the author’s talent, bold choices, and foregrounding of the victims–and especially due to the extraordinary performance by Cathleen McCarren–I rounded the rating up to 4 stars.

Recommended for seasoned fans of horror, historical crime fiction, or disturbing Gothic suspense. Thank you @RBmedia for the ALC via @NetGalley for consideration. These are solely my own opinions.

A great gothic-type tale set in Edinburgh in the days when the field of medicine had begun to use dead bodies to expand their knowledge, with the help of bodysnatchers (as in Burke and Hare). Isobel is the main character, and when her son, who is ill with a heart condition, is taken from his home, she comes to believe that a surgeon is responsible for the abduction after learning that he is displaying in his collection a human heart with the rare condition her son had. The police investigate, but give up as they can find no evidence, but Isobel will go to great lengths to conduct her own inquiries into the matter.
A great story, well told, and well narrated.
Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

"The Specimen" was okay to me. The writing was nice, and the plot was interesting. It wasn't as fast-paced as I like, and by 50% the story's momentum hadn't picked up. I will recommend this book to library patrons who like historical fiction and slow-paced stories.

The Specimen is an evocative story of medical malpractice. Set in early 19th century Scotland, the story follows a young single mother, Isobel, a police officer, Adam, and a young orphan, Nan. They are brought together through a series of missing persons cases. Jaima Fixsen's writing is immersive and beautiful. I found Isobel to be an extremely sympathetic and complex character. She makes some dramatic choices in search of answers to her young son's disappearance. She believes that his damaged heart is in Dr. Burnett's medical specimen collection, and she single-mindedly pursues the truth of the Doctor's practices. I was fascinated to learn this story is inspired a real situation. There is an underlying sense of tension that moves the story forward smoothly. The narrator did an excellent job setting the scene and bringing the listener into the world of 19th century Scotland.

I am excited to read more from Jaima Fixsen.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for providing an ALC copy in return for my review.

This book grabs you right from the start. Set in the eerie streets of 1826 Edinburgh, it follows Isobel Tait, a mother desperate to protect her fragile son, Thomas. But when Thomas goes missing, Isobel’s worst fears are confirmed in the most horrifying way—a new addition to Dr. Burnett’s specimen collection appears to be a human heart.

From there, it’s a gripping race for justice. Isobel, determined and resourceful, goes undercover to expose the twisted doctor preying on the vulnerable, even as powerful figures in medicine work against her. With the help of a flawed detective, she takes on danger to stop Burnett’s twisted ambitions. This is historical suspense at its best, blending atmospheric mystery, high-stakes action, and a relentless mother’s love that won’t quit.

TW for medical abuse.

This was so sad, and so good. It made me feel relief at the end, but all kinds of feelings while reading. Well done novel that I would definitely re-read.

I'd recommend this to folks who liked Anatomy and Immortality by Diana Schwartz.

Thanks for the ARC!

I genuinely enjoyed this book so much. I was heart broken and rooting for Izzie the entire time. The narrator was fantastic as well.

The Specimen by Jaima Fixsen

What do you do when you need to advance science… You make the science happen.

It’s 1826 and Isobel Tate is not over her son being taken and when she goes to see a collection of specimens… she is drawn to the fact one is a heart with the exact defect her son had… She secures herself into the household of the doctor who has the heart and he is also the doctor that treated her son's heart condition.. Is it a coincidence or did something sinister happen to her son?

This book was great. I really enjoyed the narration. It had the best gothic vibes in a historical fiction setting and I was here all day for that.

The characters were great and this is loosely based on a true event so it made it even more exciting. The plot was awesome, a little slow but it was worth it.

4.5 stars

A Gothic thriller based on true crimes set in 1826, it’s a slow burn that takes a moment to get going- but once it does, it becomes a darkly suspenseful dive into the power of a mother’s love, determination, and the lengths she’ll go for revenge. And the cover? Absolutely stunning, capturing the haunting beauty I crave in historical fiction! Perfect for fans of Gothic tales with heart—both literally and metaphorically!

☆ALC REVIEW☆
Publication date: Available today!!


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Okay so my sister is friend's with Jaima Fixsen, the author, and sent me a physical copy(thank you @kirstin_anne_ ) and I also received an advanced listeners copy.

OMG, the narrator truly made this book come alive with some parts of her narration giving me literal chills.

The whole concept and synopsis of 'The Speciman' is truly one of the most unique things I have come across, ever. Then to find out that the book is based on true crime events.....chills! Finding your missing son's heart, who had a rare heart condition, just like this particular heart in the jar, is so not normal. Diving deeper into the story, you just never know what is going to happen, largely in part to it all seeming unfathomable.

I am not a historical fiction girl, but mix in a thriller with elements of true crime and you have me hooked!

Jaima Fixsen @byjaimafixsen this book is an easy 5 stars for me and a true masterpiece! It will definitely be a yearly reread for me!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Jaima Fixsen, and RB Media for a copy in exchange for an honest review!!

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced audio copy of this book for review purposes. The year is 1826, Edinburgh. Isobel and her son Tom have a good life. Isobel is a “widow” and cares for them by teaching piano. Tom is a curious child who loves stories. Tom’s heart isn’t working well after contracting a fever. Isobel takes him to see Dr. Burnett who confirms that Tom doesn’t have long to live. One afternoon, Tom, while in the care of the landlady, is gone. Isobel goes to the police day after day but no one can provide any clues except the picture of a man with a burned face. After months of agonizing over the fate of her boy, Isobel goes to a museum of medical curiosities. There she hears Tom’s heart. It is in a jar and Isobel knows that it is his. What follows next is a search through Edinburgh for missing people who are all unique. One blue eye, one brown. A woman with an extra finger on her left hand. Isobel soon realizes that she will have to take matters into her own hands to find out what exactly happened to her son. This book is based on real events of the time. I think this would make a great book for book club. The narrator was wonderful. Read this book and thank me later!

I was intrigued to read this after discovering it is based on true crime and because of the gorgeous cover. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. As I listened to the audiobook version, the accent was a bit distracting making it harder to follow. The story itself seemed to drone on and on without much substance. To be fair, my mind wandered a lot while listening which may have led to my disinterest. Maybe I will try again with a written copy. My thanks to the publisher for providing the audiobook for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Overall I thank NetGalley for the privilege of being able to get an arc of this audio. The narration was excellent and I really enjoyed that characters and story. I rated this a 4.5 stars.

A perfect Gothic style spooky season read set in early 19th century Edinburgh that sees a mother's young son stolen for his dysfunctional heart by a doctor who likes to collect the body parts of unusual 'specimens' - even if it means resorting to murder to do so.

A tad long-winded at times, this was still an enjoyable read that sees a mother teaming up with a detective to bring justice for her son and put a stop to the doctor's illegal smuggling/murder ring. I especially loved the part where she can hear the voice of her dead son when she gets near his heart and the way she infiltrates the doctor's house.

This was my first book by Canadian author, Jaima Fixsen and I would definitely recommend it! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy (narrated excellently by Cathleen McCarron) in exchange for my honest review.