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Raven, Fisher, and Simpson #5
The Death of Shame
1854, Edinburgh.
Respectable public faces hide sordid private sins.
Apprentice Sarah Fisher is helping to fund Dr Will Raven’s emerging medical practice in exchange for being secretly trained as a medic, should the rules barring women ever change. Sarah needs no instruction in the inequalities that beset her gender, but even she has her eyes opened to a darker reality when a relative seeks her help in searching for her missing daughter. Annabelle Banks was promised a situation in a prestigious household, but there has been no word from her since she left home, and the agency that arranged her position says she never appeared.
Sarah’s inquiries lead her to reforming campaigners trying to publicise the plight of the hundreds of girls ensnared in Edinburgh’s houses of assignation. Sarah learns how young women are lured, deceived, trafficked and raped, leaving them ruined in the eyes of a society obsessed with moral purity, and where virginity is prized as a lucrative commodity.
Drawing upon real historical events, The Death of Shame takes Raven and Sarah into a treacherous labyrinth of exploitation, corruption, high-level complicity and Victorian-style revenge porn.
Respectable public faces hide sordid private sins.
Apprentice Sarah Fisher is helping to fund Dr Will Raven’s emerging medical practice in exchange for being secretly trained as a medic, should the rules barring women ever change. Sarah needs no instruction in the inequalities that beset her gender, but even she has her eyes opened to a darker reality when a relative seeks her help in searching for her missing daughter. Annabelle Banks was promised a situation in a prestigious household, but there has been no word from her since she left home, and the agency that arranged her position says she never appeared.
Sarah’s inquiries lead her to reforming campaigners trying to publicise the plight of the hundreds of girls ensnared in Edinburgh’s houses of assignation. Sarah learns how young women are lured, deceived, trafficked and raped, leaving them ruined in the eyes of a society obsessed with moral purity, and where virginity is prized as a lucrative commodity.
Drawing upon real historical events, The Death of Shame takes Raven and Sarah into a treacherous labyrinth of exploitation, corruption, high-level complicity and Victorian-style revenge porn.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2025
62 people are currently reading
559 people want to read
About the author
Ambrose Parry
9 books465 followersAmbrose Parry is the pen name for husband and wife Chris Brookmyre (known mostly for his crime novels) and Dr Marisa Haetzman, a consultant anaesthetist. It is the latter's interest in medical history that lead to their first collaboration, The Way of All Flesh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
September 26, 2025
What a fitting end to this wonderful series! I’ve read the other four books and I enjoyed them, but this one is, despite the tone much darker than the others, really great.
When just starting their new life with a new home and a new practice, Will and Sarah are confronted with several very disturbing things. First Will’s father-in-law dies, and secondly Sarah’s young niece Annabel seems to have disappeared shortly after arriving in Edinburgh to take on a job. In between trying to lure more patients to his practice, Will is tasked by Eugenie to find out what happened to her father, and more especially to the large sum of money that seems to be missing from his accounts. Without that money, Will and Eugenie, who stands to inherit her fathers’ house, cannot afford to go and live there – and Eugenie simply hates her new home. Things are not at all well with her and with her marriage to Will, while Will is torn between his love for her and their children and his love for Sarah. Sarah, meanwhile, is still torn between her wish to become a real doctor and the fact that that would only be possible if she left Edinburgh to find a university that would accept her as a student. In the meantime, Will tries to learn her as much as he can while attending patients.
While Will is busy trudging around the city trying to find answers, Sarah tries to find what happened with Annabel. It’s no surprise that both stories are linked, and they have everything to do with the sordid underworld of Edinburgh, where man think they have the right to use women as they please, and young girls are lured into prostitution.
Well, for sure some things have not changed in those almost two hundred years! And while in 1854 a simple photograph of a women unclad could mean that she was forever shunned from decent society, nowadays it’s even worse.
There is a lot going on in this story, with characters from previous books suddenly playing a different role and others still the same – good or bad. There is some humour, love and kindness but all in all it is not a very happy book – just a very interesting dark story with great characters and beautiful language. As I said, a fitting end.
Thanks to Canongate and Netgalley for this review copy.
When just starting their new life with a new home and a new practice, Will and Sarah are confronted with several very disturbing things. First Will’s father-in-law dies, and secondly Sarah’s young niece Annabel seems to have disappeared shortly after arriving in Edinburgh to take on a job. In between trying to lure more patients to his practice, Will is tasked by Eugenie to find out what happened to her father, and more especially to the large sum of money that seems to be missing from his accounts. Without that money, Will and Eugenie, who stands to inherit her fathers’ house, cannot afford to go and live there – and Eugenie simply hates her new home. Things are not at all well with her and with her marriage to Will, while Will is torn between his love for her and their children and his love for Sarah. Sarah, meanwhile, is still torn between her wish to become a real doctor and the fact that that would only be possible if she left Edinburgh to find a university that would accept her as a student. In the meantime, Will tries to learn her as much as he can while attending patients.
While Will is busy trudging around the city trying to find answers, Sarah tries to find what happened with Annabel. It’s no surprise that both stories are linked, and they have everything to do with the sordid underworld of Edinburgh, where man think they have the right to use women as they please, and young girls are lured into prostitution.
Well, for sure some things have not changed in those almost two hundred years! And while in 1854 a simple photograph of a women unclad could mean that she was forever shunned from decent society, nowadays it’s even worse.
There is a lot going on in this story, with characters from previous books suddenly playing a different role and others still the same – good or bad. There is some humour, love and kindness but all in all it is not a very happy book – just a very interesting dark story with great characters and beautiful language. As I said, a fitting end.
Thanks to Canongate and Netgalley for this review copy.
August 29, 2025
I’ve never gotten over how cool it is to read these books whilst living in Edinburgh. Think bc it’s been so long since I read book four I am a little thrown with all the characters involved with this one, struggled to keep track at times. I love Sarah and Will. Magnus Cunningham can burn in hell.
The last 100 pages!!!!! Eugenie low key being an icon???? WILL AND SARAH. I needed more Doctor Simpson. Actually I need more books don’t let this be the end pls.
Too many quotes in this to write down but there was a lot of misogyny which is somehow still happening in 2025, not 1854 😬😬😬😬 The feminist rage is incredibly real.
Thankyou Chris and Marisa 🩷
The last 100 pages!!!!! Eugenie low key being an icon???? WILL AND SARAH. I needed more Doctor Simpson. Actually I need more books don’t let this be the end pls.
Too many quotes in this to write down but there was a lot of misogyny which is somehow still happening in 2025, not 1854 😬😬😬😬 The feminist rage is incredibly real.
Thankyou Chris and Marisa 🩷
August 11, 2025
The fifth novel in this unique series sees both the central characters having to deal with catastrophes. Doctor Will Raven’s father-in-law, Dr. Cameron Todd falls to his death from the top of the Scott Memorial in Price’s Street, Edinburgh. Was it an accident or did he commit suicide? If the latter, why?
Meanwhile, Will’s assistant, Sarah Fisher, still struggling to become a doctor in her own right in a male dominated time and profession, is informed that her niece, Annabel Banks has disappeared. Annabel has travelled from her home in Fife to Edinburgh, where she was promised a job in a prodigious household. However, she seemingly never appeared at the home of her future employers.
Sarah’s investigations leads her to suspect the worst. It appears that hundreds of teenage girls coming to the Scottish capital become ensnared in a widespread prostitution ring. All kept discreetly under wraps in a society ostensibly obsessed with moral purity, although many of the “clients” of these young girls are men from the upper echelons of Scottish society – judges, politicians, senior officers in police and military, maybe even minor royals.
The story is loosely based on real historical events and leads Will and Sarah into a labyrinth of exploitation, corruption and high level complicity. Will also makes a terrible discovery that one of the men at the head of this prostitution ring is a close relative of his.
Once again, Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman have managed to deliver a well-crafted, thrilling and sometime shocking work. Also, I’m sure they were both well aware of parallels of their story to the present day, as anyone familiar with the Jeffery Epstein case will realise.
Meanwhile, Will’s assistant, Sarah Fisher, still struggling to become a doctor in her own right in a male dominated time and profession, is informed that her niece, Annabel Banks has disappeared. Annabel has travelled from her home in Fife to Edinburgh, where she was promised a job in a prodigious household. However, she seemingly never appeared at the home of her future employers.
Sarah’s investigations leads her to suspect the worst. It appears that hundreds of teenage girls coming to the Scottish capital become ensnared in a widespread prostitution ring. All kept discreetly under wraps in a society ostensibly obsessed with moral purity, although many of the “clients” of these young girls are men from the upper echelons of Scottish society – judges, politicians, senior officers in police and military, maybe even minor royals.
The story is loosely based on real historical events and leads Will and Sarah into a labyrinth of exploitation, corruption and high level complicity. Will also makes a terrible discovery that one of the men at the head of this prostitution ring is a close relative of his.
Once again, Chris Brookmyre and Marisa Haetzman have managed to deliver a well-crafted, thrilling and sometime shocking work. Also, I’m sure they were both well aware of parallels of their story to the present day, as anyone familiar with the Jeffery Epstein case will realise.
April 9, 2025
The Death of Shame is the fifth and final instalment in the Raven and Fisher series, and wow, what an ending.
1854, Edinburgh....
Will's father-in-law is found dead at the bottom of the Scott monument, and Sarah's niece who left Perth to take up a position as a maid has vanished without a trace.
As Raven and Fisher make some enquiries about the incidents, they're confronted by blackmail, prostitution and Edinburgh's sordid criminal underworld that's hiding in plain sight.
This is a lot darker than the previous books.
I've loved this series, I'm sad that it's come to an end.
I highly recommend this.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC.
1854, Edinburgh....
Will's father-in-law is found dead at the bottom of the Scott monument, and Sarah's niece who left Perth to take up a position as a maid has vanished without a trace.
As Raven and Fisher make some enquiries about the incidents, they're confronted by blackmail, prostitution and Edinburgh's sordid criminal underworld that's hiding in plain sight.
This is a lot darker than the previous books.
I've loved this series, I'm sad that it's come to an end.
I highly recommend this.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC.
April 11, 2025
If you’re already a fan of the Raven and Fisher series, you’re in for a treat with The Death of Shame. And if you’re not, this is a brilliant place to start. Once again we’re right back in 19th-century Edinburgh, full of dark alleyways, fog, hidden corners and a whole lot of secrets. This one feels a bit deeper than the last few: it’s more emotional, more psychological but still with that clever mystery at the heart of it.
What really struck me is how well it looks at shame. Not just as something society uses to control people, especially women, but also how it eats away at you from the inside. It’s all tied into the story in a way that feels really human and very relevant, even though it’s set over a hundred years ago.
Will Raven and Sarah Fisher are still such a brilliant pair to follow. Their relationship has this lovely tension running through it — a bit of spark, a bit of frustration, loads of mutual respect. Sarah, in particular, continues to be the kind of female character I love: she’s smart, capable, determined and not afraid to push against what’s expected of her. Watching her navigate the world she’s in is one of the best parts of the book.
Parry (the pen name of husband and wife duo – bestselling author Chris Brookmyre and Dr Marisa Haetzman, a consultant anaesthetist with a passion for medical history) also brings in lots of fascinating detail about early medicine without making it too heavy. You get a real sense of what it would’ve been like to live through that time. I think my favourite thing about these novels is the setting! I can picture all of the dark alleys and closes and Edinburgh actually feels like another character — moody, mysterious and absolutely full of atmosphere.
If you love a historical crime novel with real depth, strong characters and a good dose of tension, I can’t recommend this enough. Oh and I loved the historical note at the back and ended up down a Titanic rabbit hole. Despite it feeling a tiny bit preachy about two third of the way in, it’s still five stars from me!
A huge thanks to the publishers Canongate Books and NetGalley for this advanced copy. This novel is due to be published in June 2025.
What really struck me is how well it looks at shame. Not just as something society uses to control people, especially women, but also how it eats away at you from the inside. It’s all tied into the story in a way that feels really human and very relevant, even though it’s set over a hundred years ago.
Will Raven and Sarah Fisher are still such a brilliant pair to follow. Their relationship has this lovely tension running through it — a bit of spark, a bit of frustration, loads of mutual respect. Sarah, in particular, continues to be the kind of female character I love: she’s smart, capable, determined and not afraid to push against what’s expected of her. Watching her navigate the world she’s in is one of the best parts of the book.
Parry (the pen name of husband and wife duo – bestselling author Chris Brookmyre and Dr Marisa Haetzman, a consultant anaesthetist with a passion for medical history) also brings in lots of fascinating detail about early medicine without making it too heavy. You get a real sense of what it would’ve been like to live through that time. I think my favourite thing about these novels is the setting! I can picture all of the dark alleys and closes and Edinburgh actually feels like another character — moody, mysterious and absolutely full of atmosphere.
If you love a historical crime novel with real depth, strong characters and a good dose of tension, I can’t recommend this enough. Oh and I loved the historical note at the back and ended up down a Titanic rabbit hole. Despite it feeling a tiny bit preachy about two third of the way in, it’s still five stars from me!
A huge thanks to the publishers Canongate Books and NetGalley for this advanced copy. This novel is due to be published in June 2025.
April 8, 2025
What an end to an excellent historical murder mystery series. This final book in the series is a dark, disturbing and unsettling read. Raven and Fisher find that they are confronted by the most evil and exploitative of men.
December 11, 2025
This is the fifth and final book in Ambrose Parry’s Raven and Fisher historical crime series set within the medical world of 19th century Edinburgh. It’s a shame (no pun intended) that it’s the last one, as I’ve enjoyed all of the books and am sorry there won’t be any more. If you’re new to the series, I recommend reading in order starting with the first novel, The Way of All Flesh, but it’s not completely essential as the books also work as separate mysteries.
As The Death of Shame opens, Dr Will Raven is trying to establish his own medical practice, away from his friend and mentor James Simpson, the famous obstetrician. He is assisted financially by Sarah Fisher and in return has agreed to give her some training in secret as she has been disappointed in her efforts to obtain a medical degree like the female American physicians, Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell. Sarah soon has more urgent matters to deal with, however; her young niece, Annabel, was due to arrive in Edinburgh to take up a position in service, but she has gone missing and Sarah fears she may have been lured into prostitution.
Meanwhile, Raven is also having problems of his own. His father-in-law, Dr Cameron Todd, has been found dead, believed to have committed suicide, and as Raven begins to dig into the circumstances of his death he makes some shocking discoveries. His wife, Eugenie, has seemed depressed and withdrawn since the birth of their second child and Raven feels he can’t burden her with anything else, so he continues his investigation alone, afraid of what else he might learn.
Ambrose Parry is a pseudonym of the husband and wife writing team consisting of crime author Chris Brookmyre and consultant anaesthetist Dr Marisa Haetzman. With their different skills and areas of knowledge, they both bring something special to the writing of these novels. I felt that this particular book didn’t have as much medical detail in it, but with the inclusion of real life doctor Emily Blackwell it does explore the prejudice towards women in medicine and the lack of opportunities for study, as well as looking at the difficulties even qualified male doctors like Raven face in setting up a new medical practice and trying to convince patients to entrust them with their care.
The Death of Shame, like the other books in the series, is both a mystery novel and a social commentary on the darker side of life in Victorian Edinburgh. Suicide, blackmail and the trafficking of young women are just some of the topics this book tackles, along with the growing trade in pornography made possible by new developments in photography. It’s a fascinating book, although obviously quite disturbing at times as well. The Historical Note at the end is definitely worth reading as it provides more information on some of the subjects covered in the book, as well as explaining which characters are real or inspired by real people.
This book brings the series to a satisfying conclusion, although I think there was still more that could have been written about Will and Sarah and I’m disappointed that their story has come to an end.
As The Death of Shame opens, Dr Will Raven is trying to establish his own medical practice, away from his friend and mentor James Simpson, the famous obstetrician. He is assisted financially by Sarah Fisher and in return has agreed to give her some training in secret as she has been disappointed in her efforts to obtain a medical degree like the female American physicians, Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell. Sarah soon has more urgent matters to deal with, however; her young niece, Annabel, was due to arrive in Edinburgh to take up a position in service, but she has gone missing and Sarah fears she may have been lured into prostitution.
Meanwhile, Raven is also having problems of his own. His father-in-law, Dr Cameron Todd, has been found dead, believed to have committed suicide, and as Raven begins to dig into the circumstances of his death he makes some shocking discoveries. His wife, Eugenie, has seemed depressed and withdrawn since the birth of their second child and Raven feels he can’t burden her with anything else, so he continues his investigation alone, afraid of what else he might learn.
Ambrose Parry is a pseudonym of the husband and wife writing team consisting of crime author Chris Brookmyre and consultant anaesthetist Dr Marisa Haetzman. With their different skills and areas of knowledge, they both bring something special to the writing of these novels. I felt that this particular book didn’t have as much medical detail in it, but with the inclusion of real life doctor Emily Blackwell it does explore the prejudice towards women in medicine and the lack of opportunities for study, as well as looking at the difficulties even qualified male doctors like Raven face in setting up a new medical practice and trying to convince patients to entrust them with their care.
The Death of Shame, like the other books in the series, is both a mystery novel and a social commentary on the darker side of life in Victorian Edinburgh. Suicide, blackmail and the trafficking of young women are just some of the topics this book tackles, along with the growing trade in pornography made possible by new developments in photography. It’s a fascinating book, although obviously quite disturbing at times as well. The Historical Note at the end is definitely worth reading as it provides more information on some of the subjects covered in the book, as well as explaining which characters are real or inspired by real people.
This book brings the series to a satisfying conclusion, although I think there was still more that could have been written about Will and Sarah and I’m disappointed that their story has come to an end.
October 4, 2025
The Death of Shame is the fifth and (sadly) final book in the fabulous Raven & Fisher series set in Victorian era Edinburgh. While each is a standalone mystery, I highly recommend reading them all in order for the character evolution and background subplots. I’ve loved how they feature real historical characters, like famous obstetrician James Young Simpson, and pioneering physician Emily Blackwell, in amongst the fictional characters, and how Edinburgh itself is such an important part of the stories, with its inseparable glamour and darkness, as true now as it was then.
It’s 1854, and Will Raven has finally branched out into his own practice, but is struggling to attract patients, much to the displeasure of his depressed wife Eugenie. Then he is asked to visit the scene of a suicide and discovers to his horror that the dead man is his father in law - what could’ve driven wealthy physician Cameron Todd to take his own life? Meanwhile Sarah, still training to be a doctor in secret, in the hope that the rules change, is disturbed to learn that her niece has disappeared after moving to the city for work - and no one in the police cares.
Ambrose Parry is the pseudonym of bestselling Scottish crime writer Christopher Brookmyre - one of my favourite authors - and his wife, anaesthetist Marisa Haetzman. The mix of perfect mystery plotting and accurate medical minutiae and history are irresistible to me as a crime fiction loving graduate of Edinburgh’s medical school. This caps off an amazing series and while I’m sorry it’s ending, I admire the authors for quitting while they’re winning. (And am happy that Brookmyre’s contemporary hero Jack Parlabane is returning, so that’s a silver lining and a half.)
The afterword to this explains which parts of the plot are based on real events - the technological advances that made some of it possible, and the hypocritical Victorian attitudes that permitted certain crimes to flourish. At the heart of this series is the wonderful relationship between Will & Sarah - a solid friendship complicated by impossible love between two people both destined to be doctors, but one prevented from practising because of her sex. This one brings their story to a worthy conclusion.
Thanks to Canongate books and NetGalley for the ARC. The Death of Shame is published on October 14th.
It’s 1854, and Will Raven has finally branched out into his own practice, but is struggling to attract patients, much to the displeasure of his depressed wife Eugenie. Then he is asked to visit the scene of a suicide and discovers to his horror that the dead man is his father in law - what could’ve driven wealthy physician Cameron Todd to take his own life? Meanwhile Sarah, still training to be a doctor in secret, in the hope that the rules change, is disturbed to learn that her niece has disappeared after moving to the city for work - and no one in the police cares.
Ambrose Parry is the pseudonym of bestselling Scottish crime writer Christopher Brookmyre - one of my favourite authors - and his wife, anaesthetist Marisa Haetzman. The mix of perfect mystery plotting and accurate medical minutiae and history are irresistible to me as a crime fiction loving graduate of Edinburgh’s medical school. This caps off an amazing series and while I’m sorry it’s ending, I admire the authors for quitting while they’re winning. (And am happy that Brookmyre’s contemporary hero Jack Parlabane is returning, so that’s a silver lining and a half.)
The afterword to this explains which parts of the plot are based on real events - the technological advances that made some of it possible, and the hypocritical Victorian attitudes that permitted certain crimes to flourish. At the heart of this series is the wonderful relationship between Will & Sarah - a solid friendship complicated by impossible love between two people both destined to be doctors, but one prevented from practising because of her sex. This one brings their story to a worthy conclusion.
Thanks to Canongate books and NetGalley for the ARC. The Death of Shame is published on October 14th.
June 3, 2025
I just finished The Death of Shame by Ambrose Parry, and I’m still reeling—in the best way. From the first page, I was pulled into Victorian Edinburgh once again, and it felt like slipping into a darker, sharper version of the city I thought I knew from the earlier books. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and the mystery had me guessing until the very end.
What struck me most this time was the emotional depth—there’s a rawness to the characters, especially Will Raven, that made everything feel more urgent. The writing is as elegant as ever, with that seamless blend of historical detail and psychological insight. I found myself highlighting passages just for how beautifully they were phrased.
Without giving anything away, the ending left me both satisfied and quietly haunted—which, frankly, is exactly how I want to feel after a great historical thriller. If you’ve followed the series so far, this installment feels like a culmination. If you haven’t, start from the beginning. Trust me, it’s worth the ride. My thanks to both NetGalley and Canongate books for a free ebook and an honest review.
What struck me most this time was the emotional depth—there’s a rawness to the characters, especially Will Raven, that made everything feel more urgent. The writing is as elegant as ever, with that seamless blend of historical detail and psychological insight. I found myself highlighting passages just for how beautifully they were phrased.
Without giving anything away, the ending left me both satisfied and quietly haunted—which, frankly, is exactly how I want to feel after a great historical thriller. If you’ve followed the series so far, this installment feels like a culmination. If you haven’t, start from the beginning. Trust me, it’s worth the ride. My thanks to both NetGalley and Canongate books for a free ebook and an honest review.
May 24, 2025
4.5* The Death of Shame - the fifth and final instalment in the Fisher and Raven series and what a finale to a much loved series.
Dr Will Raven has set up his own medical practice in his new family home with his wife and children, in 1840s Edinburgh. His friend Sarah Fisher has partly funded the endeavour in return for her own medical training. While the practice is slow to get off the ground, the same cannot be said for events surrounding the pair. Sarah’s niece has travelled to the city to take up a position in service but has disappeared en route. While Will’s mentor and good friend Dr Simpson is being blackmailed by an unknown hand and it would appear he isn’t the only victim among Edinburgh medics. As deaths and difficulties mount up, Sarah and Will find themselves in a Gordian knot of a problem.
This is a fantastic series. The backdrop of early Victorian Edinburgh is incredibly well drawn and atmospheric, particularly for your average day-tripper who knows George Street, Princess Street Gardens and St Andrew’s Square (I always wonder if Raven’s father-in-law’s house is the beautiful HQ of the Royal Bank of Scotland which is located in St Andrew’s Square). With no exception I have loved every one of the main characters, although there is less of Dr Simpson in this book than I would have liked. The plot is clever and zips along and it’s sufficiently twisty to keep the reader guessing.
This isn’t hare-brained mad-cap thriller territory. It is thoughtful historical fiction at its best. This would be a fine standalone but the series is best read in order to really get to know and love all involved.
With huge thanks to Canongate Books and Netgalley for an ARC. Perhaps the publisher could persuade the authors to do another …
Dr Will Raven has set up his own medical practice in his new family home with his wife and children, in 1840s Edinburgh. His friend Sarah Fisher has partly funded the endeavour in return for her own medical training. While the practice is slow to get off the ground, the same cannot be said for events surrounding the pair. Sarah’s niece has travelled to the city to take up a position in service but has disappeared en route. While Will’s mentor and good friend Dr Simpson is being blackmailed by an unknown hand and it would appear he isn’t the only victim among Edinburgh medics. As deaths and difficulties mount up, Sarah and Will find themselves in a Gordian knot of a problem.
This is a fantastic series. The backdrop of early Victorian Edinburgh is incredibly well drawn and atmospheric, particularly for your average day-tripper who knows George Street, Princess Street Gardens and St Andrew’s Square (I always wonder if Raven’s father-in-law’s house is the beautiful HQ of the Royal Bank of Scotland which is located in St Andrew’s Square). With no exception I have loved every one of the main characters, although there is less of Dr Simpson in this book than I would have liked. The plot is clever and zips along and it’s sufficiently twisty to keep the reader guessing.
This isn’t hare-brained mad-cap thriller territory. It is thoughtful historical fiction at its best. This would be a fine standalone but the series is best read in order to really get to know and love all involved.
With huge thanks to Canongate Books and Netgalley for an ARC. Perhaps the publisher could persuade the authors to do another …
August 31, 2025
The Death of Shame by Ambrose Parry - Very Good
Another outing for Dr Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. The story has moved on. Raven is no longer with Dr Simpson and has moved to his own house and practice with wife Eugenie and their children.....but little does his wife know, Sarah has funded this start up and Raven is secretly training her.
One night, Raven is summoned by Inspector McLevy to an apparent suicide at the Scott Monument, not to pronounce death but to identify the body.... his father-in-law. Eugenie is, of course, distraught at the death of her father and wants Raven to investigate what could have possibly caused her father to take his own life.
Meanwhile, Sarah has her own problems to deal with, her niece was supposed to be arriving in Edinburgh to take a place in service but has failed to arrive. What could have happened to her?
Separately and together, they are drawn into a world of brothels and procurement and blackmail. How will they untangle everything? Will they be able to find the girl?
Good page turner, as always, and the ending certainly suggests that this will actually be the last ever of this series, as the authors have said. Shame in some respects but everything was tied up nicely and hopefully they have other plans in mind. Can't wait to see what they come up with next.
#review
Another outing for Dr Will Raven and Sarah Fisher. The story has moved on. Raven is no longer with Dr Simpson and has moved to his own house and practice with wife Eugenie and their children.....but little does his wife know, Sarah has funded this start up and Raven is secretly training her.
One night, Raven is summoned by Inspector McLevy to an apparent suicide at the Scott Monument, not to pronounce death but to identify the body.... his father-in-law. Eugenie is, of course, distraught at the death of her father and wants Raven to investigate what could have possibly caused her father to take his own life.
Meanwhile, Sarah has her own problems to deal with, her niece was supposed to be arriving in Edinburgh to take a place in service but has failed to arrive. What could have happened to her?
Separately and together, they are drawn into a world of brothels and procurement and blackmail. How will they untangle everything? Will they be able to find the girl?
Good page turner, as always, and the ending certainly suggests that this will actually be the last ever of this series, as the authors have said. Shame in some respects but everything was tied up nicely and hopefully they have other plans in mind. Can't wait to see what they come up with next.
#review
August 24, 2025
“Shame. Everywhere shame, but always hung about the necks of women. Men using shame as a means of control. Women powerless within a society that could destroy them on a whim, using only a word.
Harlot.
Harridan.
Crone.
Spinster.
Witch.
Whore.
They were shamed over the conduct men demanded of them. Shamed for their own desires. Shamed for their ambition. Shamed for their bodies. Shamed for their weakness. Shamed when they exercised strength.”
I can never explain my feelings for this series and these books, I think. I love and adore them beyond what can accurately be described. According to the authors (pen name: Ambrose Parry) this is the final book and while I’m so sad that it’s over, it was an incredible ending and I’m in want for nothing. It was a slow start and the story didn’t really take off until the halfway mark (except for the prologue, holy shit), but then it sped up and I couldn’t wouldn’t didn’t want to put it down! Their language is incredible and this series is everything. I need a week to process that it’s over.
Harlot.
Harridan.
Crone.
Spinster.
Witch.
Whore.
They were shamed over the conduct men demanded of them. Shamed for their own desires. Shamed for their ambition. Shamed for their bodies. Shamed for their weakness. Shamed when they exercised strength.”
I can never explain my feelings for this series and these books, I think. I love and adore them beyond what can accurately be described. According to the authors (pen name: Ambrose Parry) this is the final book and while I’m so sad that it’s over, it was an incredible ending and I’m in want for nothing. It was a slow start and the story didn’t really take off until the halfway mark (except for the prologue, holy shit), but then it sped up and I couldn’t wouldn’t didn’t want to put it down! Their language is incredible and this series is everything. I need a week to process that it’s over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2025
This was super. Will is now trying to start his own practice and teach Sarah medicine alongside this. Patients are flocking in when his father-in-law commits suicide, Will finds out that he has recently withdrawn a large sum of money which is unaccounted for. While he investigates this, Sarah is looking for Annabel, a young girl who should have recently arrived in Edinburgh but is missing. Both puzzles lead them to a shady underworld of prostitution and corruption. I enjoyed Sarah’s bravery when faced with potential shame and how cleverly they outwit the villains. At the end, the author explains which historical events have inspired the story which is always so interesting. I’d really recommend this although I’d start at the beginning of the series if you can. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.
November 11, 2025
Immersive, mysterious, and intriguing!
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐄 is a menacing, absorbing tale that transports readers back to Edinburgh in 1854, and into the lives of Dr. Will Raven, whose domestic peace is shattered when his father-in-law is found dead under suspicious circumstances, and Sarah Fisher, who becomes entangled in a grim web of depravity and desperation after a relative of her late husband seeks her help to find a missing daughter.
The prose is expressive and evocative. The characters are ruthless, loyal, steadfast, yet flawed. And the plot unfolds effortlessly into a gripping tale brimming with twists, revelations, blackmail, corruption, duty, friendship, love, deception, complicity, and murder.
Overall, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐄 is another suspenseful, atmospheric, fantastic addition to the 𝘙𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯, 𝘍𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘴𝘰𝘯 series by the talented duo known as Parry, which I absolutely loved and highly recommend.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐄 is a menacing, absorbing tale that transports readers back to Edinburgh in 1854, and into the lives of Dr. Will Raven, whose domestic peace is shattered when his father-in-law is found dead under suspicious circumstances, and Sarah Fisher, who becomes entangled in a grim web of depravity and desperation after a relative of her late husband seeks her help to find a missing daughter.
The prose is expressive and evocative. The characters are ruthless, loyal, steadfast, yet flawed. And the plot unfolds effortlessly into a gripping tale brimming with twists, revelations, blackmail, corruption, duty, friendship, love, deception, complicity, and murder.
Overall, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐄 is another suspenseful, atmospheric, fantastic addition to the 𝘙𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘯, 𝘍𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘴𝘰𝘯 series by the talented duo known as Parry, which I absolutely loved and highly recommend.
September 30, 2025
What’s not to love about a tale about the sordid side of Edinburgh? Blackmail. Trafficking of maidens. Brothels. Not a lot of medicine and only a smattering of violence. All with a side of historically accurate information.
July 4, 2025
ugh they've done it again. stunning resolution to the series. am I slightly annoyed the main characters only got together right at the very end after waiting 5 books? yes but at this point I'm just glad it happened. Comfort series 4ever
July 20, 2025
An excellent end to the series, keeps up the excellent quality of the rest of the series.
July 27, 2025
Excellent!
August 6, 2025
A brilliant and gripping read from start to finish! Have loved every book in this series!
August 18, 2025
All good things must come to an end ( I just wish this series hadn't ). I felt like I knew the two main characters, Will Raven and Sarah Fisher, personally. A wonderful series that I could easily read again.
November 12, 2025
I'm sorry this is the last Raven and Fisher mystery! I still think Raven is too selfish and full of himself and Sarah deserves better. I wish he had grown more. Otherwise, well done.
August 11, 2025
One of the best series of books I’ve ever read. Hopefully more will come 🤞
July 14, 2025
Ambrose Parry Book 5
An excellent read as with the proceeding books about Will and Sarah working together to solve mysteries in Edinburgh. The intrigue in this book was masterfully done by the author.
An excellent read as with the proceeding books about Will and Sarah working together to solve mysteries in Edinburgh. The intrigue in this book was masterfully done by the author.
July 14, 2025
Very sad this series is over but what a brilliant end
July 14, 2025
Another great installment of this series - and apparently the last! It concludes in a very satisfying way...but, I'd love a wee final novella to see how things are in a few years....please....
I wasn't a fan of the female narrator of the audiobook. But other than that, this one hits all the marks - the oppression of women, the intrigue of blackmail and the industry of prostitution and coercion into the trade.
I love the Edinburgh described in this series and the fusion of fact and fiction.
I wasn't a fan of the female narrator of the audiobook. But other than that, this one hits all the marks - the oppression of women, the intrigue of blackmail and the industry of prostitution and coercion into the trade.
I love the Edinburgh described in this series and the fusion of fact and fiction.
June 30, 2025
Final instalment in the Raven and Fisher mysteries
We’re now in Scotland in 1854 and we’re seeing the seedier side of Victorian Edinburgh, drawing on real historical events showing that exploitation, trafficking, corruption and immorality were rife
A great end to the series with twists you don’t see coming.
Thanks #ambroseparry @canongatebooks & @netgalley for the well written historical/crime fiction series
We’re now in Scotland in 1854 and we’re seeing the seedier side of Victorian Edinburgh, drawing on real historical events showing that exploitation, trafficking, corruption and immorality were rife
A great end to the series with twists you don’t see coming.
Thanks #ambroseparry @canongatebooks & @netgalley for the well written historical/crime fiction series
July 4, 2025
You’d think as the book series progresses it may lose some of its spark. Not at all. The authors combine history with story telling with ease. Really recommend this book and the whole series.
December 14, 2025
The fifth novel in the 'Raven and Fisher' series, The Death of Shame, begins strong out the gate with its characterisation and rich, atmospheric world-building of Victorian Edinburgh. The city itself feels alive; it's a character in its own right, with its dark, grimy streets and its hidden secrets. Chris Brookmyre and his wife Dr Marisa Haetzman, writing under the pen name Ambrose Parry, excel in world building.
The stakes are immediately high when a recognisable character falls to his death from the top of the Scott Monument whilst the rest of Edinburgh is asleep. What happened? Will Raven is on hand to solve the case. The pacing of this novel well-managed, creating a steady and compelling narrative that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. And whilst I enjoyed the book, I did find it somewhat predictable. We are potentially introduced to some shady characters a little too early, and there weren't enough twists and turns to truly keep me guessing. It lacked the suspense and intricate plotting of the earlier books.
I also really missed some of the supporting characters. Dr. Simpson, who was such a great presence in the previous books, felt like he took a significant backseat despite some of the plot points pertaining directly to him. The most jarring element for me, however, was the retconning of Eugenie's character. Her shift felt unearned, almost like it was done solely to pave the way for Will's relationship with Sarah. However, the subtle alluding to postpartum was interesting as I feel PPD isn't necessarily understood now, never mind in the 1800's.
My shining star in, The Death of Shame and all of the previous novels is Sarah Fisher. She's smart, resourceful, and a delight to follow. Her character is a brilliant mix of medical skill and social rebellion, and her chemistry with Will is a highlight. She be is a fantastic protagonist, not only for this setting but I feel like she transcends time and would be just as relevant in a modern setting.
I am sad to discover this is the final instalment in the series as I would love to see how Will and Sarah would grow together in the future as they build the Practice.
3.25/5
Thank you to Netgalley and Canongate for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
The stakes are immediately high when a recognisable character falls to his death from the top of the Scott Monument whilst the rest of Edinburgh is asleep. What happened? Will Raven is on hand to solve the case. The pacing of this novel well-managed, creating a steady and compelling narrative that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. And whilst I enjoyed the book, I did find it somewhat predictable. We are potentially introduced to some shady characters a little too early, and there weren't enough twists and turns to truly keep me guessing. It lacked the suspense and intricate plotting of the earlier books.
I also really missed some of the supporting characters. Dr. Simpson, who was such a great presence in the previous books, felt like he took a significant backseat despite some of the plot points pertaining directly to him. The most jarring element for me, however, was the retconning of Eugenie's character. Her shift felt unearned, almost like it was done solely to pave the way for Will's relationship with Sarah. However, the subtle alluding to postpartum was interesting as I feel PPD isn't necessarily understood now, never mind in the 1800's.
My shining star in, The Death of Shame and all of the previous novels is Sarah Fisher. She's smart, resourceful, and a delight to follow. Her character is a brilliant mix of medical skill and social rebellion, and her chemistry with Will is a highlight. She be is a fantastic protagonist, not only for this setting but I feel like she transcends time and would be just as relevant in a modern setting.
I am sad to discover this is the final instalment in the series as I would love to see how Will and Sarah would grow together in the future as they build the Practice.
3.25/5
Thank you to Netgalley and Canongate for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2025
Very bittersweet reading the last entry in this excellent series. As always, the authors capture the historical period in seamless detail and weave a compelling, dark mystery around it. Sarah and Will get drawn into questions around human trafficking, not that it was necessarily known as such then. The mysteries in these series always shine an effective light on the nastier parts of human nature in their unfortunate timelessness. The emotion and drama around the mystery itself overlap with the challenges in Will’s marriage and the unresolved questions between Will and Sarah. The authors have consistently made use of things unsaid to drive the relationship between the two main characters, and so the ending of this feels appropriately abrupt. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.
April 12, 2025
A straight 5* novel from me! I love Ambrose Parry's novels because they always closely follow historical facts, people and social conditions! This novel is no exception focusing on women's place in society, either as wives, independent minds or striving to learn and live professionally. Unfortunately, as we know women did not have easy, particularly if we look into women resourcing to prostitution. With its thrilling , angering and brilliant plot, based on actual facts and people here as well, this novel takes the reader to a dark Edinburgh when a few dead people have a lot to say but do not dare... I loved it and highly recommended it.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.
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