Picture a duo weaving tales of murder and medicine in Victorian Edinburgh—meet Ambrose Parry, the pen name of Chris Brookmyre and Dr. Marisa Haetzman! This Scottish husband-and-wife team blends gritty crime fiction with meticulous historical detail, creating novels that pulse with suspense and intrigue. Their collaboration, sparked by Haetzman’s medical history research, has captivated readers with its vivid portrayal of 19th-century Scotland.
Ambrose Parry’s stories aren’t just whodunits; they’re a portal to an era of groundbreaking medical discoveries and stark social divides. With Edinburgh as their atmospheric backdrop, their books are perfect for fans of historical crime fiction craving a thrilling yet cerebral escape.
The Making of Ambrose Parry
Ambrose Parry is the creative fusion of Chris Brookmyre, a Glasgow-born novelist known for his tartan noir, and Dr. Marisa Haetzman, a consultant anesthetist with a passion for medical history. Brookmyre, born in 1968, kicked off his career with the award-winning Quite Ugly One Morning in 1996, establishing himself as a master of dark, witty crime novels. Haetzman, meanwhile, spent over two decades in medicine before diving into a Master’s degree in the History of Medicine, where her research on chloroform pioneer James Young Simpson inspired their joint venture.
Their partnership began around the kitchen table, where Haetzman’s historical insights met Brookmyre’s storytelling prowess. Under the pseudonym Ambrose Parry—nodding to a 16th-century French surgeon—they set out to craft novels that marry medical authenticity with narrative flair, a combination that’s become their hallmark.
Ambrose Parry’s Unforgettable Stories
Ambrose Parry’s novels, set in 1840s Edinburgh, revolve around Will Raven, a medical apprentice, and Sarah Fisher, a housemaid with sharp intellect but limited opportunities. Their debut, The Way of All Flesh (2018), introduces this duo as they unravel mysterious deaths amid the city’s medical advancements. Praised for its vivid setting and intricate plot, it was shortlisted for the McIlvanney Prize and longlisted for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year.
The series continues with The Art of Dying (2019), a darker tale of deadly diseases and a smear campaign against Dr. Simpson, and A Corruption of Blood (2021), which dives into class divides and corruption. Their fourth novel, Voices of the Dead (2023), explores mesmerism and spiritualism, while the novella The Spendthrift and the Swallow (2023) adds depth to Raven and Fisher’s world. Each book blends medical history—like the birth of anesthesia—with themes of gender inequality and societal power, all wrapped in pacy, atmospheric prose.
Parry’s style is a seamless blend of Brookmyre’s knack for suspense and Haetzman’s forensic attention to historical detail. Their Edinburgh feels alive, from fetid Old Town alleys to grand New Town townhouses, making every page a sensory plunge into the past.
Why Ambrose Parry Matters
Ambrose Parry has carved a niche in historical crime fiction by grounding their stories in real medical milestones and social tensions. Their novels don’t just entertain; they illuminate the struggles of women like Sarah Fisher and the humanity of figures like James Young Simpson, who bridged Edinburgh’s class divides. With critical acclaim and a growing fanbase, their work has been optioned for TV, hinting at broader cultural impact.
By merging Haetzman’s scholarly rigor with Brookmyre’s narrative verve, Ambrose Parry offers readers a fresh lens on Victorian Scotland, making history as thrilling as any modern crime saga. Their series is a testament to the power of collaboration, proving two minds can craft something greater than the sum of their parts.
- Born: Chris Brookmyre, September 6, 1968; Marisa Haetzman, date unavailable
- Key Works: The Way of All Flesh, The Art of Dying, A Corruption of Blood, Voices of the Dead
- Awards: Shortlisted for McIlvanney Prize (2019), longlisted for Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year
Snag The Way of All Flesh and dive into Ambrose Parry’s thrilling blend of history and mystery!