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Ambrose Parry Books in Order

5 Books
2018 – 2023 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order

Ambrose Parry is the collaborative pen name of crime writer Chris Brookmyre and medical historian Dr. Marisa Haetzman. Together, they have crafted a gripping historical crime series set in 19th-century Edinburgh, featuring medical apprentice Will Raven and housemaid-turned-investigator Sarah Fisher. To fully appreciate the developing relationships, the evolving medical landscape, and the overarching plotlines, we highly recommend reading the series in publication order.

While there is a prequel short story set decades before the main events, reading in order of publication allows you to experience the characters' growth as the authors intended. Here is the recommended path:

  1. The Way of All Flesh (2018)
  2. The Art of Dying (2019 UK / 2020 US)
  3. A Corruption of Blood (2021)
  4. The Spendthrift and the Swallow (2023 - Novella #3.5)
  5. Voices of the Dead (2023)
  6. The Apple Falls Not Far (2025 - Prequel Short Story #0.5)
  7. The Death of Shame (2025)

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

If you prefer to read the series strictly in chronological order based on the setting of the stories, you will need to shuffle the short stories. The prequel The Apple Falls Not Far is set in 1826, long before the events of the first novel in 1847. However, starting with a minor prequel short story might not give you the best introduction to the main cast and themes of the series.

Chronological Order:

  • The Apple Falls Not Far (Set in 1826)
  • The Way of All Flesh (Set in 1847)
  • The Art of Dying (Set in 1849/1850)
  • A Corruption of Blood (Set in 1850)
  • The Spendthrift and the Swallow (Set in January 1853)
  • Voices of the Dead (Set in 1853/1854)
  • The Death of Shame (Set in 1854)

Exploring the Books

1. The Way of All Flesh (2018)

The debut novel introduces us to Will Raven, a medical student starting his apprenticeship under the brilliant and eccentric Dr. James Young Simpson. Raven soon crosses paths with Sarah Fisher, a housemaid in the Simpson household whose keen intellect is suppressed by the societal constraints of the era. When a series of mysterious, agonizing deaths occurs among local women, Raven and Sarah are drawn into the dark underbelly of Edinburgh’s medical and criminal worlds.

2. The Art of Dying (2019)

Set a few years later, Raven has returned from studying in Europe to find Edinburgh gripped by medical rivalries and the controversial introduction of chloroform as an anesthetic. Sarah is frustrated by the lack of opportunities for a woman in medicine. When patients under Dr. Simpson's care begin dying under suspicious circumstances and a smear campaign threatens Simpson's reputation, Raven and Sarah must work together once more to clear their mentor's name.

3. A Corruption of Blood (2021)

In this installment, a baby is found dead in the Firth of Forth, leading Raven and Sarah into a dark investigation of Edinburgh's unregulated baby-farming trade. Meanwhile, a prominent local family is struck by murder, exposing the stark differences in how justice is served to the wealthy versus the impoverished. The novel highlights the intense class divides and social vulnerabilities of Victorian Scotland.

4. The Spendthrift and the Swallow (2023)

This digital-exclusive novella is set in January 1853. It serves as a bridge between the third and fourth novels, focusing on a mysterious patient and Edinburgh's unforgiving winter streets. Although brief, it provides satisfying character moments for Raven and Sarah and is a great companion piece for dedicated fans.

5. Voices of the Dead (2023)

Set in 1853, the fourth novel explores the rising popularity of mesmerism, spiritualism, and early forensic science. When dismembered body parts are discovered in Edinburgh, Raven—now a fully qualified doctor—and Sarah investigate. The plot pits scientific rationalism against Victorian occultism, challenging the protagonists' beliefs and pushing their investigative skills to the limit.

6. The Apple Falls Not Far (2025)

A digital-exclusive prequel short story set in 1826 Edinburgh. It follows twelve-year-old Cal, who is forced to find work to avoid being thrown onto the streets by his father. Cal lands a dangerous job transporting mysterious cargo across the Firth of Forth, introducing readers to the early smuggling and body-snatching trades that paved the way for the medical advancements seen in the main series.

7. The Death of Shame (2025)

The fifth and final full-length novel brings the Raven and Fisher saga to a dramatic conclusion. Sarah is tasked with tracking down a missing maidservant, while Raven investigates the suspicious death of a high-society gentleman. As their investigations intersect, they uncover a web of secrets that threatens to ruin lives, ultimately forcing both characters to make definitive choices about their futures and their partnership.

Practical Reader Advice

For the best experience, start with The Way of All Flesh. The overarching character arcs—especially Sarah Fisher’s struggle to practice medicine in a society that forbids it, and Will Raven's personal growth from a reckless apprentice to a mature physician—develop continuously across the novels. Reading the books out of order will spoil these emotional and professional developments.

The short stories (The Spendthrift and the Swallow and The Apple Falls Not Far) are excellent additions but are not strictly mandatory to understand the core plots of the main novels. However, they add rich historical color and are highly recommended for readers who want to experience the complete scope of Ambrose Parry's Victorian Edinburgh.

Frequently Asked

QWho is Ambrose Parry in real life?

Ambrose Parry is the pen name of the husband-and-wife writing team Chris Brookmyre, an established Scottish crime novelist, and Dr. Marisa Haetzman, a consultant anesthetist and medical historian.

QIs the Raven and Fisher series completed?

Yes. The authors have confirmed that the fifth novel, The Death of Shame (published in June 2025), is the final installment in the Raven and Fisher series.

QCan the books be read as standalones?

While each novel features a self-contained murder mystery, the personal lives and career progressions of Will Raven and Sarah Fisher build directly on previous books. It is highly recommended to read them in order.

QIs Dr. James Young Simpson a real historical figure?

Yes, Dr. James Young Simpson was a famous real-life Scottish physician who pioneered the use of chloroform as an anesthetic in Edinburgh during the 19th century.

QWhere does the prequel short story 'The Apple Falls Not Far' fit?

Chronologically, it is the earliest story, set in 1826. However, it was published in 2025 and is best read as a companion piece after you are already familiar with the world of the main series.

QWhere should I start reading Ambrose Parry's books?

You should start with their debut novel, The Way of All Flesh, to properly follow the introduction of the main characters and the beginning of their partnership.