Edinburgh, 1849. Will Raven, a young doctor, returns home from studying abroad on the European continent. Sarah Banks, a former housemaid, is assisting the noted Dr. James Simpson in his practice. In The Art of Dying [5] by Ambrose Parry, the two reunite to clear Dr. Simpson's name when he's accused of a patient's death by two fellow doctors. Meanwhile, doctors are puzzled by a number of mysterious patient deaths. The novel alternates between Will and Sarah as their joint investigation takes them from the respectable to the dangerous parts of Edinburgh. As they uncover the clues, they discover the culprit is in their midst. The novel is a fascinating and well-researched historical mystery. I enjoyed "revisiting" one of my favorite cities as I read the novel.
A historical note follows the text. A reproduction of a mid-19th century city map of Edinburgh is featured on the end pages of the book. This novel is the sequel to The Way of All Flesh [6].

Copies are available to check out from the library system.