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tracyksmith_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Very descriptive about the autopsies, but if you have a strong stomach, you are sure to love this book. It's a mystery with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing!
thriftylibrarian's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book. I really did. A historical fiction murder mystery? Sounds sweet! A young doctor trying his hardest to use the newest scientific breakthroughs to find out how someone died? Awesome! But this book was confusing, and dragged on and on ( I started it back in March!). I didn't connect with any of the characters, the story was needlessly convoluted, and the "historical" aspect of the book jumped around so much that I had no idea what time period it was actually supposed to be in. I really struggled to finish this one.
karinlib's review against another edition
3.0
A light, fluffy, quick read. It probably should be 2 3/4 stars.
kellytyrrell's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Best book I've read in a good long while. Plus, you could make a drinking game out of every time it says "putrified flesh" 😉
lindsayb09's review against another edition
I will generally listen to Simon Vance read anything, but I'm just not feeling this, and I have way too many books in my TBR to slog through something I don't enjoy.
jlmcclean's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kraley's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this mystery. It was very tied into the medicine of the time which I enjoyed too. It wasn't super predictable ANC the hero is likable. The female lead was fairly one dimensional and I don't know if she'll be in subsequent books. I enjoyed this book's pace. It wasn't a "can't put it down," and yet I finished it in two days. I'll read another by Harris.
vorpalblad's review against another edition
2.0
The Anatomist's Apprentice is a good old whodunit in the style of Agatha Christie. Thomas Silkstone is an anatomist, a lecturer, and an American studying in England during the US Revolutionary War. He is asked to perform an autopsy on the rather past-its-prime corpse of Sir Edward Crick, a young nobleman who was less than noble in life, and it is suspected, the victim of foul-play.
The mystery itself is interesting and Harris provides plenty of twists and turns, but I found on the whole the book was merely average. Harris' background in journalism shines through in its lack of depth of character. This was especially jarring in the romance, but even broke up a courtroom scene, where suddenly we are told that the attorney is getting irritated with the witness, although he has done absolutely nothing to convey this emotion.
Finally, Harris partakes in the Christie move of revealing a clue right before the reveal. Honestly, the last clue falls into place on page 275 of a 300 page novel, and there isn't much the reader can do to guess about it beforehand.
On a positive note, even that final reveal wasn't the REAL final reveal. Harris leaves us with a bit of a shocker that I loved. I do think I'll continue with this series simply because the plot was fun and well-paced even if the characters were weak. I hope Harris will improve her writing with the next installment.
The mystery itself is interesting and Harris provides plenty of twists and turns, but I found on the whole the book was merely average. Harris' background in journalism shines through in its lack of depth of character. This was especially jarring in the romance, but even broke up a courtroom scene, where suddenly we are told that the attorney is getting irritated with the witness, although he has done absolutely nothing to convey this emotion.
Finally, Harris partakes in the Christie move of revealing a clue right before the reveal. Honestly, the last clue falls into place on page 275 of a 300 page novel, and there isn't much the reader can do to guess about it beforehand.
On a positive note, even that final reveal wasn't the REAL final reveal. Harris leaves us with a bit of a shocker that I loved. I do think I'll continue with this series simply because the plot was fun and well-paced even if the characters were weak. I hope Harris will improve her writing with the next installment.