Overview

The Resurrectionist is set in Edinburgh in 1828 and follows James Willoughby, a young medical student who leaves Oxford to study surgery in Scotland. Faced with a shortage of bodies for dissection, James is drawn into the shadow world of body snatching. He forms a dangerous connection with Aneurin “Nye” MacKinnon, and soon ambition, secrecy, and violence become part of his daily life as science pushes past moral limits.

Writing & Voice

We found A. Rae Dunlap’s writing vivid and easy to follow, even when the subject matter is unsettling. The descriptions of Edinburgh’s streets, lecture rooms, and anatomy tables feel close and immediate. The tone balances fascination with discomfort, keeping the story tense without becoming overwhelming.

Characters

James is driven and idealistic, but also naive about the cost of his choices. His need to succeed makes him easy to pull into darker territory. Nye is charming and guarded, offering access and danger in equal measure. Their relationship adds emotional pressure to the story and keeps the stakes personal.

Themes

The novel looks at ambition, ethics, and who gets to decide the value of a human body. It also explores desire and identity in a rigid society where secrecy is survival. We liked how the book questions progress and asks what is lost when science advances without restraint.

What Worked

• Strong atmosphere Edinburgh in the 1820s feels dark, busy, and uneasy.
• Moral tension the pull between knowledge and conscience drives the plot.
• Character focus relationships keep the horror grounded and human.

Minor Quibbles

• The mix of horror, romance, and academic detail can feel dense at times.
• The subject matter around dissection and body snatching may be too graphic for some readers.

Final Thoughts

The Resurrectionist is an absorbing gothic novel that blends medical history with suspense, showing how far people will go in the name of knowledge and belonging.

Rating: ★★★★☆ / 5