The Specimens

Set in Edinburgh in 1828, this story follows two women from starkly contrasting social backgrounds—one living in the slums with her lover, and the other aspiring to a privileged life as the wife of a leading anatomist—as they become entangled in a city rocked by disappearances and deadly secrets. Through their perspectives, the novel explores themes of loyalty, truth, and moral dilemma amid a turbulent historical backdrop. It uncovers the infamous serial killings of Burke and Hare from an intimate and human perspective, emphasizing the emotional and moral complexities faced by those caught in their shadows.