The Specimen - by Jaima Fixsen (Paperback)

About the Book

"1826. Isobel Tait finds herself, by chance, staring at a tiny human heart floating in a jar. It should be of little consequence; Dr. Burnett is renowned for his collection of oddities and medical specimens, and this, a juvenile heart with a damaged mitral valve, is not the strangest thing on display. Except that the condition is rare, and that Isobel's young son, who has been missing for months, suffered from the ailment. A phantom pulse beats in Isobel's ears. She knows something here isn't right. Missing persons cases are all too common in Edinburgh, where people simply vanish like mist. But Burnett is obsessed with his specimens-how far would he go to acquire a new one? Determined to investigate, Isobel joins his staff as the keeper of his collection. What she'll unearth, though, is far worse than any of her nightmares... Based on true crimes, The Specimen is a mesmerizing story about one woman's search for truth and vengeance in the darkest of places-where the deadliest secrets lie hidden in plain sight, on a freshly dusted shelf"--

Book Synopsis

"An absorbing and expanding mystery... ripe for a bookclub discussion"-- First Clue

"Propulsive and lush, Fixsen weaves an exquisitely gothic tale." -- Jess Armstrong, USA Today bestselling author of The Curse of Penryth Hall

Walk carefully, lest you become a part of Dr. Burnett's collection...

1826. Isobel Tait finds herself, by chance, staring at a tiny human heart floating in a jar. It should be of little consequence; Dr. Burnett is renowned for his collection of oddities and medical specimens, and this, a juvenile heart with a damaged mitral valve, is not the strangest thing on display. Except that the condition is rare, and that Isobel's young son, who has been missing for months, suffered from the ailment.

A phantom pulse beats in Isobel's ears. She knows something here isn't right.

Missing persons cases are all too common in Edinburgh, where people simply vanish like mist. But Burnett is obsessed with his specimens - how far would he go to acquire a new one? Determined to investigate, Isobel joins his staff as the keeper of his collection. What she'll unearth, though, is far worse than any of her nightmares...

Based on true crimes, The Specimen is a mesmerizing story about one woman's search for truth and vengeance in the darkest of places--where the deadliest secrets lie hidden in plain sight, on a freshly dusted shelf.

"The Specimen is a fantastic read! Tense, gripping and full of fabulous characters you grow to love or hate! I devoured it in two sittings."

- Gareth Brown, bestselling author of The Book of Doors

Review Quotes

"The Specimen offers a fascinating glimpse into the shadowy world of 19th century medicine, full of historical detail. A vivid and atmospheric read!" -- Ritu Mukerji, author of Murder by Degrees

"Fixsen's ghost story is the most haunting of all: a tale of the real-life evil that shapes our world and the heroines who dare name these men monsters. With a meticulous hand, Fixsen conjures Edinburgh and its history of music, immigration, murder, ghosts, and above all, love." -- J.R. Dawson, author of The First Bright Thing

"Part gothic horror, part detective tale, Fixsen's smart narrative peels back the surface of respectable doctors seeking knowledge from anatomical studies to reveal an underbelly of theft, murder and questionable medical collections, sending the reader along the path of the woman at its center, Isobel Tait, who determined to reveal the truth and seek vengeance, both for herself and for the innocent victims... A compelling gem of a novel!" -- Amiee Gibbs, author of The Carnivale of Curiosities

"The Specimen unfolds a haunting tale of secrets, sacrifice, and obsession. This is a brilliant story that delves into the darkest corners of the human soul, where the quest for knowledge collides with the primal instinct to protect what matters most." -- Kim Taylor Blakemore, author of After Alice Fell and The Companion

"The Specimen is a dark delight! Jaima Fixsen has crafted a dynamic cast of characters with real heart and set them against a riveting backdrop of science, witchcraft, and scandal. I couldn't put this book down!" -- Emily Ruth Verona, author of Midnight on Beacon Street

"The Specimen is a fantastic read! Tense, gripping and full of fabulous characters you grow to love or hate! I devoured it in two sittings." -- Gareth Brown, bestselling author of The Book of Doors

"Propulsive and lush, Fixsen weaves an exquisitely gothic tale that explores the power of a mother's love to transcend all things, even the grave. From the first to the very last page, this novel kept me riveted, needing to know that Isobel would prevail against all odds. Fans of Hester Fox and Paulette Kennedy will adore this one." -- Jess Armstrong, the USA Today bestselling author of The Curse of Penryth Hall