The Way of All Flesh

I was attracted to this by the Chris Brookymre connection. It's very different from those novels (there's a lot less swearing, for a start), but it's still a good read. It's a very atmospheric book. The historical setting is well evoked, and it switches easily between the class divisions rampant in society at this time. The medical element of the story comes across as very authentic (not that surprising seeing as the other author, Marisa Haetzman, has a Masters in the history of medicine), and some of the descriptions of nineteenth century labour and associated problems are genuinely horrific. The actual crime element is maybe backgrounded a little too much and wrapped up a tad too easily, but it's a price I'm willing to pay for the atmosphere and characterisation. More volumes are promised and the central three characters could become a great series team.