The Edinburgh Dead
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Review
Ruckley ventures successfully into the gothic with this horrific thriller . . . atmospheric descriptions help sustain the menacing mood (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY )
This frightening tale of taking scientific enlightenment much too far is enhanced by strong, sharp prose and a lively pace, making it difficult to stop turning the pages. (RT BOOK REVIEWS )
This title demonstrates not only a huge talent but one that really will grip the reader in its vice like hands as much from the first page as its last. Wonderfully descriptive, beautifully created and of course with a cracking set of verbal architecture from which to base a series, it's definitely one that I'll eagerly await future instalments from. (Falcata Times )
Fascinating. The author is a master at creating dread, and manages to ratchet up the tension with a sure hand. If you enjoy your historicals with plenty of suspense and a liberal dose of the supernatural, you'll surely enjoy The Edinburgh Dead! (MY BOOKISH WAYS )
This frightening tale of taking scientific enlightenment much too far is enhanced by strong, sharp prose and a lively pace, making it difficult to stop turning the pages. (RT BOOK REVIEWS )
This title demonstrates not only a huge talent but one that really will grip the reader in its vice like hands as much from the first page as its last. Wonderfully descriptive, beautifully created and of course with a cracking set of verbal architecture from which to base a series, it's definitely one that I'll eagerly await future instalments from. (Falcata Times )
Fascinating. The author is a master at creating dread, and manages to ratchet up the tension with a sure hand. If you enjoy your historicals with plenty of suspense and a liberal dose of the supernatural, you'll surely enjoy The Edinburgh Dead! (MY BOOKISH WAYS )
Book Description
An engaging, atmospheric crime novel blurring historical reality and the fantastical in Victorian-era Edinburgh
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Wow! 2011 is drawing to a close and I think I just found my favourite read of the year. Totally brilliant! It's rare that I can use the term 'unputdownable', but I definitely can say it about this one. Read it in less than 48 hours, which for me is pretty much unheard of. Could NOT put it down.
I'm fond of Historical fiction (albeit usually romantic) but to say I'm not usually a crime/mystery reader is an understatement, not a single murder mystery comes to mind that I've read but the lure of an area I'm familiar with used as a backdrop, coupled with zombie dogs just sucked me right in. There are zombie humans too but I mostly wanted to see the zom-dogs loose on Edinburgh's streets and closes.
I really, really loved that I knew all the places mentioned in the book, all of the places and building's are familiar to me. Loved that. The people of the story are familiar 'faces' too...even the non-famous one's. Go to certain parts of Edinburgh on any given day and chances are you'll rub shoulders with just the sort of people mentioned in the pages. There's maybe 200 years seperating them but their banter hasn't changed that much. As for the famous 'faces' well, in particular Burke and Hare the infamous body snatchers or 'Ressurectionists' as they were also know are common knowledge for anyone who spends any time in or around Edinburgh and I loved reading about them. Fictionalised in parts but great fun to read nonetheless.
And zombie's. Let's not forget the zombies. They're the reason that I wanted to read this so bad in the first place, although I did wonder how a person could fit the undead into an Historical murder/crime/mystery. The whole book has a dark, gritty feel to it and the air of supernatural 'going's on' didn't seem out of place or contrived at all. In fact, as unlikely as it all sounds Mr Ruckley writes in such a way as to have me think it was all quite plausible. It's very well done.
I loved all of the characters and really felt like I got to know them. Some of them I'd like to know even better and REALLY want there to be more cases for Adam Quire to solve... I'd read any and all stories if this were made into an ongoing series.
There's a bit of a twist in the tale at the end and being as unfamiliar with crime mystery as I am, I'm not sure if that's usual but whether it is or it isn't, the twist at the end just sealed the deal for me. It was a brilliant end to a brilliant story and I just hope I can find more stories like it.
I can't say enough good things about this, I just really, really liked this one.
Really liked it! A lot!
I'm fond of Historical fiction (albeit usually romantic) but to say I'm not usually a crime/mystery reader is an understatement, not a single murder mystery comes to mind that I've read but the lure of an area I'm familiar with used as a backdrop, coupled with zombie dogs just sucked me right in. There are zombie humans too but I mostly wanted to see the zom-dogs loose on Edinburgh's streets and closes.
I really, really loved that I knew all the places mentioned in the book, all of the places and building's are familiar to me. Loved that. The people of the story are familiar 'faces' too...even the non-famous one's. Go to certain parts of Edinburgh on any given day and chances are you'll rub shoulders with just the sort of people mentioned in the pages. There's maybe 200 years seperating them but their banter hasn't changed that much. As for the famous 'faces' well, in particular Burke and Hare the infamous body snatchers or 'Ressurectionists' as they were also know are common knowledge for anyone who spends any time in or around Edinburgh and I loved reading about them. Fictionalised in parts but great fun to read nonetheless.
And zombie's. Let's not forget the zombies. They're the reason that I wanted to read this so bad in the first place, although I did wonder how a person could fit the undead into an Historical murder/crime/mystery. The whole book has a dark, gritty feel to it and the air of supernatural 'going's on' didn't seem out of place or contrived at all. In fact, as unlikely as it all sounds Mr Ruckley writes in such a way as to have me think it was all quite plausible. It's very well done.
I loved all of the characters and really felt like I got to know them. Some of them I'd like to know even better and REALLY want there to be more cases for Adam Quire to solve... I'd read any and all stories if this were made into an ongoing series.
There's a bit of a twist in the tale at the end and being as unfamiliar with crime mystery as I am, I'm not sure if that's usual but whether it is or it isn't, the twist at the end just sealed the deal for me. It was a brilliant end to a brilliant story and I just hope I can find more stories like it.
I can't say enough good things about this, I just really, really liked this one.
Really liked it! A lot!
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you love an Urban Fantasy story that has drama, historical content and of course features a city with a dark and brutal past then you really have to pick up Brian Ruckley's new novel, The Edinburgh Dead. It's cleverly plotted and utilises one of the darker parts of the city's history. Add to this some of the blackest magic, a whole host of undead as well as a lead character perfectly capable of hacking his way through it all to the heart of the matter (in more ways than one) and it's a satisfying read.
Whilst Brian is perhaps better known for his epic fantasy series Godless World, this title demonstrates not only a huge talent but one that really will grip the reader in its vice like hands as much from the first page as its last. Wonderfully descriptive, beautifully created and of course with a cracking set of verbal architecture from which to base a series, it's definitely one that I'll eagerly await future instalments from.
Whilst Brian is perhaps better known for his epic fantasy series Godless World, this title demonstrates not only a huge talent but one that really will grip the reader in its vice like hands as much from the first page as its last. Wonderfully descriptive, beautifully created and of course with a cracking set of verbal architecture from which to base a series, it's definitely one that I'll eagerly await future instalments from.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
well, given the co-reviewers florid descriptions, it set me wondering, because basically, this is a very mediocre book.
The Edinburgh setting 1818-1828 is... unconventional and nice. Quaint, yet scholarly . And while many of the descriptions of the town seem straight from textbooks about the "urbanizing" city, and nicely put if you know Edinborough, the plot itself falls flat.
Mostly due to the lacklustre hero, who we learn very little about - and what we learn is stolen straight from a Bernard Cornwell "Sharpe" Novel - of our Sergeant Quire. Who as the only "perspective character actually stumbles around Edinborough and surroundings, blindly, unaware and utterly unconvincing when it comes to his own survial, throughou the plot... A demonic dog attacked me ? Not my problem.
Any advancement of the story is being reliant on outside forces ("I just incidentally came by") , so we basically witness the "hero" being pushed about, but not at the whim of outside forces, but because he is disninclined to think. Any sidekicks or villains remain very... well, one-dimensional would be a compliment, really. Women are nefarious and enigmatic. Friends are... friends. Mentor's give boons. The villains.... do raise the dead because of ....SCIENCE !!! How utterly original, all of it. Especially since the author stealing a lot of material straight from Frankenstein.
But the plot's more interesting characters are certainly the enemy. There, at least is some mystery involved.
The plot itself, grave-robbing, spelunking and "rising from the dead", while unconventional for 19th century Greater Britain (or is it, after "Sense, Sensibility and Zombies ?"etc. ) , is lacklusterly done and follows the classic diagrams of story-telling.... Next Stop : Evil villains pounce from the right. Countermeasure. Helpful ally appears. Get's threatened.... etc etc etc... Nevermind that of course the evil villains are foreigners (!), nobility (!) and yawn.... ancient beings ! Again, how utterly un-original !
"Evil Undead North of Hadrian's Wall", "Hounds of Darkness walk the Streets", "Murder at the Masquerade !" ... well there could have been so much more to this, but the hero himself seems rather like an unthinking hound in pursuit rather than interested in the perplexities in the case "of the Walking Dead" itself.
And being deadly afraid for himself, his very-non-descipt love-life, but then at the next moment taking unbelievably stupid risks... Like walking out of the front door instead of taking one of a variety of rear entrances.
Yet in all the 400+ pages, we never get to realize why he even has this stubborn tendency, why he cares for anyone (even himself), after the devastations of the Napoleonic Wars for life in general, or where he even comes from, originally..... Why should we even sympathize with him ? Why does he care for his friends.. besides them being "friends" ?
Why do I find this unconvincing ? Nevermind a waste of time ?
Actually, if this wasn't Edinburgh, this would go straight to the trashcan. Ah yes..... we do get some fun moments meeting the gravedigggers and -robbers of Scotland. Saving graces, I guess.... But speaking for myself, I prefer my heroes slightly smarter.
The Edinburgh setting 1818-1828 is... unconventional and nice. Quaint, yet scholarly . And while many of the descriptions of the town seem straight from textbooks about the "urbanizing" city, and nicely put if you know Edinborough, the plot itself falls flat.
Mostly due to the lacklustre hero, who we learn very little about - and what we learn is stolen straight from a Bernard Cornwell "Sharpe" Novel - of our Sergeant Quire. Who as the only "perspective character actually stumbles around Edinborough and surroundings, blindly, unaware and utterly unconvincing when it comes to his own survial, throughou the plot... A demonic dog attacked me ? Not my problem.
Any advancement of the story is being reliant on outside forces ("I just incidentally came by") , so we basically witness the "hero" being pushed about, but not at the whim of outside forces, but because he is disninclined to think. Any sidekicks or villains remain very... well, one-dimensional would be a compliment, really. Women are nefarious and enigmatic. Friends are... friends. Mentor's give boons. The villains.... do raise the dead because of ....SCIENCE !!! How utterly original, all of it. Especially since the author stealing a lot of material straight from Frankenstein.
But the plot's more interesting characters are certainly the enemy. There, at least is some mystery involved.
The plot itself, grave-robbing, spelunking and "rising from the dead", while unconventional for 19th century Greater Britain (or is it, after "Sense, Sensibility and Zombies ?"etc. ) , is lacklusterly done and follows the classic diagrams of story-telling.... Next Stop : Evil villains pounce from the right. Countermeasure. Helpful ally appears. Get's threatened.... etc etc etc... Nevermind that of course the evil villains are foreigners (!), nobility (!) and yawn.... ancient beings ! Again, how utterly un-original !
"Evil Undead North of Hadrian's Wall", "Hounds of Darkness walk the Streets", "Murder at the Masquerade !" ... well there could have been so much more to this, but the hero himself seems rather like an unthinking hound in pursuit rather than interested in the perplexities in the case "of the Walking Dead" itself.
And being deadly afraid for himself, his very-non-descipt love-life, but then at the next moment taking unbelievably stupid risks... Like walking out of the front door instead of taking one of a variety of rear entrances.
Yet in all the 400+ pages, we never get to realize why he even has this stubborn tendency, why he cares for anyone (even himself), after the devastations of the Napoleonic Wars for life in general, or where he even comes from, originally..... Why should we even sympathize with him ? Why does he care for his friends.. besides them being "friends" ?
Why do I find this unconvincing ? Nevermind a waste of time ?
Actually, if this wasn't Edinburgh, this would go straight to the trashcan. Ah yes..... we do get some fun moments meeting the gravedigggers and -robbers of Scotland. Saving graces, I guess.... But speaking for myself, I prefer my heroes slightly smarter.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great fun - a real find!
I added this to my wishlist having read the other reviews on Amazon and was lucky enough that my beutiful wife bought a copy for me for Christmas (thank you Amazon Wishlist!). Read more
Published 4 months ago by Tom Roseff
Great horror-faction
This is a very a good read; a mixture of several genres but very much its own.
Brian Ruckley makes extensive use of factual history for both the Edinburgh setting and the... Read more
Brian Ruckley makes extensive use of factual history for both the Edinburgh setting and the... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Flemming Nielsen
Highly recommended
I struggled with BR's previous books but really enjoyed this one. The quality of writing is excellent, beautifully descriptive and lyrical. Read more
Published 5 months ago by midsoblynke
My first time discovery of Ruckley
I agree with Mr Wilson's spot on review regarding "The Edinburgh dead", a highly enjoyable & gripping read, with a mixture of Historical facts & characters, blended with a mixture... Read more
Published 8 months ago by K. W. Dandridge
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