Sometimes, someone tells you about a book and the description doesn’t quite sound like your jam, but there’s a spark in the way they talk about it that piques your interest. I don’t remember the exact words used to first describe The Specimen by Jaima Fixsen, but I wasn’t quite sold. However, I trusted the publicist talking about it and said ok. I’m so glad I did.

The Specimen [Buy Bookshop Amazon LibroFM] is about a single mother named Isobel in 1820s Scotland. Her son is sick, so she takes him to a different doctor for help. This doctor diagnoses him with a rare heart valve issue and gives him a short time to live. Isobel is heartbroken faster than expected when her son disappears and the police don’t quite take her seriously. Months later, she goes to an anatomy exhibit at that doctor’s home to find a heart in a jar, labeled as having the same rare defect as her son.

Dun dun dunnnnn.

When I say this book is wild, all that happens in less than the first 50 pages. That doesn’t even touch on her going undercover as that doctor’s maid. WILD. And the history that this book is based on makes The Specimen even more of a delight.

If you love gothic vibes, women’s rage, mystery, and a bit of history, then this book is for you. It’s a unique approach to tell this story knowing the who but not the how, which I appreciate. I love a good creative twist! It keeps you turning pages, for sure. I loved the way this book highlights Isobel’s inner turmoil while searching for a son and how far she’d go for answers since no one is doing it for her.

Overall, the writing is pretty solid. The one thing that slightly annoyed me was the way the Scottish brogue and verbage were handled. There are words like ‘aye’ and ‘kirk’ sprinkled throughout, but it didn’t feel sensical to me. I get not leaning into the Scottish words like Outlander does because it is for an American audience, but I wish there would’ve been more consistency in it.

I enoyed The Specimen and will be looking for whatever Jaima writes next.

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