A Dark Anatomy by Robin Blake

It’s been a while since I sat down and read a book based in the 18th century but when I received an advanced copy of Robin Blake’s “A Dark Anatomy” – published by Pan Macmillan – I knew, upon looking at the magnificent and opulent book jacket, I just had to read it!

In fact it made me wonder how many people are swayed by attractive book designs. I know when I choose a bottle of wine I do find myself temptingly drawn to the more attractive label on the shelf – despite a lack of knowledge of the wine’s quality (until tasting!) – I wondered if we approach books in the same manner. Do we select a book purely based on artwork alone?

By going down this decision making road you always run the risk of choosing style over substance – but have no fear – this certainly isn’t the case as far as “A Dark Anatomy” is concerned – a distinguished jacket protects a sumptuous and enveloping narrative.

It took a few chapters to reacquaint myself with 18th century English and all its glorious foibles but once I’d settled down to the language the narrative flowed extremely well. I did find myself pausing momentarily to consult the dictionary, which in turn did cause me to re-read certain sections, but that was more to satisfy my curiosity than a fault of Robin Blake’s writing!

Part of the market spilled over into cheapside, and my street had become established as the poulterer’s pitch, always flapping with birds brought out of their coops and hung my the legs from stall-poles. Amidst all this squawking and commotion I could not see Fidelis anywhere. But since he was a notorious slug-a-bed and my cob had been ready and waiting for a good five minutes I decided I would ride on, in the expectation the doctor would catch me up on the road.Leaving word with Furzey to that effect, I set out.

The narrative is a curious yet intriguing one. Written from Cragg’s perspective I felt as if the protagonist is writing to the reader directly, it’s a personable approach that works incredibly well allowing his (Cragg) thoughts and opinions to engulf “A Dark Anatomy” and have a lasting effect. This approach seems to give the reader a great insight into Cragg’s character and his feelings throughout the novel. A curious character, and although he can appear brash at times, he appears to have the best intentions despite his occasional temerarious approach to witnesses.

Robin Blake

I couldn’t help, early on at least, comparing Titus Cragg with arguably the most famous of all TV medical investigators – Quincy M.E.! Quincy, whose character was inspired by Thomas Noguchi (famed for his autopsies on Marilyn Monroe and Bobby Kennedy), shares many characteristics with Titus – both are strong willed, determined and possess a dependable intelligence that enables both to investigate suspicious deaths to their conclusion.

“The year is 1740. George II is on the throne but England’s remoter provinces remain largely a law unto themselves. In Lancashire a grim discovery has been made: a Squire’s wife, Dolores Brockletower, lies in the woods above her home, Garlick Hall, her throat brutally slashed.

Called to the scene, Coroner Titus Cragg finds the Brockletower household awash with rumour and suspicion. He enlists the help of his astute young friend, doctor Luke Fidelis, to throw light on the case.

But this is a world in which forensic science is in its infancy, and policing hardly exists. Embarking on their first gripping investigation, Cragg and Fidelis are faced with the superstition of witnesses, obstruction by local officials, and denunciations from the Squire himself.”

It would be remiss of me not to mention Cragg’s partner in crime Dr Luke Fidelis. The book serves as an introduction to both characters and their partnership and although Cragg plays the unquestionable leading role in “A Dark Anatomy”, Fidelis’s mission is to provide discussion and argument to Cragg’s thought process as he attempts to solve the dastardly crimes. I expect to see much more of Fidelis in future publications but Blake, for his first Cragg-Fidelis adventure, rightly concentrates on the resilient Cragg!

So what makes a good historical crime novel? I’m certain many of you will disagree but for me at least, not only does it have to have great characterisation and a believable storyline, the ability to entice the reader to want to discover more about the period it proffers is crucial. “A Dark Anatomy” is certainly no exception and I struggled to put it down – save for my personal investigations utilising Google’s search engine, keen as I was to discover the difference between wet and dry kitchens, the role of a coroner and Mayor in the 18th century and the dietary options available in the Georgian era – half a loaf of bread and cheese anyone?!

Local officials do their darnedest to obstruct Cragg’s momentum but obstruct all they want – Titus Cragg will stand no officiousness from any man or woman – armed with a determination unparalleled in Preston and willing cohorts he struggles to make sense of Dolores Brockletower’s murder. A gripping tale of 18^th century greed, superstition and murder, “A Dark Anatomy” dissects and delivers a devilish historical crime thriller. Highly recommended.

Published by Macmillan “A Dark Anatomy” is available from Amazon