Reviewed by Kalyn King
Do you believe in witches? Or think the boogeyman is more than just a figure from your childhood imagination? Or perhaps do you have a collection of something rather unusual like Dr. Burnett? Whether yes or no, The Specimen by international bestselling author Jaima Fixsen will have you checking the jars on your shelf to try to figure out how you survived without this haunting story. Whether your jars are filled with food or human remains, the novel will pique your interest and be the key to your heart. If you have two eyes and six fingers, you’ll find yourself hiding in the pages of this quaint mystery novel and asking who will go missing next? While Isobel Tait is hearing “heartbeats and whispers,” you will still be unsure who to trust—or whether to trust anyone at all. At times I found myself relating to Isobel, while other times I was begging her to make different—and in my opinion, better—-decisions. It’s a story of grief and the rediscovery of oneself, serving as a reminder that loss has the power to create necessary change.
For fans of dark, gothic literature, Fixsen introduces a world of fear and misfortune. It’s a reminder to hold the ones you love close and beware of strangers. This fast-paced historical fiction story set in Victorian England will have your heart beating like da di lah and your ears ringing. For enjoyers of movies like Prisoners (2013) or Enola Holmes (2020), it feels like an 1826 version of both films. The story is gloomy yet well crafted. You’ll be scared to flip the page, but you won’t be able to shut this book. Isobel Tait’s attempt to get her son the medical help he needs leads to his disappearance. After Thomas’s year-long disappearance and only a few scattered updates from the police department she decides to take matters into her own hand. No longer allowing dust to collect on her son’s case, Isobel claims a new identity. While at times the mysteries seem familiar, one will find themselves questioning everything they knew along the way. It’s an eerie tale, but perfect for readers with any level of experience with mystery or historical novels. Fixsen’s seemingly poetic prose is undoubtedly alluring as an avid listener of true crime. Her storytelling is so well said, I can say for sure that I would tune in if she ever created a true crime podcast. There are no critically acclaimed detectives searching for answers, but rather a desperate and determined mother. The novel is a reminder of just how far humans will go when faced with the unthinkable. Dissections and disguises shape the novel into the picture of a quiet, suspenseful tale leaving readers asking how far they would go when faced with the unimaginable?
Fixsen’s storytelling is reflective of many early 1900 literary works while also maintaining a slightly modern feel. It contains remnants of Behind A Mask by Louisa May Alcott and “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner. Her writing excellently conveys an Edinburg lifestyle in the 19th century. As the population was rising so were crime rates, and without the many tools police departments have today, people had to take these investigations into their own hands. It asks readers how far they would go for the truth and justice. Perfect for reading at work, in class, or at home with a warm cup of English tea, it will have every reader scared to fall asleep. Though at times the third person omniscient point of view limits the reader from understanding certain details throughout the novel, it also keeps the story’s mysteries well-hidden. With romantic and horror undertones, the story shapes into more than just a mystery to be solved but an intricate look at how individuals of this time lived. True crime junkies and easily-frightened readers alike will find themselves—fully or partly—in Dr. Burnett’s collection. For individuals who love mysteries and those looking to explore another genre, The Specimen is the perfect story to fill the void in your reading life and might just lead you to fall in love with Fixsen’s other work. The only question left to answer will be are you ready to visit the doctor?