The Specimen By Jaima Fixsen

In The Specimen, a Gothic mystery set in 1826 Edinburgh, Isobel Tait is drawn into a chilling web of secrets and obsession after a chance encounter with a peculiar artifact—a small human heart preserved in a jar. While Dr. Burnett, a well-known collector of anatomical curiosities, keeps many strange specimens, this heart is different. Its rare condition, a damaged mitral valve, matches the ailment that afflicted Isobel’s young son, who vanished months earlier without a trace.

Haunted by the possibility that this heart could belong to her missing child, Isobel is determined to uncover the truth. She infiltrates Dr. Burnett’s mysterious household, accepting a position as the keeper of his growing collection. Yet, as she delves deeper, Isobel uncovers whispers of missing persons—victims who seem to disappear like mist, leaving behind no trace but the echo of their lives.

Is Dr. Burnett's obsession with his specimens more sinister than she could have imagined? As Isobel peels back layers of deception, she begins to realize that the answers lie not just in the jars on the shelves but in the dark recesses of Burnett’s twisted mind. What she discovers is a chilling world where scientific curiosity crosses deadly boundaries, and where her search for justice might cost her everything she holds dear.

Inspired by real-life crimes, The Specimen is a gripping tale of grief, revenge, and the relentless pursuit of the truth, perfect for fans of atmospheric suspense and book club discussions that linger long after the final page. 📚❤️