The Resurrectionists

The Resurrectionists follows Maisie Fielding, an Australian woman who travels to England to investigate her family history. Her research focuses on her grandmother, who was known as a white witch in the small village of Solgreve. In this supernatural thriller, Maisie uncovers dark secrets about her ancestry while exploring the village's haunting past. Her investigation leads her through centuries-old records, local folklore, and mysterious encounters that connect to an ancient evil lurking beneath Solgreve's surface. The story moves between present-day events and historical accounts from Victorian England, when grave robbers known as resurrectionists prowled the countryside. These parallel narratives reveal connections between Maisie's family and a series of disturbing supernatural occurrences. The Resurrectionists, winner of the 2000 Aurealis Award for Best Horror Novel, examines themes of family inheritance, the weight of ancestral sins, and the thin boundary between folk magic and malevolent forces.

Readers describe this as a historical horror novel that combines medical history with supernatural elements. Many found the Victorian London atmosphere convincing and enjoyed the dual timeline structure. Positives from reviews: - Detailed research into 19th century medical practices - Character development of Dr. Potter - Fast pacing in the modern timeline - Gothic horror elements Common criticisms: - Some found the modern storyline less engaging - Romance subplot felt underdeveloped - Several readers wanted more closure to certain plot threads - A few noted predictable story beats Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (336 ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (28 reviews) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (12 ratings) "The historical sections transported me completely," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "The modern timeline felt rushed," noted another. Multiple readers praised the medical history elements but wanted deeper exploration of the supernatural aspects.

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🔮 In 19th century England, "resurrectionists" were people who illegally excavated fresh graves to sell corpses to medical schools, with some bodies fetching up to £25 (equivalent to thousands today). 📚 Kim Wilkins has written over 30 books across multiple genres, including fantasy, horror, and historical fiction, sometimes using the pen name Kimberley Freeman. 🌿 White witchcraft, featured prominently in the book, traditionally focuses on healing and protection, using natural elements like herbs, crystals, and moonlight in its practices. 🏆 The Aurealis Award, which this book won, is Australia's premier speculative fiction award, established in 1995 to recognize excellence in science fiction, fantasy, and horror. 🇬🇧 The English countryside setting reflects a rich history of folklore and witchcraft, with records of witch trials dating back to the 16th century, resulting in over 500 executions in England alone.