Abigail Hale wishes nothing more than to become an anatomist, like her father. As she already works at a medical college, and cadavers are needed, she is the one who deals with resurrection men, thus ensuring her eminent father's reputation won't suffer regrettable consequences. One evening however, things go awry: when she is about to pay the resurrectionists, they instead steal the money she keeps for the maintenance of the college as well as the ivory elephant her dead mother left her. Abigail is so infuriated, she sets off to at least get her figurine back.

Abigail manages to get in the house where the body snatchers from The London Supply Company hole up. One man though, Max seems cultured, and doesn't quite seem to belong. Just as Abigail is about to get out of the house, Max enters, and Abigail is trapped. Max Wilder wants to find out what happened to his half-sister, who was last seen a month prior with the dreaded Jack Hurtsill, the leader of the resurrectionist group. Max says he's a noble who has heavy gambling debts and he needs the money, but the mysterious Max seems to harbour more secrets even than the graveyards.

A MATTER OF GRAVE CONCERN intrigued me; it seemed an interesting book, and it turns out to be superb! The premise for the story, is to say the least highly original, and the meticulous research done by Ms. Novak pays off in spades!

The subject matter is at first glance a tad unsavoury: they are after men who steal bodies from graveyards and supply the surgeons, but it makes for an utterly fascinating and compelling story. And I learned quite a few things while being totally engrossed in this captivating suspense story.

Abigail is a fabulous female character: strong-willed, independent, fearless, highly intelligent, and unconventional, as much as the restrictions of the era and her sex allow: the 1830's didn't look that well upon women aspiring to higher learning.

Max is a splendid character as well, and the banter between him and Abigail is delicious; they make a great team indeed! And A MATTER OF GRAVE CONVERN features the best exchange about sex between a man and a woman I have ever read in a historical novel: Abigail's exposé on her clinical knowledge of sexual intercourse is, while completely accurate, hysterically funny!

I loved how the rash decision Abigail makes was handled by Ms. Novak and turned into a supremely entertaining and clever story. A MATTER OF GRAVE CONCERN is suspenseful, perfectly paced, beautifully written, featuring unique characters, and the unexpected plot twists are ingenious, logical and consistent with the story line. Different, brilliant and exciting from beginning to end!