Argonaut Books

HALLOWEEN 2026 - Stranger than Fiction: The Medical History of Monsters // with Cat Irving - Saturday 17th October @ 7pm17th October

Limited Tickets

£0.00

HALLOWEEN 2026 - Stranger than Fiction: The Medical History of Monsters // with Cat Irving - Saturday 17th October @ 7pm17th October

Limited Tickets

Join us in the bookshop for an evening of monster history with the wonderful Cat Irving!

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Stranger than Fiction: The Medical History of Monsters

Dracula and Frankenstein occupy central places in the canon of horror fiction, but key elements of their plots derive from topics that were current in the medical history of the time in which they were written. This talk by human remains conservator Cat Irving will explore the nineteenth century medicine that forms the background to these well known stories.

Cat Irving has been the Human Remains Conservator for Surgeons’ Hall since 2015 and has been caring for anatomical and pathological museum collections for over twenty years. After a degree in Anatomical Science, she began removing brains and sewing up bodies at the Edinburgh City Mortuary. Cat is a licensed anatomist, and gives regular talks on anatomy and medical history. In 2022 she carried out conservation work on the skeleton of serial killer William Burke prior to his display in National Museum of Scotland. Her first book, Conversations with the Dead, will be published by HarperCollins in February 2028

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All attendees will receive a free Halloween tote!

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Event FAQ

How do I get to the bookshop?

We are a minutes walk from the Foot of the Walk Tram Stop and are situated on all major bus routes which run down Leith Walk, with the 7,14,16,25 and 49 stopping directly outside our front door. If you’re driving, we have a big Tesco car park right behind the shop whihch allows for up to three hours parking.

Will your café remain open?

Our café will stay open to provide both hot and cold drinks throughout the evening.

What are your accessibility arrangements in the shop?

Our shop is a fully accessible venue, set over one level and designed to acccomodate both wheelchairs and prams. Do let us know should you have any further accessibility concerns and a member of staff will be happy to help.

Limited Tickets

£0.00

Join us in the bookshop for an evening of monster history with the wonderful Cat Irving!

...

Stranger than Fiction: The Medical History of Monsters

Dracula and Frankenstein occupy central places in the canon of horror fiction, but key elements of their plots derive from topics that were current in the medical history of the time in which they were written. This talk by human remains conservator Cat Irving will explore the nineteenth century medicine that forms the background to these well known stories.

Cat Irving has been the Human Remains Conservator for Surgeons’ Hall since 2015 and has been caring for anatomical and pathological museum collections for over twenty years. After a degree in Anatomical Science, she began removing brains and sewing up bodies at the Edinburgh City Mortuary. Cat is a licensed anatomist, and gives regular talks on anatomy and medical history. In 2022 she carried out conservation work on the skeleton of serial killer William Burke prior to his display in National Museum of Scotland. Her first book, Conversations with the Dead, will be published by HarperCollins in February 2028

...

All attendees will receive a free Halloween tote!

...

Event FAQ

How do I get to the bookshop?

We are a minutes walk from the Foot of the Walk Tram Stop and are situated on all major bus routes which run down Leith Walk, with the 7,14,16,25 and 49 stopping directly outside our front door. If you’re driving, we have a big Tesco car park right behind the shop whihch allows for up to three hours parking.

Will your café remain open?

Our café will stay open to provide both hot and cold drinks throughout the evening.

What are your accessibility arrangements in the shop?

Our shop is a fully accessible venue, set over one level and designed to acccomodate both wheelchairs and prams. Do let us know should you have any further accessibility concerns and a member of staff will be happy to help.