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The Bone Readers

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The Bone Readers

By: Jacob Ross
Narrated by: Ben Onwukwe
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Summary

Winner of the Jhalak Prize

Secrets can be buried, but bones can speak....

After standing witness to a murder on the streets of the Caribbean island of Camaho, young Michael 'Digger' Digson is recruited into a unique plainclothes homicide squad, an eclectic group of semi-official police officers, led by the enigmatic DS Chilman.

Digger becomes enmeshed in Chilman's obsession with a cold case, the disappearance of a young man. But Digger has a murder to pursue, too: that of his mother, killed by a renegade police squad when he was a boy.

He has two weapons at his disposal - his skill in forensics and Chilman's latest recruit, the mysterious, observant Miss Stanislaus. Together, the two find themselves dragged into a world of dangerous secrets that demands every ounce of their courage to survive.

This award-winning crime debut by highly acclaimed author Jacob Ross marks the thrilling start to a new series following forensics genius Michael Digson.

©2016 Jacob Ross (P)2016 Little, Brown Book Group Crime Crime Thrillers Thriller & Suspense Thriller Fiction Exciting Murder Suspense Forensics
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Critic reviews

"The Bone Readers is a page-turner, but its insights and language are equally testament to a literary novel of impressive depth and acuity." (Guardian)

"It's masterly. I've started to read it again with increasing admiration." (Crime Time)

"A breath-taking, thought-provoking, and yes brilliant read. I know this is a book I shall go back to again and again." (Sunny Singh)
All stars
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Was stressed from start to finish; evidence of a truly compelling story with a tropical nostalgic touch for me

Gripping and suspenseful

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One of the best crime novels I’ve listened to since finishing Adrian McKinty’s Sean Duffy series. The setting, beautifully described, is vivid yet infected with dark deeds. The characters, whether key players or walk-on parts, are fully realised and always interesting. The plot keeps the listener engaged through many twists and turns. I’ve just started Black Rain Falling, the next in what I hope will be a long series, and it is promising to be just as good

Great characters, twisting plot, superb narration

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The first in the series, crime novels set in the fictional Caribbean island of Camaho (aka Grenada), The Bone Readers is a stunning piece of art. An ageing senior police officer recognises that crime is becoming more sophisticated, and with a recklessness perhaps inspired by approaching retirement, somewhat unofficially sets up a dedicated unit to meet the new challenge. Each of the young, bright recruits - with their own unique/tragic past - brings a particular skillset, equipping Camaho with the policing techniques of the future. Michael 'Digger' Dickson is a forensics genius who 'reads' bones, and Ms K Stanislaus, his eventual partner, is an observational whizz who 'reads' people and situations. When a Spiritual Baptist Deacon is killed they have to figure out why, and how it's related to the missing son of a distraught mother, the only case the ageing police officer never solved. Fantastic character-driven storytelling is matched with language anchored in the Caribbean; every similie and metaphor reflects the location of the story.

To mention the BBC's Death In Paradise, or the French spin-off Tropiques Criminels is to do Jacob Ross' novels a disservice, both The Bone Readers and the next book in the series, the multiple award-winning Black Rain Falling, are far superior, masterful works. They are wishful thinking/aspirations of the producers of both - deeply problematic - series. Jacob Ross gets right everything they get wrong. This is Caribbean crime fiction for Caribbean people. And it is brilliant.

Layered Caribbean Brilliance

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Fantastic sense of place and culture. Interesting, complex characters. Keeps you interested. Wish he’d written more of these.

Wonderful reading of multi layered book.

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An excellent listen, Ben Onwukwe’s voice was perfect for the story. Recommended. I’m reading Black Rain Falling and very much enjoying that as well.

Excellent

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