“Move over, Jane Austen, for the latest literary ladies who snoop in this… lively series debut.”—Kirkus Reviews on The Vanished Bride Haworth Parsonage, February 1846: The Brontë sisters— Anne, Emily, and Charlotte—are busy with their literary pursuits. As they query publishers for their poetry, each sister hopes to write a full-length novel that will thrill the reading public. They’re also … reading public. They’re also hoping for a new case for their fledgling detecting enterprise, Bell Brothers and Company solicitors. On a bitterly cold February evening, their housekeeper Tabby tells them of a grim discovery at Scar Top House, an old farmhouse belonging to the Bradshaw family. A set of bones has been found bricked up in a chimney breast inside the ancient home.
Tabby says it’s bad doings, and dark omens for all of them. The rattled housekeeper gives them a warning, telling the sisters of a chilling rumour attached to the family. The villagers believe that, on the verge of bankruptcy, Clifton Bradshaw sold his soul to the devil in return for great riches. Does this have anything to do with the bones found in the Bradshaw house? The sisters are intrigued by the story and feel compelled to investigate. But Anne, Emily, and Charlotte soon learn that true evil has set a murderous trap and they’ve been lured right into it…
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The Diabolical Bones is the second book in the Bronte Sisters Mystery series by Bella Ellis. Haven’t read the first book? Neither have I. But no worries, as this installment is a self-contained mystery and stands alone just fine. It was an interesting concept, having the Bronte sisters being what they call “detectors”. I started this book off in a depressed mood: I was not very familiar with this family, and it shocked me that these three women died so YOUNG. The longest one lived was 39 years! I also admit I have not read any of their work. Yes, I know…it’s a sin.
It’s a bitterly cold February in 1846, and Charlotte, Anne and Emily Bronte are busy writing at the Haworth Parsonage, trying to find a publisher for their poetry. They are also attempting novel writing while awaiting cases for their new detecting agency. Their beloved housekeeper Tabby informs them of a terrifying find at Top Withens, the property belonging to Clifton Bradshaw: a set of bones was discovered bricked up in a chimney! Tabby tells them of the rumors that Bradshaw sold his soul to the devil after his wife’s death, and the ladies decide to investigate. Did Bradshaw kill the child to whom those bones belonged? Or are there even more diabolical happenings afoot?
This was an interesting premise on which to base a series. The story started off rather slowly for me, and I really didn’t get into it until I was about halfway through. When it picked up, though, it really became exciting. I kept changing my mind as to whodunit. I ended up being correct, but there was MUCH more behind the tragedy than I could ever have guessed! Ms. Ellis does a marvelous job with atmosphere; I felt I was there in the biting cold with the sisters, and could feel the encroaching dread as they got closer to solving the mystery. They were such an interesting family, and also very tragic, knowing the siblings all died so young. The sisters were extremely close, yet they would bicker as sisters are wont to do. Brother Bramwell was also an interesting man, at times clever but usually under the influence. I need to go back and see what I missed in book one, and I eagerly await the next installment!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
December 1845 at Top Withens Hall, owner Clifton Bradshaw discovers the bones of a child in the chimney breast in his late wife’s room.
Meanwhile at the Haworth Parsonage the Bronte sisters are busy with their individual writings. But eager for a new case for their detecting business, Bell Brothers and Company solicitors they are determined to discover the name of the child found and the guilty party.
A slow paced and enjoyable Victorian mystery with the clues slowly exposed. A well-written story also about the interactions between the various members of the Bronte family.
Another very good story in this series which can be read as a standalone book.
It’s Christmas 1845 and Haworth is in the grip of a freezing winter.
Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë are rather losing interest in detecting until they hear of a shocking discovery: the bones of a child have been found interred within the walls of a local house, Top Withens Hall, home to the scandalous and brutish Bradshaw family. When the sisters set off to find out more, they are confronted with an increasingly complex and sinister case, which leads them into the dark world of orphanages, and onto the trail of other lost, and likely murdered children.
This is the second book in the series & I found it to be a real page turner, chilling, atmospheric & totally engrossing. I loved the mix of details about the Brontes & the mystery. The author has done a great job of mixing fact with fiction & I hope for more in the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read