Bone house Book

I was really enjoying this slow building historical mystery right up until the ending. It was a disappointment, and for this reader the weakest component of the novel. I thought the story was unusual and I very much liked the fact that it was narrated through the eyes of a young woman who was the illigetimate daughter of the village midwife.

There was a lot to like about the novel and the main characters. The most interesting character for me was Dora, the prostitute who arrived in the isolated village under myserious circumstances. Dora was an unusual woman and the villagers were fascinated by her.

There is a strong sense of time, place, atmosphere and historical detail. Many of the characters had closely guarded secrets. I can see where this novel has tended to polarise some reviewers by the ending offered here. Without giving the plot away, the ending just didn't gel and I also had some difficulty believing in the portrait painters motivations.

Even so, I wouldn't hesitate to read another book by this author, I like their style.