The Diabolical Bones

The Diabolical Bones is the excellent second book in the Bronte Mysteries series. It is every bit as entertaining and suspenseful as its predecessor The Vanished Bride.

The bones of a long dead child have been discovered at the remote and foreboding Top Withens Hall and the Bronte sisters, along with brother Branwell, reprise their roles as ‘detectorists’ in order to identify the child and the cause of death. In the course of their investigations they uncover some very unsettling activities and events.

The plot is very well constructed and the tension builds cleverly. There are some shrewd red herrings which lead the reader down some interesting paths. It is a darker story when compared to The Vanished Bride and it explores a number of themes ranging from child exploitation to the treatment of the Irish residents of the village.

The narrative is shared between the three sisters and it really brings to life their individual characters; the feisty Emily, the reflective Anne and the occasionally insecure Charlotte. Their interactions with each other and the other personalities in the book are very realistic, sometimes humorous and sometimes profound. They really brought to life a sense of the Victorian era. The secondary characters are equally well drawn.

The description of winter on the Yorkshire moors enhances the sinister nature of the storyline and you really feel the cold and frost which create a disturbing background.

This is a well written novel which had me gripped from the outset. It can quite easily be read as a standalone but you are missing a treat if you don’t consider The Vanished Bride too. In essence The Diabolical Bones is a real treat and a homage to the wonderful Bronte sisters who would have made brilliant ‘detectorists’.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! I am a huge fan of the bronte mysteries by bella ellis, and read the vanishing bride last Christmas and so i was thrilled to get an advanced copy of this!

This book, just like her previous one, created a warm comforting atmosphere that the Bronte’s would have loved. I felt like i was in Haworth, and the characters felt full of life.

The story was gripping from the first page, as she hooked me with a mystery that left me wanting to read on. I found that around 30-40% way through it felt a big slow, but it picked up again and when it did it was incredible. I thoroughly loved the twist at the end, and the justice the author gave to the characters, especially for the irish, as an irishwoman myself. Cant wait to read this again when its published, and for the hopefully many more books about the brontes!

I absolutely loved this book-it’s even better than the first in the series.It’s so cleverly written, and the characters of the three Bronte sisters come through beautifully, along with all the little references to things that appear in their novels.
The plot is dark and Gothic, with a story of murdered children linked to the occult, which the sisters are asked to investigate with the help of their brother Branwell. It’s full of twists and turns, but also some very poignant scenes when the sisters visit an orphanage (run by Mrs Grace Poole!) It’s clearly been very carefully researched by a writer who loves the Brontes.
Highly recommended for all Bronte fans-it’s a delight.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinion.

The Diabolical Bones is an absolute treat for a Bronte fan. The authors love of the Brontes, their work, Haworth, and the era oozes out of every page.
As an admirer of the Bronte sisters and someone who has been to Haworth, I could visualise each scene.

Bella Ellis' detective novels are a love letter to the Brontes. I love how each sister is given their own chapter and we are able to delve more into their characters. It's such a treat to find out more about them on a personal and historical level. The addition of characters named after or inspired by those from the Bronte novels is a welcome addition too.

This is a spooky tale synonymous of those once told around the Christmas period. I enjoyed the cosy feel that jarred nicely against the macabre, just like a Bronte novel. I geeked out a little when Emily began getting ideas for my favourite novel too!

I won't rehash the plot as that can be found in the blurb. I will say the bones and where they are discovered leads to a detailed and interesting plot. Much of the landscape is explored through the snowy moors.

This is the perfect Christmas tale for those who don't want the usual Hallmark saccharine sweet offerings. It's not horror but it will give you delicious chills, especially when the origins of the bones are erevealed!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this early copy.

I stayed up night after night reading just a little bit more!
It was just so exciting!
I wasn't sure how the writer was going to fulfil my expectations because the premise was so ambitious...a novel featuring three of the most famous Victorian female writers, the Bronte sisters.

The book needed to have well rounded characters that had to feel accurate, not just in terms of both the place and period, but also according to what is known historically about the family and also a compelling plot that lived up to it's dramatic gothic title. I was not disappointed!
I loved the plot in itself, but the little hints of how their adventure and detective work then inspired the Brontes novels was such fun. The tone and language was just right, a nod to the period but with a contemporary feel that made it very easy to read. I loved it...not sure what to read now, feeling bereft!

As usual with my reviews, I will not rehash the plot (as I always think "Why bother to read a book if someone's already told you exactly what happens?).

Having read "The Vanished Bride", I was delighted when this - the second book in the series - came out. This book could be read as a standalone, as there is plenty of background information, and a whole batch of new characters as well as those we've already met.

The characterisation of the Bronte family is excellent; as the author is clearly knowledgeable about the lives of Charlotte, Anne, and Emily, their brother Branwell, and father Patrick, their "fictional" versions and interplay between them and other characters feels very authentic.

The plot itself is well conceived, with many a red herring to throw the reader off the track (I felt quite pleased with myself for realising who the villain of the piece was!). There are hints that characters, names (Earnshaw, Poole) and events from this novel are to be used as fuel for (future) writings by the sisters - again a nice touch.

I'm feeling buoyed up by the expectation of further novels in this series - and look forward to reading them!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in return for my honest review.

Having read The Vanished Bride, I was really looking forward to this book and it didn't disappoint! I really enjoy the crime within the book - this one kept me guessing (which I like) and also felt consistent plot-wise (which I also like!) so even without the fact that it's the Bronte sisters, I enjoy the story. But having the famous sisters adds an extra layer of enjoyment. The interplay between them is so well done, and you really believe that they're the *real* Brontes! I think I came away last time preferring Anne of all three, and I felt pretty much the same this time, though I do also enjoy Emily for her wild streak.

You can feel the chill of the wind and weather up on the Yorkshire Moors, and I like all the peripheral characters around and about the Brontes too. It feels like you're living a bit of their life with them, and it was exciting in this one that they had sent off some of their work to try and get it published.

I'm now fully convinced that the Brontes clearly were detectives...I think it would take a lot to convince me otherwise now! Heartily recommended, and I'm already looking forward to their next outing.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this review copy. Having read The Vanished Bride, I was excited to read the second in the Bronte mysteries series and I was not disappointed. As I had listened to the first book through audible, I read this sequel alternating with the audible copy- reading ahead when I was desperate to know what happened next. I cannot recommend the audible version enough as the narrator captures the Yorkshire voices of the characters brilliantly and makes the words of the text come alive. I hope Bella Ellis continues this series for some time as I have throughly enjoyed her novels.

This is the second in the Bronte mystery series and although it is a stand alone story it is probably best to have read The Vanished bride first to get some past understanding. Yet again a murder mystery is investigated by Anne, Charlotte and Emily , it’s so clever, linking a made up tale with historical fact and places. Highly entertaining and highly recommend.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

The Diabolical Bones (The Bronte Mysteries) by Bella Ellis
Genre: Historical Fiction and Mystery & Thriller
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publish Date: 5 November 2020
Star Rating: 5/5

The book cover of the first novel in The Bronte Mysteries series really captured me and now so has the second. When I reviewed the first book, I said that this type of book is the type of book I would hunt down special editions of to display on my bookshelf and now there is another. I just really love the Gothic feeling - and now it's in burgundy. But, The Bronte Mysteries is more than just pretty covers, they are a strange concoction of Gothic, mystery, and the Bronte sisters living in a parallel universe that is their own but they are detectives while going about publishing their poems and eventually books. It's so odd and it works so so well due to Ellis’ genius way of storytelling.

The Diabolical Bones, is darker than the first novel which I approve of. First, the novel opens with a poem written by Emily, which is full of foreboding and sets the tone of the book perfectly. As, this time round we have a child’s bones bricked up in a chimney, a spectator in a graveyard, mentions of the infamous Hellfire Club, a visit to the last of the Pendle Hill witches and maybe, the devil himself. The mixture of old Yorkshire superstition, the science and rationality of the 19th century with a healthy dose of religious morality truly drives the story forward. Moving on from this we get to continue being enveloped in the complicated but loving relationship between the four Bronte siblings: Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell. Their relationships were complex in real life which is mirrored in this novel. Emily still remains my strong favourite but my stance on Branwell has moved slightly. I’ve often been frustrated by Branwell - but how he is presented in this novel I believe him still to be his own worst enemy - but now I pity him for not being born a girl. The distance, loneliness and some conversations in the book all seem to reach back to this great dividing point and it's not hard to believe this could be the reality of it.

Ellis litters the novel with references from the sisters' infamous novel. As the sisters go about their detecting we meet characters, visit institutes, houses and landscapes that all lead the reader into thinking, we are being given special insight into the influences of the Bronte’s world on which they based their characters and novels on. Which I loved. Then I remembered that this is a fictional work but it's too late, they hold a fictional place in my heart now.

I hope we will not have too long a wait till the next instalment…

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton, for an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Brontë sister go detecting, à body is found buried (hiden) in a chimney stack and the home owner is the main suspect. But no-one can prove it or identify the body
With their Papa (as they call him) going blind and there brother Barnwell going of the rails with the help of the bottle. The girls have a lot of space not often given for girls of any standing in society, there Papa was the vicar aided by Mr Nichols who greatly admires Charlotte much to her sisters Emilly and Anbe's amusement and her distain.
Anyhow the sisters having set out to rescue the bones that have been discovered decide this needs looking into by someone else as the constable send very inept and it seems only fair that the body has a name as in life so should it be in death to give him or her some dignity. This proves a tough call and Tabby's knowledge is needed more than they expected, Tabby is the house keeper not a cat who knows the old ways as she calls them. Help comes from many sources and delightful characters and some more sinister which all adds to the tension and suspense which comes full-bodied right to the last sip.
I enjoyed this novel I'm not a Brontë connoisseur pride and prejudice doesn't do it for me, however Bella Ellis isn't writing romance but a whodunnit set in the mid-1800s and she knows the era and I hope you love this as I did.

The second in Bella Ellis (aka Rowan Coleman)'s "Brontë mysteries" was another fantastic read. When a child's long hidden bones are found at Top Withens, Charlotte, Emily and Anne (and occasionally Branwell in a semi-detached sort of way) become "detectors" once again, determined to identify the child and uncover the truth. It feels like a rather darker story than the first in the series, The Vanished Bride, and is a gripping read. (I did guess the culprit early on - but that didn't spoil my enjoyment in any way.)

The characterisation and interactions between the sisters (and Branwell, and Tabby) are a delight throughout and it's great to see Anne - possibly my favourite sister - get the attention she deserves.

There are character names here which would later become familiar through the novels (Earnshaw, Catherine, Grace Poole) and others which sound like they easily could belong there (Clifton and Liston Bradshaw).

The author clearly knows her Brontës and although there's no evidence that they did in fact investigate mysteries in their spare time, their lives are otherwise accurately represented (with a few minor tweaks which the author acknowledges).

(Very near the end, Emily remarks that she is "thinking of a novel... a novel of such barbarity and infamy that the world will tremble at its pages: a novel that shows what evil and depravity men - and women - are capable of" - a remarkably accurate description of the book she went on to write, even if it's nowadays - frustratingly - mainly characterised as a love story by people who haven't read it.)

Loved it and can't wait for more!

This is the second book to use the Bronte sisters as detectors, but can easily be read as a stand alone. Bella Ellis cleverly weaves her fictional tale of detection together with real aspects of the Brontes’ lives. This is very well done. Having visited the vicarage where they lived, and knowing the surrounding wild moors, I appreciated the accurate descriptions. A brilliant read. I hope there will be a third volume!

The second book in the Brontë Mysteries series is just as fantastic as the first. The sisters are written really vividly and their exchanges are so witty that I'd happily read about them just pottering around the house. That there's a great detective story too is a bonus. Like the first book, the inequalities of nineteenth century England are explored.

"Chilling" and "addictive" sum it up perfectly. This second entry in the Bronte Mysteries series is one thrill after another. Bella Ellis deftly weaves biographical details and larger than life personalities in the midst of a truly spine-tingling plot.
There's so much to enjoy here, from the thoughtful portrayal of all three Bronte sisters (and their brother), to the well crafted atmosphere of secrecy and tension on the Yorkshire moors. Although many readers may quickly pick up on which character they shouldn't trust, the speedy pace and well written sense of peril ensure they'll be glued all the way to the last page.
The characterizations were delightful, and I found myself highlighting passages again and again. Emily is my favorite, with her staunch outsider status and utter disregard for subtlety. I find myself laughing out loud at some of the things she says, and wondering whether she means to be funny or not. At times like those it was easy to forget that an author is putting words in her mouth.
There's something about the Brontes' lives that lends itself to this type of book, that makes it not ridiculous. Their short, difficult lives somehow combine believably with the dire situations that the author gives them to unravel, and the fact that the reader knows where their lives are headed adds gravitas to the story.
Future books in the series will be most welcome!

I adore this series of books and believe they are brilliantly written. We couldn’t purchase them as we are a primary school but I will be recommending these widely.
The Brontë sisters are back to detecting with some assistance from Branwell, though he is still nursing a broken heart. The girls are entirely capable of solving the mystery of the bones found in a home not far from the parsonage.
The bones were found behind a fireplace and the mystery develops as a gold medallion and strange symbols were found around the bones. The sisters work tirelessly to determine the age and name of the child, the reasons it might have been in the fireplace and the greater mystery that evolves over time.
With plenty of twists and turns, I tried to pay close attention to who I thought may have been the murderer, but still found myself surprised with the ending. That, to me, is the sign of an excellent book.
I love the historical references and use of the incredible Brontë family, who I find fascinating. They were no stranger to grief and heartache but I believe they were all highly intelligent and capable of offering more than what women were allowed to do in those times.

An incredible book!

Every bit as good, if not better than The Vanished Bride, this second mystery solved by the Bronte siblings is a pure delight. Quite dark, concerning child exploitation and racism, the tale is full of twists and red herrings and Charlotte, Emily and Anne have to be at their bravest and most determined to solve the crime. The moors play a central part, brooding and captivating, and everyone has their secrets that they hold close. But it is the relationship between the three girls and their troubled brother, Branwell, that is the true gem of this book, like being with living Brontes for a while and enjoying their company.

This really is a magical addition to what I just know is going to be a good series. The Bronte Sisters and their brother Branwell are investigating the death of a child at the infamous Top Withens. We follow them on the trail to the truth and there are some great red herrings and twists which I think Charlotte and the sister would have been proud of.

A gripping tale and I just love the idea of the Bronte sisters investigating like this. Yorkshire as a setting is pure magic and with the snow and the added chills, this is perfect

A great present if you want a chilly Christmas!

Having enjoyed, “The Vanished Bride,” the first in this series, I was really looking forward to the sequel and I delighted to say it is every bit as good as the first.

It is December, 1845, and Yorkshire is in the grip of winter. One of the excellent things about this series, is not only how well the Bronte family are depicted so realistically, but the period and place are also vividly portrayed. In the isolated Top Withins Hall, the bones of a boy are discovered hidden in a room locked once the mistress of the house had died. Hearing that the master of the house is refusing to hand over the bones, the Bronte sisters march through the chill to confront him.

Having decided they could be ‘detectors,’ the Bronte sisters are now determined to give the bones a burial and a name. In doing so, they visit Celia, a character from the previous novel, as well as making new acquaintances.

Again, there are hints of inspiration for Bronte novels, as well as the considerable issue of Branwell; still languishing in self-pity and drink. The novel also explores issues from that period, including the treatment of the Irish (both the Brontes and myself share an Irish heritage), mob justice and the way orphaned children were misused for labour.

In true Bronte fashion, this is not a light-hearted mystery, but you feel the dark, glowering clouds, the poverty, the isolation and the desolation of the moors. There is humour too, as well as the poignancy of the sisters situation. Knowing they needed to provide for themselves and ever aware of their father’s growing frailty and Branwell’s inability to care for himself, let alone them. An excellent, well written mystery, and a real delight for lovers of the Brontes.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this brilliant book

the bronte sisters...
skeleton remains of a child found in a chimney breast

what evil lurks in the village as another child goes missing

brilliantly written story of the bronte sisters yet again becoming sleuths with support from their drunken brother it makes for a pleasing read

and when the perp is unmasked you are left feeling bewildered....

another brilliant story from this author that keeps you entertained and you just cant put the book down

A fantastic read. All the witty dialogue and excellent characterisation as the first novel in this series but with an even better ending. I find these novels comforting - though perhaps this is strange considering the events of the plot!
I loved the darker elements of the murder mystery and the descriptions of the wintery scenery as the sisters (and Branwell) search for the killer of a child whose bones are hidden in the chimney breast of Topwithens Hall. I found the character of Catherine Hartley fascinating and loved the comparisons drawn between her life and that of the Bronte sisters.

I was so happy to spend time with Emily, Anne and Charlotte (and their friends/family) on the moors once again. Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review!

A superb second instalment in this series which was equally as good as the first if not better, looking forward to reading the book.

I have read the first part in the series and was very excited about the second one. And I wasn't disappointed. The story is well told and exciting, in a way I found it more exciting than the first one. Also the protagonists became more alive for me, I could recognize them better and had the feeling that they became individuals . This was a very interesting development for me, because I thought that I had no problems in the first book, but only after reading this one I realized that it was the case. I also very much liked the language because it felt really appropriate to the time of the story. Best example for me is the conversation concerning a possible orgy, which is so old-fashioned that it is perfectly fitting. The author really managed to keep the Brontes alive, thanks for that!

I really enjoyed the first 'Brontës as detectives' novel, The Vanished Bride, but wasn't sure how much room there was for this to become a series. My fears were misplaced - The Diabolic Bones (how awesome is that title?) is even better than the first book.

Once again we have Anne, Charlotte and Emily delving into the world of detection as they investigate the discovery of a human skeleton at a remote Howarth property. We have a larger cast of characters in this novel and also see some characters returning in brief cameos, all of which add to the flavour of the story. Branwell plays a larger part in this novel and I liked his character a lot better this time around, even though he was still a bit of sulky child occasionally! Chapters are told from alternating viewpoints, giving the reader the individual perspective of each of the three Brontë sisters, and the gradual build up to the climax of the story is handled really well.

The author's knowledge of the Brontës history shines through again and these fictionalised historical figures really do feel real on the page. The three women each have their strengths and Ellis paints them as knowing how and when to use those strengths to the advantage of the group as a whole in a way which really makes the story work. The gothic touches and the clear signposts to Emily's inspiration for writing Wuthering Heights are the icing on a delicious cake. I'm really looking forward to seeing where Ellis takes these characters next.

After reading The Vanished bride the first in the book in The Bronte sisters’ mystery. I was looking forward to reading The Diabolical Bones and after reading it I think it is better than the first one.
When a child bones are unearthed, hidden in a chimney breast in Clifton Bradshaw’s late wife’s room at Top Withens hall with a medallion with the date of their demise etched on it. The Bronte sisters decide to put their detecting skills to work again and find out who the poor soul is and what happened to him to end up there. With the occasional help from their brother Branwell, the girls end up meeting a whole eclectic bunch of characters along the way to find out what happened.
This is another thrilling, atmospheric mystery set in Victorian times. Which I found quite creepy at times. The author portrayed the Bronte sisters well. It was professionally researched and yet again a great unique storyline with the mix of their real lives and the detective skills. 5 stars from me.

The Diabolical Bones is the second book in the Brontes Mysteries Series and it doesn't disappoint. I love this series ,another mystery for the Bronte sisters to solve .This book is so well written and a real page turner ,the characterizations were brilliant I really felt I knew the characters .Atmospheric ,set near Christmas with snow on the ground I actually felt cold !!!I can't wait for the next book in the series .Many thanks to the Publisher the Author and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review .

This is my first read by Ellis. I was drawn to the book by the original premise but stayed because of the impeccable research and delicious prose. There's humour too peppered across the pages, which was welcome in what is, after all, a dark tale.

I enjoyed The Vanished Bride, the first book in this series, and I am pleased that the author has maintained the same standard in this sequel.
The book has a melancholic opening with Charlotte in 1852, which is three years after the last of her siblings has died, walking by the scene of one of their investigations and looking back to a time of great horror, but also when there was more laughter and love in the world. And then we switch to a classic mystery scenario with a ghastly scream and a snowstorm whirling around an isolated house. A child′s body is discovered, and the hunt commences for its identity. The journey to the solution reveals many tragedies before coming to an eerie resolution. The sisters intelligence, determination and courage takes them into frightening situations, but at the same time protects them. ″She remembered something Branwell had told her once, and in one swift movement, she kneed Bradshaw hard in his unholies.″ As indicated by this quote there is also a thread of humour which mostly revolves around the sisters′ interactions with each other. Branwell is dragged along on their investigations to make use of his status as a male, but this also gives a chance of showing the sisters′ impatience with him, and their longing for him to become their brother of old.
There are echoes of the sisters′ books in the locations they visit, and I always end up going off to hunt for information on the family and their writings to tie in with the narrative. There are many strands in these stories: insights into the Brontës, the social history of the times, a range of emotions while reading, vivid descriptions of the environment. I find them a very satisfying read.

I had a copy of this book early through Netgalley

We return to Haworth Parsonage for the much anticipated second book in this series featuring the Bronte sisters. It’s December 1845, extremely cold, there’s snow, ice, frost and wind, it’s chill gripping like a vice on the moors. At Top Withins Hall, after hearing some blood curdling screams, father and son Clifton and Liston Bradshaw make a diabolical discovery in the chimney of a room that has been closed for thirteen years since the death of Mary Bradshaw. The Bronte sisters don their detecting bonnets, wrap themselves in their cloaks and apply their skills in this chilling Gothic Mystery of high quality.

There is much to praise in this book but in my opinion it’s the depiction of the Bronte family which is its greatest strength. They are brought to life and it feels so natural and authentic with their individual personalities perfectly captured. I have an especial liking for Emily whose more straightforward, feisty personality appeals to me!! The whole book is full of atmosphere created by the characters, the cold weather is used very effectively, the unsettling and disturbing events and settings with the Parsonage at its epicentre. The novel is extremely well written and evokes the area and times with accuracy. Particularly moving is the inclusion in the storytelling of the life of poverty and subsequent malnutrition of large sections of the population and the treatment of the Irish is heartbreaking but sadly all too accurate and of course, where Patrick Bronte is from. The story flows and the plot is intriguing with an abundance of strange and mysterious happenings, a feeling of malevolence and the unmasking of a monster. This is not a huge surprise as there are some warning signs but other parts are surprising which I like. There is much darkness in the story as it is revealed. Finally, I really like that the author includes Emily at the end thinking of a new and shocking novel. I wonder what that will be called??!!!

Overall, this is another very good historical mystery, it’s enthralling, full of atmosphere and suspense. The way that it’s written is prefect for a gothic tale featuring these three famous great authors and is an excellent reflection of the times. If you are a Bronte fan you may love this book too and also if you are a fan of historical fiction.

With thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated ARC for an honest review.

Another Bronte mystery for the siblings to unravel. This time bones of a child are found and they want to find out who they belong to. Depicting some of the hardships of Victorian times coupled with the romantic, wild spirits of the Brontes, this book truly is an historical treat. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.