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thenovelbook's review against another edition
5.0
Now that this book is finally available for sale, it's time for me to share a couple of my favorite passages. It's amazing to me how such a dark mystery can have such great LOL moments. Most of them are Emily's lines. Of course. Like this one:
"I have received a request that, though on the one hand would give me great pleasure in its execution, would also require me to be...social...and nice to those I am not at all interested in. In short, other people.”
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"I agreed to do as you wish, didn't I?" Emily asked.
"You did," Anne said. "And with such good grace and humour, one might have mistaken you for a great lady yourself."
"Well, greatness is something one is born with," Emily said. "I suspect I was born with rather more than most."
----------------------------------------
"Missus!" Hattie yelled into the house, her eyes still fixed on Branwell and Charlotte. "That small lady from Haworth is here to see you, and she has a sort of man with her."
"My name is Miss Charlotte Bronte--" But Charlotte was cut off before she could introduce Branwell.
"Miss Charlotte Bronte, she says!" Hattie yelled at the top of her voice.
"And my brother, Mr. Branwell Bronte." Charlotte couldn't help but finish her introduction, even though she knew what was coming next.
"And this other feller is her brother!" Hattie shouted.
There followed a short and intensely awkward silence as Hattie remained exactly where she was, staring at Branwell and Charlotte in turn as they waited for a response from within the house.
Great scene :D
-------------------------------------------------
Original review follows:
"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.
Content note: Heavy references to superstition, paganism, and ritual.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this advance review copy.
"I have received a request that, though on the one hand would give me great pleasure in its execution, would also require me to be...social...and nice to those I am not at all interested in. In short, other people.”
----------------------------------------
"I agreed to do as you wish, didn't I?" Emily asked.
"You did," Anne said. "And with such good grace and humour, one might have mistaken you for a great lady yourself."
"Well, greatness is something one is born with," Emily said. "I suspect I was born with rather more than most."
----------------------------------------
"Missus!" Hattie yelled into the house, her eyes still fixed on Branwell and Charlotte. "That small lady from Haworth is here to see you, and she has a sort of man with her."
"My name is Miss Charlotte Bronte--" But Charlotte was cut off before she could introduce Branwell.
"Miss Charlotte Bronte, she says!" Hattie yelled at the top of her voice.
"And my brother, Mr. Branwell Bronte." Charlotte couldn't help but finish her introduction, even though she knew what was coming next.
"And this other feller is her brother!" Hattie shouted.
There followed a short and intensely awkward silence as Hattie remained exactly where she was, staring at Branwell and Charlotte in turn as they waited for a response from within the house.
Great scene :D
-------------------------------------------------
Original review follows:
"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.
Content note: Heavy references to superstition, paganism, and ritual.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this advance review copy.
rach345's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lisas_library_factory's review against another edition
3.0
"Der namenlose Tote" war ein sehr unterhaltsames und bisweilen auch spannendes Buch mit überraschendem Ende. Die grundsätzliche Idee, die Bronte-Schwestern als Kriminal-Ermittlerinnen arbeiten zu lassen, finde ich großartig und originell. Abzüge musste ich für die Sprache geben, die bisweilen etwas einfach und "gezwungen" wirtke. Das mag aber auch an der deutschen Übersetzung liegen. Darüber hinaus spielt der Roman viel mit Mythen und Klischees, die es um die Familie Bronte gibt, was mich zeitweilig beim Lesen etwas gestört hat. Nichtsdestotrotz dieses Buch eine tolle Abwechslung und genau das Richtige, wenn man auf der Suche nach "leichter Kost" ist.
kbkittyb's review against another edition
3.0
*3 and a half
I'm always torn with these books. They are so homey and comforting that I like them. But I can't say I approve of the writing. Not necessarily bad...just sooo cheesy sometimes.
But yes, once you get over this unfortunate aspect this is a good story. A bit of a cop out since they didn't actually solve it. And honestly, the resolution was a long time coming. But the ending was exiting and well thought out. And it's always fun to spot the little bronte Easter eggs...references to wuthering heights etc.
So overall, a good read and I will probably read any others in the series. Its a nice, comfy winter read.
I'm always torn with these books. They are so homey and comforting that I like them. But I can't say I approve of the writing. Not necessarily bad...just sooo cheesy sometimes.
But yes, once you get over this unfortunate aspect this is a good story. A bit of a cop out since they didn't actually solve it. And honestly, the resolution was a long time coming. But the ending was exiting and well thought out. And it's always fun to spot the little bronte Easter eggs...references to wuthering heights etc.
So overall, a good read and I will probably read any others in the series. Its a nice, comfy winter read.
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, collectively known as the Bronte Sisters, are renown for their works of fiction and poetry. But then, what, are they *not* known for? What adventures could three parson's daughters have had that the biographers don't talk about? Bella Ellis encourages you to take a turn about the snowy moors and solve mysteries alongside these famous novelists.
December, 1845: Having successfully solved their first mystery, sent off works of poetry to a publisher under men's names, and established a detecting firm under those same men's names, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte find the wait for news of any sort to be nearly unbearable. That is, until news finally does come: a set of bones belonging to a child have been found in chimney of a local farmhouse--in a room that has not been used for thirteen years, the bones found during the owner's late-night rage against the ghosts that haunt him. What starts out as the sisters wanting to see the poor little soul laid to rest quickly turns into an investigation when they realize that the bones are more recent than they were initially led to believe. Was the child murdered? Who put the child in the chimney? Has something ancient and evil been invoked? Or have the sisters disturbed something far darker--something living, something that will kill again?
The second in the phenomenal Bronte Sisters Mystery series, "The Diabolical Bones" blends elements of the gothic--which the Sisters were known for--with a fantastic, dark mystery plot, real historical events, and a great deal of humor with perfect comedic timing and phrasing. Readers of the Brontes will see some subtle references to the books the sisters would write, which makes for a delight. "The Diabolical Bones" makes for quite a chilling mystery, both with the mercilessly cold winter in the moors and with the evil forces at play--which makes this the perfect book to read beside a fire and with a cup of tea! Get comfortable, for this mystery is very addictive...
Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, collectively known as the Bronte Sisters, are renown for their works of fiction and poetry. But then, what, are they *not* known for? What adventures could three parson's daughters have had that the biographers don't talk about? Bella Ellis encourages you to take a turn about the snowy moors and solve mysteries alongside these famous novelists.
December, 1845: Having successfully solved their first mystery, sent off works of poetry to a publisher under men's names, and established a detecting firm under those same men's names, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte find the wait for news of any sort to be nearly unbearable. That is, until news finally does come: a set of bones belonging to a child have been found in chimney of a local farmhouse--in a room that has not been used for thirteen years, the bones found during the owner's late-night rage against the ghosts that haunt him. What starts out as the sisters wanting to see the poor little soul laid to rest quickly turns into an investigation when they realize that the bones are more recent than they were initially led to believe. Was the child murdered? Who put the child in the chimney? Has something ancient and evil been invoked? Or have the sisters disturbed something far darker--something living, something that will kill again?
The second in the phenomenal Bronte Sisters Mystery series, "The Diabolical Bones" blends elements of the gothic--which the Sisters were known for--with a fantastic, dark mystery plot, real historical events, and a great deal of humor with perfect comedic timing and phrasing. Readers of the Brontes will see some subtle references to the books the sisters would write, which makes for a delight. "The Diabolical Bones" makes for quite a chilling mystery, both with the mercilessly cold winter in the moors and with the evil forces at play--which makes this the perfect book to read beside a fire and with a cup of tea! Get comfortable, for this mystery is very addictive...
cathy_alice's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Child abuse, and Child death
lostinagoodbook's review against another edition
4.0
I have a long lasting love for the Bronte sisters (I mean among book bloggers that has to be pretty common right?). I’ve read all their books, and Jane Eyre is of course one of my five favorite books of all time. So when I heard there is a mystery series that features the sisters I was very excited to read it.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I feel like the characters as they were written were very distinct and close to what we know of the sisters and their personalities. There were no strange moments that pulled me away from my enjoyment of the book or that didn’t jive with what I know of them. The environments were also very moody in just the right way, the moors figure largely of course, and the surrounding neighbors were excellently portrayed.
The mystery centered in the book itself was a lot of fun, and figuring it out made the book hard to put down. Just what you want from a book like this. I really need to pick up the other two books in the series. I’m not sure if each book is dedicated to a different sister, but I felt like this book really focused on Emily, and events in this book seemed to serve as inspiration for her later writings in Wuthering Heights. It’s full of easter eggs for people who love the books written by the sisters. It’s a great, easy, thriller of a book and I hope that if you are Bronte fans you will like this series.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley
I really enjoyed reading this book. I feel like the characters as they were written were very distinct and close to what we know of the sisters and their personalities. There were no strange moments that pulled me away from my enjoyment of the book or that didn’t jive with what I know of them. The environments were also very moody in just the right way, the moors figure largely of course, and the surrounding neighbors were excellently portrayed.
The mystery centered in the book itself was a lot of fun, and figuring it out made the book hard to put down. Just what you want from a book like this. I really need to pick up the other two books in the series. I’m not sure if each book is dedicated to a different sister, but I felt like this book really focused on Emily, and events in this book seemed to serve as inspiration for her later writings in Wuthering Heights. It’s full of easter eggs for people who love the books written by the sisters. It’s a great, easy, thriller of a book and I hope that if you are Bronte fans you will like this series.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley
lesliewilleford's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
eyreguide's review against another edition
5.0
The second entry in the Brontë Sisters Mystery series was a wonderful surprise. While I enjoyed the the first book (The Vanished Bride) very much, somehow this book exceeded my expectations. I think because the author dived even more deeply into the personalities and dynamics between Charlotte, Emily, and Anne. Reading this novel felt like being with friends - some who don’t always get along, but who love each other deeply. I felt like the author captured their personalities so precisely - in a way that reflected perfectly what we know about their characters.
The story moves quickly too, with the mystery unfolding rapidly, and red herrings thrown on the path. I felt like “The Diabolical Bones” was a stronger mystery than the first book - more unsettling, suspenseful, and baffling. And one that readily invites the Bronte sisters into investigating so that it was very natural for them to decide to find the origins of the bones.
I also love that the three sisters (and sometimes Branwell) all work together for most of the story. The first book sometimes found the sisters split up and following different leads, but having the three interacting while detecting in this book was a treat. Their personalities really do complement each other. The story also introduces potential romantic interests (some based on the real lives of the Brontës and some invented) and I loved seeing that side of their lives fleshed out. They are isolated and alone as a family, and only one sister eventually married, but they all have something to say on the nature of love, and it is illustrated by the way they approach romantic entanglements.
This is another fantastic installment in the series, and one that felt even more intimate and welcoming into the lives of the Brontës than the first book. It’s also fun to see the little nods to the different characters and plot devices that come up in the Brontës’ novels - the author shows off her knowledge of the Brontë’s works expertly. The premise of the sisters as detectives fits in so perfectly with their experiences, that I can not wait until their next adventure.
Many thanks to the publisher for a free review copy.
The story moves quickly too, with the mystery unfolding rapidly, and red herrings thrown on the path. I felt like “The Diabolical Bones” was a stronger mystery than the first book - more unsettling, suspenseful, and baffling. And one that readily invites the Bronte sisters into investigating so that it was very natural for them to decide to find the origins of the bones.
I also love that the three sisters (and sometimes Branwell) all work together for most of the story. The first book sometimes found the sisters split up and following different leads, but having the three interacting while detecting in this book was a treat. Their personalities really do complement each other. The story also introduces potential romantic interests (some based on the real lives of the Brontës and some invented) and I loved seeing that side of their lives fleshed out. They are isolated and alone as a family, and only one sister eventually married, but they all have something to say on the nature of love, and it is illustrated by the way they approach romantic entanglements.
This is another fantastic installment in the series, and one that felt even more intimate and welcoming into the lives of the Brontës than the first book. It’s also fun to see the little nods to the different characters and plot devices that come up in the Brontës’ novels - the author shows off her knowledge of the Brontë’s works expertly. The premise of the sisters as detectives fits in so perfectly with their experiences, that I can not wait until their next adventure.
Many thanks to the publisher for a free review copy.