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camerontrost's review
4.0
"Bad to the Bones" is an anthology of short mystery and adventure tales inspired by Queensland's dark past. There are plenty of great tales in this book, from adventure tales about the escapades and schemes of gold diggers and bushrangers (like Riding by Moonlight by Duncan Richardson, Fool's Gold by Kimberley Starr, and Herbie Naughton's Nugget by Angela Le Mare) to noir (like Buried in Bulimba by Joy Loggie and Pelican Pocket by Coral Hartley). Every story hit the mark.
Of course, I have some personal favourites too. The Troubled Tobacconist by Adrienne Ross was reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes, although it's not told from a detective's point of view, and admirably illustrated the Victorian era in Brisbane. Tree of Silence by Margaret Hill is a dark and poignant tale that will touch you.
The anthology was edited by Kerry Greenwood (of Phryne Fisher fame) and she did a great job. I only noticed one historical inaccuracy; the William Jolly Bridge is mentioned at a time when it was still called the Grey Street Bridge, but I only know this because my father, who is eighty-three years old, stills calls it by its original name.
So, a big thumbs-up from me. If you love short tales of crime, mystery, and adventure, you ought to get your hands on a copy of this anthology.
Of course, I have some personal favourites too. The Troubled Tobacconist by Adrienne Ross was reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes, although it's not told from a detective's point of view, and admirably illustrated the Victorian era in Brisbane. Tree of Silence by Margaret Hill is a dark and poignant tale that will touch you.
The anthology was edited by Kerry Greenwood (of Phryne Fisher fame) and she did a great job. I only noticed one historical inaccuracy; the William Jolly Bridge is mentioned at a time when it was still called the Grey Street Bridge, but I only know this because my father, who is eighty-three years old, stills calls it by its original name.
So, a big thumbs-up from me. If you love short tales of crime, mystery, and adventure, you ought to get your hands on a copy of this anthology.
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