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Felix Castor #6
The Ghost in Bone
“London’s exorcists! I have a reward for all of you, a job for one of you. Come to Brierley House, 20th April, 9.00am.”
The newspaper ad is a baited hook and it smells like a three-day old corpse. But hey, it’s a grand in hand just for turning up so Felix Castor goes in anyway, alongside the curdled cream of his dubious profession. And once he’s in it’s hard to get out again. Brierley House is the home of Russian oligarch Gavril Ustinov, now missing, his driven daughter Ksenia Ustinova and their staff of taciturn, sinister domestics. It also hosts an invisible force that attacks exorcists and negates their abilities—a force that seems to be centuries old. Ksenia wants Castor to locate her missing father, alive or dead. Castor wants to find out who set a trap for exorcists back in the late Middle Ages and what else they were up to.
For a job this big he’s got friends he can call on: zombie data-fence Nicky Heath, reformed succubus Juliet Salazar, jaded cop Gary Coldwood and Trudie Pax, the Anathemata’s finest warrior. But the ghosts of Brierley are many, and they won’t give up their secrets lightly…
The newspaper ad is a baited hook and it smells like a three-day old corpse. But hey, it’s a grand in hand just for turning up so Felix Castor goes in anyway, alongside the curdled cream of his dubious profession. And once he’s in it’s hard to get out again. Brierley House is the home of Russian oligarch Gavril Ustinov, now missing, his driven daughter Ksenia Ustinova and their staff of taciturn, sinister domestics. It also hosts an invisible force that attacks exorcists and negates their abilities—a force that seems to be centuries old. Ksenia wants Castor to locate her missing father, alive or dead. Castor wants to find out who set a trap for exorcists back in the late Middle Ages and what else they were up to.
For a job this big he’s got friends he can call on: zombie data-fence Nicky Heath, reformed succubus Juliet Salazar, jaded cop Gary Coldwood and Trudie Pax, the Anathemata’s finest warrior. But the ghosts of Brierley are many, and they won’t give up their secrets lightly…
138 pages, Hardcover
First published July 31, 2023
32 people are currently reading
594 people want to read
About the author
Mike Carey
1,261 books2,967 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Mike Carey was born in Liverpool in 1959. He worked as a teacher for fifteen years, before starting to write comics. When he started to receive regular commissions from DC Comics, he gave up the day job.
Since then, he has worked for both DC and Marvel Comics, writing storylines for some of the world's most iconic characters, including X-MEN, FANTASTIC FOUR, LUCIFER and HELLBLAZER. His original screenplay FROST FLOWERS is currently being filmed. Mike has also adapted Neil Gaiman's acclaimed NEVERWHERE into comics.
Somehow, Mike finds time amongst all of this to live with his wife and children in North London. You can read his blog at www.mikecarey.net.
Mike Carey was born in Liverpool in 1959. He worked as a teacher for fifteen years, before starting to write comics. When he started to receive regular commissions from DC Comics, he gave up the day job.
Since then, he has worked for both DC and Marvel Comics, writing storylines for some of the world's most iconic characters, including X-MEN, FANTASTIC FOUR, LUCIFER and HELLBLAZER. His original screenplay FROST FLOWERS is currently being filmed. Mike has also adapted Neil Gaiman's acclaimed NEVERWHERE into comics.
Somehow, Mike finds time amongst all of this to live with his wife and children in North London. You can read his blog at www.mikecarey.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
October 8, 2023
A novella that brings us back to Felix Castor's world in a nice, introductory kind of way. Felix answers a want ad for an exorcist, a clever opening that allows Carey to build the metaphysical world. It turns out, however, that Felix is needed more as a detective than an exorcist. He needs a helping hand on the case, which gives a chance for a cast of familiar characters from the books to stop by--Nicky the zombie, who has discovered super-cooling and ghost-walking; Juliet, a succubus that has left Hell for a relationship with a human woman; Gary, a cynical police officer; and Trudie, former adversary, current lover and partner.
"No, correction, I don’t trust anyone, but when it comes to people I almost trust you’re right up at the top of the list.”
At novella length, the plot moves quickly and uncomplicatedly. In many ways, this feels almost like a chance to 'get the band back together,' inasmuch as you can call Felix' acquaintances a 'band.' While there is a resolution to the story, there is a revelation that will help propel the series forward, I suspect. Or hope. There's interesting stuff in this series, including the equal casting of female characters, the fact that Felix is often saved by said females, the complicated world-view of death and souls, and the occasional dark humor. It can make up for Felix' personality traits, which are finally being somewhat modified by personal growth.
“I tell you I can’t talk about it and you go straight to asking questions. Just listen."
I first read book one of the series, The Devil You Know way back in 2011, and I don't think I've re-read the series back-to-front since, so to be honest, I've forgotten a lot of the specifics on world-building and character histories, with the exception of Nicky . Perhaps you are wondering if you should. Mike Carey is our old friend M.R. Carey, from The Girl with All the Gifts, so you know he can write and is not afraid to turn genre tropes sideways. Alas, though, that much about the Felix's beginning felt so standard, particularly in the tropes surrounding the hard-boiled detective: tortured by his own expectations, self-sabotaging behavior, a drinking problem. The overarching plot in the series had a lot to do with a mistake that Felix felt guilty for, so it is an emotional tone that gets somewhat tedious. It felt, I would say, like a grim series. Ultimately hopeful, but there was a lot of rough road getting there. Your tolerance for this series will perhaps hinge on that ability to stay with Felix, as the narrative is strictly his point of view.
Note: see Mikhail's thoughts below about comparisons to other series, as well as noting that, obviously, book 5 will of necessity have 'spoilers' for plots in earlier books.
"No, correction, I don’t trust anyone, but when it comes to people I almost trust you’re right up at the top of the list.”
At novella length, the plot moves quickly and uncomplicatedly. In many ways, this feels almost like a chance to 'get the band back together,' inasmuch as you can call Felix' acquaintances a 'band.' While there is a resolution to the story, there is a revelation that will help propel the series forward, I suspect. Or hope. There's interesting stuff in this series, including the equal casting of female characters, the fact that Felix is often saved by said females, the complicated world-view of death and souls, and the occasional dark humor. It can make up for Felix' personality traits, which are finally being somewhat modified by personal growth.
“I tell you I can’t talk about it and you go straight to asking questions. Just listen."
I first read book one of the series, The Devil You Know way back in 2011, and I don't think I've re-read the series back-to-front since, so to be honest, I've forgotten a lot of the specifics on world-building and character histories, with the exception of Nicky . Perhaps you are wondering if you should. Mike Carey is our old friend M.R. Carey, from The Girl with All the Gifts, so you know he can write and is not afraid to turn genre tropes sideways. Alas, though, that much about the Felix's beginning felt so standard, particularly in the tropes surrounding the hard-boiled detective: tortured by his own expectations, self-sabotaging behavior, a drinking problem. The overarching plot in the series had a lot to do with a mistake that Felix felt guilty for, so it is an emotional tone that gets somewhat tedious. It felt, I would say, like a grim series. Ultimately hopeful, but there was a lot of rough road getting there. Your tolerance for this series will perhaps hinge on that ability to stay with Felix, as the narrative is strictly his point of view.
Note: see Mikhail's thoughts below about comparisons to other series, as well as noting that, obviously, book 5 will of necessity have 'spoilers' for plots in earlier books.
August 17, 2023
I really cannot express how delighted I am that Mike Carey (of the *Lucifer* and *Hellblazer* comics, and also known as MR Carey of the Book of Koli and *The Girl with All the Gifts*) has returned to the Felix Castor series.
Let’s go ahead and get the Dresden comparison out of the way. Castor is an exorcist, and serves as a sort of supernatural PI for the people of London while also consulting for Scotland Yard. He’s a snarky loner whose principles get him in trouble regularly. He even has a big coat that he wears in all weather and his friends make fun of him for.
But there are some important differences that make, in my opinion, this series the superior one. The humor is here, as in Dresden, but Dresden tends towards the slapstick; Castor is all dry British wit. The Castor series sticks much close to its noir roots, which the Dresden Files moved away from early on. Dresden is basically a superhero; Castor is a lightweight. (“Please don’t eviscerate me while I play my tin whistle at you for a few minutes” isn’t much of a battle strategy.) And the Castor series lacks the ever-present male gaze of the Dresden Files.
So all that was for the lucky people who haven’t read the Felix Castor books, and now get to do so. What follows is for those of us unlucky people who have been waiting for more since 2009.
*The Naming of the Beasts* left Fix in a good place, and wrapped up the overarching Asmodeus plotline. That’s where this picks up: Fix is in something approximating domestic bliss with Trudi, even while he still is behind on cash to pay the bills.
This novella (which features a case that, naturally, is More Than It Seems) is all about this big dangling plot thread left unresolved after the first 5 books: Why did the dead suddenly start rising? Why did exorcists suddenly appear? What is this Thing that Juliet absolutely refuses to talk about?
We get answers to none of those questions. But we do get hints that leave me thinking that, assuming Mike Carey is working on the next book (please, Mike, be working on the next book), answers are coming.
My blog
Let’s go ahead and get the Dresden comparison out of the way. Castor is an exorcist, and serves as a sort of supernatural PI for the people of London while also consulting for Scotland Yard. He’s a snarky loner whose principles get him in trouble regularly. He even has a big coat that he wears in all weather and his friends make fun of him for.
But there are some important differences that make, in my opinion, this series the superior one. The humor is here, as in Dresden, but Dresden tends towards the slapstick; Castor is all dry British wit. The Castor series sticks much close to its noir roots, which the Dresden Files moved away from early on. Dresden is basically a superhero; Castor is a lightweight. (“Please don’t eviscerate me while I play my tin whistle at you for a few minutes” isn’t much of a battle strategy.) And the Castor series lacks the ever-present male gaze of the Dresden Files.
So all that was for the lucky people who haven’t read the Felix Castor books, and now get to do so. What follows is for those of us unlucky people who have been waiting for more since 2009.
*The Naming of the Beasts* left Fix in a good place, and wrapped up the overarching Asmodeus plotline. That’s where this picks up: Fix is in something approximating domestic bliss with Trudi, even while he still is behind on cash to pay the bills.
This novella (which features a case that, naturally, is More Than It Seems) is all about this big dangling plot thread left unresolved after the first 5 books: Why did the dead suddenly start rising? Why did exorcists suddenly appear? What is this Thing that Juliet absolutely refuses to talk about?
We get answers to none of those questions. But we do get hints that leave me thinking that, assuming Mike Carey is working on the next book (please, Mike, be working on the next book), answers are coming.
My blog
November 16, 2023
Unexpectedly, for me, Mike Carey has published a further short novel in his Felix Castor series, which was, I think, the first set of novels he wrote many years ago, following his success in the comic book world. I read the first five in the series some time ago, and now we have a sixth.
I enjoyed the first five and it’s the same scenario here for the sixth. A psychic private investigator in contemporary London uses his rare skills to communicate with ghosts, sometimes with even more sinister beings, who form a pervasive but little noticed presence in this version of our world. Each of the original five books have a self contained story though there was also a running, demonic, thread through the series. This continues the themes from the earlier books, so I wouldn’t recommend reading this as your first visit to this series as you’ll miss that earlier world building.
It’s a fairly light plot which I’m reluctant to label as horror; certainly it’s not visceral horror. Ghostly creepiness, nasty human villains. Wry humour and even some political comment (about Russian oligarchs and their links to UK politics). Very readable, interesting story and, from the ending, it seems there are more books to come.
Although the author has written deeper stories (in my view) in recent times (E.g. The Girl with All the Gifts; the Koli series) I have a fondness for this series and I recommend them if you’d like some light, ghostly, reading fun mixed with some occasional real life commentary. Maybe only 4* because I found this story shorter than I wanted but the plus side of 4* because I’m pleased Felix has returned.
I enjoyed the first five and it’s the same scenario here for the sixth. A psychic private investigator in contemporary London uses his rare skills to communicate with ghosts, sometimes with even more sinister beings, who form a pervasive but little noticed presence in this version of our world. Each of the original five books have a self contained story though there was also a running, demonic, thread through the series. This continues the themes from the earlier books, so I wouldn’t recommend reading this as your first visit to this series as you’ll miss that earlier world building.
It’s a fairly light plot which I’m reluctant to label as horror; certainly it’s not visceral horror. Ghostly creepiness, nasty human villains. Wry humour and even some political comment (about Russian oligarchs and their links to UK politics). Very readable, interesting story and, from the ending, it seems there are more books to come.
Although the author has written deeper stories (in my view) in recent times (E.g. The Girl with All the Gifts; the Koli series) I have a fondness for this series and I recommend them if you’d like some light, ghostly, reading fun mixed with some occasional real life commentary. Maybe only 4* because I found this story shorter than I wanted but the plus side of 4* because I’m pleased Felix has returned.
March 24, 2024
A welcome return to one of my favorite series, with the promise of more to come.
October 1, 2023
So, as a pure story, this is solid but not exceptional. It's got a neat little mystery, and one thing I very much appreciate about Carey is that the Felix Castor books are indeed *mysteries*, and not merely thriller novels like certain other occult detective types. [cough]
But aside from everything else, I am *ecstatic* because this is the first Castor story in fourteen years, and so I have some hope that this is Carey getting back into the swing of things and eventually, will end the tale. The Castor books were very clearly ramping up to a grand finale, and I've been waiting for that finale for a LONG time.
But aside from everything else, I am *ecstatic* because this is the first Castor story in fourteen years, and so I have some hope that this is Carey getting back into the swing of things and eventually, will end the tale. The Castor books were very clearly ramping up to a grand finale, and I've been waiting for that finale for a LONG time.
December 20, 2023
One of the highlights of this year for me was hopping on the podcast and interviewing Mike Carey, who I spent many words introducing in the review for Infinity Gate, which is one of the absolute masterpieces released this year. He is an international bestselling author under the pen name MR Carey, hiding in plain sight with the debut The Girl With All the Gifts. That book became a major hit, and suddenly as Mike put it “nobody wanted Mike Carey books anymore.”
Well MR Carey took over the workload, but Mike Carey already had fans. Count me in the loyal bunch that read him before he wrote his first novel in the form of comics. For me, it was Hellblazer which is still my favorite comic series ever. That is why I was first in line to read "The Devil You Know" the first(of six) Felix Castor novels, which Mike has stated was an attempt to do something comfortable, similar to Constantine.
Infinity Gate this year’s MR Carey is the kind of novel that when you read it, as a writer I know it took years, that Mike was experimenting, taking shots that missed the rim, but thankfully he often got his own rebounds. The Ghost in the Bone however feels like the writing/reading equivalent of putting on a comfortable old pair of shoes. A 138-page Felix Castor exorcism tale feels like Mike Carey could do with ease, but that said I think this is the best-written Castor story yet. MR Carey and the experience gained is apparent on every page.
I had a great experience reading this short novel mostly on a trip to and from the theater to see Godzilla Minus One. It is a short but powerful read. A $40 special edition (1,000 copies) that Mike traded a copy of my latest novel for, is not cheap so keep that in mind. This is the first new Castor story since 2009. The supernatural hard-boiled feeling has returned, and even though my memory was a bit foggy on what happened last I followed just fine. The Castor novels with equal parts gothic feeling as urban fantasy balanced with dark and gruesome humor.
The story is simple enough Castor answers an ad looking for London exorcists. The ad was placed by the daughter of a Russian oligarch who is desperate to find her missing father, alive or dead. Right from the start the weird energy drips off the page. Castor visits his zombie friend who has to keep his apartment cold so he doesn’t rot. The zombie is a hacker but that doesn’t play out until later.
My favorite moment of the book came when Castor performs the first step of the exorcism, a summoning.
“I’m lucky, if I’m in the presence of a ghost and I’m on a roll, the tune builds quickly and takes shape - the shape that for me is a kind of translation of the ghost’s essence or thisness.
That didn’t happen here, mostly because I wasn’t in the presence of more ghosts than I could readily count.
In answer to my tentative invitation a hundred echoes rose, and then a hundred more.”
Yeah, super creepy. The Ghost in Bone is a bite-sized but powerful Felix Castor story. I enjoyed every page.
Well MR Carey took over the workload, but Mike Carey already had fans. Count me in the loyal bunch that read him before he wrote his first novel in the form of comics. For me, it was Hellblazer which is still my favorite comic series ever. That is why I was first in line to read "The Devil You Know" the first(of six) Felix Castor novels, which Mike has stated was an attempt to do something comfortable, similar to Constantine.
Infinity Gate this year’s MR Carey is the kind of novel that when you read it, as a writer I know it took years, that Mike was experimenting, taking shots that missed the rim, but thankfully he often got his own rebounds. The Ghost in the Bone however feels like the writing/reading equivalent of putting on a comfortable old pair of shoes. A 138-page Felix Castor exorcism tale feels like Mike Carey could do with ease, but that said I think this is the best-written Castor story yet. MR Carey and the experience gained is apparent on every page.
I had a great experience reading this short novel mostly on a trip to and from the theater to see Godzilla Minus One. It is a short but powerful read. A $40 special edition (1,000 copies) that Mike traded a copy of my latest novel for, is not cheap so keep that in mind. This is the first new Castor story since 2009. The supernatural hard-boiled feeling has returned, and even though my memory was a bit foggy on what happened last I followed just fine. The Castor novels with equal parts gothic feeling as urban fantasy balanced with dark and gruesome humor.
The story is simple enough Castor answers an ad looking for London exorcists. The ad was placed by the daughter of a Russian oligarch who is desperate to find her missing father, alive or dead. Right from the start the weird energy drips off the page. Castor visits his zombie friend who has to keep his apartment cold so he doesn’t rot. The zombie is a hacker but that doesn’t play out until later.
My favorite moment of the book came when Castor performs the first step of the exorcism, a summoning.
“I’m lucky, if I’m in the presence of a ghost and I’m on a roll, the tune builds quickly and takes shape - the shape that for me is a kind of translation of the ghost’s essence or thisness.
That didn’t happen here, mostly because I wasn’t in the presence of more ghosts than I could readily count.
In answer to my tentative invitation a hundred echoes rose, and then a hundred more.”
Yeah, super creepy. The Ghost in Bone is a bite-sized but powerful Felix Castor story. I enjoyed every page.
June 7, 2023
Having never read anything involving Felix Castor before, I went into this wondering if I would be lost or confused by what was happening. Happily, that was not the case. Mike Carey delivers a concise supernatural mystery that hints at larger works but doesn’t rely on them to deliver a good story. As someone completely new to this, I was intrigued the entire time and now want more. For fans of the series, this does also appear to be a continuation of events that have already started, and promises more to come.
Note: arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for honest review
Note: arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for honest review
April 21, 2024
Another great installment. Obviously I wish it had been a full novel size; I so very rarely enjoy these aperitifs when I’ve been waiting for a full course for so long now. But this story was well told, whetted my appetite for what’s to come, and still managed to terrify in the span of a little over a hundred pages.
When the next novel comes out I expect the seeds of what happens there will have already been planted here. In that regard, it did its job excellently. Not only I’m excited for it to come out but my curiosity is piqued as to how all these revelations fit together.
When the next novel comes out I expect the seeds of what happens there will have already been planted here. In that regard, it did its job excellently. Not only I’m excited for it to come out but my curiosity is piqued as to how all these revelations fit together.
October 4, 2024
I enjoyed this series very much back in the day and had no idea there was a 6th book published 14 years after the previous one.
Castor answers a cattle call for exorcists and is hired by an oligarch's daughter when her father turns up missing.
Castor answers a cattle call for exorcists and is hired by an oligarch's daughter when her father turns up missing.
November 26, 2023
Loved a return to one of my favourite series and this does a neat recap of all before it and a new intriguing set of mysteries for the core plotlines all well delivered. Hints more to come are also welcome!
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
September 26, 2024
After being ridiculously giddy learning there was new Castor (the series still stands as my favorite urban fantasy) I will sadly state that the novella format is sadly not a good fit for Castor or Carey's style of writing anyway. I mean, a murder mystery with 6 characters isn't much of a mystery.
Anyway, the very ending promises further stories and picks up on a dangling thread from the novels and I'm sure to be there for that.
Anyway, the very ending promises further stories and picks up on a dangling thread from the novels and I'm sure to be there for that.
May 22, 2024
So much fun to read a Felix Castor story again! These fit like an old pair of shoes. It's a novella, and there is a hint at the end of more to come. Pretty please, Mr. Carey?
September 11, 2023
THE GHOST IN BONE by Mike CAREY
(6TH Book in the FELIX CASTOR EXORCIST SERIES)
Publication: 8/1/2023 by Subterranean Press
Novella: 144 pages
This sixth book in the series is long overdue with the previous book: “The Naming of The Beasts” being published in 2009. This proves to be an excellent jumping-on point for those lucky enough to just now discover this wonderful series. This novella finds Felix Castor hard pressed for funds. Castor lost his steady source of income as a consultant for the London Metropolitan Police force after being implicated in the destruction of a London paranormal research unit. Short on funds he is intrigued by a cryptic newspaper advertisement offering a payday to exorcists for showing up at Brierly Mansion, and a larger sum for whoever is eventually hired for this mysterious job. Brierly Mansion is known to be the home of Russian oligarch Gavril Ustinov. He arrives to find a slew of “fellow” exorcists injured and blocked from entering the mansion by an unknown mysterious ancient force field. Only Castor figures out a way to thwart the field and gain entry. Ksenia Ustinov is behind the job offer … her father is missing, and she implores Castor to find him … dead or alive.
Mike Carey proves to be a masterful storyteller and weaves a complex noir tale , filled with intrigue, tension and British sardonic wit to create an aventuresome page turner. This series will have reader’s of Jim Butcher’s “Dresden” series, clamoring for more, and glad to jump on a new and better train. Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
(6TH Book in the FELIX CASTOR EXORCIST SERIES)
Publication: 8/1/2023 by Subterranean Press
Novella: 144 pages
This sixth book in the series is long overdue with the previous book: “The Naming of The Beasts” being published in 2009. This proves to be an excellent jumping-on point for those lucky enough to just now discover this wonderful series. This novella finds Felix Castor hard pressed for funds. Castor lost his steady source of income as a consultant for the London Metropolitan Police force after being implicated in the destruction of a London paranormal research unit. Short on funds he is intrigued by a cryptic newspaper advertisement offering a payday to exorcists for showing up at Brierly Mansion, and a larger sum for whoever is eventually hired for this mysterious job. Brierly Mansion is known to be the home of Russian oligarch Gavril Ustinov. He arrives to find a slew of “fellow” exorcists injured and blocked from entering the mansion by an unknown mysterious ancient force field. Only Castor figures out a way to thwart the field and gain entry. Ksenia Ustinov is behind the job offer … her father is missing, and she implores Castor to find him … dead or alive.
Mike Carey proves to be a masterful storyteller and weaves a complex noir tale , filled with intrigue, tension and British sardonic wit to create an aventuresome page turner. This series will have reader’s of Jim Butcher’s “Dresden” series, clamoring for more, and glad to jump on a new and better train. Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2023
I’ve been meaning to start this series for years, but when I saw this newest title in the series, I thought why not start it here. I’m so very glad I did! The author skillfully made it so even if this is your first Felix book, you wouldn’t be lost not having read the other five before this one. Yes, there are a few minor things I’m not sure about, but they didn’t draw me from the story…and what a story it is. Felix and his pals were so entertaining and fun. I love the premise of how they solved this mystery, and I’m more than ready for another book. Interesting plot, great characters, and well-written. More, please. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
October 10, 2024
The first Felix Castor story in 14 years! I was NOT expecting this on my 2024 book bingo card, but I am thrilled about it.
If you’ve never read Felix Castor, it’s an urban fantasy series by Mike Carey, the same author who gave us The Girl With All the Gifts, The Rampart Trilogy, Infinity Gate, etc. If comics are more your speed, he also wrote for Lucifer and Hellblazer. Felix Castor is an exorcist in London who tracks down and solves some supernatural mysteries. If you’re trying to solve a murder, speaking to the dead is pretty helpful, right? Pretty standard urban fantasy fare, especially for the late 2000s.
I enjoyed the series, but you can really see where Carey has grown as an author in the last 14 years. This is a novella, but he manages to cover a lot of ground in such a short format. We get brief appearances by Nicky, Juliet, and other side characters, but the focus remains squarely on Fix and the mystery of the Brierley House. We’re given some tantalizing connections to a larger mystery that was brought up in the previous books but never solved, and I’m REALLY hoping this means there are more books coming!
If you’ve never read the series before, I think you could still read this out of order as a way to dip your toes in and not be confused, thanks to how well Carey has this set up.
Russian oligarchs, mass burial sites, creepy haunted mansions and unexplained runes. Yep, yep, yep, it’s spooky season and I am down for this. And maybe as a Christmas gift I’ll get an announcement that Carey is planning more books in the series? A girl can hope.
If you’ve never read Felix Castor, it’s an urban fantasy series by Mike Carey, the same author who gave us The Girl With All the Gifts, The Rampart Trilogy, Infinity Gate, etc. If comics are more your speed, he also wrote for Lucifer and Hellblazer. Felix Castor is an exorcist in London who tracks down and solves some supernatural mysteries. If you’re trying to solve a murder, speaking to the dead is pretty helpful, right? Pretty standard urban fantasy fare, especially for the late 2000s.
I enjoyed the series, but you can really see where Carey has grown as an author in the last 14 years. This is a novella, but he manages to cover a lot of ground in such a short format. We get brief appearances by Nicky, Juliet, and other side characters, but the focus remains squarely on Fix and the mystery of the Brierley House. We’re given some tantalizing connections to a larger mystery that was brought up in the previous books but never solved, and I’m REALLY hoping this means there are more books coming!
If you’ve never read the series before, I think you could still read this out of order as a way to dip your toes in and not be confused, thanks to how well Carey has this set up.
Russian oligarchs, mass burial sites, creepy haunted mansions and unexplained runes. Yep, yep, yep, it’s spooky season and I am down for this. And maybe as a Christmas gift I’ll get an announcement that Carey is planning more books in the series? A girl can hope.
Read
March 31, 2024A few years ago, I read Mike Carey’s Felix Castor books and really enjoyed them. Even though the story didn’t feel like it was over, I figured Carey was finished with the books, as over a decade had passed since the last one at my time of reading. So I was pleasantly surprised to learn he wrote this novella last year, and that my library had a copy (incidentally, the 854th copy of 1000 signed special edition hardcovers).
This takes place after The Naming of the Beasts and follows Castor on an exorcism case involving a missing Russian oligarch living in the UK. His supporting cast makes appearances, and the case leads to potential answers about the rise in supernatural activity that’s been there since the first book.
Yeah, Castor is similar to John Constantine and Harry Dresden. But his demeanor is calmer than either, his wit drier, and his world a little more realistic (in the context of urban fantasy at least). I like him. And his world has intriguing mythology, while the tin whistle is just cool and kind of adorable.
I’m glad Carey decided to return to this series. He’s a great writer, especially for urban fantasy. His writing has a smoothness and snap to it that keeps you reading and invested in the story. And the ending has me excited for the next Felix Castor book. Hopefully now Carey won’t take another fourteen years to write it.
This takes place after The Naming of the Beasts and follows Castor on an exorcism case involving a missing Russian oligarch living in the UK. His supporting cast makes appearances, and the case leads to potential answers about the rise in supernatural activity that’s been there since the first book.
Yeah, Castor is similar to John Constantine and Harry Dresden. But his demeanor is calmer than either, his wit drier, and his world a little more realistic (in the context of urban fantasy at least). I like him. And his world has intriguing mythology, while the tin whistle is just cool and kind of adorable.
I’m glad Carey decided to return to this series. He’s a great writer, especially for urban fantasy. His writing has a smoothness and snap to it that keeps you reading and invested in the story. And the ending has me excited for the next Felix Castor book. Hopefully now Carey won’t take another fourteen years to write it.
June 25, 2023
3.5/5
The Ghost in Bone was a great fast paced and light read. It’s perfect for someone who wants a fun paranormal mystery with a snarky main character and a range of various characters from a ghost to a succubus.
I do wish that we spent more time with the other characters overall. Things went so quickly that some felt to have very little time, but I assume if you had read the previous books of the series they would have been bigger parts of the story.
The book was described as a good entry point in an ongoing series and I would say I wish there was a bit more. We tended to get a brief description and backstory which was alright but felt not super fleshed out along with the brief character appearances.
I also wish there was just more to bite into overall. The world seems very interesting, a blend of current day and paranormal, but that was very little in actually fleshing it out further. Lots of scenes as well felt rather rushed with a focus on conversation rather than grounding it into a real space giving me the vibe of not really knowing where things took place. The magical aspect was also super intriguing but sparsely used, and I really just wanted to see more of it!
Overall though it was a quick and fun read!
Thank you NetGalley and Subterranean Press for providing me with the ARC.
The Ghost in Bone was a great fast paced and light read. It’s perfect for someone who wants a fun paranormal mystery with a snarky main character and a range of various characters from a ghost to a succubus.
I do wish that we spent more time with the other characters overall. Things went so quickly that some felt to have very little time, but I assume if you had read the previous books of the series they would have been bigger parts of the story.
The book was described as a good entry point in an ongoing series and I would say I wish there was a bit more. We tended to get a brief description and backstory which was alright but felt not super fleshed out along with the brief character appearances.
I also wish there was just more to bite into overall. The world seems very interesting, a blend of current day and paranormal, but that was very little in actually fleshing it out further. Lots of scenes as well felt rather rushed with a focus on conversation rather than grounding it into a real space giving me the vibe of not really knowing where things took place. The magical aspect was also super intriguing but sparsely used, and I really just wanted to see more of it!
Overall though it was a quick and fun read!
Thank you NetGalley and Subterranean Press for providing me with the ARC.
May 7, 2024
“London’s exorcists! I have a reward for all of you, a job for one of you. Come to Brierley House, 20th April, 9.00am.”
The newspaper ad is a baited hook and it smells like a three-day old corpse. But hey, it’s a grand in hand just for turning up so Felix Castor goes in anyway, alongside the curdled cream of his dubious profession. And once he’s in it’s hard to get out again. Brierley House is the home of Russian oligarch Gavril Ustinov, now missing, his driven daughter Ksenia Ustinova and their staff of taciturn, sinister domestics. It also hosts an invisible force that attacks exorcists and negates their abilities—a force that seems to be centuries old. Ksenia wants Castor to locate her missing father, alive or dead. Castor wants to find out who set a trap for exorcists back in the late Middle Ages and what else they were up to.
For a job this big he’s got friends he can call on: zombie data-fence Nicky Heath, reformed succubus Juliet Salazar, jaded cop Gary Coldwood and Trudie Pax, the Anathemata’s finest warrior. But the ghosts of Brierley are many, and they won’t give up their secrets lightly…
The newspaper ad is a baited hook and it smells like a three-day old corpse. But hey, it’s a grand in hand just for turning up so Felix Castor goes in anyway, alongside the curdled cream of his dubious profession. And once he’s in it’s hard to get out again. Brierley House is the home of Russian oligarch Gavril Ustinov, now missing, his driven daughter Ksenia Ustinova and their staff of taciturn, sinister domestics. It also hosts an invisible force that attacks exorcists and negates their abilities—a force that seems to be centuries old. Ksenia wants Castor to locate her missing father, alive or dead. Castor wants to find out who set a trap for exorcists back in the late Middle Ages and what else they were up to.
For a job this big he’s got friends he can call on: zombie data-fence Nicky Heath, reformed succubus Juliet Salazar, jaded cop Gary Coldwood and Trudie Pax, the Anathemata’s finest warrior. But the ghosts of Brierley are many, and they won’t give up their secrets lightly…
July 31, 2024
Yeah, stupid Carey keeps writing fantastic stories! I found Felix Castor by accident a LONG time ago and absolutely loved the books. I spent a premium on getting Castor's #3-#5 in paperback from the UK because they hadn't been published in the US yet. I'd been waiting for Castor's return and found it - completely on accident on the shelf at my library!
I hesitated to read this because Carey's stated (right here on Goodreads I think) that this one didn't sell well enough to get a publisher to print #7. So, I knew that this might be the end. But I had to read, because you know, good stories need to be read.
And gal-darn it all I do NOT want Castor's story to end here. If you like smart-ass, over-their head noirish characters who feel real, who are people you'd like to have a drink with, then you need to read this series (and maybe even buy the books - because you know, we need more).
Carey just keeps getting better: The Rampart Trilogy and The Pandominion Duology are excellent. And SO IS CASTOR!
I'll do my best to aid in Castor's (and his 'people who aren't actively trying to kill him' - aka friends) return.
I hesitated to read this because Carey's stated (right here on Goodreads I think) that this one didn't sell well enough to get a publisher to print #7. So, I knew that this might be the end. But I had to read, because you know, good stories need to be read.
And gal-darn it all I do NOT want Castor's story to end here. If you like smart-ass, over-their head noirish characters who feel real, who are people you'd like to have a drink with, then you need to read this series (and maybe even buy the books - because you know, we need more).
Carey just keeps getting better: The Rampart Trilogy and The Pandominion Duology are excellent. And SO IS CASTOR!
I'll do my best to aid in Castor's (and his 'people who aren't actively trying to kill him' - aka friends) return.
June 11, 2023
Felix Castor returns! In the real world it's been 14 years since we've had a new Felix Castor story, and Mike Carey doesn't miss a beat and slips back into the world like he never left. I'll admit that in those years since the release of the previous novel, I'd forgotten more than I remembered, but I don't believe that took anything away from my enjoyment of this story and I was instantly transported back into the world. Felix narrates the story and tells us any information we need to follow the world and it's place in the novel. It was tightly plotted and didn't waste any time in the telling of the story. And it promises more. The Ghost in Bone is a great starting place, for both anyone new to Felix Castor's world, but also for what I hope is the next wave of tales. I can't wait. I'm back in 100% and will now have to squeeze in a reread of the previous novels.
Special Thanks to Subterranean Press and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.
Special Thanks to Subterranean Press and Netgalley for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.
January 29, 2024
I've waited for a return to the World of Felix Castor since 2009 when the last book, The Naming of the Beasts, was published. I'd pretty much given up hope of more (not happily, I love this series) given the success that the author, as MR Carey, has had since, particularly with the zombie novel that redefined the genre, The Girl With All the Gifts.
Thankfully he has returned, albeit with a novella, but this still packs the same punch of viscera and entertainment, Carey wrote a long run of the comic Hellblazer, and John Constantine does come through a little with the snarky humour and ability to mix supernatural horror with wit and near comedy (and no little characterisation.)
The fifth book sort of finished the story of Castor– an exorcist in a London where the dead have started to rise and demons and all manner of beasties are real – at least to an extent in terms of his personal life and his ongoing work, but there are always loose ends. Nothing is resolved here, but there are hints that there is more to come. Please let that be so!
Thankfully he has returned, albeit with a novella, but this still packs the same punch of viscera and entertainment, Carey wrote a long run of the comic Hellblazer, and John Constantine does come through a little with the snarky humour and ability to mix supernatural horror with wit and near comedy (and no little characterisation.)
The fifth book sort of finished the story of Castor– an exorcist in a London where the dead have started to rise and demons and all manner of beasties are real – at least to an extent in terms of his personal life and his ongoing work, but there are always loose ends. Nothing is resolved here, but there are hints that there is more to come. Please let that be so!
January 10, 2025
Wow this has been a long while since I've made a review, so now is as good a time as any (considering it's the New Year and all!)
It's been a while since I've been in Mr. Felix Castor's world, so a few of the elements required a tiny bit of recall, but it wasn't bad. A *very* short book (more like a 'short story') but I liked it a lot, and the reason I gave it only four stars is the almost *abruptness* of it: I mean, a little over a hundred pages? There was a lot of the story that could've used some padding, but it didn't detract from the story at large. Felix Castor is called into a case from a friend who saw an ad calling for every exorcist in the area (the pay being 1,000 pounds) to help solve a mystery about what's wrong with the place in question, and other things going on...if he can solve it without being targeted by larger works at play first! Great, quick read, and glad to see Mr. Castor on the 'case' again! (Hoping for a bigger book this time, though!)
Read it and enjoy!
August 14, 2023
I love Carey's books ever since I picked up The Girl With All the Gifts a few years back. He tells a great story that pulls you along with it. This was my first time reading one of the books in this series, but now I want to go back and read the series from the beginning.
This book follows exorcist Felix Castor, who, along with a number of other exorcists, responds to an intriguing newspaper ad. He's selected to determine what happened to Gavril Ustinov by Ustinov's daughter Ksenia. He also wants to explore the matins that haunt Brierley House, where Ksenia lives. Castor's friends, including a zombie and a demon, help him along the way.
This novella features plenty of twists and turns and a clever mystery. Of course, it's the story behind the matins that leaves me wanting to read more. This is a fascinating world, and I want more of it.
This book follows exorcist Felix Castor, who, along with a number of other exorcists, responds to an intriguing newspaper ad. He's selected to determine what happened to Gavril Ustinov by Ustinov's daughter Ksenia. He also wants to explore the matins that haunt Brierley House, where Ksenia lives. Castor's friends, including a zombie and a demon, help him along the way.
This novella features plenty of twists and turns and a clever mystery. Of course, it's the story behind the matins that leaves me wanting to read more. This is a fascinating world, and I want more of it.
June 14, 2024
When I read the last Castor novel I had thought that ended the series pretty well. I must have been confused because online talk from some circles were clamoring for a "proper" sendoff. Maybe I was confused.
Here we are many years later, though, and we have a continuation. A casual fan like me, who likes the character, a bit of hard-boiled mystery, and some Urban fantasy will enjoy this short novella. Those clamoring for a proper sendoff and a continuation of the larger mysteries of this universe will be disappointed. As there is more hints of the grand mystery, but nothing is really answered.
While it was a fun to get back into Castor's world the short form of this novella made the story feel rushed. It was satisfying but could have definitely used more to ad to the tension.
I hope for more Castor stories.
Here we are many years later, though, and we have a continuation. A casual fan like me, who likes the character, a bit of hard-boiled mystery, and some Urban fantasy will enjoy this short novella. Those clamoring for a proper sendoff and a continuation of the larger mysteries of this universe will be disappointed. As there is more hints of the grand mystery, but nothing is really answered.
While it was a fun to get back into Castor's world the short form of this novella made the story feel rushed. It was satisfying but could have definitely used more to ad to the tension.
I hope for more Castor stories.
October 1, 2024
The first new Felix Castor story in 14 years! It's been so long I'll even forgive that it's only a novella. It's really good. Felix is Mike Carey's own version of John Constantine for the most part. Only he's not a magician but an exorcist. In this world, the dead don't go away when they die, so Felix helps them on their way when he gets paid to do so.
In this case, Felix is hired to look into the disappearance of a Russian oligarch living in the U.K. His daughter wants to know what happened to him. There's also a strange field that repels exorcists surrounding their mansion which draws Felix's interest. There's some groundwork laid here for a longer story as well. One that has been hinted at by Juliet the succubus. Hopefully, we won't need to wait 14 more years for a followup.
In this case, Felix is hired to look into the disappearance of a Russian oligarch living in the U.K. His daughter wants to know what happened to him. There's also a strange field that repels exorcists surrounding their mansion which draws Felix's interest. There's some groundwork laid here for a longer story as well. One that has been hinted at by Juliet the succubus. Hopefully, we won't need to wait 14 more years for a followup.
December 7, 2023
Felix Castor answers an ad in the paper, summoning all of London's exorcists for an unspecified job, and gets caught up in the disappearance of a mob boss and a very nasty, ancient haunting.
It's been 14 years (!!) since the fifth Felix Castor book, so I was very surprised but also very pleased to see this novella. It's been out since July but I had no clue! Back in the 2000s when urban fantasy crime novels about taciturn guys with shady pasts were all the rage, Felix Castor was always my favourite.
This is a brief morsel - just a novella - but a welcome return to this world and an interesting mystery. It does end hinting at more to come so I will continue to hope there will one day be another full length novel.
It's been 14 years (!!) since the fifth Felix Castor book, so I was very surprised but also very pleased to see this novella. It's been out since July but I had no clue! Back in the 2000s when urban fantasy crime novels about taciturn guys with shady pasts were all the rage, Felix Castor was always my favourite.
This is a brief morsel - just a novella - but a welcome return to this world and an interesting mystery. It does end hinting at more to come so I will continue to hope there will one day be another full length novel.
October 4, 2023
I hardly consider a book worth my time if it is less then 400 pgs.
So for me not only consider, let alone buy and read.
A novella must come from an exceptional author.
And Carey has certainly proved he is that.
Having read the 1st and 2nd books in the series seeing this drop reminded me how good the series is.
I decided damn the torpedoes and jumped ahead.
Nothing really to hard about adapting to the further-er adventures of London exorcist Felix Castor.
Fun, exciting a tad gruesome.
An absolute treat.
Urban mage / crime noir at it's best.
So for me not only consider, let alone buy and read.
A novella must come from an exceptional author.
And Carey has certainly proved he is that.
Having read the 1st and 2nd books in the series seeing this drop reminded me how good the series is.
I decided damn the torpedoes and jumped ahead.
Nothing really to hard about adapting to the further-er adventures of London exorcist Felix Castor.
Fun, exciting a tad gruesome.
An absolute treat.
Urban mage / crime noir at it's best.
February 6, 2024
I had just finished relistening to the Felix Castor series, which I found to be just as fascinating as it was the first go around. Mike Carey created characters I still remembered and loved. I was longing for more of this series although I understood his reasoning in focusing on the M R Carey books. I read as well his concern on being able to find his Felix Castor voice again. And then with pure joy I found about The Ghost in Bone here on goodreads. (thank you Rayne!) Its wonderful. Another rich plot with strong characters. And Felix Castor in full voice. I am so looking forward to more.
February 13, 2024
I read this in one quick lunchtime sitting because it’s Felix Castor, back again! Honestly I can’t decide what I love more - Felix back on a case again, the cameos from old faves like Juliet, or the implication that - maybe? Hopefully? - this is the start of another series of novels? The epilogue certainly seems to indicate that, and I hope that it doesn’t get abandoned.
As for the plot itself - solid enough, lovely to see Felix in a contemporary setting (oh god that ages me), and a quick and satisfying read. 4.5*
As for the plot itself - solid enough, lovely to see Felix in a contemporary setting (oh god that ages me), and a quick and satisfying read. 4.5*
May 4, 2025
I saw this advertised when it was first published, and eagerly waited to get a Kindle version that never materialised. Then when I decided to reread the whole Castor series again, I finally bought the novella in hardback form. And was sorry I’d waited so long!
Yes, it’s far, far too short, but it’s a tautly plotted tale that links the past series nicely to any future (much hoped for) continuation Carey may write. Though I’ve really enjoyed his other books, a new Castor novel would be very welcome. There’s life aplenty in that exorcist yet.
Yes, it’s far, far too short, but it’s a tautly plotted tale that links the past series nicely to any future (much hoped for) continuation Carey may write. Though I’ve really enjoyed his other books, a new Castor novel would be very welcome. There’s life aplenty in that exorcist yet.
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