Seven Bones: Two Wives, Two Violent Murders, a Fight for Justice...

by Peter Seymour, Jason K. Foster (Contributor)

Seven Bones is the story of one of the more bizarre murder investigations in Australia’s history. Two wives die in suspicious co-incidence or, as husband Thomas Keir describes it, ‘bad luck’?Three years after Thomas Keir alleged his first wife Jean deserted him and her young son for another man, his second wife Rosalina, Jean’s cousin, lay scorched and strangled on her bed. Arriving on the scene, Detective Peter Seymour realised he was dealing with the world’s unluckiest husband or a serial wife killer.While Keir was remarkably found ‘not guilty’ of Rosalina’s murder, despite a clear cut case, her death unlocked the mystery of Jean’s disappearance. A subsequent police investigation lead to the discoveryof seven small fragments of Jean’s bones - fingers, knuckles and toes - buried deep under the same house in which Rosalina died.Keir’s ‘grieving husband’ act was suddenly in question. The investigation revealed Thomas Kier was a man so jealous he hated even his own baby son touchinghis wife, Jean. A man so possessive he threatened he would cut her up and feed her to the dogs if she ever left him. A man who thought he could commit the perfect crime and publically taunted the police through the media.Written through the eyes of Detective Peter Seymour, Seven Bones follows his relentless pursuit of justice and his own family sacrifices, through the drama of thepolice investigation into Jean’s death, and the three trials, convictions, and appeals that would take fifteen years to reach their final conclusion.Peter Seymour, joined the NSW police force in 1980 as a general duties officer before gaining rank of Detective and then moving into the Police Prosecutor’s Branch.He has written the book in collaboration with author, journalist and history teacher, Jason Foster.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Audiobook, True Story, Mystery, History

248 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2011

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done, true crime story.

[Rosemary Cantrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of a real crime committed in Australia. After his wife Jean disappears, Tom Keir claims that she has run off with another man. Others believe that he has killed her, but there is no evidence of that. He then remarries and his 2nd wife Rosalina is found dead in their bedroom, having been strangled and then the house set on fire.

Tom is charged with what looks to be a slam dunk case, but unbelievably he is found not guilty. Meanwhile, the detectives are still working on the missing person case. After close to 20 years, he is finally convicted of murdering Jean, after 3 trials!

This was an interesting story and was told by the detective who pushed the case for all those years. I was not impressed with the writing, but I managed to overlook it. I also thought there could have been some better editing. There were often statements that seemed to be repeated, which annoys me.

I have to admit that the ghost promptings were also a little strange. And using a fortune teller to somehow validate it was too much.

The fact that this was a true crime is really all that saved the book. Otherwise, it would have not been worth reading.

[Vicki Tyley · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Oh, what a tangled web we weave when both my wives end up deceased.” – Seven Bones

Australian Thomas Andrew Keir was acquitted of murdering his second wife, and his conviction for killing his first wife was twice overturned.

This is a case I’ve followed over the years, even to the extent of reading court transcripts, so I was more than a little interested in reading this book, especially as it’s told from the viewpoint of one of the detectives involved in the case, Peter Seymour.

The prologue wasn’t quite as strong as it could have been. For example, I find it hard to imagine a psychopath like Keir thinking “dammit” when the phone goes in the middle of burying his wife. However, the rest of the book made for compelling reading and gave invaluable insight into an intriguing case. If it weren't for the perseverance of a dedicated police officer, Keir would have got away with not just one but two murders.

The book also has a wonderful Aussie flavour. Blokes and mates abound.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is actually a pretty average true crime book, but being Australian, it benefits from colorful language, characters, etc. Some of the situations are unintentionally humorous. For example, sending the bones to the U.S. for DNA analysis seems straight-forward enough, but transpires like this: "We should send these to America." "I agree, Mate." Many years and many pages later: "What we really should do is send these bones to America." "Good call Mate." Years later: "The Americans are the DNA experts, we should send them the bones for testing." "I agree." Years later: "Have we sent those bones to America yet?" "Not yet, but that's a good idea, Mate." Etc., etc.

[Emily Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite true crime books. Incredible story of the determination of Detective Peter Seymour to get justice for two women who died in suspicious circumstances - both married to the same man at different times. Was it “bad luck” as the husband told detectives, or was there something more sinister and shocking that happened?

[janet atkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but not written well.

[Janet · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author spent too much time writing about himself and his feelings. The story was told in a very convoluted manner.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 ⭐️

This is one of those Australian crime stories that is bizarre, yet I had somehow never heard of it.

This came up as a suggestion for me on Audible so I decided to give it a go.

The story is really sad, two women stolen from their families in the primes of their lives by one evil, jealous man that has now been released back into the public to potentially do it again. I honestly do not understand how someone can hurt the person they claim to love in such a barbaric and evil manner.

The book was not particularly well told. It was slightly repetitive, and I did not think the 'ghost elements' where necessary. I feel like they took away from the hard work performed by the dedicated police force that fought for justice. I also felt that some of the author's anecdotes were just page fillers and detracted from Rosalina and Jean's story.

[mildred_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ Just when you think it’s over, there is more. It is crazy how some people get away with something for the time that they do! Some parts seemed a bit far fetched for my brain to go along with (the visions etc) but otherwise I like it. I enjoyed the format of this book following the main detective and his life while working this case. The toll that cases take on detectives and their families often is forgotten and I liked that this book didn’t hide this aspect.

[Jaki · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the case itself was very interesting, I had a lot of problems with this book. Most notabley, the writing. Dreadful, amateurish writing disguising itself in the words of a "blokey, man's-man, old-school aussie detective". It's very much a "fictional" book too - verbatim conversations that certainly could not be remembered word for word after 20 years, and the beginning prologue had absolutely no place in a true retelling of an investigation, given that there is absolutely no way at all they would know the exact thoughts or even feelings of the deceased woman as she got out of the car to walk into the house, nor the feelings or thoughts or even actions of the piece of shit who killed and then buried her, given that he never ever admitted his guilt. Absolute conjecture.

It was incredibly hard to read about Jean's cries for help that were mainly ignored but I had to keep remembering this happened back in 1988, a time when domestic violence in marriages really wasn't taking very seriously at all, unlike it's starting to be today. She told so many people that she was afraid for her life, that she desperately wanted to leave, that she was beaten verbally and physically, but no-one tried to seriously help her. Right down to an incident at a caravan park, where she was staying with her sister and the sister's then-boyfriend and Keir arrived and physically picked her up and dragged her to the car to take her home, while she screamed for help and tried to escape. At the trial, the sister's boyfriend stated that he said "it's your marriage, I'm not getting involved". Absolutely heartbreaking - and yet that was the attitude back then (and before times). So many people , including her parents, told her she had to sort out her marriage, all while Jean was telling them her life was being threatened. Very hard to not get angry reading that nowadays, even tho I'm aware it was a different time back then. Jean was let down by everyone around her.

The book also never explains how on earth Keir was able to remarry a year after Jean went "missing". I kept waiting for an explanation - she obviously was never declared dead as she was still registered as a missing person so if he obtained a divorce, I was waiting for something about that. Nothing was ever mentioned about how he got a divorce from a woman who wasn't around to contest it or even to agree with it. If it was possible back in 1988 to divorce a spouse who was registered as a missing person, then it should have been mentioned in the book. But nothing. A lot was also mentioned by the detective how "strong" Jean's mother was - but we never see it. Even the epilogue talks about Jean's mother's "incredible strength", but there's nothing in the book at all describing her strength.

The book fails on so many levels, from the ridiculous writing style, to the verbatim conversations that absolutely could not be factual, to leaving out so much of why the initial missing persons report was never followed up, to the imaginary "reconstruction" of Jean's thoughts and feelings on her "last day" and the subsequent disposal of her body. We don't get any of that for poor Rosalina, Keir's tragic second wife. In fact, despite the fact that Rosalina was actually Jean's cousin, there isn't much mention of her, other than the fact that the discovery of her body is what reopened the case of Jean.

And while I greatly enjoy tales of true hauntings and real ghost stories, the detective's "paranormal" experiences of "sensing a presence" so many times that he concluded was Jean reaching out to him (not Rosalina, only Jean...) just did not work the way it was described and written.

A terrible book about an awful tragedy and the loss of two young bright women.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this and I'm pleased to see justice was FINALLY done. It was a long journey (16 years) before poor Jean could find peace. I was sad about him getting away with murdering Rosalina, though. That's not right. I just looked for updates on Google and see they've abolished double jeopardy there the same as we have so there's still hope for her.
This is set in Australia in the late 80's, early 90's. A husband taken to court and prosecuted for the murder of his wife. His previous wife had disappeared 3 years before. Very sad and in places had me sobbing. It's told by the main detective in charge of bringing their husband in and gathering all the evidence to do so.
I liked that the prison informants stuck to their words and gave evidence too. They may not have got him banged to rights if not for them.
He did use the odd repeated phrase a little too often such as "no dramas" and "leave their brains at home" and there were some apostrophe mistakes and the odd lost speechmarks and words missed but overall it was very good.
That was a lovely photo of Jean and her son included in the photos too. So sad she never saw him grow up. I read he has kids now she never got to meet too.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This book is a true crime story and as much as I want to say it was really good, it was really sad and made me angry. At the jury/justice that he received. The book was well written and I loved that the author and scribe used the language 'of the day'.
I was lucky enough to receive this book as a birthday present from a very good friend who was also lucky and the author - Peter Seymour - actually signed this and his second book (which is NOT on Goodreads - grrr)
I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about true crime.

I wish peter Seymour all the best and also Christine and Clifford Strachan and Jean's son. RIP Jean and Rosalina xx

[Julie (Bookish.Intoxication) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel was beautifully written, was clear and consice. The facts were written so the reader could understand them without needing a dictionary and that is a nice change from other true crime novels.

This tale is haunting and shocking, and i'm glad that Tom was finally caught and charged for his crimes. This seems more thrilling because it is an Australian tale, and being an Australian, it always hits closer to home when you know the place in which things as this take place.

A fantastic tale of courage and perseverance.

[Sue-Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, the murders happened not far from where I grew up. The book is written in the voice of the investigating detective which actually is a plus as you can tell he is a very genuine person. The subject is about a man who murdered both his wives, got off and then was pursued for 10 years until the truth was revealed. Shows you how hard it is to prove the obvious in front of a jury and how easy it is to get away with a crime.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seven Bones

This is a great true crime novel told by the detective that spent years on the case. This novel was different for me because it is about the victims and their lives instead of about the killer. That made it a more special kind of true crime to me and I will remember it for a long time

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every day I think of the things that I am thankful for. After finishing this book, today I am so very grateful for Detective Peter Seymour and everything that he did for these victims and their families.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed account of the murder charges brought against Thomas Keir for the deaths of his two wives. Told in a chatty, blokey way. The only thing which seemed totally out of place were the supposed supernatural encounters of the lead detective.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seven Bones was a really intriguing book. I just didn't want to put it down.
It was very well written and very easy to read.

[Audrey Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amazingly, horrifying true story!

[falon Broussard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

it's a great book keeps you wanting more and more to read !!! I love this book ! it keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what s nexts

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas Andrew Keir is an Australian man who was convicted of killing his first wife, Jean. Jean's body was not recovered completely, but enough of her remains were able to be identified after extensive DNA testing was done. Keir's story about his first wife's vanishing was absolutely not believable in any way, shape, or form. He remarried some time after Jean vanished, to her cousin, Rosalina. Rosalina was also found dead inside the same home that Jean vanished from, strangled and then set on fire. Keir was charged with her murder as well, but was only convicted of Jean's.

The book was written by a police officer who worked on this case, and you can certainly tell that by the way the story is told. I listened to the Audible version last night while I was doing some work on my laptop, and the narrator was decent to listen to. I believe the listening time was something like six hours, but the paperback version of this book is just around 300 pages if you are interested in that. I had never heard of this case, which makes sense because I do not know about many Australian cases in general. I learned a lot about police procedure in a different country than mine, so that was fun. I am glad that he was convicted and managed to serve some time, though he was eventually released and immediately got back up to shenanagins. I felt terrible for the families of both of these women, and for the child who now has to live with a dead mother, a dead step-mother, and a father who killed them both and who was a terrible father and person in general.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I could not give this NONfiction book any more than one star. Throughout the narrator, the investigating officer, refers to basically being visited/guided by the ghost of the victims.
🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
He felt an overwhelming bad feeling at the scene of the second wife's murder -um probably because she was strangled and THEN BURNED so she was just a mangled heap of char - I assume that would be rather distressing.
Further we hear multiple references to mediums and their confirmation that it was indeed the victim's presence he felt at the scene, and the bad dreams he kept having were also definitely sent by her to tell him he was "on the right track," and to "keep going, don't give up."
A storm commenced at the PRECISE SECOND the accused took the stand and started to speak - again obviously the victim, or may God threatening to smite him???
Even in the afterword written by someone else (not sure who, the audible narrator did not specify) he said while compiling the book he thought he was done so he left the house AND THEN THE WIND BLEW REALLY HARD AND THAT WAS THE VICTIM'S GHOST and so he said "ok, ok I'll go back and work on it."

Both of those men should be ashamed and embarrassed that this twaddle has their names on it.

[Avid Reader and Geek Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Rating: 4.0 stars

When a man's second wife is murdered the disappearance of his first wife is looked at more closely.
The book was fairly good. I would have liked them to have left out the graphic description of a potential scenario of the murder. Some of the language was a bit outdated. But the book kept me interested and was not excessively long like many true crime books.

Narrator Rating: 4.25 stars
The narrator did an excellent job, especially for non-fiction. He did tonal shifts for different people and everything!

Elemental Levels: Heartfelt-4/5 Helpful-1.5/5 Tear- 3/5

Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Sexism, Physical abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual violence, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Blood

[Beryl A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seven Bones to Catch a Murderer

This book was a bit different to read for me, because of the use of some of the words such as Gael for jail was the first one. But I just got use to keeping an IPad next to me to Goggle a word every now and then, other than that the author did an excellent job showing the tedious work to get a conviction of a killer for not one but two wives. The lengths he and his fellow police officers went to was very admirable and interesting to read the different steps needed to get a conviction but I promise I am not giving the good parts away. Have this book for a weekend read and you will not be sorry.

[Miri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost out this book down midway through the intro. That chapter just felt, unpleasant and not the vibe I wanted to read.

But I decided to force myself through the first 1-2 chapters and it definitely improved.

I listened to this as an audiobook, and really appreciated the Australian accent which somehow made it feel more like a home story.
I'm not usually a true crime reader, but I enjoyed Peter's passion for seeing Jean given justice as well as the sheer amount of effort it took to get there.

[Dilanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of how this case unfolded. However, I still can't quite wrap my head around the fact that the second wife and murder, he was not guilty. There was a body and so much evidence. The first wide he was guilty and there was no body, just the 7 bones and some testimony of their relationship. How did he not get convicted for Rosalina but so easily got convicted for Jean when there was SO MUCH more in Rosalina's case?!

[Pauline Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Persistence pays off.

I thought the story was redundant but interesting. I think it could have been condensed, the author repeated his feelings, thoughts & frustrations & dragged this story. Thank god they caught this monster but he should have got life without parole!

[Lexi Mag · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. Kind of self-congratulatory and repetitive at times.

[Tamara Seaman]

I actually went to school with Jason Foster, he was one of my teachers. This is one of the best books I’ve read

[Katelyn Fitzjarrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, top notch detective work.