What do you think?
Rate this book
Blessed Skeletons
After ten years in exile, a former judge is invited back to his hometown to help solve an occult murder committed by a killer thought to be the ghost of a hanged man.
Light a candle and enter a snowy, Gothic world set along the southeastern coast of England, accompanied by traditionally painted artwork by Michał Teliga.
Light a candle and enter a snowy, Gothic world set along the southeastern coast of England, accompanied by traditionally painted artwork by Michał Teliga.
264 pages, Paperback
Published February 14, 2024
16 people want to read
About the author
Robert Weaver
12 books27 followersRobert Weaver, accompanied by his translator and scribe Vefari, sets out to explore the intersectionality of fiction and non-fiction, facts and imagination, and shines a candle on the shimmering shallows of phantasia.
Author of Blessed Skeletons, Ride Upon Midnight, Candle Horror, Wyrd Door Tales, and many more.
For more information, check out my Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/robertweave...), and/or subscribe to my sporadic newsletter on Substack (https://robertweaver.substack.com/)
Author of Blessed Skeletons, Ride Upon Midnight, Candle Horror, Wyrd Door Tales, and many more.
For more information, check out my Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/robertweave...), and/or subscribe to my sporadic newsletter on Substack (https://robertweaver.substack.com/)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 21, 2024
Review originally on
JamReads
Blessed Skeletons is a gothic horror thriller novel, a standalone part of the Occult Britain series, written by Robert Weaver, and with incredible illustrations by Michal Teliga. After ten years of exile, judge Wolfe Remington has returned to his natal Wovenham in order to assist the police in solving a murder case, and secretly, to find the truth about his mum.
But Wolfe is not the only person who has secrets in Wovenham; almost every single character in this book is more complex that it seems at the first sight. With a dark tone, we slowly descend into the madness that lies behind Wovenham and the supernatural elements that play a big role in the plot, in ways that for some reasons remembered me to Twin Peaks.
And in the front of everything, it is our main character Wolfe; the man whose past is haunting him, with the last case he judged before being banished from Wovenham. A character full of layers, and whose depth we cannot guess until the ending.
While secondary characters are not as defined as Wolfe, they are all distinct and peculiar in their own ways, part of that occult spiral that leads us toward the answers hidden to Remington.
If this book has a relatively weak point, is how the pacing drags towards the middle, being slow and at some points confusing in comparison with the rest of the book; you need to trust the author that all the pieces in the puzzle will end in making sense. Wovenham is an intriguing setting, combining the paranormal elements with folklore; Weaver has created quite a picturesque environment for his book.
Blessed Skeletons is a great gothic thriller novel; a proposal that is really original and whose read I found really enjoyable. If you are looking for some horror with mystery touches, give it a try!
Blessed Skeletons is a gothic horror thriller novel, a standalone part of the Occult Britain series, written by Robert Weaver, and with incredible illustrations by Michal Teliga. After ten years of exile, judge Wolfe Remington has returned to his natal Wovenham in order to assist the police in solving a murder case, and secretly, to find the truth about his mum.
But Wolfe is not the only person who has secrets in Wovenham; almost every single character in this book is more complex that it seems at the first sight. With a dark tone, we slowly descend into the madness that lies behind Wovenham and the supernatural elements that play a big role in the plot, in ways that for some reasons remembered me to Twin Peaks.
And in the front of everything, it is our main character Wolfe; the man whose past is haunting him, with the last case he judged before being banished from Wovenham. A character full of layers, and whose depth we cannot guess until the ending.
While secondary characters are not as defined as Wolfe, they are all distinct and peculiar in their own ways, part of that occult spiral that leads us toward the answers hidden to Remington.
If this book has a relatively weak point, is how the pacing drags towards the middle, being slow and at some points confusing in comparison with the rest of the book; you need to trust the author that all the pieces in the puzzle will end in making sense. Wovenham is an intriguing setting, combining the paranormal elements with folklore; Weaver has created quite a picturesque environment for his book.
Blessed Skeletons is a great gothic thriller novel; a proposal that is really original and whose read I found really enjoyable. If you are looking for some horror with mystery touches, give it a try!
March 5, 2024
“We are the intermediary of a bright and shining sun. We are wedged between brilliant light and profound shadow. We are the indefatigable union between the two and we dare not speak about it.”
Blessed Skeletons by Robert Weaver read like a fever dream (the highest of compliments, I assure you). Deliciously dark and atmospheric, this story offers a little something for every reader: immaculate prose, captivating descriptions, entertaining characters, and a mysterious plot line that will entice one to keep flipping those pages.
Blessed Skeletons by Robert Weaver read like a fever dream (the highest of compliments, I assure you). Deliciously dark and atmospheric, this story offers a little something for every reader: immaculate prose, captivating descriptions, entertaining characters, and a mysterious plot line that will entice one to keep flipping those pages.
May 13, 2024
*Huge thanks to Robert for sending me a digital copy of this one!*
If I showed you the cover of this book, without title/author etc listed. Would you think I was suggesting you read a Mike Mignola book? Maybe something in the Baltimore world? If you don’t know that name, Mike created Hellboy and the BPRD and his art is very distinctive. Even without reading the synopsis, when Robert emailed me about this book, I was intrigued. Seeing it was book four, I was a bit concerned, as I’d not read the previous three, but from what I gathered, this one is part of a series, but can be read on its own, so with that in mind, I went in, hoping to be chilled and creeped out.
I’m happy to report, I was!
What I liked: Ten years after being exiled from Wovenham, former judge Wolfe Remington is summoned back. At the end of his time as judge, he found a man guilty of murder and put him to death. Now, new bodies are being found, and they all have similarities to the man Wolfe sent to death. Similarities so close and not known by the public, that it seems as though the dead man has returned.
Wovenham as a whole is a fantastic dark location. Weaver fills this book to the brim with strange characters, odd encounters and a feeling like no matter which direction you turn in, it’s raining and the sun refuses to break through the clouds.
Wolfe is conflicted, dealing with secrets, but that seems to be the standard for pretty much every character within, and as the story unravels and Weaver deftly clicks the puzzle pieces together, the reader is richly rewarded. It’s told in novel form, but throughout it really did have a comic book sensibility to it, as though told through cell blocks, not paragraphs.
The cinematic scope of the story is truly breathtaking and if this is indicative of the other three books in the series, I think readers need to flock to this series, and the gorgeous illustrations throughout made for wonderful accompaniment.
The tail end of this book speeds up ever so slightly, which aids in closing things off and answering many of those burning questions Weaver asked earlier on.
What I didn’t like: The middle section does slow down a bit and gets tricky to follow along. I typically hop between four to six books that I’m reading, but I found once I got to that section, I really needed to focus and diligently work my way through, so that I kept up with all of the moving parts.
Why you should buy this: This novel is as though Neil Gaiman & Mike Mignola wrote a story together. Dark, broody, atmospheric and dirty, Weaver spins a web that grabbed this reader and never let go. A wonderfully gothic story about death, secrets and what happens when the doors open when they should’ve remained locked.
If I showed you the cover of this book, without title/author etc listed. Would you think I was suggesting you read a Mike Mignola book? Maybe something in the Baltimore world? If you don’t know that name, Mike created Hellboy and the BPRD and his art is very distinctive. Even without reading the synopsis, when Robert emailed me about this book, I was intrigued. Seeing it was book four, I was a bit concerned, as I’d not read the previous three, but from what I gathered, this one is part of a series, but can be read on its own, so with that in mind, I went in, hoping to be chilled and creeped out.
I’m happy to report, I was!
What I liked: Ten years after being exiled from Wovenham, former judge Wolfe Remington is summoned back. At the end of his time as judge, he found a man guilty of murder and put him to death. Now, new bodies are being found, and they all have similarities to the man Wolfe sent to death. Similarities so close and not known by the public, that it seems as though the dead man has returned.
Wovenham as a whole is a fantastic dark location. Weaver fills this book to the brim with strange characters, odd encounters and a feeling like no matter which direction you turn in, it’s raining and the sun refuses to break through the clouds.
Wolfe is conflicted, dealing with secrets, but that seems to be the standard for pretty much every character within, and as the story unravels and Weaver deftly clicks the puzzle pieces together, the reader is richly rewarded. It’s told in novel form, but throughout it really did have a comic book sensibility to it, as though told through cell blocks, not paragraphs.
The cinematic scope of the story is truly breathtaking and if this is indicative of the other three books in the series, I think readers need to flock to this series, and the gorgeous illustrations throughout made for wonderful accompaniment.
The tail end of this book speeds up ever so slightly, which aids in closing things off and answering many of those burning questions Weaver asked earlier on.
What I didn’t like: The middle section does slow down a bit and gets tricky to follow along. I typically hop between four to six books that I’m reading, but I found once I got to that section, I really needed to focus and diligently work my way through, so that I kept up with all of the moving parts.
Why you should buy this: This novel is as though Neil Gaiman & Mike Mignola wrote a story together. Dark, broody, atmospheric and dirty, Weaver spins a web that grabbed this reader and never let go. A wonderfully gothic story about death, secrets and what happens when the doors open when they should’ve remained locked.
February 11, 2024
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy and the chance to read and review it honestly.
Blessed Skeletons is truly an atmospheric read with incredible illustrations. The beginning of the book held my interest but as I got to the middle… I had a hard time staying focused. It actually took me a lot longer to finish than it would normally take me to finish a book I don’t DNF. This is my first Robert Weaver book and I’d be open to reading this author’s work again. The gothic aspects and world building felt strong. It was just the middle that felt messy and it ended up leaving me torn on my thought and feelings about this story overall. I will say it’s definitely creative and a little strange but not necessarily in a bad way. I can see this being a hit for many readers.
Happy reading
Blessed Skeletons is truly an atmospheric read with incredible illustrations. The beginning of the book held my interest but as I got to the middle… I had a hard time staying focused. It actually took me a lot longer to finish than it would normally take me to finish a book I don’t DNF. This is my first Robert Weaver book and I’d be open to reading this author’s work again. The gothic aspects and world building felt strong. It was just the middle that felt messy and it ended up leaving me torn on my thought and feelings about this story overall. I will say it’s definitely creative and a little strange but not necessarily in a bad way. I can see this being a hit for many readers.
Happy reading
February 19, 2024
Imagine Withnail and I meets The Army of Darkness and then cross that with a police procedural and slather gothic all over it! This is quite a unique read! It’s definitely bordering more into fantasy with horror elements and with the humour throughout gave strong Terry Pratchett vibes. This is very different from the last book I read by Robert Weaver so I’d say this is a very versatile author.
March 27, 2024
Robert Weaver‘s new book „Blessed Skeletons“ is advertised as being the final part of his series „Occult Britain“ on the one hand and as a „Gothic mystery“ on the other. In my opinion that‘s an apt description.
Why? First, there‘s a protagonist that figures as an expert on esoteric and antiquarian matters who likes exploring hidden byways of knowledge of past and present. But he is not like a Dr Van Helsing so wonderfully played by the great Peter Cushing because he‘s not lean and intense like the actor but rather the opposite. Weaver paints the vivid picture of a man who appears to be, well, amorous of eating. So he is quite a corpulent person. To picture him I thought at once and still think of the fine and adroit William Conrad in the TV-show „Cannon“. He, too, is a detective and fond of the pleasures of the cuisine.
But I‘d like to return to the book. That expert, the occult detective of the blurb, is called Milton Ashcrowe and he is knowledgeable in all things historic, strange and mysterious - be they of a theoretical or of a more practical nature. I, for one, simply like this character.
So that‘s how he‘s introduced when the second hero is about to meet him in the dining room of his hotel. Who is the new one? It‘s Wolfe Remington a former judge, who worked in this very town. And now he‘s expected to solve a mysterious case of murder that seems to be related to his former juridical functions as a judge. He seems to be still known and sometimes despised by a number of people there - perhaps because one of his last verdicts was the hanging of a murderer - a fact perhaps of some significance to his investigations.
But the strangeness factor is rising even higher because we have not met Mr. Ashcrowe‘s assistent, a chap called Nightspore who is a spindly man - not quite living, not quite ...dead.
We also have a detective from the police and some other personnel including Adeline, the lady of a manor, whom Remington appears to know well. And of course her father is a bit strange, too since he is „neither dead nor alive“ (according to what Adeline herself reveals) that‘s why he can‘t be
„attacked by neither the living nor the dead.“ (again Adeline)
But I should absolutely mention another protagonist - the town Wovenham itself where all these doings take place. It‘s described as being „eaten by the sea“ (Ashcrowe‘s words) like Dunwich in H. P. Lovecraft's cosmos. The Wovenham of the novel, however, is gripped by a winter blizzard while also having been plagued for quite some time now by small earthquakes that threaten houses and their inhabitants. The public library for example is described as a „subterranean bibliotheca“ (sic!) because it is half buried.
And another feature is, I think, worth mentioning. Wovenham offers some kind of steampunk feeling in the guise of a system of pipes that seem to connect offices of administration and companies to transport documents from one point to another - a contrivance built and maintained by a mysterious entrepreneur, Armand Miller, in the town, who obviously has plans of his own.
But what‘s the novel all about? I don‘t want to spoil the reader‘s pleasure by recounting the doings and dealings in this utterly fascinating read.
Mr Remington is called to investigate a murder with the judge now in office openly opposing his involvement in the inquiries. The reader witnesses eerie scenes: a library partly sunken in the earth, a rambling stately home connected to mausoleums and mind-boggling trips to the otherworld or, to be precise, to cemeteries transformed into psychedelically hued places by a certain nauseous eating habit which I do not want to name here. Broadly speaking, the borders between our world of body of flesh and blood and that of the more diaphanous spirits of the departed (and probably other entities) are blurred. That‘s why the reader can witness discussions between people from both worlds (or are they perhaps just one world?).
All in all it is a book I wasn‘t able to put down. It has an atmosphere of darkly glowing strangeness as if it were full of the netherworld‘s light seen during one of Remington‘s excursions thither whereas Wovenham shows the appearance of a town somehow fallen out of time where the unusual is part of the town itself: actually, it seems to be cut off from the rest of the country by the weather and Remington himself reports that he arrived by escaping from a derailed train, an accident unknown in Woverham, the town is described as being in danger of disappearing slowly from the face of the earth...
But it‘s mystery novel and a murder hunt in bizarre places. I am fascinated or should I say captivated by the book which is, for me, a trip to a weirdly real world.
My verdict: This book is worth reading and receiving 5 stars.
Why? First, there‘s a protagonist that figures as an expert on esoteric and antiquarian matters who likes exploring hidden byways of knowledge of past and present. But he is not like a Dr Van Helsing so wonderfully played by the great Peter Cushing because he‘s not lean and intense like the actor but rather the opposite. Weaver paints the vivid picture of a man who appears to be, well, amorous of eating. So he is quite a corpulent person. To picture him I thought at once and still think of the fine and adroit William Conrad in the TV-show „Cannon“. He, too, is a detective and fond of the pleasures of the cuisine.
But I‘d like to return to the book. That expert, the occult detective of the blurb, is called Milton Ashcrowe and he is knowledgeable in all things historic, strange and mysterious - be they of a theoretical or of a more practical nature. I, for one, simply like this character.
So that‘s how he‘s introduced when the second hero is about to meet him in the dining room of his hotel. Who is the new one? It‘s Wolfe Remington a former judge, who worked in this very town. And now he‘s expected to solve a mysterious case of murder that seems to be related to his former juridical functions as a judge. He seems to be still known and sometimes despised by a number of people there - perhaps because one of his last verdicts was the hanging of a murderer - a fact perhaps of some significance to his investigations.
But the strangeness factor is rising even higher because we have not met Mr. Ashcrowe‘s assistent, a chap called Nightspore who is a spindly man - not quite living, not quite ...dead.
We also have a detective from the police and some other personnel including Adeline, the lady of a manor, whom Remington appears to know well. And of course her father is a bit strange, too since he is „neither dead nor alive“ (according to what Adeline herself reveals) that‘s why he can‘t be
„attacked by neither the living nor the dead.“ (again Adeline)
But I should absolutely mention another protagonist - the town Wovenham itself where all these doings take place. It‘s described as being „eaten by the sea“ (Ashcrowe‘s words) like Dunwich in H. P. Lovecraft's cosmos. The Wovenham of the novel, however, is gripped by a winter blizzard while also having been plagued for quite some time now by small earthquakes that threaten houses and their inhabitants. The public library for example is described as a „subterranean bibliotheca“ (sic!) because it is half buried.
And another feature is, I think, worth mentioning. Wovenham offers some kind of steampunk feeling in the guise of a system of pipes that seem to connect offices of administration and companies to transport documents from one point to another - a contrivance built and maintained by a mysterious entrepreneur, Armand Miller, in the town, who obviously has plans of his own.
But what‘s the novel all about? I don‘t want to spoil the reader‘s pleasure by recounting the doings and dealings in this utterly fascinating read.
Mr Remington is called to investigate a murder with the judge now in office openly opposing his involvement in the inquiries. The reader witnesses eerie scenes: a library partly sunken in the earth, a rambling stately home connected to mausoleums and mind-boggling trips to the otherworld or, to be precise, to cemeteries transformed into psychedelically hued places by a certain nauseous eating habit which I do not want to name here. Broadly speaking, the borders between our world of body of flesh and blood and that of the more diaphanous spirits of the departed (and probably other entities) are blurred. That‘s why the reader can witness discussions between people from both worlds (or are they perhaps just one world?).
All in all it is a book I wasn‘t able to put down. It has an atmosphere of darkly glowing strangeness as if it were full of the netherworld‘s light seen during one of Remington‘s excursions thither whereas Wovenham shows the appearance of a town somehow fallen out of time where the unusual is part of the town itself: actually, it seems to be cut off from the rest of the country by the weather and Remington himself reports that he arrived by escaping from a derailed train, an accident unknown in Woverham, the town is described as being in danger of disappearing slowly from the face of the earth...
But it‘s mystery novel and a murder hunt in bizarre places. I am fascinated or should I say captivated by the book which is, for me, a trip to a weirdly real world.
My verdict: This book is worth reading and receiving 5 stars.
February 20, 2024
The author did a great job writing this outstanding gothic tale. The storyline is quite clever and mysterious, with unique and well-developed characters. The story takes you on an intriguing venture involving murders and plenty of secrets. I highly recommend this book, especially to readers of gothic atmospheric literature.
December 18, 2023
I received this read as an ARC copy.
What another phenomenal read from this author, not only is the worldbuilding written and described perfectly to really take you there, but the characters are all curiosities and puzzles waiting to be pieced together, each one unique and captivating. The storyline... I wish I could go into it fully as it's one of those books that you just want to talk about with everyone, but then it'd be spoiled. There are so many twists and turns, secrets, lies, hidden details, and so much more, I wouldn't want to spoil it in any way, even with the briefest of insights.
I found this to be quite a philosophical read, refreshing in that it's not a book I could make guesses at for the most part, and it hooked me. It really makes you think about and really feel emotionally what's going on, questions leading to answers, leading to more questions, some related to the story, and others a bit deeper in meaning. Half the fun is trying to piece together what's written between the lines and who, before the ending, ties it all together in such a huge way.
I highly recommend this read and look forward to more from the author.
What another phenomenal read from this author, not only is the worldbuilding written and described perfectly to really take you there, but the characters are all curiosities and puzzles waiting to be pieced together, each one unique and captivating. The storyline... I wish I could go into it fully as it's one of those books that you just want to talk about with everyone, but then it'd be spoiled. There are so many twists and turns, secrets, lies, hidden details, and so much more, I wouldn't want to spoil it in any way, even with the briefest of insights.
I found this to be quite a philosophical read, refreshing in that it's not a book I could make guesses at for the most part, and it hooked me. It really makes you think about and really feel emotionally what's going on, questions leading to answers, leading to more questions, some related to the story, and others a bit deeper in meaning. Half the fun is trying to piece together what's written between the lines and who, before the ending, ties it all together in such a huge way.
I highly recommend this read and look forward to more from the author.
January 15, 2024
This was the perfect book to read while snowed in. I guess it’s a good omen that the snow we have is white and not scarlet? Or maybe I need more mad honey in my tea…..
This felt like a philosophical ghost journey, mixed with going down the Alice rabbit hole along with weird Sigmund Freud vibes. The gothic descriptions and world building were detailed but not excessive. Remington was likable; the other characters not so much. The illustrations were beautiful and a nice addition. However, this book just felt too strange for me. The mother issues, the monkey…. The writing style felt more poetic at times when I craved more dialogue and insight into the mind versus just description of the scene. Also, I love weird books…. But this one didn’t do it for me. Overall, I feel people will either love or hate this novel.
This felt like a philosophical ghost journey, mixed with going down the Alice rabbit hole along with weird Sigmund Freud vibes. The gothic descriptions and world building were detailed but not excessive. Remington was likable; the other characters not so much. The illustrations were beautiful and a nice addition. However, this book just felt too strange for me. The mother issues, the monkey…. The writing style felt more poetic at times when I craved more dialogue and insight into the mind versus just description of the scene. Also, I love weird books…. But this one didn’t do it for me. Overall, I feel people will either love or hate this novel.
January 23, 2024
Received this as an arc! This was an interesting book. Definitely a genre I don’t dabble in as much. The beginning was very interesting to me. I found myself making it about 30% through the book pretty fast. But as the story evolved I found myself losing interest. The characters weren’t that memorable and some parts were hard to follow. I had to flip back at times to understand what I had missed. The bones of the book were definitely there though. Remington was likeable and I enjoyed his banter with some of the other characters. The overall story for me just felt too convoluted with all things occult, rather than just focusing on a few hot topics.
January 6, 2024
Remington is back in his old town, the former judge has been in exile for 10yrs but has been called back to solve a murder supposedly committed by a man he hanged.
This is a gothic banquet, it is a thrilling murder mystery that is magically surreal and imaginatively abstract. This story has obviously been fermenting in some dusty haunted dungeon waiting to be released.
I loved Remington, he is complex and otherworldly. The town’s other characters are a mix of mysterious and corrupt. It is really unclear what everyone’s motives are and whether their actions are self serving or sacrificial.
Set in winter it feels cold and bleak, the town a crumbling putrid character held together with spite. The language feels archaic and mysterious, the references to mythology and magic fascinating. The imagery especially of the land of the dead and the ghosts that stalk the land of the living are wonderful as is the feeling of decay and desolation that permeates the story. Beautiful prose and stunning illustrations throughout make this a sumptuous supernatural gothic tale. Read by candlelight!
This is a gothic banquet, it is a thrilling murder mystery that is magically surreal and imaginatively abstract. This story has obviously been fermenting in some dusty haunted dungeon waiting to be released.
I loved Remington, he is complex and otherworldly. The town’s other characters are a mix of mysterious and corrupt. It is really unclear what everyone’s motives are and whether their actions are self serving or sacrificial.
Set in winter it feels cold and bleak, the town a crumbling putrid character held together with spite. The language feels archaic and mysterious, the references to mythology and magic fascinating. The imagery especially of the land of the dead and the ghosts that stalk the land of the living are wonderful as is the feeling of decay and desolation that permeates the story. Beautiful prose and stunning illustrations throughout make this a sumptuous supernatural gothic tale. Read by candlelight!
June 21, 2024
Notes From a Decaying Millennial:
I received an ARC of this book via Book Sirens, in exchange for an open and honest review. Going into this book I was not aware that the author already had an ongoing "Occult Britain" series. So my views are based on a clean slate reading of this particular author.
This is not a paid review.
-
With Blessed Skeletons author Robert Weaver has brought manifest a Britain that resides just to the side of our own. It is a World that morphs hand from Bleak Dickensian landscape, to modern industrial Fever Dream courtesy of Hieronymus Bosch and Phil Tippett's film Mad God. It is a world with a vast, baroque and ancient cosmology, but one that is only viewed the whisps of Fog. This view is made clear, for brief moments, by the electrical torch light of Former Judge, and Rumored Dancer, Wolfe Remington. Remington has come home to Wovenham, but what, dead and(or) living, has called him hence?
In the midst of readings this book I came down with a chest cold and fever that developed into bronchitis. while not a fun experience, I feel it provided a Visceral connection With Remington. One cannot help but pulled along through the red snow as Remington hunts for answers on both the material and ethereal planes. Beyond Wolfe himself, Blessed Skeletons is populated with a cast of wonderful bizarre and tragic characters, some of which are brought to exquisite life in the illustrations of Michael Teliga, in a style which calls to mind some of Mike Mignola's work.
Much like his characters weaving between the Fog and the Shadow, the realm of the living and the spirit world, Robert Weaver has crafted a world where beyond the surface much is ambiguous. Remington has his quest, his mystery to solve. While we do get answers, and a resolution to some(?) of Remington's own mysteries, the path to that point gives hints to some older mysteries and leaves unspoken questions. These are but glimpses of the bones of the Occult Britain that Robert Weaver has very successfully created. Blessed Bones is but a stand-alone tale in a wider series that Weaver has written, which wholeheartedly intend to read.
I would highly recommend this book if you are a fan of the writings of authors such as: Mike Mignola, Brom and Clive Barker to name a few.
I received an ARC of this book via Book Sirens, in exchange for an open and honest review. Going into this book I was not aware that the author already had an ongoing "Occult Britain" series. So my views are based on a clean slate reading of this particular author.
This is not a paid review.
-
With Blessed Skeletons author Robert Weaver has brought manifest a Britain that resides just to the side of our own. It is a World that morphs hand from Bleak Dickensian landscape, to modern industrial Fever Dream courtesy of Hieronymus Bosch and Phil Tippett's film Mad God. It is a world with a vast, baroque and ancient cosmology, but one that is only viewed the whisps of Fog. This view is made clear, for brief moments, by the electrical torch light of Former Judge, and Rumored Dancer, Wolfe Remington. Remington has come home to Wovenham, but what, dead and(or) living, has called him hence?
In the midst of readings this book I came down with a chest cold and fever that developed into bronchitis. while not a fun experience, I feel it provided a Visceral connection With Remington. One cannot help but pulled along through the red snow as Remington hunts for answers on both the material and ethereal planes. Beyond Wolfe himself, Blessed Skeletons is populated with a cast of wonderful bizarre and tragic characters, some of which are brought to exquisite life in the illustrations of Michael Teliga, in a style which calls to mind some of Mike Mignola's work.
Much like his characters weaving between the Fog and the Shadow, the realm of the living and the spirit world, Robert Weaver has crafted a world where beyond the surface much is ambiguous. Remington has his quest, his mystery to solve. While we do get answers, and a resolution to some(?) of Remington's own mysteries, the path to that point gives hints to some older mysteries and leaves unspoken questions. These are but glimpses of the bones of the Occult Britain that Robert Weaver has very successfully created. Blessed Bones is but a stand-alone tale in a wider series that Weaver has written, which wholeheartedly intend to read.
I would highly recommend this book if you are a fan of the writings of authors such as: Mike Mignola, Brom and Clive Barker to name a few.
June 12, 2024
From the first page of "Blessed Skeletons," Robert Weaver plunges readers into a world of gothic horror, weaving a tale that is as chilling as it is captivating. As a standalone installment in the Occult Britain series, this novel combines haunting imagery with psychological depth, brought to life by Michal Teliga's evocative illustrations.
Weaver masterfully constructs the character of Wolfe Remington, an exiled judge haunted by his past. Wolfe's character is rich and multifaceted, providing a strong anchor for the narrative. One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its exploration of Wolfe's psyche, revealing layers of complexity and inner turmoil that keep readers engaged.
While the supporting characters don't steal the spotlight, they are far from one-dimensional. These characters, though secondary, have enough depth to distinguish themselves and contribute to the progression of the plot. This focus on a single, well-developed protagonist is a refreshing approach, allowing for a more intimate and immersive reading experience.
The atmospheric illustrations by Teliga enhance the gothic ambiance, meticulously matching the story's mood. However, the narrative does slow down towards the middle, which might be a slight drawback for some readers. Despite this, Teliga's artwork continues to draw readers into the story, making the slower sections more bearable. Themes of guilt, redemption, and the supernatural permeate the novel, creating a rich tapestry that is both thought-provoking and eerie. Weaver's ability to blend these themes seamlessly into the plot is commendable.
Overall, while "Blessed Skeletons" might not be my typical gothic horror read, Weaver's compelling storytelling and the novel's atmospheric depth left a lasting impression on me. Fans of gothic horror and psychological thrillers will find much to appreciate in this haunting tale.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Weaver masterfully constructs the character of Wolfe Remington, an exiled judge haunted by his past. Wolfe's character is rich and multifaceted, providing a strong anchor for the narrative. One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its exploration of Wolfe's psyche, revealing layers of complexity and inner turmoil that keep readers engaged.
While the supporting characters don't steal the spotlight, they are far from one-dimensional. These characters, though secondary, have enough depth to distinguish themselves and contribute to the progression of the plot. This focus on a single, well-developed protagonist is a refreshing approach, allowing for a more intimate and immersive reading experience.
The atmospheric illustrations by Teliga enhance the gothic ambiance, meticulously matching the story's mood. However, the narrative does slow down towards the middle, which might be a slight drawback for some readers. Despite this, Teliga's artwork continues to draw readers into the story, making the slower sections more bearable. Themes of guilt, redemption, and the supernatural permeate the novel, creating a rich tapestry that is both thought-provoking and eerie. Weaver's ability to blend these themes seamlessly into the plot is commendable.
Overall, while "Blessed Skeletons" might not be my typical gothic horror read, Weaver's compelling storytelling and the novel's atmospheric depth left a lasting impression on me. Fans of gothic horror and psychological thrillers will find much to appreciate in this haunting tale.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 11, 2024
With a very short description provided from the author, I picked up this novel not knowing what to expect. I knew the story was going to be about a judge who investigates the “unalivings” that are happening, and they’re believed to be committed by a man who was tried and put to “bye-bye”. That’s it. That’s all I knew. And I’m kind of glad I didn’t know much else. What I walked into was a wild, beautifully written story that picked me up and placed me in an atmosphere that felt like old, gothic England. I’ve never ever seen modern England, but I’ve seen movies. And that’s where I was. The world building was outstanding and the dread you feel from the story hits your soul. Plus, the illustrations inside were the cherry on top.
Thank you so much for the ARC copy Twins and Talent & Robert Weaver. I had a blast reading this!
Thank you so much for the ARC copy Twins and Talent & Robert Weaver. I had a blast reading this!
March 9, 2025
A gothic adventure/mystery that oozes atmosphere...
April 8, 2024
Blessed Skeletons is a poetic and fantastical dive into an ever-changing world of the living and dead, the magical and dreadful, and the struggling and defeated. Weaver has crafted a gothic landscape that twists in and out of what is expected and what is cosmic, the things we question and how big or small we are in the grand scheme of things. A mouse to one is a skyscraper to another.
Reading this novel feels like a journey of its own; the topography evolves, as does the mood and the magic. It’s a criminal investigation one moment, a grim fantasy the next. Remington comes off more as an adventurer through a corrupted landscape than he does a judge (albeit, an exiled one). The author, Robert Weaver, has planted many seeds along the way for a world much larger than we really explore in depth during this story. You can tell there is so much more here than what meets the eye. Weaver touches many things briefly, leaving the reader curious to backtrack and discover more. For this reason, Blessed Skeletons is the kind of book you’ll actually want to revisit from time to time. I would especially love it if he continued writing in this universe, revealing what’s beneath every stone, but I know he has no plans at this time doing so. (But hey, maybe if all you other readers demand it of him, he’ll give us what we want! :-P)
THE BOTTOM LINE: Coupled with the excellent artwork of Michal Teliga, Blessed Skeletons is the type of book you own on the shelf, as opposed to digitally on a device. You should feel this book in your hands and connect with it physically when reading. And with how big the world is, you’ll want to revisit this one again later to discover the many pieces that have been woven throughout. It’s gothic, mysterious, magical, and just what readers of Mike Mignola are looking for in a novel.
Reading this novel feels like a journey of its own; the topography evolves, as does the mood and the magic. It’s a criminal investigation one moment, a grim fantasy the next. Remington comes off more as an adventurer through a corrupted landscape than he does a judge (albeit, an exiled one). The author, Robert Weaver, has planted many seeds along the way for a world much larger than we really explore in depth during this story. You can tell there is so much more here than what meets the eye. Weaver touches many things briefly, leaving the reader curious to backtrack and discover more. For this reason, Blessed Skeletons is the kind of book you’ll actually want to revisit from time to time. I would especially love it if he continued writing in this universe, revealing what’s beneath every stone, but I know he has no plans at this time doing so. (But hey, maybe if all you other readers demand it of him, he’ll give us what we want! :-P)
THE BOTTOM LINE: Coupled with the excellent artwork of Michal Teliga, Blessed Skeletons is the type of book you own on the shelf, as opposed to digitally on a device. You should feel this book in your hands and connect with it physically when reading. And with how big the world is, you’ll want to revisit this one again later to discover the many pieces that have been woven throughout. It’s gothic, mysterious, magical, and just what readers of Mike Mignola are looking for in a novel.
December 19, 2023
I have just read one of the most original books out there…
Blessed Skeletons. A man named Wolfe Remington returns to Wovenham, a town he was banished from ten years ago, to assist the police in solving a series of murders, and secretly, to find his mother. That is what this book is about on the surface, yet that probably only fills this book’s cup by 20 per cent. Blessed Skeletons makes me think of a sunken library. The depths beneath the earth is where the heart is, filled with the truth of the matter.
I starts off with a bang and hooked me in quickly. I am a very visual reader. If a setting or a scene looks interesting or strange, I am ensnared. Everything in this book is glowing with mood and mystery. The dark, Gothic halls filled with paintings. The long, tragic histories. The images in this book are edible.
Despite the dark elements at times, this book also has a swashbuckling energy to it. Everyone is a poet. Everyone is a quipping smart arse. This book is a dark supernatural mystery novel on the surface, but underneath, it puts me in mind of the series Monkey Island, the point and click adventure video games: amazing storytelling, incredible images, and a streak of dark tongue in cheek humour. I had a blast with this book, and felt that genuine slice of excitement that comes along so rarely for me when reading books these days. My eyes light up and I realise, this is something new and original.
The writing is top notch. It is lyrical, yet not over the top. The prose style is a perfect match for this strange type of hybrid horror/mystery/speculative/everything book. It has many subgenres wrapped up into one, and you’d have a hard time trying to work out when this book is set, which makes me think it is not set in any one time period. Maybe it is set in all of them at once.
I did not know Robert Weaver until he popped up out of the ether (like a spirit in this book) a couple of months ago and offered to read my new novella, Home. Now, not only have I discovered that he is a kind and very interesting man, but that he is a fantastic writer. 2024 is going to be his year. Blessed Skeletons, coming very soon.
Blessed Skeletons. A man named Wolfe Remington returns to Wovenham, a town he was banished from ten years ago, to assist the police in solving a series of murders, and secretly, to find his mother. That is what this book is about on the surface, yet that probably only fills this book’s cup by 20 per cent. Blessed Skeletons makes me think of a sunken library. The depths beneath the earth is where the heart is, filled with the truth of the matter.
I starts off with a bang and hooked me in quickly. I am a very visual reader. If a setting or a scene looks interesting or strange, I am ensnared. Everything in this book is glowing with mood and mystery. The dark, Gothic halls filled with paintings. The long, tragic histories. The images in this book are edible.
Despite the dark elements at times, this book also has a swashbuckling energy to it. Everyone is a poet. Everyone is a quipping smart arse. This book is a dark supernatural mystery novel on the surface, but underneath, it puts me in mind of the series Monkey Island, the point and click adventure video games: amazing storytelling, incredible images, and a streak of dark tongue in cheek humour. I had a blast with this book, and felt that genuine slice of excitement that comes along so rarely for me when reading books these days. My eyes light up and I realise, this is something new and original.
The writing is top notch. It is lyrical, yet not over the top. The prose style is a perfect match for this strange type of hybrid horror/mystery/speculative/everything book. It has many subgenres wrapped up into one, and you’d have a hard time trying to work out when this book is set, which makes me think it is not set in any one time period. Maybe it is set in all of them at once.
I did not know Robert Weaver until he popped up out of the ether (like a spirit in this book) a couple of months ago and offered to read my new novella, Home. Now, not only have I discovered that he is a kind and very interesting man, but that he is a fantastic writer. 2024 is going to be his year. Blessed Skeletons, coming very soon.
July 13, 2024
ARC Received through BookSirens.
This was a headache.
At some point in modern times, a man by the name of Wolfe Remington returns to his home town in the countryside. He is to investigate a murder, one seemingly committed by a man Remington had condemned to be hanged years ago. Cue mystery, morbidity and mysticism. Oh, and a lot of ghosts.
A lot about this book just seems...off. The prose is going for something gothic, a la Gormenghast, but ends up being "edgy". The mood and the setting gives off strong Sleep Hollow vibes, but this is set in modern times and there is a robot, Land Rovers and...pneumatic tubes? And the plot... I'm not quite sure I got it, nor do I particularly care. Also, quick addition to the setting - it reminds me of the "Pathologic" video games, where the town is full of mystical mayhem, but the locals don't seem to be particularly bothered by it all. It worked in the games because for YOU as the player everything is very off-putting and alien. In this book the protagonist is just as unfazed as the townsfolk, which just kills any chance of the creepiness actually feeling creepy.
I don't like giving negative reviews, and I'd rather have spent the time reading a book I enjoy. But here we are. This is a safe skip.
This was a headache.
At some point in modern times, a man by the name of Wolfe Remington returns to his home town in the countryside. He is to investigate a murder, one seemingly committed by a man Remington had condemned to be hanged years ago. Cue mystery, morbidity and mysticism. Oh, and a lot of ghosts.
A lot about this book just seems...off. The prose is going for something gothic, a la Gormenghast, but ends up being "edgy". The mood and the setting gives off strong Sleep Hollow vibes, but this is set in modern times and there is a robot, Land Rovers and...pneumatic tubes? And the plot... I'm not quite sure I got it, nor do I particularly care. Also, quick addition to the setting - it reminds me of the "Pathologic" video games, where the town is full of mystical mayhem, but the locals don't seem to be particularly bothered by it all. It worked in the games because for YOU as the player everything is very off-putting and alien. In this book the protagonist is just as unfazed as the townsfolk, which just kills any chance of the creepiness actually feeling creepy.
I don't like giving negative reviews, and I'd rather have spent the time reading a book I enjoy. But here we are. This is a safe skip.
Read
August 21, 2024A judge banished from his home is entreated to return when a rash of murders, seemingly committed by a man hanged to death on the judge’s orders, plagues his ancestral lands. Blessed Skeletons by Robert Weaver, with cover art and illustrations scattered throughout by Michal Teliga is cinematic, erudite, and compelling. With its intensely Gothic setting, intriguing storyline, and complex characters, this cinematic tale would make an amazing film, if the filmmaker included the many important details. Or a more heavily illustrated graphic novel would be another great adaptation, with more of Michal Teliga’s distinctive art! Robert Weaver conjures clear and intense imagery. This story includes an occult mystery and quiet introspection punctuated with bursts of thrilling action that really picks up speed at its conclusion. This is a book created in an old-world style, and I discovered while writing this review that this is the fourth book in the Occult Britain series. I haven’t read any of the other books in the series (yet), but that didn’t take away any of my enjoyment of this volume. In fact, it might have added to the lush background evident in the characters, storytelling, and setting.
February 19, 2024
Thank you to the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
This book was nothing like I expected it to be, which was great! On the surface this is a fun horror novel, but as you get deeper into the story, it becomes a wonderful story about grief and our connection to the dead.
The writing was spectacular and really drew me in. The gothic atmosphere was the perfect setting for the story of Wolfe and Wovenham. The intertwined mythology aspects were well done and added to the gothic aspects of the story.
Wolfe's character is unique and I never knew what to expect next during his investigation and interactions with people he was meeting. While Nightspore was a side character, I really enjoyed him and had lots of sympathy for him towards the end.
I'm still processing everything that happened in this book and I am trying to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together in my head to fully understand the ending, but from the little my brain can understand, it was well done and had me at the edge of my seat.
I definitely will be checking out other novels by Weaver!
**edited to add that I LOVED the illustrations throughout the book
This book was nothing like I expected it to be, which was great! On the surface this is a fun horror novel, but as you get deeper into the story, it becomes a wonderful story about grief and our connection to the dead.
The writing was spectacular and really drew me in. The gothic atmosphere was the perfect setting for the story of Wolfe and Wovenham. The intertwined mythology aspects were well done and added to the gothic aspects of the story.
Wolfe's character is unique and I never knew what to expect next during his investigation and interactions with people he was meeting. While Nightspore was a side character, I really enjoyed him and had lots of sympathy for him towards the end.
I'm still processing everything that happened in this book and I am trying to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together in my head to fully understand the ending, but from the little my brain can understand, it was well done and had me at the edge of my seat.
I definitely will be checking out other novels by Weaver!
**edited to add that I LOVED the illustrations throughout the book
February 9, 2024
𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
Who doesn’t love a gothic thriller?! Especially when it takes place in England with a snowy setting? You know it is a great book when the writing has the ability to sweep you up and whisk you away to the setting in the book with it's descriptive writing, world building, and the amazing character development; Weaver was able to do just that. This book is unique and original, full of secrets, twists, turns, and supernatural elements weaved throughout it. I have never read anything by this author before, but his writing is beautiful and even seemed poetic at times. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading future work that Weaver publishes.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
✦Mysterious characters
✦Snowy settings
✦Beautifully descriptive writing that transports you to the setting in the book
✦A fun gothic thriller
✦Occult murder mystery
✦Supernatural elements
𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5
Who doesn’t love a gothic thriller?! Especially when it takes place in England with a snowy setting? You know it is a great book when the writing has the ability to sweep you up and whisk you away to the setting in the book with it's descriptive writing, world building, and the amazing character development; Weaver was able to do just that. This book is unique and original, full of secrets, twists, turns, and supernatural elements weaved throughout it. I have never read anything by this author before, but his writing is beautiful and even seemed poetic at times. I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading future work that Weaver publishes.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
✦Mysterious characters
✦Snowy settings
✦Beautifully descriptive writing that transports you to the setting in the book
✦A fun gothic thriller
✦Occult murder mystery
✦Supernatural elements
𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5
January 12, 2024
Blessed Skeletons by Robert Weaver is a complex tale woven by a master storyteller. Wolfe Remington is a man of secrets who arrives back in Wovenham after being exiled for ten years. a series of murders have rocked the community, but there is a dark layer of dead nightmares lurking just beneath the surface. nightmares that are seeping back into the world of the living.
i really enjoyed Blessed Skeletons. it was lively, original and i never had a clue where Robert Weaver was going to take me in this tale. i'm in awe at the way he managed to tie all the loose ends together by the end. very impressive.
to sum up:
highly recommended.
4 1/2 stars out 5.
i really enjoyed Blessed Skeletons. it was lively, original and i never had a clue where Robert Weaver was going to take me in this tale. i'm in awe at the way he managed to tie all the loose ends together by the end. very impressive.
to sum up:
highly recommended.
4 1/2 stars out 5.
February 7, 2024
Fantastic book with a lot of heart. Rich gothic storytelling lends a lot to extremely well-drawn characters - some you like to root for, some you hate to love.
Big fan of classic British horror and I thought this really hit the nail on the head. So atmospheric and really, genuinely clever. I'm a big lover of a good twist and this had plenty of them. I won't go too much into the plot but there's a lot to surprise. Personally, I'd recommend going in as blind as you can.
Definitely worth a read, and I'll be checking out some more books by the author as soon as I can.
Big fan of classic British horror and I thought this really hit the nail on the head. So atmospheric and really, genuinely clever. I'm a big lover of a good twist and this had plenty of them. I won't go too much into the plot but there's a lot to surprise. Personally, I'd recommend going in as blind as you can.
Definitely worth a read, and I'll be checking out some more books by the author as soon as I can.
February 26, 2024
I really enjoyed the occult elements to this book and how it worked with the time-period being used. The characters were what I was hoping for and enjoyed how strong everything worked. I enjoyed the way Robert Weaver wrote this and loved the supernatural elements. I thought the cover worked well in this universe and glad I read this.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews