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The Bones of Deceit: A British police procedural murder mystery
Skeletal remains in York Minster. A cold case powerful people want buried. A detective with everything to lose.
When bones are discovered during renovation work in the Undercroft of York Minster, DCI Karen Heath is called to investigate. The remains point to a decades-old murder — one with links to the city’s most revered institution and a past some will kill to protect.
Still recovering from her own recent trauma, Karen must navigate a dangerous web of lies, betrayal, and artefacts tied to an international smuggling network. From the narrow streets of York to its forgotten underground tunnels, every lead takes her deeper into a conspiracy that spans generations.
With pressure mounting and her own family’s safety at risk, Karen races to expose the truth before those guarding the past’s darkest secrets silence her forever.
Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Peter Robinson, and Val McDermid, The Bones of Deceit is a gripping British police procedural blending historical mystery, cold-case murder, and high-stakes suspense.
Grab your copy now — or read free in Kindle Unlimited — and follow DCI Karen Heath into a case where history itself can be deadly.
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What readers are saying about Jay
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Karen has moved to a new area and now has a love life!! This makes the new book even more interesting. Written brilliantly with a story that keeps you gripped from start to finish. Amazon review, LEFT TO FALL.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is the proverbial page turner written in a new style, a complete success. Amazon review, LEFT TO FALL.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐What a corker for the start to a new series. I can’t wait for the next one to see where it takes Karen. Amazon Review, THE LIES THEY TOLD.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is truly one of the best-written police procedural novels that I have had the pleasure of reading. Amazon Review, HER LAST BREATH.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jay's best novels yet! As I read this book, I could see the actions playing out as if I were at the cinema. Excellent un-put-downable novel. Amazon review, SEE NO EVIL
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book was gripping and once started, had to be read all the way through, virtually in a single sitting. Amazon review, NEVER FORGOTTEN.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kept me on the edge of my seat right to the end. Amazon review, TWISTED JUSTICE.
When bones are discovered during renovation work in the Undercroft of York Minster, DCI Karen Heath is called to investigate. The remains point to a decades-old murder — one with links to the city’s most revered institution and a past some will kill to protect.
Still recovering from her own recent trauma, Karen must navigate a dangerous web of lies, betrayal, and artefacts tied to an international smuggling network. From the narrow streets of York to its forgotten underground tunnels, every lead takes her deeper into a conspiracy that spans generations.
With pressure mounting and her own family’s safety at risk, Karen races to expose the truth before those guarding the past’s darkest secrets silence her forever.
Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Peter Robinson, and Val McDermid, The Bones of Deceit is a gripping British police procedural blending historical mystery, cold-case murder, and high-stakes suspense.
Grab your copy now — or read free in Kindle Unlimited — and follow DCI Karen Heath into a case where history itself can be deadly.
-------------------
What readers are saying about Jay
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Karen has moved to a new area and now has a love life!! This makes the new book even more interesting. Written brilliantly with a story that keeps you gripped from start to finish. Amazon review, LEFT TO FALL.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is the proverbial page turner written in a new style, a complete success. Amazon review, LEFT TO FALL.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐What a corker for the start to a new series. I can’t wait for the next one to see where it takes Karen. Amazon Review, THE LIES THEY TOLD.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This is truly one of the best-written police procedural novels that I have had the pleasure of reading. Amazon Review, HER LAST BREATH.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Jay's best novels yet! As I read this book, I could see the actions playing out as if I were at the cinema. Excellent un-put-downable novel. Amazon review, SEE NO EVIL
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This book was gripping and once started, had to be read all the way through, virtually in a single sitting. Amazon review, NEVER FORGOTTEN.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kept me on the edge of my seat right to the end. Amazon review, TWISTED JUSTICE.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2025
65 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Jay Nadal
67 books81 followersCrime Never Pays… Well yes and no depending on what side of the fence you’re on!
I’ve always had a strong passion for whodunnits, crime series, and books. The more I immersed myself in it, the stronger the fascination grew.
In my spare time, you’ll find me in the gym, reading, binge watching Netflix or taking walks in the forest.
Oh, and I’m an avid people watcher, I just love to watch people, their mannerisms, and their way of expressing their thoughts… weird I know, but I could spend hours doing that. It's funny, because watching people often gives me insights and inspiration for describing human interaction in my books.
Fun fact: My favourite, bestest place ever on earth? Any of the Florida theme parks and the mad coasters out there. Add the food, shopping and weather, and you've got the best place on earth... especially when I see the joy on the faces of my family when we're out there :)
Weird fact: Spending an afternoon in a mortuary to bring my books to life. Oops! poor choice of words there :)
I hope you enjoy the stories I craft for you.
I’ve always had a strong passion for whodunnits, crime series, and books. The more I immersed myself in it, the stronger the fascination grew.
In my spare time, you’ll find me in the gym, reading, binge watching Netflix or taking walks in the forest.
Oh, and I’m an avid people watcher, I just love to watch people, their mannerisms, and their way of expressing their thoughts… weird I know, but I could spend hours doing that. It's funny, because watching people often gives me insights and inspiration for describing human interaction in my books.
Fun fact: My favourite, bestest place ever on earth? Any of the Florida theme parks and the mad coasters out there. Add the food, shopping and weather, and you've got the best place on earth... especially when I see the joy on the faces of my family when we're out there :)
Weird fact: Spending an afternoon in a mortuary to bring my books to life. Oops! poor choice of words there :)
I hope you enjoy the stories I craft for you.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 13, 2025
This was another intriguing DI Karen Heath mystery. Karen and her team investigates the murder of archeology student, Sarah Lockwood, whose body was found in York Minster. The body was found during renovations to the Minster. Sarah had been on an archeology dig at the Minster when she went missing years earlier. The case has many twists and turns, and the reader is in for some surprises. While investigating the case, Karen has to deal with some issues at home as well. I highly recommend this fantastic book to other mystery and police procedural readers. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.
January 12, 2025
The thirteenth Karen Heath book is my favourite in the series. The plot involves an archaeological dig nearly 40 years ago on the York Minster site and an unexplained death. The story leads us through the murky waters of greed of archaeologists and collectors of artefacts and the extremes that their greed will lead them to. Followers of the series will be keen to follow how Karen, Jade, Zac and Summer manage their lives after the trauma of book 12 in the series. Hopefully this will be lucky 13th for Jay Nadal.
January 23, 2025
Lives have been lost while trying to uphold the truth. The 13th DCI Karen Heath crime novel opens under York Minster where a long hidden secret is revealed.
Karen Heath, and partner Zac, with his daughter, Summer, have had a harrowing few months. It’s now time for the former to return to her duties where she’s greeted with a less than straightforward crime to investigate.
This easy read, gripping book, kept me enthralled as I followed the twists and turns of a sensitive, and political, investigation.
Karen Heath, and partner Zac, with his daughter, Summer, have had a harrowing few months. It’s now time for the former to return to her duties where she’s greeted with a less than straightforward crime to investigate.
This easy read, gripping book, kept me enthralled as I followed the twists and turns of a sensitive, and political, investigation.
May 11, 2025
As I am now back in order, getting back into the next novel will make more sense.
Here we have the discovery of a body in York Minster of all places. This becomes a baptism of fire after the traumatic events of the last case. The reasons behind the death uncover a number of influential people who do not want this case looked into too deeply.
Add in Karen with her partner Zac having to recover from his kidnapping, makes for a stressful time for all.
Well brought together as expected from this master of police procedural novels.
Here we have the discovery of a body in York Minster of all places. This becomes a baptism of fire after the traumatic events of the last case. The reasons behind the death uncover a number of influential people who do not want this case looked into too deeply.
Add in Karen with her partner Zac having to recover from his kidnapping, makes for a stressful time for all.
Well brought together as expected from this master of police procedural novels.
January 13, 2025
The Bones of Deceit, Jay Nadal.
Jay Nadal has given us another great read in the Karen Heath series the factual detail is great, the story line is great, the ending is great, what more can you ask for but another book please.
Jay Nadal has given us another great read in the Karen Heath series the factual detail is great, the story line is great, the ending is great, what more can you ask for but another book please.
July 11, 2025
Needs a proofreader to ask: "How does Karen Heath know that?"
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews