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Martha Strangeways Investigations #2
The Bone Mother
When reporter Martha Strangeways is called into investigate the discovery of body parts on a remote railway track, she's drawn into a strange case, as her own past comes back to haunt her. The atmospheric, critically acclaimed series continues . . .
Martha Strangeways has settled into a quiet life in Strathbran, after the horrific events that traumatized the village a year her son, Dougie is at university, her friend Orla will give birth at any minute, and she's becoming ever closer to her ex, Jamie.
But all this is turned upside down when her friend at Glasgow CID, DI Derek Summers, calls on her to help with a truly disturbing a human ear, with an unusual Celtic earring, has been found next to a railway line in the Highlands.
An when the body of a young woman wearing matching jewelry turns up at a landmark church shortly after, the mystery only deepens. Why has she been laid out in such a ritualistic fashion? Does her trek along the little-known Cailleach Way have anything to do with her demise? And who is running the Facebook Group where she posted details of her journey to the shrine of the Bone Mother goddess?
As Martha tries to unpick the threads, she soon finds herself entwined with a ghost from her own past, and in conflict with the owner of a company committed to a huge hydro-electric scheme that threatens to destroy the goddess's sacred land.
With Halloween approaching, and someone determined to protect the goddess at all costs, can Martha and Summers catch the killer before they strike again – and this time much closer to home?
Martha Strangeways has settled into a quiet life in Strathbran, after the horrific events that traumatized the village a year her son, Dougie is at university, her friend Orla will give birth at any minute, and she's becoming ever closer to her ex, Jamie.
But all this is turned upside down when her friend at Glasgow CID, DI Derek Summers, calls on her to help with a truly disturbing a human ear, with an unusual Celtic earring, has been found next to a railway line in the Highlands.
An when the body of a young woman wearing matching jewelry turns up at a landmark church shortly after, the mystery only deepens. Why has she been laid out in such a ritualistic fashion? Does her trek along the little-known Cailleach Way have anything to do with her demise? And who is running the Facebook Group where she posted details of her journey to the shrine of the Bone Mother goddess?
As Martha tries to unpick the threads, she soon finds herself entwined with a ghost from her own past, and in conflict with the owner of a company committed to a huge hydro-electric scheme that threatens to destroy the goddess's sacred land.
With Halloween approaching, and someone determined to protect the goddess at all costs, can Martha and Summers catch the killer before they strike again – and this time much closer to home?
- GenresScotland
300 pages, Paperback
Published May 7, 2026
About the author
Suzy Aspley
4 books23 followersSouth Shields born author Suzy Aspley began writing her first book after a prompt at a writing retreat in the Scottish Highlands, secrets rattling in a matchbox, reminded her of a story she once covered as a newspaper reporter.
After pitching successfully at Dragon’s Pen in summer 2019, where all four panellists wanted to see her manuscript, she won Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect competition in September 2019 and a month later was shortlisted in the DHH Literary Agency New Voices Award at the first Capital Crime festival in London.
In 2020 she was awarded a mentorship through Hachette's Future Bookshelf Initiative and was delighted to work with Hodder Executive Publisher Jo Dickinson on the manuscript for her debut novel into 2021. The book was long listed for the Caledonia Novel Award 2022 and in January 2022, she signed with wonderful agent Euan Thorneycroft at London agency AM Heath Ltd.
Suzy's spooky debut novel Crow Moon will be published by Orenda Books in Spring 2023. She lives in Scotland with her family and when she’s not writing is usually walking in the woods with assorted kids, dogs and horses.
After pitching successfully at Dragon’s Pen in summer 2019, where all four panellists wanted to see her manuscript, she won Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect competition in September 2019 and a month later was shortlisted in the DHH Literary Agency New Voices Award at the first Capital Crime festival in London.
In 2020 she was awarded a mentorship through Hachette's Future Bookshelf Initiative and was delighted to work with Hodder Executive Publisher Jo Dickinson on the manuscript for her debut novel into 2021. The book was long listed for the Caledonia Novel Award 2022 and in January 2022, she signed with wonderful agent Euan Thorneycroft at London agency AM Heath Ltd.
Suzy's spooky debut novel Crow Moon will be published by Orenda Books in Spring 2023. She lives in Scotland with her family and when she’s not writing is usually walking in the woods with assorted kids, dogs and horses.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 17, 2026
4.5 rounded up
May 19, 2026
‘The Bone Mother’ is a twisty mix of Scottish mythology, the gruesome, and an unsettling but compelling story! This is the second book of Martha Strangeway’s investigations, and whilst it can be read as a standalone, I do think picking up the first book would enhance the reading experience. Plus, it is a cracking read!
Still reeling from the events in ‘Crow Moon’, investigative journalist Martha Strangeways is tentatively starting to return to work. But when a human ear with very distinctive jewellery is found on the train line to Crianlarich, she is soon pulled into another investigation with DI Derek Summers. A body of a young girl is found in a nearby kirkyard and has been laid out in a ritualistic manner, with a missing ear.
‘The Bone Mother’ looks at the mythology that surrounds the cailleach (winter goddess) and her links to the local area. It has been used to create an intricate background to the narrative that Suzy has invented. Mix in a weird Facebook group that is encouraging young girls to go on ‘the cailleach pilgrimage’ and it amounts to a very creepy read!
Martha is a great protagonist - smart, determined, and full of love despite having a very traumatic backstory. I don't know how she even gets up in the morning! But she does, and it is very impressive. Her relationship with her best friend Orla is under the spotlight, and it is the kind of ‘ride and die’ sisterhood that people want. Orla’s side of the story is as compelling as the main narrative.
I ended up listening to the audiobook as I stupidly left my book at home, and I am in Kos. The narrator did a great job. The pacing was brilliant, and the resolution was a satisfying conclusion. I am looking forward to seeing what happens next to Martha and that gang!
Let me know if you pick this one up!
May 12, 2026
DI Derek Summers is still reeling from the events of last year. At the same time, journalist Martha, still in the depths of grief, is attempting to move forward with her life. When a severed ear is found on a train track in the highlands they are both pulled back in to investigate, working together to solve the mystery.
As more girls disappear, Martha is pulled into a dark world of mythology, secrecy, and obsession. As the past resurfaces and tensions rise over land tied to an ancient goddess,she finds herself dangerously close to the heart of the action- and the killer.
I really enjoyed the mix of Scottish folklore and police procedure in this novel. The isolation of crime scenes and the tales of the Hollow Mountain winter witch really helped convey the eeriness of the land, making the whole story feel unsettling.
It started off slower but built into a tension filled tale of missing girls, local legend and a land developer with a past.. I treated each new face with suspicion, not knowing if the killer believed in the mythical powers of the land, or if it was someone trying to make us believe that.. I was shocked by the ending- I didn’t see it coming at all. It was written fantastically well.
I believe this worked really well as a standalone. That said- I can’t wait to dive in to book 1 ‘Crow Moon’ to see what I’ve been missing. If it’s half as good as The Bone Mother I know I’ll be in for a treat.
As more girls disappear, Martha is pulled into a dark world of mythology, secrecy, and obsession. As the past resurfaces and tensions rise over land tied to an ancient goddess,she finds herself dangerously close to the heart of the action- and the killer.
I really enjoyed the mix of Scottish folklore and police procedure in this novel. The isolation of crime scenes and the tales of the Hollow Mountain winter witch really helped convey the eeriness of the land, making the whole story feel unsettling.
It started off slower but built into a tension filled tale of missing girls, local legend and a land developer with a past.. I treated each new face with suspicion, not knowing if the killer believed in the mythical powers of the land, or if it was someone trying to make us believe that.. I was shocked by the ending- I didn’t see it coming at all. It was written fantastically well.
I believe this worked really well as a standalone. That said- I can’t wait to dive in to book 1 ‘Crow Moon’ to see what I’ve been missing. If it’s half as good as The Bone Mother I know I’ll be in for a treat.
May 11, 2026
My turn on the Virtual Blog Tour of #TheBoneMother by @suzyaspleybooks which is published by @orendabooks and the Blog Tour is organised by @randomthingstours
🏴 The Bone Mother is book two in the Martha Strangeways Series. Martha is a reporter who is hoping for a quiet life in a Scottish village ( especially after her horrid experience a year earlier! Book one! )
This is a smashing book that will have you reading deep into the night,its got it all gruesome discoveries....Martha "stumbles" upon a severed ear whilst on a train! Its got the same Gothic, spooky, unsettling vibe that Crow Moon had. Suzy Aspley has a talent for writing about Scottish Folklore and the wilds of Scotland, it makes you feel like its tangible! And these are central to the plot which is a twisty, turny and enthralling read.
I love Martha's character she really springs out from the page and in fact all the cast do... the storyline gets more and more tense as the book builds to an ending that I didn't see coming!!
I loved The Bone Mother a very accomplished second book, and it found it a really thrilling page-turner.
A 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read! Well Done 👏 🏴
Thank you to Orenda Books for my proof copy to review and to Random Things Tours for the blog tour.
🏴 The Bone Mother is book two in the Martha Strangeways Series. Martha is a reporter who is hoping for a quiet life in a Scottish village ( especially after her horrid experience a year earlier! Book one! )
This is a smashing book that will have you reading deep into the night,its got it all gruesome discoveries....Martha "stumbles" upon a severed ear whilst on a train! Its got the same Gothic, spooky, unsettling vibe that Crow Moon had. Suzy Aspley has a talent for writing about Scottish Folklore and the wilds of Scotland, it makes you feel like its tangible! And these are central to the plot which is a twisty, turny and enthralling read.
I love Martha's character she really springs out from the page and in fact all the cast do... the storyline gets more and more tense as the book builds to an ending that I didn't see coming!!
I loved The Bone Mother a very accomplished second book, and it found it a really thrilling page-turner.
A 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read! Well Done 👏 🏴
Thank you to Orenda Books for my proof copy to review and to Random Things Tours for the blog tour.
May 14, 2026
I loved the first book, Crow Moon, in this series so much and have patiently waited for two years for this one to be published but it was worth the wait! Martha Strangeways is back at her job as a reporter and is asked by her editor to investigate when a human ear is found next to the railway tracks.
Once again Suzy Aspley has given us a fantastic mystery involving Scottish legends and folklore. As with the first book, I loved the spooky, gothic vibes and the remote Scottish setting. Martha is a fantastic character - a strong woman who has had to deal with so much grief and sadness in her past - and found her relationship with DI Summers interesting, and loved her friendship with Orla. This was a great listen with a complex and interesting plot. I really need more Martha and hope we don't have to wait as long for the next book!
Sarah Barron did a fantastic job narrating the book and bringing the characters to life.
Once again Suzy Aspley has given us a fantastic mystery involving Scottish legends and folklore. As with the first book, I loved the spooky, gothic vibes and the remote Scottish setting. Martha is a fantastic character - a strong woman who has had to deal with so much grief and sadness in her past - and found her relationship with DI Summers interesting, and loved her friendship with Orla. This was a great listen with a complex and interesting plot. I really need more Martha and hope we don't have to wait as long for the next book!
Sarah Barron did a fantastic job narrating the book and bringing the characters to life.
May 20, 2026
I read and reviewed the first in this series: Crow Moon, back in April 2024. I enjoyed every word of it and have been looking forward to book two ever since.
It's been an adventure to return to Strathbran in The Bone Mother. From the very first pages, I felt really involved in this eerie and atmospheric setting. Blending crime, folklore and a creeping sense of unease, this is a novel that is full of history secrets.
Martha Strangeways has tried to leave the darkness of the past behind her and carve out a quieter life for herself, but her peace never seems to last for long. When DI Derek Summers asks for her help investigating the discovery of a human ear beside a railway line, Martha is drawn into a case that quickly becomes far more sinister than anyone first imagined. The death of a young woman found in a ritualistic manner near an ancient church creates questions about old beliefs, sacred places and those who will do anything to protect them.
What I really enjoyed about this novel was the way the author weaves together folklore and crime so well. The legend of the Bone Mother goddess and the mysterious Cailleach Way add such depth to the story, creating an unsettling edge that stays throughout the novel. There’s a constant feeling that the surrounding countryside itself is watching, hiding ancient memories and danger. With Halloween approaching, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense, and there were moments when I genuinely felt a chill while reading.
The Scottish Highlands are brought vividly to life here. The remote churches, rugged landscapes and isolated villages create the perfect backdrop for a story filled with myth and fear. The sense of place is exceptional; I could almost feel the cold air and hear the silence of the hills. It’s this setting that gives the novel so much of its power.
Martha continues to grow as a character and I enjoyed spending time with her once again. She’s intelligent and determined, but also vulnerable, particularly when aspects of her own past begin to emerge. Her relationship with Derek Summers develops beautifully in this story.
The mystery itself is cleverly plotted, full of tension and intrigue, and the author keeps the reader guessing throughout. The pacing is excellent, until the final chapters become almost impossible to put down. Every thread is woven together with care, resulting in a gripping and satisfying conclusion.
The Bone Mother is an atmospheric, compelling crime novel with a strong gothic feel. Perfect for readers who enjoy mysteries steeped in folklore and setting, this is a series that continues to go from strength to strength. I’m already looking forward to discovering where Martha Strangeways will lead us next.
It's been an adventure to return to Strathbran in The Bone Mother. From the very first pages, I felt really involved in this eerie and atmospheric setting. Blending crime, folklore and a creeping sense of unease, this is a novel that is full of history secrets.
Martha Strangeways has tried to leave the darkness of the past behind her and carve out a quieter life for herself, but her peace never seems to last for long. When DI Derek Summers asks for her help investigating the discovery of a human ear beside a railway line, Martha is drawn into a case that quickly becomes far more sinister than anyone first imagined. The death of a young woman found in a ritualistic manner near an ancient church creates questions about old beliefs, sacred places and those who will do anything to protect them.
What I really enjoyed about this novel was the way the author weaves together folklore and crime so well. The legend of the Bone Mother goddess and the mysterious Cailleach Way add such depth to the story, creating an unsettling edge that stays throughout the novel. There’s a constant feeling that the surrounding countryside itself is watching, hiding ancient memories and danger. With Halloween approaching, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense, and there were moments when I genuinely felt a chill while reading.
The Scottish Highlands are brought vividly to life here. The remote churches, rugged landscapes and isolated villages create the perfect backdrop for a story filled with myth and fear. The sense of place is exceptional; I could almost feel the cold air and hear the silence of the hills. It’s this setting that gives the novel so much of its power.
Martha continues to grow as a character and I enjoyed spending time with her once again. She’s intelligent and determined, but also vulnerable, particularly when aspects of her own past begin to emerge. Her relationship with Derek Summers develops beautifully in this story.
The mystery itself is cleverly plotted, full of tension and intrigue, and the author keeps the reader guessing throughout. The pacing is excellent, until the final chapters become almost impossible to put down. Every thread is woven together with care, resulting in a gripping and satisfying conclusion.
The Bone Mother is an atmospheric, compelling crime novel with a strong gothic feel. Perfect for readers who enjoy mysteries steeped in folklore and setting, this is a series that continues to go from strength to strength. I’m already looking forward to discovering where Martha Strangeways will lead us next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Martha is a journalist who lives in a quiet village in Scotland, when she is called upon by her friend in the Glasgow CID – DCI Derek Summers to help investigate a disturbing discovery that has been made on a railway track. A human ear has been discovered, with a very unusual and distinctive hammer shaped earring. Before long the body is found in a churchyard, arranged in a way that suggests a sacrifice.
Martha’s heavily pregnant best friend Orla, identifies the body as that of a young woman who briefly stayed with her on her way to carry out a pilgrimage to a local shrine to the Cailleach, a pagan goddess significant to the area. This local shrine is under threat from developers looking to expand a local hydroelectric plant. Through the group Orla is part of, Sofa Sisters, Martha identifies another young woman who had been searching for places to stay to carry out the same hike to the shrine and now appears to be missing. Run by a mysterious figure known as Beira, Sofa Sisters aims to pair up solo women travellers with safe places to stay. Sophie, the developers daughter, is also part of this group and plans to carry out the walk too in order to stop her father.
As part of Marthas investigations she gets in touch with an old contact, Brigid, who she met in Bosnia on a work assignment. Brigid is a specialist in jewellery, especially those pieces belonging to the deceased, and so Martha hopes that Brigid is able to identify the unusual designs of the earrings found on this girls body, however her odd reaction to the jewellery suggests she knows more than she is letting on. Somebody is really determined to save this shrine, and as concern grows for the missing girl, Sophie and Orla disappear too, leaving everyone involved questioning how all the pieces fit together
This started off at quite a slow pace and was quite a complex read, having lots of characters involved and the slighlty supernatural aspect thrown in with the local folklore, but this definitely isnt something that put me off as it all adds to the drama and suspense of whats going on. This use of legend and folklore amps up the tension and really has you questioning what exactly is going on and how the case is going to wrap up. This is the second book in the series, and having not read the first one, Suzy Aspley has done a fantastic job of providing enough context to the events of the previous novel in this one without it seeming forced, but also means you don’t have to have read that first story to be able to follow the events in this. We do get several switches of perspective which did feel a little jarring at times, but was essential to progress the plot, and by the end I only had a small inkling of who the agonist might have been. A great read, if a little too drawn out in places and would definitelt recommend to anyone looking for a twist on the usual detective investigating a crime type of book.
Martha’s heavily pregnant best friend Orla, identifies the body as that of a young woman who briefly stayed with her on her way to carry out a pilgrimage to a local shrine to the Cailleach, a pagan goddess significant to the area. This local shrine is under threat from developers looking to expand a local hydroelectric plant. Through the group Orla is part of, Sofa Sisters, Martha identifies another young woman who had been searching for places to stay to carry out the same hike to the shrine and now appears to be missing. Run by a mysterious figure known as Beira, Sofa Sisters aims to pair up solo women travellers with safe places to stay. Sophie, the developers daughter, is also part of this group and plans to carry out the walk too in order to stop her father.
As part of Marthas investigations she gets in touch with an old contact, Brigid, who she met in Bosnia on a work assignment. Brigid is a specialist in jewellery, especially those pieces belonging to the deceased, and so Martha hopes that Brigid is able to identify the unusual designs of the earrings found on this girls body, however her odd reaction to the jewellery suggests she knows more than she is letting on. Somebody is really determined to save this shrine, and as concern grows for the missing girl, Sophie and Orla disappear too, leaving everyone involved questioning how all the pieces fit together
This started off at quite a slow pace and was quite a complex read, having lots of characters involved and the slighlty supernatural aspect thrown in with the local folklore, but this definitely isnt something that put me off as it all adds to the drama and suspense of whats going on. This use of legend and folklore amps up the tension and really has you questioning what exactly is going on and how the case is going to wrap up. This is the second book in the series, and having not read the first one, Suzy Aspley has done a fantastic job of providing enough context to the events of the previous novel in this one without it seeming forced, but also means you don’t have to have read that first story to be able to follow the events in this. We do get several switches of perspective which did feel a little jarring at times, but was essential to progress the plot, and by the end I only had a small inkling of who the agonist might have been. A great read, if a little too drawn out in places and would definitelt recommend to anyone looking for a twist on the usual detective investigating a crime type of book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Bone Mother, by Suzy Aspley, picks up seven months on from the events of Crow Moon. Journalist Martha Strangeways is doing as well as she can be, considering her harrowing experiences in recent years, and is working freelance for the Glasgow Evening Standard, who send her to report on the gruesome find of a severed ear by a railway line.
Martha’s tenacious nature, and an “I’ll scratch your back, if you scratch mine” deal with her friend DI Derek Summers, leads her to dig further into the story, especially after the rest of the body is discovered posed in a churchyard.
The victim, Emma, was wearing a distinctive pair of earrings representing the titular Bone Mother – a legendary, fearsome Highlands winter witch. Martha finds out that Emma was part of a Facebook group of young women who are being encouraged to individually walk the obscure “Cailleach Way” to some ancient standing stones that pay tribute to the Bone Mother, in protest against a new hydroelectric scheme that threatens to flood the shrine.
It also transpires that the group’s mysterious leader sent the unusual jewellery not only to Emma, but to others embarking on the pilgrimage – might they be in danger, too? A personal connection additionally emerges, as Emma was put up by Martha’s friend Orla for a few nights as she prepared to set out.
I found The Bone Mother to be real page-turner. If you’re into crime novels with a Gothic, supernatural flavour, this author is really starting to make a name for herself. The legend of the Bone Mother, the standing stones and their dedicated keeper who takes them inside for the winter, the abandoned cottage that was home to previous keepers… all catnip for me!
At the same time, there’s plenty of action that anchors the story in the real, fairly recent past (2019). As well as the use of Facebook to mobilise young women like Emma, who are looking for meaning and a bit of a challenge, there’s the divisive sustainable energy project, which may decrease dependence on fossil fuels, but will also alter the landscape and make a CEO even richer.
And then there’s Martha’s pregnant friend Orla, who’s convinced someone’s watching and messing with her – and when her sort-of partner can’t find her, technologies such as her internet-connected doorbell and smartwatch give him a bit of a steer. Also, who knew a forensics expert could specialise in jewellery? It makes sense when you think about it, but even so, I was fascinated by Dr Brigid Russell’s work.
Martha continues to be a character I enjoy following as she carries out her investigations, even if I did want to yell ‘nooooo!’ at her each time she charged into an encounter that had little chance of going smoothly (though she wouldn’t be doing her job – and there wouldn’t be much of a story – otherwise!).
As with Crow Moon, the teenage characters in this book feel particularly authentic. I was especially impressed by Sophie: the daughter of the CEO of the hydroelectric company, who’s determined to demonstrate her opposition to her father’s plans by completing her own walk to the standing stones.
Despite her privilege, Sophie comes across as a caring, thoughtful character who’s far from a spoilt brat, and like most teenagers, she’s naïve in some ways but mature in others. When she gets caught up in an extreme situation, she keeps her head and proves her capability in a way that’s really moving to see.
The Bone Mother is an atmospheric, unsettling Gothic thriller that had me on the edge of my seat.
*I received a free copy of this book from Random Things Tours in return for an honest review.*
Martha’s tenacious nature, and an “I’ll scratch your back, if you scratch mine” deal with her friend DI Derek Summers, leads her to dig further into the story, especially after the rest of the body is discovered posed in a churchyard.
The victim, Emma, was wearing a distinctive pair of earrings representing the titular Bone Mother – a legendary, fearsome Highlands winter witch. Martha finds out that Emma was part of a Facebook group of young women who are being encouraged to individually walk the obscure “Cailleach Way” to some ancient standing stones that pay tribute to the Bone Mother, in protest against a new hydroelectric scheme that threatens to flood the shrine.
It also transpires that the group’s mysterious leader sent the unusual jewellery not only to Emma, but to others embarking on the pilgrimage – might they be in danger, too? A personal connection additionally emerges, as Emma was put up by Martha’s friend Orla for a few nights as she prepared to set out.
I found The Bone Mother to be real page-turner. If you’re into crime novels with a Gothic, supernatural flavour, this author is really starting to make a name for herself. The legend of the Bone Mother, the standing stones and their dedicated keeper who takes them inside for the winter, the abandoned cottage that was home to previous keepers… all catnip for me!
At the same time, there’s plenty of action that anchors the story in the real, fairly recent past (2019). As well as the use of Facebook to mobilise young women like Emma, who are looking for meaning and a bit of a challenge, there’s the divisive sustainable energy project, which may decrease dependence on fossil fuels, but will also alter the landscape and make a CEO even richer.
And then there’s Martha’s pregnant friend Orla, who’s convinced someone’s watching and messing with her – and when her sort-of partner can’t find her, technologies such as her internet-connected doorbell and smartwatch give him a bit of a steer. Also, who knew a forensics expert could specialise in jewellery? It makes sense when you think about it, but even so, I was fascinated by Dr Brigid Russell’s work.
Martha continues to be a character I enjoy following as she carries out her investigations, even if I did want to yell ‘nooooo!’ at her each time she charged into an encounter that had little chance of going smoothly (though she wouldn’t be doing her job – and there wouldn’t be much of a story – otherwise!).
As with Crow Moon, the teenage characters in this book feel particularly authentic. I was especially impressed by Sophie: the daughter of the CEO of the hydroelectric company, who’s determined to demonstrate her opposition to her father’s plans by completing her own walk to the standing stones.
Despite her privilege, Sophie comes across as a caring, thoughtful character who’s far from a spoilt brat, and like most teenagers, she’s naïve in some ways but mature in others. When she gets caught up in an extreme situation, she keeps her head and proves her capability in a way that’s really moving to see.
The Bone Mother is an atmospheric, unsettling Gothic thriller that had me on the edge of my seat.
*I received a free copy of this book from Random Things Tours in return for an honest review.*
May 18, 2026
The Bone Mother opens with a prologue set at Beltane - a pagan festival to mark the coming of summer, and in a remote part of the Highlands the time to reveal the stones of the Cailleach goddess and her family to the light after their long winter, tucked away since Samhain (Hallowe'en). It's a scene that evokes a sense of unease, and that sense of unease does not leave the reader until the book is over.
We move on to mid-October, and the discovery of a human ear on the rail line near Loch Awe, neatly cut off and still with a distinctive earring attached. Martha's Glasgow newsdesk wants her to investigate; as luck would have it her Glasgow CID friend Derek Summer has been made senior investigating officer. And when the body of a young woman is found, Martha's friend Orla - who is weeks from giving birth - is drawn into the case.
The investigation uncovers a woman-only social media page run by a mysterious figure calling herself Beira - mother of the Celtic gods and goddesses - who is finding young woman to undertake a solo pilgrimage across the Highlands to a shrine which is threatened with being flooded as part of an extension to a nearby hydroelectric plant.
The remoteness of this part of the Highlands is both beautiful and menacing; sometimes welcoming the characters and just as often determined to make life difficult. Martha herself has experienced trauma more than once in her life, and reported on it too, and this, along with her motherly instincts to protect inform her response to this story. And while she is a journalist with all the nosiness that suggests, she is a creature of empathy, neatly contrasted with DCI Summers' eminently practical cop.
There are lots of strands which slowly knit together, and as Hallowe'en/Samhain draws closer, everything becomes more urgent and frantic. The final scenes are a whirl of danger, threats, and revelations about connections, and beliefs that turned into obsession. The stakes are high and it's difficult to turn the pages fast enough.
Reading The Bone Mother on a sunny afternoon, I was frequently chilled to the bone - it's a cracking tale...
We move on to mid-October, and the discovery of a human ear on the rail line near Loch Awe, neatly cut off and still with a distinctive earring attached. Martha's Glasgow newsdesk wants her to investigate; as luck would have it her Glasgow CID friend Derek Summer has been made senior investigating officer. And when the body of a young woman is found, Martha's friend Orla - who is weeks from giving birth - is drawn into the case.
The investigation uncovers a woman-only social media page run by a mysterious figure calling herself Beira - mother of the Celtic gods and goddesses - who is finding young woman to undertake a solo pilgrimage across the Highlands to a shrine which is threatened with being flooded as part of an extension to a nearby hydroelectric plant.
The remoteness of this part of the Highlands is both beautiful and menacing; sometimes welcoming the characters and just as often determined to make life difficult. Martha herself has experienced trauma more than once in her life, and reported on it too, and this, along with her motherly instincts to protect inform her response to this story. And while she is a journalist with all the nosiness that suggests, she is a creature of empathy, neatly contrasted with DCI Summers' eminently practical cop.
There are lots of strands which slowly knit together, and as Hallowe'en/Samhain draws closer, everything becomes more urgent and frantic. The final scenes are a whirl of danger, threats, and revelations about connections, and beliefs that turned into obsession. The stakes are high and it's difficult to turn the pages fast enough.
Reading The Bone Mother on a sunny afternoon, I was frequently chilled to the bone - it's a cracking tale...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you love atmospheric, tense reads, The Bone Mother by Suzy Aspley is the book for you. The novel begins with a chilling opening with the discovery of body parts near a railway line. Martha Strangeways, who we met for the first time in the first book in this series, is, of course, drawn to the investigation, but she has no idea just how dark and strange this case will be.
I loved the gothic and supernatural elements to this book, which, for me, made it so compelling and added to the atmosphere. The plot centres around a mysterious shrine which is still believed, by some, to hold supernatural powers, and as the investigation proceeds, Martha can’t help but draw a link between the murders and the shrine, especially due to the ritualistic nature of the deaths. The folklore element is drawn on really well here and is made even more atmospheric with Halloween fast approaching. I find anything like this intriguing, so this was another reason why I loved this book so much. Suzy Aspley does an excellent job of creating a real sense of impending danger, and I found this particularly with Martha’s friend, Orla, who is pregnant.
Suzy’s characters really spring to life in The Bone Mother. Martha’s relationship with DI Summers was compelling, and I really liked how they’re building trust with each other. This isn’t normally the case when journalists try to get information from the police, in most crime novels I have read, so it feels like a breath of fresh air. I loved Martha’s friendship with Orla. Martha really cares for her friend, especially because she is pregnant. There were times when I also felt for Orla, particularly when she talks about how lonely she sometimes feels.
Suzy Aspley does an excellent job of raising the stakes for her characters, and this raises the tension, especially when it’s feared that another girl has gone missing. Everything is brought together into an absolutely gripping and tense finale.
The Bone Mother is a fantastic addition to the Martha Strangeway’s series, and I am really excited to see what Suzy Aspley writes next.
I loved the gothic and supernatural elements to this book, which, for me, made it so compelling and added to the atmosphere. The plot centres around a mysterious shrine which is still believed, by some, to hold supernatural powers, and as the investigation proceeds, Martha can’t help but draw a link between the murders and the shrine, especially due to the ritualistic nature of the deaths. The folklore element is drawn on really well here and is made even more atmospheric with Halloween fast approaching. I find anything like this intriguing, so this was another reason why I loved this book so much. Suzy Aspley does an excellent job of creating a real sense of impending danger, and I found this particularly with Martha’s friend, Orla, who is pregnant.
Suzy’s characters really spring to life in The Bone Mother. Martha’s relationship with DI Summers was compelling, and I really liked how they’re building trust with each other. This isn’t normally the case when journalists try to get information from the police, in most crime novels I have read, so it feels like a breath of fresh air. I loved Martha’s friendship with Orla. Martha really cares for her friend, especially because she is pregnant. There were times when I also felt for Orla, particularly when she talks about how lonely she sometimes feels.
Suzy Aspley does an excellent job of raising the stakes for her characters, and this raises the tension, especially when it’s feared that another girl has gone missing. Everything is brought together into an absolutely gripping and tense finale.
The Bone Mother is a fantastic addition to the Martha Strangeway’s series, and I am really excited to see what Suzy Aspley writes next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Suzy Aspley's terrific writing is like slipping a comfortable glove back on, and I was immediately sucked in to power through this unputdownable sequel.
Martha the investigative journalist is still resistant to the idea of any supernatural influence in her life, and yet it's in evidence here again as her intuition is in strong play, hard as it is for her to convince DCI Summers to fully subscribe to her fears for the safety of a missing hiker, wearing Cailleach jewellery for protection.
A shrine to the Bone Mother, mother of nature and wild things, guardian of winter, in a beautiful, isolated glen, is under threat by plans for a hydroelectric plant in the area. Approaching halloween, a web group of objectors can sign up to a solo hike to the shrine to raise awareness, but when one hiker turns up dead and no one has heard from the first girl who completed the pilgrimage, Martha's sense of danger is on high alert.
The interweaving strands of this story, both natural and supernatural, keep ratcheting up the tension in this tightly plotted and paced thriller, as Martha races against time to unravel and allay the danger at play and looming over Orla, her heavily pregnant friend who first got her involved in the web group responsible for the hike.
A terrific read, and one that ends with an invitation for a third book from this author, whose talent for bringing us chilling esoteric tales, crackling with bewitchment and dark, not always benign, folklore is unmatched. Can't wait!
Martha the investigative journalist is still resistant to the idea of any supernatural influence in her life, and yet it's in evidence here again as her intuition is in strong play, hard as it is for her to convince DCI Summers to fully subscribe to her fears for the safety of a missing hiker, wearing Cailleach jewellery for protection.
A shrine to the Bone Mother, mother of nature and wild things, guardian of winter, in a beautiful, isolated glen, is under threat by plans for a hydroelectric plant in the area. Approaching halloween, a web group of objectors can sign up to a solo hike to the shrine to raise awareness, but when one hiker turns up dead and no one has heard from the first girl who completed the pilgrimage, Martha's sense of danger is on high alert.
The interweaving strands of this story, both natural and supernatural, keep ratcheting up the tension in this tightly plotted and paced thriller, as Martha races against time to unravel and allay the danger at play and looming over Orla, her heavily pregnant friend who first got her involved in the web group responsible for the hike.
A terrific read, and one that ends with an invitation for a third book from this author, whose talent for bringing us chilling esoteric tales, crackling with bewitchment and dark, not always benign, folklore is unmatched. Can't wait!
Review of advance copy
The second book in the Martha Strangeways Investigates Series and like the previous book the crime mystery is peppered with the supernatural and local folklore elements. This time Martha is asked by friend from Glasgow CID, DCI Derek Summers, to provide some assistance with a strange and disturbing case. You could read this as a stand alone, but I highly recommend reading the first book before reading this.
Briefly, the discovery of a human ear wearing an unusual earring was bad enough but when this is followed by a body at a church of another woman wearing the same earrings, the urgency is heightened. Meanwhile a group of protesters are gathering, and some are taking a hike along the Cailleach Way, protesting again the development of a hydroelectric plant which will destroy a shrine dedicated to the Bone Mother goddess.
I really enjoyed Martha as a character in the first book and was pleased to see her again. She’s a strong character who has dealt with grief and trauma in her life but has come out fighting. This is a great read with a complex and interesting plot and for someone like me who doesn’t really read supernatural books the balance between mystery and fantasy has been done perfectly. A very entertaining read.
Briefly, the discovery of a human ear wearing an unusual earring was bad enough but when this is followed by a body at a church of another woman wearing the same earrings, the urgency is heightened. Meanwhile a group of protesters are gathering, and some are taking a hike along the Cailleach Way, protesting again the development of a hydroelectric plant which will destroy a shrine dedicated to the Bone Mother goddess.
I really enjoyed Martha as a character in the first book and was pleased to see her again. She’s a strong character who has dealt with grief and trauma in her life but has come out fighting. This is a great read with a complex and interesting plot and for someone like me who doesn’t really read supernatural books the balance between mystery and fantasy has been done perfectly. A very entertaining read.
May 12, 2026
This is the second book in the Martha Strangeways Mysteries and although you can read it as a standalone, I throughly recommend you read Crow Moon first.
DI Derek Summers has recently been promoted to a DCI for Argyll and Bute. He’s investigating an unusual case: a railway linesman has found a severed ear with a hammer shaped earring lying on the tracks.
Few days later, a body of a woman is found on the kirk grounds. She looks to be placed there in a ritualistic manner.
Summers asks Martha Strangeways, a journalist, for some help. They have worked together on a case before and there is an element of a mutual trust between them.
Martha uncovers some interesting things. The hammer shaped earring is a symbol of Cailleach, a pagan goddess of winter, very much feared in the Highlands.
Soon, strange things begin to happen…
I loved this book, especially the parts featuring the supernatural and local folklore. I have never heard of Cailleach and I immediately looked her up – her story gave me the shivers.
I really like Martha as a character, she’s suffered personal trauma, but she’s really trying to make the best of things (although it must be awfully hard for her).
This book is dark and deeply unsettling. I definitely recommend it!
DI Derek Summers has recently been promoted to a DCI for Argyll and Bute. He’s investigating an unusual case: a railway linesman has found a severed ear with a hammer shaped earring lying on the tracks.
Few days later, a body of a woman is found on the kirk grounds. She looks to be placed there in a ritualistic manner.
Summers asks Martha Strangeways, a journalist, for some help. They have worked together on a case before and there is an element of a mutual trust between them.
Martha uncovers some interesting things. The hammer shaped earring is a symbol of Cailleach, a pagan goddess of winter, very much feared in the Highlands.
Soon, strange things begin to happen…
I loved this book, especially the parts featuring the supernatural and local folklore. I have never heard of Cailleach and I immediately looked her up – her story gave me the shivers.
I really like Martha as a character, she’s suffered personal trauma, but she’s really trying to make the best of things (although it must be awfully hard for her).
This book is dark and deeply unsettling. I definitely recommend it!
May 26, 2026
My thoughts
I have waited for this book because the first Martha Strangeways book was so good and boy does this deliver, too!
Suzy Aspley has the perfect blend of folklore, detective drama and folk horror/supernatural while still building character relationships and story arcs with a quiet menace that makes you feel uneasy from the first sentence. She holds the tension throughout.
Her choice of Samhain and Beltane are the most atmospheric of times and unsettled me, as they are intended to.
I loved the development of Strangeways and Summers relationship as the characters are built enough to give the reader of more without throwing everything at the reader.
Suzy Aspley has the most beautifully dark way with words and an obvious knowledge of the how to put the gothic elements in a new and different manner.
If you haven’t read her first book, I’d urge you to. You don’t have to read it to understand the story, but it will show you how she world builds and what a great author she is.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this deliciously dark book.
I have waited for this book because the first Martha Strangeways book was so good and boy does this deliver, too!
Suzy Aspley has the perfect blend of folklore, detective drama and folk horror/supernatural while still building character relationships and story arcs with a quiet menace that makes you feel uneasy from the first sentence. She holds the tension throughout.
Her choice of Samhain and Beltane are the most atmospheric of times and unsettled me, as they are intended to.
I loved the development of Strangeways and Summers relationship as the characters are built enough to give the reader of more without throwing everything at the reader.
Suzy Aspley has the most beautifully dark way with words and an obvious knowledge of the how to put the gothic elements in a new and different manner.
If you haven’t read her first book, I’d urge you to. You don’t have to read it to understand the story, but it will show you how she world builds and what a great author she is.
With thanks to Anne Cater, the publisher and the author for the advanced reading copy of this deliciously dark book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
As with the first Martha Strangeways book, Crow Moon, I still struggle with knowing that Martha’s three-year-old twins had died in a fire. I understand it gives depth to her character, but it still makes it hard to read. Somehow, it doesn’t seem necessary.
But moving on, I love everything else about the book. Anything Gothic, folklore, local myths is probably my favourite genre.
Basically, the premise of the book revolves around a local legend in which the Bone Mother goddess protects the land. There is a shrine dedicated to her. Disturbing the shrine will cause havoc for those around. But a developer is going to flood the land where he is building an energy plant, using sustainable methods. So which is more important? A Facebook group has been set up encouraging young women to trek alone to the shrine. ‘Alone’ should have rung a few bells.
Then an ear is found with a Celtic earring followed by a body with a matching earring. It all looks ritualistic but is it connected to the trek? DI Derek Summers of Glasgow CID calls on Martha to help him investigate the killing as things take a more sinister turn.
The story is far more complex than I have made it sound, with quite a few characters you will both love and hate. In fact there are a lot of characters, but it’s not at all confusing as with some books. And as with Crow Moon, the whole story is creepy and atmospheric, with a modern Gothic feel, set in the village of Strathbran (the name means Glen of Ravens), in a remote part of Scotland. It’s just my kind of book.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours
But moving on, I love everything else about the book. Anything Gothic, folklore, local myths is probably my favourite genre.
Basically, the premise of the book revolves around a local legend in which the Bone Mother goddess protects the land. There is a shrine dedicated to her. Disturbing the shrine will cause havoc for those around. But a developer is going to flood the land where he is building an energy plant, using sustainable methods. So which is more important? A Facebook group has been set up encouraging young women to trek alone to the shrine. ‘Alone’ should have rung a few bells.
Then an ear is found with a Celtic earring followed by a body with a matching earring. It all looks ritualistic but is it connected to the trek? DI Derek Summers of Glasgow CID calls on Martha to help him investigate the killing as things take a more sinister turn.
The story is far more complex than I have made it sound, with quite a few characters you will both love and hate. In fact there are a lot of characters, but it’s not at all confusing as with some books. And as with Crow Moon, the whole story is creepy and atmospheric, with a modern Gothic feel, set in the village of Strathbran (the name means Glen of Ravens), in a remote part of Scotland. It’s just my kind of book.
Many thanks to @annecater for inviting me to be part of #RandomThingsTours
May 12, 2026
**Read for a book tour, below is my honest review**
The Bone Mother is book two in the Martha Strangeways Investigations series. I haven’t read the previous book but this reads well as a standalone.
It’s an eerie story with some folklore and supernatural elements which creeped me out throughout! The setting of remote Scotland made it so atmospheric.
The story is told through several POVs which at times could be hard to differentiate who was who. I enjoyed Martha’s character though, she’s a force to be reckoned with.
I started to guess the twists part way through and there was times were it felt a little repetitive but I still really enjoyed the way it panned out.
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys an eerie read with folklore and supernatural events.
Thank you randomthingstours and Suzy for letting me read and review.
I give this 3.75 (rounded up to 4 on Goodreads)
The Bone Mother is book two in the Martha Strangeways Investigations series. I haven’t read the previous book but this reads well as a standalone.
It’s an eerie story with some folklore and supernatural elements which creeped me out throughout! The setting of remote Scotland made it so atmospheric.
The story is told through several POVs which at times could be hard to differentiate who was who. I enjoyed Martha’s character though, she’s a force to be reckoned with.
I started to guess the twists part way through and there was times were it felt a little repetitive but I still really enjoyed the way it panned out.
If you have any content triggers, I advise you to read any trigger warnings beforehand.
I recommend this to anyone who enjoys an eerie read with folklore and supernatural events.
Thank you randomthingstours and Suzy for letting me read and review.
I give this 3.75 (rounded up to 4 on Goodreads)
May 19, 2026
Rated 4.75/5
Blog Tour Review
The writing was captivating, luring you in and keeping you guessing as to what horrors were about to unfold. Whilst it was the second book in the series, it read well as a standalone. Vital bits of information from the first book were put into this story, so that you didn't feel like you were missing out.
The book was split into a Prologue, Epilogue and generally short chapters. The Prologue set the tone of the book nicely, immediately pulling you into the characters' world. There was an air of mystery right from the off, making you desperate to know what was going to happen next.
There was a good flow between the chapters, with each chapter headed with the date. This grounded the story well and kept you on track.
There was a good pace to the book created by the short chapters. We got to hear from different characters and moved through the story well. There were a lot of intricate details that padded the story out and created the suspense and tension that brought the wonderful gothic feel to life.
The characters were great. Obviously a lot had happened in the first book, but I didn't feel like I had missed out on anything that would affect the enjoyment of this book.
The main character was going through a lot and it was nice to read about how she was doing her best to remain strong and help others, even if it meant putting herself in danger. There were some interesting personalities which kept me guessing as to who the murderer was.
Lastly the settings. The intricate details describing where the characters were really captured the essence of the area and brought the story to life. The settings really became a character in themselves and added a wonderful texture to the story.
Overall a captivating read, full of dark sinister moments that brought the story to life.
Blog Tour Review
The writing was captivating, luring you in and keeping you guessing as to what horrors were about to unfold. Whilst it was the second book in the series, it read well as a standalone. Vital bits of information from the first book were put into this story, so that you didn't feel like you were missing out.
The book was split into a Prologue, Epilogue and generally short chapters. The Prologue set the tone of the book nicely, immediately pulling you into the characters' world. There was an air of mystery right from the off, making you desperate to know what was going to happen next.
There was a good flow between the chapters, with each chapter headed with the date. This grounded the story well and kept you on track.
There was a good pace to the book created by the short chapters. We got to hear from different characters and moved through the story well. There were a lot of intricate details that padded the story out and created the suspense and tension that brought the wonderful gothic feel to life.
The characters were great. Obviously a lot had happened in the first book, but I didn't feel like I had missed out on anything that would affect the enjoyment of this book.
The main character was going through a lot and it was nice to read about how she was doing her best to remain strong and help others, even if it meant putting herself in danger. There were some interesting personalities which kept me guessing as to who the murderer was.
Lastly the settings. The intricate details describing where the characters were really captured the essence of the area and brought the story to life. The settings really became a character in themselves and added a wonderful texture to the story.
Overall a captivating read, full of dark sinister moments that brought the story to life.
May 10, 2026
My God does this book pack a punch. I absolutely loved it and it's one of my favourite books of 2026 so far.
It's absolutely fantastic, it's a thriller meets gothic horror meets witchcraft meets lore and superstition but it still manages to have such a strong identity.
I absolutely loved the plot and after all who doesn't love a book that starts on Beltane, loved the characters and just found it completely enthralling and immersive.
Absolutely fantastic and cannot wait to read more from Suzy (I've already ordered her first book).
Highly recommended
It's absolutely fantastic, it's a thriller meets gothic horror meets witchcraft meets lore and superstition but it still manages to have such a strong identity.
I absolutely loved the plot and after all who doesn't love a book that starts on Beltane, loved the characters and just found it completely enthralling and immersive.
Absolutely fantastic and cannot wait to read more from Suzy (I've already ordered her first book).
Highly recommended
May 21, 2026
The Bone Mother is part two in the Martha Strangeways Investigations series and is the follow up to Crow Moon.
Set in Scotland, a country very dear to my heart, it's an atmospheric, gloomy thriller absolutely steeped in rich, Scottish folklore.
With a great gothic mystery feel, it's a read that'll have you turning the pages long after you should have gone to sleep.
It's dark, unnerving, absorbing and terrifying in parts, with a fast paced storyline that I'm sure will hold your attention to the very end.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Set in Scotland, a country very dear to my heart, it's an atmospheric, gloomy thriller absolutely steeped in rich, Scottish folklore.
With a great gothic mystery feel, it's a read that'll have you turning the pages long after you should have gone to sleep.
It's dark, unnerving, absorbing and terrifying in parts, with a fast paced storyline that I'm sure will hold your attention to the very end.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
May 7, 2026
If I didn’t know better, I’d begin to think that Scotland isn’t a very safe place to visit. At least, it doesn’t appear to be in Martha Strangeways’ world as Suzy Aspley’s intrepid reporter finds herself caught in the middle of another macabre and chilling case. From the very early pages we are delivered a sense of where this case will lead, and that slow building unease from that first grim discovery foreshadows the doom that will be facing at least one of the early characters we meet. But, in spite of the fact we could all predict the fate of said person from the outset, this is a story that will confound, confuse and compel you to read onward from it’s creepy beginnings to the high stakes, pulse-pumping ending.
I like Martha Strangeways. In this latest outing, she is back in the fold as a reporter, and, between an assignment from her boss, and a request for help from her Police contact, DI Derek Summers, finds herself on the trail of a missing person. Or at least a presumed missing person following the discovery of a disembodied ear. With links all too close to home, and concerns mounting that the absent victim – presumed dead – may not be the only one, this is a case that will keep Martha on her toes, and expose the best of her to us, the reader. She has a troubled past, things that she has had to learn to come to terms with. But, in spite of her grief, she has a nose for a story, a determination that cannot be dulled, and a propensity for being the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or the right time if you want the real scoop on a story.
Suzy Aspley really plays well into the folklore and legend that forms such an integral part of Scottish history, using that sense of tradition and superstition as a backdrop to her atmospheric and gothic tinged tales. This is evident from the very beginning of this book, and she uses both flora and fauna to illustrate the importance of the natural world to the direction that this investigation will take. Whilst the root cause my be of human making, it is something more ethereal that seems to drive the action, or at least that is the sense that flows from the narrative, the symbolism evoked from the way in which certain scenes are presented. Everything is about getting back to and preserving nature from development, a theme very relevant to modern society and the endless desire to keep building over our green spaces, impact on community and wildlife be damned.
I did like the way in which Suzy Aspley has twisted Martha’s investigation around scenes spent with another young woman who sets out on the same journey as an earlier, assumed, victim. It helps to build the tension, not knowing at which point she may, or may not, fall foul of whatever evil has cast its net. And there are so many moments that you can feel that creeping sensation, some more overt than others, that it is hard to know where the real threat comes from. I also enjoyed how she takes us into some of Martha’s previous career moments, integral to how the story expands, and acting to cause a little confusion and perhaps some misdirection as to who the true antagonist is here.
I did have half an eye on the evil doer from early on, but that is because I spend far too long reading crime fiction and am suspicious of everyone, and even with that in mind, I was utterly drawn into the story, powering through the pages in as much of a desire to see if the final potential victim to be, and ultimately Martha, might come out in one piece (each), and the mix of the supernatural or folklorish elements with the good old fashioned, albeit largely journalist driven investigation, worked very well for me. Pacing is great – tempo amplified where needed, and just enough detail provided to keep me in the know without slowing the story down. Another really addictive and gripping story that I can heartily recommend.
I like Martha Strangeways. In this latest outing, she is back in the fold as a reporter, and, between an assignment from her boss, and a request for help from her Police contact, DI Derek Summers, finds herself on the trail of a missing person. Or at least a presumed missing person following the discovery of a disembodied ear. With links all too close to home, and concerns mounting that the absent victim – presumed dead – may not be the only one, this is a case that will keep Martha on her toes, and expose the best of her to us, the reader. She has a troubled past, things that she has had to learn to come to terms with. But, in spite of her grief, she has a nose for a story, a determination that cannot be dulled, and a propensity for being the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or the right time if you want the real scoop on a story.
Suzy Aspley really plays well into the folklore and legend that forms such an integral part of Scottish history, using that sense of tradition and superstition as a backdrop to her atmospheric and gothic tinged tales. This is evident from the very beginning of this book, and she uses both flora and fauna to illustrate the importance of the natural world to the direction that this investigation will take. Whilst the root cause my be of human making, it is something more ethereal that seems to drive the action, or at least that is the sense that flows from the narrative, the symbolism evoked from the way in which certain scenes are presented. Everything is about getting back to and preserving nature from development, a theme very relevant to modern society and the endless desire to keep building over our green spaces, impact on community and wildlife be damned.
I did like the way in which Suzy Aspley has twisted Martha’s investigation around scenes spent with another young woman who sets out on the same journey as an earlier, assumed, victim. It helps to build the tension, not knowing at which point she may, or may not, fall foul of whatever evil has cast its net. And there are so many moments that you can feel that creeping sensation, some more overt than others, that it is hard to know where the real threat comes from. I also enjoyed how she takes us into some of Martha’s previous career moments, integral to how the story expands, and acting to cause a little confusion and perhaps some misdirection as to who the true antagonist is here.
I did have half an eye on the evil doer from early on, but that is because I spend far too long reading crime fiction and am suspicious of everyone, and even with that in mind, I was utterly drawn into the story, powering through the pages in as much of a desire to see if the final potential victim to be, and ultimately Martha, might come out in one piece (each), and the mix of the supernatural or folklorish elements with the good old fashioned, albeit largely journalist driven investigation, worked very well for me. Pacing is great – tempo amplified where needed, and just enough detail provided to keep me in the know without slowing the story down. Another really addictive and gripping story that I can heartily recommend.
May 23, 2026
This is a great follow up novel to Crow Moon where Suzy again deftly weaves a tale of murder with some folklore of the area, giving it some Gothic hints too. The setting is highly descriptive transporting the reader there, as well as making them feel the ethereal quality which haunts that area. Plenty of twists and turns also to keep you guessing . Overall 4.5*
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What a terrific sequel to Crow Moon. The Bone Mother is a heart pounding, totally absorbing crime novel. Featuring investigive reporter Martha Strangeways it races along at alarming speed to keep you gripped to the very last page. Cannot wait for thevnext in this series.
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