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Flint in the Bones
In a city where history bites back, murder is just the beginning.
Detective Eliza “Bish” Barnaby thought she’d left her home behind—along with its plague outbreaks, random time-shifts, and tendency to accidentally host people from the 1600s during breakfast.
But when a dangerous practitioner escapes custody in London, Bish is forced back to Norwich, a city where ancient maps hide deadly shortcuts, angry nuns have scores to settle, and Puritans throw acid at those they don’t approve of.
Armed with only a gun she can’t fire, a spaniel who thinks he’s a wolf, and a partner who dresses like a rejected Bridgerton extra, Bish must stop a killer before wild magic unravels the city’s fragile balance.
But keeping her own forbidden talents hidden is just as dangerous as catching the murderer. And in a place where past and present bleed together, the only way to solve this mystery might be to embrace the very magic she fears.Grab the brand new adventure from Eva St. John, author of the bestselling Quantum Curators series
Detective Eliza “Bish” Barnaby thought she’d left her home behind—along with its plague outbreaks, random time-shifts, and tendency to accidentally host people from the 1600s during breakfast.
But when a dangerous practitioner escapes custody in London, Bish is forced back to Norwich, a city where ancient maps hide deadly shortcuts, angry nuns have scores to settle, and Puritans throw acid at those they don’t approve of.
Armed with only a gun she can’t fire, a spaniel who thinks he’s a wolf, and a partner who dresses like a rejected Bridgerton extra, Bish must stop a killer before wild magic unravels the city’s fragile balance.
But keeping her own forbidden talents hidden is just as dangerous as catching the murderer. And in a place where past and present bleed together, the only way to solve this mystery might be to embrace the very magic she fears.Grab the brand new adventure from Eva St. John, author of the bestselling Quantum Curators series
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Published June 8, 2025
60 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 21, 2025
This book was wonderful! An excellent plot, characters I was rooting for (especially Harry!), and a setting so familiar I felt as though I was walking the streets of Norwich with Bish. The concept of maps fusing was brilliant and I loved the comedy that came from different historical periods living side by side. This is unlike anything I’ve read before (in the best possible way!) and I can’t wait to read more in this series. Highly recommend!!!
June 12, 2025
"Flint in the Bones," by Eva St. John, blends contemporary urban fantasy with historical fiction as London Detective Eliza Barnaby is assigned to search for a murderous magical practitioner in the one place she swore she’d never enter again. Norwich—her hometown—where magic gone wrong has resulted in places and people from the time of the first town maps to the present being forcibly merged.
Having read Eva St. John’s entire (so far) Quantum Curators series, I worried about whether the characters in this new story would engage and delight me as much as the ones in Curators. My concerns were baseless.
Eliza, known as Bish to her friends, is a character I wanted to root for from the start. She faced down both the ghosts of her childhood memories and the visible ghosts from throughout England’s history with humor and perseverance. All while trying to prove to the local police that her choice to flee Norwich didn’t make her a quitter and that she’s a good and honest detective.
In the end, I loved the story and hope it is the start pf a series that will last a long time. And I fervently thank Bish (and Eva St. John) for finally accepting my scars as something that “shows I survived” rather than viewing them as the mark of something I suffered. That seems like a good lesson for all of us.
Having read Eva St. John’s entire (so far) Quantum Curators series, I worried about whether the characters in this new story would engage and delight me as much as the ones in Curators. My concerns were baseless.
Eliza, known as Bish to her friends, is a character I wanted to root for from the start. She faced down both the ghosts of her childhood memories and the visible ghosts from throughout England’s history with humor and perseverance. All while trying to prove to the local police that her choice to flee Norwich didn’t make her a quitter and that she’s a good and honest detective.
In the end, I loved the story and hope it is the start pf a series that will last a long time. And I fervently thank Bish (and Eva St. John) for finally accepting my scars as something that “shows I survived” rather than viewing them as the mark of something I suffered. That seems like a good lesson for all of us.
July 30, 2025
A great world, a great mystery
The world building was awesome. I love the idea of different time periods having to fit in with each other. The mystery itself was cool too. The different problems coming together. And Bish nailed it when she put it all together. Well done. I hope there are more.
The world building was awesome. I love the idea of different time periods having to fit in with each other. The mystery itself was cool too. The different problems coming together. And Bish nailed it when she put it all together. Well done. I hope there are more.
June 13, 2025
The maps in Norwich are out of control.
Buildings disappear. People walk out their front door into the wrong time period.
And magicians are dangerous to know.
When one murderous mage flees to Norwich, it’s up to Detective Bish, and her trusty sidekick Harry - a small dog - to stop him.
I loved it.
If you enjoy time-travelling, madcap adventures, this one is for you!
Buildings disappear. People walk out their front door into the wrong time period.
And magicians are dangerous to know.
When one murderous mage flees to Norwich, it’s up to Detective Bish, and her trusty sidekick Harry - a small dog - to stop him.
I loved it.
If you enjoy time-travelling, madcap adventures, this one is for you!
August 15, 2025
Wrinkles in Time
The idea of traveling back and forth in time for various reasons and dramatic effects has been a popular device for books, film and television production. Just consider some of productions using this ploy in recent times:
• “Portrait of Jenny” (1940) – a young woman keeps reappearing in an artist’s life around Manhattan at different stages of her life with heartwarming and heartrending consequences (Jennifer Jones, Jospeh Cotton)
• “Time After Time” (1979) – by means of a time machine, futurist HG Wells pursues Jack the Ripper across modern San Francisco to prevent murder (Malcom McDowell, David Warner, Mary Steenburgen)
• “The Terminator” movie series (1984 launch) – future cyborgs return to adjust the past for the long-term benefit of mankind (Arnold Schwarzenegger)
• “Outlander” (2014) – multi-season TV episodes of Claire Randall and Jaime Fraser traveling from Scottish Highlands to North Carolina mountains around the Battle of Culloden to the American Revolution (Sam Heughan, Claire Balfe)
There’s a new wrinkle now with a quasi-quantum physics approach called “map running”: the ability of certain people to pop in and out of specific locations at different times and eras, sometimes centuries apart. Although scientific in nature, this technique is considered an alternative legitimate skill called “magic” and those endowed are “practitioners”.
Eva St. John’s 2025 entertaining science fantasy thriller, “Flint in the Bones”, is set in an alternative world around London and primarily Norwich, United Kingdom during present day. While much seems the same, it is quite different with some “Dune” like elements.
Detective Eliza Barnaby at London City police headquarters finds herself dispatched to Norwich to track down and bring back William Cade, a rogue practitioner who appears to have murdered several people in London. Upon discovery, he escaped seemingly through solid walls by map running into another time dimension within the same location.
However, Barnaby also has nascent map running skills she intentionally keeps disguised, replete with olfactory and other physical signals alerting her when “maps are about to shift.” She and her newly appointed police dog companion, Harry a spaniel, set off in hot pursuit. The romp leads them through various alleys, assortments of suspicious police partners and towns folk, some from other times and stuck in the present situation.
Like her other “Quantum Curator” series, St. John blends quirky entanglement, some initial disorientation, sly humor and a crisp writing style that makes this new effort an engaging read.
The idea of traveling back and forth in time for various reasons and dramatic effects has been a popular device for books, film and television production. Just consider some of productions using this ploy in recent times:
• “Portrait of Jenny” (1940) – a young woman keeps reappearing in an artist’s life around Manhattan at different stages of her life with heartwarming and heartrending consequences (Jennifer Jones, Jospeh Cotton)
• “Time After Time” (1979) – by means of a time machine, futurist HG Wells pursues Jack the Ripper across modern San Francisco to prevent murder (Malcom McDowell, David Warner, Mary Steenburgen)
• “The Terminator” movie series (1984 launch) – future cyborgs return to adjust the past for the long-term benefit of mankind (Arnold Schwarzenegger)
• “Outlander” (2014) – multi-season TV episodes of Claire Randall and Jaime Fraser traveling from Scottish Highlands to North Carolina mountains around the Battle of Culloden to the American Revolution (Sam Heughan, Claire Balfe)
There’s a new wrinkle now with a quasi-quantum physics approach called “map running”: the ability of certain people to pop in and out of specific locations at different times and eras, sometimes centuries apart. Although scientific in nature, this technique is considered an alternative legitimate skill called “magic” and those endowed are “practitioners”.
Eva St. John’s 2025 entertaining science fantasy thriller, “Flint in the Bones”, is set in an alternative world around London and primarily Norwich, United Kingdom during present day. While much seems the same, it is quite different with some “Dune” like elements.
Detective Eliza Barnaby at London City police headquarters finds herself dispatched to Norwich to track down and bring back William Cade, a rogue practitioner who appears to have murdered several people in London. Upon discovery, he escaped seemingly through solid walls by map running into another time dimension within the same location.
However, Barnaby also has nascent map running skills she intentionally keeps disguised, replete with olfactory and other physical signals alerting her when “maps are about to shift.” She and her newly appointed police dog companion, Harry a spaniel, set off in hot pursuit. The romp leads them through various alleys, assortments of suspicious police partners and towns folk, some from other times and stuck in the present situation.
Like her other “Quantum Curator” series, St. John blends quirky entanglement, some initial disorientation, sly humor and a crisp writing style that makes this new effort an engaging read.
May 7, 2025
I found this book on Kickstarter and was so enthralled by her cover and artwork that I had to back it.
For a low price I was able to get an AI audio (I think she offered a human narrator for a higher backer level but I stayed cheap since I didn’t know the author).
This was an interesting tale- part mystery, part learning to face your past and realize the disdain you have for a place might not be for the place itself but for all the pain you experienced when you were there.
Occasionally I felt like the story hopped and I wasn’t sure if a paragraph was deleted on accident or if I zoned out, so Im not docking any ratings. -just a note for the author if this is a repeat mention.
The characters were colorful and relatable as was the town, and I love how “London changed so much” when Bish had only been gone a few days. ❤️
The AI narration was decent for a robot, but a human would do better. If I was new to audiobooks it might drive me crazy but I listen to enough that it didn’t bother me so much.
There was a fair amount of foul language, the murders were gory but thankfully not described too in-depth, and there was no sex on the page. In fact, I feel certain this is leading to a romance and couldn’t decide which guy it was, but nothing really happened either way in that respect. She knows how to bring me back for the next book 😂
P.s. I read the prequel novella, The Fatal Night, and I feel like it was necessary to understanding the danger of Norwich in Flint in the Bones.
For a low price I was able to get an AI audio (I think she offered a human narrator for a higher backer level but I stayed cheap since I didn’t know the author).
This was an interesting tale- part mystery, part learning to face your past and realize the disdain you have for a place might not be for the place itself but for all the pain you experienced when you were there.
Occasionally I felt like the story hopped and I wasn’t sure if a paragraph was deleted on accident or if I zoned out, so Im not docking any ratings. -just a note for the author if this is a repeat mention.
The characters were colorful and relatable as was the town, and I love how “London changed so much” when Bish had only been gone a few days. ❤️
The AI narration was decent for a robot, but a human would do better. If I was new to audiobooks it might drive me crazy but I listen to enough that it didn’t bother me so much.
There was a fair amount of foul language, the murders were gory but thankfully not described too in-depth, and there was no sex on the page. In fact, I feel certain this is leading to a romance and couldn’t decide which guy it was, but nothing really happened either way in that respect. She knows how to bring me back for the next book 😂
P.s. I read the prequel novella, The Fatal Night, and I feel like it was necessary to understanding the danger of Norwich in Flint in the Bones.
June 20, 2025
What a great twist on the "magic exists" world building; as in her previous series, "The Quantum Curators", (I highly recommend that series by the way) the author has created a world that is pretty much ours but with a twist. The twist isn't so much that magic exists, but more in the nature of it; there is natural magic, "wild magic", that "practioners" take and convert into "manufactured magic" that is then used to power all the same appliances that we power by electricity. These "practicioners" have a lot of power, both political and legal.
A "magical accident" causes a spell to go wrong and plunge Norwich into a magical chaos (don't want to say too much due to possible spoilers) that affects Norwich throughout it's timeline. Our protagonist, "Bish" is a survivor of that chaos that got out of Norwich ten years prior to where the story begins.
What happened to Norwich and what caused it to happen is the, very, novel "twist" I spoke of at top.
The story flows nicely and the characters are fully fleshed out and interesting and it's a great start to Eva St. Johns new series.
A "magical accident" causes a spell to go wrong and plunge Norwich into a magical chaos (don't want to say too much due to possible spoilers) that affects Norwich throughout it's timeline. Our protagonist, "Bish" is a survivor of that chaos that got out of Norwich ten years prior to where the story begins.
What happened to Norwich and what caused it to happen is the, very, novel "twist" I spoke of at top.
The story flows nicely and the characters are fully fleshed out and interesting and it's a great start to Eva St. Johns new series.
July 4, 2025
Emtertaining and Different
This is that rarity in the fantasy world: an original plot within an original milieu. Norwich is a shunned city after a magical disaster. Elements and people from throughout Norwich's history have mashed together in the novel's present and all the resultant problems and contradictions have reached an uneasy accommodation - Puritans with 18th century libertines, a 14th century anchoress with 21st century hen parties. The rest of the world regards it as a plague city. A London detective and a rather cute Spaniel are sent to apprehend a supposed magical killer. But all is not as it appears ....
After the expository stages, this turns into a highly entertaining magical murder mystery. It's also great tourist publicity for Norwich - a town with an amazing history - I stopped reading halfway through to read up on it! A brilliant beginning to what promises to be an excellent series.
This is that rarity in the fantasy world: an original plot within an original milieu. Norwich is a shunned city after a magical disaster. Elements and people from throughout Norwich's history have mashed together in the novel's present and all the resultant problems and contradictions have reached an uneasy accommodation - Puritans with 18th century libertines, a 14th century anchoress with 21st century hen parties. The rest of the world regards it as a plague city. A London detective and a rather cute Spaniel are sent to apprehend a supposed magical killer. But all is not as it appears ....
After the expository stages, this turns into a highly entertaining magical murder mystery. It's also great tourist publicity for Norwich - a town with an amazing history - I stopped reading halfway through to read up on it! A brilliant beginning to what promises to be an excellent series.
June 30, 2025
This book will make my Top 10 list for 2025!
The premise is original, the characters pop with life, and Harry the spaniel wags his way into our hearts.
It is a time of magic. Elizabeth "Bish" Barnaby, a London detective, is sent to Norwich to apprehend a rogue "practitioner" accused of murder. A native of Norwich that survived a cataclysmic event brought on by experimenting practitioners, Bish is immune to the wild magic that drives outsiders mad. Accompanying her is Harry, a failed police dog that is meant to protect her.
Norwich has been altered by magic. Maps of the city throughout its long history have merged. Timelines have converged. Old buildings reappear, bringing their inhabitants with them. People from the breadth of English history walk the streets of Norwich...and one of them is a murderer.
I'm looking forward to the further adventures of Bish & Harry.
The premise is original, the characters pop with life, and Harry the spaniel wags his way into our hearts.
It is a time of magic. Elizabeth "Bish" Barnaby, a London detective, is sent to Norwich to apprehend a rogue "practitioner" accused of murder. A native of Norwich that survived a cataclysmic event brought on by experimenting practitioners, Bish is immune to the wild magic that drives outsiders mad. Accompanying her is Harry, a failed police dog that is meant to protect her.
Norwich has been altered by magic. Maps of the city throughout its long history have merged. Timelines have converged. Old buildings reappear, bringing their inhabitants with them. People from the breadth of English history walk the streets of Norwich...and one of them is a murderer.
I'm looking forward to the further adventures of Bish & Harry.
May 2, 2025
What a great story so much I’ve already bought book 1 of Eva’s other books.
Norfolk has been affected by practitioner magic and from merging maps of its history Norfolk is now a mix of modern and the past.
Eliza is a detective working in London police and upon trying to detain a rogue practitioner is tasked with returning to Norfolk and finding the killer.
A quiet introverted person due to her past Bish is now visiting Norfolk and finding how much it and she has changed. A wonderful story interwoven with magic and adventure elements. Need more and now eagerly awaiting book 2 give me more Bish and Harry the dog
Norfolk has been affected by practitioner magic and from merging maps of its history Norfolk is now a mix of modern and the past.
Eliza is a detective working in London police and upon trying to detain a rogue practitioner is tasked with returning to Norfolk and finding the killer.
A quiet introverted person due to her past Bish is now visiting Norfolk and finding how much it and she has changed. A wonderful story interwoven with magic and adventure elements. Need more and now eagerly awaiting book 2 give me more Bish and Harry the dog
April 25, 2025
Prepare to enter a new world where magic is now the order of the day. When used in a controlled fashion, magic helps society to live in comfort but when magic goes sideways, it creates a new reality for the city of Norwich. Join Bish, her dog Harry and a cast of characters pulled from multiple centuries as they raced to save Norwich from a murderer who is cutting a path of fear through the city while also trying to apprehend a rogue practitioner. Flint in the Bones is the first book in a new series from author Eva St. John whose Quantum Curator series is a must read also.
July 24, 2025
After a slightly rocky start (i.e. the bit in London) this settles down to be a very good read for people that like Ben Aaronovitch’s Rivers of London. People like me. So I very much enjoyed Ms St.John’s first novel. I liked the deep local knowledge of Norwich and the principles underpinning magic. I sincerely hope that there will be a follow up novel continuing the adventures of Bish Barnaby in the malleable reality of Norwich
October 7, 2025
Such an unexpected delight with complex world building, and a really interesting cast of characters. I loved watching Bish go back to her past and generally be a competent kick ass character. Harry was the bestest boy and the side characters were also well developed. The mystery was also well done and I really want to continue with the series.
June 3, 2025
First in a brand new series from the author of the brilliant Quantum Curators books. Really loved this book, with its unusual premise of maps actually having an effect on reality, and introduced you to some really great characters. Can't wait to see how the rest of the series unfolds
June 3, 2025
This is a fantastic story by Eva St John (author of the great Quantum Curators series of books). Never has Norwich been so interesting or intriguing. If you like Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London Books or Benedict Jacka's Alex Verus books, then you'll love Flint in the Bones.
June 4, 2025
Absolutly Bloody Loved It. First book in awhile that I just had to read in one sitting. Jodi Taylor meets Ben Aaronvitch , Vivian Shaw and Genevieve Gogman down at Black Books for a drink in Norwich and this is the result. Magic.
June 10, 2025
Excellent World Building
Like the Quantum Curator series this Author excels on world building. Made me wish to be immune to the effects of magic and able to move to Norwich. Hope there is more of Kevin in the upcoming books.
Like the Quantum Curator series this Author excels on world building. Made me wish to be immune to the effects of magic and able to move to Norwich. Hope there is more of Kevin in the upcoming books.
June 11, 2025
Delightful new series!
I love Ms. St. John's Quantum Curator series. I've read them all.
This first book was quite different due to the new setting and characters, yet just as enjoyable. Now that I've read the book, I really want to visit Norwich!
I love Ms. St. John's Quantum Curator series. I've read them all.
This first book was quite different due to the new setting and characters, yet just as enjoyable. Now that I've read the book, I really want to visit Norwich!
June 17, 2025
Uncharted times
I really enjoyed this book. Are we, as people, really different from our ancestors? Do the same prejudices, likes, and dislikes carry on through time? Has London always thought that it is superior to elsewhere? All this and more in a story that is well mapped out.
I really enjoyed this book. Are we, as people, really different from our ancestors? Do the same prejudices, likes, and dislikes carry on through time? Has London always thought that it is superior to elsewhere? All this and more in a story that is well mapped out.
July 9, 2025
Wow what a brilliant and unusual adventure! I loved this book from beginning to end. The characters are brilliantly written, the ideas captivating and the plot line is page turning. I urge anyone to read this novel as it’s unlike any other book I’ve read.
August 21, 2025
Harry Potter for grown ups
Well, I say grownup, but, but maybe I mean just numerically older. This book is imaginative and brilliantly funny. Any Jodi Taylor - At Mary's fans will love the style of writing and humour. Now straight off to Get the next book in the series.
Well, I say grownup, but, but maybe I mean just numerically older. This book is imaginative and brilliantly funny. Any Jodi Taylor - At Mary's fans will love the style of writing and humour. Now straight off to Get the next book in the series.
September 19, 2025
interesting new idea
Thankfully a book with a real idea and not based on romance with every male character of a suitable age. Also the relief of not having to sit through war in a fantasy book. Very nicely written. A different sort of main character.
Thankfully a book with a real idea and not based on romance with every male character of a suitable age. Also the relief of not having to sit through war in a fantasy book. Very nicely written. A different sort of main character.
September 26, 2025
Immensely enjoyed this book. Great setting and circumstance - and having lived in Norwich a number of years ago I loved the characterisation and descriptions of the city, feeling a strong sense of Ona e coming through. Great plot and characters too. Looking forward to the next one.
April 21, 2025
I don't usually read sci-fi, but this was a great blend. I really, really enjoyed the style of writing ... to make it 5 star, it would be a guessable culprit.
May 26, 2025
What a great book and a great idea. Sci fi / fantasy and crime all mixes together with people from different time lines - thanks to some magic which went wrong.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
June 9, 2025
Where do I start? it's a perfect blend of past and present, murder and mystery. I cannot wait to continue to read about Bish and our mystery man.
June 10, 2025
Absolutely loved this story. Eva St John creates fantastic alternate worlds and this new one is no exception. Highly recommended!
June 11, 2025
Brilliant! Exciting, well paced story with very likeable characters.
June 15, 2025
I fell in love with Bish almost immediately, addicted to this book from the start, divine
June 19, 2025
Absolutely brilliant start to a new series, I can't wait for the next one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews