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The Gallery of Bones
Introducing Kate Threadgold. A motorbike-loving heritage curator, she’s back in her hometown, restoring the Geological Gallery at Biddulph Grange, a historic English garden.
Kate wasn’t keen to return home. She’s haunted by the hurt she caused when she left. And by the memories of her friend who went missing in the Grange thirty years ago. Still, there’s not long until the Gallery launch and then she’ll be out of there and onto her next placement.
But then the Gallery’s palaeontologist is found murdered.
Introducing DS Ryan Dee. Accused of being a nepo baby by his ogre of a boss, Ryan is quietly ambitious and determined to make his mark. But he has a secret he can’t even admit to himself. And another he can’t admit to his boss – he and Kate were once lovers.
Can Kate and Ryan work together to solve the murder? And stop the murderer striking again as past and present collide?
The Gallery of Bones is a gripping, character-led mystery perfect for fans of Elly Griffiths, Ann Cleeves and Rachel McLean.
Kate wasn’t keen to return home. She’s haunted by the hurt she caused when she left. And by the memories of her friend who went missing in the Grange thirty years ago. Still, there’s not long until the Gallery launch and then she’ll be out of there and onto her next placement.
But then the Gallery’s palaeontologist is found murdered.
Introducing DS Ryan Dee. Accused of being a nepo baby by his ogre of a boss, Ryan is quietly ambitious and determined to make his mark. But he has a secret he can’t even admit to himself. And another he can’t admit to his boss – he and Kate were once lovers.
Can Kate and Ryan work together to solve the murder? And stop the murderer striking again as past and present collide?
The Gallery of Bones is a gripping, character-led mystery perfect for fans of Elly Griffiths, Ann Cleeves and Rachel McLean.
376 pages, ebook
Published March 25, 2026
About the author
Mandy Byatt
4 books39 followersI’m Mandy Byatt and I spend my time pondering the best ways to murder people – in my novels, of course!
I’ve had two psychological thrillers published, Just Another Liar and The Younger Woman, and I’ve just launched my new crime series, The British Heritage Mysteries. Book 1, The Gallery of Bones, and Book 2, The Tower of the Winds, are both out now.
"I inhaled this book in a couple of sittings: it was propulsive, engaging and with an emotional heart that had me rooting for (almost) all the characters. I loved it." Emily Barr
You can read more about the series and my books on my website. I hope you enjoy exploring England’s historic properties with me… and solving the murders and mysteries!
I’ve had two psychological thrillers published, Just Another Liar and The Younger Woman, and I’ve just launched my new crime series, The British Heritage Mysteries. Book 1, The Gallery of Bones, and Book 2, The Tower of the Winds, are both out now.
"I inhaled this book in a couple of sittings: it was propulsive, engaging and with an emotional heart that had me rooting for (almost) all the characters. I loved it." Emily Barr
You can read more about the series and my books on my website. I hope you enjoy exploring England’s historic properties with me… and solving the murders and mysteries!
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 16, 2026
Rating: 2.5/5
Mandy Byatt's first two novels were both creditworthy psychological thrillers with a tinge of noir fiction about them. For this, her third outing, the author has set up her own publishing company and moved into a different area of crime fiction, the police procedural.
I can be prone to having misgivings about reading police procedurals. There are so many run-of-the-mill examples out there that are melodramatic, hackneyed, stereotypical, and featuring a two-dimensional maverick lead detective with an all too predictable character flaw. It is challenging for any wordsmith who decides to venture down this track, because they will need to satisfy the expected genre tropes, but without succumbing to the associated potential pitfalls.
It was evident from Mandy Byatt's first two publications that she is adept at writing natural dialogue and creating relatable characters - something which is again apparent in "The Gallery of Bones". The police procedural genre essentially dictates the need for there to be a captivating lead protagonist (or protagonists). In an attempt to create something atypical, Mandy Byatt has opted for a pairing of Kate Threadgold, a motorbike-loving heritage curator and Detective Sergeant Ryan Dee, a police officer trying to combat suspicions that his career is aided by nepotism. To add to the intrigue, we learn that Kate and Ryan have previously been involved in a relationship with each other, which could clearly present complications for the investigative procedure. Whilst this pairing ticks the originality box, it isn't always particularly engaging. Kate's character works well enough, but I was less convinced by Ryan, whose constant fawning over Kate is at best distracting and often quite irritating. I suspect the novel may have worked better if there had been greater focus on Kate as an amateur sleuth and lead protagonist rather than trying to incorporate her into a police procedural structure.
The story is set around the North Staffordshire / Cheshire border area, which is where the author originates from. Being from a similar neck of the woods myself, I was able to appreciate the geographical references as well as some of the language usage and idiosyncrasies, such as noting the brand of pottery being used. That said, I am not sure how much of the impact of this detail will be lost on a wider reading audience.
Overall, there is the basis of a decent character-driven mystery here. It does take a while to get into its stride, but it gathers pace as the narrative develops and starts to come more fully into its own in the final quarter. For my own taste I preferred Mandy Byatt's two previous books, but I am sure there will be readers out there who think otherwise.
Many thanks to the author for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
Mandy Byatt's first two novels were both creditworthy psychological thrillers with a tinge of noir fiction about them. For this, her third outing, the author has set up her own publishing company and moved into a different area of crime fiction, the police procedural.
I can be prone to having misgivings about reading police procedurals. There are so many run-of-the-mill examples out there that are melodramatic, hackneyed, stereotypical, and featuring a two-dimensional maverick lead detective with an all too predictable character flaw. It is challenging for any wordsmith who decides to venture down this track, because they will need to satisfy the expected genre tropes, but without succumbing to the associated potential pitfalls.
It was evident from Mandy Byatt's first two publications that she is adept at writing natural dialogue and creating relatable characters - something which is again apparent in "The Gallery of Bones". The police procedural genre essentially dictates the need for there to be a captivating lead protagonist (or protagonists). In an attempt to create something atypical, Mandy Byatt has opted for a pairing of Kate Threadgold, a motorbike-loving heritage curator and Detective Sergeant Ryan Dee, a police officer trying to combat suspicions that his career is aided by nepotism. To add to the intrigue, we learn that Kate and Ryan have previously been involved in a relationship with each other, which could clearly present complications for the investigative procedure. Whilst this pairing ticks the originality box, it isn't always particularly engaging. Kate's character works well enough, but I was less convinced by Ryan, whose constant fawning over Kate is at best distracting and often quite irritating. I suspect the novel may have worked better if there had been greater focus on Kate as an amateur sleuth and lead protagonist rather than trying to incorporate her into a police procedural structure.
The story is set around the North Staffordshire / Cheshire border area, which is where the author originates from. Being from a similar neck of the woods myself, I was able to appreciate the geographical references as well as some of the language usage and idiosyncrasies, such as noting the brand of pottery being used. That said, I am not sure how much of the impact of this detail will be lost on a wider reading audience.
Overall, there is the basis of a decent character-driven mystery here. It does take a while to get into its stride, but it gathers pace as the narrative develops and starts to come more fully into its own in the final quarter. For my own taste I preferred Mandy Byatt's two previous books, but I am sure there will be readers out there who think otherwise.
Many thanks to the author for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
April 17, 2026
I literally could not put this book down- I woke in the middle of the night, started reading... and just had to find out what happened. Well crafted and engaging -needless to say I didn't fall back to sleep! Be warned!
March 16, 2026
An absolutely fabulous read. So many leads, keeping you guessing throughout. I am so pleased this is the first in a series and really look forward to reading other books that follow. So well written and the characters were so likeable. I was lucky enough to read an advance copy and leave this review voluntarily.
May 24, 2026
exciting read
This is the first book written by Mandy Byatt that I’ve read , I found if a good read as I come from Stoke-On-Trent I recognised the areas the book was written about the storyline was a bit complex in places but made it interesting and kept me reading so all in all an exciting read . Thank you Mandy Byatt for taking the time to write it
This is the first book written by Mandy Byatt that I’ve read , I found if a good read as I come from Stoke-On-Trent I recognised the areas the book was written about the storyline was a bit complex in places but made it interesting and kept me reading so all in all an exciting read . Thank you Mandy Byatt for taking the time to write it
March 16, 2026
Gripping, great characters and immersive settings. Subtle dark humour woven throughout. Highly recommended!
April 25, 2026
If you’re looking for a novel set in an English historic great house turned into a museum (a British Heritage site kind of like Downtown Abbey), this is the mystery novel for you. Upon my return from a vacation in England this summer, I was looking for something to read to keep that vibe going. This is a contemporary murder mystery, but not cozy or like Agatha Christie, more like Elly Griffiths. Really interesting detectives and setting and mystery. I sincerely hope this is the first in a series, because I definitely want to read more!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews