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The Bone Reader
Cemirowl is gifted, and cursed. She sees the spirits of the dead, and sees the future in her basket of bones; her sight is cryptic, lacking, and mostly useless. In her tiny village, she is a priestess, but still an object of curiosity and an outcast.
A chance meeting brings one of the king's caballiers to her door for a reading, for nothing more than some entertainment. He is well-entertained indeed by her predictions of his lady loves... and far less so when she foretells a coming death. He leaves, dismissing her. But for all that her power is mysterious and often confusing, it is never, ever wrong.
When Queen Tidyri is murdered, the caballiers return for Cemirowl. She is brought unwillingly into the palace and into a web of intrigue and lies, where King Larthor rages in his grief. He demands that Cemirowl now use her gifts to find the one who killed his beloved wife.
Cemirowl must draw on all her abilities - her powers, no matter how unreliable; her intuition for reading people; her knowledge; and her wits - to discover the murderer, lay the spirits of the dead to rest, and help the living to grieve and find peace. And, perhaps, she will finally find a place where she belongs.
THE BONE READER is a fantastical murder mystery set in the rich world of Ihyel, where the hard-won peace between two kingdoms rests on the shoulders of one determined, compassionate priestess.
A chance meeting brings one of the king's caballiers to her door for a reading, for nothing more than some entertainment. He is well-entertained indeed by her predictions of his lady loves... and far less so when she foretells a coming death. He leaves, dismissing her. But for all that her power is mysterious and often confusing, it is never, ever wrong.
When Queen Tidyri is murdered, the caballiers return for Cemirowl. She is brought unwillingly into the palace and into a web of intrigue and lies, where King Larthor rages in his grief. He demands that Cemirowl now use her gifts to find the one who killed his beloved wife.
Cemirowl must draw on all her abilities - her powers, no matter how unreliable; her intuition for reading people; her knowledge; and her wits - to discover the murderer, lay the spirits of the dead to rest, and help the living to grieve and find peace. And, perhaps, she will finally find a place where she belongs.
THE BONE READER is a fantastical murder mystery set in the rich world of Ihyel, where the hard-won peace between two kingdoms rests on the shoulders of one determined, compassionate priestess.
- GenresFantasy
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2018
About the author
Mab Morris
19 books9 followersMab Morris writes fantasy fiction with reluctant heroines, sword--but without the obvious sorcery, paranormal mystery with ghost pets, and romance with enemies to lovers.
While on sabbatical to care for her elder mother, Mab continues to write. There's a growing canon of books that include the current Ihyel world--The beloved Bone Reader is becoming a trilogy--but more. A non Ihyel series is historical fantasy set in the 1800s, England, with a nonbinary main character. There's also the first in a space adventure.
Find her on FB or Instagram under "MabWrites" and DM her if you'd like to be part of her newsletter, where sneak peeks are available.
While on sabbatical to care for her elder mother, Mab continues to write. There's a growing canon of books that include the current Ihyel world--The beloved Bone Reader is becoming a trilogy--but more. A non Ihyel series is historical fantasy set in the 1800s, England, with a nonbinary main character. There's also the first in a space adventure.
Find her on FB or Instagram under "MabWrites" and DM her if you'd like to be part of her newsletter, where sneak peeks are available.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 9, 2022
So first let me say this is not a genre I ever read. Reminded me a cross between a renaissance faire and D&D. That being said the writing was very good and despite being outside of my comfort zone, I was quickly drawn into the story. The author does a great job at world building and the characters are easy to connect to. It had enough intrigue to keep it going and though I struggled through some sections at times, it was only because it was not a genre I was familiar with. However, outside of my failings it was a great read!
July 17, 2020
How interesting: a fantasy with a sort of quaint English whodunnit flavor. Wonderful idea and I’d love to see more of the same concept. Really enjoyed this book. I will probably explore more of this author’s work.
February 4, 2020
Ebook
Grade: B
Not a review, just some thoughts for personal reference.
Well, this was different, but interesting and good. Vaguely reminded me of the Abhorsen books, but is unique. I think this would have been an A read for me if the worldbuilding were more fleshed out--really, the book could have been longer in general. I guess that's a good thing, in a way: a reader wanting more. I also wish there were a sequel since I'd like to see more of these characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2020
Very entertaining.
I picked up this book on a whim. A fantasy/murder mystery you say? Well I was intrigued. This book did not disappoint. The author used her words well to tell the tale. I really liked the imagination of it. The suspense was good too! Who done it? Read it and find out. Rumor has it that there will be a sequel and it will end up on my buy list as soon as I see it!
I picked up this book on a whim. A fantasy/murder mystery you say? Well I was intrigued. This book did not disappoint. The author used her words well to tell the tale. I really liked the imagination of it. The suspense was good too! Who done it? Read it and find out. Rumor has it that there will be a sequel and it will end up on my buy list as soon as I see it!
November 4, 2019
Fantasy and mystery
I don't usually read fantasy. This was a very enjoyable read. I loved the intrigue and mystery. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries.
I don't usually read fantasy. This was a very enjoyable read. I loved the intrigue and mystery. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries.
November 22, 2025
The characters in this story jump off the page and leave you trying to piece together a complex puzzle of a mystery, only rendered more curious with some ghostly aid! Not quite a coming-of-age, but the protagonist certainly comes into her element with the challenges she faces. Following a rural funerary priest who is suddenly thrown into the politics of the king's palace, you get sucked right into the confusion and chaos of the murder mystery!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews