Cold Bones

DS Aector McAvoy #8

by David Mark (Contributor)

It's the coldest winter in Hull for years. When McAvoy is told by a concerned stranger that an elderly women hasn't been seen for a few days, he goes to check on her - only to find her body encased in ice: the heating off; the windows open; the whole house frozen over. It could be a macabre accident, but when McAvoy finds a series of cryptic messages, he senses murder. Someone watched her die.

As he starts to uncover the victim's story and her connections to a lost fishing trawler, his boss Trish is half a world away, investigating a mysterious death in Iceland. Hull and Iceland have traditionally been united by fishing - but in this case, they are united by a secret concealed for half a century, and a series of brutal killings that have never been linked. Until now - when the secrets of the dead have returned to prey on the living.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Procedural

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 24, 2019

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The newest book in the Aector McAvoy series is a dark, cold mystery. The setting is Hull, with long-buried secrets from its fishing industry heyday. It all starts with finding a deceased elderly woman. The woman was a social worker in the 1960’s, placing young children in the local orphanage when their fathers were lost at sea and their mothers had no means of support.

Aector’s boss, Trish Pharaoh, has secretly gone to Iceland to help with the investigation of an Englishman who was found in the icy ocean waters at the bottom of a cliff. His last word was “McAvoy.” While Trish is there, McAvoy is Acting Detective Inspector. He’s having his usual self-doubt about whether he is doing the right thing in his investigation. He’s being closely managed by Area Commander Slattery and is told his investigation is not related to Hull’s benefactor, who is the son of the town’s hero, Rory Ballantine. When two old trawlermen are found gruesomely murdered, Aector knows there is a connection.

At a point when I felt a bit of confusion, I went back and started keeping notes of who was who and their relationships. I think that helped me keep the story straight, but still, near the end, I again felt confused. I had to review what I’d read so that I understood exactly what happened. I don’t think the author could have made things clearer so I think it was just my brain.

The book was very atmospheric and felt realistic. There were happily some lighter moments with Aector’s daughter, Lilah, and with his wife, Roisin. I did miss the interactions between Aector and Trish, but the ending made up for it.

I give kudos to David Mark for honoring the history of the Hestle Road fishing community and its relationship with Iceland in his note at the end.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Bones is the eighth novel to feature DS Aector McAvoy and DI Trish Pharaoh of Humberside Police, set in Hull. It is intricately plotted so requires the reader to pay full attention whilst reading, and the two-pronged investigation whereby McAvoy and Pharoah search for answers separately by each following different leads which could blow the case wide open is a refreshing concept. There is much made by the author of Hull's fishing industry and fishermen, and I actually learned some interesting information about it all; I certainly wasn't expecting that! There aren't any of the usually requisite twists and turns, red herrings and misdirection per se, but the information the police learn is introduced slowly, and eventually, the whole story unravels.

I found the decision to try a novel investigative approach by having the two partners operating independently of one another worked superbly, and I enjoyed the two different perspectives and thoughts each of them has of the case. We get to see how McAvoy and Pharaoh think whilst on their own. That said, I did miss the banter which usually goes on between them, and they indeed make an impressive and pretty successful pairing. Each of the books in this series can be a read as standalones, but in order to understand the crucial relationships and the recurring players, it is most beneficial to read from the very beginning. It's a dark, intense and gripping tale of revenge and sacrifice and with characters that sing from each page.

Many thanks to Mulholland Books for an ARC.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally got the chance to catch up on one of favourite series. A huge maple-syrup-covered Canadian thank you to Brenda & Jim for conspiring to send a copy north of the border 👏

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. David Mark has given us a right chilly thriller this time, featuring gentle giant McAvoy and the edgy engaging Trish Pharoah.

Set against the backdrop of the old fishing community in Hull and the cold but beautiful Iceland, both are looking into recent deaths that hide age old secrets. A pact made years before comes back to haunt those who agreed it and that haunting comes with blood..

I've always loved this series because the mystery elements are always so clever and involving, the descriptive sense of it is often deeply disturbing and David Mark paints his landscapes in vivid, authentic colour.

This particular story has an almost horror film vibe, with darkly violent acts bringing hidden lies slowly out into the light. It is cleverly woven and hugely satisfying with a strong emotional core.

The ending is brilliant and the whole thing beautifully unpredictable.

Another winner in this already winning series.

Recommended.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed this latest in the series and feel this one is the best one so far. the novel is 2 split investigations in Iceland and hull which have links to each other.

[Jannelies (living between hope and fear) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's great to read how Thrish Pharaoh and Aector McAvoy work independently while you know that at one point in the story it will become clear that the two stories are linked. Of course they are linked! We get to know our two leading characters a little better which sets the tone for the following books in this series.
It's complicated and sometimes confusing but it's a masterpiece - again.

[Elaine Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an advance copy of Cold Bones, the eighth novel to feature DS Aector McAvoy and DI Trish Pharaoh of Humberside Police.

Trish is on a need to know investigation leaving Aector as Acting Inspector when he finds the body of Enid Chappell frozen to death in her bathtub. Accident or murder? They won’t know until the body is defrosted but Aector suspects the latter and investigates accordingly. In the meantime Trish, unknown to her team, is in Iceland investigating a suspicious death.

I thoroughly enjoyed Cold Bones which has a convoluted plot line and some interesting glimpses of Hull’s past as a fishing town. The novel switches point of view between Trish and Aector as they pursue their separate enquiries, both unaware of the other’s progress. Both plot lines are compulsive but the big winner is the reader who gets oversight of both investigations and knows more than the detectives. This helps to put the plot into perspective as it is complex, detailed and easy to get lost in if you’re not paying attention. Much of it centres on events of long ago, notably the unlucky Ballantine family who have lost too many members, and a group of fishermen who are hiding a secret. I found myself itching to get back to it when I had to put it down because I found the slow trickle of reveals absorbing, making me want to know more and how it all fits together. I must admit that I found the answers rather unbelievable but that hardly matters as the journey to that point is so enjoyable.

I’m all for authors trying a different approach so I was interested to see how Aector and Trish would do flying solo. I missed the fun of their banter and while Aector is Aector, pursuing his case doggedly and apprehensively, Trish is a shadow of herself, subdued and depressed. I think for the reader they work better as a team than as individuals.

Cold Bones is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pitch perfect

[Tiger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as dark and depressing as ever. Just as good.

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creepy, intense, and utterly absorbing, COLD BONES by David Mark has all of the hallmarks of an excellent crime fiction novel and I struggled to put it down.

What should be a straightforward call-in on an elderly resident soon becomes something a lot more sinister as McAvoy quickly realises that the old woman who froze in her bathtub was murdered, and as forensics start to paint a picture, this is a cruel and unusual crime that feels very personal. From a lost fishing trawler, unsung heroes, and a strange death in Iceland springs a darkness that knows no bounds and is determined to seek revenge on those from the past. As the bodies begin to mount up will McAvoy and his team figure out this complicated den of secrets before it is too late?

Dark and extremely compelling, this is a crime fiction story that will keep you on your toes with a main character that warms your heart and makes you believe in the goodness of the world even as he wades through the evil that is everywhere around. There is plenty of ups and downs, dead-ends and misunderstandings, but I loved how the plot kept me guessing and I cannot wait to read more from this author.

COLD BONES by David Mark is a must for crime fiction fans and I look forward to more from McAvoy and his colleagues.

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not my favorite in the series. The plot was just too unrealistic to me. It even seemed to border on science fiction. I am a big fan of this series and I was somewhat disappointed that the two protagonists had little contact throughout the book. The back story, the harrowing lives of the trawlermen, is done very well and I found it most interesting reading. On to the next, soon I hope.

[G.J. Minett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just the most marvellous and underhyped series! I've read and loved all 8 books, watching Aector, Pharaoh and Roisin develop, and this feels like a novel that really matters to its author. It's almost an homage to Hull and its trawling families as they adjust to the collapse of not just an industry but a way of life that gives meaning to the hardships they've endured. Throw in some fantastically observed natural descriptions of Iceland in all its harsh glory and you have the perfect backdrop for a compelling and well-crafted storyline. Terrific! David Mark is a writer of real quality.

[Cidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book number 8 in the series?! Where has this author been all my life! I hate to use the word "enjoy" in the context of the plot of this book, but it was highly readable and held my attention well. It was very gruesome though and I really didn't "enjoy" the descriptions of the depravities which were performed on the persons being killed.

It had quite a complicated plot, one part set in Hull and the other set in Iceland. In Hull acting DI Aector McAvoy is looking into the death of an elderly ex social worker found encased in a bath of ice in January with all the doors and windows open on a very frosty day, but everyone of her arthritic fingers had been dislocated leaving her unable to get out of the bath. Meanwhile in Iceland his boss Det Supt Trish Pharoah (what a name!) is looking into a hush hush case, unknowing that the case collided with McAvoy's case, and what are rapidly becoming cases, back in Hull. The worlds of working on fishing trawlers come crashing together, but not without more murders, more cryptic clues and more secrets than I could cope with at one point.

I didn't feel as if the book had actually ended, yes we had the conclusion as to who committed all those horrific murders, but I felt that the actions of AC Slattery which were a bit bizarre to me, were not carried on at the end of the book, why was he so against the investigation beginning, and then carrying on? He came across as a fairly evil devil himself, was he? Had a bit been cut out of the book?

The bits which made Aector come alive for me, and which I really liked, were the occasional glimpses we had of his life at home with his family, those little touches and those little descriptions which happen in every family in every day, which made him and his wife Roisin suddenly feel quite real, at one point I felt I was transported back to the breakfast table of years ago with my children. You don't get that often in books. I'd like to read more of Mr Mark's books.

[Anne, Unfinished Woman · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPOILER ALERT

A brutal and gory story. I got bogged down a couple of times. The author brilliantly portrays the history of Hull's heyday fishing industry, it's brief wealth and its disintegration...and the effects on fishing families and friends. A young girl, Roberta, whose father dies, goes to live with her brother and his wife. She adores her brother Rory Ballantine. She then is brutally raped during which the rapist pulls out a patch of her black hair. Rory, age 23, then is lost at sea, and between the rape and the loss of her brother, Roberta loses her hold on life, drinking and wandering. Mags, Rory's widow, gives birth to twins, remarries the abusive Arthur Lowery who is killed. And so begin the secrets that will bring down the family, their friends and lead to multiple killings.

The prologue moves us right into the killing: of Gerard Wade, by Vidarr, (a Norse mythological character) the appellation taken by the avenger, one of the men from past events. It is an unbelievably gory murder, complete with a horrifying costume, a fishhook and memories of past wrongdoings. This method of killing continues throughout the narrative.

As the story begins, a brutally cold winter day, Aector McAvoy is pointed to a house where the elderly woman inhabitant hasn't been seen in days. There he finds Enid Chappell encased in a bathtub of solid ice, the windows open fully, her chickens dead around the property. (Forensics later show that there are chips of ice in the block, indicating that ice was brought to the scene, and there are other horrifying things in the killing including her ankles bound by woven human hair.) He assesses the room and determines someone sat in a rocking chair and watched her die. His boss, DSU Trish Pharoah is away, for an unknown reason, someplace cold. When he calls for backup, his current superior, Area Commander Slattery puts him off, unwilling to consider the death as a possible homicide. He is an ambitious man looking to become Chief Constable in his near future and lays out his imagined road to success. He will tolerate nothing as an obstacle. As the story progresses, and possible connections between this death and other horrible killings, that may touch the lives of the Ballantines, Stephen Ballantine being a wealthy, prominent acquaintance, Slattery refuses to let McAvoy pursue them. He is aware of McAvoy's successes and his intelligence, but time and again as more deaths are discovered he commands that McAvoy stay away from the Ballantines.

Stephen Ballantine is a philanthropist, who is looking to make his father, Rory proud. But he has a Jekyll and Hyde personality, going punching McAvoy in the race, and licking DC Andy Daniells on the face. Where is his twin, Tommy? Their mother, Mags Aspinall now lives in a remote home on the cliffs. Enid Chappell was the social worker for the troubled boys Tommy Ballantine and Billy Godson, and was the glue that held the family together after Rory is lost, until Mags remarries.

While McAvoy is investigating, Trish is in Iceland, brought there by an email directed at McAvoy that she intercepts. She believes she is shielding him. It, however, has brought Pharaoh to the scene of the sinking of the Blake Purcell, a ship on which Rory Ballantine, Michael Timpson and Billy Godson were lost, and others nearly died in 1969. The body of Albert Jonsson, aka Marlowe, aka Russel Chandler, is found on a remote beach. He was reporter who had done a story in CrymeLog on a possible serial killer and a possible victim, Roberta. He had teamed up with Chappell to reveal secrets long buried, that may lead to a serial killer, a man who yanks out a patch of hair on each of his victims. He is alive only long enough to say McAvoy's name twice to a photographer who finds him. There is a connection to McAvoy from an earlier case. Pharaoh doggedly pursues the case, though the local police are reluctant to go to the scene. When convinced to make the trip they are confronted with a dangerous and massive surprise, that turns the story on its ear.

One by one the seven fisherman from the tight group die: Michael Timpson, Billy Godson, Rory Ballantine, at sea, Gerard Wade, Alf Howe, Des Kavanagh, Napper Acklam, followed by those who know the details of the secret, by the avengers.

This is very complicated tale and pieces are revealed slowly leading to wrong conclusions, confused directions and a completely unexpected twist in the end. Pharoah's life is at risk as is McAvoy's. Both extreme child abuse and the issue of identity play significant roles in the plot, and the lives of the characters. I had to suspend my comfort zone around the level of the evil of the killer(s), and the imaginative description of their appearances. Mark is very subtle in his writing and some of his narrative requires careful reading to envision or understand what is transpiring. Once again this author is genius telling an obscure tale. At the same time he gives the reader a realistic picture of Hull's history, providing details of specific events, such as the development of social services at the time, that bring depth and avoid moving into fantasy. McAvoy is one of my favorite characters: sensitive, compassionate, intuitive, intelligent, tenacious; brilliantly developed. He is truly, morally good and often confused by the evil around him, and the people who inhabit his work, especially Trish, who sees him clearly and loves him. He is more attractive as a devoted family man, who loves his wife and children more than anything else in his life. Roisin, his wife and a Traveler by birth, is quirky and fascinating and equally devoted, which makes for a breather in the horror. I highly recommend this entire series, though it is not for those with weak constitutions, the violence being explicit and inventive.

[Anneb]

It was ok - a little disjointed - reading it straight after the last was a mistake. Lots of weather.

[Lee-Anne Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and Turns

A vicious killer is out for revenge, silencing a group of people who all held a secret from many years previous. The action varies between Hull in the UK and Skagi in Iceland, where DS McAvoy, a very likeable character whose charms unfortunately are wasted on his Commander and the local philanthropist/benefactor of the community, Stephen Ballantine, son of the lost-at-sea Rory who was the beloved leader of this pack of individuals who now find themselves endangered. McAvoy's superior, Trish Pharaoh, is in Iceland looking into why McAvoy's name was on the lips of a dying man. Slowly between the two of them, mysteries unfurl, deepen and develop, and are gradually - and not without some personal and physical trials - unpicked, leading to the shocking conclusion. I guessed several times along the way and am happy to say I was repeatedly proved wrong! The insight into the Atlantic fishing community era was fascinating and engaging, men who worked hard, played hard, and often paid the ultimate price for being 'three day millionaires', and the strong community of women they left behind holding things together, were all well written and characterised in this book, with its good pacing and location descriptions. I haven't read any of the author's previous titles, so I feel I'm missing out somewhat on the subtleties of the relationships between McAvoy, his wife, and Pharaoh, but at the same time it was possible to enjoy the book thoroughly as a stand alone. When I'd finished it I felt compelled to read Storm Birds by Einar Kárason (tr. Quentin Bates) for an insight into the three day storm that sank several trawlers off Newfoundland in 1959, and I highly recommend you do the same!

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the eight novel in the series featuring DS Aector McAvoy and DI Trish Pharaoh of the Humberside Police. However this book starts with them working separate cases many miles apart. Pharaoh is on a hush-hush investigation into a death on the coast of Iceland. McAvoy, acting Inspector in her absence, is asked by a member of the public to check on an old lady who hasn't been seen for a number of days. He finds her encased in ice and this very quickly becomes a strange murder investigation, pulling in much of the history of the dying out fishing industry in Hull (in itself very interesting) which starts to look like it is digging up many long buried secrets. Whilst both detectives are unknowingly unearthing strands that are gradually drawing their two cases together, two mutilated dead bodies of former fishermen are discovered. McAvoy's boss, under local and political pressure, rules out a link to the old lady's death but McAvoy feels a connection and digs away until the whole story unravels leaving a gruesome and heart wrenching piece of history that a whole community thought had been buried. The author puts it so well - "half a century's worth of secrets and hidden bones". The plot is intricate and carries the reader along, giving out information slowly as the story progresses and makes sense of all the brutal killings that follow. McAvoy is a wonderful character and I can't recommend this book enough!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up after reading a good review in a literary magazine, and haven't read any of the others in the series. The slightly eccentric behaviour of some of the police team is probably explained earlier on! This book is set in Hull and in northern Iceland in January. Two places linked of course by the historic fishing connection, but in this case by some macabre secrets going back several decades. The harsh life of the Hull trawlermen and their families, and the many hardships suffered both while the industry was at its height and subsequently, are the background. This is a fairly grim story of betrayal, violence, dysfunctional families, and even bodies long buried on an eroding coast. It is very visual: easy to imagine this turned into uncomfortable Saturday night TV viewing! I was not sure why the senior detective had gone off on her own to pursue investigations in Iceland (with the missing parts of the story, as it turns out) without consulting colleagues, or why once there she seemed to be so uncooperative with the local police, but no doubt the back story of the previous books in the series makes it more understandable.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last book,so far, in the McAvoy series although Darkness Falls has since been written as a prequel to the series. Once again David Mark has woven his magic and had me gripped from the start. I just love the way David writes. His descriptive prose, the character driven stories and the dark events that really hit you in the face.

This is a story set around Hull’s fishing industry and the association the city has with Iceland but don’t let that put you off as this story will keep you enthralled right to the end.

In a small village on the outskirts of Hull an old lady is discovered dead, encased in a bath of ice. Who is she? Is it an accident or has she been murdered?

Meanwhile in Skagastrond, Skagi Peninsula, Iceland, a freelance journalist has been found dead at the bottom of cliffs. What brought the journalist to this back of beyond place? What is the connection between the two incidents.

This is a story of love, secrets and revenge and you will not want to put the book down.

[Alex Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Very Good

Book 9 in this superb series starring DS Aector McAvoy is another great read from David Mark.

A story set deeply in to the traditions and lives of the hill trawlermen of yesteryear. A dark and formidable story that’s as bleak and moving as the dark waters the sailors fished.

As ever David Mark’s exquisitely unique writing style is here to devour, it’s literary and sublime, and it’s simply very good.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a gruesomely gory melange of death and ice and broken bones should not be read as mere entertainment, yet, despite my occasional confusion as to what the hell was going on I admit to being unable to stop reading whilst also grateful I visited Iceland in the summer months. The balance of villains to McEvoy and Pharaoh less favourable to them, I felt, than usual, but I await book #9 with impatience.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow! This has to be the best in the series featuring DS Aector Mc Avoy and I don't quite know how we reached book 8.The story moves between the fishing community in Hull and Iceland. A chilling, convoluted plot with great research, descriptions and a brilliant ending. I have no hesitation with my 5* and highly recommend this series.Thanks to Net Galley and publisher for my ARC.

[Dabarai · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chilling thriller!

I really liked the plot and the ending. This was a chilling novel, full of disturbing stories and facts. I particularly enjoyed it being set in the real community and talking about real people and places. Really liked the main characters too, although will have to read the series now to learn more about them.

[PAUL · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author often goes under the radar when all the awards are dished out. Very underrated it seems. But for me David Mark is far better than some of the other so-called masters of the crime fiction genre.
Cold Bones is a little convoluted at times and you certainly need your wits' about you to follow the story but well worth the effort.

[Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

McAvoy is back in form and better than ever. Splitting up the narrative between Trish Pharaoh investigating a killing in Iceland and McAvoy doing some investigating into several murders of seniors in Hull works very well here. Looking forward to the next one.

[Bill Berger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another DS McAvoy thriller and as good they get. Nasty bad guy as usual and McAvoy get the crap beat out of him also as usual. This is really a great crime series and I see the author’s next two books are stand alone so I hope he’s just taking a hiatus from Hull.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a very complicated storyline with lots of characters and back and forth, unfortunately I had a bit of a gap before I read the final few chapters and the summing up so I couldn’t remember who everybody was, it was ok but I won’t be reading any more by this author.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aector's boss is away on some mysterious mission, leaving him in charge when the peculiar death of an old woman is discovered. Investigation uncovers secrets hidden away in a former close knfisking community. Clever mystery with plenty of twists.

[Jane Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written thriller but got somewhat confused with all the names.

[E Cheong · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF, story too depressing to continue reading ... but writing is good