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Detective Deans #3
The Bone Hill
“Gripping Page Turner, Murder, Detectives & The Supernatural - Fabulous!” Amazon Review
A killer at large. A gift obscured by tragedy. One last chance for justice…As Detective Andrew Deans pieces together the fragments of his shattered life, the North Devon tide washes up another decapitated corpse. With his wife's funeral fresh in his mind, it is clear that Deans still hunts a methodical and cold-blooded killer…
Determined to end the horror and avenge his own heartbreaking loss, Deans exposes an ancient cult with a thirst for blood and a lust for human sacrifice. As he peels back the layers to the core of the deadly secret society, there can be only one guarantee – unless he acts quickly, more people will die.
Deans is staring down a terrifying evil, the like of which he’s never confronted. Time is against him, but the biggest question remains… who will be next?
The Bone Hill is the chilling conclusion to the Detective Deans Mystery trilogy. If you like spine-tingling action, tenacious cops, and a dash of the supernatural, then you’ll love James D Mortain’s page-turning novel.
Buy The Bone Hill to dig up a bloodcurdling mystery today!
Reader reviews:
“The way the story builds is breathtaking... I had to remind myself to breathe!” Amazon Review
“If you like murder mystery books, then this is one of the best.” Amazon Review
“The authors description of the plot makes you believe you're there yourself!” Amazon Review
“Has you on the edge of your seat all the way.” Amazon Review
“Full of twists and turns and I know I couldn’t have guessed how it would end.” Amazon Review
“Gripping from the off and I felt like I was living and breathing all the action and suspense.” Amazon Review
“This is the book you won’t want to put down - be ready for a one sitting read.” Amazon Review
“A totally gripping, action packed story that drags you in at the first page and does not let you go till you read the last word.” Amazon Review
“I’m sure we’ll see Detective Deans on the Television soon.” Amazon Review
“The entire series has been highly suspenseful, full of action with unsuspected twists and turns.” Amazon Review
For fans of Angela Marsons, Michael Connelly and Ann Cleeves.
The Detective Deans Mysteries:
BOOK 1: STORM LOG-0505
BOOK 2: DEAD BY DESIGN
BOOK 3: <
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 23, 2019
About the author
James D. Mortain
8 books77 followersFormer British CID Detective with the Avon and Somerset Constabulary turned crime fiction writer, James D Mortain brings compelling action and gritty authenticity to his writing through years of police experience.
He began writing in 2012, following a chance encounter in a Bath bar with SAS veteran, TV personality and author, Chris Ryan. Using his own real-life experiences within a busy CID department, James creates gripping, fast-paced crime thrillers that will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat until the very last page.
His first series has become a Kindle bestseller both in the UK and overseas. Featuring Detective Andrew Deans, these books are a chilling blend of police procedural and the paranormal.
James has also written a soon-to-be-released novel featuring DI Robbie Chilcott, which will start a new urban crime series set in Bristol, UK.
The Detective Deans Mysteries:
STORM LOG-0505
DEAD BY DESIGN
THE BONE HILL
THE DETECTIVE DEANS MYSTERY COLLECTION
THE NIGHT SHIFT (A short story prequel)
The DI Robbie Chilcott Mysteries:
DEAD RINGER - Coming February 2020
Visit James here:
Website: www.jamesdmortain.com
Email: jdm@manverspublishing.com
Twitter: @JamesDMortain
Facebook: James D Mortain and @DetectiveDeansSeries
Instagram: jamesmortain
He began writing in 2012, following a chance encounter in a Bath bar with SAS veteran, TV personality and author, Chris Ryan. Using his own real-life experiences within a busy CID department, James creates gripping, fast-paced crime thrillers that will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat until the very last page.
His first series has become a Kindle bestseller both in the UK and overseas. Featuring Detective Andrew Deans, these books are a chilling blend of police procedural and the paranormal.
James has also written a soon-to-be-released novel featuring DI Robbie Chilcott, which will start a new urban crime series set in Bristol, UK.
The Detective Deans Mysteries:
STORM LOG-0505
DEAD BY DESIGN
THE BONE HILL
THE DETECTIVE DEANS MYSTERY COLLECTION
THE NIGHT SHIFT (A short story prequel)
The DI Robbie Chilcott Mysteries:
DEAD RINGER - Coming February 2020
Visit James here:
Website: www.jamesdmortain.com
Email: jdm@manverspublishing.com
Twitter: @JamesDMortain
Facebook: James D Mortain and @DetectiveDeansSeries
Instagram: jamesmortain
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 24, 2019
Detective Deans s back under much sadder circumstances. After attending his wife's funeral, he swears he will have justice for her.
Deans has a gift, he can hear the dead. Maybe not hear exactly, but visions appear, and it is is dead wife who steers him in the right direction. His gift is expanding and it's always his wife's perfume that guides him. At first he kept his gift on the quiet side, but more and more people are becoming aware ... especially his supervisor and colleagues.
Deans is facing an evil like no other. It's a secret society cult that deals in death and sacrifice.
As the body count rises, he loses a little of his self confidence ....
The Bone Hill is the chilling conclusion to the Detective Deans mystery trilogy. The entire series has been highly suspenseful, full of action with unsuspected twists and turns. The paranormal aspects just make it more of a page turner.
The characters are finely drawn and memorable. The ending was not what I expected, but very satisfactory.
Many thanks to the author for the advanced digital copy of THE BONE HILL. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 11, 2023
If it was possible to give this a half a star then I would. Single word review of this 'police procedural' would be as follows: drivel.
Combine a thoroughly beige detective, with an incomprehensible plot and half an episode of 'Vikings' told by someone who had never watched it and you would have the makings of this book. Even the name Deans annoys me. It's like the author used a name ending with 's' just so they could show off their newfound knowledge of possessive apostrophes.
The dialogue made my eyes twitch. So much 'Ooh' and 'Eww' and 'Argh' that it borders on incoherent. The plot made my brain hurt. The sheer nonsense of it. The acronyms of police terminology explained in parenthesis were 'really useful' and not at all an embarrassing show of inside knowledge from the author...and trust me author is a loose term.
Avoid this.
Combine a thoroughly beige detective, with an incomprehensible plot and half an episode of 'Vikings' told by someone who had never watched it and you would have the makings of this book. Even the name Deans annoys me. It's like the author used a name ending with 's' just so they could show off their newfound knowledge of possessive apostrophes.
The dialogue made my eyes twitch. So much 'Ooh' and 'Eww' and 'Argh' that it borders on incoherent. The plot made my brain hurt. The sheer nonsense of it. The acronyms of police terminology explained in parenthesis were 'really useful' and not at all an embarrassing show of inside knowledge from the author...and trust me author is a loose term.
Avoid this.
February 25, 2019
Fantastic, gripping thriller that doesn't stop.
Firstly, buy this book. You won't regret it.
Its a brilliant thriller that I devoured in 2 days.
I couldn't wait to get to the end, then of course I was upset when I finished it because there was no more to read.
The police procedural aspect is bang on and there's just the right amount of the supernatural not to overwhelm the story.
I could believe the things that happen in it easily.
Its been amazing reading about Detective Dean's.
James D Mortain has delivered everything I want for a book.
Suspense, moodiness and drama.
Please write more books dood.
They're top notch.
Firstly, buy this book. You won't regret it.
Its a brilliant thriller that I devoured in 2 days.
I couldn't wait to get to the end, then of course I was upset when I finished it because there was no more to read.
The police procedural aspect is bang on and there's just the right amount of the supernatural not to overwhelm the story.
I could believe the things that happen in it easily.
Its been amazing reading about Detective Dean's.
James D Mortain has delivered everything I want for a book.
Suspense, moodiness and drama.
Please write more books dood.
They're top notch.
February 28, 2022
Totally captivating!
I am awestruck by this series for a few reasons. One, these are the first books this author has ever written! Two, I got so involved in a.paranormal police procedural!. This is way outside my normal these days. Three, where did James D Martin come up with this stuff?. Honestly I loved the series, and I loved this last book in the trilogy! The plot was original and amazing, the characters were wonderful and completely fleshed out. And I never saw the main suspect coming. I didn't want the story to end. I highly recommend this book, but you have to start from the first one, or it'll make no sense whatsoever. And while you're at it, bring an open mind!
I am awestruck by this series for a few reasons. One, these are the first books this author has ever written! Two, I got so involved in a.paranormal police procedural!. This is way outside my normal these days. Three, where did James D Martin come up with this stuff?. Honestly I loved the series, and I loved this last book in the trilogy! The plot was original and amazing, the characters were wonderful and completely fleshed out. And I never saw the main suspect coming. I didn't want the story to end. I highly recommend this book, but you have to start from the first one, or it'll make no sense whatsoever. And while you're at it, bring an open mind!
March 27, 2026
Una recensione collettiva per la trilogia in quanto i libri non hanno motivo di essere slegati l'uno dall'altro.
Mi trovo in minoranza in un giudizio nettamente negativo su questa serie.
La mia prima "critica" è che la narrazione sia divisa male tra i tre tomi. La prima parte, più breve, si interrompe bruscamente e la seconda riprende in modo altrettanto brusco. Mi metto nei panni di un lettore che parta dal secondo episodio e che si trova completamente frastornato da un libro che racconta una storia partendo dalla seconda puntata.
Il genere investigatore sensitivo, con le visioni, che vede i fantasmi è un po' troppo di moda e troppo frequente ma questo rientra in un "genere letterario" per cui potrei assumermi tutta la responsabilità di aver scelto male il genere di lettura.
Il problema è che lo stile narrativo, il modo in cui si segue la trama e i personaggi non reggono e, fosse stato anche un classico procedurale, il giudizio sarebbe il medesimo.
passiamo oltre e lasciamo la serie e l'autore agli estimatori.
Mi trovo in minoranza in un giudizio nettamente negativo su questa serie.
La mia prima "critica" è che la narrazione sia divisa male tra i tre tomi. La prima parte, più breve, si interrompe bruscamente e la seconda riprende in modo altrettanto brusco. Mi metto nei panni di un lettore che parta dal secondo episodio e che si trova completamente frastornato da un libro che racconta una storia partendo dalla seconda puntata.
Il genere investigatore sensitivo, con le visioni, che vede i fantasmi è un po' troppo di moda e troppo frequente ma questo rientra in un "genere letterario" per cui potrei assumermi tutta la responsabilità di aver scelto male il genere di lettura.
Il problema è che lo stile narrativo, il modo in cui si segue la trama e i personaggi non reggono e, fosse stato anche un classico procedurale, il giudizio sarebbe il medesimo.
passiamo oltre e lasciamo la serie e l'autore agli estimatori.
April 3, 2019
This was not a normal book I would enjoy reading but read the reviews and thought I would give it a go. The story was good but found it hard to read for a long time so only read in short bursts. But I wanted to keep reading to found out what happened so it did keep me reading until the end of the book.
February 25, 2019
Wow these books go from strength to strength.
With cliff hanging action and at several points I was holding my breath, this book is a must read if you want a different kind of detective story.
I am hooked.
With cliff hanging action and at several points I was holding my breath, this book is a must read if you want a different kind of detective story.
I am hooked.
February 27, 2019
Edge of seat
Couldn't wait to read this as had enjoyed the others in the series. Wasn't disappointed, couldn't put it down, has you on the edge of your seat all the way.
Would recommend this book.
Couldn't wait to read this as had enjoyed the others in the series. Wasn't disappointed, couldn't put it down, has you on the edge of your seat all the way.
Would recommend this book.
March 11, 2019
I am so glad that I read this series, it is brilliant, believable characters and story line, crime and a touch of the supernatural, an amazing combination that keeps you on the edge of your seat, I do hope that there are more books in this series as I'm totally hooked.
September 19, 2019
Great story!
Another instalment of the series which had me hooked. Now and again, I come across a style of writing which annoys me a tiny bit but when the story is as interesting and gripping as this, I tend to overlook it. Wish there was another book in the series!
Another instalment of the series which had me hooked. Now and again, I come across a style of writing which annoys me a tiny bit but when the story is as interesting and gripping as this, I tend to overlook it. Wish there was another book in the series!
October 23, 2020
The final book of the trilogy. This is a police thrillers with a bit of a psychic twist. Very easy to read all 3 books. I enjoyed them, short, fast paced chapters made all the books classic "page turner" books.
Nice to find a new author.
Nice to find a new author.
June 6, 2021
Riveting read
A perfect weld between the mundane world and the other world, the authors obvious experience makes the story seem so real ... its been a long time since I enjoyed a series do much , and even longer since I felt compelled to write a review... well done
A perfect weld between the mundane world and the other world, the authors obvious experience makes the story seem so real ... its been a long time since I enjoyed a series do much , and even longer since I felt compelled to write a review... well done
October 13, 2022
the bone hill
Deans welcomes help from Maria, for himself and Denise and himself in unraveling clues.
Dean still has a problem even though they are working closely together.
Surprises grab your attention with every page you turn until the end.
Deans welcomes help from Maria, for himself and Denise and himself in unraveling clues.
Dean still has a problem even though they are working closely together.
Surprises grab your attention with every page you turn until the end.
March 23, 2026
I enjoyed no3 in the series but he has stretched the supernatural to far for me , to give the story an easy way out . The second book is really the best of the trilogy. As its a trilogy you really need to read the first two books. So this is the end or shall we get anymore detective deans books.
March 23, 2019
Fantastic, page-turning and heart racing conclusion to the murders that brought Detective Deans to Devon. The feel of the book's pages is lovely.
May 11, 2019
Loved it!!!
Wonderful writing with twists be turns that keep you guessing. I hope there is smothering the series to come - all fantastic!
Wonderful writing with twists be turns that keep you guessing. I hope there is smothering the series to come - all fantastic!
October 16, 2019
Left me on the edge of my seat and gave me chills! A perfect thrilling finale!!
Lost a star due to the gruesome outcome and how I did feel some character plot lines were left out...
Lost a star due to the gruesome outcome and how I did feel some character plot lines were left out...
October 20, 2020
Good read.
April 12, 2023
Enjoy the series overall, bit disappointed with the ending.
April 27, 2025
I was a bit disappointed in the book, didn't seem to be as engaging as the prior 2 books. The basic plot was OK and the characters as expected but no new development or relationships.
May 6, 2025
Brilliant Trilogy
A murder mystery at it's best with intriguing twists and turns. Brilliant characters, especially Deans. The supernatural element is subtlety interwoven.
A murder mystery at it's best with intriguing twists and turns. Brilliant characters, especially Deans. The supernatural element is subtlety interwoven.
April 10, 2020
Great final installment to the Detective Deans trilogy. The novel is filled with unexpected killings and evolving paranormal elements, which the investigation grows to heavily involve. The suspense, unpredictability and fast pace of the novel will hold the readers attention until the end. A highly recommended trilogy
June 26, 2020
The Bone Hill
Five stars I have all three books in this series and I have really enjoyed every one of them (read)
Five stars I have all three books in this series and I have really enjoyed every one of them (read)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews