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Hills & Barbrook #1
The Hidden Bones
Following the recent death of her husband, Clare Hills is listless and unsure of her place in the world. When her former university friend Dr David Barbrook asks her to help him sift through the effects of deceased archaeologist Gerald Hart, she sees this as a useful distraction from her grief. During her search, Clare stumbles across the unpublished journals detailing Geraldâ�,��"�s most glittering dig. Hidden from view for decades and supposedly destroyed in an arson attack, she cannot believe her luck. Finding the Hungerbourne Barrows archive is every archaeologistâ�,��"�s dream. Determined to document Geraldâ�,��"�s career-defining find for the public, Clare and David delve into his meticulously kept records of the excavation. But the dream suddenly becomes a nightmare as the pair unearth a disturbing discovery, putting them at the centre of a murder inquiry and in the path of a dangerous killer determined to bury the truth for ever.
450 pages, Paperback
First published June 21, 2018
22 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Ford
6 books29 followersNicola Ford is the alter ego of Dr Nick Snashall, archaeologist for the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site. Through her day-job and now her writing, she's spent more time than most people thinking about the dead.
Nicola's writing brings together the worlds of archaeology and crime, unravelling the tangled threads left behind by murder to reveal the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.
The Hidden Bones is her debut novel.
Nicola's writing brings together the worlds of archaeology and crime, unravelling the tangled threads left behind by murder to reveal the stories of those who can no longer speak for themselves.
The Hidden Bones is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 23, 2024
The setting for Hidden Bones is the Marlborough Downs where the protagonist, Clare Hills, worked as an undergraduate on the excavation of an ancient barrow cemetery. She has recently been widowed after a happy marriage to a wealthy banker. A friend from her student days [Dr. David Barbrook], has invited her to help him sort through the records of famous archaeologist Gerald Hart, who died before he could publish the results of the dig at the fictional Hungerbourne. David's idea is that the archaeological work will help her through her bereavement.
Gerald Hart's own official notes of the dig were lost in a fire at the dig house. A number of very fine grave goods were excavated, including an exceptional gold sun disc. These finds are now in the British Museum.
Clare arrives in Hungerbourne and meets David in the Manor House, where he is staying at the invitation of Gerald's son, Peter, who is now a big man in the City. David is sorting through Gerald's untidy papers in the study when he notices how greatly she has changed; how elegant her appearance is, and concludes that she must be a very wealthy widow. He says Peter has told him there is more stuff in the attic, and suggests her first task should be looking through that. Clare climbs rather gingerly up the ladders to the attic, and the first thing she sees is a line of packing crates marked HUNGERBOURNE BARROWS. She has found the supposedly burnt dig records straight away. The story then takes off at a fast pace.
There is a photograph in the manor of the original digging team, which includes David and Clare, Peter Hart and his friend Ed Jevons, and some young women. David and Clare go to the British Museum to meet the curator of British archaeology. They study the gold objects from the barrow, including the beautiful sun disc. They then learn that a second sun disc was found, matching the other one, but slightly damaged. It was found by Ed Jevons' farmer father when he was ploughing and he had intended to donate it to the British Museum, but it was now lost.
British Heritage, when hearing of the new developments, agree to fund a new dig. When it gets under way, the first sensational find is a Bronze Age Funerary Urn containing the bones of a local chieftain, but underneath is a collection of burnt pieces of bone – a secondary burial which turns out to be modern.
From this point the plot has three main elements – the murder (the bones in the pot and the missing disc) – the threatening graffiti all over the dig house using the old name for Hungerbourne, Woe Waters, which culminates in further murders, and the romantic element between David and Clare, which never quite materialises. Then there are a number of secrets from the past that come to the surface (literally).
It all makes for an entertaining, and absorbing read.
Gerald Hart's own official notes of the dig were lost in a fire at the dig house. A number of very fine grave goods were excavated, including an exceptional gold sun disc. These finds are now in the British Museum.
Clare arrives in Hungerbourne and meets David in the Manor House, where he is staying at the invitation of Gerald's son, Peter, who is now a big man in the City. David is sorting through Gerald's untidy papers in the study when he notices how greatly she has changed; how elegant her appearance is, and concludes that she must be a very wealthy widow. He says Peter has told him there is more stuff in the attic, and suggests her first task should be looking through that. Clare climbs rather gingerly up the ladders to the attic, and the first thing she sees is a line of packing crates marked HUNGERBOURNE BARROWS. She has found the supposedly burnt dig records straight away. The story then takes off at a fast pace.
There is a photograph in the manor of the original digging team, which includes David and Clare, Peter Hart and his friend Ed Jevons, and some young women. David and Clare go to the British Museum to meet the curator of British archaeology. They study the gold objects from the barrow, including the beautiful sun disc. They then learn that a second sun disc was found, matching the other one, but slightly damaged. It was found by Ed Jevons' farmer father when he was ploughing and he had intended to donate it to the British Museum, but it was now lost.
British Heritage, when hearing of the new developments, agree to fund a new dig. When it gets under way, the first sensational find is a Bronze Age Funerary Urn containing the bones of a local chieftain, but underneath is a collection of burnt pieces of bone – a secondary burial which turns out to be modern.
From this point the plot has three main elements – the murder (the bones in the pot and the missing disc) – the threatening graffiti all over the dig house using the old name for Hungerbourne, Woe Waters, which culminates in further murders, and the romantic element between David and Clare, which never quite materialises. Then there are a number of secrets from the past that come to the surface (literally).
It all makes for an entertaining, and absorbing read.
June 28, 2018
Recently widowed, Clare is feeling rather lost at having to cope on her own after years of happy marriage. The death of her husband was both sudden and unexpected. When her old university friend, David, contacts her about getting involved in his research project, it seems like the perfect distraction from her grief and also an opportunity to rekindle her love of archaeology.
Initially, I wasn’t sure I shared Clare and David’s excitement at the discovery of a missing artefact as they comb through the papers of deceased archaeologist, Gerald Hart, famed for his work on the Hungerbourne Barrow. However, that all changed when the pair make a startling discovery about one of the finds in the collection. It brings to light revelations from the past that although historic definitely do not relate to the Bronze Age. I was now hooked.
History starts to repeat itself in other ways as the excavation team led by David and Clare are plagued by graffiti warning messages and accidents on site, just as occurred at the time of the original excavation. But are they actually just accidents or are they manifestations of an ancient curse or something more sinister but distinctly earthbound? When events turn darker and more dangerous still, it becomes clear that there is someone who will stop at nothing to prevent the excavation continuing.
The author certainly kept me guessing about who the culprit was. One minute I was sure I knew who was responsible, the next minute I was convinced it was someone else. Eventually the perpetrator and their motive is revealed but not before lucky escapes for some members of the team and just the opposite for others.
It turns out archaeology has much in common with the investigation of a crime. They both involve gathering and piecing together evidence, investigating available source information, testing assumptions and coming to conclusions. A crime scene must be preserved in the same way as an archaeological excavation site. Because of the author’s background, the details about the excavation and the archaeological procedures felt completely authentic. I also got the same sense about David’s tussles with his university head of department over the need to deliver research funding that appears to be such a feature of modern day academia.
What I particularly enjoyed about the book was the strong cast of female characters – Clare, obviously, but also Margaret and Jo. Along with David, the author has lined up an interesting team for future books in the series. The Hidden Bones is an engrossing murder mystery with engaging characters that will appeal to lovers of crime fiction, fans of TV’s Time Team or those with an interest in history or archaeology.
I received an uncorrected proof copy courtesy of publishers, Allison and Busby, in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Initially, I wasn’t sure I shared Clare and David’s excitement at the discovery of a missing artefact as they comb through the papers of deceased archaeologist, Gerald Hart, famed for his work on the Hungerbourne Barrow. However, that all changed when the pair make a startling discovery about one of the finds in the collection. It brings to light revelations from the past that although historic definitely do not relate to the Bronze Age. I was now hooked.
History starts to repeat itself in other ways as the excavation team led by David and Clare are plagued by graffiti warning messages and accidents on site, just as occurred at the time of the original excavation. But are they actually just accidents or are they manifestations of an ancient curse or something more sinister but distinctly earthbound? When events turn darker and more dangerous still, it becomes clear that there is someone who will stop at nothing to prevent the excavation continuing.
The author certainly kept me guessing about who the culprit was. One minute I was sure I knew who was responsible, the next minute I was convinced it was someone else. Eventually the perpetrator and their motive is revealed but not before lucky escapes for some members of the team and just the opposite for others.
It turns out archaeology has much in common with the investigation of a crime. They both involve gathering and piecing together evidence, investigating available source information, testing assumptions and coming to conclusions. A crime scene must be preserved in the same way as an archaeological excavation site. Because of the author’s background, the details about the excavation and the archaeological procedures felt completely authentic. I also got the same sense about David’s tussles with his university head of department over the need to deliver research funding that appears to be such a feature of modern day academia.
What I particularly enjoyed about the book was the strong cast of female characters – Clare, obviously, but also Margaret and Jo. Along with David, the author has lined up an interesting team for future books in the series. The Hidden Bones is an engrossing murder mystery with engaging characters that will appeal to lovers of crime fiction, fans of TV’s Time Team or those with an interest in history or archaeology.
I received an uncorrected proof copy courtesy of publishers, Allison and Busby, in return for an honest and unbiased review.
December 16, 2018
Quite enjoyed this, it started well but didn't quite get going. I love a storyline with a bit of archaeology, but a little too easy to work out who did it 🤔
July 28, 2018
Loved this debut novel. It was like the best of Time Time with mystery, death and sexual tension. A brilliant read!
May 31, 2018
Nicola Ford had me engaged until the last page of The Hidden Bones, with its polished plot, exciting hunt for clues, and strong cast driven by a woman determined to get answers.
I felt immersed in a detective story that was both very modern with its use of forensic science, and at the same time drew on the best of classic golden age crime with its focus on logical reasoning, a drive that has defined the best of detective fiction from Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie to Josephine Tey.
The Hidden Bones introduces Clare Hills, a former archaeology student who returns to archaeology as a professional after a long hiatus. Clare has to go back to earning a living and when her former close friend Dr David Barbrook calls to offer her to work with him on the archive of Gerald Hart, a famous archaeologist recently deceased, she immediately accepts. After a personal tragedy that has left her a little scarred and unsure of herself, Clare cannot believe her luck when she finds in Hart's attic his unpublished journals of the famous Hungerbourne dig. Hart had found a gold disk during his excavation of Hungerbourne but had mysteriously closed the site and retired giving no reasons for his inexplicable decision, one that ended his career.
When Clare and David realise that there were two gold disks and that one has been missing ever since Hart closed the site, they begin to suspect that something sinister has driven Hart to abandon his work. While David battles with keeping his archaeological project afloat, Clare gets her teeth into the mystery and shows herself to be a determined researcher, cool and sharp. Her hunt, initially purely academic, takes on a greater scope and soon she is onto the tracks of a thief and killer.
I really enjoyed how Nicola Ford built a search for answers that functions as I imagine archaeology to work: digging layer after layer until solid ground or evidence is found. Ford is herself a professional archaeologist and her experience gives an enjoyable depth to the setting in which she has placed her characters and to their methods. Clare and Jo (another strong character in the team) are clear sighted, and they go searching for motives and answers in the same way that they analyse the remains they find, with lucidity and precision.
The Hidden Bones begins an exciting series and I can't wait to find Clare, David and Jo again on another dig and another case.
I felt immersed in a detective story that was both very modern with its use of forensic science, and at the same time drew on the best of classic golden age crime with its focus on logical reasoning, a drive that has defined the best of detective fiction from Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie to Josephine Tey.
The Hidden Bones introduces Clare Hills, a former archaeology student who returns to archaeology as a professional after a long hiatus. Clare has to go back to earning a living and when her former close friend Dr David Barbrook calls to offer her to work with him on the archive of Gerald Hart, a famous archaeologist recently deceased, she immediately accepts. After a personal tragedy that has left her a little scarred and unsure of herself, Clare cannot believe her luck when she finds in Hart's attic his unpublished journals of the famous Hungerbourne dig. Hart had found a gold disk during his excavation of Hungerbourne but had mysteriously closed the site and retired giving no reasons for his inexplicable decision, one that ended his career.
When Clare and David realise that there were two gold disks and that one has been missing ever since Hart closed the site, they begin to suspect that something sinister has driven Hart to abandon his work. While David battles with keeping his archaeological project afloat, Clare gets her teeth into the mystery and shows herself to be a determined researcher, cool and sharp. Her hunt, initially purely academic, takes on a greater scope and soon she is onto the tracks of a thief and killer.
I really enjoyed how Nicola Ford built a search for answers that functions as I imagine archaeology to work: digging layer after layer until solid ground or evidence is found. Ford is herself a professional archaeologist and her experience gives an enjoyable depth to the setting in which she has placed her characters and to their methods. Clare and Jo (another strong character in the team) are clear sighted, and they go searching for motives and answers in the same way that they analyse the remains they find, with lucidity and precision.
The Hidden Bones begins an exciting series and I can't wait to find Clare, David and Jo again on another dig and another case.
February 7, 2019
Intriguing mystery set in an archaeological dig in rural Wiltshire. Clare Hills has been devastated by her husband's sudden death and an offer of work from her old University colleague David gives her a welcome distraction. She joins David to help catalogue the finds from a dig that was mysteriously abandoned in the 1970s. However, she unearths a discovery that soon has them on the trail of a thief and a killer.
This was a really interesting and well worked debut novel. The author is an archaeologist herself, and has taken care to share her expertise in an accessible and relevant way. She conveys the excitement and enthusiasm of field work, and combines this with a compelling thriller with convincing characters. The setting is one I know well and Ford has skilfully combined a backdrop of real places with a fictional but typical village, complete with local rivalries and gossip. Minus one star for being rather snide and unkind about Swindon, though - not all delinquents come from urban areas, actually.
The plot has a good share of twists and turns and red herrings, though I felt the addition of one or two more characters would have helped obscure the culprit for longer. The relationship between Clare and David was understated and didn't overshadow the action, but offers promise for future developments. The tension built well in the later chapters to an exciting denouement.
Very enjoyable, I hope this is going to be the start of a series as I would like to read more about these characters.
This was a really interesting and well worked debut novel. The author is an archaeologist herself, and has taken care to share her expertise in an accessible and relevant way. She conveys the excitement and enthusiasm of field work, and combines this with a compelling thriller with convincing characters. The setting is one I know well and Ford has skilfully combined a backdrop of real places with a fictional but typical village, complete with local rivalries and gossip. Minus one star for being rather snide and unkind about Swindon, though - not all delinquents come from urban areas, actually.
The plot has a good share of twists and turns and red herrings, though I felt the addition of one or two more characters would have helped obscure the culprit for longer. The relationship between Clare and David was understated and didn't overshadow the action, but offers promise for future developments. The tension built well in the later chapters to an exciting denouement.
Very enjoyable, I hope this is going to be the start of a series as I would like to read more about these characters.
February 12, 2019
3.5 stars
Claire has just lost her husband and is invited by a university friend to come help on an archaeological dig. Claire is an archaeologist and welcomes the chance to get away and try to forget things for a while. They are taking over a site that was excavated in the early 70s, but nothing was written about it; the archaeologist in charge (and the man who owns the land) has just passed away. Initially, Claire and David find that an artifact has gone missing. It’s not long after that that they discover that there also seems to have been a murder somewhere along the way!
It was good, but a bit slow to get started. I guess the author was trying to get all the background information in before bringing in the mystery. I enjoyed the characters and, as this is meant to be the first in a series featuring Claire, I’m interested in continuing.
Claire has just lost her husband and is invited by a university friend to come help on an archaeological dig. Claire is an archaeologist and welcomes the chance to get away and try to forget things for a while. They are taking over a site that was excavated in the early 70s, but nothing was written about it; the archaeologist in charge (and the man who owns the land) has just passed away. Initially, Claire and David find that an artifact has gone missing. It’s not long after that that they discover that there also seems to have been a murder somewhere along the way!
It was good, but a bit slow to get started. I guess the author was trying to get all the background information in before bringing in the mystery. I enjoyed the characters and, as this is meant to be the first in a series featuring Claire, I’m interested in continuing.
December 26, 2018
Pretty disappointing! I saw an ad in "Archaeology" magazine for this book and was excited to read it. Turns out there was almost no archaeology at all in the story and it wasn't that well written to begin with.
June 17, 2018
Clare Hills is recently widowed and is trying to start her life again without her husband by her side. She reconnects with an old university friend Dr David Barbrook, he ask if she can help her sort though the work of recently deceased archaeologist Dr Gerald Hart. Dr Hart is known for an archaeological dig that found some amazing Bronze Age piece, but he never publishes his finding, everyone believes that everything was destroyed in an arson attack. Until Clare finds his work hidden in his house. This a dream come true for Clare and David a chance to investigate the Hungerbourne Barrow dig, this is a dig of a life time for any archaeologist. Slowly this dream becomes a nightmare when Clare become the centre of a murder investigation.
Clare Hills is an interesting character, she is smart and determined to find the answers, it was fascinating to read Clare trying to find out what happened at the Hungerbourne orignal dig, while unable to deal with the answers she received about her husband death.
One of my favourite character is Jo Granski, a osteo-archaeologist that focus on ancient cremation. Jo is american and is outgoing and straight forward in her approach is a great contrast to Clare more reserved nature, especially as Clare is lacking confidence due her 15 years away from archaeology. This book has several great strong female characters both young and old.
It took me a little bit to get into the story but after a couple of chapters I was hooked, I loved the balance of the crime story with the detail of archaeology. Their was a couple of great plot twist and dangerous situation which kept me captivated with the story.
I will definitely will be looking out for book 2 in the Clare Hills series.
I give this book 4 out of 5.
Thank you Allison and Busby for sending me a copy of the book for a honest and fair review as well as giving me a spot on the blog tour.
July 23, 2020
3.5🌟
Good, solid debut mystery. I had purchased book two in this series (The Hidden Shrine) not realising it was the start of a series so thought it wise to start at the beginning. Looking forward to reading the second book.
Good, solid debut mystery. I had purchased book two in this series (The Hidden Shrine) not realising it was the start of a series so thought it wise to start at the beginning. Looking forward to reading the second book.
February 2, 2019
Excellent archaeology mystery, and hopefully the first in a lengthy series! Wonderful, realistic characters, a solid mystery with strong pacing and a good resolution. The author does a wonderful job describing the archaeology (not unexpected, given her "day" job) of the region, as well as the ups and downs of life in the field. Her descriptions of the area really brought the story to life for me. Had a pretty good idea who the antagonist was about halfway through the book, but all in all a well-written mystery with plenty of red herrings, action, and more. Definitely a 5-star read!
September 20, 2024
ARCHAEOLOGISTS LIKE DEAD THINGS or artefacts of historical significance, none more so than David & Clare who stumble across a revered, yet now deceased, archaeologist’s (Gerald Hart), special findings from years passed: The Hungerbourne Barrows archive.
But for some unfathomable reason, the research & dig had halted. A mystery begins to unravel. This then becomes a why/what/when/where/who ‘dunnit’ thereafter.
Clare has recently been widowed & David, an old friend, entices her to join him, which of course ignites her archaeological passion again!
And as it’s only the first book of the series, can we assume that their love may be ignited later also?
The letter D (David, desire, digs, death, darkness, discoveries etc ) seemed to encompass this plot’s pathway for me. Clare & David go on a hunt, via their desire, to dig up the dirt for the archive’s truth. What happens is the crux.
There is lurking danger, the destruction or distortion of truth, deceased people, distractions, more details and disaster, further discoveries, devilish delusions and dealings…all dramatised throughout this plot’s dig; the unearthing of the Barrows truth.
Perhaps underwhelming at times but as the pace picks up so does the plot, adding to the suspenseful deadline of discovering the archaeological truth of the hidden bones and the culprit! Slightly predictable though.
The plot’s authenticity from the appropriate perspective of an archaeologist-author, held my interest and intrigue. It had positive content, enhanced with ‘dig-site’ detail as source scaffolding, a believable plot and likeable characters which, with a suspenseful writing style, was quite expertly interwoven into a crime genre.
Perhaps a tad long at the start but being the first in a series, it no doubt is the foundation for Clare and David with more dig-deaths-discoveries to come.
Archaeological digs, its secrets, past and present, evolved well though; being a first story in a criminal whodunnit excavation plot.
The slow start does give you the background of the characters, Clare and David, and their comrade diggers living in the Hungerbourne Barrows area …along with archives, letters, diagrams…followed by an unearthing of human nature re the blaming of others, the secret love affairs, a supposed suicide, other accidents on the field and an attempted murder etc. The plot began to ramp up dramatically thereafter!
Indeed, the Hart and Jevan family drama plays beautifully into the plot, giving it suspense and intrigue. Clare is a bloodhound archaeologist; particularly after her husband’s sudden death in an accident, she needed work to get her teeth into. Note: I wonder if David has anything to do with Clare’s husband’s accident? Just a thought.
Especially as David, an undergraduate friend, from years past, conveniently, and unsurprisingly, holds a fire for Clare still, asking her to join him in this archaeological Wiltshire (UK) discovery.
But finding human bones certainly takes the plot to a different level than expected. Police become involved, David has a tryst with Sally, which adds a spark of interest though we know that David’s heart is with Clare. Is he making her jealous?
The end is climatic; discovering both the missing sundisc/s and the antagonist, at last, out on a desolate field, nobody around. The plot-line of the culprit who had been attempting to murder the archaeologists in prior chapters, with a near murder of the main protagonist, grips the reader further.
“His words seared like erupting magma”...he is outraged! But who? Great similes and imagery is evoked by the author.
This story is a good read with an enjoyable whodunnit plot. It gains points for research where the reader attains knowledge and a better understanding of archaeological sites and the work involved.
My final thought: archaeologists are truly possessed! Or is it obsessed? Perhaps both. All those sexual liaisons and innuendos certainly make this career seem unattractive though. But for some it might be just the career they’re looking for!!
3.5-4*
But for some unfathomable reason, the research & dig had halted. A mystery begins to unravel. This then becomes a why/what/when/where/who ‘dunnit’ thereafter.
Clare has recently been widowed & David, an old friend, entices her to join him, which of course ignites her archaeological passion again!
And as it’s only the first book of the series, can we assume that their love may be ignited later also?
The letter D (David, desire, digs, death, darkness, discoveries etc ) seemed to encompass this plot’s pathway for me. Clare & David go on a hunt, via their desire, to dig up the dirt for the archive’s truth. What happens is the crux.
There is lurking danger, the destruction or distortion of truth, deceased people, distractions, more details and disaster, further discoveries, devilish delusions and dealings…all dramatised throughout this plot’s dig; the unearthing of the Barrows truth.
Perhaps underwhelming at times but as the pace picks up so does the plot, adding to the suspenseful deadline of discovering the archaeological truth of the hidden bones and the culprit! Slightly predictable though.
The plot’s authenticity from the appropriate perspective of an archaeologist-author, held my interest and intrigue. It had positive content, enhanced with ‘dig-site’ detail as source scaffolding, a believable plot and likeable characters which, with a suspenseful writing style, was quite expertly interwoven into a crime genre.
Perhaps a tad long at the start but being the first in a series, it no doubt is the foundation for Clare and David with more dig-deaths-discoveries to come.
Archaeological digs, its secrets, past and present, evolved well though; being a first story in a criminal whodunnit excavation plot.
The slow start does give you the background of the characters, Clare and David, and their comrade diggers living in the Hungerbourne Barrows area …along with archives, letters, diagrams…followed by an unearthing of human nature re the blaming of others, the secret love affairs, a supposed suicide, other accidents on the field and an attempted murder etc. The plot began to ramp up dramatically thereafter!
Indeed, the Hart and Jevan family drama plays beautifully into the plot, giving it suspense and intrigue. Clare is a bloodhound archaeologist; particularly after her husband’s sudden death in an accident, she needed work to get her teeth into. Note: I wonder if David has anything to do with Clare’s husband’s accident? Just a thought.
Especially as David, an undergraduate friend, from years past, conveniently, and unsurprisingly, holds a fire for Clare still, asking her to join him in this archaeological Wiltshire (UK) discovery.
But finding human bones certainly takes the plot to a different level than expected. Police become involved, David has a tryst with Sally, which adds a spark of interest though we know that David’s heart is with Clare. Is he making her jealous?
The end is climatic; discovering both the missing sundisc/s and the antagonist, at last, out on a desolate field, nobody around. The plot-line of the culprit who had been attempting to murder the archaeologists in prior chapters, with a near murder of the main protagonist, grips the reader further.
“His words seared like erupting magma”...he is outraged! But who? Great similes and imagery is evoked by the author.
This story is a good read with an enjoyable whodunnit plot. It gains points for research where the reader attains knowledge and a better understanding of archaeological sites and the work involved.
My final thought: archaeologists are truly possessed! Or is it obsessed? Perhaps both. All those sexual liaisons and innuendos certainly make this career seem unattractive though. But for some it might be just the career they’re looking for!!
3.5-4*
December 9, 2019
I was only 2 chapters in when I started raving about how good this book was, and the rest of the book did not fail me at all. Trying to restrain myself from reading more than a couple of chapters a night proved to be increasingly difficult. And now that I'm finished, I desperately want more - Nicola Ford could easily become the next Kathy Reichs and Clare Hills the next Temperance Brennan.
June 7, 2019
This is a nice old fashioned style mystery with many clues scattered in the story line. Set on an English archaeological site, there are missing relics, bones, and dead bodies for our hero to solve. I was not surprised to find out the author was an archaeologist because of the accurate representation and thorough descriptions of the dig site and academia. Not twisty or scary, but definitely a good read.
October 25, 2018
What a thrilling book, a real page turner. When the cremated bones from an ancient barrow turn out to be from a much more recent cremation old grudges are revealed. An amber and gold Sun Disc has also apparently been stolen. Tensions heighten and lives are in danger. There are plenty plot twists to keep the reader guessing to the end. I hope to read more from this author.
July 29, 2019
Very, very slow and much too easy to work out who did it.
July 1, 2018
A copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My review is part of a “blog tour” for the book.
“The Hidden Bones” is the debut novel by Nicola Ford and introduces us to our heroine, Clare Hills, a former archaeology student returning to her previous passion after being widdowed.
Clare is a likeable character, she has doubts and uncertainties about her abilities and her way forward in life and these insecurities lend her a three dimensionality that is pleasing. In the early stages of this book she appears unsure and overly cautious as she tries to find her feet after her husbands death and, as the story progresses, she becames more self reliant and confident. Her character progression is pleasing, you find yourself rooting for her as the mystery develops and the danger and tension mounts.
The characters are well rounded and believable and the dialogue between the participants flows smoothly; you get a real sense of the individuals within the plot. Clare is an interesting protagonist with which to spend a few days.
The plotting is well executed and the pacing of the story leaves you eagerly turning the pages. The ending is satisfying, well executed and quite a tense affair; an enjoyable climax to a thrilling read.
Nicola Ford is the pen-name of Dr Nick Snashall, an eminent archaeologist for both The National Trust and the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage sites. Consequently, the novel bristles with authenticity – well, as a reader unaccustomed to life as an archaeologist, it certainly came across as authentic! The setting and descriptions of the dig site and the practices that occur during an excavation are vividly portrayed and these details are woven deftly into the storyline. The author subtly layers her expertise and experience gently into her writing so that you learn enough about the subject to enhance your reading pleasure yet are never swamped by too much unnecessary information that would otherwise the story down and prevent the plot from developing.
I especially enjoyed how the author used the excavation of a previous dig site from forty years earlier to bring immediacy and relevance to their work; I thought this was a very intriguing way of telling her story and it really helped to bring it and the characters to life.
This is a sparkling debut from a new British crime writer and I urge you all to go out dig a copy off the shelves of your nearest bookshop. You can rest assured that you will have unearth an immensely enjoyable read.
“The Hidden Bones” is the debut novel by Nicola Ford and introduces us to our heroine, Clare Hills, a former archaeology student returning to her previous passion after being widdowed.
Clare is a likeable character, she has doubts and uncertainties about her abilities and her way forward in life and these insecurities lend her a three dimensionality that is pleasing. In the early stages of this book she appears unsure and overly cautious as she tries to find her feet after her husbands death and, as the story progresses, she becames more self reliant and confident. Her character progression is pleasing, you find yourself rooting for her as the mystery develops and the danger and tension mounts.
The characters are well rounded and believable and the dialogue between the participants flows smoothly; you get a real sense of the individuals within the plot. Clare is an interesting protagonist with which to spend a few days.
The plotting is well executed and the pacing of the story leaves you eagerly turning the pages. The ending is satisfying, well executed and quite a tense affair; an enjoyable climax to a thrilling read.
Nicola Ford is the pen-name of Dr Nick Snashall, an eminent archaeologist for both The National Trust and the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage sites. Consequently, the novel bristles with authenticity – well, as a reader unaccustomed to life as an archaeologist, it certainly came across as authentic! The setting and descriptions of the dig site and the practices that occur during an excavation are vividly portrayed and these details are woven deftly into the storyline. The author subtly layers her expertise and experience gently into her writing so that you learn enough about the subject to enhance your reading pleasure yet are never swamped by too much unnecessary information that would otherwise the story down and prevent the plot from developing.
I especially enjoyed how the author used the excavation of a previous dig site from forty years earlier to bring immediacy and relevance to their work; I thought this was a very intriguing way of telling her story and it really helped to bring it and the characters to life.
This is a sparkling debut from a new British crime writer and I urge you all to go out dig a copy off the shelves of your nearest bookshop. You can rest assured that you will have unearth an immensely enjoyable read.
July 27, 2020
This is Nicola Ford’s first archaeological murder mystery, but I read it AFTER enjoying its successor, “The Lost Shrine”, which I enjoyed considerably more.
In setting up her characters in this, the first in a series featuring archaeologiests Clare Hills and David Barbrook, Ford had me mired down in a plethora of characters referred to predominantly by their first names, and had me scratching my head when my attention strayed, as it did quite a bit as I read my way through her book.
Jim, Ed, Peter, Gerald (he’s the one whose dead from the outset, so he was easy to remember) are all members of or connected to the family and the mystery at the heart of “The Hidden Bones”. The female characters are equally as numerous, but easier to keep up with, until Ford drops in another without much warning: Sally. I had to double back to check if I’d missed something. No, she was new, but police, she was significant.
Anyway, the mystery is a good one, and I like Clare Hills, though her colleague David is a bit superfluous and hardly seems deserving of sharing co-billing in what is promoted as the "Hills and Barbrook" series.
Perhaps when less distracted by easier to follow fodder, I’ll enjoy "The Hidden Bones" a it more. Certainly I'll be looking for new releases in the series - on the strength of the promise shown in this one, and my greater enjoyment of its follow-up.
In setting up her characters in this, the first in a series featuring archaeologiests Clare Hills and David Barbrook, Ford had me mired down in a plethora of characters referred to predominantly by their first names, and had me scratching my head when my attention strayed, as it did quite a bit as I read my way through her book.
Jim, Ed, Peter, Gerald (he’s the one whose dead from the outset, so he was easy to remember) are all members of or connected to the family and the mystery at the heart of “The Hidden Bones”. The female characters are equally as numerous, but easier to keep up with, until Ford drops in another without much warning: Sally. I had to double back to check if I’d missed something. No, she was new, but police, she was significant.
Anyway, the mystery is a good one, and I like Clare Hills, though her colleague David is a bit superfluous and hardly seems deserving of sharing co-billing in what is promoted as the "Hills and Barbrook" series.
Perhaps when less distracted by easier to follow fodder, I’ll enjoy "The Hidden Bones" a it more. Certainly I'll be looking for new releases in the series - on the strength of the promise shown in this one, and my greater enjoyment of its follow-up.
May 25, 2021
I enjoyed this book. The dialogue is a bit clunky in places, the prose is a bit flat and occasionally cliched, but the story is good and the characters (with the possible exception of Muir, who hardly features) are believable and fairly engaging. It would probably make a good TV drama.
Personally I would have liked a bit more archaeological detail. I was left a bit confused: how many barrows are there in this group? How many trenches are being excavated and where? The barrows were under the plough in the 1970s but some of the mounds still survive as upstanding earthworks, which I felt needed some explanation. What might have improved the book considerably would be a sketch map of the village (which might have been included if this book had been written in the 'Golden Age') and a plan of the barrow group with the excavation trenches plotted; that would have helped the explication and made the place feel more real. As the author is an archaeologist it is surprising that she didn't do this.
I look forward to reading the next story in the series.
Personally I would have liked a bit more archaeological detail. I was left a bit confused: how many barrows are there in this group? How many trenches are being excavated and where? The barrows were under the plough in the 1970s but some of the mounds still survive as upstanding earthworks, which I felt needed some explanation. What might have improved the book considerably would be a sketch map of the village (which might have been included if this book had been written in the 'Golden Age') and a plan of the barrow group with the excavation trenches plotted; that would have helped the explication and made the place feel more real. As the author is an archaeologist it is surprising that she didn't do this.
I look forward to reading the next story in the series.
September 28, 2025
An archeological crime story. The first book involving archeologists turned sleuths, Clare Hills and Dr David Barbrook.
I enjoyed the different paths the reader was led down, in the hunt to discover who stole the missing Bronze Age sun disc and the killer of one of the main characters.
The setting was the Marlborough Downs, close to where I live, and this added to my interest. There are many barrows in the landscape in our local area and, in the acknowledgments, I was interested to learn that the gold finds from the excavation at the heart of this story, can be viewed in the Stonehenge Visitor museum and in the museum in Devizes.
The climax of the story was all I would hope for in a crime novel, full of pace and tension. I am definitely up for reading the author’s next novel in this series.
I enjoyed the different paths the reader was led down, in the hunt to discover who stole the missing Bronze Age sun disc and the killer of one of the main characters.
The setting was the Marlborough Downs, close to where I live, and this added to my interest. There are many barrows in the landscape in our local area and, in the acknowledgments, I was interested to learn that the gold finds from the excavation at the heart of this story, can be viewed in the Stonehenge Visitor museum and in the museum in Devizes.
The climax of the story was all I would hope for in a crime novel, full of pace and tension. I am definitely up for reading the author’s next novel in this series.
August 2, 2018
Despite being dubious about reading a new author, I enjoyed this book. It wasn't as atmospheric as Elly Griffith's Ruth Galloway series, & there was only a little bit of archaeology in the story, unlike L J M Owen's Dr Pimms series. 1 scene stood out to me, the description of Clare reviewing old finds records. I know that 'accidental' finds are relatively rare, but it brought home to me that the average Briton lives with the past all around them, & finding ancient artifacts seems to be an almost everyday occurrance in Britain. The juxtaposition of ancient & modern living, (if you will), hand in hand, makes me very envious of the characters & your history. I will be interested to pick up the next title that Ford writes.
August 19, 2021
It’s not often that I give such a score to a book but this first opus in a series grabbed my attention and I had a hard time putting it down.
I like the cast of characters that assumed its flaws while going through life and all of its surprises.
To be frank, I didn’t warm up to that Sally character, she struck me as someone who climbed up the ladder in the police force because of her looks and her animosity toward Clare annoyed me.
Having an archeologist in my entourage, I appreciated the fact that Ms. Ford gave some details without going to far.
Overall, this is one of my greatest discoveries of this year. Now, let’s get book 2 in the series.
I like the cast of characters that assumed its flaws while going through life and all of its surprises.
To be frank, I didn’t warm up to that Sally character, she struck me as someone who climbed up the ladder in the police force because of her looks and her animosity toward Clare annoyed me.
Having an archeologist in my entourage, I appreciated the fact that Ms. Ford gave some details without going to far.
Overall, this is one of my greatest discoveries of this year. Now, let’s get book 2 in the series.
May 20, 2019
I really enjoyed this crime novel. The archaeological dig setting and the characters really made it, although I sort of guessed the culprit halfway through. It was very tense and dramatic, especially towards the end.
I am now moving on to 'The Lost Shrine', having received both books from the publisher in return for an honest review. Full reviews of both books will be available on my blog 23rd May 2019.
I am now moving on to 'The Lost Shrine', having received both books from the publisher in return for an honest review. Full reviews of both books will be available on my blog 23rd May 2019.
October 20, 2019
Rather pedestrian whodunnit. I was a bit frustrated by not being sure of the ages of the main protagonists. They behaved like people in late middle age but were occasionally described as young by other characters. Story not that exciting and I figured out who the culprit was fairly early in, which I never normally do with crime fiction.
February 1, 2021
A good "who done it" story. I liked the characters and the archeology theme. More archeology would have appealed to me though. A few twist and turns to find the culprit. All in all, a good story especially from a beginner novelist. I think it was well written and it moved along at a good pace. I look forward to reading more in the series.
February 22, 2021
A cracking good yarn told by an expert
An unusual subject when compared to the run-of-the mill murder thrillers, this story rattled along at a breathtaking pace. It twisted and turned throughout while also taking time to create the background and atmosphere of an archaeological dig. The author is clearly familiar with them. I look forward to her next novel.
An unusual subject when compared to the run-of-the mill murder thrillers, this story rattled along at a breathtaking pace. It twisted and turned throughout while also taking time to create the background and atmosphere of an archaeological dig. The author is clearly familiar with them. I look forward to her next novel.
August 18, 2021
The fact that the book was written by an archaeologist raised my expectation that I would learn more about archaeology or get a real feel for working on a dig, but it wasn't there.
The author wrote well and described places, pubs, and people well. The major drawback was that the pace was very slow, and it was easy to guess who the culprit was early on.
The author wrote well and described places, pubs, and people well. The major drawback was that the pace was very slow, and it was easy to guess who the culprit was early on.
January 11, 2025
I did enjoy reading this but did get rather convoluted towards the end. While not one of my all time favourites it is still good just not up to jefferson bass or kathy reichs standards. I am glad I read the second book in the series first as the writing had improved between the first novel and the second
August 26, 2019
I really liked this book even though the subject matter (archeology) is far removed from my area of expertise. I thought it was a well-told story, plot and characters well-defined with some excellent story-telling.
June 29, 2021
Did not finish this. It was really boring and not very well written- I think Ford used a thesaurus as the words didn't seem to flow naturally.
I had hoped for a new Elly Griffith but this was nowhere near as engaging or entertaining. Ford should stick to her day job.
I had hoped for a new Elly Griffith but this was nowhere near as engaging or entertaining. Ford should stick to her day job.
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