Books

Bloodie Bones

A Dan Foster Mystery (1)

Bloodie Bones introduces Bow Street Runner, Dan Foster. From a homeless street urchin to a rising law officer, Dan has fought his way off the streets of London using his wits and his fists.

In 1796, Dan is sent to Barcombe in Somerset to investigate the murder of Lord Oldfield’s gamekeeper by a poaching gang. He finds a community up in arms against Lord Oldfield, who has blocked access to Barcombe Wood, depriving local people of their ancient rights to gather food and fuel. Local rumour has it that the violent protests are led by the spectral figure of Bloodie Bones, a mythical figure of folk legend.

Dan realises there’s more to Castle’s death than at first sight appears. Did someone beside the poachers have a reason to want the gamekeeper dead? Does the legend of Bloodie Bones disguise a murderer, or is there someone else lurking in the shadows – someone who will do anything to stop Dan discovering the truth?

Read the first chapter of Bloodie Bones (pdf document).

Find out about the history behind the book

Dan Foster and the Pugilists (pdf document)

Dan Foster and the Bow Street Runners (pdf document)

Bloodie Bones was joint winner of the Historical Novel Society Indie Award 2016; semi-finalist in the M M Bennetts Historical Fiction Award 2016; a Discovering Diamonds Book of the Month; Chill With a Book Readers’ Award; Awesome Indies Book Award; Killer Nashville Book of the Day.

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Series: Fiction, The Dan Foster Mysteries

Formats available: Paperback, Ebook

First published: 07/05/15

Reviews for Bloodie Bones

Bloodie Bones is a terrific novel and was very difficult to put down. It is amazingly well written, with a smooth expert hand and faultless flow…The main characters are engaging and believable…It had a thriller feel that kept me turning the pages…I loved this book, highly recommend it and eagerly await the second Dan Foster novel.

(Read the full review here.)

Leslie Hockin, Historical Novel Society

Bloodie Bones is a fantastic novel. It is beautifully written…Many scenes are so realistic you could almost be there watching, like a fly on the wall or as if seeing the action on a movie screen. The characters are highly engaging – 100% believable, and the author’s detail of research evokes a genuine feel of the era.

Read the full review here.

Discovering Diamonds

Reviewing books makes one ask, ‘What makes a book so great you want to read it over and over?’ Each reader would have a different answer. I have a few key criteria and Bloodie Bones topped each one…I love Dan Foster and I am thrilled that this is the first in a series. I will have to read Bloodie Bones over and over while waiting for the next instalment!

(Read the full review here.)

Whispering Stories

A wonderfully thrilling historical mystery…the final denouement was both surprising and believable. I particularly like how as a reader we can figure out the perpetrator at the same time as Dan, rather than elements being hidden from us. Dan is a brilliant character…He’s not perfect and I really like that…his whole character has a Dickensian feel which complements the story really well.

LitNerd

I thoroughly enjoyed Bloodie Bones; it really is an outstanding book filled with suspense and mystery. I will definitely be looking out for book number 2 to see what adventures are next for Dan Foster.

Read the full review here.

The Book Magnet

I loved this book and really look forward to reading more Dan Foster mysteries. This series could just be my new favourite series! Bravo to Lucienne Boyce for bringing to life a wonderful character in Dan Foster.

Read the full review here.

Brook Cottage Books

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Bloodie Bones

Reviews for Bloodie Bones

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