“White Bones” by Graham Masterton

I knew Graham Masterton as a horror writer, I read a few of his books back in the eighties, when I was more interested in the horror genre. Now, I see he has moved into the crime field but he still has the horror writer’s touch for the grisly details.

White Bones

“White Bones” is set in the South West of Ireland around the city of Cork. Katie Maguire is a detective superintendent with the Garda. When the bodies of 11 women are uncovered on a farm, DS Katie Maguire is determined to discover what happened and get justice for the victims. The forensic labs reveal the bodies date back to the early 20th century, so the killer is likely to be dead, too. Katie is reluctantly taken off the case but then a fresh victim is claimed. The murders have a ritualistic connection, someone is trying to summon the spirit of Mor-Rioghain, or Morgana the Fay, King Arthur’s evil half sister; it is said whoever brings her back to life, will be granted whatever he or she wishes. This is not a fantasy novel but a solid police procedural crime novel with some particularly grisly murders, the victims having been skinned alive. There is a lot of action and Katie risks her own life trying to solve the murders. The book builds to a thrilling finale.

My rating 5 out of 5