A Rattle of Bones by Douglas Skelton

Four weeks today, August 5th, sees the release of A Rattle of Bones, the third Rebecca Connolly book (after Thunder Bay and The Blood is Still) from Douglas Skelton and I'm so excited about it! I was lucky enough to get an early look and I can't wait for you all to be able to read it. Below you can find all the information and a few of my thoughts on the book. I'll be sharing my full review on publication day.

The Blurb

In 1752, Seamus a’Ghlynne, James of the Glen, was executed for the murder of government man Colin Campbell. He was almost certainly innocent.

When banners are placed at his gravesite claiming that his namesake, James Stewart, is innocent of murder, reporter Rebecca Connolly smells a story. The young Stewart has been in prison for ten years for the brutal murder of his lover, lawyer and politician Murdo Maxwell, in his Appin home. Rebecca soon discovers that Maxwell believed he was being followed prior to his murder and his phones were tapped.

Why is a Glasgow crime boss so interested in the case? As Rebecca keeps digging, she finds herself in the sights of Inverness crime matriarch Mo Burke, who wants payback for the damage caused to her family in a previous case.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, A Rattle of Bones is a tale of injustice and mystery, and the echo of the past in the present.

A Rattle of Bones is published by Polygon is out in eBook and paperback on August 5th 2021 and in audio on September 1st 2021. It is available for pre-order now from Bookshop.org, Waterstones, Amazon or your preferred bookseller.

My Mini Review

Rebecca Connolly is tired. She's been through a lot and is emotionally battered and bruised but she's not going to let that stop her doing her job. Looking for a story and wanting to uncover the truth, she investigates the case of James Stewart, who some believe was imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. 

Skelton's characterisation is right on point, for the whole cast, but it's particularly great to see a story populated by strong women, not least Rebecca herself. Afua Stewart was another standout for me. I was pleased to see returning characters from the previous books - you don't need to have read them to enjoy this one but, go on, you've got time! - alongside some colourful new ones. 

As well as being a tale of injustice this is also a love letter to the beautiful, yet sometimes harsh, Scottish landscape. The first chapter is hauntingly beautiful, I defy you not to shiver. The writing is lyrical in places, the subject matter serious but there are dashes of dark humour shot through the story. 

A Rattle of Bones is a story of murder, wrongdoing, truth seeking and love. It's beautifully written, very atmospheric, weaving Scottish history in with the criminal underworld of today. Skelton has, as always, delivered a well developed plot and a satisfying denouement with a red herring or two thrown in along the way. I devoured it in two days and think it might be my favourite of the series yet. It will be amongst my books of the year. 

The Author

Douglas is the author of twelve non fiction books and nine previous novels. A Rattle of Bones will be his tenth. He often contributes to true crime shows on TV and radio, writes & performs in  comedy shows and is a talented photographer (check out Douglas Skelton Photography on Facebook).

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To find out more of what I thought of A Rattle of Bones check back here on August 5th!