The Bone Mother by Suzy Aspley

 
Today is my stop on the blog tour for The Bone Mother by Suzy Aspley, the second book featuring journalist Martha Strangeways, following Crow Moon. It's a novel full of atmosphere. Big thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for the invitation and the publisher for my review copy.

The Blurb

Martha Strangeways has settled into a quiet life in Strathbran, after the horrific events that traumatised the village a year earlier. But all this is turned upside down when her friend at Glasgow CID, DI Derek Summers,

calls on her to help with a disturbing case: a human ear, with an unusual Celtic earring, has been found next to a railway line in the Highlands.

And when the body of a young woman wearing matching jewellery turns up at a landmark church shortly after, the mystery deepens. Why has she been laid out in a ritualistic fashion? Does her trek along the little-known Cailleach Way have anything to do with her death? And who is running the Facebook Group where she posted details of her journey to the shrine of the Bone Mother goddess?

As Martha tries to unpick the threads, she finds herself entwined with a ghost from her own past, and in conflict with the owner of a project that threatens to destroy the goddess’s sacred land.

With Halloween approaching, and someone determined to protect the goddess at all costs, can Martha and Summers catch the killer before they strike again – and this time much closer to home…?

My Review

Well, what a book! Creepy and atmospheric and full of folk history. 

Emma is staying for a few days with a host she connected with through the Facebook group Sofa Sistas before she walks the Caillech Way to the goddess's shrine in time for Samhain, or Halloween, to show how important it is and that it shouldn't be destroyed. To show how important the Bone Mother is. Martha's editor, who is keen for her to get back to work properly, give a her a tip about human remains being found near the railway but she chooses not to get involved. That is, until DI Derek Summers asks her to take a look. And what she finds is terrifying...

The first thing to say is that the scene setting in is terrific. The countryside of the Scottish Highlands is a character in itself, especially when the folklore is weaved into and around it. We see what Emma sees and feel what she feels on her hike, and the same with Martha, whether she is walking the dogs or investigating the crime. 

Speaking of Martha, she's a great character. She's been through so much but is now looking forward, making a life for her and her son, rebuilding her relationship with her partner. She's settled, has friends, particularly Orla, and is being encouraged back to work. She carries her pain well, and is diligent and determined when it comes to getting to the truth. She's trustworthy too, hence she has been able to build a positive relationship with Derek Summers, and we see that develop here. 

The storyline of The Bone Mother is sinister with links to old legends, and is full of fear and violence. Tension rises through the book as Martha, and the reader, realise something is very wrong indeed. The outcome was unexpected for me - I hadn't seen it coming - and hit close to home for Martha but she never stopped. Perhaps she's a little foolhardy and headstrong but I'm going go with brave. And I love that about her. Well worth checking out. 

The Author

Originally from the north-east of England, former journalist Suzy Aspley has lived in Scotland for almost thirty years. She writes crime and short stories, often inspired by the strange things she sees in the landscape around her. She won Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect in 2019 with the original idea for her debut novel and was shortlisted for the Capital Crime New Voices Award. In 2020, she was mentored by Jo Dickinson as part of the Hachette future bookshelf initiative. Crow Moon was longlisted for the Caledonia Novel Award, and shortlisted for the Val McDermid Debut Award and the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize. When she’s not writing, she’s either got her nose buried in a book, or is outside with her dogs dreaming up more dark stories. She lives in Stirlingshire with her family.

Book Blanket 2026

Here is the granny square for The Bone Mother to be added to my crochet book blanket - there are some great colours in the cover when you look closely. You can't see it well by there is a bit of sparkle in the white yarn to try to emulate the shading in and around the skull on the cover. It's not a perfect match but I'm pleased with it.