A TIMES, OBSERVER, DAILY MAIL and LITERARY REVIEW BOOK OF THE YEAR
Summer, 2021.
Nell has come home at her family’s insistence to celebrate an anniversary. Fifty years ago, her father wrote The Golden Bones. Part picture book, part treasure hunt, Sir Frank Churcher created a fairy story about Elinore, a murdered woman whose skeleton was scattered all over England. Clues and puzzles in the pages of The Golden Bones led readers to seven sites where jewels were buried: one by one, the tiny golden bones were dug up until only Elinore’s pelvis remained hidden.
The book was a sensation. A community of treasure hunters called the Bonehunters formed, in frenzied competition, obsessed to a dangerous, murderous degree. The book made Frank a rich man. Stalked by fans who could not tell fantasy from reality, his daughter, Nell, became a recluse.
But now the Churchers must be reunited. The book is being reissued along with a new treasure hunt and a documentary crew are charting everything that follows. Nell is appalled, and terrified. During the filming, Frank finally reveals the whereabouts of the missing golden bone. And then all hell breaks loose.
Inspired by the author’s love for Masquerade, this is a taut, mesmerising novel of danger and obsession.
‘The ultimate entertaining thriller’ EVENING STANDARD
‘Flawless’ SUNDAY TIMES
‘A rich and fascinating puzzle’ MAIL ON SUNDAY
‘I completely lost myself to this book for a few days’ LUCY FOLEY
‘A deliciously involving page turner’ GUARDIAN
‘With rich characterisation and intricate yet propulsive plotting’ GUARDIAN
‘Sparks the most intense of emotions’ THE TIMES *THRILLER OF THE MONTH*
‘A gorgeously intricate puzzle of a book’ THE OBSERVER
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Paperback
Language: English
Extent: 512
Publication Date: 31 August 2023
ISBN-13: 9781473680920
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Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Imprint: Hodder & Stoughton
