Things have calmed down now that tourist season is over in South Devon. The woman who recently bought Sycamore House is looking forward to the completion of renovations, but when the builder finds a mummified body behind a wall, everything comes to a screeching halt.
The body is that of Dr. Aleric Donnal, a scholar specializing in medieval history who was last seen over a decade ago around the time Sycamore House was owned by a commune that believed the house occupied a sacred site.
While Detective Inspector Wesley Peterson looks for potential suspects, his friend, Dr. Neil Watson, is investigating the ruins of an ancient chapel nearby. But when a new murder occurs nearby, Wesley has to wonder-- are the two crimes linked?
~
It's hard to believe that The Chapel of Bones is the thirtieth book in Kate Ellis's series-- and that I've read them all. By now, the entire cast feels like a beloved part of my (fictional) family. If you have yet to sample this excellent blend of crime, history, and archaeology, I urge you to do so. Due to the character development, it would be best to begin at the beginning (The Merchant's House). If thirty books feel daunting, start anywhere you like, but don't be surprised if you find yourself looking for the rest.
There's the usual catch-up with the characters. Wesley's boss, Gerry Heffernan, is still being pressured by higher-ups to retire. Neil Watson feels a twinge of jealousy when he's not unearthing an ancient chapel, and-- to his horror-- he has a groupie following him. Wesley and his wife, Pam, may be getting the hang of dealing with troublesome mother-in-law, Della, which pleased me to no end. As you can see, this series is perfect for character-driven readers.
As much as I love the characters, I think my favorite part of this series is how Ellis blends a current crime with local history. I've learned a lot in the most enjoyable way from reading these books, and The Chapel of Bones is no exception. In this investigation, Wesley and his team are hampered by the difficulty in identifying both victims and suspects. One thing that could help is tracking the previous owners of Sycamore House, but even that proves difficult. (How would you like to trace the owners of a property that is hundreds of years old and has undergone several name changes?)
The Chapel of Bones is another strong entry in this long-running series. I'm looking forward to Wesley's next investigation.
The Chapel of Bones by Kate Ellis
eISBN: 9780349442976
Constable © 2026
eBook, 335 pages
Police Procedural, #30 Wesley Peterson
Rating: B+
Source: Purchased from Amazon.
You don't need to urge me twice to catch up on this series, Cathy. I'm not nearly as far along in it as you are, but it is excellent, isn't it? Besides the solid plots, well-developed characters, etc., I always feel like I'm learning something when I read one of Ellis' books. Win win, if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder about this series - it's been awhile since I read one, so I'm due for another installment. I definitely enjoy the characters and the actual historical details as much as you do.
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