The Brontë sisters and brother Branwell are involved in solving the mystery of a child's bones hidden within the fireplace of Top Withens Hall. An historical mystery featuring the siblings circa 1945.

Missing and dead children are always a lure in fiction, and I like a good detective novel. Of course, in real life, the Brontë family were much too busy writing to take a break into solving local crime. The period details are present and this very slow-paced whodunit is less a thriller and more of an imagining of what the Brontë sisters were doing in their free moments between writing amazing classical novels! That said, I had already figured out most of what was going on between the lines so the conclusion held no surprises and it never grabbed me with any suspense or tension.

The narrative unfolds from the points of view of the different Brontë sisters and, to be honest, their life is sort of depressing especially as most know how it all turns out for the real life Brontë siblings. What a time in history and what a huge loss to literature those young people gone far too soon.

Anyway, this was a departure from my usual fare and I enjoyed it having read the first in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this e-book ARC to read and review.

This is the second novel by Bella Ellis about the Brontë sisters. It’s historical fiction that brings the period (1845) and the setting vividly to life. It begins with Charlotte in 1852 looking back to that December of 1845 when her brother and sisters had still been alive and they had faced the hidden horror that lay within Top Withins Hall. This is a dark story, as the four Brontës discover – it involves not only murder, but also the occult and child exploitation. It highlights what life was like in the mid nineteenth century, the living conditions and the inequalities between the well-to-do and the poor.

Charlotte, Emily and Anne and their brother, Branwell became real people before my eyes, seeing them in their home in the Parsonage at Howarth. And together they make a formidable team as they set about discovering the truth about the bones of a child hidden in a chimney in the oldest part of Top Withins Hall, an ancient house high up on the moors above Howarth.

The Hall is the home of the Bradshaw family, known by Tabby, the Brontes’ housekeeper as a ‘bad lot’. She is steeped in the local superstitions and folklore and believes the land where the Bradshaws live is where the ‘hidden folk’ live. It fills her with horror as she tells the sisters about the children of Adam and Eve who live among the rocks and woodland, moors and rivers, unseen. In the past people would leave out offerings for them to keep away ill fortune. She warns them that now that there is a heavy price to be paid – and that the discovery of the bones is just the start of it.

There are links to other Brontë books in the names of some of the characters – for example, imagine finding Mrs Grace Poole, the guardian of the mad woman in the attic in Jane Eyre in charge of an orphanage. And I was delighted to find Emily in particular was inspired by Top Withins Hall and the events that took place there to write a novel, because its resemblance to Wuthering Heights struck me immediately. The more I read the more I could believe that the Brontë family were just as Bella Ellis has described them.

Bella Ellis’ is the Brontë inspired pen name for the author Rowan Coleman, who has been a Brontë devotee for most of her life – and it shows so well in this book. The setting is superb, the characters are ‘real’ and the book is well plotted. It was only towards the end that I suspected the identity of the main culprit and the danger that the four siblings had to face. I do hope there will be a third Brontë book.

My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an e-book review copy via NetGalley

Reading 'The Diabolical Bones' is like settling in for a good chat with a friend over a nice cup of tea. But only if that friend had an exciting tale of strange adventures and lots of gossip. I really enjoy these Bronte mysteries, the Brontes themselves are so well drawn that I never want the book to end. Each sister has their own voice and distinct manner, which pleases me immensely. The mystery is strange and involving and Bella Ellis is very clever in the methods she uses to have the Brontes investigate and the difficulties they face. Brilliant, next please!

As with the first book in the series The Vanished Bride, the prologue to The Diabolical Bones sees Charlotte, now the last surviving member of the Brontë family, looking back on her and her sisters’ lives before they became famous authors. It underlines how tragically short those lives were, Emily having died in 1848 and Anne in 1849. Charlotte herself was to die in 1855.

The book reprises the inventive premise of its predecessor, namely that the Brontë sisters were enterprising ‘detectors’ before they were novelists – with the assistance, from time to time of their brother, Branwell. The Diabolical Bones represents their second case, undertaken in 1846, (before the publication of Wuthering Heights in 1847, the relevance of which will become apparent).

The narrative alternates between the point of view of the three sisters, allowing the reader to appreciate their different strengths when it comes to the art of ‘detecting’. Together they make a formidable team. As Anne observes: “Charlotte, you have a gift for reading people and drawing them out of themselves. Emily, you see connections and clues that a mind inferior to yours would simply not be able to fathom… As for myself, I keep our minds focused on the reasons behind it all: the human reasons… Branwell allows us access into rooms where lone women might not otherwise go, and sometimes provides a fairly adequate distraction. When we are together, we are stronger and we are safer.”

They may be stronger together but are they safer? It soon becomes evident they are hunting an individual so convinced of their own superiority they are prepared to engage the sisters in ‘a battle of wits’, even leaving clues for them to find. Throughout the story there’s a sense of the Gothic from the ‘dense and sorrowful atmosphere’ of the Bradshaw house to local talk of evil stalking the neighbourhood when the moon is dark. The sisters’ investigation even includes a visit to a witch, although this does involve crossing the border from their beloved Yorkshire into Lancashire. “Oh well,” Emily said. “Needs must.”

The battle of wits eventually becomes a battle of a more deadly kind requiring the Brontës to draw on all their courage and ingenuity as they pit themselves against a formidable foe, whilst all the time the clock is ticking until the monster strikes again.

Admirers of the Brontës will enjoy the references to events in their lives and have fun spotting places said to have inspired locations in their novels. Indeed, returning from a visit to the house where the bones were discovered, Emily enthuses, “I had a vision of a story, and I wanted to write it all down before I forgot it. It is a marvellous, ferocious storm of a story. I shall set it at Top Withens…” The author also gives some of the secondary characters names reminiscent of those in the Brontë sisters’ novels. I spotted Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall but there may be more.

Readers who enjoyed the first Brontë mystery will be delighted to see the sisters return for a second foray into ‘detecting’. But you don’t need to be a fan of the Brontës to enjoy this skillfully crafted historical mystery. As Bella Ellis notes in her Acknowledgements, ‘We all need a good story in our lives now, more than ever.’ Amen to that.

I absolutely loved this. These Bronte mysteries are awesome I really can not get enough and looking forward to the next one. I highly recommend to all Bronte fans

I really enjoyed the first book of the Brontë Mysteries by Bella Ellis so was looking forward to reading this one. It didn't disappoint. Echoes of Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre abound. It made me feel I knew the Brontë sisters. A good, historical fiction and one I recommend.

After reading The Vanished Bride last year, I was delighted to find out there was another book coming out. The Diabolical Bones is the second novel in the Brontë mysteries series. I really enjoy reading this series in which the three famous sisters, Anne, Emily, and Charlotte, sometimes with the help of their brother Branwell, turn into detectives, solving mysteries in the village of Haworth, in Yorkshire.

It is 1845, right before Christmas. In a locked room in Top Withens Hall, the bones of a child are found. The owner of the house, Clifton Bradshaw, swears not to know who the child is and who hid the bones and he is also refusing to bury the remains. The Brontë sisters, who are waiting to know if their poetry will be published, are determined to find out the truth and start investigating.

The story is told from the points of views of the three sisters. Each sister has her own distinctive personality. They work well both together and alone and, even though they are a work of fiction, the author’s research into their lives is clear and extensive. I couldn’t tell you who my favourite sister is, I like them all in equal measure, but I admit that I have a soft spot for Branwell.

The Brontë family members are not the only protagonists of the story. Under the author’s pen, the Yorkshire Moors come to life. Covered in snow, bleak, cold, they are the perfect setting to this dark and thrilling story:

“The day was grey, and snow fell like ash, heavy and suffocating. No matter how she tried to rally her spirits, Charlotte could not escape the great sense of unease that continued to follow her at every moment, as if disaster was looming around each corner. The renewed snowfall only added to the sensation that they were cut off from the world entirely, a little island of isolation far way from the world of logic and reason. Here the old spirits still walked the moors after dark."


The author masterfully mixes fiction with historical facts. The mystery investigated by the sisters brings to light a reality that was common at their time: poverty, child labour, the conditions of orphanages, racism, and discrimination.

I also would like to mention the beautifully designed jacket and cover and the gorgeous map inside the book that I couldn’t stop looking at over and over again. The Diabolical Bones is a gripping, intriguing, and immersive story and I can’t wait to read whatever comes next.

The one good thing reading this book did for me, was to remind me how great the authentic Bronte sisters were.
Unfortunately, the sisters only lived short lives, the eldest surviving being Emily Jane who reached 30 years old.
‘Jane Eyre’, ‘Wuthering Heights’ ,and ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’ all memorable classics.
Having not read Ellis’s first novel I was at first taken aback by her use of the Bronte family as vehicles for her characters.
Ellis portrays the Bronte sisters as ‘detectors’ hell bent on solving the mystery of a child’s bones found stuffed up a chimney at Top Withins Hall.
The siblings trudge around in the snow, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of answers.
The chase of the truth, and the detector business were both certainly entertaining, like an old Hammer Horror movie – in a good way!
But it lacked the depth and ambience of any original Bronte story for me.
Ellis has certainly done a wonderful job at researching the characters, facts and locations. The acknowledgements at the end were very interesting, and I learnt a few new things about the Bronte family.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BerkleyBooks for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love the first Bronte Mysteries book, The Vanished Bride, so was thrilled to receive a copy of The Diabolical Bones through Netgalley.

And I think this is even better than the first one.

The Bronte Sisters really come alive as the fight the bitter Yorkshire weather and try to unravel the complex and sinister story behind the bones found at Top Withins.

Their different personalities are developed in this book as the bicker and squabble, tease and support each other. They each have different strengths and bring their own skills and observations to the investigation.

The story is utterly compelling with so many layers as the darkness behind the tragedy is revealed.

Like the work of the Brontes themselves, the Yorkshire landscape is central to the story. This investigation inspires Emily and there is a very Wuthering Heightsy feeling to parts of the story. There’s lots of local folklore and traditions, witchcraft and superstitions.

This is a great read and a great series. I already can’t wait for the next one!

Thank you Netgalley for the gifted copy in return for an honest review.

Is there a better idea for a book series than getting the Bronte sisters to chase around Yorkshire solving seemingly unsolvable mysteries? I don’t think so! I read the first book in Bella Ellis’s series, The Vanished Bride, earlier this month and really enjoyed it, so I was incredibly excited to read this second instalment, The Diabolical Bones.

When a child’s skeleton is found hidden in the walls of a local house, the Brontes are keen to try and crack the case. But when another local child goes missing, solving the mystery becomes more urgent than ever, their investigations putting the sisters in terrible danger. Will they find the culprit before it’s too late?

These books are cosy, gothic historical mysteries. I absolutely love the way they are written, with a lot of wry humour and a feminist edge. The insight into the differing characters of the Brontes is also completely fascinating.

This particular mystery drew me in from the outset. Anything involving missing children and I HAVE to find out what’s happened. But it’s Bella Ellis’s impeccable storytelling ability that makes this book really stand out. I was so happy to find out that there will be more Bronte mysteries – sign me up!

With thanks to Hodder for gifting me a digital review copy.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series so was looking forward to this new Brontë adventure. You don’t need to have read or know anything about the sister to enjoy these books. I liked the little references to the Brontë’s books scattered throughout though. This is a darker read than The Vanishing Bride and even better. The world created in the book for the sisters and Branwell is well written and completely believable, the author does a great job of bringing it to life. I love the relationship between the sisters. A dark, Gothic atmosphere runs through the whole book. This is an excellent read.

If you’ve never read a novel by one of the Brontë sisters, it doesn’t matter. There is plenty to enjoy about the Brontë Mysteries by Bella Ellis without figuring out the innumerable references to ‘Wuthering Heights’, ‘Jane Eyre’ and ‘The Tenant of Wildfell Hall’. ‘The Diabolical Bones’ is second in the crime series after the impressive first, ‘The Vanished Bride’. This one is better, and darker.
When bones are found interred in the walls of a local house on the moor, the three detecting sisters and reluctant brother Branwell set out to confirm the child’s identity so it can be respectfully buried. There are few clues; the location of the find, the father and son who live in the house, the age of the child, and a medallion found with the bones. Top Withens, the remote house concerned, is said to be Emily’s inspiration for the house of the Earnshaw family, Wuthering Heights.
Ellis has constructed a convincing world for the sisters; the parsonage, their blind father, housekeeper Tabby, the villagers in Haworth and wider circle of acquaintances. The charm of this portrayal of the Brontës is the strength of the series. Branwell’s presence is key as in 1852, lone women could not venture out as the sisters do here without the company of a man. The portrayal of the sisters is fascinating, the dynamic between the three, the shared history and understanding of each other, the irritations and the love, their intellectual capabilities, their doubts and bravery. Each has differing strengths which lend weight to the investigations. Emily is impulsive and inspired, Anne is calm and logical, Charlotte is clever but insecure. As Anne says, ‘Detecting does seem to involve a great deal of time looking for something that might not exist.’
It is winter and freezing cold and as the sisters wrap themselves in cloaks to adventure outdoors, the atmosphere is dark and Gothic. Social issues are addressed; the exploitation of orphan children, the plight of urban and rural poor, the prejudice against Irish immigrants, the privilege of wealth.
Of course, the reward when reading crime novels is to spot the murderer early in the tale. I admit to thinking ‘surely it’s not…’ This plot is well constructed; read it and see if you spot any early clues. The story skips along at a fair pace and when I put the book down, I was always longing to read just another chapter.
The series is fast becoming a favourite. Brilliant escapism.
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/

Thank you to Netgalley, Bella Ellis & Hodder & Stoughton for my arc of The Diabolical Bones in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date: 5th November 2020

This is the second book in Bella Ellis' The Brontë Mysteries series which sees the three Brontë sisters we all know and love, turning 'lady detectors' and solving mysteries across Yorkshire.

I think Bella Ellis captures the characters of Charlotte, Emily and Ann so well. She cleverly creates their personalities so that the reader has an understanding of how each could be led to write their most famous novels and keeps the wonderful historical setting well. She really captures the moors and setting of Haworth (I've been there irl so I can definitely vouch for that), while creating a mystery and putting her own twist on it. Not an easy feat when remaining historically accurate to a time when it was definitely not acceptable for women to be off 'detecting'.

The writing flows well and the mystery keeps you turning the pages. I'm really enjoying this series of books and can't wait for the next instalment!

A splendid adventure indeed. Bronte lovers are sure to find this book as a warm reminder of all the wonderfully written fiction of the bronte sisters. Definitely recommend.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and I am so pleased that the love that Bella Ellis has for the Bronte sisters adds similar magic to this second instalment. Once again we are allowed to share in the minutiae of the sister's daily lives, experience their family dynamic and listen in to their conversations, all of which adds a wonderful depth to the book.
Once again the plot pays homage to a wonderful gothic mystery. It is cram-packed with nefarious aristocratic members, secret lovers, family secrets and the desire to be a member of the ruling class. The setting celebrates the beauty of the Yorkshire Moors, but never at the expense of ignoring the hardships faced during the harsh winter months. The descriptions of the frozen, snow-laden landscapes had me reaching for an extra blanket as I read long into the night. Again, this is all achieved with such a light touch, that these details only serve to enhance the story.

My thanks go to the publishers and Net Galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

4.5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2020/11/16/the-diabolical-bones-by-bella-ellis/
My Five Word TL:DR Review : A thoroughly enjoyable period mystery.

I simply couldn’t resist requesting a copy of the Diabolical Bones – the Bronte sisters turn detective – and I’m so happy that I was approved because this was just the book I needed. A real pick me up or tonic to get me out of a reading funk. Just to be clear though – this is a murder mystery so although very gentle, charming even, there is a body – in fact a skeleton, uncovered behind a chimney breast and talk of a man who sold his soul to the devil.

For this particular review I’m not going to overly discuss the plot but instead talk about all the other elements that I enjoyed so much. The plot itself starts with the discovery of a child’s bones within the chimney breast of Scartop House, a farm belonging to the Bradshaws and from there it becomes a sinister tale with the sisters seeking counsel from ‘seers’, spinsters and a poorly run orphanage.

Firstly, the period and setting. Ellis has managed to easily portray the village and home where the Brontes live with the moors on their very doorstep. I love books set during the Victorian period and this is no exception. The author manages to write in a style that is reminiscent of the era and the sensibilities of the period whilst at the same time giving the story a more modern and accessible feel. The setting itself is bursting at the seams with gothic delight and the winter setting and furious cold of the moors only adds to this.

Secondly, the family itself. I loved the way the author depicts the Bronte family. Their love and care for each other is apparent, even if they have small differences, their affection is still very prominent. The girls were well educated and brimming over with imagination and enthusiasm for the literary world. Charlotte seemed to be the driving force behind their publication, Emily seemed to be almost indifferent to success and Anne seemed to fulfill the role of the glue that holds them together. Bradwell also plays a role here although he seems to be already suffering from despair and a reliance on alcohol. What comes across abundantly is the author’s love for this family and their literary works.

The story is really well drawn. Obviously, given the period the three sisters are inhibited by certain protocols but they often get around such inconveniences by having their brother accompany them on their missions. On top of that the plot is suitably macabre, there is considerable fear on the part of the sisters, particularly Charlotte, who fears what they’re getting themselves into, and also there’s the brutality of certain suspects. Always, there’s the atmosphere surrounding the places visited during the girl’s investigations. The places are well described, often barren or remote, cold or harsh with little by way of comfort. Times were hard and this comes across well here and the tone is reflective of the sisters’ own works.

The other thing that I absolutely loved were the references to the Bronte’s work – and by that, I don’t mean that the author directly references their stories because of course at the time depicted they weren’t published – more that she uses this story to show some of the inspiration that they drew upon with their own writing, and of course whilst this is a fictional account it comes across as plausible which adds a certain gravitas to the book. I would add though, for clarity, I don’t think you need to have read the Brontes to enjoy this novel (although I obviously recommend you do so). I think this would still read very well without any prior knowledge.

In terms of criticism. Well, much like the Brontes, Ellis has gone for a dramatic, almost over the top style with a villain that is suitably disturbed and perhaps a little easy to spot. I don’t particularly see this as a problem as there are red herrings along the way to muddy the waters. Other than that I have nothing more to add.

I really enjoyed this and I would love to read more adventures from the Bronte sisters and their family. This is very light on fantasy and more falling on the side of murder mystery but there are some rather creepy visits to the Haworth cemetery and a ghostly visitation.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publishers, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

I love the Brontes so this was just up my street. This book has clearly been well researched and it so beautifully written. I loved the description of the Yorkshire moors which was captivating. Brilliant read.

The sisters are once again back investigating a mystery. This time its bones found in an old house. Locked away for years but possibly linked to dark magic. Can they work out who was encased in the wall and how they got there. Is there a murder in their midst or worse a monster?

This is the second book of th Bronte sisters and another good read. The mystery was clever and had me guessing until close to the end when I figured it out. I love the atmosphere that's created though the book. The plot is steady and builds to a brilliant conclusion. The writing is well done and so decriptive. You can easily picture the wildness of the location. A brilliant thriller with dark themes. I love the Bronte sisters so this just gives more depth to them and I'm really starting to like Bramwell too. Great read.

My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Diabolical Bones’ by Bella Ellis in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second in Ellis’ series of historical mysteries featuring the Brontë sisters undertaking some amateur detecting. While I haven’t yet read ‘The Vanished Bride’, this didn’t prove a problem.

It is Christmas 1845 and Haworth is in the grip of a freezing winter. Charlotte, Emily and Anne Brontë are losing interest in detecting until they hear of a shocking discovery: the bones of a child have been found interred within the walls of a local house, Top Withens Hall, home to the scandalous and brutish Bradshaw family.

So the plucky sisters decide not only to arrange a Christian burial for the child but to discover how he came to be interred there. What follows is an increasingly complex and sinister case.

I am not that familiar with the lives of the Brontë
sisters and their brother, Branwell, yet others with more knowledge have praised Ellis for her research and faithfulness to the details of their lives. Still I was able to recognise that she had created a believable setting that included the etiquette and sensibilities of the period and also incorporated various social issues into the narrative.

Also, the story progresses at a pace that is in keeping with its period setting and I quickly found myself transported to the wintery moors alongside the sisters.

I enjoyed this Gothic whodunnit very much and will be looking forward to future cases for the Brontës as well as catching up on the first in the series.

Highly recommended.

I loved the first book and now I love this more! It's a gothic mystery, that's really fun to read. Gripping and perfect for the time of the year. Highly recommended.
Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.