The Bone Mother by Suzy Aspley #BookReview #TheBoneMother @Writer_Suzy @OrendaBooks #Gothic #Mystery

 

Rituals

Secrets

A killer who will protect them at any cost…
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…?

The Bone Mother by Suzy Aspley was published on 7 May 2026 by Orenda Books and is the second in the Martha Strangeways Investigation series. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this virtual book tour 

I read and reviewed the first in this series: Crow Moon, back in April 2024. I enjoyed every word of it and have been looking forward to book two ever since. 

It's been an adventure to return to Strathbran in The Bone Mother. From the very first pages, I felt really involved in this eerie and  atmospheric setting. Blending crime, folklore and a creeping sense of unease, this is a novel that is full of history secrets.

Martha Strangeways has tried to leave the darkness of the past behind her and carve out a quieter life for herself, but her peace never seems to last for long. When DI Derek Summers asks for her help investigating the discovery of a human ear beside a railway line, Martha is drawn into a case that quickly becomes far more sinister than anyone first imagined. The death of a young woman found in a ritualistic manner near an ancient church creates questions about old beliefs, sacred places and those who will do anything to protect them.

What I really enjoyed about this novel was the way the author weaves together folklore and crime so well. The legend of the Bone Mother goddess and the mysterious Cailleach Way add such depth to the story, creating an unsettling edge that stays throughout the novel. There’s a constant feeling that the surrounding countryside itself is watching, hiding ancient memories and danger. With Halloween approaching, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense, and there were moments when I genuinely felt a chill while reading.

The Scottish Highlands are brought vividly to life here. The remote churches, rugged landscapes and isolated villages create the perfect backdrop for a story filled with myth and fear. The sense of place is exceptional; I could almost feel the cold air and hear the silence of the hills. It’s this setting that gives the novel so much of its power.

Martha continues to grow as a character and I enjoyed spending time with her once again. She’s intelligent and determined, but also vulnerable, particularly when aspects of her own past begin to emerge. Her relationship with Derek Summers develops beautifully in this story.

The mystery itself is cleverly plotted, full of tension and intrigue, and the author keeps the reader guessing throughout. The pacing is excellent, until the final chapters become almost impossible to put down. Every thread is woven together with care, resulting in a gripping and satisfying conclusion.

The Bone Mother is an atmospheric,  compelling crime novel with a strong gothic feel. Perfect for readers who enjoy mysteries steeped in folklore and setting, this is a series that continues to go from strength to strength. I’m already looking forward to discovering where Martha Strangeways will lead us next.

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.