I'm a huge fan of the ghostly universe represented by this book, and I will advocate for it, but this story is really only for the completists, who loved and collected the Felix Castor series. The book throws you right in the deep end of this universe ,so if you have not read any of the other books in the series, you might be a bit baffled, or even lost. The story is rather short, so it doesn't have time to truly immerse or explain this world. Still, I love this particular universe. I missed it, even though it's pretty terrifying, and I really enjoyed this story, meeting some of my favorite characters again, and getting that spooky little thrill.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing this e-ARC. I am anticipating reading this soon and reviewing on my socials.

I really enjoy Felix Castor as a character, and this was a great addition to an already great series. A fantastic novella, full of ghosts and a demon and a zombie and all sorts of spooky goings on, I couldn't put it down!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for this review copy.

I wish there had been a bit more punch to the ending, but it was a pleasure to revisit Felix Castor again.

This novella stands on its own well enough that those new to the series or who haven't read it in a while will have no trouble keeping up.

Received via NetGalley.

THE GHOST IN BONE by Mike CAREY
(6TH Book in the FELIX CASTOR EXORCIST SERIES)
Publication: 8/1/2023 by Subterranean Press
Novella: 144 pages

This sixth book in the series is long overdue with the previous book: “The Naming of The Beasts” being published in 2009. This proves to be an excellent jumping-on point for those lucky enough to just now discover this wonderful series. This novella finds Felix Castor hard pressed for funds. Castor lost his steady source of income as a consultant for the London Metropolitan Police force after being implicated in the destruction of a London paranormal research unit. Short on funds he is intrigued by a cryptic newspaper advertisement offering a payday to exorcists for showing up at Brierly Mansion, and a larger sum for whoever is eventually hired for this mysterious job. Brierly Mansion is known to be the home of Russian oligarch Gavril Ustinov. He arrives to find a slew of “fellow” exorcists injured and blocked from entering the mansion by an unknown mysterious ancient force field. Only Castor figures out a way to thwart the field and gain entry. Ksenia Ustinov is behind the job offer … her father is missing, and she implores Castor to find him … dead or alive.
Mike Carey proves to be a masterful storyteller and weaves a complex noir tale , filled with intrigue, tension and British sardonic wit to create an aventuresome page turner. This series will have reader’s of Jim Butcher’s “Dresden” series, clamoring for more, and glad to jump on a new and better train. Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.

The Ghost in Bone was a wonderful fantasy novel with horror aspects that is shocking and completely horrifying. The use of the exorcism shocked me and was rather unexpected. I really enjoyed this!

Enjoyed this book by Mike Carey. I've read him before, but first time for the Felix Castor series. I really enjoyed the characters (well-developed) and the plot/pacing. Will definitely need to read more of this series. #TheGhostinBone #NetGalley

I really cannot express how delighted I am that Mike Carey (of the *Lucifer* and *Hellblazer* comics, and also known as MR Carey of the Book of Koli and *The Girl with All the Gifts*) has returned to the Felix Castor series.

Let’s go ahead and get the Dresden comparison out of the way. Castor is an exorcist, and serves as a sort of supernatural PI for the people of London while also consulting for Scotland Yard. He’s a snarky loner whose principles get him in trouble regularly. He even has a big coat that he wears in all weather and his friends make fun of him for.

But there are some important differences that make, in my opinion, this series the superior one. The humor is here, as in Dresden, but Dresden tends towards the slapstick; Castor is all dry British wit. The Castor series sticks much close to its noir roots, which the Dresden Files moved away from early on. Dresden is basically a superhero; Castor is a lightweight. (“Please don’t eviscerate me while I play my tin whistle at you for a few minutes” isn’t much of a battle strategy.) And the Castor series lacks the ever-present male gaze of the Dresden Files.

So all that was for the lucky people who haven’t read the Felix Castor books, and now get to do so. What follows is for those of us unlucky people who have been waiting for more since 2009.

*The Naming of the Beasts* left Fix in a good place, and wrapped up the overarching Asmodeus plotline. That’s where this picks up: Fix is in something approximating domestic bliss with Trudi, even while he still is behind on cash to pay the bills.

This novella (which features a case that, naturally, is More Than It Seems) is all about this big dangling plot thread left unresolved after the first 5 books: Why did the dead suddenly start rising? Why did exorcists suddenly appear? What is this *Thing* that Juliet absolutely refuses to talk about?

We get answers to none of those questions. But we do get hints that leave me thinking that, assuming Mike Carey is working on the next book (please, Mike, be working on the next book), answers are coming.

I love Carey's books ever since I picked up The Girl With All the Gifts a few years back. He tells a great story that pulls you along with it. This was my first time reading one of the books in this series, but now I want to go back and read the series from the beginning.

This book follows exorcist Felix Castor, who, along with a number of other exorcists, responds to an intriguing newspaper ad. He's selected to determine what happened to Gavril Ustinov by Ustinov's daughter Ksenia. He also wants to explore the matins that haunt Brierley House, where Ksenia lives. Castor's friends, including a zombie and a demon, help him along the way.

This novella features plenty of twists and turns and a clever mystery. Of course, it's the story behind the matins that leaves me wanting to read more. This is a fascinating world, and I want more of it.

It has been eight years since Mike Carey has had a tale about exorcist Felix Castor in a present where ghosts are quite real. ‎ Subterranean Press has a expensive hardcover novelette about a missing Russian oligarch whose house affects other exorcists with The Ghost in Bone. There are real nasty secrets to uncover, and Felix and friends are in great danger. This was an excellent series and I would really love more.

Scary. Engaging. Shocking. These are the words that come to mind when reading this entry by Mike Carey.

3.5/5

The Ghost in Bone was a great fast paced and light read. It’s perfect for someone who wants a fun paranormal mystery with a snarky main character and a range of various characters from a ghost to a succubus.

I do wish that we spent more time with the other characters overall. Things went so quickly that some felt to have very little time, but I assume if you had read the previous books of the series they would have been bigger parts of the story.

The book was described as a good entry point in an ongoing series and I would say I wish there was a bit more. We tended to get a brief description and backstory which was alright but felt not super fleshed out along with the brief character appearances.

I also wish there was just more to bite into overall. The world seems very interesting, a blend of current day and paranormal, but that was very little in actually fleshing it out further. Lots of scenes as well felt rather rushed with a focus on conversation rather than grounding it into a real space giving me the vibe of not really knowing where things took place. The magical aspect was also super intriguing but sparsely used, and I really just wanted to see more of it!

Overall though it was a quick and fun read!

I was so happy to see that after 14 years Mike Carey gives us a new Felix Castor book.. He doesn't miss a beat. The story is fresh and continues to deliver snappy dialog. I'm hoping yet another in this series comes out soon.

I’ve been meaning to start this series for years, but when I saw this newest title in the series, I thought why not start it here. I’m so very glad I did! The author skillfully made it so even if this is your first Felix book, you wouldn’t be lost not having read the other five before this one. Yes, there are a few minor things I’m not sure about, but they didn’t draw me from the story…and what a story it is. Felix and his pals were so entertaining and fun. I love the premise of how they solved this mystery, and I’m more than ready for another book. Interesting plot, great characters, and well-written. More, please. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Having never read anything involving Felix Castor before, I went into this wondering if I would be lost or confused by what was happening. Happily, that was not the case. Mike Carey delivers a concise supernatural mystery that hints at larger works but doesn’t rely on them to deliver a good story. As someone completely new to this, I was intrigued the entire time and now want more. For fans of the series, this does also appear to be a continuation of events that have already started, and promises more to come.

Note: arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for honest review