The Bone Jar is the debut from new author S.W. Kane and is an intriguing start to hopefully a new series.

Starring 2 protagonists, rather than focusing on the Detective, this book introduces the kinda cool detective Lew Kirby and urban explorer (new to me) Connie Darke.

When an elderly woman is found dead in an abandoned asylum, Kirby and likeable partner Pete Anderson investigate and find Connie Darke is inexplicably linked to the derelict site.

With a property developer waiting to build on the site and a old patient still inhabiting an old building there are no lack of suspects..

The creepy atmospheric setting is done very well by Kane and almost gets under your skin in an unassuming quietly disturbing way.

There are some great characters in this book, Raymond Sweet is a great creation, but none of the characters seem to take over which is quite a change and something I quite liked.

Paced perfectly, this book holds your attention and the suspense builds well and the twists come at you as the book races toward its satisfying finale,

A very good debut, a quality police procedural and an interesting thriller in a darkly creepy setting with some cool new protagonists on the crime scene.

Recommended

4🔥🔥🔥🔥

The Bone Jar is a complex, chilling and an atmospheric police procedural by S W Kane. London is in the grips of one of the worst snowstorms for decades. When the body of an elderly woman is discovered in an abandoned asylum, scheduled for demolition, the police soon realise that this case isn’t going to be easy to solve. But who could have murdered someone so vulnerable? As they speak to people who knew the murdered woman, including her family, they uncover conflicting accounts about her. Was she a saint, or was she evil? Who held such a bad grudge against her that they wanted to see her dead?

The old asylum, Blackwater, which becomes the scene of the crime, gave the book a very haunting feeling. With the discovery of the body, it seemed to me that there were many undiscovered secrets about the place. Although the setting is near enough abandoned, there is one man who still lives there, who managed to claim squatter’s rights. Raymond Sweet is a former patient, but he isn’t willing to leave the area, even though he has been offered a handsome sum of money by the developers to do so. I wanted to know what he knew about the place, and it’s past. What went on when Raymond was a patient there? Did he know anything about the murdered woman? Raymond also has a secret which he is keen to protect at all costs.

As the plot developed, I became more and more intrigued about the woman, especially when dark secrets about her past were revealed. I was never able to guess how the plot was going to unfold and S W Kane built up the tension really well as the book came to a close.

I also really liked the two main characters. DI Lew Kirby is the detective working on the case, and I thought his character was well developed. He has a love for old cars but hates the police-issue Corsa he drives. Even his mother calls it a ‘student car.’ S W Kane also introduces us to Connie, an urban explorer who has a keen interest in the asylum. Both Connie and Lew are two really engaging characters who I would like to see explored further.

I have heard that The Bone Jar is the first book in a new trilogy and I’m excited to read what S W Kane has in store for us next. I highly recommend this book.

I confess that I was fully intrigued as soon as I took my first glimpse at the blurb of The Bone Jar. I always love a good detective thriller, and the promise of an abandoned asylum setting combined with hints at its past and secrets as well as a former patient involved in a present day murder investigation sounded simply irresistible. Talk about the perfect hair-raising backdrop for this first book of a new detective series! I had a hunch that I would enjoy this story, and my instincts definitely turned out to be right. The Bone Jar is a dark, eerie and atmospheric detective thriller that will chill you to the bone, and not just because of the winter wonderland descriptions. Without a doubt recommended if you enjoy the detective thriller genre!

There is no doubt that the Blackwater Asylum steals the show here. Not only does the majority of the story take place in or around the abandoned asylum, but its descriptions also give the story that spine-chilling feel as well as a hint of forboding. The descriptions are thorough and beautifully done, and really made the setting come alive for me. The fact that The Bone Jar takes place during the cold winter months only adds to the eerie atmosphere... The snow and cold weather used to add obstacles to the investigation as well as influencing how the plot as a whole develops. Especially the focus on the Blackwater Asylum was a huge bonus for me, as I have a weak spot for stories with that angle and its incorporation in the plot was handled splendidly.

The Bone Jar has quite a few characters in play, and I confess that initially I struggled a little to remember how they all connected. This feeling was only temporary though and as soon as I was able to fit them all into their place in the plot puzzle, I was fully hooked. I wish we could have seen more of new main character detective Lew Kirby, but we did get a few hints at his private life and I'm definitely intrigued. We mainly see the story and investigation through his eyes, but both Raymond and Connie are also key to the plot of this first book. Both will soon find themselves in the middle of everything and I quite liked getting to learn more about them. Especially Raymond is a fascinating character with his past and possible knowledge of present events as well as secrets about Blackwater Asylum.

I also really liked the mention of urban exploration and the connection more than one character had with this activity in the plot. It was interesting to learn a little about the urban exploration terms and I would have loved to see it even more present! The Bone Jar mainly focused on the asylum and its hidden secrets as well as the present murder case though. It was interesting to see Lew Kirby and the others investigating the crime and both the building up of suspense and the introduction of plot twists is more than solid. You keep wondering how everything and everyone connects and fits in, and the story will definitely have some surprises for you in store as well.

With its eerie and atmospheric derelict asylum setting, The Bone Jar sets the tone for what is an excellent start of a new detective series. Any fan of the genre will have a brilliant time meeting Lew Kirby as well as exploring Blackwater Asylum!

This review will go live at the link below on 6 July:

Hi and welcome to my stop on the blog tour for The Bone Jar! Many thanks to Anne Cater for the invite and to Thomas & Mercer for the eARC via NetGalley and the paperback copy.

The Bone Jar, what a title! I was fully intrigued and I hadn’t even read the blurb yet! And then I did read the blurb, and then I read it again, and in the end I virtually tripped over my own feet in my haste to sign up. You see, I have some trigger words, in a good way: words that are guaranteed to pique my interest and trigger me into wanting to read the novel if they’re in the blurb. One of those words is “secret”. Did you read the blurb? Check! Another, and one I hadn’t even realised until now, is “asylum”. Oh my giddy aunt, an asylum! An ABANDONED DERELICT asylum! With underground bunkers and secret rooms and *whispers* unspeakable psychological experimentation, ooooooh!

Kids, I was so enthusiastic about this one that I read it right after I got it, namely May. I regret nothing. Except maybe that I can’t read it again for the first time, but then again, I will definitely read it a second time, not in the least to try and spot any clues Ms Kane left and I missed the first time around. Yeah, it’s one of those novels where you reach the end and think: was the truth really staring me in the face this whole bloody time and did I still miss it?! I think it was! I need to go back and check!

So, what do we have here? An elderly woman found murdered in an abandoned asylum. Few pages in, and we already have our first mystery to solve. Because who is she? And why the hell would anyone want to murder an eighty-something woman? At the same time, a man has gone missing in the vicinity of Blackwater Asylum. Did he have anything to do with the murder? Did he just go on a bender? Or might he have witnessed something he shouldn’t have? Bam, second mystery! And they only pile on from there. The more the police discover about Blackwater, the more questions pop up.

Of course I gobbled up the mysteries, the questions whose answers kept eluding me, the slowly unravelling secrets, but there is more to The Bone Jar. While it’s excellent fiction, it also sheds a light on a treatment used in psychiatric hospitals in the 60s and 70s: Deep Sleep Therapy. I found that fascinating and most definitely an enrichment of the story, knowing that the practice and malpractice of said technique is based on real facts.

The Bone Jar has such an atmospheric setting, not just because of the asylum but also because it’s set in the dead of winter, with the cold and the snow creating a gloomy sort of mood. It has a whole array of interesting characters, notably DCI Lew Kirby, whom I adored, Connie, an urban explorer, and Raymond, a former Blackwater patient. I do hope to see more of Kirby, The Bone Jar would be an excellent start of a new police procedural series, and if that’s the case then hopefully Connie will be back too. I also feel there are a few details left to clear up or expand upon, and I’d be first in line for a sequel!

The Bone Jar is so intricately woven that at one point I wondered if I should start drawing up family trees to keep all the facts straight. My brain must have short-circuited at least once, but you know what? This is 100% worth straining your grey cells for! I loved how it all came together in the end and how Blackwater’s dark history was finally laid to rest.

For me, The Bone Jar more than lived up to the expectations the blurb had created, I thoroughly enjoyed it and if you, like me, can’t resist a brooding thriller set in an asylum, then I’d happily recommend you add this one to your TBR!

What a great book this was. So full of twists and turns. keeps you second guessing yourself. The premise is basically, the body of 85 year old woman turns up in the abandoned Blackwater Asylum. What is her connection, if any, to the asylum? Though it could be called a police procedural, I think it's more a psychological thriller, as it focuses on secrets and connections to the asylum. Thanks to the author , publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. which I've reviewed honestly.

The Bone Jar is both police procedural and psychological thriller. When the body of an 85 year old turns up dead at the abandoned Blackwater Asylum, there's more questions than there are answers. This book was definitely a wild ride that keep me guessing at every step. I applaud the author for all the twists and turns because I was not ready for the ultimate reveal in the end. I will definitely be reading more books by this author in the future.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish - after all, with two murders, a derelict asylum on the banks of the River Thames containing all kinds of dark and grisly secrets and a former patient who cannot let go of the past, what's not to like?
Right at the start we read about a death but have to wait until much later in the book to find out its relevance. The story really begins with the discovery of the body of a badly beaten eighty-four year old woman lying on an old hospital bed in a ward of the long abandoned Blackwater Asylum in Battersea, South London. The old psychiatric hospital has a chequered past, including rumours of strange experiments, deaths and improper behaviour from the staff. Even after it was closed in 1993, there were several more incidents there such as arson and suicide. The whole site, including a listed chapel, water tower and a lake, has now been acquired by a developer by the name of Patrick Calder for redevelopment into luxury accommodation. There is one blot on Calder's landscape though. A former patient who should have moved into a B&B never actually left and Raymond Sweet stayed living for so long in the Old Lodge that he now has squatters' rights over a piece of the land. Raymond was first admitted to Blackwater at the age of seventeen, lived there twenty seven years till it closed and now at the age of sixty seven cannot imagine life anywhere else. A harmless soul with a less than perfect memory, he keeps himself to himself and tries to keep out of sight of the Creeper, the ghost he believes haunts the old building. The case falls to DI Lew Kirby and partner DI Pete Anderson of Mount Pleasant's Murder Investigation Team, and as their enquiries proceed, the victim is identified as local woman Ena Massey, a veritable saint of a former nurse who spent her retirement making home visits for a local hospice. No one seems to have a bad word to say about her but the placing of her body somewhere with a murky past can hardly be a coincidence. A mobile phone was also found at the crime scene and this leads the detectives to a search for the owner, a teaching assistant called Edward Blake. His fellow urbex (urban explorer) Connie Darke has also been looking for Ed without success. They were supposed to meet at Blackwater to honour the death of her sister Sarah, also Ed's girlfriend, who died there five years ago in a freak fall. Connie was delayed by the bad weather and Ed hasn't been seen since. Since the accident Connie has remained friends with Ed and has discovered the hobby of urbexing for herself. Her job as archivist at the Repository for Architectural Drawings and Ephemera has given her even more of an interest as she has access to the plans of many old buildings. The plans to Blackwater would be a major find but no one seems to know where they went, like a lot of the records from the hospital that also vanished. Connie is first interviewed by the police about Ed's disappearance, but as the case moves along and another body is found, she finds herself drawn into Kirby and Anderson's investigations. Very dark and disturbing secrets about what really went on at Blackwater start to emerge as family histories are thrown open and the past comes back with a vengeance in one of the coldest winters on record in London. The pace really shoots up at the end, and there are some great twists after an explosive finale where the truth finally comes to light. The book contained great well drawn characters that were easy to get to know. I really liked the pair of detectives and the humour in the story, such as the car Kirby loathes and Anderson's faith in his lucky rabbit's paw. They have a good rapport which in turn inspires the other detectives in their team. The plot is clever and has lots going on but I found it was always well written, and it was easy to keep up with the story which drew me in and kept me glued to it all the way through. I don't know what the plans are but I would certainly love to see this becoming a series featuring Kirby and Anderson. 5*

Is there anything creepier than an abandoned mental asylum? I don’t think so. A woman’s body has been found deep inside the cellars of the old hospital, Blackwater Asylum and another body is discovered in the Thames nearby. Detective Lew Kirby is assigned the cases, are they related, and if so, how? Kirby is joined by urban explorer, Connie Darke, whose sister was killed in an accident in the asylum. Together they explore the past and present of the old building as they try to uncover its secrets before someone else is killed. Brooding and atmospheric, this story kept me riveted

* spoiler alert ** 3.5 stars

I do like a book set in a creepy asylum.
The more deserted and neglected the better... adds atmosphere.
This certainly had that when a dead body is found on one of the empty wards.
This ticked the right boxes for creepy setting,strange characters,hidden tunnels,secret rooms,family secrets and murders.
It had a lot of good stuff going on.
It also had a decent central character,in what is hopefully going to be a series.
Some excellent twists in the plot,and the ending left me just wanting more.

The Bone Jar was right up my street - creepy, chilling and atmospheric. Set in the middle of winter, snow all around an elderly woman is found in an abandoned asylum Blackwater on the banks of the river Thames. How she got there without being seen on the security cameras is a mystery that Detective Lew Kirby and his partner have to solve. As their investigation goes on secrets from the Blackwater asylum begin to rear their ugly truth as connects to dead woman come to light.

There are many characters in this story and a lot of interconnecting story lines that will keep you on your toes, though I did find myself getting confused at some of the red herrings thrown in. That being said, I really did enjoy this book and I hope that there will be more coming for  Kirby in the future

5 star

'The Bone Jar' by S.W. Kane is the first book in the Detective Lew Kirby series, a story that circles around the discovery of an elderly woman's body in an abandoned asylum on the banks of the Thames. As DI Kirby and his partner start digging into the details of the woman's death, a second body turns up in the river nearby.

Secrets begin to unfold regarding hidden rooms, secret experimentation, and the legends that places like Blackwater Asylum so often develop.. that there's a force about them. Ghosts of the past. Or at least, an inescapable vortex that seems to draw others to their doom.

When Kirby meets with Connie Darke, an urban explorer whose sister died in an unexplained accident on the asylum grounds, his queries spur her own obsessions with the truth and she grows determined to help him find answers.

There are several questionable characters that pop up throughout the investigation, some of them tight-lipped and severe.. others wild and brash. Each one is richly portrayed, their distinctive quirks making them easy to keep track of even with a wide suspect pool.

To start with.. there's Raymond Sweet, the former resident of the asylum who ends up living on the property for decades after it closes. He's an unusual man, but he seems almost sweet in his strange way. There's the hot shot developer who ends up losing Sweets plot of land to him via squatters rights litigation, the missing urban explorer whose cell phone is found at the scene of the crime, the heir to Marsh House just in from Perth, the daughter of the deceased who is more than a little rough around the edges, and plenty of others.

Nearly everyone has secrets they're keeping, some of which are devastating and not all of them even relate to the case. In fact, while Kirby is trying to track down the killer, he's fielding calls from his parents about something his mom has been hiding. Admittedly, I found her reveal a little odd, but the story was still great.

I loved the dark, gritty setting. The description of the property throughout the book is so vividly stark. The asylum has stood on the grounds for years and it feels as if its affected almost everything within its reach.

Kane did a fantastic job of balancing character and story development with well-paced scenes filled with action or suspense. It's definitely worth the read.

I couldn’t get enough of The Bone Jar. I was afraid I wouldn’t finish it in time for this review but, once I started, I just flew through it.

What really drew me was the murder location of this book: a former asylum. I love any book set in some kind of abandoned building, especially one where bad things happened in the past. You just know that it will give the story a chilling, haunted vibe, and The Bone Jar didn’t disappoint. Of course, Blackwater Asylum and what happens there is completely fictional. However, it feels totally realistic based on the stories we have heard regarding what went on in places like this.

Although the plot presented enough twists and turns to keep me on my toes, it wasn’t what carried the book. The characters were also great. The best thing about them was that they didn’t fit the stereotype I often come across in these kinds of books. Connie was brave and smart and she didn’t make stupid mistakes. Kirby was pretty normal for a detective, and by that I mean he wasn’t an alcoholic, moody, adverse to other people (you know the usual characteristics), he was just the average person. However, while these characters stood strong in The Bone Jar, it was the unpredictability of Raymond Sweet, a former patient, that gave the book its edge.

I nearly chose this as my amazon first reads choice but decided on another title, so I was so pleased to get this through Netgalley.
This was so my kind of book, I have a morbid fascination with thrillers about mental asylums but this took forever to get going. I was at 20% before I found out the identity of the murder victim!
Lots of characters with not enough clarity between them made this really challenging, and I found I wasn't engaged fully with wanting to know the ending.

The body of an elderly woman has been found in the bowels of a derelict asylum on the banks of the Thames. As Detective Lew Kirby and his partner begin their investigation, another body is discovered in the river nearby. How are the two murders connected?

Before long, the secrets of Blackwater Asylum begin to reveal themselves. Lew along with the help of an urban explorer, Connie Darke, whose sister died in a freak accident at the asylum, must put the pieces of the puzzle together to keep the killer from striking again.

I really enjoyed this book. I was immediately intrigued with this book when the premise mentioned a murder in an asylum. That itself creates an interesting atmosphere for creepy thriller.

While at times I did get confused while reading because there were so many characters and sub plots going on at the same time. But, at the end all of it with all its twists and turns come together for a thrilling finish.

Overall an excellent start to a new series. Looking forward to more books in this series!

Thank You to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for this ARC

The Bone Jar by S W Kane is a debut novel, and one that caught and held my interest. Since this is listed as Book 1, I'm happy to know there will be more.

From description: Two murders. An abandoned asylum. Will a mysterious former patient help untangle the dark truth?
The body of an elderly woman has been found in the bowels of a derelict asylum on the banks of the Thames. As Detective Lew Kirby and his partner begin their investigation, another body is discovered in the river nearby. How are the two murders connected?

Before long, the secrets of Blackwater Asylum begin to reveal themselves. There are rumours about underground bunkers and secret rooms, unspeakable psychological experimentation, and a dark force that haunts the ruins, trying to pull back in all those who attempt to escape. Urban explorer Connie Darke, whose sister died in a freak accident at the asylum, is determined to help Lew expose its grisly past. Meanwhile Lew discovers a devastating family secret that threatens to turn his life upside down.

DI Lew Kirby is the protagonist, but he does not take over the plot; a couple of secondary characters are as involved and important as the DI, giving the novel an almost ensemble feel. Raymond Sweet, a former patient, lives his eccentric life on the grounds of the old asylum, and Connie Darke wants to know who was with her sister the night she died and
what has happened to a friend and fellow urban explorer who is now missing.

In the investigation to discover who wanted an 84 year old woman dead, secrets from past and present come slowly to light.

Like many readers, I find plots involving mental asylums suggestive of a thrilling and suspenseful experience, and the long abandoned Blackwater Asylum blends atmosphere, history, and memories that satisfy that notion. A promising debut and a suspenseful mystery set in the midst of a frozen winter, The Bone Jar more than met my expectations.

(Although this was a NetGalley offering, it is also available on Kindle Unlimited.)

NetGalley/Thomas & Mercer
Police Procedural. July 1, 2020. Print length: 327 pages.

The Bone Jar takes place in London Town where an old abandoned asylum is about to be redeveloped into prime luxury real estate, the only kicker being a squatter who, after 20 years of residing on the premise has won squatter's rights to keep a small portion of the estate for himself.

Have you ever heard of Urban Explorers(a.k.a the classy word for trespassers)? The Author apparently is one, and brings the Urbex experience into a spooky murder mystery. We all love abandoned buildings with the haunted and sinister past of an asylum. Who can resist?

But this building has a long history of abuse, murder, suicide, and controversial experiments.

A sweet old lady has been found dead in the asylum and as it turns out, she is anything but sweet.

A terrifically exciting murder mystery/police procedural focusing on a long-abandoned London asylum, slated for expensive redevelopment, its history of horrifying secrets, and its connection to the late wealthy family in the neighboring mansion, THE BONE JAR is both riveting and wildly entertaining. Weaving the current case with Blackwater Asylum's ugly, unforgettable past, and the backstory of the protagonist, London MIT Detective Lew Kirby, the plot keeps the reader well engrossed, even to the extent of reading heart-in-mouth.

Omg what a chilling book. It did freak me out and was spinechilling. Really good page turner and loved it

They had me at abandoned asylum! I don't think I've ever read a book about one of these that wasn't awesome. The creepiest of settings with a dark haunted atmosphere, and Blackwater Asylum is no different. A murder victim is found deep within its walls and it's up to Detective Lew Kirby and team to figure out why. A feat not made any easier when one of their early suspects is also found murdered nearby. What went on in this place? Because surely it involves someone who lived or worked in Blackwater, making a statement by committing the crimes on or near the property.

Connie Darke is also investigating the case, but on her own. She's not a detective though, she lost her sister to a tragic accident on the asylum grounds. She knows there are dark secrets just waiting to be exposed and she wants to be the one to uncover them. She makes contact with a former patient who lives on the grounds but his damaged past makes it hard to trust and believe him. Does he really know truths, or did certain events take place only in his mind? Surely, the staff would not have experimented in such ways...but this is an asylum, after all.

Anyone with an interest in asylums or abandoned places would love this mystery, just for the atmosphere alone. But there are also plenty of twists and secrets exposed that draw you deeper into the story. You won't rest until you know everything Blackwater has hidden and you won't be disappointed!

The secrets of Blackwater Asylum are beginning to reveal themselves... the body of an elderly woman is found in the derelict asylum on the banks of the river thames and it is left to Detective Lew Kirby to discover them especially after another body is found further down in the river

Not read anything by this author and was taken by the blurb for this story, this is the first in what hopefully becomes another gripping must read series

The Bone Jar by S.W Kane is an atmospheric and chilling debut novel that had me from the first few pages. A snowstorm,an abandoned asylum and the discovery of a body...what else do you need to set the scene? I was spooked out immediately. With the exception of one man who lives within the grounds there is nothing and noone near. The police come to the conclusion this case is not going to be cut and dried anytime soon.
We are introduced to D.I Lew Kirby who is the detective working on the case along with his partner D.I Pete Anderson. They identify the body as an ex- nurse who spent her retirement visiting local hospices, the detectives can't find anyone who can say a bad word about her but this doesn't marry with her being left in the old asylum in anyway, surely someone out there has a grudge. A mobile phone is found at the scene which leads the detectives to search for the owner, an Edward Blake and discover someone is searching for him also.Connie Darke an urban explorer or Urbex, was meant to meet Edward at the asylum and he did not turn up so she has been looking for him since. Connie is interviewed by D.I Kirby and D.I Anderson in light of their enquiry but as the case goes on another body is discoveres and Connie gets drawn into the investigation herself.
All the secrets and dark pasts start to come to the fore and reveal a disturbing set of truths as the case unfolds. I was so creeped out at times but could not put the kindle down! It was all worth the spookiness as I arrived at the final portion of the book. The pace rackes up and I was dying to knie whay was going to happen! The twists were great and the finale was intense.
The characters were well drawn out and I easily earmes to them. I loved how Lew could not stand his police issue Corsa and Pete had his lucky rabbits foot, made me giggle a bit. Their chemistry was fantastic and in turn their team are spurred on by them. A great plot that, as I said, held me from beginning to end and I would absolutely love to go on another spooky adventure with Lew and Pete, any day! Thanks go to Random Things Tours and Netgalley for allowing me to on this blog tour and for the copy of The Bone Jar, a chilling debut!

4.5 STARS

I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you to the blog tour organiser and the author for letting me take part in this tour, and thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was really looking forward to reading this book because the blurb and the cover really drew me in, I really like mysteries, but I'm quite picky and only like a few that are really centred on the actual investigation with forensic elements and police as well, and this one was exactly that, so I was sure to really enjoy it.

This book gripped me from the start and even though I was quite distracted at the time I was reading it for various reasons, it kept drawing me in and really held my attention when I was able to read. I thought that the setting with the asylum and the murder possibly being linked to something that happened while the asylum was still running was really interesting and I enjoyed this plot a lot.

In this book, we follow detective Lew Kirby as he is trying to piece together the murders and also try to find the culprit, as well as he is dealing with his own family issues. We also have Connie Darke who is having to deal with the same things and trying to find her friend Ed who has disappeared. As well as these two, we have Raymond who is an ex-patient of the institute, is still living on the grounds, and the title of the book is linked to his character, but I won't say more about it. I really appreciated that we got these three characters as well as the investigation because it made the book more complex and really gave us some intriguing subplots that kept me reading right through! I'm really hoping there are going to be more books, hopefully, a detective series, because I want to know more about these characters.

I wasn't expecting that ending and I definitely think there is potential for more books as even though I thought the crimes in themselves had been well wrapped up and the threads tied up and explained, something happens at the end that makes you think there is going to be more, so I'm really intrigued to find out.

I thought this was a great book, I really liked the backdrop of the asylum, and I thought that some of the subplots that were explored in this book, that were linked to the asylum and these three characters were really important topics and I found them to be really interesting. I do usually really like mysteries, and this was definitely the type of mysteries that I really enjoy.

I gave this book 4.5 stars, I really enjoyed it, it was a great mystery with a great plot, the characters were really relatable and well developed, the story was well written and kept me entertained right through. It was just missing that 5-star feel, but I did really enjoy it and would highly recommend.

This book was incredible. I unread soon as I read the synopsis I had to read it and I am so glad I did!

The setting for this book is perfevt, they haunting and haunted atmosphere of the abandoned asylum is portrayed perfectly by the author without being over the top.

The interlinking takes of the characters are clear and well constructed, giving a complexity to the mystery that leaves you guessing, hence enhancing the quality of the story even fuether.

Additionally, the personal story of Lew and his mother, and how this is interwoven throughout the tale, is done excellently, and the shocking revelation is utterly unguessable.

Ultimately this book is an excellent read, the various interwoven takes culminating in a wonderfully dramatic climax and a satisfying resolution. I would have liked more explanation about the character in the final scene, and his motives, however the ending was so well done that this is a very minor detail of little significance.

The Bone Jar is hopefully the beginning to a great new detective series. The body of an 85 year old woman has been found in an abandoned asylum. What a great setting for a police procedural/psychological thriller! The author demonstrates a wonderful ability with description and pacing. Hope to read many more books by S.W. Kane. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I appreciate crime fiction where I can clearly picture the places described and the eerie threatening presence of the old Victorian asylum at the heart of this novel felt very real and very well described. In my student days, I had a friend in a dodgy part of London that was very close to a (now closed and even then rather dilapidated) Victorian hospital and this was the one I had in my mind when I was reading.

The choice of two protagonists - a handsome policeman called Lew with a taste in old cars and good coffee and a so-called 'Urbex' or urban explorer called Connie who works in an architectural library or museum - leaves a lot of scope for this story to develop into a longer series.

Investigating two deaths that seem to be linked but it's unclear how, gives Lew and Connie the chance to meet some colourful characters with plenty of dark secrets. An altercation in an unpleasant pub called the 'Welcome Inn' put Connie in contact with the father of one of the two dead whilst Lew is leered over by a onesie-clad dipsomaniac and maneater whose mother is the other.

The book is full of interesting characters - I particularly liked the ex-patient squatting in the grounds of the asylum and getting in the way of potential developers - and fascinating locations. It reads as very 'real' - if you know what I mean. There are plenty of sub-plots that leave space to take the series further but you don't have to worry that you won't get the story done and dusted in the one volume (That's a particular hate of mine - so-called 'series' books that don't finish the story within the first book so you have to buy another).

I'm reminded of a bit of a combination of early Minette Waters and a dose of Nicci French's Frida Klein books with a strong London authenticity and an interesting plotline.

When the body of an elderly lady is found in the old abandon mental asylum in London, DI Lew Kirby is assigned, along with his partner Anderson to solve the case. But Blackwater Asylum has more secrets that they could have imagined….And then another body turns up and Lew must solve the case before the asylum claims anymore lives….

Living in the grounds of the asylum is Raymond, an ex patient who refuses to move. Being on-site all time means he sees things – but does he know more about the murder than he’s letting on? And what other secrets will he reveal?

Connie has an interest in the asylum after her sister died from an accident there. Determined to find out more about her sister’s death, and help Kirby solve the murders, Connie finds herself fully wrapped up in the investigation, making an unlikely friend and putting herself in danger…….

I really enjoyed this. I love all things creepy, visiting abandoned buildings with history and a good crime/psychological thriller so this was right up my street! I thought the setting was fantastic, An unusually snowy London in the grounds of a huge abandoned mental asylum with a questionable past, right on the Thames. Kane did a fantastic descriptive job which allowed me to bring the scenery and the building to life, which added a fantastic, creepy atmosphere to the story.

The plot was well paced and enjoyable, with secrets revealing themselves throughout which kept me on my toes and interested, wanting to turn the next page. If you’re a fan of horror and have watched/read stories about asylums before, some of this may sounds familiar, but that didn’t take anything away from the story – in fact, I think it sucked me in more! There are so many secrets that the twists in this are fantastic, and I honestly didn’t have a clue who the murderer was until it was revealed!

In terms of the characters, I really like Lew. He seems to be one of the good guys and as the story goes on he finds out something from his Mum that will change his life forever. Handling such a big case, and the information his Mum reveals must surely take their toll and I think we might see evidence of this in any sequels. There are a few police staff in this which can seem slightly confusing at first, but once you’ve got your head around who’s who, it’s much clearer. Connie is interesting and definitely takes some unnecessary risks but I guess this is the urbex (Urban Explorer) in her. I really like her though, and found myself wanting her and Lew to get together (sorry to Lew’s girlfriend!). Raymond, the ex patient, has to be one of my favourite characters. He completely surprised me and I warmed to him so much quicker than I thought. He’s been though, and seen so much, that you can’t help but love him! As you would expect with a psychological/crime thriller there are some questionable characters in this, and Kane does a fantastic job of keeping you on the fence with some of them..

Overall, this is a fantastic debut by SW Kane. Atmospheric and creepy this will keep you turning the pages for sure. If you love a good crime/psychological thriller with fantastic characters, secrets unravelling at every turn and a plot to keep you turning the pages, then you should check this out. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author. Recommended by me!

I love it when I discover new series to love and The Bone Jar is a promising start to the Lew Kirby series. I mean, what's not to love? We have murder, an old abandoned asylum and a very snowy setting. All of these combined to engulf me in a mystery that had me guessing until the end.

The Blackwater Asylum has sat vacant for many years. It is about ready to be redeveloped when an old lady is found murdered in one of the old wards. Detective Kirby arrives on the scene and not only is the identity of the victim unknown, but it also seems like she mysteriously appeared in the facility with no trace to who killed her or how she got to there.

Kirby starts unraveling the mystery which initially starts out with very few clues to go on. He ends up meeting Connie Darke, an urban explorer, whose friend is also missing. Together, they end up putting the pieces together but will someone else die before everything falls into place?

I really liked Kirby. He is smart and headstrong and doesn't give up. We also get a glimpse into his personal life as we meet his current girlfriend, as well as his mother and father. On top of the main mystery in The Bone Jar, there is also a mystery surrounding Kirby's mother. Apparently she has some secrets of her own which Kirby never could have imagined.

As I mentioned, this is a wonderful mystery with a really eerie setting. It is extremely atmospheric, yet the story never dulls. I am definitely looking forward to future installments because although the main plot was resolved, there are still some lose ends, and I for one can't wait to see where they land.

After the death of his mother in a house fire when he was seventeen. Raymond Sweet was admitted to Blackwater Asylum. When the place closed down twenty-seven years later and all the patients left. Raymond stayed.

Detective Lew Kirby is assigned the case of the dead woman's body. Found in a bed in the derelict Blackwater Asylum. Kirby also has to deal with issues happening in his personal life.

A mobile phone is found at the scene. It belongs to someone who has not been seen for a few days. Are the two things connected? What will we discover in the depths of Blackwater Asylum.

When you have a backdrop of a derelict asylum in the story, you know your in for a great read. Kane describes the asylum in such a way that you feel you are right there walking the corridors. 

Kane's use of the weather in The Bone Jar is superb and it adds a quality to the story. It gives a mysterious depth to an already creepy storyline. The way the snow seems to envelop everything and take the mysteries.

The Bone Jar is a great mix of mystery and creepiness that gives us the reader plenty to think about.

The Bone Jar is the debut crime fiction novel by S W Kane featuring Detective Lew Kirby who, thankfully, is just a normal detective. He isn't a drunk, he isn't cheating on multiple women, no drugs, isn't on the take. I swear, I haven't read a crime fiction novel that didn't feature a messed up detective for so long that I, literally, kept waiting for the shoe to drop. It never did. It was refreshing and quite wonderful. The Bone Jar is a really good, well written, atmospheric detective story like they should be but rarely are any longer. It features an asylum that is written so vividly that it becomes a character in and of itself. There are marvelous secondary characters who could tip over into the nuisance variety, but never do. They actually are helpful, quirky and wonderful. I would love to see them back in future books. The ending left the reader on a bit of an edge but, for me, that was a fun twist at the end. I'm very much looking forward to the next installment in this new series.

"Two murders. An abandoned asylum. Will a mysterious former patient help untangle the dark truth?"

The description of this book had me hooked and it didn't disappoint! The Bone Jar is an amazing book and I will be looking out for others in the series.
Blackwater asylum, a former mental health asylum is the perfect location for this eerie Crime Thriller.The story is told from the point of view of Detective Kirby and Connie Darke. I found both of these characters very likeable and interesting, they both had links to the Asylum in very different.

I thought the pacing of this book was perfect, it kept you in complete suspence right up until the big reveal towards the end. There are so many twists and turns throughout this book. You will need to pay close attention to the characters as they snake and intertwine together. However this could be confusing sometimes and could be hard to remember how they were all connected.

I could not put this book down and was so eager to find out who had killed the two murder victims. It is definitely worth the read if you enjoy mystery, suspence and thriller.



I received a free copy of this book from #Netgalley in exchange for this review

I love finding out the history of abandoned buildings, especially creepy ones such as asylums so I knew that this book would be right up my alley. The author created such a creepy and almost claustrophobic atmosphere with the thick snow in London which added to the suspense of the book.

I did find myself struggling with all the characters and trying to piece it all together in my head as it did become a little confusing near the end, however that may have just been down to me not being in the right headspace for such a complex plot (this slump I’ve been in shows no signs of leaving yet).
We have so many intriguing characters in here that I wanted to create my own investigation board just so I could appreciate them all!
I do hope Connie will make another appearance as I started to warm to her.

The tension and the twists in The Bone Jar made it difficult to put down, it’s a great start to the series and I will definitely be picking up the sequel.

The Bone Jar is a wonderful British whodunit debut novel by S. W. Kane. The story opens with Detective Lew Kirby taking on the case of an elderly woman found murdered in the abandoned Blackwater asylum. This is what drew me to this book as I have a strong interest in anything written about old asylums. A few years ago, I wrote two blogs posts on my genealogy blog about my husband’s two wealthy great, great aunts who were admitted to a New Jersey asylum in the early 1900’s and spent most of their adult lives there. The doctor there has been written about due to the many atrocities he committed against the patients all in the name of “curing” them.

This book did not disappoint. There were many twists and turns until the murderer was unveiled near the very end. Kirby also had family secrets thrown in as a side issue for extra interest to the story. If I have any complaint it would be the exceptionally long list of characters in the book. At times it was difficult to remember who was who. It seems the author intends to make this a series and if so I will definitely be reading the next one. Hopefully, she will be bringing back some of the secondary characters that made the book so enjoyable. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. I gave it 3 ½ stars rounding up to 4!

The blurb about The Bone Jar had me sold when it mentioned a dead body being found in an asylum, so I went into this super intrigued as I love a good police procedural.

The Bone Jar is told in a multi view style, mostly bouncing between the point of view of Detective Kirby and Connie Darke. Connie has interest in the asylum due to her sister’s accidental death there, and wants more insight into what happened. She’s a bit of a wild card, and likes to get herself into some dangerous positions. We’re also introduced to Raymond Sweet, a former patient of the asylum still living on the grounds, who may or may not know more about that murder than he’s letting on. While investigating, secrets come to light from Kirby’s mom, and just whoa...

If you’re into police procedurals and thrillers/horror, this is definitely for you!

Police procedurals aren't usually my thing, but this one includes a derelict asylum and urban exploration. Those are the sort of thing that always catches my interest and I found myself really enjoying the book. The setting is seriously creepy and most of the characters are intriguing, especially the former patient who still lives on the asylum grounds. I did get two of the characters confused near the end of the book.

The book starts out as an elderly lady’s body is found in the grounds of an abandoned asylum. The first suspect is a strange man who has lived on the grounds since he was released from the same asylum years before. But when things come to light about the asylum’s shady past - the story and murder become a lot more complicated than first thought.

I’m conflicted on this one. I spent most of the book balancing between giving up and keeping on reading. And just when I would give up and admit defeat something would pique my interest again. So I guess I can say it kept me reading - but only just.

Kirby’s personal life was interesting. I loved how the developer who’d bought the asylum was also the same company he was having trouble with. His relationship with his mother was also interesting, and I loved finding out more about his life.

The blurb caught my interest purely just because I love crime thrillers but that it was also based around an asylum. I found the asylum’s past fascinating. I love the history of old places and often wonder what has happened there in the past so to see that incorporated into the story kept me reading, even when the story was slow.

Atmospheric Murder Mystery....
Introducing Detective Lew Kirby and partner in this atmospheric murder mystery. The discovery of a body in a disused asylum building near the Thames starts an investigation that becomes increasingly more sinister and more complex for the Detectives. It must be said that there’s a lot going on here, a hectic and busy plot with possibly some danger of confusion although nicely written with credible and engaging characters.

My thanks to NetGaley and publisher Amazon Publishing UK for the electronic copy.

This is a great start to a new series! Intriguing, atmospheric, excellent writing and main characters. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
The abandoned Blackwater Asylum on the banks of the Thames in Battersea is due for redevelopment by Patrick Calder. Shifts of single security guards patrol the site but the fly-in-the-ointment of Calder's plans is that an ex-patient of the hospital, Raymond Sweet, had obtained squatters' rights on the Old Lodge and grounds within the site. He won't sell, he has his own secrets to keep about his days as a patient there, and has responsibilities to maintain. Nevertheless, he's convinced someone he calls "The Creeper" has been gaining access to the site at various times, including his own home.
Connie is an archivist of architectural plans. She and her friends Ed and Mole are urban explorers - take nothing and leave only footprints. Her sister died accidentally at the hospital, falling from a tower; it's the anniversary of her death and she cannot get hold of Ed to let him know she'd be late for their meeting at the site. Marsh House, on the edge of the site, whose owner was now deceased, is being occupied by Charles Palmer, a relative from Australia; Connie needs to collect some architectural plans from the house which have been bequeathed to her office.
DI Lew Kirby, with partner Pete Anderson, are called to the site after a security guard discovers the body of an elderly woman in an abandoned ward. She's fully-clothed - how did she get there? As the investigation proceeds it seems this woman was not all she appeared to be. What secrets has she been keeping?
Gradually the complex strands of the investigation converge with Lew working closely with Connie. A good 'partnership' which I look forward to reading further about.

Lots of twists and surprises; a creepy and chillingly-descriptive thriller.

Twenty years ago Blackwater Asylum was a fully functioning psychiatric hospital located along the Thames River. Patrick Calder, a property developer purchased the property 2 years ago and was looking to redevelop the property into luxury apartments. But his plans were halted when he discovered a former patient had been squatting at the Old Lodge for over twenty years. Now with the recent murders his plans are on hold.
Detective Kirby was the investigating officer in the murder case at the asylum. After interviewer a former patient he realizes his history at the asylum can benefit his case. Raymond helped Kirby piece together the secrets of this long forgotten psychiatric hospital.

Overall:
The premise held so much potential, but then I cracked open the pages and found it’s not a dialogue driven story.
I’m not familiar with this authors writing style. I recently learned she’s a British writer who lives in London. The setting of this book took place in London near the Thames River. I was excited by the prospect of reading about a murder investigation in an abandoned asylum, but the writing style held me back from enjoying this debut book. Almost immediately I wanted to ditch this book, but I persevered by skimming. After all I am curious to find out who is responsible for the murders.
The title the Bone Jar had me curious if actual bones were collected in jars during experiments at the asylum. Sadly it’s not holding my interest the way I had hoped. With its long list of characters it’s difficult logging each one into memory knowing they are somehow linked with the current murders. It’s especially challenging when characters are referenced not only by their first name but sometimes by their last name as well. It’s like introducing another character. I need a cheat sheet just to keep track of all these characters.
The execution of this investigation didn’t work for me. It was information overload. With the story being written in the third person narrative didn’t help either. Too many characters crowded this story with it dating back in the 1930s lended too many characters with siblings.

Are you afraid of ghosts?

"The Bone Jar" takes the reader on a journey through an abandoned asylum where the body of an elderly woman turns up. Detective Lew Kirby is on the case, but will soon find how it this case will become personal. In the end, the truth will be revealed.

I've always been intrigued and disturbed by what went on in these places. This book is a thrilling look at how the history of a building collides with the present. Who lives among these walls - whether in the flesh or as a spirit. And what exactly is "The Bone Jar"?

A quick read, this thriller was exciting and kept me on the edge of the page! I don't want to give it all away, so get your copy now! Thank you Netgalley and Amazon UK for allowing me to read this and give my honest opinion.

i should have known a book about a closed asylum might not be my cup of tea and this mystery wasnt. there are many characters and different narratives that makes it hard to follow and a slowly drawn out p!ot i appreciate the ARC by NetGalley for this review.

Congratulations to Ms Kane for a refreshingly new outlook on crime thriller genre. Thoroughly enjoyable read well recommended. With an interesting look at the hobby of urban exploration if this actually exists had I been many years younger I would have loved to have participated . Read it and see for yourselves.

The Bone Jar is the first book written by S W Kane, and it is a fascinating thriller. An elderly woman is found dead in an abandoned asylum, and Detective Lew Kirby has to find the killer. This book had a lot going on regarding the story and the characters, sometimes a little too much. I still thoroughly enjoyed it, though, and would definitely recommend it since the characters, the story, and the setting were all very well done. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

An atmospheric chilling novel. One that takes you on a twisted journey through time. Loved the descriptions throughout so much so if I closed my eyes I was there in the asylum. The name the Bone Jar perfectly summed up the place under the lake. The book also showcases how the sins of the father can come back to haunt those left behind. Chilling,pacy and brilliant

I don’t normally go for police procedurals or series, but…this one was set in and around an old asylum. You can’t go wrong with that. It’s just so awesomely creepily atmospheric. Even if it wasn’t set in a middle of a crazy winter snowstorm (and it is). Even if it wasn’t very appealingly British (and it is). Even if it didn’t feature a very charismatic protagonist in DI Ludovico (Lew) Kirby (and it does) who lives on a boat (nice) and an intriguing mystery…there would still be that eerie spooky Blackwater asylum to behold. In fact, the story starts off there, with a body of an 84 year old woman found beaten to death. Who’d beat to death a nice old lady? But then again…why do we always think of them as nice old ladies? What if they are just old and not at all nice. Quite evil, in fact. So who’d want to kill an evil old lady? Well, that’s what DI Kirby is going to find out, although he’ll have significant assistance from other people peripherally involved in the crime. So it’s pretty much a fairly traditional police suspense thriller, enhanced by the fact that the reader gets to know all the players and then can try to figure out who’s guilty for themselves as opposed to those procedurals where you’re along for the investigation, uncovering clues slowly and only then getting to the killer. Plus the writing’s good, the characters are great and very engaging, the pacing’s tight, the suspense is taught and the location just can’t be beat. So yeah, totally worth making an exception and checking out. Entertaining read and a promising series debut. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

A great mystery but there's a lot going on. It was almost hard to keep all the story lines and mysteries straight. Dealing with the asylum's mysteries from the past, the unusual death of Connie's sister Sarah and then the present day mysteries and deaths were...a lot to take in. There were also a lot of players to keep track of and, with different timeframes, not always easy to remember who was who and how they tied to each other. It was funny that at times this town felt much smaller than it maybe really was. All in all, though, the mystery was great and I really loved Sweet, Connie and Kirby. It definitely seems set up for there to be a book 2 and I'm absolutely in for reading it!

There was nothing predictable about this plot line. I had trouble keeping track of the characters but mainly because I read this so quickly, desperate to find out how it would end. I hope this is one of many featuring the lead character!

Police thriller with an interesting story and some good characters. What secrets does the asylum hide/hold?

If you are looking for a new series to get into please make note of this one. It has all the elements to keep you interested.....a spooky, deserted insane asylum, two bodies, suspicious characters and of course a ghost! What more could you ask for?

Atmospheric, engaging, and deeply moving I found myself drawn into the story line and quite surprised at the thrilling ending. I look forward for more with these characters and a nicely developing narrative.

Well, this was a creepy and gripping crime thriller. Full of twists and turns, plenty of characters and a family tree that was so cryptic that it left the reader bewildered. I simply loved this. It was the perfect blend of thriller mixed with a wonderful amount of downright creepy that lead me to devour this so quickly.

With two murders, a body found in an old asylum left on a particular bed and a body in the water. Detective Kirby is tasked with figuring this one out, with the asylum already having a horrific history and a hotspot for urban exploration its a challenging task trying to figure this one out. Through his investigations he begins to slowly unravel a connection to the asylum and with that, he starts trying to piece it together but a former patient might actually hold the key.

This book was intricately woven, i felt like i needed to map out a family tree by the end so i could work it out. As a reader it made it so enjoyable that you really had to work for the pay off. I liked Detective Kirby - he was a bit rough around the edges and i could imagine he would be quite brusk when needing to be, irritable but also hard working and dedicated. Connie was determined to get answers for not only herself but for her sister and Ed her urban exploration friend and would get them one way or another. Lastly, Raymond - i simply warmed to him to so much. He was awkward, eccentric and i think lonely, my heart went out to him as he fended for himself.

The writing style was in depth and dramatic, creepy and gripping. It was a real page turner and i really looked forward to every time i got to sit down and delve some more into this, i felt like an investigator myself because i was so invested in the story.

The title drew my attention and made me want to look more at the book.
I think this is a strong debut novel, by a UK author set in an abandoned mental institution in London. A throughly enjoyable read. I liked the different setting, and combined historic events with current crime.
The pace is a little slower than I would normally like. Although the pace and tension built up towards the end.
There are quite a few characters and you have to concentrate to keep track of who is who.
The character that I engaged with is Raymond, an ex patient a quirky likeable character with a difficult background. I would really have liked to have read about more of his time as a patient to have got a better feel of him. I wanted this to be Raymond’s story.
It’s a Detective Lew Kirby book, but he isn’t the focal character, it is shared between Lew,Donna and Raymond.
All the ends were neatly tied up, I felt this part could have been condensed slightly. You do get some interesting insight into Kirby’s family life. I look forward to the next instalment.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
#netgalley #thebonejar