Island of Bones (Crowther and Westerman, #3) by Imogen Robertson

Aug 29, 2012 Valerie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A well woven plot featuring complicated and charismatic characters
Beginning with a vivid account of the public hanging of Crowther’s brother, Robertson again releases an intriguing novel of suspense and mystery, featuring his beloved colorful characters, the spunky widow Mrs. Harriet Westerman and her dear friend, the reclusive anatomist Gabriel Crowther.
Set in England in the eighteenth century, an ancient tomb is opened to reveal an extra body. Renowned for his expertise and experience with dea...more

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May 19, 2012 Linda Rollins rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The story starts with the hanging of a man for the murder of his own father, rapidly followed by the discovery of a mysterious body in someone else’s tomb. The intelligent but aloof Gabriel (brother of the hanged man) and the feisty Harriet, whose relationship to Gabriel is never fully explained, are brought in to solve the puzzle.

A gothic whodunit set in the 18th century. The story has wonderful historical snippets and possesses a real sense of the period. And there are some fabulously comic li...more

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May 18, 2012 Suzanne rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Cumbria, 1783. A broken heritage; a secret history...The tomb of the first Earl of Greta should have lain undisturbed on its island of bones for three hundred years. When idle curiosity opens the stone lid, however, inside is one body too many. Gabriel Crowther's family bought the Gretas' land long ago, and has suffered its own bloody history. His brother was hanged for murdering their father, the Baron of Keswick, and Crowther has chosen comfortable seclusion and anonymity over estate and title...more

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May 07, 2012 Marleen rated it 5 of 5 stars

In 1751 Charles Penhaligon watches as his brother, Adair, 2nd Baron Keswick, is hanged for murdering their father, convinced of his older brother’s guilt although he insists he is innocent. As soon as the public execution is over Charles sells his family’s estate, changes his name to Gabriel Crowther and commences a life of scientific research and seclusion.
More then 30 years later Mrs. Briggs, the present owner of the estate, opens an old tomb and discovers one body too many. Knowing about Crow...more In 1751 Charles Penhaligon watches as his brother, Adair, 2nd Baron Keswick, is hanged for murdering their father, convinced of his older brother’s guilt although he insists he is innocent. As soon as the public execution is over Charles sells his family’s estate, changes his name to Gabriel Crowther and commences a life of scientific research and seclusion.
More then 30 years later Mrs. Briggs, the present owner of the estate, opens an old tomb and discovers one body too many. Knowing about Crowther’s interest in anatomy and solving mysteries an invitation is send to him to visit his old home to investigate the matter and to bring the recently widowed Harriet Westerman with him.
Crowther is reluctant to revisit his past but curious about the mysterious body. His sister, who he hasn’t seen for over 30 years either, happens to be a house guest of Mrs. Briggs together with her son, Felix which gives Crowther an extra reason to make the journey.
Travelling back to the childhood home that holds so many bad memories is difficult though. Crowther’s sister turns out to be a rather unpleasant woman and her son a spoiled brat. This is also one place where Crowther can’t escape his heritage or the title he’s been denying for so long. And it isn’t long after he and Harriet arrive that more death and violence occur. Are these fresh eruptions of crimes, or are they somehow related to what happened in the past?
Crowther will be forced to face his past once and for all in a part of the country where modern life still lives side by side with the ancient and the magical.

This is a fascinating historical mystery. The descriptions of life and the conventions of the time are detailed and give great insight into what it must have been like to live in those times.
The contrast between Crowther’s scientific approach to life at a time when the sciences where still in their infancy, and the old ways, depending on cunning men, herbs and witches in an era when the church seriously frowned upon such believes, gives the story added interest. This is enhanced by the fact that different parts of the story are told from the perspective of different characters with very diverse backgrounds.

The mystery itself was well plotted and the investigation leading to the, to me not completely surprising, solution was well executed. The fact that historical detail, such as the rebellion in 1745, gets tied in with the mystery only adds to that interest.

Both Harriet Westerman and Gabriel Crowther are controversial characters in a time in which convention was second only to virtue, which makes them fascinating to read about as well as more accessible to modern day readers. Personally I found myself wondering on several occasions how a woman with any sense of her own worth and mind could possibly stay sane in those times without finding herself cast out of society?
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May 02, 2012 Gill Chedgey rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have immense admiration for the writers of historical fiction. There is no margin for error. One slip up, one anachronism, pounced upon by eagle-eyed readers can destroy the work’s credibility instantly. And so for the writers of historical crime fiction the admiration becomes immense. For faultless research of the period is not enough, the plot must be flawless and methods of detection sustained throughout. No forensic or DNA escape routes available.
For me the mark of a good crime novel is w...more

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May 02, 2012 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A broken heritage. A secret history. A bitter death.

A gripping thriller!

Island of Bones is the third offering from Imogen Robertson’s Western/Crowther novels, which follows Instruments of Darkness and Anatomy of Murder.

Island of Bones is clustered around a mystery in Gabriel Crowther’s family history. A secret that has been buried for 300 years resurfaces, challenging and confronting Crowther’s present. Everything that Crowther thought he knew is thrown into turmoil as his family’s bloody histor...more

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Apr 30, 2012 Carol Anne rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I am a newcomer to the Crowther and Westerman books, and when I realised that this was the third in the series I was concerned that I would have trouble getting into the story. This was far from the truth - Robertson provides enough back story to let you understand the characters, but not so much as to slow the pace of the story at hand. This is hard to achieve, and it's lovely to see it done well. This is typical of Robertson's style on the whole; she doesn't talk down to the reader, giving eno...more

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Apr 28, 2012 Hadenmaiden rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I was sent this book from the Real Readers website - my first book to read and review, and what a winner! I hadn't read any of Imogen Robertson's work before, but will definitely read more now.
From the first page, she engages the reader in the characters and the story line. What initially appeared to be a fairly straightforward murder mystery, turns out to have more twists and turns than a twisty-turny thing, and is a real page turner.
I'm often tempted to skip the 'extras' in novels - preface,...more I was sent this book from the Real Readers website - my first book to read and review, and what a winner! I hadn't read any of Imogen Robertson's work before, but will definitely read more now.
From the first page, she engages the reader in the characters and the story line. What initially appeared to be a fairly straightforward murder mystery, turns out to have more twists and turns than a twisty-turny thing, and is a real page turner.
I'm often tempted to skip the 'extras' in novels - preface, prologue, additional notes... but decided I'd go straight in with this one to give me the best chance of getting into the story. This is a must! Don't skip the prologue - it's short, but perfectly formed, and relevant!
The prologue is set in 1751, some thirty years earlier than the main part of the narrative. It is the night before a public hanging; quite an event because it is one of the gentry being hanged for the murder of his father. Lucius Adair Penhaligan is visited in prison by his brother Charles the night before the hanging. Even at this early stage, the characters become real. Adair is despairing that he cannot convince even his own brother that it wasn't he who murdered their father; he is terribly afraid of what is to come, and all the Charles can offer him is a payment to slip to the hangman to try and make sure he does a good job......
1783, and we're straight into the main story - Charles has relinquished his title[Baron of Keswick] and now lives and works by the name of Gabriel Crowther. He is called back to his old home, to try and discover the identity of a body found in a tomb on St Herbert's Island on Derwentwater. Nothing surprising about finding a body in a tomb, perhaps, but this is an extra one - and the island belonged to Gabriel Crowther's family before the death of his father and subsequent hanging of brother Addie.
The characters are eminently likeable, and very human. It was a bonus that the bulk of the tale took place in Keswick, a place we visit often; indeed, on our last visit we stayed on Chestnut Hill and walked up to what Ms Robertson calls the Druidic Stones.
In many ways it reminds me of an eighteenth century version of 'Silent Witness' but I would have to say that I got far more from this book than from the last two series of Silent Witness!
Excellent, absorbing read - now I need to find more tales involving the Crowther/Westerman duo. (less)

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Nov 16, 2011 Miles rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviews

Cumbria, 1783. A broken heritage; a secret history...

The tomb of the first Earl of Greta should have lain undisturbed on its island of bones for three hundred years. When idle curiosity opens the stone lid, however, inside is one body too many. Gabriel Crowther's family bought the Gretas' land long ago, and has suffered its own bloody history. His brother was hanged for murdering their father, the Baron of Keswick, and Crowther has chosen comfortable seclusion and anonymity over estate and title...more Cumbria, 1783. A broken heritage; a secret history...

The tomb of the first Earl of Greta should have lain undisturbed on its island of bones for three hundred years. When idle curiosity opens the stone lid, however, inside is one body too many. Gabriel Crowther's family bought the Gretas' land long ago, and has suffered its own bloody history. His brother was hanged for murdering their father, the Baron of Keswick, and Crowther has chosen comfortable seclusion and anonymity over estate and title for thirty years. But the call of the mystery brings him home at last.

Travelling with forthright Mrs Harriet Westerman, who is escaping her own tragedy, Crowther finds a little town caught between new horrors and old, where ancient ways challenge modern justice. And against the wild and beautiful backdrop of fells and water, Crowther discovers that his past will not stay buried.

Island of Bones by Imogen Robertson marks the third in a series featuring the enigmatic and fastidious Gabriel Crowther and the wonderfully captivating Mrs Harriet Westerman. A finalist in this year’s CWA Ellis Peters Historical Awards – 30th November - Island of Bones, published by Headline, is sure to be a front runner at the awards ceremony for its engaging and free flowing narrative, entertaining storyline and a very well developed investigation. Although – as I have already mentioned – part of a long standing and successful series I had no trouble in picking up the novel and beginning my journey despite having missed the earlier adventures.

I was immediately transported to the 18th century where I experienced a public hanging and the inevitable shame it brought upon a family which in turn prompted Lord Keswick to sell his family’s land, seek privacy and detachment by changing his name following his father’s murder. Determined never to visit his old ancestral home things never quite work out that way and together with Harriet Westerman the pair are drawn back to Silverside Hall to investigate a possible murder. Things move at a pace and additional crimes keep the story ticking along nicely.

Full Review on my blog here.
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Sep 19, 2011 Richard rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Book Report: Mrs. Harriet Westerman, Royal Navy wife, and Mr. Gabriel Crowther, anatomist and aristocrat manqué (albeit with a very good reason to have missed the mark), are back in these two volumes, succeeding "INSTRUMENTS OF DARKNESS". Mrs. Westerman is, in "Anatomy," in London because her husband has suffered a grievous injury in the process of taking a very rich prize ship (an eighteenth-century Royal Navy captain made his own and his crew's fortune by capturing enemy ships, not sinking...more The Book Report: Mrs. Harriet Westerman, Royal Navy wife, and Mr. Gabriel Crowther, anatomist and aristocrat manqué (albeit with a very good reason to have missed the mark), are back in these two volumes, succeeding "INSTRUMENTS OF DARKNESS". Mrs. Westerman is, in "Anatomy," in London because her husband has suffered a grievous injury in the process of taking a very rich prize ship (an eighteenth-century Royal Navy captain made his own and his crew's fortune by capturing enemy ships, not sinking them). Mrs. Westerman has confined him to a hospital to recover, but her friend and neighbor Crowther has followed her to Town, ensuring she will not be bored. In fact, Crowther and Westerman find themselves looking into a series of ever-more-suspicious deaths, embroiling themselves and the families of Westerman and Thornleigh (County neighbors also in London while Thornleigh Hall is restored to its former magnificence after being burned down in the fist book) in the terrifying toils of a spy conspiracy taking place during the closing days of America's war for independence.

While there can never be a doubt that Crowther and Westerman will prevail, the cost to them both is always a source of suspense. Mrs. Westerman, a respectable Captain's wife, yet again charges around acting MOST unfeminine and brash, asking questions that powerful people do not want answered and demanding that everyone around her allow her to be herself (horrors!) and follow her own path (gadzooks!). Her proper, missish younger sister informs Mrs. Westerman in no uncertain terms of her behavior's cost to all her family. Crowther is drawn back into the world of aristos and wastrels he left behind without a shred of regret many years before. And, to make matters worse, while he is working out the solution to the dangerous puzzle at hand, he is required to dig up the ghosts of his murdered father and executed brother. All is resolved in the end, of course, but the personal lives of the sleuths are altered in some very significant ways. The stakes rise....

And in "Island," the newly upped ante is raised still further! Now Crowther and Westerman are summoned to Crowther's childhood home in the Lake District by none other than Crowther's unpleasant, spoiled, snobbish sister, unseen by the man for more than thirty years. (Thank GOODNESS, one can hear Crowther--and the author--thinking.) Her brat son is involved in some sort of scrape; bones are discovered in the family's old home that should most definitely not be there; and here Mrs. Westerman is, assisting with the anatomization of several of the corpses that pile up wherever the pair appear. Crowther has reason to suspect his nephew of murder, not a great stretch as the said nephew reminds him of his executed murderer brother; Mrs. Westerman's son Stephen, brought to the Lake District for enlightenment and education, is embroiled in the dangerous business of ferreting out truths that the great and the good do not wish to see out; and all concerned are, of course, inalterably changed by their researches and investigations.

At the end of this book, the entire series dramatis personae are assembled...it is a very moving finale. What Robertson plans for the enxt installment in the series, I cannot imagine. It will need to be a doozy to top this one.

My Review: I don't have a lot to say about the books, except I think any mystery lover who is also a history buff will enjoy the series. I very much enjoy the books myownself. I suspect that the author's somewhat stately choice of style, no contractions, no anachronisms, could pall on some readers. For me, it was a genuine pleasure. I like these books, and find them quite involving and well-made in novel terms. As mysteries, they are quite good enough...but not first-rank puzzlers. It's not why I am reading them, so I'm not disappointed. More of the Christie style, where the journey is the point, than the Sayers tradition, where the puzzle is very tightly crafted. Go in with your expectations properly calibrated, and these are delightful entertainments.(less)

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Jul 10, 2011 LJ rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 1700s, england, female_author, georgian_1714-1811_1820-37, historical, mystery

First Sentence: There was a peculiar hush around the Tower the night before an execution.

Scientist and anatomist Gabriel Crother is something of an enigma to neighbors and acquaintances, which has been fine by him. Thirty years ago, he turned his back on his family tragedies, but now must face them. His estranged sister and her son are staying at the estate once owned by their family. Upon encouraging the current owner to move the tomb of the first Earl of Greta from the Island of Bones to the l...more First Sentence: There was a peculiar hush around the Tower the night before an execution.

Scientist and anatomist Gabriel Crother is something of an enigma to neighbors and acquaintances, which has been fine by him. Thirty years ago, he turned his back on his family tragedies, but now must face them. His estranged sister and her son are staying at the estate once owned by their family. Upon encouraging the current owner to move the tomb of the first Earl of Greta from the Island of Bones to the local church, an extra body is discovered within. Crother and his friend, Mrs. Harriet Westerman, are summoned and Crother must confront the past finding that what was thought to be true in the past may not have been and that a brother was falsely executed. Can the truth be learned before others die as well?

Having well-developed, interesting, appealing characters is so critical and Robertson has more than met that requirement. Each of the characters, whether principal or secondary, comes alive under Ms. Robertson’s deft hand; so much so that Mrs. Westerman is someone one would like to be, and her 12-year-old son, very believable. The relationship between all of the characters is perfectly correct and appropriate for the period, including the depth, trust and friendship between Crother and Mrs. Westerman. At the same time, each character is flawed making them realistically human. For those who’ve not read the previous books in the series, ample history is provided to each character, thus avoiding feeling lost.

There is no confusion as to where the story is set, either in period or in location. The period details of social proprietary and customs are always interesting but don’t make either the story or the characters seem stiff. We are reminded that this was a time when the old beliefs and legends still held their place beside Christianity. At one point, the vicar’s daughter acknowledges this blending…”I’m sure the Lord will forgive a few shreds of the pagan hanging on the souls of such good Christian people.” There are wonderful descriptions that both allow you to see the environs yet make you want to pack a bag and see them for fact. The weather is used very effectively as is the dialogue, which both shows the restraint of the time but occasionally acts as a vehicle for some delightful humor…”We might have managed that better. Your poor sister will soon run out of rooms to leave in high dudgeon.”

The story is wonderfully plotted. The prologue is significant to the story and absolutely compelling; drawing one in so completely as to resent ever having to put the book down, even for brief breaks. There are enough threads for it to be interesting but never confusing. It is remarkable the way in which Robertson occasionally picks up pieces and places them into the story in a new direction, thus changing the image of the puzzle in an unexpected way leading us to a wonderfully satisfying ending.

“Island of Bones” is the third in an excellent series which should be read in order but, most of all, should be read.

ISLAND OF BONES (Hist Mys-Gabriel Crowther/Harriet Westerman-England-1783) – VG+
Robertson, Imogen – 3rd in series
Headline, ©2011, UK Hardcover – ISBN: 9780755372027
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Oct 26, 2012 Barbara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery-thriller-goodies

Another fabulous historical mystery from Robertson.
This time we get to focus on Crowther's unfortunate family history. Crowther's older brother was executed years ago for the murder of his father and Crowther never doubted in his brother's guilt. However, questions were raised in the previous book and now the action of this book brings Crowther and Mrs. Westerman to his former home near Keswick.
We are introduced to his sister Margaret(who married into minor Austrian nobility)and his nephew Fel...more

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Apr 30, 2012 Charlotte rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Island of Bones is the third novel in Imogen Robertson’s series which began with Instruments of Darkness. Gabriel Crowther, the reclusive anatomist, and Mrs Harriet Westerman, now a widow, are thrown in to danger again when a body is discovered in the tomb of the Earl of Greta – a body that shouldn’t be there.
I read Instruments of Darkness a while ago when it first came out and I quite enjoyed it. Strangely enough I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much although it was a pleasing enough read.
The...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Nikki-ann rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: received-for-review, real-readers

Cumbria, 1783: The first Earl of Greta and his wife had lain in their altar-tomb since the middle of the fifteenth century, but their remains were not alone. When the stone lid to the tomb is opened one body too many is discovered and the mystery begins.

Gabriel Crowther’s family bought the Gretas’ land a long time ago, but he had left long ago with the hope of forgetting its own bloody history. But now he is called to return, the mystery brings him home at last. Crowther and his companion, the f...more Cumbria, 1783: The first Earl of Greta and his wife had lain in their altar-tomb since the middle of the fifteenth century, but their remains were not alone. When the stone lid to the tomb is opened one body too many is discovered and the mystery begins.

Gabriel Crowther’s family bought the Gretas’ land a long time ago, but he had left long ago with the hope of forgetting its own bloody history. But now he is called to return, the mystery brings him home at last. Crowther and his companion, the forthright Mrs Harriet Westerman, travel together up to Cumbria to investigate, but Crowther soon finds his own past refusing to stay buried.

I first came across Imogen Robertson in a blog post she’d done on The History Girls website, regarding research she’d done for Island of Bones. Imogen had included nuggets of information which hadn’t made it into the book, but were still very interesting. Island of Bones was on my radar and I was determined that I would read it. Whether destiny, fate or otherwise, Island of Bones landed in my mailbox last week, courtesy of Real Readers, and jumped straight to the top of the pile.

Island of Bones is not the first of Imogen’s books to feature Crowther and Westerman, but it is the first I have read. Island of Bones can certainly be read as a stand-alone book and I thoroughly enjoyed it without having read Instruments of Darkness or Anatomy of Murder, but I’ll definitely be picking up the rest of the series shortly. In fact, the latest book of the Crower and Westerman series, Circle of Shadows, is out today (26th April 2012).

Imogen Robertson is a wonderful storyteller. I found myself very much immersed in the story and found the characters and settings simply come alive before the reader. The story moves at a steady pace and held my attention all the way through. With its various story threads weaving together, I found Island of Bones compelling and gripping.

Despite not having read the previous books in the series, I found it only took a few pages before I felt like I knew both Gabriel Crowther and Harriet Westerman well. Even the various and colourful supporting characters are well rounded and come alive (or dead as the case may be!).

Whether you’ve read the other Crowther and Westerman books or not, I’d highly recommend Island of Bones. It’s a great piece of historical crime fiction!(less)

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May 01, 2012 Pauline Evanson rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

“A stand alone book in the series featuring Gabriel Crowther aka Charles, Baron of Keswick and his friend Harriet Westerman. It begins in The Tower of London with Charles awaiting the execution of his brother for the murder of their father in 1751. As an historical "Who done it?" it is very good and the atmosphere of the time and place seems right. I enjoyed the story but I was not all that keen on the main character who is a brooding scientist and loner who is very difficult to relate to. He ju...more

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May 07, 2012 CuteBadger rated it 5 of 5 stars

In 1783, anatomist Gabriel Crowther finds that the family history he has tried so hard to forget has come back to haunt him. The opening of a tomb on his late father’s estate in the Lake District turns up one body too many and stirs up secrets from the past. Accompanied by his investigation partner, naval widow Harriet Westerman and her young son Stephen, Gabriel travels north to examine the body and try to determine the chain of events that led it to be in the tomb.

I have a bit of an issue with...more In 1783, anatomist Gabriel Crowther finds that the family history he has tried so hard to forget has come back to haunt him. The opening of a tomb on his late father’s estate in the Lake District turns up one body too many and stirs up secrets from the past. Accompanied by his investigation partner, naval widow Harriet Westerman and her young son Stephen, Gabriel travels north to examine the body and try to determine the chain of events that led it to be in the tomb.

I have a bit of an issue with books which have a map or a family tree at the beginning – they make me nervous as they seem to be saying “You’ll really have to sit up straight and pay attention or you’ll miss something vital”. It’s entirely my problem and not a failing in the books in question, but I need to admit to a touch of anxiety when I saw that Island of Bones opens with a map. However, I needn’t have worried as, while the map can enhance a reader’s experience of this book, you don’t have to pay any attention to it to enjoy the novel.

This is a wonderful read, full of well-drawn characters, a twisty plot containing a few genuine surprises and a convincing historical background. The author provides just the right amount of description to allow the reader to visualise what is going on, without overburdening us with irrelevant period detail. Historical novels all too often feel handicapped by the weight of research, as the author can’t bear not to include everything they found out. Imogen Robertson resists this temptation and gives us a rich period background in proportion with the other elements of the book.

I haven’t read either of the two previous novels starring Westerman and Crowther, so this was my first introduction to them. This novel can definitely be read without knowledge of the first two in the series and the characters come alive even without the reader knowing all the ins and outs of their respective back stories. I particularly liked Harriet Westerman and enjoyed the “humanising” effect she has on Gabriel who, without her, could all too easily retreat into his world of science and have no human contact. I enjoyed his lack of tact and the way he says exactly what he thinks about everything – Harriet reins him in a little and tries to get him to see the rest of humanity as more than just a nuisance. I was also interested in what the book has to say about the role of women in the society of the time, in particular in relation to Harriet’s “fame” for being involved in investigating murders and how that impacts on how her peers view her.

There were other wonderful characters in the book, but I thought Casper Grace was a standout. He represents the power of nature and the “old ways” still followed by many of the area’s inhabitants. The contrast between old and new ways is a key to the novel, and one which doesn’t always lead to the conclusions you’d expect.

Island of Bones is a lovely long book that you can really get your teeth into and time seemed to fly by as I was reading it. There are clues to some of the plot twists seeded throughout the narrative, but there are still some real shocks and unexpected turns that make the book even more enjoyable. Even those who read a lot of crime fiction (as I do) will still find lots of surprised in the plot.

I loved that the narrative as well as the language of the characters is historical – this makes the whole novel feel contemporary to the action, rather than a modern invention – and I also liked that the font used for the book looks like something from the era in which the book is set. Also, the fact that the plot is based around real historical events makes it all the more realistic.

I absolutely loved this book and really missed the characters when it was over. I’ve already gone out and bought the other two in the series and can’t wait to read those too. I’m also looking forward to more Westerman and Crowther books in the future.

For those who like murder mysteries and/or historical novels I can’t recommend this highly enough.
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Feb 22, 2013 Ape rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: crime, england, history-fact-fiction

Picked this up a few days ago as something new to read. Got part way through it, and from the way she casually referrenced other characters and incidents, I wondered if I had come in part way through a series. Turns out this is the third book in a series (even more annoying I have the first book in my house, I've just not gotten around to reading it yet!). I enjoyed this book, and it's perfectly readable as a stand alone, but I do wonder if I would have enjoyed it more had I read the other two b...more

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Mar 19, 2013 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I love this historical mystery series, mostly for the lead characters of Harriet Westerman and Gabriel Crowther, but also for the author's ability to create such wonderful "supporting" characters. I am fascinated by the interplay between Westerman and Crowther, the strength of their unusual friendship, their support and respect for each other at a time when I suspect it would be unusual between a long-standing married couple let alone opposite-sex platonic friends from among the ranks of the Eng...more

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May 07, 2012 Zarina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Island of Bones is the third novel in the 'Crowther and Westerman' series by Imogen Robertson, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone as there's little knowledge of the previous instalments required from the reader. This was in fact the first in the series I read myself and I found it easy to emerge myself into this world and familiarise myself with the characters.

In the late 18th century the tomb of the first Earl of Greta is opened for the first time in over three-hundred years and an unex...more Island of Bones is the third novel in the 'Crowther and Westerman' series by Imogen Robertson, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone as there's little knowledge of the previous instalments required from the reader. This was in fact the first in the series I read myself and I found it easy to emerge myself into this world and familiarise myself with the characters.

In the late 18th century the tomb of the first Earl of Greta is opened for the first time in over three-hundred years and an unexpected second body is found inside. Renowned anatomist and scientist Gabriel Crowther and his companion Mrs Harriet Westerman are called in to investigate who this person was, why their remains were hidden in the Earl's tomb and who could have possibly been the culprit putting the body there in the first place. What follows are the revelations of many mysteries as the island of bones as well as the past of Crowther's own family are found to hide a wealth of deeply hidden secrets that, when they finally resurface, even lead to the resolution of a murder in the present.

The characters, whether principal or secondary, were all very well written, flaws and all, which made them seem much more realistic than many a "perfect" character often found in novels nowadays. The same goes for the vivid descriptions of the surroundings the story is set in, which doesn't gloss over the less fortunate sides and beliefs of people in the British countryside in the late 18th century.

The one quarrel I do have with the novel however is that towards the end as each character is first accused of being the murderer before an alibi is found, it's very obvious to the reader what's going on. If Crowther and Westerman are truly as clever as author Robertson makes them out to be, it's unrealistic for the reader to come to the conclusion of the story several chapters before the characters do. Sure, it'll make the reader momentarily feel triumphant at his or hers own cleverness, but it also unnecessarily makes the protagonists look foolish.

However, while I am normally not a fan of adult historical fiction (for the simple fact that the language used and the setting of the story are oftentimes rather dull), I found Island of Bones to be an intriguing and gripping piece of writing. I practically flew through the pages in my eagerness to find out who the killer is, which clearly means that Robertson did something right. In fact, I will now no longer dismiss of every single historical fiction novel for the genre it's filed under and will be more open about picking up a book despite its classification.(less)

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May 11, 2012 Anne rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Island of Bones is Imogen Robertson's third novel featuring Gabriel Crowther and Harriet Westerman. Two very different people, with very different backgrounds and characters, yet despite being something of an odd couple their characters compliment each other.

This adventure is set in Cumbria in 1783. Crowther and Westerman are asked to use their combined investigative skills when an unexplained body is found in the tomb of the Earl of Greta. There are soon more mysteries to uncover and Crowther...more

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Jan 26, 2013 Sallee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was a great read. It's 1783. The tomb of the first Earl of Greta is on an Island belonging to the estate Silverside Hall in the Lake district. The Tomb is three hundred years old. When the tomb was opened on what locals call the Island of Bones, an extra body was discovered in the tomb. Harriet Westerman, chatelaine of Cavely, a large estate and her neighbor Gabriel Crowther as he prefers to be known by are called to investigate. Gabriel Crowther is actually Lord Keswick whose family...more This book was a great read. It's 1783. The tomb of the first Earl of Greta is on an Island belonging to the estate Silverside Hall in the Lake district. The Tomb is three hundred years old. When the tomb was opened on what locals call the Island of Bones, an extra body was discovered in the tomb. Harriet Westerman, chatelaine of Cavely, a large estate and her neighbor Gabriel Crowther as he prefers to be known by are called to investigate. Gabriel Crowther is actually Lord Keswick whose family owned Silverside before he sold it to the Briggs family. Gabriel wants nothing to do with being a lord. His brother was executed for the murder of his father. His sister was sent to relatives in Ireland to be raised. He has had no contact with her until Harriet and he travel to his old home of Silverside. Gabriel's interests are human anatomy and because of his great skill in disecting corpses he has been able to solve some murders with the help of his friend, Harriet who is a still grieving widow of a Royal Navy Sea Captain. She has a talked about reputation about her assistance to Gabriel which society feels is highly improper. That said, Crowther as he prefers to be called and Harriet and her young son, Stephen along with his tutor make the trip to Silverside to be guests of Mrs. Briggs the current owner. When they get there, they meet the Vizegrafin Margaret and her son Felix. Margaret is Crowther's sister who married an Austrian noble and separated from him after the marriage was deemed a mistake. She is present with Mrs. Briggs on the island when the tomb is opened. They are exposed to horrors both new and ancient and Crowther's past that will not stay hidden. Broken Heritage, family secrets and the lure of the tomb's mystery brings Crowther (Lord Keswick) back to his childhood home where he has to face truths and solve the mystery with Harriet's common sense helping. This was a page turner for me with rich details about society and morals of the time. I look forward to reading the authors' two preceding Crowther mystery novels.(less)

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May 29, 2013 Phoebe rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, historical, mystery

Perhaps due to the fact that I did not read the first two books featuring this mystery-solving duo, the agonizingly slow beginning made it tough to want to stay with this book. The characters of Crowther and Harriet did not come alive for me. But then the momentum of the mystery helped kick things into a slightly more exciting gear. A body is discovered near Crowther's family's estate and it appears to be connected to Crowther's father. Though the book is set in the late 1700s, I had trouble bri...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Andrea rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: real-readers

This was fun, but not brilliant. I did read it in a day and found it sufficiently diverting, but I felt nothing for the characters. It might be because I'm pretty jaded with the crime-fighting science nerd theme.

That said, it was an easy read and is a low-stress way to pass a day. Might be something you'll want to stick in your holiday suitcase.

Note: I have read other books that were part of a series (Dark Fire) that motivated me to seek out the other books, but clearly this Crowther-Westerman p...more

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May 27, 2012 lifeinsomniac rated it 5 of 5 stars

A tomb lies unopen for 300 years but it holds a secret: an extra body. The history of this place is tainted with blood. Gabriel Crowther's family bought the land from the Greta's and both families hold their own bloody secrets.

Gabriel has chosen to live a life seperated from his past, and family after his brother is hanged for the killing of their father, but when the the tomb is opened, he is brought right back into it. The people and place he wanted to forget is thrown right out in the open,...more A tomb lies unopen for 300 years but it holds a secret: an extra body. The history of this place is tainted with blood. Gabriel Crowther's family bought the land from the Greta's and both families hold their own bloody secrets.

Gabriel has chosen to live a life seperated from his past, and family after his brother is hanged for the killing of their father, but when the the tomb is opened, he is brought right back into it. The people and place he wanted to forget is thrown right out in the open, and there are much more darker things about his family's past. Harriet Westerman, having an eye for adventure, and experiecing her own tragedies joins Gabriel in trying to find out more of what is buried deep.

Island of Bones is the third in the series by Imogen Robertson. The book opens up with Gabriel Crowther speaking to his brother who is waiting to be hanged. He despises his brother for his careless, and selfish past, getting into debt, but, most of all, for killing their father over it, but his brother Ariel protests his innocence.

From almost the first line I was drawn in to this book. It switches from person to person and I love that, it keeps it interesting, and you have more of an understanding of where each person comes from . Island of Bones has many mysteries and turns, and kept me interested till the very last page. It starts off in London 1783, but mainly the story is set in Cumbria, with the history of Keswick, and surrounding areas, then spanning all over Europe.

I loved Harriet Westerman's fighting, but empathetic, behaviour. She's basically looked down upon in some circles because she doesn't behave how a "lady" should. All the characters were well written, and I understood why each one did the things they did, or said the things they said. I felt sorry for Swithun though, not going to tell you why because that would involve spoilers, but maybe when you read it you'll know what I mean. The relationship between Gabriel Crowther and Harriet Westerman makes an interesting patnership while they work out the mysteries together, better than some of the popular ones we know of today in my eyes. Imogen Robertson is an excellent story teller, she touches on history, but it's done in a non-heavy way. She also writes a little about the real history in the back of the book, if you want to read it it's there, she even reccommends some places to visit and books to read, thought that was a awesome bonus to the book.

To be fair I can't write as eloquently as others about how much of a great read this was, but I'm addicted to these novels already, and I am definitely going to read her first two books and hope they are as good as this one.

P.S. Loved the map at the beginning!(less)

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Jun 08, 2012 Jo at Jaffareadstoo rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Against the backdrop of the glorious English Lake District, reclusive anatomist, Gabriel Crowther and his companion, Harriet Westerman meet again in a gothic story of intrigue, mystery and long dead secrets. The Island of Bones is the third book in the Crowther/ Westerman series of Gothic suspense novels, and is a fast and furious blend of history, deception and danger.
When an extra body is discovered in an ancient grave on the aptly named Island of Bones, Gabriel Crowther and Harriet Westerman...more Against the backdrop of the glorious English Lake District, reclusive anatomist, Gabriel Crowther and his companion, Harriet Westerman meet again in a gothic story of intrigue, mystery and long dead secrets. The Island of Bones is the third book in the Crowther/ Westerman series of Gothic suspense novels, and is a fast and furious blend of history, deception and danger.
When an extra body is discovered in an ancient grave on the aptly named Island of Bones, Gabriel Crowther and Harriet Westerman are called upon to travel to Derwent Water, Cumberland, in order to investigate the mystery surrounding this unknown body. With added poignancy, Gabriel must return to what was once his family home in Keswick, which he abandoned during a scandal many years ago. The wild and untamed beauty of the area is richly juxtaposed alongside a story of disloyalty, disgrace and discredited honour. There are some really nice touches; Imogen Robertson has a nice way of writing, her characterisation is excellent, and her stunning description of the landscape, and superstition surrounding the Island of Bones, makes for interesting reading. The late Georgian era is captured to perfection, and the suspicion and superstition associated with this small Cumberland town is well explored.
With no prior knowledge of the previous two books in the series, it took me a little while to warm to the central characters, but once I understood a little more of their distinctive personalities, I found the narrative flowed very well, and I then became absorbed in the story. I particularly enjoyed reading the parts which involved Harriet’s young son Stephen, his relationship with the eccentric Casper Grace was by far my favourite part of the novel.
Overall, I thought that this was a fascinating and suspenseful murder mystery. I’m always happy to find a new author to follow, and it is now my intention to read the previous two books in the Crowther/ Westerman series.

My thanks to Real Readers for a review edition of Island Of Bones.
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Oct 25, 2012 Connie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery

I'm in love with this series. It's a superlative character-driven sorta-kinda love story wherein the chemistry and friendship between Crowthers and Mrs. Westerman is palpable, a tidy little Georgian set mystery, and takes place in a milieu rarely --in my experience- explored, a tiny "resort" town where superstition and tradition co-exist happily with a modern, progressive and christian middle class mentality. Sense of place and time is phenomenal, the language is lovely, clean and approachable....more

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Jan 27, 2013 Carole rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The story starts in 1751 at the Tower of London on the eve of the execution of Gabriel's brother who has been found guilty of the murder of their father. There seems to be no love lost between the two brothers.

Next the time moves on to 1783 where an old tomb on the Island of Bones is found to contain a body that should not be there - could these two events be connected?

Attempting to solve the mystery are two unlikely friends -- Gabriel Crowther (a straight talking man in his fifties who has beco...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Karen rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Perhaps if I had read the author's two previous books, I would have liked this one more. I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, anyway. Often, books in a series cannot stand alone and this is one of them. There were far too many references to previous adventures and heartaches involving Gabriel Crowther and Mrs. Westerman and they were distracting rather than enticing. If you read and liked the author's previous books, then you will probably like this one. Coincidentally I am listening...more

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Nov 07, 2012 Krista Mercer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, mystery

Third in the Crowther/Westerman series (also known as CSI: Georgian England). This volume delves into the mysteries of Gabriel Crowther's past, revealing at last the truth behind his father's murder and his brother's subsequent death. The author takes the reader to the 18th century Lake District (before the Romantic poets got hold of it) and its geography and folk customs are fascinating. The inclusion of the local "cunning man" weaves a thread of paranormal among the clues. Brilliant.

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Feb 23, 2013 Barb added it · review of another edition

Shelves: gave-it-a-try-and-then-gave-up

The is the third novel in this series. I've read the first two already and enjoyed the first but didn't enjoy the second one as much. Unfortunately I won't finish this one, I gave it over a hundred pages and felt like nothing was happening, the mystery wasn't engaging, the filler wasn't interesting and there seemed to be a lot of redundancy. I'm disappointed to give this one up but it just isn't doing anything for me...

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Island of Bones (Crowther and Westerman #3)

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