Kathryn Darkling dubbed the Westminster Vampire is waiting to be hanged for committing a series of gruesome murders. She has days left to finish what she started.

I liked this book but it could have had so much more put into it. I would have loved more from Kathryn's relationships with women especially Jessica it just seemed a bit rushed when they were together. I loved the medical side it was well written and gruesome in parts. I worked out quiet quickly what was happening to Kathryn through her grief process. I would have given this book 4 stars but the ending was to short I would like to have known what happened to Jessica.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the digital copy.

I absolutely adored this book. I loved the unusual yet gorgeous writing and the gothic horror of it all.
The unreliable aspect of the narrator was perfect to add this sense of mystery and eeriness. This story felt like a fever gothic dream that was just perfectly crafted to leave you breathless.

Thank you again to NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader copy of this book.

This was a very good read and had all the elements to be a good horror thriller. The characters were diverse and the story line made it to be an interesting one! I will definitely read more from this author soon

In "Bone Rites," we meet young Kathryn – a headstrong older sister and a bit of a wild child, drawn to the mysterious world of medicine and her father's library, especially the arcane knowledge of bone magic. She couldn't resist dipping her fingers into it, and little did she know, that would leave an indelible mark on her fate. Kathryn's story is one of obsession – for her younger brother, a secret lover from her med school days, and ultimately, an all-consuming thirst for revenge.

As her journey unfolds, sanity slips through her fingers, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. She transforms into a powerful yet haunted figure, almost like a deity, haunted by the echoes of her loved ones and wielding a power that few can comprehend. All of it triggered by the faintest whisper from her brother.

While I did wish for a bit more fantasy and magic woven into the plot, I found myself totally engrossed in the story as it is. Natalie Bayley's writing defies easy classification, and that's what makes it so darn mesmerizing.

In a nutshell, "Bone Rites" is a captivating tale of obsession, revenge, and the murky space between reality and the supernatural. It's a unique blend of genres that ensures you won't find anything quite like it, making it an incredibly engaging and thought-provoking read.

Bone Rites is a story of love and loss and grief. I love the way that the story was laid out, the jump between past and present in chapters was beautifully done! I found that I kept coming back for more, captivated by the story of Kathryn and her brother Freddie. Much like Reverend Charles, there was something about Kathryn’s story that read like a sirens song, sucking you in and never letting you go. You could not turn away and you had to hear the end.

I think Natalie Bayley did a beautiful job of portraying her characters and weaving in the fantastical aspects with such ease it almost felt as if it was real life. Bone Rites is dark and mysterious and enthralling all at once. A must read if you love a look at the life of a mysterious woman and her struggle with love and loss.

Bone Rites has an unforgettable story and a very interesting plot twist! Be on the look out for this one as it’s a story you do not want to miss!

This is a warning about parentifying your young, sapphic daughter to the point of her becoming a Boy Mom(TM).
Absolutely disastrous.

I love a good paranormal historic fiction and this one really delivered. Set in the first few decades of the 20th century in England and in France, a young girl finds a book that describes bone magic and uses it to protect her brother, however she eventually loses the bone and her brother dies in the First World War. She is in medical school. and after her brother dies she goes to the front to work in hospitals. The spirit of her brother goes with her. Before long she is following instructions from her brother's spirit and collecting bones from soldiers whose limbs were amputated or who did not make it. Feeling guilt over her brother's death, she and his spirit decide that if she can collect the bones to make up a full skeleton then she can bring him back. However once the war is over, collecting bones is not as easy as it once was...

I can honestly say that I was not expecting the story to end the way it did, and that is a good thing. I really enjoy a plot twist! This book sucked me in and I read it in one day.

Kathryn Darkling is going to hang; all that's left to do is confess her sins to the local clergyman. Our story is told between her present and past, spanning the early to mid-1900s. When she is a young girl, her brother crushes his finger in a washing machine cog. Kathryn remembers a book in her father's library called "Bone Rites". She believes that by taking her brother's crushed bone and performing a rite, she can protect him from all harm.

As Kathryn grows up, she continues her fascination with bones and decides to attend a newly opened medical school for women in Edinburgh. It's here where Kathryn as a character really starts getting fleshed out. She develops a crush on a classmate and even disguises herself as a man so she can have access to cadavers. When WWI breaks out, Kathryn thinks she'll be able to join the fray by serving as a field doctor. Life has other plans, and Kathryn is thrown into the chaos of war. Her own mind is tormenting her, as she is haunted by the ghost of a boy she couldn't save. Kathryn descends into madness as she tries to avenge the soul of her personal ghost.

This book wasn't really for me. It had a lot of elements that I really enjoy, but I just couldn't get invested in the characters. I didn't really care what happened to anyone in the book. I did find the historical elements and the depictions of queerness to be top-notch. Kathryn's time in Paris after the war has ended is a great interpretation of how one can get utterly lost in their grief.

So much of what her character motivations are driven by an obsession to the point of madness. While this did make her interesting, and she was self-aware that what she was doing was wrong, she never really comes out of her shell to me. I felt like when I finished the book, I was just on to the next thing; nothing about the book really stuck with me.

thank you to netgalley for the arc.

bone rites is strange and it’s been a while since I’ve read a historical book that I haven’t wanted to pick holes in so it’s well researched. it is gothic but seemed more of a gothic thriller than a gothic horror to me but kathryn was interesting, I would have liked to have seen the romantic relationships between her and jessica and veronique more instead of feeling like a footnote. still I support women’s wrongs.

Well I am a bit lost for words and I don't know how to describe my feelings for this novel except too say that it is brilliant!! The characterisation is like nothing I have ever read before and I believe that plenty of research and time has been put into the story, it's well written and I could tell that the author has put her heart and soul into writing it. The main character Kathryn is a strong, intelligent woman who I instantly liked but I don't think she knew her true worth. The plot is haunting and dark with many layers under the surface.

[3.5/5]
Right from the title, I thought Bone Rites was going to be an incredibly interesting book... And it was! Bone Rites follows Dr. Kathryn Darkling, and we see her in the days leading up to her execution for the murders she committed, as well as the years prior to that as she tells the story of what she's done to a Reverand. I thought this format and the way the story was told was really well done and had me just as interested as the Reverand, wanting to find out what Kathryn did next to get her to the point we see her right before her execution.
Usually, I don't really like first person books because it's harder for me to truly like the main character and that leads to me disliking the book, but I thought the use of first person was perfect for the way this story was being told. I do think that led to some characters being less interesting, especially Jessica, and, although I know the reason their relationship couldn't have worked was because of the time period, it would have been nice to know more about her and Kathryn.
Although I did really like this book, there were some things that I was a little but...... unsure about. I obviously won't spoil the ending, but I think there could have been at least a little bit more information. The book ending the way it did was a little underwhelming, and I wish there had been a hint of what happened. There were some events in the plot that, to me, didn't really add anything to the story or Kathryn's character except filler, so there definitely could have been minor things left out. Also - and this is more nitpicking than anything else - the use of apostrophes/single quotation marks bothers me because there was no reason to use single quotation marks (there is no double quotation mark in the book implying that this is all being quoted, thus making the single quotation marks incorrect punctuation.) Again though, that's more nitpicking just because it's technically incorrect than anything else and didn't really take away from my reading experience.
Overall, Bone Rites is a simple 3.5/5 for me, I enjoyed it and thought it was an interesting book but that's about it. I would probably recommend it though!
Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!

Bone Rites is a beautiful novel, one that utilises its main character to delve into the many complexities and realities that come with being many things: a sibling, a survivor of war, a queer person, a women in a male-dominated profession. These four aspects are tied together with a bit of magical realism and a vivid historical setting to weave a tale that spans years and countries but never bores.

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot for fear of spoilers - I think this book’s best gone into with minimal idea of how the story unfolds — but I will say that it knocked my socks off. The non-linear narrative works perfectly, building suspense and intrigue at a pace that’s not too fast or slow. The plot twists, while they were foreshadowed — I didn’t see any of them coming. The pacing somehow manages to be consistent despite a plot that varies in intensity — which is quite admirable. I think. And the plot — it has all these interesting themes woven in, like ‘Dulce et decorum est’ and women doctors during a time when they weren’t commonplace at all and the queer landscape of historical times and social injustice and the injustices of the justice system. And yet, this isn’t a novel bogged down by themes — the ‘heist’ aspects of it, the murders and tension, are only improved by our main character and the themes she embodies.

Bayley has a gift for crafting character and relationships, that much is obvious, and goes even beyond that — showing deftly how sweet relationships can quickly turn sour. Kathryn’s relationship with Freddie, her brother, was very reminiscent of my relationship with my own brother when he was younger, despite the historical setting of this novel. Jessica was so, so interesting to me, and probably my only nitpicky complaint about this book is that I wish we’d gotten a bit more of her — we only ever see her through Kathryn’s eyes, and never really get a sense of her own heart, I think. But I don’t think she was meant to feature that much, as her character does fulfill her required role in the narrative, so maybe that’s just a me problem. Kathryn’s friendships were also really unexpectedly sweet? Like, she often seems genuinely surprised when people care for her but she enjoys caring for them too, and that was really heartwarming to see. I think the author gave a really touching glimpse at intergenerational friendships even though those weren’t the focus of the story.

And, oh, characterisation and characters! Here is what sold my soul to Bone Rites: Kathryn herself. She’s incredibly nuanced and delightful- snarky, compassionate, morally grey, loyal and also questioning, daring and intelligent. This novel is told mostly through her and her relationship with one other character. Both of these maintain constant characterisation for characters who change a great deal through the course of the novel — not an easy feat! Kathryn is also… just so fierce and I wanted to root for her even as her morals began to delve more and more into the grey area.

The historical setting was beautiful, or horrifying, as need be, and extensively researched. I found myself screenshotting certain words or phrases for my own research. These details don’t bog down the story, but rather add to it, giving Kathryn and her story more depth and nuance than simply her narration does.

A well-crafted story of what it means to be human, Bone Rites is one of my favourite novels I’ve read this year. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys morally grey heroines, historical fiction, or ‘dark’ fiction of any kind.

This book is a masterful example of storytelling with dual timelines, allowing readers to follow both the present-day condemned Kathryn and the evolution of her character over time. The author skillfully withholds crucial details about her convicted crimes, immersing the reader in the same suspenseful journey as the Reverend, enabling them to form their own opinions about her guilt and mental state without becoming overly frustrated by the lack of information.

The presence of real magic in the story remains a tantalizing mystery, deliberately left for readers to ponder and decide for themselves. It's a trope I personally adore, and the narrative provides evidence on both sides, turning it into a trial of belief for the reader as they delve deeper into the story. Furthermore, the book bravely tackles the horrors of war, challenging our notions of who the real monsters are and exploring the concept of justice for criminals who may never face condemnation. The characters who are willing to look the other way in pursuit of revenge or their own vision of justice feel authentically portrayed.

The inclusion of elements related to sapphic love and gender nonconformity in response to misogyny adds depth to the narrative, and the reviewer expresses a desire to see even more of these themes, reflecting their personal interest as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. The heartbreaking story of Jessica and Kathryn is contextualized within the setting and time period, resonating with the societal expectations placed upon them. However, it's important to note that the book is not a romance novel, so the reviewer acknowledges that they can't expect a central focus on romantic relationships.

In conclusion, the reviewer aligns themselves with the theme of "Women's Rights and Women's Wrongs," emphasizing the importance of exploring and addressing these issues within the narrative.

This book is a really well done example of a narrative with dual timelines where we get both present, condemned Kathryn and Kathryn as she grows up into that person. The book withholds details of her convicted crimes expertly so that the reader slowly experiences the story in the same way that the Reverend did and can draw their own conclusions about both her guilt and mental state, but doesn’t ever feel too frustrated with what they don’t know.

Does this book have real magic? That’s for the reader to decide, and it’s honestly one of my favorite tropes. We have evidence on both sides, and that is another trial the reader can take to court while experiencing the story. The horrors of war are taken to task, as is the question of who is a real monster and what criminals who might never be condemned for their crimes deserve. We meet many who would look the other way to get revenge or see some kind of justice done, and I think that is ultimately realistic.

Elements of sapphic love as well as gender nonconformity in response to misogyny are explored, and that is something I would have liked to see even more of because I’m a queer sap. The story of Jessica and Kathryn is honestly heartbreaking, but makes sense for the setting the time and expectations place upon them. This isn’t a romance novel, though, so I really can’t ask for more.

In the end, I’m definitely on team “Women’s Rights and Women’s Wrongs.”

In 1925, as Kathryn Darkling awaits her death for murder in prison, she recounts the story of her life and the events that lead up to that moment.

I quite enjoyed this book! It had an interesting premise and the setting was immersive and felt realistic.
Story-wise, I liked that it had a satisfying ending, although it took a while for me to get into it because the pace was rather slow, and I was impatient to learn more about the bones stuff.
As the plot started to build, however, I felt more engaged with the story, and eager to find out what happened next.

I loved how narration of the scenes involving dissection and amputation were so descriptive and matter-of-fact, as well as how methodical and precise Kathryn was (does that sound weird?). I also enjoyed how Kathryn was very competent at what she set out to do (doctor school), and how determined she was to accomplish her goals, even when she goes a bit too far in order to achieve them.
Though she did annoy me at times with her whole "why don't you want to be a doctor??😱" thing with the other female characters when they said that they wanted to be wives. It came off like she was looking down on them for not having the same ideals as her, which was a pretty 21st century feminism way of thinking, and doesn't fit with the mentality of the time period.

Regarding Kathryn's relationship with her brother, Freddie, he played a pretty big role in a lot of Kathryn's motivations, so it was interesting to see how their relationship changes over the course of this book. I felt really bad for how Kathryn was affected by their relationship (negatively), and reading how she struggles and overcomes the toxic dynamic of their relationship was very rewarding as a reader.

If you're looking for a slow-paced feminist story with morally grey characters, I recommend giving this book a try!

All hail all kinds of toxic love!

"Bone Rites" is a strange book, one that starts with a storm after which comes calm. We meet Kathryn as a child, an older sister and untamed daughter, enchanted by medicine and grimoire from her father's library, dedicated to bone magic. She puts her fingers in it, just to get a taste, but what she doesn't know is that she will never get rid of that stain. Obsessed with her younger brother, with a friend and secret lover from medical school, and then obsessed with revenge, Kathryn becomes lost in sanity, not sure what is real and what is not. She becomes goddess, haunted by the loved ones, powerful as not many before, ready to destroy the world the second she hears her brother's whisper in the ear.

I wish a bit the fantasy plot was more relevant, and the magic part was explored more, but it would be a lie to say I wasn't interested in current one. It's impossible to categorize what genre Natalie Bayley wrote, but it sure is mesmerizing.

3/5 stars! The cover of this story is stunning. This is the author's debut novel and it had an interesting premise. The story line had some strong moments, but overall I found the main character to be pretty unlikable. Her motivations didn't always make sense, so she didn't hold my attention very well.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

A fantastic read, I couldn't put it down! I don't really like non-linear narratives but that is exactly what made this book so good. It sets you up to make judgements, and then takes you back to explore what led the protagonist to do what she did. The historical and medical aspects were fascinating, especially the role of women in medicine at the time. Add in the gothic themes and you get 5 stars from me!

A gothic tale of a woman’s deadly devotion to her brother and finding her own life.

This book was full of atmosphere and very well researched. I also liked many of the characters despite their very human failings. I am still trying to settle on how I feel about the main character, Kathryn, however.

She was an idealistic young woman whose life became consumed with avenging (and ultimately trying to resurrect) her brother. She devoted her life to him and was racked with guilt when she did anything for herself even if it gave her some happiness. That was a bit frustrating for me because I wanted to see her have deeper relationships with others, her friend Jessica in particular. I felt like there was so much that was hinted at or unexplored, which I can understand considering the book wasn’t solely about Kathryn.

I felt this was a good book overall and reminded me quite a bit of Sarah Water’s “Affinity”. A good one to read if you’re looking for a spooky thriller that will keep you thinking even after you’ve finished it.

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down.

The author has created such an intense worldview by aligning us with Kathryn’s strange point of view. You know you shouldn’t support her actions (which are often gruesome) but you just WANT her to get away with it.

It’s set in Edwardian times, (and deftly researched- especially the First World War and the Paris opium scenes) but Kathryn reminded me of more contemporary psychopaths like Killing Eve or The Talented Mr Ripley.

The love aspect of the story is beautifully drawn and fully humanizes Kathryn.

I was initially dubious about the supernatural twist, but the author handles it well and it adds a great spooky atmosphere to the plot.

Will there be more from Natalie Bayley? I hope so.

Highly recommended.