4* Not thrilling compared to modern mysteries but beautifully written, with lovely prose, decent characters and realism.

Though this is a book in a long-running series, I wasn't lost. There's enough mention of the lead characters' shared pasts, and it utterly lacks anything faux or sensationalist, that I delved right in.

It's not a full-on thriller in today's sense but it's a decent read, accurate in it's descriptions of the 30s, I think, and one that I low-key enjoyed.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Severn House, for my reading pleasure.

Jane A. Adams, Cold Bones, Severn House, December 2024.


Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.


This is book 10 of the Jane A. Adams series that features former Detective Chief Inspector Henry Johnstone. Set in the 1930s, it is described as a mystery. It is also a challenging social commentary. The gentle resolution of two brutal murders and a miscarriage of justice, is a departure from the usual thriller, until the juxtaposition of this style with the grisly realities of the punishment that the murderer will suffer, and details of the murders becomes apparent. A wealth of other attributes, make this novel satisfying in a rather different way from the page turner thriller. These attributes include the portrayal of a man finding his way from a demanding career to life at a different pace; a main character battling prejudice, which is reflected in the depiction of other female characters, depiction of the backgrounds to the various perpetrators and the very pleasing writing style.

Two crimes are at the heart of the novel – the first, with which the writer begins, is a miscarriage of justice and the other, arson with a dead body amongst the remains. The injustice, which will not remove the need for punishment of a crime, is at the core of the continuing development of the relationship between Henry Johnstone and Malina Beaney. Here, the prejudice attendant on attitudes toward female/male partnerships, travellers and their kin and social class are deftly drawn. The arson and murder case depicts the role of economic and social power, fraught family relationships and greed in triggering crime.

Jane A. Adams is an arresting writer, in her attention to social commentary at the same time as developing a good story. Although I feel that Adams needs to return to producing a novel which embraces a more complex unravelling of a crime than is apparent in this work, I thoroughly appreciated the way in which Henry Johnstones’ difficult passage from both physical ability to physical impairment and the massive change in his status was depicted. His relationship with his former sergeant, Mickey Hitchens, has been a convincing feature of the novels, and continues to be in this one, although with a change in character. I look forward to reading further as Inspector Hitchens’ and Private Detective Johnstone solve another case.

I thank NetGalley and Severn House for an advance reader copy of “Cold Bones.” All opinions and comments are my own.

“Cold Bones” is more a journey of self-discovery than a mystery tale. Oh, there’s a detective story here, one of arson and murder, worked for us by Inspector Mickey Hitchens, Henry Johnstone’s old partner. And a good one, it is, too, although I never like being in the mind of a murderer. Never sits right with me.

What ex-policeman Johnstone finds as he embarks on a old case from three years ago is that he’s still not really recovered from the circumstances that caused his departure from everyday policing. And as the present unfolds, Henry comprehends the truth. No one wants him to bring up the past (and though she won’t task him with it, Malina knows she’s being “typed” for her gypsy background, something that’s never gone away, either). And Henry realizes that it’s taken a lot out of him, physically and mentally. But still, once a policeman, always a policeman; he has to try. But something good comes out of it all -- a marriage date, and finally, a family reunited.

“Cold Bones” is an authentic character study, satisfying those looking for plots that contain human interest combined with the mystery/detective elements. A Henry Johnstone story has always contained plenty of both.

1931 Retired DCI Henry Johnstone receives a letter which takes him to Thoresway, Lincolnshire after a death bed confession of murder. That of Robert Hanson in 1928 and of Ethan Samuels being falsely accused, before running away. Meanwhile DI Mickey Hitchens is involved in an arson and murder case.
Unfortunately the two stories are not connected nor is there any mystery though well-written.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was okay. A good, not great read. This may be because it's part of a series which I have not read. I thought the pace was really sedate for a mystery and the murder was wrapped up in a very ho hum way.

Threads Unravel..
The tenth outing in the Henry Johnstone series of mysteries, 1930’s set, finds the retired Scotland Yard Detective pulled back into an old case in his new role as a private investigator. As threads begin to unravel, Inspector Mickey Hitchens is struggling with his own case and one with which Johnstone could well assist. Another well written and cleverly plotted instalment to this long running series with a cast of wonderfully drawn characters, a firm sense of time and place, well imagined backdrop and a solid and compelling mystery at its heart.

The latest in a clever historical series featuring now retired DCI Henry Johnstone and his former partner Inspector Mickey Hitchens. Adams writes with a good sense of time and space- 1931 Lancashire>. The mysteries are twisty enough , the characters good. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Fine as a standalone. A nice way to spend a few hours.

This was a strong tenth entry in the Henry Johnstone 1930s Mystery series, it had that element that I was hoping for from the previous entries. The overall feel worked with the world and enjoyed the feel of this, and how the characters worked with this story. It uses the mystery element perfectly and was glad I got to read this. Jane A. Adams has that writing style that I was looking for and glad I got to read this.

Cold Bones is Book #10 in the wonderful Henry Johnstone 1930s Mystery series by Jane A. Adams.  Set in Lincolnshire in 1931, this gorgeously-written novel oozes atmosphere and sense of place with social mores and vernacular of the interwar period.  The characters are so utterly present, so...human.  Clever historical bits are multisensory and dazzled me right down to my toes.

Former Detective Inspector Henry Johnstone is physically recovering from injuries and while his body needs rest, his mind remains active.  Good thing as the six-month-old Johnstone Detective Agency must prioritize a three-year-old crime as well as a fresh murder and arson.  Henry's discontentment with detecting jobs here and there turn to something purposeful. What had been presumed true is now upended as a dying man makes a confession which changes everything.  Henry's lovely fiancée Cynthia is independent, an intelligent thinker and supports his investigations. But with a murderer on the loose, people are uneasy. Inspector Mickey Hitchens steps in to help his friend sift through the ashes. Helen's story is poignant, too.

My heart and mind were hooked by the first sentence and became deliciously spellbound as the time flew by. Cold Bones is unmissable for those seeking whip-smart and unforgettable writing. Each word has its place and is pure magic.

My sincere thank you to Severn House and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this captivating novel.