A Load of Old Bones

A Load of Old Bones follows Reverend Francis Oughterard, who becomes entangled in a murder investigation in 1950s Surrey. The story is told through diary entries from three narrators: the reverend himself, his cat Maurice, and a dog named Bouncer. The unconventional narrative structure allows readers to piece together events from multiple perspectives, including the animal observers who add their own interpretations to the proceedings. The setting in a quiet English village provides a backdrop for the crime, with local personalities and parish politics playing central roles. The plot centers on the reverend's efforts to maintain his position and reputation while dealing with an unwanted investigation. His cat Maurice and the newly-arrived dog Bouncer become unexpected allies as events progress. The novel combines elements of classic British mystery with darker humor and explores themes of morality, conscience, and the sometimes thin line between right and wrong in seemingly proper society.

Readers describe this as a light mystery with quirky British humor, told through diary entries from three narrators: a vicar, his cat, and a dog. Many found the animal perspectives creative and entertaining, with one reader noting "the cat's snobbish observations made me laugh out loud." Positives: - Witty dialogue and wordplay - Eccentric village characters - Quick, easy read - Unique multi-perspective format Negatives: - Plot moves slowly - Some found the animal narrators gimmicky - Several readers said the mystery element was weak - A few felt the humor tried too hard Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (238 ratings) Amazon UK: 4/5 (121 ratings) Amazon US: 3.8/5 (89 ratings) One frequent comment was that it works better as a comedy of manners than a mystery. Multiple readers compared it to a cozy British TV series, with one noting "it's like Midsomer Murders meets All Creatures Great and Small."

The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun A journalist and his Siamese cat solve murders in a small town, combining feline intuition with crime-solving in the same vein as Reverend Hooper and Maurice's escapades.

The Sunday Philosophy Club by Alexander McCall Smith An Edinburgh philosopher turned amateur sleuth navigates murder investigations with wit and literary references, echoing the intellectual humor found in Hill's work.

The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry A Victorian-era detective solves crimes while dealing with memory loss, weaving together historical elements and murder mystery with the same blend of darkness and wit.

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann A flock of sheep investigate their shepherd's murder, offering a unique perspective on crime-solving that mirrors the animal narrator approach in Hill's novel.

The Moving Toyshop by Edmund Crispin An Oxford professor encounters a body in a toyshop that later disappears, presenting academic wit and eccentric characters in a mystery framework similar to Hill's style.

🔹 Suzette Hill didn't begin her writing career until after retirement at age 64, and "A Load of Old Bones" was her first published novel. 🔹 The story is uniquely narrated from three different perspectives: a cat, a dog, and an Anglican vicar, each providing their own take on the mysterious events. 🔹 Set in 1950s Surrey, England, the book combines elements of both cozy mystery and dark comedy, with a distinctly British sense of humor. 🔹 The author drew inspiration for the animal characters from pets she had known, particularly Maurice the cat, who was based on a real feline companion. 🔹 "A Load of Old Bones" is the first in a series of five books featuring the same characters, known as the Reverend Francis Oughterard series.