The Bones Beneath: A Tom Thorne Novel (Thom Thorne, 12) - Hardcover

Billingham, Mark

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802122485 ISBN 13: 9780802122483

Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2014

Synopsis

The Bones Beneath, the twelfth novel in the internationally bestselling Tom Thorne series shows Thorne facing perhaps the most dangerous killer he has ever put away, Stuart Nicklin. When Nicklin announces that he wishes to reveal the whereabouts of one of his earliest victims and that he wants the cop who caught him to be there when he does it, it becomes clear that Thorne’s life is about to become seriously unpleasant. Thorne is forced to accompany Nicklin to a remote island off the Welsh coast which is cut off from the mainland in every sense. Shrouded in myth and legend, it is said to be the resting place of 20,000 saints and as Thorne and his team search for bones that are somewhat more recent, it becomes clear that Nicklin’s motives are far from altruistic.

The twisted scheme of a dangerous and manipulative psychopath will result in many more victims and will leave Tom Thorne with the most terrible choice he has ever had to make.

About this title

About the Author:

Mark Billingham is one of England's best known and top-selling crime writers. His most recent book was a #1 bestseller in the UK. He has twice won the Theakston's Old Peculier Award for Best Crime Novel, and has also won a Sherlock Award for the Best Detective created by a British writer. His novels Sleepyhead and Scaredy Cat were made into a hit TV series on Sky 1 starring David Morrissey as Thorne. Mark lives in North London with his wife and two children.

Review:

I love a good twist-up. The Bones Beneath is one of those. It is the twelfth Tom Thorne mystery by Mark Billingham, and those of us who have been along for the ride from the very beginning will note a bit of a departure here from previous installments. There is no question who the murderer is and who the victim is (for the most part). Instead, the focus is on the why,” or the motivation, if you will, for what propels the plot like a quiet, deadly rocket through a good portion of the book, moving readers just a bit closer to the edge of their seats with each passing page. . . . One of Billingham’s best to date, and certainly one of his most suspenseful.” Bookreporter

The bleak setting also evokes the proper air of mystery and menace . . . Thrillers usually stand or fall on the strength of their villains, and Nicklin can certainly make your skin crawl with his cruel mind games.” New York Times Book Review

A slow-building gothic tale of manipulation and evil that’s heavy on atmosphere. . . a simmering suspense, with each seemingly quiet little scene building to something creepy and terrible.” Criminal Element

Like the manipulative Nicklin, Billingham delights in toying with his audience, and most readers’ nerves will be shredded long before the sadistic import of Nicklin’s deep-laid plot finally becomes clear. Thorne’s twelfth is a tour de force of suspense that dares you to guess the secrets of a magician who’s made his intentions perfectly clear from the very beginning.” Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

In the twelfth series entry, Billingham makes the most of his bleak, rugged setting while creating an atmosphere of chilling menace as flashbacks reveal the full extent of Nicklin’s sadism and Thorne’s vulnerability.” Booklist

Billingham couldn’t have selected a more chilling scenario . . . Best-laid plans quickly turn sour, the stakes higher than ever when Thorne confronts the very nightmare he anticipated at the start of this misadventure, his decisions bearing the onus of life or death.” Curled Up With a Good Book

Chilling . . . Billingham certainly knows how to make those pages turn.” Publishers Weekly

Praise for Mark Billingham:

Morse, Rebus, and now Thorne. The next superstar detective is already with us don’t miss him.” Lee Child

Billingham is one of the most consistently entertaining, insightful crime writers working today.” Gillian Flynn

Billingham is a world-class crime writer and Tom Thorne is a wonderful creation. Rush to read these books.” Karin Slaughter

With each of his books, Mark Billingham gets better and better. These are stories and characters you don’t want to leave.” Michael Connelly

Mark Billingham is one of my favorite new writers.” Harlan Coben

"Billingham is one of the best crime novelists working today." Laura Lippman

Mark Billingham has brought a rare and welcome blend of humanity, dimension, and excitement to the genre.” George Pelecanos

Billingham leaps to the upper echelons of crime fiction in one bound.” John Harvey

About this edition

• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0802122485
• ISBN 13: 9780802122483
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 400