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Bone by Bone
Bone by Bone
Jan 12, 2026 8:26 PM

Author:Peter Matthiessen

Bone by Bone

In this magnificent novel, which is the conclusion to the celebrated Watson trilogy, E.J. Watson tells his own story, through his turbulent life, to his death at the hands of vigilantes. From his destitute childhood in South Carolina, and the terrible events which haunt him for the rest of his days, the narrative shifts to the wilds of the Florida Everglades. Here, Watson establishes himself as a successful sugar-cane farmer, trying in vain to escape his past, and the uncontrollable, vicious side of his nature which is ultimately his downfall.

Intelligent, a devoted husband and a lover, a stern father and a man capable of cruelty and cold-blooded murder, Watson is a character staggeringly real in his complexity. Bone by Bone confronts not only the racism, brutality and entrepreneurial greed of the American South at the turn of the century but also the paradox at the heart of human nature: our capacity for fierce love, compassion and unspeakable violence.

Reviews

'Nelson handles deftly the O'Brian dominated maritime genre with... tense action and battle sequences'

—— Publishers Weekly

There's something about tales of mysterious old buildings that have the ability to set hairs on end. In this one, two intertwining stories explore the magnificence of Black Rabbit Hall and the dark secrets behind its walls. Perfect

—— Red

Atmospheric, with echoes of du Maurier, this haunting novel enchanted me

—— Fanny Blake , Woman & Home

Beautifully, poetically written and reminiscent of everything from I Capture The Castle to Hansel And Gretel. Eve Chase is a name to watch

—— Wendy Holden , Daily Mail

A cracking pool-side saga

—— Good Housekeeping

Black Rabbit Hall pulls you like a sleepwalker into a beautiful, hazy story about a grand Cornish home full of character and thunderclap memories, we found ourselves breathless with anticipation. Eve Chase's debut novel is like a prolonged and beautiful daydream, celebrating the enduring power of place in our lives

—— iBook Books of the Month

Black Rabbit Hall completely swept me away. Glorious, beautifully written. I absolutely loved it

—— Lisa Jewell , Sunday Times bestselling author of I Found You

Black Rabbit Hall is a seductive wonder of a novel; with echoes of Daphne du Maurier and Dodie Smith, it pulls you irresistibly into its world where nothing is quite as it first appears

—— Elizabeth Fremantle

Expertly crafted, dark, beautiful and utterly enthralling

—— Rowan Coleman

Family secrets, forbidden lust, and a family of four extraordinary children who'll stick with you long after they've scattered off the page. Eve Chase kept me up with her gorgeous descriptions of a crumbling Cornwall estate and the unruly brood who meets tragedy within its walls

—— Miranda Beverly-Whittmore , New York Times bestselling author of Bittersweet

A stunning new writer has arrived - gripping and heart rending, this novel is full of original characters which don't let you forget them

—— Katie Fforde

A deliciously intriguing novel whose rich sense of time and place bear more than a few echoes of du Maurier's best

—— Alex Marwood , Edgar Award-winning author of The Wicked Girls

A sheer delight. It has everything: a glorious setting, characters to fall in love with, secrets galore and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very last page. Wonderful

—— Veronica Henry

A plot so absorbing that Black Rabbit time will creep up out of the pages and envelop you completely . . . To say I loved this book would be an understatement

—— The Book Bag

It's a fast-paced story of secrets, betrayal and consequence . . . we promise you'll be gripped

—— Essentials Magazine

The perfect piece of summer escapism, gently edged with glamorous fairy dust. We loved it

—— Psychologies Magazine, September Book Club choice

A fabulous story. Masterfully realised by Chase, this is one of those books that demands complete attention and lingers in your mind for days after finishing the last page

—— thebookbag.co.uk

Brilliant

—— The Lady

Debut novelist Chase weaves together Lorna's investigations with Amber's tribulations, a tapestry embroidered with madness, a horrifying accident, and malicious lies. Compellingly readable and riddled with twists and turns worthy of Daphne du Maurier, Chase's tale will delight

—— Kirkus Reviews

Chase's heart-wrenching first novel is equal parts romance, mystery, and historical fiction

—— Library Journal

Chase deserves high marks for her atmospheric setting and vivid prose, and fans of old-fashioned gothic stories will find this a winner

—— Publishers Weekly

An absorbing, pacy book full of secrets, lovable characters and dramatic turns, Black Rabbit Hall revolves around the lives and loyalties of four siblings caught up in a life-changing event at their family's country home in Cornwall. A fantastic debut

—— Mumsnet

A beautifully written novel

—— Marie Claire

McMillan’s powerful collection explores and interrogates masculinity with frank honesty.

—— Malika Booker , Metro

McMillan…is a natural communicator and his material – sexuality, the body, masculinity – are urgent topics for our time.

—— Charlotte Higgins , Guardian
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