Dan Foster is a man of hidden depths. Once a street urchin and now a Bow Street Runner, he has been sent to investigate the death of a gamekeeper on Lord Oldfield's estate. Dan must go undercover to reveal the truth while at times reconciling how he feels about some of the decisions Lord Oldfield is making. Despite being undercover in order to try to catch those responsible for the death of the gamekeeper and do the job he was sent to do, Dan finds himself drawn to some of those he should be investigating and often finds himself waging an inner conflict between doing his job and doing what is morally right.

I have to admit that I was a bit nervous about reading this book. The era the book is set in (18th Century) made me wonder how a detective story of that time could hold my interest. Historical fiction is not my most favourite genre but one I am finding more and more enjoyable if I find the right book. And, Bloodie Bones is definitely the right book! Its a real cracker of a story and it is very obvious that Lucienne Boyce has done a heck of a lot of research to ensure historical accuracy. The language is rich and simply exquisite and reads easily. I even learned a few things along the way! I actually had no idea there was such a thing as The Riot Act and had no idea where the expression reading someone the Riot Act came from until Lord Oldfield was confronted with an angry mob outside his home. And, the story just flows along seamlessly. There are many twists and turns to trip you up and a few surprises along the way! The book is beautifully written and had me gripped from start to finish.

Dan Foster is such an interesting character, torn between two worlds. He is also a man trapped in a loveless marriage but bound by duty and at times I really felt sorry for him. There is an air of sadness about him and he has a varied past which is often at odds with the Dan Foster that he now tries to be. The story behind the gamekeepers death is cleverly plotted and Dan is an 18th Century sleuth who is both clever and forward thinking. I loved this book and really look forward to reading more Dan Foster mysteries. This series could just be my new favourite series! Bravo to Lucienne Boyce for bringing to life a wonderful character in Dan Foster.