The Ghost in Bone

Freelance exorcist Felix Castor makes a welcome return (after 2009’s The Naming of The Beasts) in Carey’s entertaining urban fantasy. Castor lost his steadiest source of income after he was implicated in the destruction of a London paranormal research unit, leading the Metropolitan Police to stop hiring him for consulting work. Short on both employment and funds, Castor is intrigued by a cryptic newspaper advertisement offering £1,000 to exorcists just for showing up at Brierly mansion, plus the possibility of a larger payday for whoever is eventually hired for a mysterious job. Despite his misgivings about the motives of property owner Gavril Ustinov, a Russian oligarch, Castor travels to Brierly, only to encounter a slew of injured fellow exorcists who’ve been blocked from entering by a unknown force. Castor succeeds in thwarting it, but inside waits a larger puzzle to solve. Ustinov is missing; it was his daughter who placed the ad, and she wants Castor’s help to find her dad. The ensuing mystery has unexpectedly wide ranging implications for the supernatural world at large. Carey manages to further develop the series’ supernatural architecture while also providing an accessible entry point for newcomers. Meanwhile, his signature blend of hard-boiled plotting, sardonic humor, and ghostly horror keeps the pages turning. Jim Butcher fans will be especially pleased. (July)