The Bone Jar is a very atmospheric first instalment in a new series featuring Detective Lew Kirby.

Kirby and his colleague Anderson are called out to the site of an abandoned asylum when a security guard discovers the battered body of an elderly woman. Surely the victim has a connection to this place. Why else would she have been left there, when there are far more easily accessible places to dump a dead body? First though, detectives must figure out who the victim is and as they delve into her past, they uncover a multitude of secrets.

With such an intriguing title, I couldn't wait to get stuck in and find out what The Bone Jar was all about. For the most part, I really enjoyed this story. There are quite a few different things going on at the same time. It works really well as an introduction to the series as the reader gets to know Detective Kirby. However, I also found the plot just a little bit too complicated. Now, I will admit that my brain was somewhat foggy when I read The Bone Jar so it's quite possible that was to blame. But I couldn't help but get awfully confused at times. I'm still not entirely sure I have the right end of the stick.

What I do know is that the shenanigans that happened at the asylum are seriously disturbing, affecting quite a few characters in The Bone Jar. The murderer could seemingly be just about anyone and I was unable to figure out who it was or what their motive was. All in all, an enjoyable and entertaining read.