Dust Off the Bones

Book excerpt: "Dust Off the Bones is a terrific sequel to one of my favorite novels of the last few years and takes us in a new and wholly unexpected direction with many of our favorite characters from Only Killers and Thieves. Highly recommended." — Adrian McKinty, author of The Chain “A complex, sophisticated morality play….Fast-paced and brimming with colorful, realistic detail, DUST OFF THE BONES paints a vivid portrait of colonial Australia in the midst of its transition to independence as the 20th century begins while posing disturbing questions about the country’s historic cruelty to its native inhabitants.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Howarth’s sequel to Only Killers and Thieves is as searing and savage as the Australian frontier setting that both novels share…This masterly tale of trauma and retribution is more than worthy of the original.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Rich and vivid….Recommended to readers of Kate Grenville, Peter Carey, and Colleen McCullough.” — Booklist “Engrossing….a riveting, action -packed tale of life in Australia between 1890 and 1910…[with] strong women characters.” — Library Journal (starred review) “An unsparing exploration of guilt and Australia’s violent origins and also a quest for redemption and peace. It is a measure of Howarth’s skill that the reader wants the McBride boys to reach their goals with such intensity that the book is almost too painful to read. Howarth has been compared to Cormac McCarthy; this pair of books shows the comparison is deserved.” — The Times (London) “The villainous Inspector Edward Noone is one of the most compelling antagonists in recent historical fiction…It is testament to Howarth’s skill as a writer that his narrative both engages and challenges in its accomplished depiction of a brutal and violent age.” — The Guardian “A gripping tale of adventure [and] a moving account of redemption”. — Sunday Times (London)