Bones in the Attic » (Large Print Edition)

Robert Barnard was born in Essex, England. Mr. Barnard was educated at the Royal Grammar School in Colchester, and Balliol College in Oxford. Holding a Phd, Robert Barnard spent a number of years as a distinguised academic while making himself known as a delightful crime writer. Barnard was Guest of Honor at the 1998 Malice Domestic mystery conference and recipient of the Golden Handcuffs Award. He lives with his wife Louise in Yorkshire, England, the general location for many of his novels. Mr. Barnard was the winner of the 2003 Cartier Diamond Dagger, Britain's prestigious mystery award. He's won the Nero Wolfe Award, the Anthony Award, the Agatha Award, and the Macavity Award. Robert Barnard is also an eight-time nominee for the Edgar, and a present member of Britain's Detection Club.

After the discovery of a tiny child's skeleton in the attic, new homeowner Matt Harper learns that the baby's death occurred about 30 years ago. Harper struggles to remember the summer of 1969 that he spent at his aunt's and comes up with more questions than answers in this riveting tale of a long-ago crime.

Publishers Weekly

In this superbly written suspense novel from British author Barnard (Unholy Dying, etc.), former soccer star Matt Harper, now a television and radio personality, is the new owner of Elderholm, one of a small street of sturdy old houses in Leeds. As he and his remodeling contractor take a look around the attic, they come upon the skeleton of a toddler-sized child. The deeper Matt and Det. Sgt. Charlie Peace probe, the more certain they become that the child met its tragic death in 1969, the same fateful summer Matt had spent in this very community. A public appeal for information nets Matt an anonymous letter, confirming his suspicion that, as a seven-year-old youngster, he had seen or heard more than he was consciously aware. As Matt tracks down and talks with his old playmates from that summer, he connects fragments from his own memories with the information all of these provide. The conclusion isn't pleasant: some way, somehow, the kids he'd played alongside were involved. Some or all of them knew the truth about what had happened to the baby in the attic. Who of them had actually done the deed? Was it Rory? Drinking seemed to be his only solace. And what of Caroline? She had long since lost connection with most of reality. One by one, Matt delves into the past and present lives of his former companions. And slowly the circle narrows. Barnard quickly pulls his readers into the plot and holds them there right through the final pages, leaving them, along with his hero, pondering further possibilities. (Apr. 23) FYI: An eight-time Edgar nominee, Barnard has won the Nero Wolfe Award as well as Anthony, Agatha and Macavity awards. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.