A magical, otherworldly story

 

⭑⭑⭑⭑  All the Murmuring Bones is a terrific cross between a coming of age story, an adventure story and a magical fairy tale. It is beautifully dark and gothic; full of magic and witchcraft. Here, Miren O'Malley's world shifts on its axis after the death of her grandfather. To refill the family's long depleted coffers, her grandmother feels it is necessary to marry her off to a rich cousin. Funds would certainly help but Miren takes a different view when she uncovers long buried secrets about her mother and father, who have been out of her life since she was 3 years old.

The story takes Miren on quite an adventure as she encounters a number of mythical creatures and must keep her wits sharp at every turn. The poetic writing made it wholly delightful though the story felt ever so slightly shallow, with not a lot of detail and emotion. Maybe that's just Miren as we do experience the story unfolding from her point of view? She is certainly a no nonsense girl and didn't get fussed over anything - even when she believed death was imminent. She was always in control and unflappable. Didn't bother me much as the writing was exceptional with great turns of phrase peppered throughout sharing a refreshing outlook on things. The folklore stories interspersed throughout provided a glimpse into another realm of creatures – mer people, kelpies, whites and ghosts, etc –  I've not encountered often, really made this a story well worth reading.

I listened to the audiobook of All the Murmuring Bones, I feel confident saying this gothic  novel, supported strongly by an injection of fairy tale and folklore, was made complete by the narration provided by the gifted Aoife McMahon. Her lyrical Irish voice lifted this story and delivered it to the next level, for me. The story was very good but the narration made it that much better. A real joy to listen to, honestly.