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The Bone is Pointed (1938) is a novel by Australian writer Arthur Upfield.[1] It was the sixth of the author's novels to feature his recurring character Detective Inspector Napoleon 'Bony' Bonaparte. It was originally published in the Australia by Angus & Robertson in 1938, and subsequently serialised in The Herald newspaper in Melbourne between September and November 1938, under the title Murder on the Station.[2]
"'Jack Anderson was a big man with a foul temper, a sadist and a drunk. Five months after his horse appeared riderless, no trace of the man has surfaced and no one seems to care. But Bony is determined to follow the cold trail and smoke out some answers.' (Publication summary)"[2]
The action of the novel takes place around "Opal Town" or Opalton, Queensland in the Channel Country of the Diamantina River.
Following the book's initial publication by Angus & Robertson in 1938[3] it was subsequently published as follows:[2]
and subsequent paperback, ebook and audio book editions.
In The Herald the reviewer "Touchstone" stated: "Mr Upfield's latest novel will please, and surprise, all his readers. Considered solely as a mystery yarn, featuring that ingenious and original sleuth, Detective-Inspector Napoleon Bonaparte, it is one of the best things that he has written. But Mr Upfield has not been content with that alone. 'Bony's' investigations into the mysterious disappearance of Jeffery Handerson, of Karwin Station, are set against a vividly realised and well-described background of station and aboriginal life."[5]
『オーストララシアン』誌のハバククは次のように述べている。「私自身は、これまで読んだ探偵小説の中で、この本ほど楽しんだものはないと率直に認めます。この本は、この種の物語に必要なすべての要素を兼ね備えています。第一に、優れた物語。第二に、完全に実現可能な筋書きでありながら、その展開は十分に斬新で、最後の行まで読者の興味を惹きつけます。第三に、優れた人物描写。そして第四に、物語そのものとは全く別に、想像力を掻き立て、読者の注意を絶え間なく引きつける情景描写と地域色。アップフィールド氏は、探偵小説作家の第一人者の一人であり、ドロシー・セイヤーズやこの種の小説の他のリーダーたちと肩を並べる存在です。」[ 6 ]
この小説は1973年にテレビドラマ化され、 「ボニー」シリーズの「ボニー、死と歩く」というタイトルの1時間のエピソードとして放送された。監督はハワード・ルービー、脚本はエリック・ペイスが担当した。[ 9 ]