Sawbones

Where it Came From

Sawbones is a historical mystery novel written by British author Catherine Johnson and first published in 2013. The story is rooted in 18th-century London, where surgeons learned their craft by studying real corpses — a world both fascinating and gruesome. Johnson, known for bringing diverse voices and rich historical detail into young adult fiction, creates a gripping tale that blends crime thriller energy with an atmospheric historical setting. 

Where it Went Next

After publication, Sawbones earned praise for its adventurous mystery and vivid sense of time and place. It won the Young Quills Award for Best Historical Fiction (12+), and was shortlisted for several other UK book prizes, helping it reach readers who enjoy both thrilling plots and immersive historical worlds. The author later continued Ezra and Loveday’s journey in the sequel Blade and Bone, which takes characters from London to Paris during the French Revolution.

Associated Stories

If you’re intrigued by Sawbones and its mix of history and mystery, here are a few other works by Catherine Johnson that you might enjoy:

• Blade and Bone — a follow-up adventure in revolutionary Paris.
• Freedom — a powerful story about a young man escaping slavery in the 18th century.
• The Curious Tale of The Lady Caraboo — a quirky historical adventure with deception at its heart.

These books all share Johnson’s talent for vivid historical settings, strong characters, and storytelling that draws you right into the past.