A Bone to Pick

Widow's Island Novella, Book 2

By: Melinda Leigh

Narrated by: Christine Williams

In this gripping second novella in the Widow’s Island series, bestselling author Melinda Leigh delivers a chilling tale of murder in the Pacific Northwest.

Deputy Tessa Black gave up her career as a detective with the Seattle PD and returned to the Pacific Northwest island she calls home to care for her ailing mother. Tessa thinks her mother’s illness is the worst thing she’ll face - until she responds to a routine call in the state park and discovers a local man harpooned to a sign.

As the murder investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that the victim harbored secrets. Together with her FBI agent best friend, Cate, and park ranger Logan Wilde, Tessa must connect the pieces before the murderer strikes again. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more she finds herself - and the ones she loves - in harm’s way.

Pressure mounts as Tessa attempts to juggle the current case with her search for the truth behind her childhood friend Samantha’s disappearance twenty years ago. Can Tessa find the murderer and uncover answers about Samantha without jeopardizing everything she holds dear?

©2018 Melinda Leigh (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

5 star narration, 4 star story

The narration of this book is very good. The characters, suspense, setting, and story were entertaining.

Love the novella format

Good story. It's all about relationship building. Overall very entertaining and I really like the characters.

A Gruesome Murder for Tessa, Strong Sequel

The night's calm is broken by the sounds of a man screaming in great pain. Thus begins Sheriff's Deputy Tessa Black's investigation into the gruesome death of a well-loved artist. With the aide of her high school crush and her best friend's brother, Logan Wilde, she works the case and attempts to balance a situation in her home life. I found this second novella in the series just as engaging as the first.

A Bone to Pick follows on the heels of the events in Close to the Bone. It continues Tessa and Cate's investigation into their high school friend's disappearance, but shifts focus from Cate's POV to Tessa's and introduces a new murder to investigate. Book one introduced the history and way of life on the island and now book two is able to move right along with the new chain of events.

I enjoyed being along as Tessa worked the case, taking into consideration the way the locals on Widow's Island are isolated and have to do things a little differently even with their police work. I liked seeing Cate's brother, Logan, introduced into the story and getting to know this man who is trying to heal after his work as an Army Ranger of three tours of duty. The murder happens in the park and so he partners to solve the crime with a now grown up and capable Tessa who, yes, he notices she is all grown up without his matchmaking grandmother's help. Logan doesn't think any woman should have to take on his issues and Tessa's life is complicated with a mother diagnosed with Alsheimer's and a younger teen sister in her care. Again, I found the blend of character and relationships developed well with an engaging murder to be solved was done so well.

Christine Williams continues to delight me with her narration work She does male and female voices, age and emotion well.

Now, I'm caught up on the series and now have to kick my heels for another year to find out what comes next for Cate, Tessa, and the rest on Widow's Island. These well-developed and clever romantic suspenses are a series I can whole-heartedly recommend to others.

Quick

This is a quick and entertaining read, perfect for an afternoon . Or anytime you have a little time to fill. The mystery was well done and the characters are true to life. I love the description of life on an island. If you like unusual murder mysteries you will likely find this story entertaining.

Cozy Mystery

Enjoyable book, easy reading. Let's you escape reality. Narrator was great.
Already did book 1 in the series and pre ordered the rest.