Synopsis: “In the northern California town of Coventry, two teenage brothers go into the woods one day, but only one comes back. No one knows what happened to the younger brother, Josh, until twenty years later, when the older brother, Oren, now an ex-investigator for the Army CID, returns to Coventry for the first time in many years. His first morning back, he hears a thump on the front porch. Lying in front of the door is a human jawbone, the teeth still intact. And it is not the first such object, his father tells him. Other remains have been left there as well. Josh is coming home . . . bone by bone.” Using all his investigative skills, Oren sets out to solve the mystery of his brother s murder, but Coventry is a town full of secrets and secret-keepers: the housekeeper with the fugitive past, the deputy with the old grudge, the reclusive ex-cop from L.A., the woman with the title of town monster, and, not least of all, Oren himself. But the greatest secret of all belonged to his brother, and it is only by unraveling it that Oren can begin to discover the truth that has haunted them all for twenty years.

Review: Carol O’Connell is one of my favorite authors for mystery novels. Her Katy Mallory series is really fascinating and always full of ideas. So when I came across this other book, I did not hesitate long. As I do not read a lot of thriller novels, it was therefore a very good opportunity to go back to the genre.

Oren returns home after years of absence, leaving the army, where he has made more than his proofs to care for his dying father, or at least that’s what he believes. When he arrives at home, he realizes that the letters from Hannah, the housekeeper, expressing the near death of her boss, are quite far from the truth. Indeed, not only the judge is in perfect health but he had also hidden a terrible secret, something that will upset them both as well as the city. Once upon a time lived two brothers who loved each other enormously, but one of them, Josh, had a particular passion for photography. A passion that led him to follow and observe people, learning their secrets. But one day, the two brothers went into the forest and only one emerged: Oren. Since that day Oren blames himself the disappearance of his brother, and when he discovers that his father receives parts of the body of his younger brother on his porch, he is determined to find out what is happening. But the city has more secrets than we might think and people know more than they want to admit. Despite the link between him and his deceased brother, Oren decides to understand what happened and to find out who the killer is. And I must say that we embark on a totally crazy story. All the inhabitants of the city are unique and pay attention to what they say. We follow the tracks with our former military, seeking to know the truth about each person, discovering more than he would have thought. Plots, love, betrayal, madness, are a good mix for this book.

I really enjoyed understanding and determining with Oren who the culprit was. And it was actually very difficult to know what had happened. Everyone thinks they know who the murderer is and many lie in the hope of protecting their loved ones. But our investigator will manage to determine the truth in the lies. And although I doubted many times, the assassin was really well found. This is a very interesting psychological game and I loved every moment of this quest, reviving the past of each character and discovering a little better who was the brother he thought he knew.

So it was a very good book and if you are a fan of thrillers, I will particularly recommend this one to you. A nice surprise and I was very frustrated not being able to read the whole book at once because I really wanted to understand everything and put the pieces in place.

4

mellianefini

 

24 thoughts on “Bone By Bone by Carol O’Connell

  1. Tanja

    I don’t read mystery books that much as I always miss that mystery part in it. But this one seems to have plenty of it. I really like the sound of it and I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Great review, Melliane 🙂

    1. Melliane

      This is a really good author for mystery books.

  2. Stephanie Faris

    That’s a great feeling–when you’re reading a book and you want to be able to read it cover to cover!

    1. Melliane

      that’s true!

  3. Missie

    I love how you noted finding the truth in the lies! So true!
    Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

  4. Tabitha (Not Yet Read)

    Receives body parts…eeee…that sounds really personal. Definitely an intense but great sounding book

    1. Melliane

      yeah kind of creepy

  5. Lily

    Oh i’m loving the sound of this mystery book! It sounds like you were completely involved im the story! Plus it sounds majorly creepy!

    1. Melliane

      oh yes I really loved it!

  6. Maria (BearMountainBooks)

    She writes very complex and intricate plots. Her characters always make the story though. It’s very easy to be caught up in their lives and concerns!

    1. Melliane

      I agree she is a wonderful author and I loved all her books.

  7. Braine Talk Supe

    I haven’t read any mystery in a long time, the ones I’ve been reading lately are laced with paranormal stuff. I will take note of this author when the urge comes up.

  8. Christy

    I was hooked at the mention of a California town. lol.

  9. kimbacaffeinate

    Oh this looks good , and I have been in a thriller, suspense, mystery mood. I just read an awesome book called Phantom Instinct. The ending was so intense I almost forgot to breath. LOL. I will add this author to my list to try.

    1. Melliane

      yes it’s a really great one, I had a wonderful time with it.

  10. kindlemom1

    I have been in the mood for this genre lately, I need to keep this one in mind.

  11. blodeuedd

    Hm, well I really should read more mystery

  12. anna@herding cats & burning soup

    Oh drat. I lost my comment. Thanks for the intro to a new author! I don’t read this type often but so should. I’ve really enjoyed those like it that I picked up though gonna have to wait until there’s company visiting or I’ll totally freak myself out. lol

  13. Mogsy

    I miss reading these kinds of mystery-thrillers. The premise sounds absolutely insane! That’s a lot of bones…

  14. Jennifer Bielman

    I am not a mystery/thriller book girl but this does sound good.

  15. Jessica @ Rabid Reads

    I don’t read much mystery, but I been becoming more interested in giving it more of chance lately (how much I like the mystery aspect of Charlaine Harris books in particular has been percolating in the back of my mind). Anyway, since it’s not one of my to-go genres, I don’t know many authors/series or where to start. This sounds like a good place, Melliane. Great review! I’ve already added this series to my wishlist 😉

  16. michelle A - Novels On The Run

    I do like a story where it is hard to work out who did it, or who the villain is. Glad you got that from this one. Another book I have not heard of.

  17. Kirsty-Marie

    I love thrillers and a good mystery, but hadn’t heard of this one. I’ll have to check it out. And sounds like the mystery was actually good too, if it keeps you guessing, best thing about them really. Especially if you don’t get it right! 🙂

  18. Maggie

    Sounds great! Not my genre, but it is nice to come out of comforts zones for a good read.

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