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smp0064's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
oliviasbookishworld's review
3.0
2 1/2 stars, rounded up to 3.
First off, this is not a stand alone book. You will be lost if you hvne't read the previous 4 novellas.
This one is hard to review. Because I can't tell if the novella was lackluster or if I was so distracted by events all around me that I couldn't concentrate on it. I listened to the majority of the book on Election Day and I would find myself tuning out and then having to rewind to try and listen again. I don't think it pulled me in as much as the previous 4 books did. The relationships between the characters was barely there. There was a internal dialog with Cate as she tried to decide what to do about the FBI, and in turn the murder, but not much dialog between her and the other characters.
I have alternately listened/read the previous 4 books so I know I have heard the narrator, Christine Williams, before but this time I thought her performance was lackluster as well.
I remain a fan of Ms. Elliot, but I don't think this was her best.
https://inthecornerofmythoughts.com/
First off, this is not a stand alone book. You will be lost if you hvne't read the previous 4 novellas.
This one is hard to review. Because I can't tell if the novella was lackluster or if I was so distracted by events all around me that I couldn't concentrate on it. I listened to the majority of the book on Election Day and I would find myself tuning out and then having to rewind to try and listen again. I don't think it pulled me in as much as the previous 4 books did. The relationships between the characters was barely there. There was a internal dialog with Cate as she tried to decide what to do about the FBI, and in turn the murder, but not much dialog between her and the other characters.
I have alternately listened/read the previous 4 books so I know I have heard the narrator, Christine Williams, before but this time I thought her performance was lackluster as well.
I remain a fan of Ms. Elliot, but I don't think this was her best.
https://inthecornerofmythoughts.com/
verumsolum's review
4.0
I promised a proper review after I finished a four-day read-a-thon, but that, of course, means that I've been doing a lot of reading since I finished this one.
At this point, we're at the fifth book of the series, and for the most part, if you're on the journey with this series, you know what you're going to get. And I really like it. I really wonder if the biggest complaint I have is that these are novellas, and that they are over too soon and always leave me wanting more. Also, at this point, I have read so much of the work of both Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh that, if you like this series of their novellas, you check out the novels that either of them have written!
At this point, we're at the fifth book of the series, and for the most part, if you're on the journey with this series, you know what you're going to get. And I really like it. I really wonder if the biggest complaint I have is that these are novellas, and that they are over too soon and always leave me wanting more. Also, at this point, I have read so much of the work of both Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh that, if you like this series of their novellas, you check out the novels that either of them have written!
bookishboujeeandbossbabe's review against another edition
3.0
Cate is finally feeling settled back into her hometown and she is considering leaving the FBI life behind her. But the murderer hunting life isn’t ready to let her go when bones show up and are linked to a serial killer she put away 8 years prior. Time is working against her as she tries to keep him from killing again.
It took me until this novella to realize that the series is being written by two of my favorite authors. Each taking on a novella to write as part of the entire series. I am noticing that I seem to prefer Kendra Elliot’s books over the last two in the series written by Melinda Leigh.
Being novellas, they are understandably fast paced and can usually be read in an hour or so; but my only complaint is that sometimes the resolution is rushed. Things fall into place almost too easily. I do enjoy the fact that you get more characters written by these two authors; I just wish the attention to detail in their main series was also seen here too.
It took me until this novella to realize that the series is being written by two of my favorite authors. Each taking on a novella to write as part of the entire series. I am noticing that I seem to prefer Kendra Elliot’s books over the last two in the series written by Melinda Leigh.
Being novellas, they are understandably fast paced and can usually be read in an hour or so; but my only complaint is that sometimes the resolution is rushed. Things fall into place almost too easily. I do enjoy the fact that you get more characters written by these two authors; I just wish the attention to detail in their main series was also seen here too.
owlsreads's review against another edition
3.0
#1 Close to the Bone: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#2 A Bone to Pick: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#3 Whisper of Bones: ★★★☆☆ | 3 stars
#4 Bred in the Bone: ★★★☆☆ | 3 stars
*
Below the Bones gave us a little bit more of the creepy setting with Widow's Island and its history, which I loved! I'm very interested in this aspect of the novellas and I loved how it made itself known in this installment.
I did think the mystery plot itself was solved way too quickly? I really liked the initial set up and how it brought conflict back to Cate and made her reflect on some of her choices, but there was no tension when it came to the plot resolution. It all happened very quickly and it was more rushed than usual. I am curious to see what's to come, though, since the Sam thing was solved in the previous novella and this one didn't seem to establish another big series arc for the characters.
#2 A Bone to Pick: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#3 Whisper of Bones: ★★★☆☆ | 3 stars
#4 Bred in the Bone: ★★★☆☆ | 3 stars
*
Below the Bones gave us a little bit more of the creepy setting with Widow's Island and its history, which I loved! I'm very interested in this aspect of the novellas and I loved how it made itself known in this installment.
I did think the mystery plot itself was solved way too quickly? I really liked the initial set up and how it brought conflict back to Cate and made her reflect on some of her choices, but there was no tension when it came to the plot resolution. It all happened very quickly and it was more rushed than usual. I am curious to see what's to come, though, since the Sam thing was solved in the previous novella and this one didn't seem to establish another big series arc for the characters.
lynnmcshanestewart's review against another edition
4.0
I would definitely read the other Widow’s Island books before reading this to give the story more context. This is a novella and did not take me long to read at all. Cate has suffered a traumatic event in her past as an FBI agent and is looking for a quieter lifestyle so moves home to Widow’s Island. The last 4 novellas ended with a lifelong mystery being solved so things are pretty quiet until remains are found on a surrounding island that seem to tie back to an old case Cate worked on. An old colleague comes to the island to assist local law enforcement and Cate find the killer. I don’t know if it was.because it was a novella, but everything seemed to resolve very quickly. Personally I prefer a full length novel with a bit more going on, but this was enjoyable short read.
franjessca's review
5.0
Full Review posted at A Book Lovin' Mama's Blog
Series/Standalone: Part of series and I would recommend reading in order.
Would I recommend this novella/series? Yes. This novella receives 5-stars from me, and I highly recommend it to Romantic Suspense/Mystery readers. If you’ve read the previous books in the series, you will not be disappointed with the fifth installment. If you have not read this series, then I recommend you do it soon. You should check out Kendra Elliot’s full-length novels too.
I can’t wait to dive into the sixth Widow’s Island novella, written by Melinda Leigh.
Series/Standalone: Part of series and I would recommend reading in order.
Would I recommend this novella/series? Yes. This novella receives 5-stars from me, and I highly recommend it to Romantic Suspense/Mystery readers. If you’ve read the previous books in the series, you will not be disappointed with the fifth installment. If you have not read this series, then I recommend you do it soon. You should check out Kendra Elliot’s full-length novels too.
I can’t wait to dive into the sixth Widow’s Island novella, written by Melinda Leigh.
readingwithcats's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Not a fan of the surprise!ghost.
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture