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rpmiller's review against another edition
3.0
Good story, surprise ending. One hint saved until the end, might have been better earlier in the book. Another hint, or repressed memory, would have still held the surprise.
gawronma's review against another edition
5.0
It was one of the best books I have read this year. Freeman paints a wonderful protrait of Door County and populates it interesting people. The story is good mystery. The story was heart pounding and exciting while really capturing the place and times.
nuitpieta's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 Stars
I listened to this on audiobook. I purchased it because it was a mystery, on-sale, with good reviews. And I am really glad I'm made that decisions. The mystery was well layered and I didn't begin to guess who actually was the murderer. I really liked the detective and the wife of the husband under suspicion. The was also a constant sense of danger and wondering whether the husband is the murderer or not. I've already bought the next audiobook in the series - it's a great read for running. Happy reading!
I listened to this on audiobook. I purchased it because it was a mystery, on-sale, with good reviews. And I am really glad I'm made that decisions. The mystery was well layered and I didn't begin to guess who actually was the murderer. I really liked the detective and the wife of the husband under suspicion. The was also a constant sense of danger and wondering whether the husband is the murderer or not. I've already bought the next audiobook in the series - it's a great read for running. Happy reading!
krisreadseverything's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
becvin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
barbi312's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a big fan of Brian Freeman's novels featuring Lieutenant Jonathan Stride (and Serena Dial). I enjoy Brian's writing style and appreciate that he works hard to give his readers imaginative plots, terrific pacing, and pitch-perfect dialogue. I was hoping that "The Bone House," Brian's new stand-alone novel, would match the brilliance of his Jonathan Stride series. Unfortunately, this book misses the mark somewhat.
Feeling no immediate connection with the cast of characters (or the plot for that matter), I found it was difficult to sink into "The Bone House." The protagonists, Hilary and Mark Bradley, were particularly (and peculiarly) unsympathetic. By the end of the book, I liked them only marginally better than I did in the beginning. Unlike intense, charismatic, driven Lieutenant Stride, Florida Detective Cab Bolton was interesting, but one-dimensional. Brian painted Cab without nuance. The broad strokes used to describe Cab (son of a famous actress, FBI agent betrayed by his lover, Hollywood good looks) only gave us a small glimpse of what is potentially a good character. I do hope that if Cab returns, Brian will introduce him to us more fully. The residents of Door County, Wisconsin were depicted as small-minded, small town hicks - although I haven't met anyone from Door County, that seems a bit harsh. (Maybe Brian knows something that I don't.) The assorted teenagers were too precocious for my taste, and no one in the book seems to have a lick of commonsense.
But, knowing that Brian can be relied upon to tell a good story, I kept reading. The characters never developed to an extent that I truly cared about them. Although I enjoyed the many twists, turns and red herrings of the novel, I was always fully aware that I was being led by the author. Rather than feeling that wonderful (and satisfying) jolt when the identity of the bad guy is finally revealed, instead I felt manipulated by the final implausible turn.
My impression was that the objective of this book was to convince readers just how great strong women are (specifically Hilary and, to an extent, Lala). At this point in history, I am shocked that anyone still needs to be convinced of this self-evident truth. In fact, all that protesting on behalf of strong women was slightly insulting. (But that might just be the strong woman inside me talking.)
In my opinion, the author's Jonathan Stride series gets a well-deserved A+ rating. I'm afraid I can't give "The Bone House" more than a B- rating. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon, but it could have been so much better.
Feeling no immediate connection with the cast of characters (or the plot for that matter), I found it was difficult to sink into "The Bone House." The protagonists, Hilary and Mark Bradley, were particularly (and peculiarly) unsympathetic. By the end of the book, I liked them only marginally better than I did in the beginning. Unlike intense, charismatic, driven Lieutenant Stride, Florida Detective Cab Bolton was interesting, but one-dimensional. Brian painted Cab without nuance. The broad strokes used to describe Cab (son of a famous actress, FBI agent betrayed by his lover, Hollywood good looks) only gave us a small glimpse of what is potentially a good character. I do hope that if Cab returns, Brian will introduce him to us more fully. The residents of Door County, Wisconsin were depicted as small-minded, small town hicks - although I haven't met anyone from Door County, that seems a bit harsh. (Maybe Brian knows something that I don't.) The assorted teenagers were too precocious for my taste, and no one in the book seems to have a lick of commonsense.
But, knowing that Brian can be relied upon to tell a good story, I kept reading. The characters never developed to an extent that I truly cared about them. Although I enjoyed the many twists, turns and red herrings of the novel, I was always fully aware that I was being led by the author. Rather than feeling that wonderful (and satisfying) jolt when the identity of the bad guy is finally revealed, instead I felt manipulated by the final implausible turn.
My impression was that the objective of this book was to convince readers just how great strong women are (specifically Hilary and, to an extent, Lala). At this point in history, I am shocked that anyone still needs to be convinced of this self-evident truth. In fact, all that protesting on behalf of strong women was slightly insulting. (But that might just be the strong woman inside me talking.)
In my opinion, the author's Jonathan Stride series gets a well-deserved A+ rating. I'm afraid I can't give "The Bone House" more than a B- rating. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon, but it could have been so much better.
beckylej's review against another edition
4.0
Brian Freeman knows how to write a suspenseful read!
Hilary and Mark Bradley are vacationing in Florida when a girl from their hometown is murdered. The girl, who was staying at the same hotel, is the younger sister of a teen Mark was accused of having an affair with. He says he's innocent and Hilary stands by him once again, but can they prove it?
Hilary and Mark Bradley are vacationing in Florida when a girl from their hometown is murdered. The girl, who was staying at the same hotel, is the younger sister of a teen Mark was accused of having an affair with. He says he's innocent and Hilary stands by him once again, but can they prove it?
margenotbutter's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the premise of this more than the actual book I think, the blurb made it sound very interesting but I felt the book dragged because everyone was intended to be so suspicious that after a while I just wanted to reach the end. And then when I did reach the end I just felt confused about the culprit/s? I originally rated it 3* but on reflection I felt this was weaker than the other Brian Freeman books I have read and so I have changed my rating to 2*s.
bethh609's review against another edition
3.0
A good mystery/thriller. The proposed main character (to be part of a series) isn't actually the major line of action so that was interesting although all of the characters were rounded and had depth. I look forward to others in the series.
mland's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed the story but the writing wasn't that fantastic. I was always taught show, don't tell and there was a lot of telling going on in this novel. Interesting storyline and plot but I had it firgured out part way through. But that's OK; still entertaining.