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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
A Bone To Pick is a nice short story and perfect for me to learn more English words.
Dutch review: https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2022/01/06/a-bone-to-pick-van-melinda-leigh-4/
Dutch review: https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2022/01/06/a-bone-to-pick-van-melinda-leigh-4/
fast-paced
This is book two in the Widow’s Island novella series and I am really loving it. The storytelling hit the ground running and I’ve been hooked from the beginning. Book one laid a lot of groundwork and you really need to read these novellas in order to fully understand what is happening. While each book has it’s own self contained crime to solve there is an overarching story that continues through the books and characters are consistent throughout.
This book gives us a true introduction and background on Tessa (who we met in book one) and Cara’s brother Logan who was introduced in book one also. It was pretty obvious to those who read the Rogue River series who the two couples in the series would be. So we got Cara and Henry in book one and now Tessa and Logan in book two. If the pattern from the first series continues the focus should alter with each book.
The crime in this book starts with a dead man who is harpooned to a sign in the State park where Logan is the park ranger. Tessa is called by a neighbor of the park to investigate a noise complaint and since she has no backup she calls Logan for an assist. As they investigate the crime we get multiple suspects and good red herrings making the suspense well done. We also get invested personally as Tessa stresses dealing with her mother who has Alzheimer’s and is getting worse.
The crisis scene is a crisis on both fronts and the author does a great job of having the storylines meld together. The ending is uplifting and hopeful and sweet and it gives us a nice foundation to move forward.
This book gives us a true introduction and background on Tessa (who we met in book one) and Cara’s brother Logan who was introduced in book one also. It was pretty obvious to those who read the Rogue River series who the two couples in the series would be. So we got Cara and Henry in book one and now Tessa and Logan in book two. If the pattern from the first series continues the focus should alter with each book.
The crime in this book starts with a dead man who is harpooned to a sign in the State park where Logan is the park ranger. Tessa is called by a neighbor of the park to investigate a noise complaint and since she has no backup she calls Logan for an assist. As they investigate the crime we get multiple suspects and good red herrings making the suspense well done. We also get invested personally as Tessa stresses dealing with her mother who has Alzheimer’s and is getting worse.
The crisis scene is a crisis on both fronts and the author does a great job of having the storylines meld together. The ending is uplifting and hopeful and sweet and it gives us a nice foundation to move forward.
This is the first Melinda Leigh book I’ve read, and I read it because it’s part of a new series of novellas that she and Kendra Elliot (one of my favorite authors) are splitting the writing of. I very much appreciated the storyline of the relative dealing with dementia, as well as the links between the characters in this book and the first book of the series. Looking forward to next year’s continuation of this series as well as to going back to read Leigh & Elliot’s earlier collaborations.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Another body is found in the small water locked town of Widow’s Island. This is the second installment of the Widow’s Island series, this time following Sherriff Tessa Black and her best friend’s brother Army Veteran Logan Wilde. When a body is found in the park that Logan oversees as a ranger, he feels the need to see the mystery through and find the suspect.
An artist is painting naked women, wives and widows, around the island; but suddenly is found murdered- slain with a harpoon. Was it an angry husband, a slighted muse, or a jealous lover?
As Tessa and Logan work together, they grow closer; but can Tessa handle the demons that live inside the veteran and can Logan put to rest the visions that plague his mind in order to solve the artist’s murder?
My one issue with this story is how often they bring up Logan’s PTSD- it begins to feel like it’s mentioned every few sentences. While I feel for the man, and am married to a veteran myself- it felt almost too focused on. There is so much more to Logan that his diagnosis, and the military members I know that suffer from PTSD don’t like to focus on it; wanting to focus more on who they are beyond their PTSD. While it is part of them, it isn’t solely who they are- and seems a bit insulting to focus so hard on it. I feel like the whole scenario could have been written better.
An artist is painting naked women, wives and widows, around the island; but suddenly is found murdered- slain with a harpoon. Was it an angry husband, a slighted muse, or a jealous lover?
As Tessa and Logan work together, they grow closer; but can Tessa handle the demons that live inside the veteran and can Logan put to rest the visions that plague his mind in order to solve the artist’s murder?
My one issue with this story is how often they bring up Logan’s PTSD- it begins to feel like it’s mentioned every few sentences. While I feel for the man, and am married to a veteran myself- it felt almost too focused on. There is so much more to Logan that his diagnosis, and the military members I know that suffer from PTSD don’t like to focus on it; wanting to focus more on who they are beyond their PTSD. While it is part of them, it isn’t solely who they are- and seems a bit insulting to focus so hard on it. I feel like the whole scenario could have been written better.
#1 Close to the Bone: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
*
A Bone to Pick was a great addition to the series! I loved how the perspective changed to focus on Tessa and Logan and their stories. They were wonderful narrators and I do have to admit I liked them a bit more than Cate and Henry. What Tessa was dealing with in her personal life hit very close to home, so I felt a little bit more connected to her perspective in this novella.
The setting continued to be wonderful, though I did miss a little bit of the paranormal stories surrounding the island. It was also pretty interesting that the conflict and main mystery played more with people from outside of the island--it was pretty well written and I liked how it all wrapped up. I was once again caught off guard by the resolution, which is always a good thing.
There was also a little spark of romance, just like in the previous novel, and I loved how it was a tiny bit of childhood friends to lovers sort of thing. It was super sweet and it wrapped up the novella in such a lighthearted and hopeful tone. I'm really looking forward to reading the other installments to see what else is in store for everyone.
*
A Bone to Pick was a great addition to the series! I loved how the perspective changed to focus on Tessa and Logan and their stories. They were wonderful narrators and I do have to admit I liked them a bit more than Cate and Henry. What Tessa was dealing with in her personal life hit very close to home, so I felt a little bit more connected to her perspective in this novella.
The setting continued to be wonderful, though I did miss a little bit of the paranormal stories surrounding the island. It was also pretty interesting that the conflict and main mystery played more with people from outside of the island--it was pretty well written and I liked how it all wrapped up. I was once again caught off guard by the resolution, which is always a good thing.
There was also a little spark of romance, just like in the previous novel, and I loved how it was a tiny bit of childhood friends to lovers sort of thing. It was super sweet and it wrapped up the novella in such a lighthearted and hopeful tone. I'm really looking forward to reading the other installments to see what else is in store for everyone.
Like able and relatable characters with a pretty straightforward mystery.