Hey, everyone. I joined Net Galley a few years ago, but until recently hadn’t taken advantage of requesting many books until now.
Blurb
If you can’t trust your father and you can’t trust the police, who can you trust
Sue Hearn is planting a herb garden on the site of her grandfather’s old greenhouse. She’s spent the morning digging up all sorts of odds and ends already. But she doesn’t expect this grisly find.
A skull.
Could it be the remains of her mother, Monica, who went missing thirty years ago?
Sue’s father, in hospital with dementia, insinuates that a police officer was involved in her mother’s disappearance. But can he be trusted?
So now Detectives Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch might be looking for a bent copper.
As they dig deeper into the past, Sue and Asha find secrets so dangerous it will put all their lives in danger.
My Review
Rating: 4 out of 5.
I always enjoy a good “who done it” story. After a friend recommended Small Bones, it sounded like it would deliver.
And it did.
Set in Belfast, this is the second book of Kerry Buchanan’s Harvey & Birch Mysteries. While I haven’t read the first one, this could easily be a stand-alone novel.
When Sue Hearn discovers a skeleton at the site where her grandfather’s greenhouse once stood, she fears someone in her family might have been responsible. It also brings back painful memories of her own mother’s disappearance thirty years earlier.
Detectives Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch are sent to investigate, but someone on the police force doesn’t want them to learn the truth. Whoever it is will stop at nothing to silence them.
Buchanan threw in plenty of breadcrumbs to keep readers guessing, and although the culprit’s identities are soon made known, it’s unclear who Asha and Aaron can trust. What’s more, the author left us with a twist at the end, the answer I hope will be explored in future books. I also enjoyed the relationship between Asha and Aaron—they make a great team.
A special thanks to Joffe Books at Net Galley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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32 Responses
I’m going to have to read this(and the first one) sometime, they sound so good!
I’d like to go back and read the first book as well, Sheri. Thanks for stopping by.
Great review, Joan. This sounds like a good read. Thanks for sharing
I enjoyed it. You and Mae have gotten me hooked on Net Galley.
It does sound like a fun whodunit, and Belfast would be a cool setting. Good review, Joan!
This is probably the first book I’ve read that is set in Belfast. I thought the author did a good job depicting the location. Thanks, Priscilla.
I enjoyed this story very much. I’d like to read the first one, too, and I’m very interested in seeing what happens in the third. I suspected that twist at the end. Didn’t want it to happen, but I had a feeling. Now I want to see how it all plays out.
Great review.
I picked up the first book today for only .99. I keep adding to that TBR list.
I eagerly await the third book.
I keep forgetting to do that. I should do that now…
It sounds like a good whodunit with some wonderful characters. Great review, Joan.
And isn’t Net Galley grand?
I have to limit my time on NG. Otherwise, I would always find something to read. And you know how the TBR list is…
I’m the same way, Joan. I can completely relate!
Sounds like a great mystery.
it was, Craig. Thanks.
This sounds like an intriguing mystery, Joan! Thanks for sharing!
it was, Jan. The ending surprised me a bit but she left the door open for future books.
Thanks for sharing this review, Joan. I’m intrigued and will explore.
Learned about this one from Staci. I did enjoy reading it.
I love stories full of breadcrumbs, Joan. Thanks for sharing your review. The book sounds like it delivered. Happy Reading!
I do love those little clues. Thanks for stopping by, Diana!
Thanks for sharing, Joan.
Thank you for visiting, John!
It seems like there’s enough tension added to the mystery to make the story interesting, Joan. Great review!
There was, Miriam. Thanks for visiting today.
You’re welcome, Joan.
Of course, it was my pleasure! Hopefully the first one is as good as the second one sounds!
I bought it for .99 yesterday. Of course, I have a “few” books ahead of it.
Nice!
Translation: it’s going to be a while.
So relatable!
Nice review and I do like series. I’m also on NetGalley, find lots of books there. You’ve tempted me.
I’ve recently started “taking advantage” of free books. Previously, I’d only reviewed copies of Mae Clair’s Hodes Hill Series. I’m trying to do more reading this year, so I look for bargains and freebies.