First book by this author, but won’t be my last. Very well paced book, an easy quick read - only a couple of hours
Thanks to net galley for the free copy. Now on to the next one in the series

Close to the Bone may be a short story. But it certainly isn't lacking in interesting characters, mystery, and a great setting. That really pulls you in. And I loved that even though the crime is solved there is still a lot left open. Including the mysterious disappearance linked to Cate and Tessa's past and I'm really looking forward to finding out more about that as this series of novellas continues.

This short story is the first in the series and it sounds promising.
As always, Mrs. Elliot mixes suspense and personal relationships perfectly. This time the format does not allow the plot to have enough complexity, everything happens fast and with little development, although it is interesting. There is another parallel plot that remains unresolved and that, I guess, will develop throughout the series.
The romance is in its first stage, that of getting to know each other and spending time together. But surely the author will not disappoint. We will have to follow the series to see how it goes.

***

Este relato corto es el primero de la serie y promete.
Como siempre, la señora Elliot mezcla de maravilla el suspense y las relaciones personales. En esta ocasión el formato no permite que la trama tenga suficiente complejidad, todo pasa muy rápido y falta desarrollo, aunque es interesante. Existe otra trama paralela que queda sin resolver y que parece que se extenderá a lo largo de la serie.
El romance se queda en la primera etapa, esa de conocerse y pasar tiempo juntos. Pero seguro que la autora no defraudará. Habrá que seguir la serie para ver cómo se desarrolla.

Quick read. This novella has the same characters as the first novella. Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of this novella "Close to the Bone" by Kendra Elliot.

Cate is on disability leave while recuperating from a gunshot wound. She has come back to Widow's Island to stay with her Nana who raised her. Something about the island helps her heal as she enjoys the company of her grandmother and the memories of her childhood. When a skeleton is found and is determined to be that of a teenager, the FBI calls her back to action to help with the initial determinations of the case. Together with her longtime friend Tessa who is now the sheriff, they begin the investigation to solve and identify the mystery.

This is a great first book to this series. This promises to be an exciting series. As for romance, there is a new doctor in town and he sounds like he might be very interested in Cate!

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I thank the publisher for sharing a copy with me.

I was pretty excited to the collaboration of these authors..I like Kendra Elliott and have been a fan of hers for years and then we have Melinda Leigh who takes the other part. in next book..Anyhoo it was exciting, suspenseful and you need to grab, we have FBI Agent Cate who is back in Widow's Island to recover from injury but does not stay down since she is back and joining a case that will have her joining her friend Deputy Tessa Black..Good my friends but I want you to grab so wont give you more details..Sorry..Enjoy!

Really enjoyed the book! My only complaint- I wish it was longer!!! Loved the story, characters and writing style. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and can't wait until Cate and Tessa start looking into what happened to their best friend.

FBI Special Agent Cate Wilde is back at her grandmother's home recuperating after being shot. Home is a remote island in the Pacific Northwest, which doesn't always have reliable ferry service to the mainland. Cate is supposed to be on medical leave, but gets called to help when skeletal remains are found on a nearby island. Cate has the help of Tessa Black, the local deputy and a childhood friend, and Henry Powers, new doctor on the island. Henry also happens to get the title of coroner for the island. The bones need to be identified. Only two teens, Becca and Samantha, have gone missing over the years. Samantha happens to be the best friend of Cate and Tessa. She disappeared nearly twenty years ago.

Can't wait for the next books in the series. This book centered more on Cate and getting to know her. I see a spark of romance starting between Cate and Henry. One of my favorite parts was when Cate was visiting Stan Irish's farm and the cheerful cows.

Definitely recommend this book!!

Thanks to NetGalley, Montlake Romance and the author, Kendra Elliot, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

Short read, start of a new series. Good story interesting characters and setting. Lots of back stories. Very enjoyable read.

I am a huge fan of these crossover novellas from Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh. This is the first of four, which brings FBI agents Cate back to the island she grew up on, and also reunites her with her childhood best friend Tessa, now a sheriff's deputy. Bones are found on the island, and appear to be those of a teenage girl. Is it the daughter of the reclusive famous author who went missing two years ago? Or are they those of Cate and Tessa's childhood best friend, who went missing when they were teenagers. This is a fast paced mystery, with a larger mystery hanging over everything. I highly recommend this book, and can't wait for the rest of the series!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Close to the Bone by Kendra Elliot that I read and reviewed.
This was this first novella for the Widow's Island series that is a collaboration between Elliot and Melinda Leigh. I really enjoyed this novella that kept me guessing and I felt it was a great introduction to the series.
I loved the budding relationship between Cate and Henry and can't wait to see where that goes. I am also very interested in Samantha's disappearance and I can't wait to see how Care and Tessa will solve it.
The case in this novella was also very well written. I was shocked with who the killer was and the reason why the acted.
Close to the Bone was an excellent fast read and it gets five out of five stars.

I am hooked on this new series. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC here is my honest review. Cate, an FBI agent, is back home on medical leave recovering from being shot on the job. . She's a strong and warm hearted woman who has mixed feelings about being back on the Island where her best friend dissapeared when they were fourteen. The story weaves a tale of murder, mystery and beginning love. When a body of a young girl is discovered Cate is called to work the scene. Could this be her long lost friend or another fourteen year old girl that dissapeared years ago. Cate and Tessa, who was the third girl to the best friends trio, is now the law on the small island and will help Cate discover the identity of the body and how she died and by whom. This story keeps you interested and you won't guess the end!

Awesome as always, You rock Kendra Elliot!! I love the new setting on Widow's Island and the new characters. These novella's are like a favorite treat. I don't know if I should savor it by reading it a few pages at a time, or just devour it knowing I won't have another installment anytime soon.

A wonderful story.
I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of Close To The Bone , Widows Island novella 1 . This novella is a very interesting story . It's a very well written story line . The story was very intriguing and suspenseful from the very start . The main character FBI Special Agent Cate Wilde is home on a medical leave due to being shot during an investigation but due to circumstances beyond her control is pulled into an investigation of a crime on widows Island . She is United with her childhood best friend Tessa Black county deputy of the sheriffs office and new to the Island DR. Henry Powers . They all take part in the investigation .
This story is interesting , full of suspense and intrigue . It has fantastic characters . I really enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading the next in this series . I highly recommend reading this story .

CLOSE TO THE BONE. Kendra Elliott
FBI agent Cate going over to the island, bones had been found. Technically she was on a six week leave, having been injured on the last job, but an agent was needed. Seeing Tessa and to be working with her, was a joy for both of them. Twenty years ago, a third girl in their circle, disappeared, and friendship, now lacking even after this much time, without her. . Was the bones hers, or another girl from two years ago. When confirmed, the two of them had to go back to that time, they were thirteen. What brought Becca to the hill top, and leaving coat. Good plot, and characters from both are also in this, that we want to know more about. Could be a romance coming for Cate.
The series is enjoyable, and always look for more by these two authors.
Given ARC by Net Galley and Montlake for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.

Close to the Bone is Widow's Island Novella Book 1. There are 4 novellas in this series. I love everything that Kendra Elliot writes. I always love her characters and the story lines. I just hate having to wait for the rest of the series. Using the term buried secrets always makes me want to read a book and this series is one that I can recommend to all mystery readers

I fell in love with this murder mystery novella from Kendra Elliot immediately. If you are looking for a short read that will keep you turning the pages, this one is for you! Learning a little history along the way about Widow's Island and the surrounding area kept me intrigued as well.

Cate is on medical leave but while she is, she gets called in to do an investigation on some remains that have been found. Cate is an FBI agent and the only person on the island that can help with the case at the time. Cate's long time best friend, Tessa is a local deputy and is called in on the case as well. When these two were young, the third best friend in their circle, Samantha, had gone missing and has been gone for 20 years now. When the remains are found, Cate and Tessa begin to question if these could be their friend Samantha??

I am not going to give this one away by telling you the whole story line because you will get caught up in reading it and this novella will be over with before you even realize it. Such a great read and I am anxious to get onto the next ones in this series. I love when you fly through a book, but the bad part it, it is over way too soon! I am glad we will get more of these characters in the following novellas!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own!

Two of my favorite authors are writing another fabulous series, a new setting and new team. The FBI agent and local sheriff's deputy grew up together, almost like sisters, and chose their careers based on something that happened to their friend. The backstory to the islands is intricate and carefully woven, the town's people are gossip seekers and loyal to their own. I'm really excited about Tessa and Cate, their renewed friendship and where the new town doctor will fit in. Received my copy through Netgalley and wrote my review voluntarily.

I loved this murder mystery, it kept me captivated from beginning to end. The author not only creates a great murder mystery with characters you quickly become attached to, but she also gives you the feel of life on an island. Showing both the beauty and the drawbacks of island life for newcomers and old residents alike. The mystery, romance and suspense, mixed with a tiny hint of supernatural, really keeps you turning the pages. You immediately like Cate and Henry and hope their budding relationship grows, but I think my favourite character is Jane. I love the no nonsense, strong, slightly quirky, grandmother who, along with her knitting circle, seem to have their finger on the pulse of the island. Great start to the series, and I can’t wait to read more about life on Widow’s Island. I received an early copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way influenced my review and all opinions expressed are solely my own.

A short story - very quick read. It all all the elements of a good story, but fees a little rushed. The fast pace is kind of nice, but at the same time leaves a few questions and a wish for a few more details and a little more suspense.

Ah, I love mysteries but didn't love this one... writing was not great and the plot was predictable. I wish I had more to say and wanted to find another mystery writer I could love... I did not.