WHISPER OF BONES is the third book in Melinda Leigh's engaging "Widow's Is
land" series. The book is pretty much a straight light police procedural with subtle hints of romance. I really liked following the two main characters and seeing them work together as well as apart. If anything this story left me wanting more, which is good because I can dig into the series from the beginning to get the pieces I missed.

I liked the mystery but it felt very by the book, which was fine, but I typically enjoy a bit more character development. I think this felt short to me because this is a novella, so the character development happens in each piece, as opposed to throughout one full length book.

I am very excited to read book 4 and catching up with books 1 and 2 to see how everything fits together. This does stand alone well and works to introduce the reader to the world without needing to start from the beginning. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had been reading from the start, but I really liked the main characters and how the case was worked.

Readers are once again catapulted into mystery and murder on Widow’s Island in this third, and much anticipated instalment of this intriguing series. I felt this story picked up seamlessly from book two, and even though it could possibly be read as a standalone, I would definitely recommend the whole novella series and staring at the beginning. Melinda Leigh has an easy ebb and flow to her writing and ensures that plot is flawlessly revealed. I’m excited for the next in this series.

Whisper of Bones is the third installment in the intriguing Widow's Island series.
Tessa and Logan are investigating the death of a local contractor. The victim was not a well liked man and the suspect list grows with each interview. Through the course of the investigation Tessa stumbles upon a clue that ties to the mystery of her childhood friend who has been missing for twenty-years. Melinda Leigh keeps the reader guessing, and once again surprises us with an unexpected killer and motive while leaving us eagerly waiting for the next story in this series..

Whisper of Bones (Widow’s Island novella #3) was a fast paced, easy read which I enjoyed. When a dead body is found on Camilla’s Island, Deputy Tessa Black and Logan Wilde investigate. What they discover about the dead man means that almost everyone who had contact with the man is a potential suspect. While they’re following up leads, Tessa and Logan have a burgeoning relationship. Tessa is dealing with her mothers illness, Logan’s PTSD is resurfacing, and Logan’s sister FBI agent Cate is in town and is interested in a cold case which has personal significance to Tessa and Cate.

A short, fast paced read that manages to pack a lot of punch. Things are developing in Sam's case. Tessa and Logan's relationship is progressing amid a lot of drama. Between the murder, Tessa's family issues, and Logan's PTSD these characters are insanely busy. I particularly like the fact that this story draws awareness to the sad facts of PTSD. I'm anxious to finish the next story.

Whisper of Bones is the third book in this series written by Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh. I suggest reading the first two books in this series first to learn the background of the characters. I have really enjoyed this series and am waiting for the last two books which are coming out next year

This is the 3rd book in the Widow's Island novella series. I always enjoy Melinda's books and this was no exception. I would recommend starting the series from the beginning to get a full picture of the characters and circumstances. Looking forward the the next book in the series.

You can never go wrong with books from Melinda! Full of suspense and a well written storyline- this book doesn’t disappoint!

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Melinda Leigh for allowing me to read this Arc.
Book three in the Widows Island series, Whisper of Bones can be read as a stand alone but I would highly recommend you read the first two simply because I feel you'd be missing out on a fantastic series.
Melinda always delivers fantastic books and Whisper of Bones is no exception. I would highly recommend it.

A very short novella with a fast paced quick story line. This is just enough to leave the reader wanting more and i await the next novel in this series. As always the characters are well done and like-able, there is a good plot and enough suspense to keep you reading. This one also leaves us with the promise of mystery to come in the next book, i cant wait to read more. Well done.

‘Whisper of Bones’ is the third instalment in the Widow’s Island series written by Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. In order to understand the characters a bit better, you should definitely read the previous books in the series.
Sheriff’s deputy Tessa Black is called in when a body washes up on a state park beach off one of the smaller islands. She suspects the man was murdered and begins to investigate. As Tessa delves deeper into her, someone on Widow’s Island is determined to keep their secrets buried, whatever the cost.
This was a quick, romantic suspense read that I enjoyed. A good continuation to the novella series. 3.5 Stars from me.

Kurt knew the victim on this remote island, Jason MCoy a contractor, and was one to avoid, was murdered. Then his house was torched someone was determinded to get rid of evidence, Forest Ranger Logan returning to Widow’s Island wanted peace after Afghanistan, not more nightmare. Looking and dating Tessa brought him a calmness, his sister’s best friend. For Deputy Tessa, juggling the caring for her Mom.and working. Dating Logan is slow and steady, and liking their time together.
I love how the story flows, one knows they are heading to the victim. The author gives us the feel of the day, the wind, the island, and about them. Observing, and figuring out the c,lues, and hoping for more with their beginning romance. Between Logan and Tessa, they both need that special someone in their lives. Another winner for us to read and enjoy.
Given an ARC by Net Galley and Montlake for my voluntary review and my honest opinion..

Another great add to the Widow’s Island series. Tessa and Logan’s romance heats up while there’s a murderer abreast the tiny island. All the while Tessa is dealing with her ailing mother. And the mystery of Tessa’s best friend and the discovery of her missing locket. Can’t wait for Kendra’s installment! Thank you Melinda, for the ARC ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The 3rd novella in the Widow’s Island series is a fast paced, suspenseful murder mystery with a touch of romance. When a body washes up on the shore of Camilla Island, Deputy Tessa Black is once again thrown into investigating another murder. As the list of suspects grows, Tessa has cope with trying to find a killer, care for her teenage half-sister and a mother with developing Alzheimer’s, as well as handling her blooming relationship with Forest Ranger, Logan Wilde. To add to her load, a new clue related to the disappearance of her childhood friend twenty years ago, is unearthed.
This is a great murder mystery with lots of action, subplots, intrigue and a splash of romance. I love how well written these novellas are and how easily the ongoing stories flow between the series writers, Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliott. I would recommend reading the first two books in this series (Close to the Bone and A Bone to Pick) in order to understand the characters back story and the ongoing mystery, but it is not really necessary in order for you to follow this story. I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley & Montlake Romance under no obligation to review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Whisper of Bones is a short story in the Widow's Island series. The majority of the story focuses on the case of the dead contractor. The suspect list seems to be endless and the whodunit comes as no surprise. My only gripe with this book is that very little of the main character's life is included in the book. It is 2/3 of the through the story before Tessa's personal life and personality really are introduced much at all. I like to know my main characters much like a close friend, this book lacked some of that for me. It felt like conversing with an acquaintance and not a friend. Overall, the story was interesting but felt condensed to me. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Melinda Leigh continues her Widows Island Novella in book three. Deputy Tessa Black is called to the scene of a body washed up on a beach and it doesn’t look like it was an accidental drowning. She and State Forest Ranger Logan Wilde who have recently started dating, arrive on scene first and once again their small Island is thrown into a murder investigation. It seems there is no shortage of suspects now it’s a matter of finding the right murderer.
Tessa and her childhood best friend FBI agent Cate, who happens to be Logan’s sister, are also launching a new investigation into the disappearance of the third member of the best friends group, Samantha. It happened over two decades ago when they were just teenagers. Their investigation has to be put on hold while they try to figure out who murdered a not so popular member of their little island. I’m happy to read and review with my honest opinion and I thank Melinda Leigh, Montlake Romance and NetGalley for the opportunity.

I just really enjoyed this book. It was just really easy to get lost in this book. I just couldn’t get enough of it and didn’t want it to end. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

The novella is not my favorite mystery format. It is just to short for much character development and the mystery is fairly easy to solve, although in "Whisper of Bones" there were several great candidates for the baddie. The slow, easy romance is another element that could benefit from more pages and more heat. But overall, for its length, this plot was really great and as this is #3 in the series the characters are already established. I seriously recommend you don't start with this book, read the others first. The mystery is self contained but the characters and their situations are ongoing, plus there is the overarching mystery of what happened to Tessa and Cate's 14 year old friend, Samatha, more than 20 years ago.

Deputy Tessa Black and Washington State Forest Ranger Logan Wilde are called to the shores of Camilla's Island where kayakers have found a body washed up on the beach. As a former Seattle detective, Tessa knows a murder when she see one. There are lots of suspects and no one is sad local contractor Jason McCoy is dead.

Tessa and Logan have known each other forever as Tessa is his sister Cate's best friend. Their relationship is on a slow but steady track due to Tessa's family situation and Logan's PTSD. Spending time together investigating a murder is not how Logan wants to spent their time. Logan wants to romance Tessa with moonlight and roses, but sometimes you just have to settle with what time you can steal away.

This is book three in the Widow’s Island series and can be read as a stand-alone. However, it does do the reader favor to read as a part of the series as all books are novellas. Melinda Leigh captures the reader’s attention from page one and holds onto it the entire way through. Her scene setting of the wintery small island and descriptive characterization only serves to build a suspenseful storyline. There are relationship aspects woven into the storyline between main characters, Tessa and Logan that play out more as emotional romance than physical. Overall, an enjoyable, quick read. 4 stars

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MontlakeRomance for this ARC. It was read and reviewed voluntarily by #wayward_readers - all thoughts and opinions are my own.

@AmazonPublishing

I really enjoy this series!! I just wish each book was longer. It's been a year since I read the first two books in the series and I had to remember what was going on, especially since the books timeline is only about a month. I forgot all about Tessa having a younger sister. Widow's Island has it's share of murders. The island seems like such a peaceful place to live, except for all the killers inhabiting the island!!! I really want to find out about Sam and the mystery behind her disappearance!!! I'm guessing everything about Sam will finally be revealed in book 6. This book centered around Tessa as she tries to solve the murder of a local contractor, who was not well liked by anyone, especially his current wife and ex-wife. I think Tessa really needs to protect herself from Killer Hen. She seems viscous!!!!! The part with the chicken just made me laugh.

Definitely recommend the book, especially if you enjoy short mysteries. I loved the story, characters and writing style. I'm looking forward to finally finding out the truth about Sam. Can't wait to read the next book in the series!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Montlake Romance through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.