Member Reviews

Little Bones is part of her father's process. Her father is Mr Bones - a serial killer of young boys.

Little Bones grows up and changes her name to separate herself from her past. Then a child is found dead - and her own son disappears....how is this happening again.

This is a twisty story that kept me reading late every night.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book

Was this review helpful?

** Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for allowing me to read this e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Eight-year-old Leigh's dad is a murderer. He would use his daughter to lure little boys into his car, then take them home and kill them, making art with their bones. Leigh would assist in the art-making. Once her father is caught and sent to prison, Leigh goes through foster homes and eventually changes her name to Cherrie when she's of age to stop all the harassment and judgment she's gotten from being Mr. Bone's daughter, also known as Little Bones.

Now an adult, Leigh has established a new life: a loving boyfriend, her wonderful son, and a handful of great friends she's met at her job at the butcher shop. One day her friends talk her into going to a group psychic reading. She's so worried about details from her past being revealed, but she goes anyway. At first, she doesn't believe the psychic, but she's asked her for information about another missing boy in the neighborhood and the psychic reveals information that leads her to believe the boy is dead. Before leaving the psychic session, the psychic warns her about danger in her own life around her own son. We find out later in the story, the psychic was right about the other missing boy.

Meanwhile, Leigh finds out that due to the fact that there is a current abduction case taking place right in her own neighborhood, there's a new podcast being circulated digging up her past and now naming her as Little Bones. The podcast gave up her new identity and location, and everyone around her begins to realize who she is. Well, when Leigh's own son is abducted, of course, everyone suspects that Leigh must have done something to her own son because, after all, her father was a murderer of little boys.

Much of the story is about Leigh fighting her demons, fighting all the judgment, and going beyond what the police have been doing to search for her own son. I would certainly recommend this book to friends.

Was this review helpful?

This was a book that I enjoyed but sadly it just didn’t blow me away as I had thought it would. The plot line was well thought out but predictable and I guessed, even though there were many red herrings, what was going on quite early in the story nevertheless this didn’t stop me from finishing the book as I did want to find out if I was right . My problem was I think is I just didn’t like the characters and I think that in many ways clouded my judgment but this may be just me and it was a fast read just not thrilling.
So I was left feeling a little disappointed with the book and it was one I had high expectations for after reading the overview but as I say I think others may enjoy this read more than I did.
A three star read and many thanks to NV Peacock I couldn’t write a book so I envy anyone who can and all credit to you for this one.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

This book started off great. The beginning really grabbed my interest and I was fully invested in this story and plot. The pace started to slow down and it started to get a bit repetitive in the middle. But then there was the ending. That ending was EXTREMELY anti-climactic. Like I’m kinda mad I read the whole thing just for it to end like that. Especially because the premise and most of the rest of the book was so good! It was such a huge letdown. This would have been an easy 5 star read if the ending was amazing, but unfortunately I was not completely impressed.

Was this review helpful?

Cherries, Leo and Robin make wonderful characters in this book and from start to finish it really gripped me. The twist and turns are brilliant. I think it took me about a day and half to read I just could put it down.

Was this review helpful?

Little Bones was a classic whodunit. The author weaves multiple character’s stories together and all of them are just unlikable and suspicious enough for you to think they played a role in a little boy’s disappearance. The ending truly shocked me! I really thought I had it all figured multiple times but the author did well with keeping me on the hook for every storyline. I really enjoyed this book!

Was this review helpful?

Cherrie has a secret. Her father was a serial killer, nicknamed Mr Bones and the media called her 8 year old self Little Bones. It’s a secret she hopes no-one in her new life will ever discover, especially her boyfriend and young son, but when a boy in her town is murdered, a podcast is released, outing her to everyone. Cherrie thought that was the worst thing that could ever happen to her, but she was wrong. Now her own son is missing and everyone seems to think the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – has Little Bones taken after Mr Bones?

Little Bones was an engaging crime thriller, with several twists. I did guess the outcome before the end of the book but I enjoyed the red herrings along the way that made me question whether I was right. There were several unlikeable characters I would have been more than happy to see go down for the crimes 😅

There were several important themes explored, such as victim blaming, the dangers of believing everything you read on the internet and the way lives can be destroyed by the ensuing mob mentality. Little Bones is a great read, perfect for the Halloween season and a fun thriller for those new tp the genre or seasoned crime lovers!

Was this review helpful?

I love true crime and mystery/thrillers so when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. Cherrie is the daughter of a serial killer and obviously does not want people to know. She has moved on and now her son has gone missing.

This is where the story really begins. This story had me on the edge of my seat. I was so invested in what happened to her son and if it was connected to her father. The ending was really good even though I saw it coming through the clues throughout the story.

I would absolutely recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

In “Little Bones” by N.V. Peacock we meet Cherrie (previously known as Leigh-Ann). She changed her name after her serial killer father was caught. As a child she was a witness to his crimes, but she has put that all behind her. She has a nice life with friends, a son and long-term boyfriend. But at a fun night at the local fair her own son goes missing. Could his disappearance have something to do with a copycat of her father’s crimes, someone out for vengeance, or is the person responsible closer than anyone realizes.

A nice read with a few twists. I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Little Bones aka Cherrie Featherstone aka Leigh-Ann Hendy was the daughter of a notorious serial killer nicknamed Mr Bones. Years after her father was caught and sentenced to life imprisonment, a copycat has begun taking little boys... suspicion falls onto Little Bones. Is the daughter of Mr Bones destined to follow in his footsteps?

I really enjoyed this novel. There were a few twists during the story and I hadn’t predicted the ending. There were points where I felt emotionally detached from the main character but these passed and I was back into it. 4 stars from me.

Was this review helpful?

The grown daughter of a infamous serial killer has created a new identity for herself to escape the ridicule that came with being related to Mr. Bones. A podcast is released that reveals her real identity and throws her whole life into chaos. This novel was good, but I really didn’t care for Cherrie’s character. It was also a pretty slow read that was rushed at the end.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this very much- it was a fast, addictive read with a decent resolution and you'll certainly find it to be a page turner.

I probably would have rated it higher years ago and the writing is great but I did come away with the feeling I'd read this exact story before- I haven't but many similar ones so much so that it becomes a bit blended which maybe took something away from the whole for this reader.

Having said that it is very good with some interesting characters and as I said very addictive.

Crime fans will enjoy it muchly even if it is dead on trend so may feel strangely familiar.

Was this review helpful?

There is a lot to like about this book not least that it has serious shades of Prodigal Son.

The characters are all 3 dimensional and while I didn't particularly like any of them, I did understand them and all of the choices they made were fitting.

The pacing is fast and that suits the story perfectly. There is barely time to draw breath and that really helps you empathise with the MC.

The plot is intricate, complex and well thought out.

There are a few things that didn't sit that well with me though:

The police come across as uninterested, inept and insensitive and given the circumstances of the situation I don't think that would be the case.

I worked out the main protagonist really early on and I got quite frustrated that things I thought were obvious were missed or ignored by characters.

Overall a decent thriller and I'll happily read more by the author.

Was this review helpful?

I received this Advance Review Copy from Netgalley and Avon Books UK in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK!!

I genuinely liked the story. The plot was fascinating and the story flowed easily and made me finish me the book. The whole 'is she or isn't she' suspense was exhilarating. It will make you think and I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Was this review helpful?

"They know who I am. They’re calling me Little Bones again.
They say I’m a villain but I’m not. I’m a victim.
You believe me, don’t you?"

William 'Billy' Hendry is the notorious serial killer 'Mr Bones', Leigh-Ann Hendry is his daughter 'Little Bones'. Exposed to such horrific scenes from a young age Leigh-Ann took a lot of time to reclaim back her life.

At 17 Leigh-Ann Hendry changed her name and settled in to a quiet life as Cherrie Forrester, perfect partner, perfect son and controlling Mother in law, perfectly normal. Her life now so far from her experiences throughout her childhood.

When a young Thomas Doncaster goes missing, Cherrie's life is turned upside down when podcast The Flesh on The Bones, reveals her identity; something that not even the closest people in her life know about.

With the secret out it's not long before her Son; Robin becomes the next child to go missing.
How far would you go to protect your child?

I absolutely loved this book, from the start I was really invested in the story. I finished it in one sitting I just couldn't put it down, I had to know what happened next!

The story is written brilliantly there's so many suspects with motives that I honestly couldn't work out who'd done what, every time I thought I had it there was another curve ball thrown in and I was back to trying to work it out.

The whole story flowed seamlessly with believable characters, it was written in such a way that even the side stories of the less important character merged effortlessly in to the main plot. Such a suspenseful read with so many twists, this is a must read for 2020.

I've never heard of N V Peacock before this, but is now an author I'd actively look out for in the future, one of my favourite reads of the year so far.

Was this review helpful?

This is a gripping, fast paced thriller.
It has an original storyline and the characters are strong.
Combined with a storyline relatable to every parent, this is a really good read.
A recommendation from me :)

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This was a decent thriller focused on the daughter of an infamous serial killer. She has made a new life for herself, but her past continues to haunt her. This was just okay. Some characters made a lot of choices that I found too ridiculous to be believable. 3.5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

I don't read a lot in the thriller/suspense genre because I don't think my blood pressure can take it. This one was heart-pounding. I couldn't rest until I knew who was behind the present day disappearance.

Cherrie's emotions really resonated with my because I too am a mother and I would be equally as distraught and desperate as she was. It was awful the things that were said about her, that almost convinced her seriel killer is a genetic traight. And the bloody freaking podcast. I wish it were easier to sue for libel in the UK - interfering in an active investigation, at a minimum.

There were a lot of characters and some I was grateful for their redemption arcs and others...I don't wish anything terrible upon them but they needed to be put in their place and we didn't get the resolution I was hoping for. Truly the most disappointing thing for me though was who was behind the present day disappearance and why. We went on this heart-stopping ride and when the truth came out it was just really flat. It wasn't quite good enough. I wanted something more...spectacular, I guess? A little more vindication for Cherrie, maybe?

Was this review helpful?

4.5/5 Stars
Release Date: October 31, 2020
Let me start off by saying this is the perfect book to be released on Halloween. It has the perfect amount of creepiness and suspense to keep you hooked for all 400 pages.
From the beginning Cherrie is a likable character whom I rooted for the whole time. She is happy and content in her life but is always on edge about someone finding out about her past and her father. Then after a podcast comes out talking all about her dad and revealing her new name for all the listeners she hopes that it will blow over. That combined with a visit to a local psychic are the perfect catalyst for her own son to be abducted. The rest of the story follows the aftermath with an ending I didn’t see coming.
A few times I thought I had figured out everyone and their secrets only to have another curveball thrown my way. Along with trying to figure out who took Robin, her son and why they did you also get to see a little more inside the mind of her father which was one of my favorite parts.
Overall N.V Peacock did an amazing job and created a story in which I loved getting lost in. She made characters that were complex and hard to figure out if they had good intentions or not. She did a wonderful job of painting a mother’s struggle to find her son and dealing with finally having he past catch up with her.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fast paced thriller that leaves you guessing till the end. I recommend reading this while sipping on some Pumpkin Spice tea with a dash of milk.
Katie

Was this review helpful?

This book is the perfect example of a psychological thriller that knocks you off of your feet and leaves you breathless. WOW! My first N V Peacock book and I couldn't tear myself away from it. I stayed up until 3am last night reading as I just HAD to know what happened.

I loved that it was a different narrative, a woman who has changed her identity to avoid her past as Little Bones- a notorious serial killers daughter. I suspected everyone! Was it her boyfriend? Her mother in law? The stalker? The mum in the park? Her friend? I honestly couldn't have told you. Slowly people get eliminated and you're left with the brutality of the truth. This is an absolute rollercoaster of a plot, I was holding my breath, my heart was pounding. This is a must-read.

N V Peacock, you better be writing another book now, it will be an instant buy! I can't wait to bring this to my book club!

One minor issue is that this was tagged as True Crime which it isn't, I had a look and can't see that it is based on a true story. I would just go for the mystery/thriller aspect.

Was this review helpful?