I am hooked on the Widow’s Island series and this book was a great addition. From the beginning I was drawn into the story and enjoyed experiencing life on Widow’s Island with Cate and Tessa. It was hard to see Cate struggle with the decision to take on an old case from her days with the FBI. But the work she and the rest of the crew did to help solve the mystery kept me glued to the pages. I was flipping through them quickly and couldn’t wait to see how things would end. This is a wonderful series and I strongly encourage you to start with the first book if you enjoy exciting thrillers that will pull you in and have you hanging on to the edge of your seat until you’ve read the last word.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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The Lost Bones, written by Kendra Elliot, is a decent thriller that follows FBI agent Cate Wilde as she investigates a series of murders in a small town. While the book has some engaging moments, it also has some flaws that bring its rating down to three stars.

One of the strengths of the book is its fast-paced plot, which keeps the reader engaged and guessing until the end. The characters are also well-developed, with their motivations and personalities adding depth to the story. Elliot's writing is suspenseful and atmospheric, creating a sense of unease and tension that keeps the reader on edge.

However, the book can be predictable at times, with some of the twists and turns feeling formulaic and expected. Additionally, the romance subplot between Cate and her love interest feels underdeveloped and forced, detracting from the main plot. The resolution of the mystery also feels rushed and somewhat unsatisfying, leaving some loose ends and unanswered questions.

Overall, The Lost Bones is a decent thriller that may be enjoyable for fans of the genre. While it has its flaws, it has some engaging moments and well-developed characters that make it worth a read.

Former FBI agent Cate Wilde is called to a local gift shop to pick up a package that was left there for her. When she opens it, she finds a child’s mandible, with an old newspaper clipping from one of her previous cases that was unsolved. A message is written on the paper asking for her help before her child is also killed. Cate is thrust back into the case, trying to find the man who kidnapped and probably killed his own child. She and Henry track down the fact that the man she was after has been in her store selling her jewelry. There is also a private detective on the island looking for a missing teen, who left home with an older man and has had no contact with anyone for several months. Cate quickly deduces that the young woman, Ashleigh is in the clutches of the man she is now hunting once again. Heading to a nearby island that is inhabited by those living off the grid, they try to track down Ashleigh and her child.

This was an extremely edge of your seat novella. There is abuse in the story, not descriptive, but it is there. The character of Ashleigh shows how a young woman is easily taken in and once under the abusers control, it can be hard to escape. Cate and Henry come up with a great plan to get on the island and search, showing why she was such a great agent in the first place. Henry is such a compassionate and caring character, his role as island doctor is perfect for him. There is some danger, and Tessa and Logan show up just in time to help save the day. I think this is one of my favourites in this series so far. It kept me listening when I should have been doing others things.

I really enjoyed this novella. It can be read as a stand alone, but is better if you have read the series. I enjoyed seeing characters from the Rogue River series as well. Once I started the book I couldn't put it down, it took about 3 hours to read non stop. Looking forward to reading more books from both Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh

An entertaining novella which sees former FBI agent Cate Wilde come out of retirement to close a case that she had been unable to close at her time at the FBI, a real page turner

Great Short story. I normally won't read short story series but will always make an exception for Kendra. Characters are likeable and I enjoy the story line.

This is book 8 in the Widow's Island series - a series that I am thoroughly enjoying , and whilst I know they are novellas they are too too short .

Cate's old job as an FBI gent is behind her - she is enjoying her time on the Island as a baker/bookshop owner with a new love , the Islands Doctor .
When she receives a parcel, which had been sent to the wrong shop , an old cold case in which she was deeply involved has come to light for the parcel contains a mandible belonging to a missing 7yr old girl .
It soon becomes a game of cat and mouse as Cate and her fiance seek to identify the murderer

Another enjoyable installment in this ongoing series

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I love Kendra Elliott. And she didn’t disappoint with this one either. She is a master at intrigue and clean romance This book was captivating, intriguing, exciting, and gripping.

I love everything about this book the intrigue, the tiny bits of romance, and the plot and the storyline were excellent with great characters. This book was captivating, intriguing, exciting, and gripping.

It's less of a whodunit style book because it tells you from the beginning. But its was srill entertaining none the less Cate receives a jaw bone of a child and a newspaper cut out highlighting a cold case of her from years ago of a missing child. The recent events suggest the child is no longer with us. So it's game on to find the killer. In truth its a short action packed novella.

Book 8 in the Widow's Island series follows Cate, former FBI agent and baker/bookshop owner as she looks into a 7 year old cold case involving a missing child. It's a case close to Cate's heart, who was deeply involved with the case and family, and she's about to become even more embroiled after she receives a mysterious package that may shed new light on the case.

As I said in my previous reviews of the series, I always find these fast and fun reads that do a decent job of telling a complete story in around 100 pages. I prefer the stories told from Cate's perspective, such as this one. I find her a more complicated character than Tessa, and I like her relationship with the island Doctor. It just feels that little bit more believable. That's not to say you don't have to suspend your disbelief with these stories - as I've said before, the villains are very over the top and one dimensional, and the red herrings or certain plot points are never quite tied up neatly enough.

However, these are exactly what I want at the time. A quick, short, sharp burst of intrigue and mystery with a dash of romance.

Another good read in the Widow’s Island series by Kendra Elliot. The Lost Bones can easily be read as a standalone. The story was enjoyable with a solid mystery. I love the cover.

#TheLostBones #NetGalley

The main character, Cate Wilde, returned to her childhood home on Widow’s Island after 15 years, and established a new life as owner of a bookstore and bakery. When a clue about a still missing three-year-old child is anonymously delivered to her, Cate is quickly drawn back to a case she investigated in her former career as FBI agent.
Although some readers commented The Lost Bones by Kendra Elliott left them wanting to know more, I disagree. The pace and length of this story was just right, long enough to develop a cast of characters, explain the old case, and involve Cate in the hunt. The story built to an ending that held a degree of closure.
I found this novella to be the perfect length to read between two longer novels. Sometimes it is difficult to transition from one novel to another. I plan on reading Kendra Elliott’s earlier Widow’s Island novellas in the future . . . between longer novels.

The Lost Bones by Kendra Elliot
Publisher: Montlake
Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance
Published: October 26, 2021

The Lost Bones is the eighth book in the Widow's Island series by Kendra Elliot. This crime drama can easily be read as a standalone book.

I loved how fast paced this book is! I read it in one sitting and could not put it down! The characters are great, so likable and interesting, and the people in the island town are fascinating. I loved that small town feeling. The story was incredible! I loved trying to solve the mystery! The suspense was awesome!!!

I highly recommend this book to crime drama fans.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Who knew that I have been missing some Widow Island action. I read Buried Bones by Melinda Leigh and I found The Lost Bones by Kendra Elliot - only to find out with this book that these were books 7 & 8! Gah I have some catching up to do and look for book 1 stat!

The Lost Bones obviously can be read as a standalone. I had no problem keeping up with the story line. There was that feeling that there is history with these characters and that is when I found there are other books before this one. It is still okay, it did not affect how I enjoyed this suspenseful mystery. I do feel I will have more of a back ground if I go back to the other books.

The Lost Bones will give you a shiver that will go deep into your bones. There was a time or two that I was on the edge of my seat wondering what Cate will find next. I tried my hardest to put this story together, but at the last second, I found that I was wrong. This story had me tearful and not sure what would happen next.

I am a huge fan of Kendra's writing and The Lost Bones is another book I will keep on my re-read list. You do not want to miss out on this suspenseful thriller!

Another great addition to this series, Cafes turn this time and an unsolved mystery from her past. Great characters,great story.

This is an engaging story that keeps your attention from start to finish. A surprising package with links to a cold case pulls Cate back into her old role as an FBI agent. Isolated survivalists, a kidnapping and the search for a child killer keeps you entertained in this fast paced story. This is an enjoyable mystery with authentic, likable characters and an entertaining plot.

Buried Bones (book 7) is the only other book in this series that I have read but it’s safe to say I am hooked and will be going back for more. I loved Tessa but Cate is just as lovable and just as badass. Both authors also describe the island so well that I feel like I’m there with them. It’s nice to read a book with murder in that also has romances and friendships. This book was fast paced with an ending full of suspense and sadness and I can’t wait to read more.

Summer festival, wedding plans, business doing great, and former FBI agent Cate Wilde has never been happier. Then a mysterious box filled with clues to an unsolved case suck Cate right back into the case. I love my visits to the Widow’s Island series so I can re-join the engaging characters and the fascinating island life, but also the shrewd mysteries and new aspects of the island that are uncovered with each fresh installment.

The Lost Bones is the eighth of the series. It could be read standalone in a pinch, but is best enjoyed as part of the series.

Each time Cate and Henry think she has moved on from her old days of working cases for the FBI something comes up. Cate still suffers from the PTSD that put her out to pasture the first time, but she’s getting stronger and is most happy now that she is back on Widow’s enjoying a strong relationship with Henry and being part of island life with her bakery and bookstore.

But, there are those cases that stick with one and the kidnapped child by her survivalist, abusive father is one of them. With a fresh set of clues, Cate and the rest of the investigators have a new chance at finding the culprit and maybe stopping it from all happening again with someone else.

I love seeing Cate working the case and tracking down her quarry, but particularly because she is smart about it and doesn’t disdain Henry’s care and good ideas that help. There was a good build of tension to the final riveting scene. Immediately, I felt the bittersweet emotion of full enjoyment and the need for patience until the next release. Those who want a good balance of romance, cast of characters, setting, and well-developed suspense plot in a quick-read novella should give this book/series a try.

Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh are writing a series of novella that bring the world of Widow Island to life with mystery surrounding every part of the small island.

Each Character comes to life in such a few short pages that will have reader hooked until the very last word is printed. Each person in the island are intertwined to the point readers will feel like everyone is family or a killer. The Novella is short fast pace and will keep readers wanting more.

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of The Lost Bones.