The abduction of Cate's fiancé Henry takes centre stage in the latest Widow's Island novella that continues to be fast paced and entertaining. Although short they always seem to move the character development along at a steady pace, especially in this one as Cate and Henry get some unexpected news (as well as being in mortal peril).

The plot is also pretty good. I think the atmosphere and tension have definitely ramped up again in the last few books, with the focus returning to the main characters rather than a random murder victim we only meet for a short time. I'm actually pretty sad this series is coming to an end, as I've started to rely on the novellas as a quick read that always delivers on action. The writing isn't amazing, but if you want a cosy crime series that consistently does a good job of slowly building character development without compromising on pace, this does a great job.

The last from Elliot of this ten part novella series. We follow Cate and Henry. I love this series and you definitely want to read in order. A nice wrapup from this couple.

“Bone Deep” is Widow’s Island #9 —a series of novellas: 5 written by Kendra Elliot and 5 written by Melinda Leigh (who are not the same author, just partners in the Widow’s Island series). This book belongs to Kendra Elliot and will be published a week before #10, “The Wrong Bones” by Leigh.

In this installment, Henry, the island’s only doctor, is kidnapped to presumably treat one member of a trio of bank robbers who was shot as they were fleeing from Seattle to Widow’s Island. In pursuit is Tessa, the island’s deputy sheriff and Cate, his retired FBI fiancée, who now owns a bakery and bookstore. The islanders are a tight group (Tessa is engaged to Cate’s brother, Logan, the local forest ranger). The FBI informs Tessa that these guys are stone cold killers, so the search for Henry is desperate and action-packed since it seems he might be still on the island, trying to treat a lost cause.

This is a quick and satisfying read as all the Widow's Island novellas are. There are definite good guys and bad guys and suspenseful moments that have you worrying about the ultimate outcomes. But like all the Elliot/Leigh chapters in this series, it can be a standalone thriller and it’s a great one! 4 stars! Be ready for the 10th novella that going to be released a week after “Bone Deep”!

Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Some dark and vacant eyes, but no green ones.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO It’s the Pacific Northwest and the island is mostly a dark green forest with tall grasses

A big thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. this is part of a series, but reads ok as a stand alone. It may be better if you have read some of the other books. Just so you are not overwhelmed with information and names. This is a novella so pretty short and quick read. It is predictable but still full of suspense. Will they get there in time? Still worth the read. 3.5 stars

This series of novellas is fantastic. The small community of Widow’s Island is tight knit and pull together when things get heated. This story had me holding my breath in suspense as Cate and Tessa are trying to rescue Henry. Loved every word.
Thank you to Montlake and the author for the opportunity to read an advanced copy through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When two men kidnap former FBI agent Cate Wilde’s fiancé, the boldness of the crime rattles the community. Desperate to find the man she loves, Cate joins forces with the FBI and the local sheriff’s department to launch an investigation and bring Dr. Henry Powers home.
Cate soon learns that a brotherhood of bank robbers abducted Henry in the hopes that he might be able to save their youngest brother, who had been shot during a robbery. But this man is beyond saving, which spells life-threatening danger for Henry.
While Henry plots his escape, Cate uses her investigative skills and experience to track down her fiancé. Can she get to him in time, or will Widow’s Island live up to its name?
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Montlake
I just reviewed Bone Deep by Kendra Elliot. #BoneDeep #NetGalley

This was such an emotional read. My heart went out to Henry. It’s in his nature to save people , but he was put in an untenable position. Cate is such a strong woman and she needs to be to find Henry. The writing is wonderful. The detailed description made it feel as though I was on that island with Henry. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Bone Deep is the ninth novella in Widow Island series written by Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. If you have been following the series, you know how the stories from the two authors (Melinda Leigh wrote books 2,3, 6,7, and 10, Kendra Elliot -1,4,5,8, and 9) intertwine and merge.
Kendra Elliot's novellas are told from the point of view of Cate Wilde, a former FBI agent who left her extremely dangerous and highly stressful job to come back to her tiny home island in the North Pacific and become a baker and bookstore owner. Her feelings towards her decision to leave FBI are still mixed, but she seems to have found real happiness in her close-knit community of Widow's Island.

If you're a newcomer to the series, don't worry- you won't be lost. It's amazing how the authors provide crucial recap details without overloading the narrative structure. Still, it is definitely better to read the series from the beginning and in order to keep up with the developments in the recurring characters' lives. Plus, we get to know the island itself, how it got its name, and little snippets on its history. This time we learn about Jane/Cate and Logan's ancestors and learn about one of the most long-standing feuds on the island.

The plot is based around the kidnapping of Cate's fiance Dr Henry Powers and we are thrown into action from the first page. Two masked men threaten Henry's assistant's life and lead him away at a gunpoint. all he knows he will have to take care of someone who's been shot, but for some reason can't (or won't) go to hospital. Needless to say, Henry's feelings are complex- he is terrified, he is trying to figure out who his kidnappers are and whether they will let him live, but he's also going to do his best to save 'his patient'. In the meantime Cate is going to do everything possible and possible to find him. We see how easy it is for her to slip back into the old role. We also see how much she has changed and how unlikely it is that she will ever go back to her old job.

As in all novellas in this series the pace is excellent. There's a great balance of action and slower, more private, intimate moments of reflection (and Cate is dealing with a huge change in her life which she still hasn't processed). Cate isn't just a tourist on the island- her roots are here as well as the most important people in her life- her childhood friends, including indomitable Tessa, her family and her community all come through in this moment of need.

Given the fact that these novellas are really short, it isn't surprising that action takes precedence over character development and this is a good reason why I urge anyone interested in picking up the series to start from the beginning. You will see that the characters are well-differentiated- Cate may be missing the intellectual stimulation of being an FBI agent, but she also has few regrets and few doubts she is better suited to this calmer stage in her life. Henry may have got a bit more than he bargained for when he took up his job on Widow's Island, but he's not a person who run away from a challenge. Tough Tessa has a lot to deal with at home, but she also appreciates her mother, her sister and Logan- she has a soft side and we see it clearly when she is helping Cate. Once again I was amazed at how well Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh merged their stories.

I am a bit sad that the series is coming to an end, but it was a great journey, and I am looking forward to finding out more about the authors' new projects!

It was wonderful to visit with Cate and Henry again. This was a fast paced, jam packed novella. The story was great, although the short length didn’t allow much character development so it is best read as part of the series. This felt like the end of the story arc for Henry and Cate so I would have enjoyed a more lengthy epilogue but overall it was an enjoyable read. I highly recommend the series, along with everything that Kendra Elliot writes, she is definitely one of my all time favourites. 5/5!
Thanks to Ms Elliot, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I can’t wait for the next collaboration between Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh!

After hours when an emergency came, not willing to go with the black mask men
A bank robbery a few days earlier had not gone well leaving victims..
Life hangs in the balance for Henry, wanting a life and family with Cate.
Outside of the cussing I felt was not needed. A good plot otherwise.
Given Arc byNet Galley and Montlake for my voluntary review
and my honest opinion

Love this series!!! I think this may be my new favorite one. Although, I usually forget what happened in the previous books. This one definitely started with a bang. There was a lot packed into this and I was hooked immediately. These guys must have been desperate to kidnap Henry. Sweet, lovable Henry!!! It was a good thing Cate showed up at the clinic, since Julie was duck taped to her chair. Widow's Island sure does attract its share of murderers, kidnappers, and creepy people up to no good. Which means Tessa will have job security. I loved the story, although Cate never seems to break free from the FBI. I don't foresee her ever going back, she loves her bakery and library. Love Henry and Cate together. The ending was perfect. I can't wait until the next book to see what happens with Tessa and Logan.

Definitely recommend the book, but you should to read the previous books in the series. It was a great mystery/thriller. Can't wait to read book ten. I'm guessing that will be the last one in the series. I'm sure there will be more murders to investigate. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

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

Thrown right into suspense when right off the bat Dr. Henry Powers is kidnapped right from his office by two gunman. Kate who is living a quieter life these days (or tries to) after retiring from the FBI is at her whit's end with worry about her fiancé Henry. Cate makes sure she is involved in the investigation along with best friend Deputy Tessa Black and the FBI.

Good book! This book was a little short but I still felt like I got the whole story! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, and great police work! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book and series! They're well worth reading! Thank you netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!