Another fantastic book by Gibbs.

The writing was easy to follow and the pacing along with the dual time line made for an enjoyable and somewhat suspenseful read. I honestly did not want to put it down.

Izzy is honestly becoming a favourite book character- her bravery, her spunk, her curiousity, even her recklessness and downright gall when investigating, really has me rooting for her.

The dynamic between Izzy and Elton is always fun to read. Their banter, and their arguments coupled with each of their personal issues in this second book and how it affected their friendship and how they overcame their little altercations was refreshing to read about and it added to their characters, This just reiterates Gibbs outstanding ability to create these round characters.

Now the Mystery aspect of this book. It was quite the rollercoaster mainly due to Izzy's ability to accuse multiple suspects. It really allowed me to delve into the case and really try to understand the evidence that the main characters were finding. I always like when there is a dual pov and time line with mystery plots. Of course you get to immerse yourself in the present while the evidence is being given to you but also in the past with the victims and suspects leading up to the actual crime.

Overall an enjoyable read and already anticipating the third.

Review will be posting on my bookstagram on the 15th November. The link will be provided.

"I'll do my own personal project, but I need your help investigating. We're a team, remember? We solved a twenty-five-year-old cold case."
"Yes, and as I recall, your unceremonious expulsion from Bardo Academy soon followed."

This book is the second book in the Izzy and Elton Mystery Series and while I have not read book one (I was not aware this was part of a series when I began reading it) I feel this book could be read as a standalone. The story was easy to follow and well written.

Izzy and Elton are teens and in GuB we are taken through another of their mystery solving adventures. Elton and Izzy are both relatable in many ways. Izzy has dealt with drug addiction, which I wasn't fond of but I do understand that it is a big problem in our world. Her drug problem stemmed from taking Oxycontin to help her anxiety and headaches.. the trouble came from not having a prescription for it. Elton is autistic and I loved that Gibbs included an autistic character to show a different side than we are normally shown. Elton's urge to keep Izzy out of trouble reminded me of a big brother/little sister relationship.

The story line/genre is not something I would generally pick up but the cover and synopsis had me intrigued. While the prologue grabbed my attention the rest of the book wasn't on the same level as what I normally read. But that is understandable since this is a YA book.

Even though the level of action/thriller aspect wasn't what I normally read, I did enjoy the book. The ending is not what I was thinking, so that was nice! I love when I don't see endings coming. I'll let y'all read it though, to see what happened.

I want to read the first book of this series, as well.

This week, I had the pleasure of reading Graves Upon Bones, the follow up to Chad Alan Gibbs’ Bardo by the Sea. At the end of that novel, Izzy and Elton were leaving Florida for London, and our story picks up there. Izzy has promised not to get in trouble while living abroad, but this is a promise that she cannot keep because, naturally, she stumbles upon another mystery to solve. This one involves a soccer team, organized crime, and the unsolved murder of a ex-rock star. (I’d like to credit the show Ted Lasso for allowing me to visualize the soccer scenes.)

I thought this was a solid follow up to the Kirkus-reviewed Bardo by the Sea. Readers get the benefit of a satisfying ending with the solving of the mystery, while also being left needing the next installment because various things in the lives of our two heroes are left open-ended. If you’re into teenage sleuths, tales of friendship, and flawed characters this is the story for you—ok, well, after you’ve read the first novel in the series.

I received an early copy of this book from Net Gally for review and the opions are strictly mine
also this is a spoiler free review. I really liked the action pace in this book. It really had me going back to read more after I put it down. I did not like the fact that she was addicted to pills, but it shows real life and unfortunately it's how real life is. I have to say that I'm vested in these characters and want to see what happens to them in upcoming books. Overall this book was good and I can't wait for book three.

Graves upon Bones is book two in Izzy and Elton Mystery Series by Chad Gibbs
I have yet to read the first book but IMO I didn't feel like I missed anything staying with book two.

I enjoyed reading GuB. It was a quick read with an interesting and intriguing story.
When Izzy and Elton start their own investigation into the unsolved bombing at a local pub they soon find themselves in a dangerous spot.

Honestly, the story-line was there. I just wished it pulled me in and hooked me.
I enjoyed the characters and their journey to discover the truth.
The writing was really good.... I guess it's more of a me issue because I liked it... it just didnt grab me.
I will most definitely pick up book one to see how we got to book two.
And I believe most will enjoy this story.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Victory Editing,
Thank You for your generosity and approving this eARC!

well-written book involving teenage "detectives" . "Graves Upon Bones" is set during the year 2009 with the Grand Recession and the beginning of the opioid epidemic. The plot does involve organized crime and serious situations so far warning of these are triggers for you, the plot twist and organized crime sections are what makes it so smart and engaging hard to put down.

Clever, well-written book involving teenage sleuths. "Graves Upon Bones" is set during the year 2009 with the Grand Recession and the beginning of the opioid epidemic. Because I read another reviewer complain of this, the plot does involve organized crime and serious situations, but that's part of what makes it so smart and engaging. Highly recommended, as well as the first book in the Izzy and Elton Series. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a DNF for me at 50% of the way through it. It was about terrorism and I didn’t want to finish it. It was politically-oriented and I did not find that interesting. It was a good book for someone who likes to read about political terrorism. They would likely really enjoy it. There was a young woman who was a super sleuth and she was enjoyable. The setting was in London.