Member Reviews
This was so good! I liked that it was more about the investigation, and less about Nikki’s personal life. Starts off with the brutal murder of three family members years ago. Now there’s a Netflix documentary series talking about the crime, & on the night that it premieres, there’s another brutal murder at the same house. Nikki has her hands full with this investigation, looking back at the original crime & figuring out how the new crime fits in. Lots of tension and action keeps this story flowing. This was a good addition!
This is a well written true police procedural, with the exception of the chapters looking back in time. They are not part of the discovery, and are unnecessary for the story. However, this is a very entertaining book with a good plot and great characters.
A Cold Case Is Key To Current Murders
In 2001, Amy Kline and her parents were brutally killed at their residence. Before she confronted the killer, she helped her younger brother to escape. The murderer was never identified. Four months ago, Special Agent Liam Wilson’s girlfriend, Caitlin Newport, an investigative reporter, worked with Netflix to produce a documentary on the Klines’ murders. She interviewed SA Nikki Hunt, Wilson’s partner, as part of that documentary. At the present time, the Kline’s old residence is now an Airbnb. A group of high schoolers rented for the weekend to binge-watch that documentary. Sheriff Miller calls SA Nikki Hunt. He tells her that when the cleaner arrived this morning, she found two dead girls. One girl is missing. He asks her for help. Now, two multiple murders need to be solved.
The main storyline has two threads. The first thread is the investigation of the recent murders and the abduction. The sheriff leads this investigation. SAs Hunt and Wilson assist. Because of all the connections to the Kline murders, SAs Hunt and Wilson focus most of their efforts on this case. This is the primary thread of the two. There are many obstacles to these investigations. As mentioned above, the documentary, which seems to play a significant role in the current murders, is the brainchild of SA Wilson’s girlfriend. SA Hunt also initiates FBI involvement without her supervisor’s approval, as he will not report for work until the next day. The investigation of the Klines’ murders had many issues. A sheriff in a neighboring county conducted the original investigation because he was the first on the scene. The two sheriffs feuded over this investigation. The sheriff at that time was Sheriff Miller’s predecessor, who now is dead. The other sheriff is still alive. There are missing, mislabeled, and undocumented extra items of evidence. Then, the original medical examiner’s autopsy report was full of errors that led to wrong conclusions for years. This storyline is very meaty — just what I like. Much effort is expended to unravel these complex investigations. There are many twists and turns and a surprising reveal. Suspense is maintained by the necessity to solve the recent murders because the abducted girl may still be alive. My attention was immediately captured and kept to the end.
Adequate new background information on SA Hunt and her family and friends, personal and professional, is provided to satisfy the regular reader of this series. Sufficient background information is provided from previous novels so that new readers will not feel they missed anything. The multi-novel B-storyline thread of SA Wilson’s and Newport’s relationship plays a supporting role in the main storyline versus being a pestering reporter. There is a significant event in this thread for the main storyline. This event brought a smile to my face.
The aspects of a novel that can cause some readers to stop reading are present in this novel. There are only two references to assaults on women. There are only a handful of vulgar words. The level of rude words is just a little more. Even if the violence occurred in the past, the details are provided and described in a more edgy way of how it happened. Lastly, this is the eighth novel in the Nikki Hunt series. I found nothing in this novel that required reading any previous novels in the series. I do not believe these aspects of the novel should stop most readers.
There were some issues, but all I saw was that they were made to keep the novel compact and moving forward. A few of these could not happen in real life, but this is a work of fiction. The murderer's identity was well hidden until the end, which kept me engaged to the end. As with the author’s previous novels, this novel is a straightforward read. I have read and reviewed seven of the eight novels in this series. I have purchased the novel I missed, plus a few other earlier books. This author has kept her position as a Must-Read author for me, and I look forward to reading more of her novels. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and rate it with five stars.
I received a free prepublication e-book version through NetGalley from Booktouture. My review is based solely on my own reading experience of this book. Thank you, Booktouture, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
An absolute banger of a book!
Stacey’s only gone and done it again folks. Another excellent edition to the Nikki Hunt series has landed! As a devout fan of the Hunt novels I’ve journeyed with Nikki through her trials and tribulations, but each book just adds to the momentum of this fantastic series.
Excellent writing (as always!) fans of Angela Marson’s DI Kim Stone will love Nikki Hunt. Whilst she’s not as brutal as Kim they’re both unwavering in their desire to solve a mystery no matter the cost.
Love, love, love - can’t wait for spring!
Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Wow just wow !! Book 8 and I’m still in shocked at how good these are !! How does your mind work because it’s amazing. I’m a tad sad I missed the wedding. Nikki is by far my favourite FBI agent picking up her book feels like catching up friends. I adored her team and love hearing about the junior agents. Can’t wait to see more of them. The crime was shocking and heartbreaking. I actually thought I know who the killer was but nope totally wrong. I can’t recommend these book series enough. It’s intense, brilliant, edge of your seat amazing. I feel like I’m watching a crime show in my head. Well written characters who feel so real. Thought out crimes with many twists and turns.
Just loving this series it works so well. It can be read as a standalone or as a series (I haven't yet read the whole series only certain books but I am going to it is that good).
The crime telling was brilliant and loved the ending - only saw it coming towards the end but didn't know the how.
I am looking forward to the new dynamics with the new boss that is going to be interesting to see work out.
I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.
What a beginning this story has! Draws you in right from the start.
The story revolves around one house and the horrendous murder that took place there 20 years ago. Now there are more murders in the same house. How are these murders connected to the murders 20 years ago? Is this a copy cat? Or, could it be the the original killer?
I love seeing how Nikki and her team work together. There has been a lot of growth within the characters since the first book in the series.
Certainly a story that kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
What can I say, I love this book! Truth be told. I love this entire series. Each book just seems to get better and will draw you right in. The characters are so interesting, fully developed and likable. And to me that’s really important, Nikki Hunt and her team are characters I hope to see a lot more of. As usual, the story is fast-paced with the time ticking away to find an answer. The murder takes place at well publicized crime scene from the past. Is this a copycat or is this the original killer come back to take another life?
Firstly, how beautiful is the cover of this book? This is my first Agent Nikki Hunt book and I loved it!
The setting of the crime in an Airbnb where almost a whole family were slaughtered 25 years ago intrigued me, as did the surviving family member, Matt. Two girls are dead and another, Alexia, is missing. The previous killer was never found and Nikki and her team are in a race to find out whether the killer is back, or whether this is a copycat, and find Alexia before it’s too late.
Nikki is a great character - strong, determined and feisty, combined with empathy and compassion. I really liked her and enjoyed getting to know her.
The plot line is gripping and hooked me in from the very start. It’s fast paced and twisty as hell - no way was I putting this one down until I’d devoured the whole thing! I love a book where there are many possibilities and motives, so that there’s a genuine jaw-dropping moment, when the truth is revealed, and Stacy Green absolutely delivered.
5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Stacy Green and Bookouture for an ARC in return for an honest review.
On a stormy summer night in 2001, at a historical Victorian house on the lake, the entire Klein Family is brutally attacked. Everyone is killed except Matt Klein, the 10 year old son who escapes to a neighbor's house. The killer is never found and the case remains unsolved.
Present Day
FBI profiler Nikki Hunt is called to a double homicide at a local Airbnb on Bone Lake. Nikki immediately recognizes the address from the Klein murders that occurred many years prior. As Nikki investigates, the learns the Airbnb was rented by a group of teens. The group gathered to watch a Netflix documentary on the Klein Killings, released on the anniversary of the event.
Nikki arrives to find two brutally murdered girls. Once again, the house named Lilydale, is the scene of more tragedy. The team finds an injured teen in the basement, still alive, but they soon realize the group hostess, Alexia, and her car are missing. While searching for the missing teen, Nikki discovers Alexia is obsessed with the Klein murders and even provided information for the documentary, the same project that also included Nikki.
Nikki uncovers many hidden secrets, both current and related to the previous murders. She discovers the lone survivor, Matt, now an adult, still resides in the area. He now owns and rents out Lilydale to visitors and guests.
Has the first killer returned?
Is Alexia involved and on the run?
Did Alexia get too close to the truth and threaten to uncover the murderer's identity?
I became a fan of the Nikki Hunt series after reading the first book, The Girls in the Snow. I continued reading the series because I enjoy the twists and turns each story takes, and Bone Lake is no exception. Stacy Green describes her characters in such a way that I feel like I know them personally. They are relatable with realistic flaws, triumphs and experiences.
The prologue to Bone Lake is captivating, it grabbed my attention and piqued my curiosity immediately. Stacy Green does not tip toe into her stories, but jumps in feet first! The opening is action packed and gives the reader just enough information to keep them guessing. Who is the suspect? What was their motive? The story goes back and forth in time, connecting the clues to both cases until the exciting conclusion. I am looking forward to continuing the Nikki Hunt series by Stacy Green.
I would like to thank Stacy Green, Bookouture, and NetGalley for sending this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Twenty years ago there was a murder at Bone lake, and now Nikki and her team are investigating murders in the exact same house. One girl is also missing. This is an intense case, and very gritty and twisted. Kept me at the edge of my chair, and I simply could not get enough of this superb book!
I love Nikki and her team. The plot is splendid, the writing is vivid, and this is great entertainment. This book is just fantastic!
Stacey Green has once again delivered a gripping masterpiece with "Bone Lake," the eighth installment in the Nicki Hunt series. From the haunting opening scene of broken flowers drifting on the foggy lake to the heart-stopping discovery of a gruesome crime scene, the tension in this novel is relentless, keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.
The eerie atmosphere surrounding the grand house on Bone Lake sets the stage for a captivating mystery that intertwines past and present. Special Agent Nicki Hunt's investigation into the brutal murders, coupled with the unresolved case from two decades ago, creates a web of suspense that is both chilling and addictively thrilling.
Green masterfully weaves a tale of deception, betrayal, and unexpected connections. The character development is impeccable, and Nicki Hunt's internal struggles add depth to an already intricate plot. The pace is relentless, with each chapter unveiling new twists that left me breathless.
As the stakes rise and the clock ticks down, the intricate web of relationships and secrets kept me guessing until the final, jaw-dropping revelation. Stacey Green's writing is razor-sharp, and her ability to build suspense is unparalleled. "Bone Lake" is a must-read for fans of Allison Brennan, Melinda Leigh, and Kendra Elliot. I eagerly await the next thrilling chapter in the Nicki Hunt series!
Thanks to Ms Green, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Nikki and Liam are called in to help the sheriff investigate the brutal murder of two teen girls and the disappearance of another. The discovery of connections to a 20 year old crime seem too coincidental, but are they? Lots of twists and turns, some suspects, but not many motives. Time seems to be running out for Nikki and Liam. Will they solve this case or become the next victims?
As always, Nikki Hunt books are addictive, captivating from the first page. Highly recommend either as a stand alone, or enjoy the whole series. A must read for all mystery fans.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Whenever I start a book in the Nikki Hunt series, I always prepare to do some non-stop reading until the book is done. Every book in this series is great, and Bone Lake is an excellent addition to the series. Nikki,Liam and the team are back! Nikki is on the hunt to find out who murdered 2 teens and if the murders have to do with the past Kline murders. Is this a copycat or is the killer back?? So many twists and so much suspense. Absolutely loved this book and love this series.
I love Stacy Green's books and I especially love the Nikki Hunt series. Bone Lake is no different. 20 years ago a brutal attack leaves 3 family members dead. The fourth is a young boy who is only saved because his older sister helped him escape to go get help. On the 20th anniversary of the murders an avid murder podcast fan rents the house where the murders take place to watch the new documentary about the original murders. Bad things happen again. Could it be the same person or a copycat?
Thank you so much Netgalley and Stacy Green for kindly giving me the opportunity to read this as an Arc* I greatly appreciate it and really enjoyed it!
It follows Nikki Hunt who is an agent with the FBI , she worked on a case "The Kline Murders" which daughter Amy Kline, Mother Sandy Kline and her dad Ted Kline were found murdered at their Victorian style family home , her great-great grandfather built. The only survivor was the younger brother Matty Kline as he escaped through a dumbwaiter! Brutal murder gives details of the murder (also discusses Sexual Assault) so check trigger warnings before reading book.
Kline Murders took place in 2001 and 20 Years later Agent Hunt is asked to be apart of a double homicide that has taken place in the exact same location as The Kline Murders from 2001 and it basically takes you through them trying to piece together the story that led to this event, The murder that occurred years later at the same house makes you question is it the same kidnapper or is it a copycat obsessed with the Kline murders? This gives u such good descriptions of the house too we love old creepy house stories where chaos has ensued!!
This is a gripping and page turning book that gives you some gruesome details of the crimes committed it's an absolutely great book, you are trying to solve who the killer could be as you read, but the book throws u so many twists and makes you question everyone involved around the case. It really gets your brain going I’ll say that haha, I cannot wait to check out more from Stacy!
I will definitely be purchasing the physical book for my book shelves :)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "Bone Lake" the 8th book in Stacy Green's exceptional "Nikki Hunt" series.
Each and every one of these books has been a great read, and the mystery/suspense in just the right amount. And "Bone Lake" is no different. As in the first book of the series, past and present collide after one night of horrific violence.
Pending the arrival of her new boss, Nikki Hunt is called to a scene of murder and potential abduction; what she quickly realizes is that this house is the same house where - 20 years ago - most of the Kline family, mother, father and sister, were brutally murdered - a crime that remains unsolved these many years later. the first twist in this story of many is that the house is still owned by the son of the original owners who now rents it out as an Airbnb.
In the course of the investigation, Nikki learns that the young woman who had rented the house - and is now missing and presumed - had rented it specifically for herself and her friends to watch a documentary about the original massacre; and that Alexia is a true crime fanatic who has dreams of solving the original crimes.
As in previous instalments in the series, Nikki Hunt's experience as a profiler serves her well. And when the team discover that there were serious errors in the original crime (the Kline Family Massacre) they begin to make real progress in both killing sprees. And this leads to an unimaginable and unexpected outcome!
Recommended for fans of the series. Could be read as a standalone, but there's lots of history there, not all explained.
Another superb addition to the Nikki Hunt Series! How can it be book #8 already? I absolutely love this series and have devoured each and every one but I must say, this has been my favourite so far.
#8 in the series has changed slightly in the fact it focuses more on Nikki's current investigation and less on her private life which ,made ot feel more gritty, the pure concentration on the here and now made the case feel more urgent.
Years ago a family is slaughtered at their home, their throats slit and bodies left where they fell. Only the young son manages to escape thanks to his sister Amy's quick thinking. No one was ever caught, the Detectives at the time only focusing on Amy's boyfriend even though he had a solid alibi.
Special Agent Nikki Hunt receives a call to attend a scene at a home on Bone Lake, the same home as the killings 20 years ago. Two girls have been savagely beaten and killed and a third is missing.
Nikki's team are able to identify the victims and realise that the home had been rented for a party and to watch the new Netflix documentary based on the killings. Has the killer come back or is this a copycat?
The missing girl, Alexia, had been digging into the past killings and even started a relationship with the man who owns the home, son that escaped, Matt Kline.
Nikki's partner Liam is adamant they have their man. Initially Nikki had her suspicions but after looking into his eyes and knowing the pain and trauma after losing her own parents, she believes he is innocent.
Can they piece it all together? Can they find Alexia? Can they catch the killer in time?
Once again an absolutely riveting, unputdownable, thrilling read that just wants you wanting more.
Hige thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
This is a good addition to the Nikki Hunt series. The characters are well developed, Nikki is driven but also has empathy, although there is not much of Rory in this book. I liked the plotting, it kept me gripped, but Liam was quite irritating throughout the whole book. There are a few red herrings and the plot flowed well. Overall, a good read which I would recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
This read had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! It starts with a bang, and I was just sucked into the story, wanting to know who killed the Kline family and why, and what was the connection to Nikki’s new case.
I enjoy returning to Stillwater and whatever case Nikki & her team are investigating. I love the dynamic her & Liam have as a team - particularly that they can disagree so strongly about a suspect but not let it colour anything else about their relationship in & out of work. I like that there always seems to be personal connection to these cases for Nikki - I feel that it adds depth of character that you would not ordinarily see.
There’s plenty of red herrings & I enjoyed each and every reveal. I can’t wait to read more in this series!