What I loved about this book is that it did not read as a YA book. It read like a wonderful mystery /suspense / ghost story with young adult characters. Ginny did a wonderful job with each character; made you care for each and every one of them whether they were guilty or not. Loved ho Dovie was both strong, stubborn and caring; loved the relationship she had with her dad and Lo and OMG, did I love Lo. Perfect for every age.

Dovie, can hear the bones of the dead sing, and has been helping the police the past few years find the bodies of the missing. With the help of her best friend she is out to find out what is really going on in the woods. This was very intriguing read, and hard to put down. However, I wish that romance aspect was taken out of the book. I feel it took away more from the story than adding to it.
4 stars.

This is the second book I have read by this author and she has done well again. I really did enjoy this book. There were so many twists and turns that kept me thinking my first guess was wrong. The author has a certain cadence to the voice of her stories that makes it feel almost dreamlike in quality. Kinda ensnares you in a way that you don't realize you're hooked on every word. I would definitely recommend this book.

This was a tough one to review but I’d land on a 3.5 stars… Loved our characters and the unique story but the writing and odd placed romance didn’t do it for me.

I loved our main characters and truly started to feel like I knew them and their emotions. Following our main character, Dovie, and her ability to hear bones sing was very interesting and such a unique concept. The setting of this story was also very unique and the descriptions of this town really helped the eerie feel of the story.

Where the store started to lose me was the repetitive writing. For example every time Dovie walked by the creek that ran through the town we were informed she gagged or smelled the horrid smell. Sometimes multiple times a chapter. After a few times it started to pull me out of the story. I also didn’t love the weird romance triangle thing that happened for no reason. It was very oddly placed in an otherwise suspenseful and mysterious novel.

Overall I would be very interested in reading more from this author but this specific book was a bit difficult for me at times.

Ginny is an auto read author for me since Dark and Shallow Lies and this book lived up to her reputation. She’s forever giving you the perfect twist of mildly paranormal, unsettling, and just freaky mystery stories.
I felt better prepared going into this book and was doing a decent job at the “who done it” and even though I had kind of figured it out I was still not prepared for the whole truth in the end. From the second I picked this book up I was hooked and consumed and finished it quickly.

A teenager in a small Ozark town can hear the bones of the dead singing, leading her to help solve the mysterious disappearances and murders happening in her community. With the help of her best friend who is haunted by dark shadows, they must uncover the truth hidden in the hills before more lives are lost.

I am completely new to this author, and let me tell you, this book is an absolute hidden gem! From the moment I cracked it open, I was completely captivated and utterly unable to tear myself away. The narrative slowly weaves its spell around you, drawing you in without you even realizing it.

The protagonist, Dovie, is a truly likable character, and her unique gift adds a fascinating layer of intrigue to the story. Even her best friend is endearing, with his character gradually unfolding to further enhance his charm.

The setting described in the book is hauntingly eerie and isolated, perfectly complementing the unfolding events. Although I have never been to the place depicted, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had somehow visited before, making the story all the more immersive and believable.

Throughout the book, I found myself constantly guessing and second-guessing, as the cleverly crafted storyline kept me on my toes. The unexpected twists and turns, culminating in a surprising ending, left me both shocked and satisfied.

If you revel in the thrill of unraveling mysteries with a hint of paranormal, deciphering truths and contemplating possible outcomes, then this book is an absolute must-read for you. Just be warned - once you start, you won't be able to put it down. Set aside some time, because this book demands to be devoured in one sitting.

Thank you, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love how easily I'm pulled into this story. It's so interesting and thoroughly enjoyable! I don't usually go for stories like this one but the cover caught my eye.

I don’t know if I could accurately describe the way this book made me feel. But I’ll try-

When the Bones Sing is a beautifully written novel about Dove, a girl who can hear the bones of the dead and digs up their bodies. She’s done this way too many times in the last three years and now she and her childhood best friend Lo, the town witch, have to find out who is murdering the hikers who come far and wide to hike a beautiful trail in Arkansas.

Dove doesn’t believe in magic, but everyone in her life does, and through the story you see her soften, to believe in things she can’t quite understand and go from atheist to believer of all things magical. This book holds so much love and light and it takes you on a journey to illuminate the darkness roaming in the woods.

This book is face paced, well written, and keeps you turning the page- and when people say “I couldn’t put it down” I only did because I had to.

The ending was beautifully done and left me in tears.

At this point I think I’d read Ginny Myers Sain’s grocery lists.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

I loved Dark and Shallow Lies so much that I made it a traveling book in my Facebook book club. My expectations for When the Bones Sing were already high, and Sain did not disappoint. All aspects were executed with phenomenal precision - world building, character development, writing style, pacing, and plot. You'll find an abundance of decadent creepiness within these pages. It's written so well that it's almost believed, and the idea is wholly original.

I saw someone post about this book in a group and they raved about it. I immediately added to my TBR and requested an ARC. Was excited when Netgalley approved.

Missing hikers and a teen who can hear bones sing, sounded intriguing and different. This book hooked me right away and I enjoyed the imagery and spooky mountain vibes.

This was my first read from this author and I'm a fan. Would definitely check out other books.

Deep in the Ozark mountains lies the little town of Lucifer’s Creek, home to Dovie Warner, who can hear the bones of dead people sing to her. They call her to find them, and they’ve been coming fast and furious in the last three years. When Dovie realizes her small town has a serial killer, she and best friend Lowan Wilder will set about a quest that may just get them in over their heads. This book was the perfect blend of creepy atmosphere and mysterious thriller that’ll leave you turning pages to find out what happens next.

A Southern Gothic supernatural thriller about a girl who can hear bones sing to her; say no more. This story had all the makings for me, and I enjoyed it right down to the spine-chilling ending.

A teenage girl named Dovie lives in a small Ozark town in Arkansas where can hear the bones of dead sing to her. In Lucifer's Creek, more than two dozen people have disappeared on the local hiking trails without a trace. Seventeen-year-old Dovie doesn't believe in magic, even though she comes from a long line of women who can hear bones sing. However, for the past few years, she has been hearing the bones sing so loudly and persistently and they won't stop until they are dug up. Some believe it is the monstrous Ozarks Howler snatching them up. But Dovie doesn't believe in the Howler or the haunting shadows that her friend Lo sees. All she believes in is her intuition that leads the local Sheriff to the bones. Her desire is to reunite the families with the bones of their loved ones so they can find peace. Lo doesn't know peace, though, as the shadows follow him everywhere. The truth of their deaths isn't hidden in their bones but somewhere deep in the hills. Lo and Dovie must unearth it before someone else is killed.

I loved the storyline and its dark, eerie vibe between Dovie's magical gift and Lo's haunting shadows. Their friendship and love interest brought it all together for me, and I was rooting for them to the very end. I am looking forward to reading more by Ginny Myers Sain.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ginny Myers Sain delivers another eerie, atmospheric thriller with When the Bones Sing, blending Southern gothic mystery, supernatural elements, and chilling suspense. Set in the isolated town of Lucifer’s Creek, Arkansas, this story follows Dovie, a girl with an unsettling gift—she can hear the bones of the dead calling to be found. But when the shadows of the missing hikers begin haunting her best friend, Lo, they realize there’s more to these disappearances than old legends and whispered superstitions.

The novel excels in its eerie, small-town setting, bringing the Ozarks to life with a palpable sense of isolation and dread. The mystery unfolds with well-paced tension, and while I did suspect the guilty party early on, the journey to uncovering the full truth kept me engaged. The twists were well-placed, and the supernatural elements never felt overdone, making the book feel immersive rather than gimmicky.

Dovie is a compelling protagonist, skeptical of the magic that runs in her family, while Lo’s struggles with the shadows following him add emotional depth. Their friendship and evolving dynamic felt natural, though I wished for a bit more development in certain character arcs.

While a few plot points felt slightly predictable, the execution was strong, and the novel’s rich, gothic atmosphere made for an addictive read. If you love eerie mysteries with supernatural twists and a haunting Southern setting, When the Bones Sing is definitely one to add to your TBR!

I really enjoyed this gothic mystery! The story was unique, and I loved the atmospheric setting. This book would be a perfect read for spooky season! Highly recommend!

This one was really hard for me to get into at first. But the book ended up being good! The characters were well written, the word development was good.. I’m glad I pushed through and continued reading.

Listen here, Ginny Myers Sain, I've got a bone to pick with you (see what I did there? BONE. Punny. LOL). Just what do you think you're doing? Going and messing with my heart like that. You're setting the bar so high that no one will be able to reach it.

I loved Dark and Shallow Lies so much that I made it a traveling book in my Facebook book club. My expectations for When the Bones Sing were already high, and Sain did not disappoint. All aspects were executed with phenomenal precision - world building, character development, writing style, pacing, and plot. You'll find an abundance of decadent creepiness within these pages. It's written so well that it's almost believed, and the idea is wholly original. Sain will be a solid auto-buy author for me from now on. This was my most anticipated read of 2025. Thank you to NetGalley for offering this title in their catalog. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own.

If you enjoyed When the Bones Sing, you might like these titles: Small Favors by Erin A Craig, Wake by Lisa McMann, Behold the Bones by Natalie C Parker, Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood, and That Dark Infinity by Kate Pentecost.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I really loved the setting of this one. The author did a great job bringing the oppressive setting to life with meaningful descriptions that were incorporated throughout. There were also some elements of magical realism relating to the supernatural that added an interesting element to this work. I enjoyed how well the author wove those aspects throughout the plot and setting in a way that helped to bring it all to life.

The characters were fine, but didn't particularly stand out to me in any way. There was a love triangle that wasn't compelling at all. There was one thing that was a pivotal point near the end, about 85% through I think, that just didn't work for me. It was one of those situations where there was a simple solution, but instead the character went the most convoluted way about doing something just so that tension would be built up throughout the book. It felt cheap to me and did lessen my enjoyment. The solution to the antagonist was also predictable and somewhat underwhelming.

Overall this is a decent YA supernatural mystery that kept me entertained but did have some weaker points. My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Let me first say this is a beautiful cover. I read and love Ginny's Dark and Shallow Lies so i was excited to see this book offered.
"When the Bones Sing" is Southern Supernatural Gothic at its finest, the main character 17 year old Dovie hears the bones of the dead. They call to her as they have called to previous generation of the women in the life line. This is an eerie story filled with creepiness that will keep you reading.


Thank you NetGalley and G. P. Putman's Sons Books for Young Readers for the electronic advanced edition of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Really enjoyed this one!

Ginny Myers Sain jumped to my favorite authors category right after I read her debut. I love her writing style but also how she draws out real characters in real life situations - with some very "un real" things that happen to them.

I easily slipped into this novel and found myself right back in a favorite place with her writing and worlds. I like the creepy factor (not too much but just enough) and I really enjoyed the whole premise of the town and the disappearing hikers.

It's a small world for this book, but it works well for the story.

Can't remember the content...I think some language? But in all I enjoyed it and would recommend to fans of lyrical thrillers.

My rating: 4.5*

---
Received a complimentary copy of this from the publisher and NetGalley. All options are my own.