ARC Review: The Dark Bones by Loreth Anne White

The Dark Bones
Author: Loreth Anne White
Series: A Dark Lure novel
Publication: Montlake Romance (May 21, 2019)

Description: She’s come back to solve the mystery of her father’s death and confront her own dark past.

When Detective Rebecca North left her rural hometown, she vowed never to return. Her father’s apparent suicide has changed that. The official report is that retired cop Noah North shot himself, knocked over a lantern, and set his isolated cabin ablaze. But Rebecca cannot believe he killed himself.

To prove it, she needs the help of Ash Haugen, the man she left behind. But Rebecca and Ash share more than broken hearts. Something darker lies between them, and the investigation is stirring it back to life. Clues lead them to the home of Olivia West and her deeply troubled twelve-year-old daughter, Tori. The child knows more about the murder than anyone can imagine, but she’s too terrified to say a word.

And as a cold-blooded killer resurfaces from the past, Rebecca and Ash begin to fear that their own secrets may be even harder to survive.

My Thoughts: Detective Rebecca North was eager to leave the small town where she grew up. After her boyfriend's betrayal, she couldn't get out of town fast enough. She's built a good life for herself working on white collar crime in Ottawa.

But now Rebecca is back after the apparent suicide of her father. Noah North was a retired police officer who made his own moonshine and drank too much of it. He was also paranoid. But being paranoid doesn't mean that someone isn't out to get you. Rebecca doesn't believe that her father committed suicide but, rather, that a cold case that he was investigating was the cause of his death.

As Rebecca investigates her father's death and the old case that might have caused it, she is forced to work with Ash Haugen, the man who broke her heart and, who might be a suspect in the old case. Ash is clearly keeping secrets. When Whitney, the girl he betrayed her with, and her boyfriend disappear, everyone thinks they just left town to move to LA for a better life. But some months later an investigation is begun when Whitney never contacts anyone from home.

The town seems filled with secrets as Rebecca uncovers a lot of them in her investigation. In fact, she finds herself in a lot of danger as she gets to close to uncovering those who killed her father.

The story was filled with flashbacks. We begin by seeing Whitney on the run from hunters who want her dead. We also see what happens on that hot July day twenty years earlier when Rebecca discovers Ash after a sexual encounter with Whitney. And what happens when Whitney comes across an injured Ash and swears he had an accident falling off a horse.

This was an entertaining mystery with well-developed and complex characters. I was totally engaged in this suspenseful story.

Favorite Quote:

It meant a predator could still be out there. One who might kill again.

Or not.

Maybe it really was all just as it seemed. As Dr. Seuss had said. And she was being infected by her father's paranoia. As it if were a germ that still clung to this place and his clothing and his truck.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.