I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the Dark Lure series. However, I don't feel like you need to read the first book to get it. They can both be read as stand-alones. I have read five other Loreth Anne White books and I really appreciate her style of writing and stories. She tends write darker and more psychological thrillers rather than action-packed suspenses. And even though there are couples involved in all of the ones I've read, they are not your usual romance novels. The sex scenes, when they happen, are not the focus of the story. She gives a lot more to the character development than many other authors I've read that fall into the romantic suspense genre.

I enjoyed the book and had trouble takes pauses towards the end as the case was wrapping up. Even though there was no cliffhanger indicating another book, I can see other characters that could have their own stories.

This was FANTASTIC! I was drawn right in from the beginning and my attention was firmly held throughout the book with each twist and turn adding more intrigue and suspense. I struggled to put this down which I already expected would happen after reading the first book in the series. It was good to see some of the characters from the first book but I really enjoyed the new characters. I would highly recommend this, even as a standalone.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #MontlakeRomance for this ARC of #TheDarkBones

As a long time fan of @LorethAnneWhite, I was unexpectedly disappointed in this novel. The writing did not hold true to White's aptitude as a veteran author. The plot did not feel authentic for this genre and there was a odd amount of repetitive phrasing throughout the manuscript. In addition, the misdirect on the antagonist(s) lacked subtly and the pace of the plot stalled in several spots. For those who like a slower paced novel and who are newer to this genre, it may be a good starter book. 3 stars.

Much more than just a “romance” novel, Loren Anne White weaves a tale that is a fast-paced and exciting ride through a twenty-year mystery. Set in a small, Canadian town during winter, flawed characters come to life in a story I just couldn’t wait to finish!

Thanks to Montlake Romance and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to enjoy a preview copy of this book!

So, I stayed up until the early hours of the morning reading this. This story is packed with tension, is tightly plotted and the chemistry between Rebecca and Ash is tangible. While I guess what happened halfway through the book it in no way took away my enjoyment from the story. I think because this book is so much more than the mystery plot—it’s about a daughter grappling with guilt about her strained relationship with her dad, it’s about second chances, heartache and betrayal and how damaging some secrets are. Rebecca is fiery and intelligent, willfully independent and confident, I loved getting to know her.

As a warning: this story has some hard, tragic and heartbreaking revelations. It’s brutal and sad, but the result helps the reader understand how some characters are the way they are.

Highly recommend!

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.




Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book it was a great experience. The first page had me glued to the book first time reading anything from this author

Another great book by Loreth Anne White! The minute I started reading this book I didn't want to do anything but read. This is definitely a great mystery of who killed Noah North and how does his death intertwine with two missing teens. Captivated yet ? well you should be this book had suspense, great characters and the writing was perfect! I love that this author is so descriptive in her writing that you really feel you are there every step of the story. Becca and Ash are two great characters and I am hoping we will see them in a future book. I can't say anything bad about this book! I absolutely loved it and will keep on reading anything by Loreth Anne White. LOVED !!! Read today you will not be disappointed!

Full review to be published online in late May.

THE DARK BONES is the long awaited second book in Loreth Anne White’s riveting suspense series ‘A Dark Lure’. Here the reader is faced with the question of what happened to two missing teens twenty years ago; and is the death of detective Rebecca North’s father somehow connected to the case? And how do all these people play a part! Such a great read. Perfect amount of mystery and suspense and straight to the point. It was so cool how the author led us down one questionable path only to throw a huge plot twist - followed by a few more. Kept me on my toes! Never a dull moment in this great read!

THE DARK BONES by Loreth Anne White is recommended to fans of quality thrillers; and it is not necessary to have read the first book of the series to enjoy this one.

This book grips you within the first paragraph and does not let go. I found myself thinking about the characters while I played with my kids, when I was at work, when I was in my evening classes, and while I did mindless day to day tasks. I was sucked in whole heartedly and I LOVE that. Even now, having finished it I am wondering what’s next for Becca.

If you enjoy crime fiction, I can not recommend Loreth Anne White enough. Get this book, you will NOT be disappointed.

The Dark Bones is a highly atmospheric, chilling suspense story wrapped in the arms of a young-love-gone-wrong, second-chance romance. The blistering pace set in the opening pages is driven by a sinister presence - a sense of impending doom that continues to swell as the story unfolds - one that impelled this reader to burn the midnight oil in a frenzied search for answers. A story in which past secrets and betrayals refuse to remain buried, escaping and snowballing out of control like an avalanche destroying everything in its path. A story in which one seemingly insignificant moment in time, one fleeting connection between two people, sealed the fate of others.

"Can you pinpoint the exact instant your life starts on a collision course with someone else's? Can you trace back to the moment those lives did finally intersect, and from where they spiraled outward again, yet from that point they remained forever entwined, two lives locked one with another?" (quote: The Dark Bones)

Twenty years ago, Becca North left her small hometown of Clinton, West Canada, with a broken heart brought about by the ultimate betrayal of then boyfriend Ash Haugen. And now, Sgt. Rebecca North of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police returns home to bury her father, retired officer Noah North, a victim of apparent suicide. She's carrying a world of guilt and regret over missed opportunities and time lost with her father whose life had taken a downward spiral in recent years as he succumbed to alcoholism. In his final days, it appears Noah was immersed in an investigation of a twenty year old cold case - the unsolved disappearance of two teenagers. In his last phone call to Rebecca, he'd babbled about lies and secrets and being followed and watched. Was it just the drunken ramblings of an old, has-been cop chasing ghosts in the bottom of a bottle? Or had Noah discovered something that led to his death? Rebecca's investigation into her father's death means partnering with her ex-love - the one who lied to her twenty years ago and is still harboring dark secrets. She'll distance herself and accept his help, but not his heart. Together, they rattle some cages and uncover some skeletons that someone wants to keep buried. Rebecca's in danger of losing both her heart . . . and her life. She doesn't intend to relent her hold on either.


By integrating a bit of the past within the present, the author pulls readers inside characters' heads, peeling back layers and exposing long-buried, dark secrets. While White does an outstanding job of weaving backstory into this book, I highly recommend reading The Dark Lure first as a few of the characters with key roles in The Dark Bones are first introduced there - most notably Oliva West and her troubled twelve year old daughter Tori. White's vivid, descriptive writing style is once again apparent as her mad writing skills breathe life into a hauntingly beautiful yet deadly, frozen landscape - one that intertwines intricately within the twisted plot line, careening readers in many different directions. She also brilliantly captures the small town atmosphere of gossipy neighbors as well as a menacing "good-old-boys" mentality that fuels the dark, ugly, ominous undercurrent flowing through this small town that refuses to give up its tangled, devious web of secrets. A well-developed, unique support cast adds both depth and a long list of possible suspects for readers to ponder. Avoid all spoilers and jump into this one blind as you'll want to experience and figure this one out as you read.

The Dark Bones is a dark, gritty, heart racing journey with all the desired elements of a great mystery/suspense/thriller story paired with the added bonus of a complicated, emotional second-chance romance. After reading the first few pages, I knew I was in for one hell of a ride and, as always, Loreth Anne White delivered! Another fantastic Must Read Masterpiece by one of my favorite authors!

The Dark Bones takes us back to Cariboo County where we first met Olivia, Cole, and Tori in A Dark Lure. We meet Rebecca when returns to her hometown after the death of her father. Once home, she’s determined to solve the mystery of his death even if it means delving into her painful past.

This book sucked me in from page one. I was excited that Olivia & Tori were brought into the story, plus some new characters that I want more of. The Dark Bones was suspenseful, compelling, and totally un-put-down-able. Full of twists that you won’t see coming. I never hesitate to pick up a book by Loreth Anne White. Always well written and highly entertaining!

*ARC Provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

It's been awhile since there has been a book in this series. It was worth the wait! Full of mystery, suspense, action, and great characters this story is full of twists that will keep the reader guessing. This is more than a mystery, it's a story about forgiveness, redemption, and love. As an added bonus the characters from book one play an important role and it's nice to see where they are after their story ended. I hope there are future books in this series. It's a highly recommended winner!

"Whatever started that night at the fair.... was not done yet. Not by a long shot."

This is the second book in the dark lure series, and while I believe it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first book because it's just that good. This story surrounds Rebecca "Becca", a detective who returns to her homegrown to investigate the suicide of her estranged and alcoholic father. The investigation leads her right to Ash, the boyfriend who betrayed and broke her heart 20 years prior. All the secrets they kept about the night that tore them apart bubbles to the surface and interweaves with a 20 year old cold case about two missing teenagers. White weaves a story that is mesmerizing and thrilling. I was hooked by the first paragraph, I desperately wanted to know what happened to Whitney, the girl who just wanted to live her dream. With unexpected and riveting twists, it was without a doubt a compelling thriller that really show's White’s storytelling talent. It was also an exploration of love, grief, compassion, and forgiveness. I think anyone who loves a good mystery/thriller will love this novel. I devoured it in one afternoon. My only sticking point and why I didn't rate this five stars was it took me a long time to warm to Becca and I never really connected with Ash. I think I just wasn't ready to let go of Olivia, Cole and Tori and kept wishing for more chapters dedicated to them and how Olivia and Tori coped with the events of Book 1. Overall, this book was extremely well written and is worth picking up. Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this novel early in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the dark lure series, and follows the story of Rebecca who returns to investigate her fathers ‘suicide’...Every piece of evidence seems to lead to her ex boyfriend Ash, and with everyone keeping secrets the story stayed interesting and, as a reader, you were kept guessing. It lacked the same intensity as the first book and I found it took me awhile to warm to Becca, but it still had ‘OMG’ moments and it was really good to catch up with Olivia and Cole. I really hope Tori gets her own story when she’s older. Another good book

Readers return to Lake Lure and reunite with familiar characters as they meet new protagonists. Rebecca North has taken time away from her job as a police detective in Canada to return home after the death of her father. The guilt she feels is immense, she had been dismissive of his desire to re-examine a twenty year old cold case. A cold case involving two missing teens, a case that Rebecca and her then boyfriend had more knowledge than they ever divulged. Regretting her lies and her silence, Rebecca decides to honor her father by finally bringing to light what happened all those years before. But someone is willing to kill to keep the past and it’s secrets buried. I liked this story for its flawed and remorseful heroine, who was so much more believable than some of the super cops I see features in mysteries these days

What a thrill ride this newest novel from White. I was literally freezing the entire book because of her lyrical prose about the Canadian woods. Secrets from the past come up to surface when Rebecca returns home when her father apparently committed suicide... or did he? Rekindling romance between Rebecca and Ash add a touch of heart to this dark, gritty thriller. Every title White pens is amazing and I always highly recommend. Thank you Loreth and Netgalley for the advance read.

Winston Churchill famously described the Soviet Union as “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma,". The story contained in <i>The Dark Bones</i> can be described as a betrayal, wrapped in a lie, inside a crime.
On other side of the country from her hometown, RMCP Sgt Rebecca North is notified that her father, former RMCP officer Noah North has died from a self-inflicted shotgun wound after setting his rural cabin on fire.
After a five day battle with weather and airlines Rebecca finally arrives in her hometown of Clinton.
Rebecca is immediately overwhelmed with guilt, she had seldom returned to Clinton because of a broken heart. To add to her guilt, just five days ago she had basically shut her father down on the phone after he began some of his drunken conspiracy meanderings; this time accusing Rebecca of lying about her former boyfriend, Ash Haugen.
In retirement, Noah spent much of his time looking into his old cold cases. This time it is a crime that Noah believes both Ash and Rebecca are involved in. Their individual reaction, what crime?
It doesn’t take long before Rebecca encounters Ash at the frozen, burned cabin where Noah died. Ash also doesn’t believe Noah took his own life. Trouble is, if Noah was murdered, Ash is the number one suspect. Worse trouble is that Rebecca rediscovers her abiding love for him.
Ash and Rebecca quickly find proof that Tori Burton and Ricky Simon, a troubled kid facing a third strike arrest, were raiding Noah’s moonshine when Noah was shot. Tori, is the daughter of Olivia West from the terrific <i> A Dark Lure</i> . Tori and Olivia are still finding their way into a true mother daughter relationship and Tori refuses to confide in her mother.
Rebecca and Ash must not only find Noah’s killer, but they must protect Tori and Ricky while gaining their trust.
Some writers would tippy-toe around the grittier details of horrific crimes and crime scenes, but not Ms White. Sometimes I really wish she would; because she is that first rate and it can be disturbing reading. “Melted into the recliner” will stay with me for a long time.
On the other hand her descriptions of the physical beauties and winter dangers of the western part of Canada are glorious. I am this close to booking a trip on the Mountaineer train through Western Canada. All I need is to pick the bank to rob.
White also does a bang up job with the scenes with the police. I was delighted to read an interview scene that uses a different technique for eliciting information, not the usual question and answer mode.
Ms White’s characters will almost break your heart. Ash the betrayed, living most of his life in darkness has a moment in the sun, until he betrays. Then there will be one monstrous lie that causes heartbreak and death through the decades. The liar is easy to hate, but White draws us in with her gentle empathy. Rebecca, who blindly sees herself as the only betrayed almost forgives. Olivia, Cole McDonough and Tori are still doing the family dance of love and trust trying to figure out their places. Then there is Ricky. A First Nations boy, the troubled kid who might move you most of all.
.The crimes that haunt, so many deaths, so many lies, so many betrayals; <i>The Dark Bones</i> is also a love story; between friends, parents, brothers, sisters and lovers slowing building trust again.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A dark thriller that weaves wrongdoings of 20 years ago into present day with murderous outcomes.

The location setting is a familiar one along with Olivia, Cole and Tori returning from the first book. But that is where the similarities to the first book end. New characters, Canadian detective Rebecca North and rancher Ash Haugen and their traumatic childhood pasts are the main characters in this second book in the series.

Rebecca returns home after the alleged suicide of her father. She feels guilt over their past estrangement and for not taking his last call to her right before his death more seriously. He was re-looking into the cold case of 2 teens who went missing 20 years ago and he knows that both Rebecca and Ash, who were in love back then, both lied about things that happened back then.

Betrayals are abundant throughout along with many murders to cover-up to keep hidden the sins of the past. Rebecca's investigation is the forefront of the story and keeps you fascinated with finding out both the past and present mysteries and how they are connected.