3.5 stars I enjoyed parts of this book and thought the ending really made the book. This follows several different characters after a body is found buried under a chapel at a ski resort. We get chapters from the detective trying to solve the 40+ old case as well as the mom and sister of the suspected skeleton and the 6 friends who were originally questioned when she disappeared. It did take me a little time to get into it with all the characters but about half way through it kicked in and the ending surprised me. Overall this was a decent mystery

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC

This book was very hard to review, because I wasn’t as invested for about the first half of the book as I had hoped, mostly because of the slow pacing - but it definitely had me in the end and I loved the depths of the story. Other than most mysteries/thriller stories where the introduced suspects often turn out to be the murderers gaffer just a few chapters, the story unfolded in a completely different way, giving all of the many characters enough time to tell their stories. The many POVs were a bit overwhelming at first, but really helped to tell the story of an unsolved murder with very dark twists.

3.25/5 ⭐️

Thank you to MB Communications, Montlake, #partner, for the copy of The Unquiet Bones in exchange for my honest review.

This is the third book I’ve read by Loreth Anne White and I am most definitely a fan! I really liked the previous two books I read by her and as soon as I heard about this one, I couldn’t request it fast enough!

Knowing this was inspired by a true crime that occurred in North Vancouver, Canada in 1976 immediately drew me in. I love cold case mysteries and the police procedural aspect of this one really was done so well. It’s told from multiple points of view and also flashes back in time to when the disappearance actually happened. I loved this structure as it really helped to build the suspense and tension in the story, while also introducing all the players involved. So many secrets are slowly revealed and everyone has a motivation.

There are a lot of characters and the use of so many points of view does take a bit to get used to, especially since the author changes how she refers to the characters. Sometimes she uses first names, and at other times, she uses nicknames and initials. But eventually you are able to put it all together and work out who is who.

This book is so cleverly plotted and it kept me fully engaged from start to finish. The twists were expertly placed, with plenty of red herrings, and led to quite a shocking conclusion…I definitely did not see any of that coming! This is a highly addictive, binge-worthy read that I definitely recommend!

Another great thriller is The Unquiet Bones by Loreth Anne White which came out on the 5th of March. I received a copy from Montlake (Brilliance Publishing) via Netgalley.

Human bones are found beneath an old chapel and these remains could be linked to the case of missing teen Annalise Jansen. Detective Jane Munro is given the case and she is determined to bring closure for the girl’s family. However, Annalise’s old friends, are afraid to be exposed. The case takes another turn when a second body is discovered. How far will they go to keep their secret?

I really like the different characters although there were quite a lot. Sometimes it was a bit difficult to keep up with all the different characters but they were all really worked out. I especially like the character of the detective Jane Munro Ash she has quite the backstory, which I hope will be told in more detail as well in coming books about this character. The story itself was quite riveting and exciting and the pace of it was just great. I really liked the ending as well.

So, this book is an absolute recommendation although it has quite the amount of characters in it. Once you get through that and you get to know the characters it's a superb read.

4,5/5 ⭐

The Unquiet Bones by Loreth Anne White is a cold case thriller with a shocking conclusion.

Will Jane find Annalise's killer?

The story bounces around with numerous points of view, yet I found myself drawn to Sargeant Jane Munro's story within the story so compelling. Not that Annalise or Darryl's parts are less entertaining. I enjoyed how Ms. White showed the point of view of all those involved in the happenings of that one night so long ago.

Sargeant Jane Munro
Jane is a police sergeant whose fiancee is missing; she is pregnant and has been transferred to the cold case division of one herself. She is a strong woman but is having a hard time dealing with her loss. At first, she is pushing people away; however, by the end, she realizes that community isn't terrible. I like that she is vulnerable and intelligent. Jane Munro is going to make a great mom.

The Victims
Annalise Jansen and Darryl Hendricks both go missing on the same night in 1976. Darryl was Annalise's math tutor; other than that, the connection is minimal. However, two families lost their children, and their lives were changed.

Annalise and her crowd were at a party. They were privileged and indulged in alcohol and drugs. Darryl was highly intelligent and had a good heart. Yet, he lived on the other side of town, not privileged but noble. This story tells the tale of abuse, lies, and how that can affect the lives of all around them.

Darryl's family motto is "Be the change you want to see." He lived by that. It truly touched me that he felt and lived that way, only to be done in by a lie.

Five Stars
My rating for The Unquiet Bones by Loreth Anne White is five stars. This story had me on the edge of my seat with all of the points of view and the cause of the deaths. I know the author lies blame on a specific person (which is true) and the ripples of those actions, but there were others with their selfish gains involved, too. I know the court case will be long and drawn out. At least the families have some closure, whether it is what they want or not.

I am unsure if I would have picked this book up at the bookstore on my own. However, I am glad that Megan sent it to us. The author spins a fantastic story, and the characters are so believable. I recommend this book to all you thriller readers out there.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Unquiet Bones by Loreth Anne White.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

EXCERPT: I need to find a way out. I don't know what to do. Part of me wants to tell Contrary about it, but I keep chickening out. It's easier to be angry at her and not say anything because I'm afraid if I tell her, it will change what she thinks of me forever. And I'm scared it will somehow get out because, after all, a secret is only a secret if you keep it exclusively to yourself. Or maybe I'm afraid that voicing it to Contrary will make it seem more horribly real than it is, and I desperately don't want it to be real. But I can't do this alone. I really need someone to help me, and I don't know who I can ask if I can't tell anyone. Not one single soul. Except . . . maybe there is one person. . .

ABOUT 'THE UNQUIET BONES': When human bones are found beneath an old chapel in the woods, evidence suggests the remains could be linked to the decades-old case of missing teen Annalise Jansen.

Homicide detective Jane Munro—pregnant and acutely attuned to the preciousness of life—hopes the grim discovery will finally bring closure to the girl’s family. But for a group of Annalise’s old friends, once dubbed the Shoreview Six by the media, it threatens to expose a terrible pledge made on an autumn night forty-seven years ago.

The friends are now highly respected, affluent members of their communities, and none of them ever expected the dark chapter in their past to resurface. But as Jane and forensic anthropologist Dr. Ella Quinn peel back the layers of secrets, the group begins to fracture. Will one cave? Will they turn on each other?

The investigation takes a sharp turn when Jane discovers a second body—that of the boy long blamed for Annalise’s disappearance. As the bones tell their story, the group learns just how far each will go to guard their own truth.

MY THOUGHTS: I certainly wasn't expecting this ending!

There is a lot of focus in this story on teenage peer pressure - the need to belong, the need for approval - and the devastating consequences it can have later in life if you don't listen to your inner voice telling you what is right.

I have read a lot of variations on this plot over the years, but there are two themes in Loreth Anne White's book that set it apart. One leads into the other, but to reveal them would be a major spoiler. It was a twist I certainly didn't see coming and, while shocking, it really was the perfect ending.

Sergeant Jane Munro is an interesting character. She has been sidelined into the cold case unit following an "episode" at work - we aren't privy to what this episode was - is pregnant and suffering PTSD following the disappearance of her fiancé. I really liked Jane. She is both vulnerable and strong. She is dogged, determined and thorough, as ex-police chief Knox Raymond finds out to his detriment. I would like to see another book featuring her character.

⭐⭐⭐.8

#TheUnquietBones #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: A recovering journalist who has worked in both South Africa and Canada, Loreth Anne White now calls Canada home. She resides in the Pacific Northwest, dividing time between Victoria on Vancouver Island, a ski resort in the Coast Mountains, and a rustic lakeside cabin in the Cariboo.

When she’s not writing or dreaming up plots, you will find her on the lakes, in the ocean, or on the trails with her dog where she tries—unsuccessfully—to avoid bears.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Montlake via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Unquiet Bones by Loreth Anne White for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Trust me!! 😉 You don’t want to miss this one!! 😍 Wow!! This was a wild ride! This was my first book by @lorethannewhite and I loved it!! ❤️ I will definitely be reading her backlist!! Listen to this…

Inspired by a true crime.. a murder of a 16 year old.. coming home from a party in 1976… her body was found right outside her house…😳🥺… Her murder has never been solved to this day… OH WOW… how heartbreaking… NOW that you have the background… on to THIS story…

A body is found… and it is thought to be female.. but it’s been buried for a very long time… as word gets out that a human skeleton has been found.. under the church.. 😳… the fact that she is still wearing a platform 👢 boot.. has EVERYONE talking… is it… HER?? After 47 years.. has she FINALLY be found?? 😳

My mind was all over the place… were their multiple girls missing??? Who’s POV is accurate?? Who knows what happened that night?? Everyone… and I mean everyone.. was a suspect in my mind… 🤔🤔 🕵️‍♀️

Especially fascinating was the the group of besties.. The Shoreview Six… who were thick as thieves.. and still are.. 🤨

I loved our detective Jane… she herself knows what it is like… to not have closure. I would absolutely LOVE to see Jane again!! Guys… this book was eerie… twisted… and shocking!! That ending… 😬😧😳😠🤯🤯🤯🤯

Highly recommend!!

This author is one of my favorites , she never disappoints. I loved the multiple POV and the forensic parts in the book .

Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

This author is so talented. This book is like looking at a masterpiece. I loved the writing and the scene so much. I could barely stand it. I want to listen to this as an audiobook or read it again when I am alone.

Jane Munro is a homicide detective who has been relegated to cold cases after the traumatic disappearance of her fiance during a hiking trip. Jane is also pregnant with their child that she only found out about after he went missing. This motivates her to give closure to other families. When bones are found underneath an old chapel she is called in to help solve the case of the identity of the bones and what happened. There was a missing girl from fifty years ago who seemed to fit the description of the bones that were found. The missing girls' group of friends starts to panic that their secret will finally come to light if they don't get their stories straight again after all this time.

Loreth Anne White is a brilliant writer who is gifted with suspenseful and thrilling stories. I was completely enraptured throughout this book. There are so many layers to every character that is introduced and it is done in a way that is not confusing or hard to follow. I highly recommend this book to mystery/thriller lovers.

Wow! This was an unexpected surprise! I’ve never read this author before, and I’m delighted to say, I hope to read more books from Loretta Anne White. This book was thoroughly engaging, with a deep list of characters, and several murders. Throw in the twists and turns as the main character, Jane, solves the crimes, and the result is a gripping thriller!
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake publishers for the ARC.
This review is my honest opinion!
5 stars

I’ve read and enjoyed almost all of Loreth Anne White’s books so I was excited to receive this arc. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with this novel as much as I thought I would. The Unquiet Bones follows a large cast of characters as the police try to solve the decades-old case of missing teen Annalise Jansen. I enjoyed the chapters following the police investigation, with the inclusion of anthropologist Dr. Ella Quinn. However, I figured out the mystery early on. That, coupled with a load of unlikeable characters, led me to feel let down in the end.

It took me awhile to get into this book. There was way too many characters introduced in the beginning. It was a slow burn for me. I hate when the story keeps mentioning "the secret" but the reader doesn't know what it is. It's frustrating. But I did not see the twist coming. That's what I loved about this book. Great story and writing.

Thank you to NetGalley, Montlake and Loreth Anne White for an ARC of 'The Unquiet Bones'

An author who consistently writes excellent page-turners is Loreth Anne White. I started reading her books a while ago, and now whenever I see she has a new one, I immediately get it. The Unquiet Bones was excellent. You cannot go wrong with any of her other books!

Synopsis:

When human bones are found beneath an old chapel in the woods, evidence suggests the remains could be linked to the decades-old case of missing teen Annalise Jansen.

Homicide detective Jane Munro—pregnant and acutely attuned to the preciousness of life—hopes the grim discovery will finally bring closure to the girl’s family. But for a group of Annalise’s old friends, once dubbed the Shoreview Six by the media, it threatens to expose a terrible pledge made on an autumn night forty-seven years ago.

The friends are now highly respected, affluent members of their communities, and none of them ever expected the dark chapter in their past to resurface. But as Jane and forensic anthropologist Dr. Ella Quinn peel back the layers of secrets, the group begins to fracture. Will one cave? Will they turn on each other?

The investigation takes a sharp turn when Jane discovers a second body—that of the boy long blamed for Annalise’s disappearance. As the bones tell their story, the group learns just how far each will go to guard their own truth.

Out now!

This was a good police procedural/mystery to read. There was a lot going on, with lots of red herring, and a final twist I definitely didn't see coming, Though when I think about it, if it sounds like that's too obvious, it probably is? With so many character POVs though the flow didn't really work well for me. It is just not my preferred style. But overall a surprise full of secrets.

Thank you to the publisher for my review copy.

I read The Unquiet Bones in two days! I would have read it in one sitting if it weren’t for things like work & sleep that got in the way😂. I absolutely loved this missing person crime thriller novel.

The story is told from multiple POVs and in dual timelines. It is full of secrets and lies, with twists that you don’t see coming. I loved the character of Detective Jane Munro and would love to read more books from her perspective and future investigations. I have my fingers crossed that this turns into a series!

Thank you Montlake for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Check the trigger warnings on this one. This was dark but good. The setting was great in Northwest Canada, and I liked the detective, Jane. This book had multiple POVs, but too many. There were a lot of characters to follow, and that many POVs is hard to keep straight. The ending was shocking, and also why I say to check the trigger warnings.

A psychological thriller begins when bones are found and a cold case heats up fast. I greatly enjoyed my first Loreth Ann White book. The prickling chills and suspenseful climax with some surprise twists had stuck with me, and I was eager to pick up her latest release.



The Unquiet Bones begins in the present when old bones are accidentally dug up, setting Royal Canadian Mounted Police homicide detective Jane Munro on a new case. Forensics provides the shocking news that the bones are associated with an unsolved disappearance from forty-seven years before. The past comes front and center, splitting the storyline.

Two stories in one: 1976 and the present. The Shoreview Six, the girls associated with the disappearance of Annaliese, have moved on, but once the bones are discovered, they are uneasy and must protect the lies from the past with more lies.



I was fascinated by the forensics work and police procedural details. However, I confess to being a little confused at first by the large cast of characters including the Shoreview Six, an investigative journalist, the forensics specialist, and others associated with the case, but I eventually got the strands sorted.



I liked Jane as the detective and the backstory of her boyfriend who disappeared into the wilderness on a hiking trip and she never had the chance to tell him she was pregnant with his child. Jane showed a great deal of steel managing her personal troubles during this difficult case.



Atmospheric, haunting tension, dark twists and turns, and a shocking, horrific reveal brought all I expected and more from Loreth Anne White's latest, The Unquiet Bones.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

There are many characters and all of them are worried about themselves; things they have done in the past. When a body is found underneath a remote chapel, everything starts getting examined to the unhappiness of many people.

Jane is excited to have a cold case with some real evidence and something important to do aside from her own difficulties. Her fiancé is missing and she is six months pregnant. She is smart and an excellent investigator. She is dogged by unscrupulous reporters. However she perseveres. It is wonderful for her to have the job to do and do well.

The six friends who know parts of the night have gone on with their lives and careers for 47 years. They have lied and covered the truths they knew for all that time. While Annalise was dead. Now with bodies found, there will be closure for the families but nothing is what they thought.

I loved the tension of the characters who felt they might get caught. I enjoyed the triumph of Jane pursuing the evidence and steady progress. There were plenty of twists I didn't expect. I also wonder if we will have more stories of Jane and her future.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this compelling book

where to start with this one.....

an old church is being moved and the contractors are busy making that happen but when they uncover a leg bone with a boot attached the police are called in

Homicide detective Jane Munro is that person... very pregnant , she has been moved to the cold cases as a disciplinary for previous events and she lands this case

as the investigations continues the identity of the bones comes into focus and people start to get nervous..... old promises come out and need to be enforced again

omg this book kept me riveted right to the end and the outcome wow wasnt what i expected at all.... what a read....