Close to the Bone (Widow's Island Novella Book 1)

I much anticipated this first book in the Widow's Island novella series by Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh. As a team of writers alternating books in a series, they fit together flawlessly, I am happy to report that I was not at all disappointed! This first book whetted my appetite, and I am eagerly looking forward to more. I say in all of my reviews that dialogue and character development are critical to my enjoyment of a story, and Kendra Elliot is masterful at creating a believable story with well developed characters and clear plot lines.The premise of the book is that people who belong to Widow's Island may leave, but they are drawn back to the island eventually, and if you don't belong there, the island knows. . FBI Special Agent Cate Wilde was raised on Widow's Island, but left to follow her career on the mainland. Shot on a routine investigation, she has come home to heal, but gets drawn into a murder investigation when bones are discovered on neighboring Ruby's Island and she is the only FBI agent close enough to attend. She meets up with childhood friend Tessa Black, who has also gone into law enforcement, and together they look into the identity of the remains. She meets the new island doctor, who also doubles as the coroner, and she is intrigued by him. The remains also bring up memories of a friend of Cate and Tessa who disappeared almost twenty years ago. Could it be her? Ah ah! You have to read the book to find out!A fast, but complete read, this novella is definitely worth the price!!

It was a great read with a strong plot and well-developed characters. I couldn't give it full marks because of the bad language. The offensive language actually derailed the writing. I was very disappointed in the author's choice for her characterization.

I'm a die hard Kendra fan, if she writes it, I will read it!!!!I'm not a huge fan of novella's because it always leaves me wanting/needing more. But, when Kendra and Melinda Leigh write them, I just have to read them!This story has a great characters, murder, mayhem, a little love interest, and its a quick enjoyable read.Of course neither Kendra or Melinda write fast enough for me..give me more, I need more!!!!

A small island in the Northwest, Widow’s Island seems to be a quirky place. Living up to its name, people say husbands don’t out live their wives. Also, there is a ghost, with a story behind it of course, and even the FBI Agent who was raised on the Island has seen it. The island has some magical calming effect on people who are supposed to live there. The Island decides who’s “supposed” to live there.A romantic suspense novella, this book has a murder mystery, and lots of characters. The suspense is not intense and the romance is just beginning. There is very little character development and it feels like a rushed work. Some novellas or short stories seem like just part of a book, instead of a really worthwhile separate tale. “Close to the Bone” just didn’t grab my interest.

Not my favorite because I prefer long (big) books instead of Novettas - didn't realize this one was a Novetta until I started to read it. Had a good story but way too short to really get to know the characters, etc. Usually I like Kendra Elliot's writing but not in a novetta style.

Who would think about a group of islands named Widow’s Island, population 5,000, Ruby’s Island, population one, Elias’ Island, and Camilla’s Island.The story involves discovery of human bones on Ruby’s Island, Rex Conan, a top ten author of mystery novels whose only child, Becca, has been missing two years and who owns and lives on Ruby’s Island, Dr. Henry Powers, new doctor for the island group who just learned he had inherited the title of coroner, Logan Wilde the new Park Service Ranger, and Cate Wilde, an FBI agent who is currently staying on Widow’s Island, and Tessa Black, a deputy sheriff and Cate’s best friend since childhood. While the Sheriff is on leave, Tessa is the resident sheriff’s deputy to be involved in trying to determine to whom the skeleton belongs. Since this is the second teenaged girl to go missing on the islands the FBI is contacted and Cate is reactivated to assist in solving the crime.Rex is fearful the bones are those of his daughter, Cate and Tessa want to know if the bones are those of Samantha Bishop, the third person in their tight group of friends who disappeared when the girls were fourteen years old. The jaw of the skeleton has braces on the teeth and both girls had braces when they disappeared.Logan Wilde, brother of Cate Wilde, returned to Widow’s Island, taking the job of park ranger after he left the Army, and Cate Wilde who received a gunshot wound in her shoulder while on duty on the mainland is recuperating on Widow’s Island. They are both living with their grandmother, Jane Sutton, who raised them on the island.People and vehicles are transported by ferry from the island to the mainland and from the mainland to the island Unfortunately, it is non-operational almost as much as it is operational.Two teenagers trespassing on Ruby’s Island which is wholly owned by Rex Conan, come across human bones, and call the discovery in to the Sheriff’s office. Since it appears the skeleton belongs to a minor, the Sheriff’s office calls the FBI to investigate. The FBI calls on Cate, even though she is on sick leave, because they cannot get an agent from the mainland to the island.Can you see what’s about to happen to the young adult residents of Widow’s Island? If not, you’ll have to read the book to find out about Logan, Cate, Tessa, and Dr. Powers and to see how their joint efforts solved the mystery of the skeleton found on Ruby’s Island.I loved this book, but then I haven’t read anything by Kendra Elliot or Melinda Leigh, her writing partner, that I did not love. They are great authors and I highly recommend you read all of their works.

Easy reading as usual, also, Kendra pulls you in slowly and givesyou time to get to know the different characters and how theyreact in relation to the other characters within

Exciting book full of mystery and adventureWould recommend to any one who loves murder mysterys books and suspensionOverall brilliant and intriguing

The familiar writing will have you suddenly deep into the story. The location of the plot sounds fascinating. I could live there myself. Enjoy this read as I have.

I couldn't put this down what a fantastic opening for a new character.Well written and thought through it was non stop from the start and I had to find out what had happened and who it was.

I’m not very impressed. I’ve read it pretty quickly. The story is easy to follow And there are no twists or moments where I felt left on the edge and I wanted to know more. It’s an ok story but nothing more really.I found the repetition of the “islands healing powers” or “the ghosts “ silly and boring. It made me roll my eyes every time.