I fell in love with this murder mystery novella from Kendra Elliot immediately. If you are looking for a short read that will keep you turning the pages, this one is for you! Learning a little history along the way about Widow's Island and the surrounding area kept me intrigued as well.

Cate is on medical leave but while she is, she gets called in to do an investigation on some remains that have been found. Cate is an FBI agent and the only person on the island that can help with the case at the time. Cate's long time best friend, Tessa is a local deputy and is called in on the case as well. When these two were young, the third best friend in their circle, Samantha, had gone missing and has been gone for 20 years now. When the remains are found, Cate and Tessa begin to question if these could be their friend Samantha??

I am not going to give this one away by telling you the whole story line because you will get caught up in reading it and this novella will be over with before you even realize it. Such a great read and I am anxious to get onto the next ones in this series. I love when you fly through a book, but the bad part it, it is over way too soon! I am glad we will get more of these characters in the following novellas!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own!

Two of my favorite authors are writing another fabulous series, a new setting and new team. The FBI agent and local sheriff's deputy grew up together, almost like sisters, and chose their careers based on something that happened to their friend. The backstory to the islands is intricate and carefully woven, the town's people are gossip seekers and loyal to their own. I'm really excited about Tessa and Cate, their renewed friendship and where the new town doctor will fit in. Received my copy through Netgalley and wrote my review voluntarily.

FBI Special Agent Cate Wilde return home to an Island in the Pacific Northwest to recuperate from a gunshot wound and to mourn the devastating loss of her partner, almost immediately upon arrival she becomes embroiled in the mystery of human bones discovered. Fast paced, full of intrigue and mystery when trying to unravel the name of the diseased. Even though short, it continues with the second installment Close to the Bone.
Well worth the read, thank you NetGalley and Kendra Elliott for the opportunity to review this book.

I loved this murder mystery, it kept me captivated from beginning to end. The author not only creates a great murder mystery with characters you quickly become attached to, but she also gives you the feel of life on an island. Showing both the beauty and the drawbacks of island life for newcomers and old residents alike. The mystery, romance and suspense, mixed with a tiny hint of supernatural, really keeps you turning the pages. You immediately like Cate and Henry and hope their budding relationship grows, but I think my favourite character is Jane. I love the no nonsense, strong, slightly quirky, grandmother who, along with her knitting circle, seem to have their finger on the pulse of the island. Great start to the series, and I can’t wait to read more about life on Widow’s Island. I received an early copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way influenced my review and all opinions expressed are solely my own.

A short story - very quick read. It all all the elements of a good story, but fees a little rushed. The fast pace is kind of nice, but at the same time leaves a few questions and a wish for a few more details and a little more suspense.

Ah, I love mysteries but didn't love this one... writing was not great and the plot was predictable. I wish I had more to say and wanted to find another mystery writer I could love... I did not.

This was a great, quick read. I really enjoy suspense and this was right up my alley. I really enjoyed Close to the Bone and am looking forward to reading more of this series.

The story although short manages to pack a lot in. Widow's Island is a fabulous setting, the characterisation is fantastic. There is a solid plot line with a murder to solve and plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested.
Although the killer is caught a lot of avenues are left open for more to come in the series.
A thoroughly enjoyable read and I am looking forward to the next one.

The ongoing saga of these characters is interesting and makes you feel like they are friends. The writers of these novellas are so well matched that you don't notice a difference in the writing from story to story, they have great continuation! There is a great mystery with plenty of surprises in each individual story, while the big mystery surrounding Samantha is delved into a little more with each one. I can't wait for the next edition!

This is a great start to what will be a four novella series by Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh and is a very satisfying one evening read. As always with Ms Elliot's books the heroine, this time FBI agent Cate Wilder, is likeable with a strong sense of loyalty.  The location is a nicely isolated island with a history which must have been great fun to invent.

There is a complete story within these pages along with a hint of things to come with the unsolved  disappearance of Samantha, the friend of Cate and Tessa, the heroine in the next book, when they were all 14 years old. Add to that the first stirrings of romance and you have a story which really works.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to Netgalley, thoroughly enjoyed it, and would definitely recommend it highly.

Elliot just keeps getting better and better. I love the new setting and look forward to reading more stories set in Widow's Island.

Really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the rest of the series. Hope the series will go into print in the future.

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4 1/2
I was so excited when Kendra & Melinda announced that the were teaming up again to bring us a new novella series!! It is always exciting when these two team up. The new series takes us to Widow’s Island up in the Pacific Northwest. Close to the Bone brings us not one by two mysteries that need to be solved.

FBI Special Agent Cate Wilde is back on Widow’s Island to recover from her injuries. But when a call come in the middle of the night that a bone of what looks like a young girl are found. Cate will not let her injuries stop her from getting answers to who it is. As Cate approaches the crime scene the passed floods back to her of another missing girl from her past. Could this be here? Will they finally have the answers they have seeked for 20 years?

You will have to pick up a copy of Close to the Bone to find out!!!

I am on to book two in this series A Bone to Pick.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Montlake Romance
in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

I'm a big fan of the Mercy Kilpatrick series by Kendra Elliot so I was excited to be able to read and review the first novella in the Widow's Island series.

From the very beginning you are pulled into a world of intrigue, suspense and awe of the island way of life on Widow's Island. Elliot has a way with words that brings images to life with each page. I feel I am watching my own private movie when I read one of her books.

Cate Wilde is on medical leave after a shooting but is drawn back into work along side her childhood friend Tessa Black. Their backstory lends to the missing person and remains found, and has you sympathizing with these two women and their past.

With the introduction of each new person to the story a new suspicion enters your mind on who could have done it! There are so many that were touched by the disappearance of both young girls and waiting on the discovery of the who and why with each twist and turn is an exciting and fun read.

While Cate and the new Dr./coroner are flirtatious and obviously start dating, as in the other Kendra Elliot books I have read, there is not much time spent on the romance of the couples.

I can't wait for the other novellas in this series.

Another amazing mystery series by Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh. Ms. Elliot has written “Close to the Bone” which highlights FBI Special Agent Cate Wilde. Cate is on medical leave recuperating from a gun-shot wound and the death of her partner. She is visiting Widow’s Island, where her grandmother still lives and where she was raised by her grandmother. Her medical leave is interrupted when human bones are found on the island. Cate will receive back up from her best friend, Deputy Tessa Black. Could these be the remains of a famous author’s daughter? Or could these be the remains of Cate and Tessa’s missing childhood friend? Since the ferry is unable to reach the island, the bones have been stored in Dr. Henry Powers’ clinic. When the bones are stolen, Cate realizes that the killer must still be on the island. A thrilling mystery with an unexpected and unique ending. I look forward to Ms. Leigh’s contribution to this series “A Bone to Pick”. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

FBI Special Agent Cate Wilder is back home on Widow's Island recovering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder and the loss of her partner when she gets a call to check out some bones on Ruby's Island. Since the ferry isn't running, no other agent can get there.

This is rather traumatic for Cate since her best friend disappeared when she was fourteen and Cate and Tessa have been feeling guilt ever since. Both Cate and Tessa went into law enforcement and now Tessa is back home working on Widow's Island as a deputy.

The bones might be of their friend Samantha but it is more likely that the bones belong to Becca Conan who disappeared a few years earlier. Her father is the only one who lives on Ruby's Island. He's a best selling mystery author who has taken his daughter's disappearance badly. His wife headed back to New York but he won't leave because he is still holding out hope that Becca will come home some day.

The story, for all its brevity, builds a lot in. Widow's Island is a unique place. Many, including Cate and Samantha, are descendant's of the original settlers and still recall the scandal of Elias Bishop, wealthy shipbuilder, who betrayed his wife Camilla with Ruby. Elias and Ruby died together and many thought that Camilla was responsible. Cate is the great-great-granddaughter of Ruby and Elias. She feels certain that she's seen Ruby's ghost but that isn't something she's shared with many. Also, Widow's Island is unique in that some feel at home there and find it a healing place while others can't get comfortable there and quickly move on. Cate's mother is one of those who moved on leaving her son and daughter to her own mother to raise.

There's a budding romance between Cate and the new doctor on the island. The main mystery in this one - the identity of the bones and who killed her - is solved. But the bigger mystery of Samantha's disappearance is still unsolved and Tessa and Cate decide that they need to look into it.

Close to the Bone was a fun, quick read with an interesting mystery plotline and I enjoyed it quite a bit.

FBI Special Agent Cate Wilde is back home on remote Widow’s Island while she recovers from an injury sustained on the job. In the middle of the night she gets a call that bones have been found on a nearby island and with the ferry from the mainland down, Cate is the only agent close enough to work the case. Cate quickly begins to see similarities between this victim and her best friend who has been missing for nearly twenty years. As Cate begins working the case, it becomes clear someone will do anything to keep this secret buried.

Cate was injured three weeks prior to the start of the book and is still recovering when the story starts. Cate does experience some physical difficulties because of her injury and I liked that she wasn’t superwoman who didn’t feel any pain. In addition to Cate working the case there is also Tessa Black, Cate’s childhood friend who became a local deputy. Cate and Tessa are both forced to relive what happened to Samantha due to the similarities to the case they’re working. There’s also the hint of a romance for Cate with the local doctor/coroner, Henry Powers, and I’m excited to see where that goes.

The investigation into the bones found on Ruby’s Island was an interesting one and I was curious who the culprit behind the death would be. I have to say I was quite surprised by who it was as I had a different suspect in mind. I like that there will be a common thread running through these novellas as Cate and Tessa look into the disappearance of their friend Samantha. I’m quite interested to find out what happened to her as they didn’t go too much into detail in this first novella.

Close to the Bone was a great introduction to the Widow’s Island series and I’m excited to see where future books take the story.

I love craft beer and real ale. If is often a real delight to sample a drink that comes about through the combined efforts of two separate breweries.
Switching to my joy of reading. When I learned that two established and talented writers were working together on a new novella series I wanted to read them early and was grateful to receive advanced reader’s copies of the first two books.
This is number one with the addition need to set the series and establish a sense of place its inhabitants. I found the location extremely interesting and fun. The closed community especially outside of the tourist season was penned with detail and a little mischief.
The concept of widows and the spirit of feeling you belong was a good aspect of laying down the magic and the mystery of the place.
The story was carefully revealed with a number of issues unresolved going forward. Already the sense of a closed and potentially isolated community stuck on a Island has been added to the mix.
I liked the idea of things from the past changing you as a person both for the worse as much as placing new determination in your attitudes and desires.
The seeds of romance have been sown; future investigations opened up and unused characters introduced.
In book 2 the other partner in this project takes up the story. I can’t wait to read on and contrast their writing style.
For now I am hooked and have a greater appreciation for a new author to me. Not sure if I am sold on the use of italics to reveal what some characters are thinking in addition to their spoken words.
Short enough to finish in one session and of a high standard that you want to pick up the story.
Will be devoured by fans of these fine authors but should also introduce their talents to a new group of readers as well. I for one have been won over.

4 Stars.
I'm a big fan of both Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot and have read their other joint novella series ‘Rogue River’, in which each author writes an alternate story in the series.
‘Close To The Bone’ begins with FBI Special Agent Cate Wilde getting a phone call in the middle of the night that skeletal remains have been found on the remote island of Ruby’s Island, Washington. Being a native of Widow’s Island and home on medical leave, Cate is thrown into a potential murder investigation along with her childhood best friend Tessa Black. An investigation that may also bring answers to a 15 year old mystery.
This was a quick, romantic suspense read I really enjoyed it. A good start to another novella series.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of #CloseToTheBone

Always a fan of Kendra Elliot & Melinda Leigh. This is a short, captivating novella with some cross over characters from the Rogue River series.

FBI Agent, Cate Wilde, is off duty and back home on Widow’s Island when she gets a request to help the local law enforcement team with skeletal remains found on a neighboring island. She teams up with her childhood best friend, Deputy Tessa Black. As the investigation develops, Cate and Tessa can’t help but wonder if the remains could be that of their best friend, Samantha, who disappear when they were teenagers. With the help of the new coroner, they set out to identify the bodies and search for answers.

It is always difficult to read and review a novella, especially a good one, because you are always left wanting more. This is a great, quick read and a good start for this new novella series. The plot is woven just right to keep the story interesting and on point. 4 stars.