This was a pick for a book club discussion.

The book starts out from the mind of a killer seeking his prey and gloating how no one would ever suspect him.

Then the book picks up with Cherrie Forrester, the mother of a young boy, Robin, and she works in a deli. Cherrie lives with Leo, the father of Robin. Cherrie has carefully rebuilt her life, changed her name, and has told no one. Not even Leo.

Cherrie, used to be Leigh-Ann Hendy, then dubbed Little Bones by the media. Her father, William 'Billy' Hendy, a serial killer was known as Mr. Bones.

When a young boy turns up missing, Cherrie worries, she knows that missing children not always come home. While searching about the missing boy, Cherrie comes across a podcast, The Flesh on the Bones. The journalist wanna be, Jai Patel, shares tidbits with his listeners that can destroy Cherrie's carefully built new life. Cherrie becomes obsessed with the number of subscribers; as long as it's a low count she may still be safe.

Cherrie's life is about to come unhinged with the past rearing its ugly head once again. Time is running out, people already believe she's guilty by association, after all, she shares the same DNA as Mr. Bones.

I felt for Cherrie, she's living the worst nightmare, while having grown up with a man, who had two sides to him. One, a caring father, but the other was very evil. She was labeled and had her character tainted for simply being a child of a monster. Everyone has already convicted her, so what does it matter if she goes a little crazy on them? When I read the ending, all that came to mind was: OH! Yikes! Round 2? Good thriller!

I received an ARC from NetGalley via Avon Books UK and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

This book started off really strong for me and then fell flat. It could have been so creepy and ended up being repetitive. I almost didn’t finish, but I wanted to see what happened and who was the kidnapper. I felt that her dad should have had a bigger role to make the story more creepy.

Captivating! I couldn’t put it down. I read it in one day. It’s a great thriller. The story flowed really well. The Synopsis is Cherrie is the daughter of a serial killer (caught and in prison). She grew up in foster homes from the age of 8. Her mother committed suicide after her father was caught. At age 17 she changed her name to escape her past. Fast forward to today - she is now 35 lives with her boyfriend and has an 8 year old son, Robin. A young boy is kidnapped then found murdered. Then Robin goes missing at the fair. People find out her past, her real identity and rumors fly that she may have murdered her own son and the other boy. They call her little bones. I don’t want to give anything away so get the book. It’s a really good fast paced book right to the end!

Although this book has an intriguing and exciting plot, the characters don’t do much to keep you submerged into the book.

This was my first NetGalley read and the cover and plot caught my eye immediately. I hadn’t read a good crime thriller in a while so it seemed to fall perfectly into what I was wanting to read - I think this is the reason I was determined to finish it. The legacy and shadows left by a serial killer on a community and his daughter made for an interesting hook.

The plot of this book is great. It has twists and turns that, on the whole, keep you guessing as to what the outcome will be. Although I had an aversion to the protagonist, I found the book compelling and couldn’t bring myself to put it down. However, there was too much time wasted when it could have been used to better invest into the different plot threads that made up the book. In parts, I felt that important events in the book were rushed through and not given the time they deserved. I think less time could have been spent on Cherrie’s irrationality and dedicated to the intricate threads of the plot. This led to poor writing, at times, that made this book a little difficult to read.

I found myself becoming annoyed at the protagonist as she wasn’t a relatable character and didn’t act in a way that you assumed she would (or as anyone would.) I found that her decisions put people in further danger and only went towards her ruining her life more - it became more of a character of self sabotage.

Overall, I would suggest reading this book. The plot is interesting and there are parts of this book that are brilliantly written and that always manage to reel you back in from the brink of putting it down. As the author’s first run at a thriller, I think that it is a job well done. I think that there are some clever motifs in the book that could go unrecognised if not read properly and that, to me, is the sign of thoughtful writing and effort. Peacock has allowed room for themselves to write a second part to this book.

Imagine having to hide from your past. You change your name to start a new life. You have a man in your life and a wonderful son.
Now imagine your past catching up with you.
Your father killed 8 young boys. He used their bones as art. You were a child. Barely eight years old. You went with your father on his hunts for boys. He even had you there when he cleaned the bones and made his art.
Now your son is missing. The police think you are involved in the disappearance of your own son just because of who your father was and who you are. Innocence has nothing to do with it.
I twisted of a read with an astounding ending!!

Leigh-Ann Hendy was eight years old when her serial killer father Mr Bones was arrested. She was dubbed Little Bones by the newspapers, because of her involvement in the murders of the young boys whom she helped to lure for her father.

Cherrie Forrester doesn’t want anybody to know her real identity. She has worked hard to build a new life for herself and nothing will ruin it. So she thought.

The disappearance of a local boy triggers a sequence of events which are thought to be connected to the past crimes of notorious serial killer Mr Bones. All of a sudden Cherrie has been exposed as Leigh-Ann Hendy but that is the least of her problems. Because when something awful happens to Cherrie, it leaves everybody asking one question: victim or Little Bones?


The first thing that caught my attention was the cover of the book and once I read the description I knew that it was going to be a great book. The story progressed at a steady pace which made it easy to follow. The twists and turns throughout the story kept me guessing about what was going to happen next. Every time I thought I knew what happened to the missing boy it turned out that I was always wrong. There was a variety of characters in the book who brought different themes with them for example victim blaming and trust issues. At times I didn’t particularly like Cherrie or the way she acted, but at the same time I can understand some of her behaviour. I really enjoyed reading Little Bones because it was interesting, dark and unforgettable.


I received an advance review copy for free, and this is my honest opinion

#LittleBones #NetGalley
A good read.
It took me longer to finish this book than usual I do because it's a true crime thriller. Although the characters were good but I didn't feel connected. Although it's a one time read.
Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for giving me an advance copy of this book.

Woah, this book blew my mind and has definitely exceeded my expectations! I can’t wait for future releases from N.V. Peacock!

It’s a story of Little Bones (of course) who tries to live a normal life after witnessing her father, Mr Bones’ crimes when she was a child. She had legally changed her name to Cherrie Forrester and lives a normal life with her boyfriend, Leo and her son, Robin. Things took a turn when Cherrie listened to a podcast which digs up her past and linking the recent disappearance to her father’s old crimes. Now everyone in town knows a part of her that she had tried so hard to hide.

My thoughts on the book:
This is my first book from N.V. Peacock and I cannot stop thinking about the storyline, the plot and characters after I’ve finished the book. It was quite an easy read for me, and I could not put the book down. The whole story got me guessing and questioning what will happen next, is the recent disappearance really linked to what had happened 25 years ago and it was so nerve-wrecking! I was quite happy when the ending wasn’t what I had expected as it took me by surprise and I really enjoyed it.

Although overall it was a great read for me, I didn’t particularly enjoy towards the ending as it seems like the author was stalling the readers before going into the peak and answers when they explained a lot on how Cherrie tries many different ways to search for the answer.

If you really like thrillers/mystery generally, I would suggest for you to pick up this book and give it a go! It’s the perfect read for all the spooks for Halloween! Like what the synopsis said, “You believe me, don’t you?”

2* disappointing
A new author to me via a Netgalley arc. It’s quite dark in places.
The first third started off brilliantly, but the middle third lags badly.
When we first meet Cherrie she is kind and compassionate but soon turns into an unlikeable character that I found it hard to empathise with.
she turns into psycho Rambo mom with an alter ego, making random accusations with the self flagellation got tiresome.
A few interesting revelations at the end
I’m afraid the book didn’t work for me.

LITTLE BONES
BY N.V. PEACOCK

This was a very disturbing read. It is probably my fault for not paying enough attention to the Net Galley synopsis. This is clearly a thriller but I would classify it more closer to horror. Leigh-Ann Hendy changed her name when she was seventeen to Cherrie Forrester. Her father is in prison for killing eleven children. He has been nicknamed Mr. Bones and his daughter was called Little Bones. Cherrie lives with her boyfriend Leo with her beloved child Robin who is a sweet little boy. Cherrie makes him a robot costume for Halloween which he begs her to wear to Black Friar's Fair. She allows him to take a glittery button and put it in his puff red jacket. Cherrie and Robin go on all of the rides and they save the Ferris wheel for last. She takes her eye off Robin for two minutes and she is answering a text message from Robin's father and when the little boy in the red puffa jacket gets off the ride she realizes that it is another boy. Robin is missing.

I do enjoy a good thriller every once in a while but not about young children getting abducted. The week before Robin goes missing a little boy named Thomas gets abducted and he is murdered. This book just made me feel sick to my stomach. There are convicted sex offenders, suicide by Cherrie's mother after her father was sent to prison. This book has all of the graphic descriptions and violence that just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe it will find its audience but I would not recommend this.

Publication Date: October 31, 2020

Thank you to Net Galley, N.V. Peacock and Avon Books UK Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#LittleBones #NVPeacock #AvonBooksUKPublishing #NetGalley
LITTLE BONES
BY N.V. PEACOCK

This was a very disturbing read. It is probably my fault for not paying enough attention to the Net Galley synopsis. This is clearly a thriller but I would classify it more closer to horror. Leigh-Ann Hendy changed her name when she was seventeen to Cherrie Forrester. Her father is in prison for killing eleven children. He has been nicknamed Mr. Bones and his daughter was called Little Bones. Cherrie lives with her boyfriend Leo with her beloved child Robin who is a sweet little boy. Cherrie makes him a robot costume for Halloween which he begs her to wear to Black Friar's Fair. She allows him to take a glittery button and put it in his puff red jacket. Cherrie and Robin go on all of the rides and they save the Ferris wheel for last. She takes her eye off Robin for two minutes and she is answering a text message from Robin's father and when the little boy in the red puffa jacket gets off the ride she realizes that it is another boy. Robin is missing.

I do enjoy a good thriller every once in a while but not about young children getting abducted. The week before Robin goes missing a little boy named Thomas gets abducted and he is murdered. This book just made me feel sick to my stomach. There are convicted sex offenders, suicide by Cherrie's mother after her father was sent to prison. This book has all of the graphic descriptions and violence that just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe it will find its audience but I would not recommend this.

Publication Date: October 31, 2020

Thank you to Net Galley, N.V. Peacock and Avon Books UK Publishing for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#LittleBones #NVPeacock #AvonBooksUKPublishing #NetGalley

Oh my gosh! This was a deliciously dark thriller! The story grabbed me early on and never let go.
There were so many layers to inis intricately woven tale. So many twists and turns. Highly recommend!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

<i>Little Bones</i> is, in my opinion, more of a mystery novel, about a young woman, Cherrie, who grew up with a serial killer father. She had changed her identity and moved on from her part in her fathers killings and started new over, having a child with her partner, Leo. Suddenly, her her fathers actions are in the spotlight and so is she when a young boy on their estate is kidnapped and her true identity is revealed.

This novel was a tough go for me. I found the main character very tough to like, or even sympathize with. I also found her partner to be somewhat of an ass—which she completely forgives time and again.

I also felt the storyline is not very thought out, and there are many wild goose chases. I wanted to like this one but I’d give it a hard pass.

I really loved this book!! It had so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next!! This was my first book by this Author, and it won’t be the last!! Quick read!! Highly recommended!! You won’t be disappointed!!

Wow! Excellent, creepy thriller. This book was completely original and addictive. Cherrie is the daughter of a serial killer who involved her in his horrific crimes against children. Cherrie has moved on, changed her name, had a child and built a life of her own. When a child mysteriously disappears in her town and a podcast exposes her identity, her life is turned upside down, as the town and her own partner start to turn on her. Well written, full of twists and turns, this book is not to be missed.

A fast-paced thriller with just the right amount of creepiness! I thought this was very well written and I particularly liked the complexity of the characters we're introduced to. Found it quite a gripping tale and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who likes a good thriller with a dark twist! One of the best books I've read recently, really enjoyed it.

This one stumped me. Not the story and not the outcome, but how I was going to rate it. The more I thought about it, the more I leaned towards a middle of the road review. I had figured out part of the mystery early on, and the ending was somewhat of a let down. It just kind of fizzled out. However, I read until I finished it so that says something about my investment in the outcome. I think my problem is that I wanted more. I was expecting more and maybe something different than what I got,

Would I recommend this? Yes. if you’re looking for an on-the-surface, quick not deep serial killer book to read. One of my FB groups is reading this for a discussion. Would I say this falls into the “unforgettable” category- no.

Thank you #netgalley and #avonbooks for this eARC.

It's a good read, but, I did find it very slow to start, very hard to keep my interest. The story was all over the place. However, overall, it's a quick thriller about a mother with an horrendous past, trying to protect those she loves.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC set to publish on October 31, 2020! This was intense - I felt like I was clenching my jaw throughout to get to the end! Cherrie used to be Leigh Ann, and she used to be Little Bones - daughter of Mr. Bones - a notorious serial killer of young boys. Her old life was behind her until boys start disappearing again - and somehow her past becomes her present in a weird parallel universe that hits too close to home. While I feel like this could have gone a little deeper into her past, I thought it absolutely checked the box of an addicting thriller that I needed to race to the conclusion to see what happened!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I started out really liking this book. But it didn’t take long for me to lose interest.

This book needs an editor. And research. Serial killers don’t act the way this one was portrayed in the book. Cherrie referring to herself as little bones, her partner referring to her as little bones, was just annoying. That’s not realistic. Cherrie was a very unlikable character. The plot was repetitive.

And the ending, that wouldn’t happen. It was unbelievable.

This was just not an enjoyable book.

Wow! This book started strong and stayed strong the whole way through.
When you are the daughter of a notorious serial killer ( not just any serial killer but a killer of children) life is hard. Little Bones, daughter of Mr Bone has changed her name and has a whole new life. Now a child is found dead and her past and present has merged: what could her incarcerated father have to do with this child’s abduction and death? What happens when her own son vanishes.
Twisty and turny right till the end with richly woven characters and a great suspenseful plot. This one is a must read