This was the first story I'd ever read by Miranda Leigh and I see why she is so popular. This is a novella, but I didn't feel a lack of character or plot development. Although it works fine as a standalone, I was pleased and surprised to learn that this the 10th story in the series.

The setting of the story is Widow's Island, which is cut off from the mainland except when the ferry runs. Deputy Tessa Black is doing a routine patrol one morning when she spots someone digging in the cemetery. She and her dog give chase and by chance, find the house he came from. It turns out to be someone burying bones, not someone robbing graves. After forensics comes through, the bones turn out to belong to a local girl. There are also cuts on her bones, indicating that she may have been dismembered. There are several suspects, but I never suspected the identity of the killer.

This is a great hold-your-breath mystery that also has romance. Tessa is engaged to a park ranger, Logan Wilde. They worked together on this case as they are both law enforcement and some officers were off the island.

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher Montlake via NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

An enigmatic box of bones…

This is the tenth book in the Widow’s Island novella series, a series shared by two authors.

Teenagers everywhere are apt to get into trouble but Deputy Tessa Black didn’t expect that the one trespassing in the town cemetery would be trying to bury a box of bones instead of stealing bones from a recent grave. Trying to get information out of the uncooperative male she had to track down proves futile. When the bones are identified as belonging to a previously reported missing female teenager, a classified runaway from a neighboring island Tessa’s instincts say there is something sinister occurring on the island of Widow’s Peak. Together with the assistance of State Park Ranger Logan Wilde, who is Tessa’s fiancé, they investigate this mystery. Can they solve the case before the close-mouthed boy becomes a killer’s target? Can Tessa obtain his trust before it’s too late?

Of novella length, this book is well written and an enjoyable read though there is a lack of character depth which is not found in the author’s full-length books. This is the second story I’ve read in the series, one from each of the authors who I very much like but I will not continue with this shared series. This reader likes more substance to the storyline and emotional depth to the characters than a novella structure can provide.

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher via NetGalley.

3.5 stars

I can’t get enough of Deputy Tessa Black and visits to Widows Island. Noticing movement in the local cemetery, Deputy Tessa Black investigates and finds someone burying a box of bones. Giving chase, they escape, but leave behind the box. She, along with her fiancé Logan Wilde, retrieve the box and are shocked to see that it contains human bones. The local physician/coroner, Dr. Henry Powers, determines that the bones are of a teenage female, with several distinguishing characteristics that may make for an easier identification. Finding a teen camping in the woods adds another case to Tessa’s already full schedule as she is preparing for her wedding. Tessa and her sister Patience have been doing their best, along with the local community, to take care of their mother who is suffering from dementia. An officer is shot and the bones stolen, but by who and why? An intriguing police procedural for Tessa and Logan. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot don't let you down, there books are always well written and easy to read. I like the fact that they are often set in a small community so you know who you are reading about and as long as you read them in order you can follow what is going on. I suppose now that there and 10 books in this series they may be thinking of starting a new series - I will read all of those too.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Wrong Bones by Melinda Leigh that I read and reviewed.
This is the tenth novella in the Widow’s Island series and I think it had one of the twisted endings of any of the books in this series. When I read the end of this book I could honestly say I did not see that coming and I loved it. Another great addition to the series.
The Wrong Bones gets five out of five stars!

I lost track of this novella series several books back. Let's see if they can standalone or if you need to read the whole series to know what is happening. I am glad to report that you don't need to read all the books if you want to enjoy the mystery/suspense plot. I recommend you read the book by Kendra Elliot Bone Deep, which was fantastic. "The Wrong Bones" is great, but not quite to the fantastic rating. As a short novella, it is a quick read and a decent mystery/suspense plot.

When Deputy Tessa Black is on night patrol and is alerted to someone digging in the cemetery, she chases the person but loses them in the state park. They have left behind a box of bones and quite a mystery.

Tessa contacts her fiancé, State Park Ranger, Logan Wilde, for assistance in tracking down this perp.
Together they discover an illegal camp site and a surly teenager, and he isn't saying what his connection to the box of bones is. When the bones are identified as a teen girl who disappeared from a neighboring island nine months ago as a runaway, it becomes important that they find out how her remains came to be on Widow's Island and more importantly, who killed her.

My thanks to Montlake, Publisher, and Melinda Leigh, author, for providing a complimentary digital Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel via NetGalley. This is my fair, honest and personal review. All opinions are mine alone and were not biased in any way.

The Wrong Bones by Melinda Leigh is book #10 in the Widow's Island series. Crazy times in Wisconsin! Someone is trying to bury a box of bones in the local cemetery. Whose bones are they? Deputy Tessa Black and her fiance Logan Wilder face danger as they investigate a murder. This is a fast-paced, twisted story. Author Melinda Leigh always does a great job keeping her readers guessing. I sure was surprised at the end.

The wrong bones will grab you from page one. The characters are intriguing. This plot has lots of twists that will keep you guessing until the end.

Just in time for the Spooky season, Tessa’s case starts in a graveyard and involves a box of bones. The Wrong Bones is the tenth in the addictive Widow’s Island romantic suspense series bringing together two fabulous authors.

Tessa is on routine patrol, but a misty Widow’s Island night doesn’t end in routine. She prevents an unlawful burial and the person gets away. Now, she and Logan, her fiancé and island park ranger, band together to solve the cold case of the bones that heats up with a frightened teenager, mysterious house renter, and angry guest all could be her suspects. Meanwhile, her wedding draws near as her mother’s mind drifts further and further away.

A darker element and a macabre motive give The Wrong Bones a lovely suspense plot to join the engaging regular cast of characters and well-layered relationship side of the story. Widow’s Island series is a must for romantic suspense fans.

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.

I've been reading the Widow's Island series. The books alternate between the authors and each author has its own main character although the whole series is set in the same world and the main characters are close friends. They are written alternately by Kendra Elliot and Melinda Leigh. Each book in the series are short, novella length. I would read them in order due to the personal relationships.

Now we focus on Tess, who is the sheriff on Widow's Island, and her latest cases. It is so nice to see the circle of friends and family, law enforcement and medical personnel who work well together to solve problems and help people.

The case involve bones that someone tried to bury on top of a fresh grave. There is a teenager, alone out in the wilderness who has run from his home. There are multiple mysterious men on the island who may be suspects. Tess, with the help of Logan, really does a great job of tracking all leads and handling what happens.

Tess does this while caring for a mother who has dementia, a teen sister, and preparing for her wedding to Logan. She has great support. Logan is a caring and supportive man. I care about these characters and wish them the best.

Deputy Tessa Black was patrolling a small town on Widow’s Island, off the coast of Washington state when 3 teenagers ran out in front of her cruiser scared out of their wits. They had decided to visit the graveyard that night not expecting to find someone else there digging into a grave. At first thought, he was a grave robber. Turns out, someone was trying to buy a box of bones. Great book!

I am not usually a huge fan of novellas, but I make an exception for Melinda Leigh's Widow's Island series. She does an excellent job making these books feel like a full-blown novel, and I truly enjoy the quick read on occasion. The characters are fully fleshed out, the story is compelling and they always pack a punch as they wrap up. The Wrong Bones is terrific, and kept me guessing (wrong) right up to the reveal. Melinda Leigh does a fantastic job pulling the reader in from the very beginning and keeps it exciting until the last page. I especially enjoy that we know the characters as people as well as in their role solving crime. Fun series!

Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for the digital ARC of The Wrong Bones. The opinions in this review are my own.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #Montlake for my copy of #TheWrongBones by #MelindaLeigh
Deputy Tessa Black catches someone disturbing a grave late one night and gives chase, only when she catches him she finds he wasn’t robbing the grave he was adding to it.
When the bones are identified they belong to a teenager who went missing months ago.
Why did a loner teenage boy have them? Where have they been? Can Tessa find the answers ?
Very enjoyable read.

This is the tenth and final novella in the Widow Island series written alternatively by Melinda Leigh (books 2, 3, 6, 7, 10) and Kendra Elliot (books 1, 4, 5, 8, 9). Deputy Tessa Black and her fiancé, Park Ranger Logan Wilde, are days away from their wedding when a man is disturbed while trying to bury a box of human bones in the local graveyard. Who do the bones belong to and how did they die?
This is an enjoyable and engaging fast paced thriller with a compelling plot, lots of action, some romance and twists you don’t see coming. The author also managed to seamlessly highlight issues of domestic abuse, PTSD and dementia in the story. The characters are well developed and their interactions realistic. I love how the author shows the difficulties of balancing a demanding job in law enforcement and with the challenges of a complicated family life. The emotions and struggles feel real and you easily empathise and associate with the characters. I also loved the love/hate relationship with and whimsy of Killer Hen too.
Though I am sad to say goodbye to these complex and compelling characters, I look forward to reading the next series these two excellent authors pen together.

This was a gripping, twisty thriller and is the tenth book of the Widow Island series. Although I have not read any of the series, this actually hooked me into the story from the beginning till the end. Since this is a novella, this was a quick read as well. Overall a gripping thriller worth four stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

Hello to a new Melinda Leigh short story that kept me engrossed throughout until the last page. Nothing new here as I really love her books.
I enjoyed this one even more. It’s short but gives enough space for the characters to grow and be drawn into the fierce and intriguing ones that I’m used to read from the author. Some scenes are downright creepy and some very unpredictable ones.
Another must read story from a favourite author.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

This had me looking every which way for the villain and I was wrong at every turn. This kept me on the edge of my seat pretty much from the first page until the last. For such a small package, this had me antsy with anticipation as Tessa and Logan struggled to find answers regarding a box of bones before exploding with drama and danger as it came to an end.

The Wrong Bones is part of the Widow's Island series and my first by Melinda. I enjoyed this story and will have to read more of her books. A great mystery with fantastic characters all packed into a novella. Highly recommend.

The Wrong Bones by Melinda Leigh is another anticipated story in the Widow's Island series. Deputy Tessa Black is told about after-dark activity in the graveyard by some kids who were scared away from their evening fun. Tessa gives chase and a hooded figure escapes as she tries to investigate. When Tessa and park ranger Logan Wilde check the disturbance, they are surprised to find a box of bones. The bones are determined to be those of a young girl who has been missing for several months. Was her death the result of an accident or something much more devious? This opens another interesting and exciting mystery to follow just in time for Halloween reading!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read The Wrong Bones. The publication date is October 25, 2022.

Another win by Melinda Leigh. Catches you in the very beginning as Deputy Tessa Black finds a couple kids out by the grave yard shaking in their boots. They saw someone digging up bones! Tessa goes to investigate and the mystery just keeps on going. Besides being the entertaining page turner that Melinda Leigh always provides there is so much more woven within. Her mom's dementia, her sister Patience who deserves a normal childhood and struggles to help Tessa. The knitting group that is always there for her mom, showing family comes in all shapes and sizes. Domestic abuse which also comes in all shapes and sizes of society. PTSD that her ex military fiance, park ranger Logan still deals with. All woven gently throughout this fast paced mystery that ends with a shocking twist and a grand hea that so fits within the life of Deputy Tessa. I will miss Widows Island and the family they have become to me. Thank you for the arc! I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #thewrongbones #melindaleigh #montlake #netgalley