
Member Reviews

I don’t know if I could accurately describe the way this book made me feel. But I’ll try-
When the Bones Sing is a beautifully written novel about Dove, a girl who can hear the bones of the dead and digs up their bodies. She’s done this way too many times in the last three years and now she and her childhood best friend Lo, the town witch, have to find out who is murdering the hikers who come far and wide to hike a beautiful trail in Arkansas.
Dove doesn’t believe in magic, but everyone in her life does, and through the story you see her soften, to believe in things she can’t quite understand and go from atheist to believer of all things magical. This book holds so much love and light and it takes you on a journey to illuminate the darkness roaming in the woods.
This book is face paced, well written, and keeps you turning the page- and when people say “I couldn’t put it down” I only did because I had to.
The ending was beautifully done and left me in tears.
At this point I think I’d read Ginny Myers Sain’s grocery lists.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

I loved Dark and Shallow Lies so much that I made it a traveling book in my Facebook book club. My expectations for When the Bones Sing were already high, and Sain did not disappoint. All aspects were executed with phenomenal precision - world building, character development, writing style, pacing, and plot. You'll find an abundance of decadent creepiness within these pages. It's written so well that it's almost believed, and the idea is wholly original.

I saw someone post about this book in a group and they raved about it. I immediately added to my TBR and requested an ARC. Was excited when Netgalley approved.
Missing hikers and a teen who can hear bones sing, sounded intriguing and different. This book hooked me right away and I enjoyed the imagery and spooky mountain vibes.
This was my first read from this author and I'm a fan. Would definitely check out other books.

Deep in the Ozark mountains lies the little town of Lucifer’s Creek, home to Dovie Warner, who can hear the bones of dead people sing to her. They call her to find them, and they’ve been coming fast and furious in the last three years. When Dovie realizes her small town has a serial killer, she and best friend Lowan Wilder will set about a quest that may just get them in over their heads. This book was the perfect blend of creepy atmosphere and mysterious thriller that’ll leave you turning pages to find out what happens next.

A Southern Gothic supernatural thriller about a girl who can hear bones sing to her; say no more. This story had all the makings for me, and I enjoyed it right down to the spine-chilling ending.
A teenage girl named Dovie lives in a small Ozark town in Arkansas where can hear the bones of dead sing to her. In Lucifer's Creek, more than two dozen people have disappeared on the local hiking trails without a trace. Seventeen-year-old Dovie doesn't believe in magic, even though she comes from a long line of women who can hear bones sing. However, for the past few years, she has been hearing the bones sing so loudly and persistently and they won't stop until they are dug up. Some believe it is the monstrous Ozarks Howler snatching them up. But Dovie doesn't believe in the Howler or the haunting shadows that her friend Lo sees. All she believes in is her intuition that leads the local Sheriff to the bones. Her desire is to reunite the families with the bones of their loved ones so they can find peace. Lo doesn't know peace, though, as the shadows follow him everywhere. The truth of their deaths isn't hidden in their bones but somewhere deep in the hills. Lo and Dovie must unearth it before someone else is killed.
I loved the storyline and its dark, eerie vibe between Dovie's magical gift and Lo's haunting shadows. Their friendship and love interest brought it all together for me, and I was rooting for them to the very end. I am looking forward to reading more by Ginny Myers Sain.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ginny Myers Sain delivers another eerie, atmospheric thriller with When the Bones Sing, blending Southern gothic mystery, supernatural elements, and chilling suspense. Set in the isolated town of Lucifer’s Creek, Arkansas, this story follows Dovie, a girl with an unsettling gift—she can hear the bones of the dead calling to be found. But when the shadows of the missing hikers begin haunting her best friend, Lo, they realize there’s more to these disappearances than old legends and whispered superstitions.
The novel excels in its eerie, small-town setting, bringing the Ozarks to life with a palpable sense of isolation and dread. The mystery unfolds with well-paced tension, and while I did suspect the guilty party early on, the journey to uncovering the full truth kept me engaged. The twists were well-placed, and the supernatural elements never felt overdone, making the book feel immersive rather than gimmicky.
Dovie is a compelling protagonist, skeptical of the magic that runs in her family, while Lo’s struggles with the shadows following him add emotional depth. Their friendship and evolving dynamic felt natural, though I wished for a bit more development in certain character arcs.
While a few plot points felt slightly predictable, the execution was strong, and the novel’s rich, gothic atmosphere made for an addictive read. If you love eerie mysteries with supernatural twists and a haunting Southern setting, When the Bones Sing is definitely one to add to your TBR!

I really enjoyed this gothic mystery! The story was unique, and I loved the atmospheric setting. This book would be a perfect read for spooky season! Highly recommend!

This one was really hard for me to get into at first. But the book ended up being good! The characters were well written, the word development was good.. I’m glad I pushed through and continued reading.

Listen here, Ginny Myers Sain, I've got a bone to pick with you (see what I did there? BONE. Punny. LOL). Just what do you think you're doing? Going and messing with my heart like that. You're setting the bar so high that no one will be able to reach it.
I loved Dark and Shallow Lies so much that I made it a traveling book in my Facebook book club. My expectations for When the Bones Sing were already high, and Sain did not disappoint. All aspects were executed with phenomenal precision - world building, character development, writing style, pacing, and plot. You'll find an abundance of decadent creepiness within these pages. It's written so well that it's almost believed, and the idea is wholly original. Sain will be a solid auto-buy author for me from now on. This was my most anticipated read of 2025. Thank you to NetGalley for offering this title in their catalog. The opinions expressed above are entirely my own.
If you enjoyed When the Bones Sing, you might like these titles: Small Favors by Erin A Craig, Wake by Lisa McMann, Behold the Bones by Natalie C Parker, Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood, and That Dark Infinity by Kate Pentecost.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I really loved the setting of this one. The author did a great job bringing the oppressive setting to life with meaningful descriptions that were incorporated throughout. There were also some elements of magical realism relating to the supernatural that added an interesting element to this work. I enjoyed how well the author wove those aspects throughout the plot and setting in a way that helped to bring it all to life.
The characters were fine, but didn't particularly stand out to me in any way. There was a love triangle that wasn't compelling at all. There was one thing that was a pivotal point near the end, about 85% through I think, that just didn't work for me. It was one of those situations where there was a simple solution, but instead the character went the most convoluted way about doing something just so that tension would be built up throughout the book. It felt cheap to me and did lessen my enjoyment. The solution to the antagonist was also predictable and somewhat underwhelming.
Overall this is a decent YA supernatural mystery that kept me entertained but did have some weaker points. My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Let me first say this is a beautiful cover. I read and love Ginny's Dark and Shallow Lies so i was excited to see this book offered.
"When the Bones Sing" is Southern Supernatural Gothic at its finest, the main character 17 year old Dovie hears the bones of the dead. They call to her as they have called to previous generation of the women in the life line. This is an eerie story filled with creepiness that will keep you reading.
Thank you NetGalley and G. P. Putman's Sons Books for Young Readers for the electronic advanced edition of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Really enjoyed this one!
Ginny Myers Sain jumped to my favorite authors category right after I read her debut. I love her writing style but also how she draws out real characters in real life situations - with some very "un real" things that happen to them.
I easily slipped into this novel and found myself right back in a favorite place with her writing and worlds. I like the creepy factor (not too much but just enough) and I really enjoyed the whole premise of the town and the disappearing hikers.
It's a small world for this book, but it works well for the story.
Can't remember the content...I think some language? But in all I enjoyed it and would recommend to fans of lyrical thrillers.
My rating: 4.5*
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Received a complimentary copy of this from the publisher and NetGalley. All options are my own.

This review will be posted on BookwormishMe.com & goodreads.com today.
Southern Gothic Horror! This is a crazy wicked novel about myths, legends, and murder taking place in the Ozarks off the Aux-Arc Trail.
Dovie’s mom disappeared ages ago, when Dovie was just a little one. No one talks about what happened to her mom. Mostly because Dovie’s family, the Clovers, are Hill people - or outsiders in this small community in the Ozarks. Dovie’s maternal grandmother and her mother had a gift where they could track the dead by the ‘singing of their bones.’ And Dovie has it too. When hikers go missing from the AAT, the local Sheriff relies on Dovie to locate the dead.
Then there’s Lowan, the other half of Dovie, and a descendant of another Hill family. Their grandmothers and mothers were best friends. Until Lowan’s mother died and Dovie’s disappeared. Lowan is battling demons of his own in this small town. Dovie wants to take his demons away.
When a boy from Oklahoma goes missing from the Trail, Dovie finds him. Lowan knows how he died. And the boy’s brother comes looking for answers. The three team up to try to figure out who or what is responsible for what’s happening in these hills.
This is a creepy telling of the tale of the Ozark Howler, a mythical beast in the hills of the Ozarks. But there’s more to this than just the Howler. It’s a story of outsiders in their own communities. About the power of the local preacher to turn against those who have been here longer than most. And believing in the best of people without realizing their dark sides.
It’s an immersive novel that beautifully describes this location and the people who inhabit it. I enjoyed it immensely with its themes of magic and backwoods wisdom. Dovie is one tough cookie who accepts her ‘gift’ even when it causes her such pain. Gripping and frightening, well done.

Ginny Myers Sain’s *When the Bones Sing* is a haunting and lyrical masterpiece that weaves together mystery, folklore, and raw emotion into an unforgettable story. From the very first page, Sain’s vivid prose and atmospheric storytelling pull readers into a world steeped in secrets and shadowed by the echoes of the past.
The story centers on a protagonist grappling with grief and the weight of family legacies, set against the backdrop of a richly imagined small-town setting. The intricate layers of mystery unfold seamlessly, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while exploring themes of love, loss, and the enduring power of truth.
Sain’s characters are deeply human, their flaws and vulnerabilities making them all the more compelling. The blend of Southern Gothic elements with supernatural undertones creates a chilling yet mesmerizing ambiance that lingers long after the final chapter.
*When the Bones Sing* is a perfect read for fans of atmospheric thrillers with a touch of the supernatural. Ginny Myers Sain has crafted a story that resonates with both heart and haunting beauty—a tale that sings straight to the soul. Overall a great read that I would absolutely recommend.

Ginny Myers Sain’s "When the Bones Sing" is a spellbinding novel that blends elements of mystery, supernatural intrigue, and psychological depth. With its richly detailed setting, complex characters, and a plot that keeps readers enthralled from start to finish, this book offers a unique and unforgettable reading experience.
The story centers around Indigo James, a young woman with a troubled past who is drawn back to her hometown of Blackwood after a decade away. Haunted by the disappearance of her twin brother, Phoenix, years earlier, Indigo has never been able to shake the feeling that something sinister lurks in Blackwood. Determined to uncover the truth about her brother’s fate, she finds herself entangled in a web of dark secrets and eerie occurrences that defy explanation.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its atmospheric setting. Blackwood is depicted with such vividness and detail that it almost becomes a character in its own right. The town’s dense forests, abandoned buildings, and shadowy corners create a palpable sense of unease and suspense. Sain’s descriptive prose immerses readers in the haunting beauty of Blackwood, making the town’s eerie atmosphere and supernatural elements feel both real and unsettling.
Indigo is a compelling and multifaceted protagonist. Her determination to find out what happened to her brother is driven by a mix of guilt, grief, and an unyielding hope. As she delves deeper into the mysteries of Blackwood, she confronts not only external threats but also her own inner demons. Sain portrays Indigo’s emotional journey with sensitivity and depth, making her a character that readers can both empathize with and root for.
The supporting characters in "When the Bones Sing" are equally well-developed and add richness to the narrative. From Indigo’s old friends who have their own secrets to the enigmatic newcomers who stir up trouble, each character plays a significant role in the unfolding mystery. Sain skillfully weaves their backstories and motivations into the plot, creating a tapestry of interconnected lives that adds depth and complexity to the story.
The novel’s supernatural elements are both intriguing and chilling. Sain expertly balances the line between the real and the fantastical, creating a sense of ambiguity that keeps readers guessing. The supernatural occurrences in Blackwood are tied to the town’s dark history, and as Indigo uncovers more about her brother’s disappearance, she also unravels the sinister forces at play. Sain’s portrayal of these elements is both imaginative and grounded, making the supernatural aspects feel believable within the context of the story.
The plot of "When the Bones Sing" is intricately woven and expertly paced. Sain balances moments of high tension and action with quieter, introspective scenes that delve into the characters’ psyches. Each chapter ends with a hook that propels readers forward, creating a narrative that is both suspenseful and emotionally resonant. The mystery at the heart of the story unfolds gradually, with carefully placed clues and red herrings that keep readers engaged until the very end.
Sain’s writing style is both evocative and engaging. Her prose is lyrical and descriptive, capturing the emotions and experiences of the characters with clarity and depth. The dialogue is natural and reflective of the characters’ personalities, adding authenticity to their interactions. Sain’s ability to convey emotion through her writing is particularly noteworthy, making the novel’s most poignant moments resonate with readers.
"When the Bones Sing" also explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the power of confronting one’s past. Indigo’s journey is not just about solving the mystery of her brother’s disappearance but also about finding closure and healing. The novel’s exploration of these themes is both uplifting and thought-provoking, adding depth to the supernatural thriller format.
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I would have read this in one sitting if I didn't have responsibilies. This was such a fun read I enjoyed every page.

Dove has a power – she can hear the bones of the dead sing to her, begging for her to find them and put them to rest. She wouldn’t call it magic, though; Dove doesn’t believe in magic since her mother left her family. Something is killing the hikers on the trails near her home in the Ozarks, and that power – magic or not – is the only way they can find the bodies and get one step closer to stopping it.
Super fast read; I was hooked from the beginning. I would have loved if Dove was a little older, if only because of the heaviness she has to deal with. This is definitely a tragic read (she's digging up bodies, after all). Tracking down the killer was quite the adventure, with plenty of twists and turns that worked well. I really enjoyed seeing it all come together in the end!

Unfortunately, this novel did not work for me. After weeks of trying to get into it, I skimmed to the end. Which is so disappointing. A southern-gothic featuring a girl who can hear the bones of the dead? Sounds fantastic. But a fantastic only gets you so far.
When the story started to focus more on a romantic plotline, I lost interest. And then the story just kept dragging on.
Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC.

intense, high stakes, dramatic YA thriller with some fantasy elements. very well written, awesome characters. the words on the page sing as much as the bones do. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.