Thank you to Macmillan Audio for a chance to listen to Boney Creek early!

Addie and Toby have fled the city after a traumatic incident and are settling down in the small town of Boney Creek to try to heal. Boney Creek has its own tragic past, though, as they soon find out. Seven locals have recently died in mysterious ways - ways that could be written off as accidents, but when all put together, something just doesn’t sit right with Addie. As a journalist graduate who never quite made it to the big time, she still gets the itch to investigate now and then and can’t just let this lie.

Unfortunately, as she starts digging, people notice. It is a small town after all. And some locals won’t like the secrets that surface.

Off the jump there are several things that peaked my interest with Boney Creek. I love an Australian setting, especially a small town Australian setting. I don’t know why, but it just feels so much wilder and more isolated and sketchy. Maybe it is just the dumb American in me LOL. I also love a ‘call to service’ from someone who isn’t practicing their profession, but just can’t help but get involved, especially when it’s digging up dirt like a detective or reporter. And I love a thriller that toes the line with horror, which I think this one does, albeit minisculely.

I didn’t really care for Toby. As half of the main couple we’re following, he was quite dull. Which turned out to be just fine because Addie really shined.

Paula also did a good job at painting the scene. I basically pictured Boney Creek to be one of those small towns where a van full of teens stops to fill up gas at the beginning of a horror movie and everyone just kind of sneers at them. I love when I can picture a setting in a thriller, because sometimes that falls to the wayside when trying to stick to the plot and get all of those threads to stay together. Luckily, both plot and descriptions were excellent.

We got some good twists and red herring moments as well.

Boney Creek was a decent thriller story with a mystery to uncover. Addy and her husband Tobey move to Boney Creek, a small town. Addie finds out that there's a series of accidental deaths that took place and her former journalist genes won't allow her to sit it out. She is absolutely determined to get to the bottom of what is going on in Boney Creek, who the serial killer of the town was, and how many truths are being buried by the whole town. Addie couldn't trust anyone because everyone had a story to tell, none of the pieces were adding up, and everyone seemed suspect because they all had motive. I loved the mystery solving aspect of this and it felt like we were along for the ride with her.
I listened to the audio version of this book and let me tell you, the narrator did a fantastic job with pacing and voice distinguishing. She had an accent, but it helped give the story some character and it wasn't complicated to understand. Overall, a nice little mystery to solve.

Thank you @paulagleesonauthor @brilliancepublishing and #thomasandmercer for my complementary digital and audio copies. All opinions expressed are my own.

SUMMARY: When ADDIE and her husband arrive In the small town of Boney Creek, she learns about a string of mysterious deaths. Intrigued, she sets out to investigate, questioning whether these recent fatalities were actually murders and possibly tied to a decades old death. Even though the townspeople want to brush the recent deaths off as coincidence, Addie’s instincts as a former aspiring journalist tell her there's much more to the story.

Soon Addie starts uncovering dangerous secrets that threaten to expose the town’s hidden problems—and put her own life at risk. The deeper she goes, the more she realizes that SHE might be the next target in this unsettling pattern!

MY THOUGHTS: I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It’s 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹-𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻 and 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗱, with a 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱 𝗺𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆 that kept me engaged from start to finish!The story features 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗸𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 (my favorite!) and is rich with 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀, 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮, and 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲. Addie stands out as a 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁, adding depth to the narrative. The audiobook experience was also enjoyable. As I read I was impressed with the author's writing style and the complexity of the mystery. I can’t wait to explore more of this author’s work, which has been all the talk with my friends @thrillerbookloversthepulse.

This book captured my attention right away! I love books where the main character sets out to investigate a local mystery, and Addie finds that she has a lot to uncover in Boney Creek! I liked the small-town atmosphere and the interesting characters. I thought the twists and turns were well done, leaving me unable to figure out the reason behind all of the local deaths.

The narration on the audiobook was well done and made for an enjoyable listening experience! 😃

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BrillancePublishing for the book #BoneyCrek by #PaulaGleeson. This book is about secrets in a small town where bodies are piling up. Addie and Tony live in Boney Creek where seven people have died in accidents. Addie, not believing they were accidents, has started her own investigation. Not only does Addie have secrets, but as she digs into the towns secrets she finds herself in danger. Can she figure all this out before she is the next accident?

This was super good! The pacing was great, the length of the book was perfect, and the story kept me hooked. I liked the mix of the story with blog posts, recordings, podcasts, etc. Very cool.
In regard to the audiobook narrator -- she was great. I appreciated that you could tell different voices when it came to male vs female but it wasn't drastic where it felt odd of her going into a super deep voice or anything like that.

Small town drama, family secrets. Could there be a serial killer in a small town? Are the seven recent deaths all related? Addie is a strong female lead character. Why would a couple move to the middle of nowhere? As the deaths pile up, what other secrets are lurking? Lots of twists and turns with great characters.

Thank you to Brillance Audio fof the ALC. The narrator, Anthea Greco was phenomenal.

I absolutely LOVED The Original Twin by Gleeson so I was so excited to devour her new thriller. It didn’t disappoint!

✔️creepy town
✔️family drama
✔️ amateur sleuth
✔️layers of mystery

I was glued to my earbuds/ flipping the pages to find out who or what was killing everyone. My jaw was left open when the reveal came and I was left gasping as I was not expecting that ending.

I alternated from listening to the audiobook and reading and I loved both options. The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job and I loved her Australian accent.

***Thank you Paula Gleeson, Thriller Book Lovers (The Pulse) and Brilliance Audio for my gifted copies!

The narration kept me in the story. It was good. It did pick up the last 100 pages or so. I do enjoy Gleeson's work.

The setting, perfectly timed plot, & character development are all perfect in this thriller from new-to-me-author, Paula Gleason!

And I loved Anthea Greco s narration!

This story was definitely a wild and fast-paced read. I found it really easy to get through because the writing is straightforward and keeps moving, which is great when you want something that doesn’t drag on. What I found most interesting was how the mystery was told through two different timelines — the past and the present. That made it feel more layered, as you have to pay attention to details from both periods and try to see how they fit together.

The way the author connected everything in the end was satisfying. It wasn’t just random twists; each clue and event had a purpose, which made the story feel well thought out. I enjoyed watching the pieces from the past slowly reveal their impact on the present, and that back-and-forth kept me engaged enough to keep going.

The characters were believable and their motivations made sense, even if the story itself moved quickly. I appreciated that it wasn’t overly complicated or heavy, so it felt like a light but intriguing puzzle. It’s the kind of book you can read without feeling overwhelmed but still get a sense of accomplishment when the mystery finally comes together.

Overall, if you’re looking for a mystery that’s easy to read but still offers a cool connection between different timelines, this story fits the bill. It might not be the most mind-blowing book, but it’s a solid and enjoyable read for anyone who likes mysteries with a twist.

Addie and Toby move to Boney Creek to escape the city… but it turns out they’re both hiding something. And the town they’ve chosen? Yeah, it’s got secrets of its own. From the moment they arrived, things started to feel off, and I was hooked.

The audiobook narration was so well done. It totally brought the story to life and gave Boney Creek that eerie, unsettling vibe. I loved how the story flipped between the past and present; it made everything feel even more tense and mysterious. This one moves fast and keeps you guessing the whole way through.

What’s really going on in this town? People are dying, and no one knows if it’s just a tragic series of accidents… or something darker. Addie, a former journalist who’s out to prove she’s tougher than everyone thinks, decides to dig into the truth. I loved her dynamic with Clancy; it felt real and gave the story some heart.

Also, the small-town characters? Chef’s kiss. From nosy neighbors to a rumored witch, a grumpy recluse, and everyone dodging Addie’s questions… It’s classic small-town drama with a twist.

If you love twisty thrillers set in atmospheric rural towns, this one’s for you. Definitely recommend giving it a listen!

Thank you so much to the author @paulagleesonauthor & @thrillerbookloversthepulse for the complimentary copy of this ALC!

🕵️‍♀️ARC REVIEW & BOOK TOUR**THRILLER BOOK LOVERS THE PULSE🕵️‍♀️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
“You can run from the city... but you can’t hide from secrets.” – Boney Creek by Paula Gleeson

Big shoutout to Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for introducing this mysterious gem to our crew! Buckle up because “Boney Creek” is a wild ride through a town where the history is just as shady as the characters. The audiobook is a nail-biter with top-notch narration that brings the whole story to life.

Big city too dangerous? Try a small town where the gossip could kill you. 🥺 Welcome to "Boney Creek," where the population hovers around 200 but changes like the weather! 💀 The woods have eyes, everyone’s got a secret and a shovel, and the past refuses to stay buried. 🔐

Addie and Toby thought they were trading chaos for calm, but Boney Creek has layers—and not the cozy, pie-baking kind. Addie’s journalist instincts kick in fast when she starts sniffing around some "accidental" deaths. People in this town are very good at pretending nothing ever happened, so she starts digging for the truth like it's a buried treasure! The vibe is dark folklore meets true crime podcast obsession.

📖 With vivid storytelling, atmospheric small-town vibes, and narration that pulls you straight into the mystery, this audiobook kept me hooked from chapter one. Gleeson knows how to spin suspense that creeps under your skin and keeps you up at night wondering, “What else are they hiding?!”

Thank you to the author and Thomas and Mercer for this eARC delivered via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

When Addie and Toby move to Boney Creek, they find it to be a very quiet place. But it is exactly what they need, especially after the ordeal they have both been through. When the number of local deaths start adding up, Addie, with her journalist mind, knows she needs to start researching what is going on.

Cleverly written with many twists, I totally devoured this one. It was an easy fast paced read that kept me guessing throughout. Definitely another winner for Paula Gleeson. I can't wait to read her next book.

Shout out to the amazing narration too - this one was great on audio!

Boney Creek by Paula Cleeson.
Thank you to NetGalley for my audio ARC. Boney Creek releases on 3 June 2025. Anthea Greco was a wonderful narrator.

First off, I love Australian authors – think Chris Hammer, Jane Harper, Holly Ringland so when I realised this was an Australian author and the book was set in a small town I just knew I was going to enjoy it. Loved it!

Addie and Toby leave their city life behind, after a serious incident, to relocate to the small town of Boney Creek, population 217. Scratch that, make that population 210 as 7 people have died in the last couple of months. The couple are going to takeover the running of the only convenience store in the town – the previous owner being the latest of the deaths.

Addie is an aspiring investigative journalist and decides she needs to find out what is happening in the small town. In the 80’s several tourists and migrant workers went missing from the then bustling town and the Highway Reaper, as the person responsible was called, was never caught. Could these present-day deaths have anything to do with the Highway Reaper?

I loved all the small-town locals – you have the busy bodies, the witch, the aloof rude neighbour, the recluse etc and no-one wants to give Addie a straight answer.

This was a great read. Most questions were answered but a few are still up in the air, which leaves me hoping for a sequel soon.

Reviews published on GoodReads and Bookstagram under books.bubbles,beach - I am unable to copy and paste the links

Oh, I really liked this one! The narration was on point and added to the already atmospheric story where too many deaths have occurred in the tiny town of BONEY CREEK. This one had me guessing until the end and I really loved all the characters and how they were all equally as suspicious each other--making it hard to guess the end reveal/s.

I really enjoyed this.

This gave Australian setting, small town secrets, twisty and full of family dramas.

The mystery of this was actually really addictive for a slow burn.

This is light, fast paced w/great narration, each character was depicted so well.

The beginning of this book had me hooked. I loved the idea of the MC's starting over in a new town, taking on a shop as well as inheriting the ghastly history and small town rumors. The unexplained, frequent deaths had all of my attention.

A couple things didn't work for me. The ending was the main one. One trope that everyone collectively agrees is one of the worst gets thrown in as part of the "big twist" and I feel like the the insensitivity and flippancy surrounding it will upset some readers if not given a trigger warning. I think if more time was spent on the ending it may not have seemed so abrupt and a little pointless.
The characters didn't work for me either. I couldn't connect with any of them, and I felt like there were too many.

Overall, I really enjoyed the mystery and the narration was perfect.

(3.75 stars) Thank you Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this book early and share my thoughts!

Narration-This was my first time listening to a book narrated by Anthea Greco, and I am obsessed with her voice. Her accent was so soothing, and this might not make much sense, but I feel like it really enhanced the vibes of the story.

Story-This story was incredibly atmospheric, and I really enjoyed it. The descriptions and imagery made me feel like I was right there in Boney Creek with Addie and Toby. I was thoroughly entertained by this book and on the edge of my seat the entire time waiting for the big reveal. However, while I did not guess the plot twist, it was not quite as shocking and wild as I wanted. Nevertheless, I had fun with this one!

🎧📖 I love small towns full of deep dark secrets, quirky characters and especially murder! Boney Creek had all of it. The narrator did a great job. Loved the Aussie accent too!

However, this was definitely a long slow burn and I found my interest waning often. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and the twists weren’t really that twisty. It just wasn’t my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing for an ALC & ARC. I enjoy the options with both.