Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Unquiet Bones by Loreth Anne White Narrator: Reba Buhr
Published by Brilliance Audio on September 10, 2024
Genres: Mystery
Length: 10 hours, 5 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible
Socially awkward Chloe Cooper divides her time between dog walking, bartending, caring for her ailing mother, and at a safe distance, watching people and inventing the stories of their lives. Like Chloe’s new neighbors: glamorous influencer Jemma Spengler and Jemma’s husband, Adam, a renowned surgeon. They’re attractive, wealthy, and in a house of open windows, so exposed.
A move to the Pacific Northwest is supposed to be a fresh start for Jemma and Adam. It’s a renewed commitment to a marriage fractured by secrets. A chance to work through the tragic losses in their past. For Jemma, however, this new beginning also comes with an unnerving sensation that she’s being watched.
Then, on a fog-shrouded beach early in the morning, Chloe witnesses the murder of a swimmer. Her suspicions aroused, she suddenly sees her neighbors in a sinister new light. But as a detective and her partner close in, nothing is quite as it seems. Because the Spenglers are not the only ones with secrets. And Chloe isn’t the only one who’s been watching.
I’ve enjoyed this author in the past with both series books and non-series books. The Swimmer is a standalone and very suspenseful. It’s about 40 year old Chloe Cooper who is caring for her mother, who is dying of cancer, working as a bartender. She also does some dog walking in the neighborhood.
A new couple move into a big modern house with picture windows in the neighborhood and she is intrigued by them. She watches through their big easy viewing windows. The woman is lovely and Chloe notices she swims in the Bay every morning when Chloe is walking her dog. Chloe imagines her as a selkie like a story she knew as a child.
Chloe discovers when working in the bar, and watching in the neighborhood, and doing some dog walking for the woman, Jemma, that their pretty life has some rough edges and a sad past. I felt so worried for Chloe as she suffers a shock and then she tries to help Jemma. But Jemma looks down on her and uses her for her own purposes.
Thankfully, the police are very smart when the dead bodies occur. I found the ending satisfying and inspiring.
Narration:
I don’t believe I have heard this narrator previously. Her performance was enjoyable and kept me in the story. I listened easily at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Loreth Anne White
Loreth Anne White is an award-winning, bestselling author of romantic suspense, thrillers, and mysteries.
A three-time RITA finalist, she has also won the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the Romantic Crown for Best Romantic Suspense and Best Book Overall, in addition to being a Booksellers’ Best finalist, a multiple Daphne Du Maurier Award finalist, and a multiple CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award winner.
A former journalist and newspaper editor who has worked in both South Africa and Canada, she now resides in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest with her family. When she’s not writing, you will find her skiing, biking, or hiking the trails with her Black Dog.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
I can’t wait to get to this one! Great review, Anne (I skimmed)💜
Thanks Jonetta. This one was a real oddball but a great ending.
Sounds like another good one from Loreth Anne White! 😀
yes I really enjoyed it.
You have me curious Anne. Great review.
Thanks Kimberly. Suspenseful parts but a good ending.
Anne I haven’t heard of this author but wow this book sounds fantastic and right up my alley.
This is a favorite author Debbie. She has standalones like this one and a couple short series I’ve read also.
I’ve enjoyed a couple of her books and started to work at her backlist when I still had the KU program. I’ll get to them eventually. Love how she writes her characters like Chloe.
I really liked it and I worried for Chloe.
“Thankfully, the police are very smart when the dead bodies occur.” This made me chortle, because how often are the police the problem?! Too often in books.
Thanks Jen. I appreciated the police didn’t just settle quickly for a likely suspect with a bit of circumstantial evidence.
I’ve enjoyed White’s standalones and series’ in the past as well. I just clicked over and found out this is a Kindle Unlimited read and listen, so yay!
yes there are so many KU🎧 that I want to read!
I don’t think that I have read this author yet. This sounds like it would definitely be worth a read.
I enjoy both her series and standalones. These last two standalones have been great.
Perfect for spooky season
Well it is certainly creepy. Also very well written and narrated.
I haven’t read this author but this sounds really good! Definitely one I’d enjoy.
This author is an auto-read for me. This one was a bit twisty and tragic but with a good ending.