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Bone Blind
Only the flame from a curious candle holder illuminated the murdered corpse of Karl Knock on a bitterly cold Massachusetts night twenty years in the past. When the efforts of local, state and federal investigators failed to cast more light on the crime than the little candle did, the case gathered dust, unsolved and forgotten. But when horror novelist Finn Ryan gets an invitation to dinner from a beautiful but eccentric and reclusive colleague, Tally Serzak, a web of danger sends its first, tentative filaments from that candlelit room. And nothing will ever be the same. Because Finn has secrets. So does Tally. And so does Newton, MA, Police Detective Warren Yost, who found Knock’s body on that cold morning so long ago. Now, on the eve of retirement, Yost decides to solve the old murder and go out with a last hurrah. As Finn’s involvement with the strange Tally reaches an intensity that has him running into walls, he begins to see similarities between himself and his own characters. He’s in a horror novel, except this one is real. There are no ghosts, no zombies or vampires. There is only Tally and an unfolding story Finn doesn’t want to see, but can’t ignore. As she knew he wouldn’t. Warren Yost sees the story as well, but can’t assemble its puzzle until Finn provides a last piece that will lead to a final, and deadly, resolution.
328 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 15, 2013
I was really looking forward to this book when I read the synopsis but I have to say I found it very irksome to read. At the beginning of the book I thought it would have some character to it and be an interesting mystery read but jeez, the further along I read the harder it was; it felt like walking through a tar pit, with each step you just get stuck deeper & deeper.
I'm rarely this harsh on a book critique but I'll try to explain my reasoning behind it. First off, the story was created in an odd order; I mean I'm used to mystery books going from location to location, from character to character to build up the rest of the story because later on those separate parts blend together to bring the story to a close. In this book even though that is what the author probably had in mind, I honestly grew to not care about any of the characters. Finn was a gloomy divorced father who was caught up with a nut job of a woman who acted more like a teenager than an adult and really, her personality irked me after her 2nd or third "scene" in the book. In real life, if I ever met a woman like this I'd do my utmost to stay at least a thousand miles from her simply because her personality is so irritating and childish while at the same time being overly serious. The detective, Yote, is a lecherous man who doesn't seem to have any qualms about cheating on his wife as long as he gets something out of it and yet he acts like someone who does care at times. Also, instead of mentioning this mystery is 20 years old, the author should base an actual time frame and mention that in the story; I mean, think about it; if someone reads this book 30 yrs from now and thinks back 20 years in time to when the murder was supposed to take place, the scenario behind the murder situation would never fit. I know that doesn't sound like a problem but it is when you're trying to read a book and create a mental scene of what it is you're reading. And finally, when Finn is writing is zombie story, you get bits and pieces of the story he's writing told in vivid details as though it has any bearing on the story. I can understand trying to show where the fictional author in the story is coming from, what he's writing about, the methods he uses to get his information for his work and I love Victorian era horror but in this book the details and parts of the story that appear are so uninteresting it takes you away from the main premise of the story. All in all, this is one of the few books I've begun that I simply couldn't finish reading. Without any character in the story that I can relate to or care about beyond those characters getting on my nerves, a book will not make it, in my opinion.
I'm rarely this harsh on a book critique but I'll try to explain my reasoning behind it. First off, the story was created in an odd order; I mean I'm used to mystery books going from location to location, from character to character to build up the rest of the story because later on those separate parts blend together to bring the story to a close. In this book even though that is what the author probably had in mind, I honestly grew to not care about any of the characters. Finn was a gloomy divorced father who was caught up with a nut job of a woman who acted more like a teenager than an adult and really, her personality irked me after her 2nd or third "scene" in the book. In real life, if I ever met a woman like this I'd do my utmost to stay at least a thousand miles from her simply because her personality is so irritating and childish while at the same time being overly serious. The detective, Yote, is a lecherous man who doesn't seem to have any qualms about cheating on his wife as long as he gets something out of it and yet he acts like someone who does care at times. Also, instead of mentioning this mystery is 20 years old, the author should base an actual time frame and mention that in the story; I mean, think about it; if someone reads this book 30 yrs from now and thinks back 20 years in time to when the murder was supposed to take place, the scenario behind the murder situation would never fit. I know that doesn't sound like a problem but it is when you're trying to read a book and create a mental scene of what it is you're reading. And finally, when Finn is writing is zombie story, you get bits and pieces of the story he's writing told in vivid details as though it has any bearing on the story. I can understand trying to show where the fictional author in the story is coming from, what he's writing about, the methods he uses to get his information for his work and I love Victorian era horror but in this book the details and parts of the story that appear are so uninteresting it takes you away from the main premise of the story. All in all, this is one of the few books I've begun that I simply couldn't finish reading. Without any character in the story that I can relate to or care about beyond those characters getting on my nerves, a book will not make it, in my opinion.
August 16, 2012
Oh dear, I fear that Ms. Padgett may see my three star review and place me right in the middle of her book review secret code. Egads, I loved Padgett's earlier published mysteries, with their interesting twists and intriguing protagonists with a difference. So, why am I not celebrating her latest book, which I believe is a self-published effort?
It's not for the reasons she had trouble publishing it. According to her blog, her agent loved it. Editors even liked it a lot, but it wasn't publishable. Which genre was it? Horror? Mystery? Something else?
No, genre-crossing is fine by me. My issues with it concerned a desire for additional editing, a tightening up or fine-tuning of various strings being pulled together. There were characters and characterisations that were begging for a professional editor's final touch. Questions that I'd ask writing students seemingly were unasked regarding some of these characters. Sadly, I guessed the murderer way too early, and so the red herrings just left me waiting longer.
Why three stars then and not two? Well, it's because Padgett is a damned fine writer with ambitious and enjoyable ideas. With just a little tinkering, this book could be even better. It's a shame that publishing houses seem only to want to do that with easily marketable novels.
It's not for the reasons she had trouble publishing it. According to her blog, her agent loved it. Editors even liked it a lot, but it wasn't publishable. Which genre was it? Horror? Mystery? Something else?
No, genre-crossing is fine by me. My issues with it concerned a desire for additional editing, a tightening up or fine-tuning of various strings being pulled together. There were characters and characterisations that were begging for a professional editor's final touch. Questions that I'd ask writing students seemingly were unasked regarding some of these characters. Sadly, I guessed the murderer way too early, and so the red herrings just left me waiting longer.
Why three stars then and not two? Well, it's because Padgett is a damned fine writer with ambitious and enjoyable ideas. With just a little tinkering, this book could be even better. It's a shame that publishing houses seem only to want to do that with easily marketable novels.
September 19, 2013
BONE BLIND begins twenty years ago with a one-page prologue describing the grisly scene of the murder of a man, Karl Knock. It quickly jumps twenty years to Finn Ryan, the author of a series of horror books, working on his latest story when“ an enchanting woman died and an undead thing was born.”
I was ready to stop reading at this point because while I do like to read mysteries, I rarely like horror stories or science fiction. I am glad I persevered.
In chapter 2, we are introduced to Detective Warren Yost, who was the detective on the Knock case and is three months away from retirement. His big dream is to solve the case.
Ryan says he is bored by his writing but explains his métier success as “a fantasy in a glass bubble of fiction people would read for the same reason they hopped on carnival rides. He wondered if real life ever provided an equivalent experience....But words weren’t real life; they were only its shadows.”
“Even he didn’t know quite how it happened; it was as if the stories were already there, waiting to be discovered. They were like dismembered ghosts. Their pieces were everywhere, just waiting to be assembled..” And he continues to let his story develop.
Meanwhile, Yost finds some possible clues about Knock’s murder which seem to link it to more recent killings. While trying to determine the killer, his path crosses Ryan’s and the two of them work both together and against each other.
Abigail Padgett has a wonderful way with words. Her characters seem very real, though I don’t understand the attraction of Ryan to one of the women. The story twists and turns, giving information and then taking it away. She manages to blend the two stories into one without awkward manipulation. BONE BLIND has its moments of humor. For example, at a workshop, Yost wears his shoulder harness. A nun sitting next to him says, “So reassuring to know we’re safe from armed attack here in the library....Dare I ask what you’d wear to a bank robbery?”
He responds, “Usually I try for a layered look....You know, Kevlar vest, Ka-Bar knife, M-5 assault rifle and a riot helmet from the same color group.”
I’ve read many of Abigail Padgett’s books. This one was totally different: different characters, different location, different genre. But her storytelling and writing style remains superb
I was ready to stop reading at this point because while I do like to read mysteries, I rarely like horror stories or science fiction. I am glad I persevered.
In chapter 2, we are introduced to Detective Warren Yost, who was the detective on the Knock case and is three months away from retirement. His big dream is to solve the case.
Ryan says he is bored by his writing but explains his métier success as “a fantasy in a glass bubble of fiction people would read for the same reason they hopped on carnival rides. He wondered if real life ever provided an equivalent experience....But words weren’t real life; they were only its shadows.”
“Even he didn’t know quite how it happened; it was as if the stories were already there, waiting to be discovered. They were like dismembered ghosts. Their pieces were everywhere, just waiting to be assembled..” And he continues to let his story develop.
Meanwhile, Yost finds some possible clues about Knock’s murder which seem to link it to more recent killings. While trying to determine the killer, his path crosses Ryan’s and the two of them work both together and against each other.
Abigail Padgett has a wonderful way with words. Her characters seem very real, though I don’t understand the attraction of Ryan to one of the women. The story twists and turns, giving information and then taking it away. She manages to blend the two stories into one without awkward manipulation. BONE BLIND has its moments of humor. For example, at a workshop, Yost wears his shoulder harness. A nun sitting next to him says, “So reassuring to know we’re safe from armed attack here in the library....Dare I ask what you’d wear to a bank robbery?”
He responds, “Usually I try for a layered look....You know, Kevlar vest, Ka-Bar knife, M-5 assault rifle and a riot helmet from the same color group.”
I’ve read many of Abigail Padgett’s books. This one was totally different: different characters, different location, different genre. But her storytelling and writing style remains superb
November 14, 2013
When I first started reading this book I thought for sure I'd found a book that was a home run. The plot drew me in right away. The author knows how to put words together and layered characters that were unique and real. Never once did I not want to finish reading this book. I had to know what was going to happen.
But as I got closer to the end of the story, things crumbled a bit. I thought Finn was an idiot for not telling Yost (the detective) everything he knew. Tally got to be too screwy and I never cared if she and Finn united in the end of the story. In fact, I thought they were better off without each other. The detective's total about-face from having to solve a twenty-year-old cold case before he retired to not caring all that much was annoying and didn't ring true. And there were a few other bothersome things.
Pages and pages of Finn and Yost being in their heads analyzing who committed the murder got tedious. And a writer of this caliber (she really is top notch) shouldn't have head-hopping going on; she should know the difference between blonde and blond and she should know how to use quotes when a character's dialogue continues to the next paragraph.
But in the end, I'd say the pros outweigh the cons. The story is engaging and the writing excellent. I'm glad I read this book and I'd recommend it to others who like mysteries and weird characters.
But as I got closer to the end of the story, things crumbled a bit. I thought Finn was an idiot for not telling Yost (the detective) everything he knew. Tally got to be too screwy and I never cared if she and Finn united in the end of the story. In fact, I thought they were better off without each other. The detective's total about-face from having to solve a twenty-year-old cold case before he retired to not caring all that much was annoying and didn't ring true. And there were a few other bothersome things.
Pages and pages of Finn and Yost being in their heads analyzing who committed the murder got tedious. And a writer of this caliber (she really is top notch) shouldn't have head-hopping going on; she should know the difference between blonde and blond and she should know how to use quotes when a character's dialogue continues to the next paragraph.
But in the end, I'd say the pros outweigh the cons. The story is engaging and the writing excellent. I'm glad I read this book and I'd recommend it to others who like mysteries and weird characters.
February 19, 2011
Richly layered, suspenseful mystery
I have read all of Padgett’s books, her Bo Bradley series, starting with Child of Silence, and her two Bo McCarron books, and loved them all. So I was excited to read this new, stand-alone mystery that just came out. I was completely enthralled. In Bone Blind, Padgett does a masterful job of telling the story of two men, Ryan Finn and Warren Yost, as they slowly, suspensefully, and at first separately, unwind the mysteries behind a twenty-year old murder. Ryan Finn is a writer of gothic horror literature, who is wrestling with the implications of no longer needing to devote every waking moment to his teenage daughter; while Warren Yost is coming to terms with his coming retirement from the police force. The mystery they solve becomes, to a degree, their salvation.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that with Bone Blind you really got two books in one, because throughout the story, Finn writes a wonderful gothic Victorian horror story, which provided a fascinating look into the craft of writing, as well as a fun and creepy tale. I highly recommend Bone Blind as a satisfying combination of excellent plotting, intriguing character development, strong regional (New England) and historical (Victorian) detail, and just a terrifically good read!
I have read all of Padgett’s books, her Bo Bradley series, starting with Child of Silence, and her two Bo McCarron books, and loved them all. So I was excited to read this new, stand-alone mystery that just came out. I was completely enthralled. In Bone Blind, Padgett does a masterful job of telling the story of two men, Ryan Finn and Warren Yost, as they slowly, suspensefully, and at first separately, unwind the mysteries behind a twenty-year old murder. Ryan Finn is a writer of gothic horror literature, who is wrestling with the implications of no longer needing to devote every waking moment to his teenage daughter; while Warren Yost is coming to terms with his coming retirement from the police force. The mystery they solve becomes, to a degree, their salvation.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that with Bone Blind you really got two books in one, because throughout the story, Finn writes a wonderful gothic Victorian horror story, which provided a fascinating look into the craft of writing, as well as a fun and creepy tale. I highly recommend Bone Blind as a satisfying combination of excellent plotting, intriguing character development, strong regional (New England) and historical (Victorian) detail, and just a terrifically good read!
February 17, 2015
This was just a strange book. The culprit was easy to figure out about 1/2 way through so the ending was a bit anti climactic. It was a very wordy book and some things throughout made little sense in context. The story and the storyline took me out of my comfort zone as far as my normal read. So in that regard I'm glad I read it.
February 28, 2019
Overwrought
This took me awhile to read. The characters are hard to care about and the story unravels at a painstakingly slow pace. If you're looking for a scare don't look here. This is more of a Harliquin romance.
This took me awhile to read. The characters are hard to care about and the story unravels at a painstakingly slow pace. If you're looking for a scare don't look here. This is more of a Harliquin romance.
August 21, 2019
Loved it!
This book really kept me reading all night long. Great characters and plot. I was guessing until the end as to the truth of the whole matter. Do yourself a favor and read this book.
This book really kept me reading all night long. Great characters and plot. I was guessing until the end as to the truth of the whole matter. Do yourself a favor and read this book.
October 24, 2021
Murder on Cape Cod
I liked this book especially after recently vacationing on Cape Cod.
The main characters, Finn the writer and Yost the policeman were interesting characters. Tally was definitely wierd, but I never thought she was really the murderer (spoiler alert)!
I liked this book especially after recently vacationing on Cape Cod.
The main characters, Finn the writer and Yost the policeman were interesting characters. Tally was definitely wierd, but I never thought she was really the murderer (spoiler alert)!
September 5, 2017
Good book
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA
March 16, 2020
This interesting novel set in Boston has an old fashioned feel to it as a writer and a soon to be retired police officer unravel an old mystery.
Read
February 22, 2024Life and its twist and turns. I liked the ending.
October 16, 2013
I got a free download of Bone Blind on Amazon. In exchange, I offer the author this, my honest review.
Finn Ryan is an author. Horror stories are his bailiwick. Specifically, zombie stories set in Victorian times. His work is renowned. His research on everything from nineteenth century embalming practices to Victorian psychiatric hospitals to fairy lamps is detailed. For example, Finn considers: does his story require that he refer to the fabric in question as “crepe”—a rumpled fabric, or “crape”—a fabric in black? But, Finn’s personal life is in a bit of a shambles. Carrying guilt for not having been where he should have been some years back, on a cold night that nearly cost his daughter, Katie, her life, Ryan does all he can to protect Katie. So, what happens when he invests his time and attention on another horror writer and famous recluse, Tally Serzak? Is Tally the woman responsible for the twenty-year-old murder of a Boston man? And, if so, what danger does that present to Finn himself—or to his beloved Katie?
My favorite part of Bone Blind was the realistic manner in which Padgett presented the ways of an author. She discusses how a horror writer spends time on creating atmosphere; how a writer of romance reflects on the “concern of the female with corralling the male to his functions as father and breadwinner;” how mystery writers ponder over and then present the puzzle pieces. It was the little thoughts that Finn had as he wrote—like wondering whether horses were made uneasy with the smell of death and because he was unsure, adding a white mongrel dog into his scene—that brought Padgett’s story to life and that made it feel so genuine.
With a backdrop of the world of writers in general, and the lives of the two authors, Finn and Tally in particular, Padgett creates a story that is part horror (that being the story that Ryan is writing), part romance (that being Finn and Tally’s—someone odd—relationship) and part mystery (as the local, soon to retire detective Warren Yost seeks to end his career with the final hurrah by discovering the murderer of a 20-year old case).
I very much enjoyed Bone Blind and I highly recommend it lovers of mysteries!
Also posted at www.Oathtaker.com, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and www.PatriciaReding.BookLikes.com. Linked at Facebook.com/PatriciaRedingAuthor. Post tweeted and cover pinned.
Finn Ryan is an author. Horror stories are his bailiwick. Specifically, zombie stories set in Victorian times. His work is renowned. His research on everything from nineteenth century embalming practices to Victorian psychiatric hospitals to fairy lamps is detailed. For example, Finn considers: does his story require that he refer to the fabric in question as “crepe”—a rumpled fabric, or “crape”—a fabric in black? But, Finn’s personal life is in a bit of a shambles. Carrying guilt for not having been where he should have been some years back, on a cold night that nearly cost his daughter, Katie, her life, Ryan does all he can to protect Katie. So, what happens when he invests his time and attention on another horror writer and famous recluse, Tally Serzak? Is Tally the woman responsible for the twenty-year-old murder of a Boston man? And, if so, what danger does that present to Finn himself—or to his beloved Katie?
My favorite part of Bone Blind was the realistic manner in which Padgett presented the ways of an author. She discusses how a horror writer spends time on creating atmosphere; how a writer of romance reflects on the “concern of the female with corralling the male to his functions as father and breadwinner;” how mystery writers ponder over and then present the puzzle pieces. It was the little thoughts that Finn had as he wrote—like wondering whether horses were made uneasy with the smell of death and because he was unsure, adding a white mongrel dog into his scene—that brought Padgett’s story to life and that made it feel so genuine.
With a backdrop of the world of writers in general, and the lives of the two authors, Finn and Tally in particular, Padgett creates a story that is part horror (that being the story that Ryan is writing), part romance (that being Finn and Tally’s—someone odd—relationship) and part mystery (as the local, soon to retire detective Warren Yost seeks to end his career with the final hurrah by discovering the murderer of a 20-year old case).
I very much enjoyed Bone Blind and I highly recommend it lovers of mysteries!
Also posted at www.Oathtaker.com, Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and www.PatriciaReding.BookLikes.com. Linked at Facebook.com/PatriciaRedingAuthor. Post tweeted and cover pinned.
September 15, 2013
I started reading this really not expecting to enjoy it...and I did. There are several themes that draw closer together throughout the course of the book and do so in a way that leads you to see the end, but not be totally sure that's where it is headed.
Will look for more of her work.
Only the flame from a curious candle holder illuminated the murdered corpse of Karl Knock on a bitterly cold Massachusetts night twenty years in the past. When the efforts of local, state and federal investigators failed to cast more light on the crime than the little candle did, the case gathered dust, unsolved and forgotten. But when horror novelist Finn Ryan gets an invitation to dinner from a beautiful but eccentric and reclusive colleague, Tally Serzak, a web of danger sends its first, tentative filaments from that candlelit room. And nothing will ever be the same. Because Finn has secrets. So does Tally. And so does Newton, MA, Police Detective Warren Yost, who found Knock’s body on that cold morning so long ago. Now, on the eve of retirement, Yost decides to solve the old murder and go out with a last hurrah. As Finn’s involvement with the strange Tally reaches an intensity that has him running into walls, he begins to see similarities between himself and his own characters. He’s in a horror novel, except this one is real. There are no ghosts, no zombies or vampires. There is only Tally and an unfolding story Finn doesn’t want to see, but can’t ignore. As she knew he wouldn’t. Warren Yost sees the story as well, but can’t assemble its puzzle until Finn provides a last piece that will lead to a final, and deadly, resolution
Will look for more of her work.
Only the flame from a curious candle holder illuminated the murdered corpse of Karl Knock on a bitterly cold Massachusetts night twenty years in the past. When the efforts of local, state and federal investigators failed to cast more light on the crime than the little candle did, the case gathered dust, unsolved and forgotten. But when horror novelist Finn Ryan gets an invitation to dinner from a beautiful but eccentric and reclusive colleague, Tally Serzak, a web of danger sends its first, tentative filaments from that candlelit room. And nothing will ever be the same. Because Finn has secrets. So does Tally. And so does Newton, MA, Police Detective Warren Yost, who found Knock’s body on that cold morning so long ago. Now, on the eve of retirement, Yost decides to solve the old murder and go out with a last hurrah. As Finn’s involvement with the strange Tally reaches an intensity that has him running into walls, he begins to see similarities between himself and his own characters. He’s in a horror novel, except this one is real. There are no ghosts, no zombies or vampires. There is only Tally and an unfolding story Finn doesn’t want to see, but can’t ignore. As she knew he wouldn’t. Warren Yost sees the story as well, but can’t assemble its puzzle until Finn provides a last piece that will lead to a final, and deadly, resolution
Read
December 3, 2012Fans of Abigail Padgett's Bo Bradley mysteries know she's an exquisite stylist. BONE BLIND showcases her gift for creating atmosphere, and the atmosphere here is brilliantly dark. Boston horror novelist Finn Ryan is writing a gothic tale about a demon bride when he becomes entangled with Tally Serzak, another horror writer who has her own touch of the demonic; she's linked to a grisly unsolved murder that happened 20 years earlier. At the same time their obsessive romance unfolds, a local cop, on the verge of retirement, is looking into the old murder. The cop, Warren Yost, is down-to-earth, decent, and funny; thank goodness Padgett lets the reader have an occasional beer with him and relax. Another pleasure of BONE BLIND is its insight into the writing process. The moments of relief are welcome, because the Finn and Tally story will wrap itself around you like vines growing out of a grave.
August 3, 2016
Bone Blind by Abigail Padgett
This mystery novel was definitely a page turner. A murder that happened twenty years ago in which a business man by name of Karl Knock was killed by a coat hanger. Warren Yost who was the police officer on the scene was never able to solve this cold case.
Twenty years later, a horror writer, Flynn Ryan is involved in a strange love/hate relationship with another writer, Tally Serzak. As Detective Yost nears his retirement he decides he is going to solve that cold case with the help of horror writer Flynn Ryan. All evidence points to Tally as being the suspect but is it really her or was she set up to make it look like she had actually murdered someone.
This had me second guessing along with the character Flynn wanting to get to the truth.
This mystery novel was definitely a page turner. A murder that happened twenty years ago in which a business man by name of Karl Knock was killed by a coat hanger. Warren Yost who was the police officer on the scene was never able to solve this cold case.
Twenty years later, a horror writer, Flynn Ryan is involved in a strange love/hate relationship with another writer, Tally Serzak. As Detective Yost nears his retirement he decides he is going to solve that cold case with the help of horror writer Flynn Ryan. All evidence points to Tally as being the suspect but is it really her or was she set up to make it look like she had actually murdered someone.
This had me second guessing along with the character Flynn wanting to get to the truth.
November 17, 2013
This book is well written but verbose, and delves into unnecessary details. It focuses on an author’s struggle to finish his own book while trying to understand the childish antics of another author he is obsessed with. In the meantime, a detective is trying to solve a twenty-year-old murder. A lot of time is spent in the world of the author’s book, and it (probably unintentionally) created an “Inception” style book-within-a-book world. I had trouble identifying what I needed to care about and who the players were because there were so many layers of reality. I felt this method was a confusing distraction, particularly in the beginning, and given the author’s wordy prose. If you enjoy hyper-descriptive narrative and well-researched tidbits (that may have little to do with the story, but are interesting nonetheless) this book may be for you.
January 22, 2014
It took me a little while to really get into the story at first. My problem was trying to understand what was actually going on, because the author has an author as one of her main characters, and this fellow is writing a story, within the story. And then there is another character who is a policeman and this other guy has his own story...
Well, after a few chapters, you get to understand who's who and what they are doing in this "who dunnit" mystery.
Bone Blind is very well written. If you like long descriptions with surgical precision in the details, you will most certainly enjoy reading this book. Victorian homes aficionados will also be glad to have picked this title, as the action takes place in such fancily constructed houses.
A good read indeed, but with too much detailed descriptions for my own taste, which kept me from giving it a four star note.
Well, after a few chapters, you get to understand who's who and what they are doing in this "who dunnit" mystery.
Bone Blind is very well written. If you like long descriptions with surgical precision in the details, you will most certainly enjoy reading this book. Victorian homes aficionados will also be glad to have picked this title, as the action takes place in such fancily constructed houses.
A good read indeed, but with too much detailed descriptions for my own taste, which kept me from giving it a four star note.
September 19, 2013
An excellent book and so well written you forget all time and previous commitments. The writing style in this book grabs you from the start. You don’t have to spend ten pages wondering if you are going to like it, finish it, or turn the page.
Fin Ryan is a character that is easy to spend the evening with, as are all the others in this book. It has high levels of tensions that break with unexpected humor. It makes the funny parts so much funnier for how intense everything is otherwise.
This is as good as writing gets. The style was everything I look for.
Fin Ryan is a character that is easy to spend the evening with, as are all the others in this book. It has high levels of tensions that break with unexpected humor. It makes the funny parts so much funnier for how intense everything is otherwise.
This is as good as writing gets. The style was everything I look for.
November 13, 2013
Completely engaging and interesting tale of a horror novel writer and how he creates his novels and gets caught up in the world of a twenty-year-old murder by accident…using Boston and its rich New England suburbia as a backdrop Abigail Padgett draws the reader beautifully into the world of Finnegan Ryan who is desperately trying to complete his Victorian novel of a zombie bride while balancing his guilt over his daughter's accident seven years earlier and his desire for a mysterious horror writer who draws him into her vexing world of intrigue.
April 28, 2018
Skilful gothic-cop-writer-horror novel
Padgett twists plots like a pretzel, leading you to a murder that did, or didn’t, happen 20 years ago, to be solved, or probably not, by a nearly has been cop, aided sort of by an author of gothic novels lusting after a somewhat demented but ravishing mystery writer. The plots come together like wrestling octopi, as the characters find, lose, and re-find the truth. A fine exercise in gradual revelation of truth that you always sort of suspected.
Padgett twists plots like a pretzel, leading you to a murder that did, or didn’t, happen 20 years ago, to be solved, or probably not, by a nearly has been cop, aided sort of by an author of gothic novels lusting after a somewhat demented but ravishing mystery writer. The plots come together like wrestling octopi, as the characters find, lose, and re-find the truth. A fine exercise in gradual revelation of truth that you always sort of suspected.
November 21, 2012
This book got better as it went along ;though started off slow. I love how the protagonist got stronger in character. A great ending. I almost cried. I would give this a 5. And though there was very little bad language, there was flippant sex-the latter is what really made me cringe. because there was a few bits of foul language and the sex, I had to drop the book to a 3. This book was free on Kindle. I would not like to buy it with the 2 issues I mentioned in it.
March 4, 2014
I found many parts boring, mostly about the writer and his book. He seemed to enjoy his research more than his writing. I'd figured out the end before I got there, there were a few too many clues. I enjoyed Yost's character, flawed, trying to do one more good deed before retiring. Deserves another proofreading, spotted several typos in here as well, glad it was a free download. It could have been better with a few changes, but not a completely horrible read.
July 13, 2014
20 years ago a man, Karl Knock, was killed by a coat hanger in his eye.
Finn Ryan is a writer with a daughter, Katie, who limps due to an accident. Another man is murdered in a motel by being stabbed with a pen 37 times. Warren Yost is a cop about to retire. Together Ryan and Yost solve the murders. Exciting book that you don't want to put down.
Finn Ryan is a writer with a daughter, Katie, who limps due to an accident. Another man is murdered in a motel by being stabbed with a pen 37 times. Warren Yost is a cop about to retire. Together Ryan and Yost solve the murders. Exciting book that you don't want to put down.
February 10, 2013
A story within a story. As Finn Ryan is writing a Victorian horror book he comes across a real life horror story
while a soon to be retired cop is trying to close a 20 year old murder.
non graphic sex and a murder
while a soon to be retired cop is trying to close a 20 year old murder.
non graphic sex and a murder
September 29, 2013
This was an unusual story, if I were a writer I think I could understand more the mind of this character better,It was a good story that had a shadow of another in the background.which I thought was very clever of Abigail Padgett.
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November 4, 2012I could not put this book down. The story twisted in many directions I did not expect.
July 16, 2014
Excellent book - I loved the story within a story .
January 27, 2013
Reading on my Kindle.
September 22, 2013
Actually 3-1/2 stars, this book seemingly two different story lines twists and merges to an ending you think you may have figured out early on. But remember the twists. I enjoyed the read.
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