Bone Yard

Raine Stockton Dog Mystery #4

by Donna Ball

Fourth Installment in the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery a short novella Dog trainer Raine Stockton has lived all her life in the quiet community of Hansonville, North Carolina. She is the daughter of a judge, the niece of a sheriff, and the ex-wife of a deputy. She does not lead the kind of life, generally speaking, in which people get buried in her back yard. But when Cisco, Raine’s mischievous golden retriever, digs up human bones beneath the site of what will soon be her new training kennel, mayhem ensues. With the state police swarming everywhere, concerns about a mass grave and suspicions of a serial killer, Raine is surrounded by chaos. But when her beautiful collie Majesty keeps disappearing and cryptic messages from a pet psychic only add to the confusion, Raine soon finds herself plunged into the midst of a mystery that is far too close to home. Can she and Cisco track down the truth before it’s too late? Praise for the Raine Stockton Dog Mystery “ An intriguing heroine, a twisty tale, a riveting finale, and a golden retriever to die for. [This book] will delight mystery fans and enchant dog lovers.” ---Carolyn Hart “Has everything--wonderful characters, surprising twists, great dialogue. Donna Ball knows dogs, knows the Smoky Mountains, and knows how to write a page turner. I loved it.” --Beverly Connor “Very entertaining… combines a likeable heroine and a fascinating mystery… a story of suspense with humor and tenderness.” --Carlene Thompson

Genres: Mystery, Dogs, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Animals, Novella, Cozy

97 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 9, 2011

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another dog mystery set in the Smoky Mountains. My husband and I got an advanced copy of The Dead Season, the best in this series. I think it should be coming out pretty soon.

We read the author's blog periodically, and our dog, Brinkley is pictured on her site. He may even make a cameo appearance in her next book!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This 4th entry in the series is a novella. The only mystery is the identity of the bones that were buried in Raine's yard, but there's still a pretty good story here.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read in the Raine Stockton series. I enjoyed the book for awhile but didn't like Raine. Her attitude is horrible and what kind of dog trainer is she when she can't control her own dogs. I'm not interest in the rest of the series.

[Kathy Gearhart]

I have read the first three books in the Raine Stockton series. Enjoyed them.
But -
This book's format drove me crazy - occasionally no spaces after periods, extra long spaces between words, etc. If it had been a full-length book, I may not have been able to stick with it.

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoy Raine's dogs, but I'm slightly annoyed that the solved mystery was trite and pedestrian, and that this really was a slight novella - or long short story - that did not satisfy.

[Gloria]

Didn't actually finish - lost interest.

[Cindy Dyson Eitelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bone Yard was good, but Silent Night was great. It had a touch of humor, especially in the first few chapters, that pushed it over into 'great' territory. Great to me, anyway. I can understand why these books may not be everybody's personal favorites--they're too cozy for serious police procedurals but a little too edgy for people wanting a "warm blanket" kind of story. Her relationship with law enforcement is tenuous at best--her ex-husband is the police chief and her uncle the former police chief. So she gets tips and gets away with behavior that would have a normal person behind bars.

Her dogs are the stars of the show. Mischief and Magic are Aussies (I think), which I assume stands for Australian Shepherds. Both have more energy and intelligence than they know what to do with, so they work it out in amusing little pranks. And Cisco, the young and undisciplined Golden Retriever, is more than likely to find the human scent he's supposed to be tracking, alert his handler, and then run off chasing squirrels. He tries to be good, but has lousy impulse control.

That's the best I can explain. The mysteries are well plotted; the action keen; and the personal complications realistic and not all "angsty" as some mystery writers tend to make them. Yeah, she questions her attraction to the neighbor who is responsible for bringing in development that might turn her beloved mountain into a tourist hub, but she doesn't agonize over it.

[Midwest Geek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short episode, more of a novella than a book, although the mystery seemed to play less of a role than moving along the primary characters of the series. Raine resolves some of the tensions with her ex-ex-husband Buck, and Buck, now sheriff, resolves some of the tension between him and Raine's Uncle Roe, recently forced to retire after suffering a heart attack, having served 30 or 40 years as sheriff. Raine's relationship with Miles Young, who is engaged in turning the remote area into a luxury resort against much local opposition, also progresses.

The plot is a described in the publisher's blurb, and, although it is probably best if you had read the previous story, Gun Shy, the background is summarized by Raine herself in the opening chapter (quoted here in the brief review by Douglas Cook.) There isn't a lot of deep detective work that goes on, and it is too short for a full-blown police procedural. Raine appears somewhat more mature and on top of things than she did in earlier episodes. Her main source of stress is not the skeleton buried in the foundation of the new kennel under construction, but rather her Australian collie "Mystery," who runs away, which, strangely enough, actually ties into the solution of the mystery. There isn't a lot of action; much of what happens is told by one or the other characters involved, which may put off some readers. It's an easy read not unlike a magazine you read while waiting for your doctor's appointment. The only thing I didn't much care for is Raine's consultations with Sonny, the attorney who is also a part-time dog psychic.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series, probably because there are dogs, so many dogs! involved. Despite Raine's dog training profession, her dogs are far from perfect, but is there any dog anywhere that is?

I like Raine as a character; she is a strong single woman (for now), with a host of complications in her personal life - her uncle is the retired police chief who frequently clashes with the current police chief, Raine's ex-ex-husband (yes, divorced from him twice!), she is rebuilding her business after much of it was destroyed in a previous book, and she must navigate a possible relationship with the developer who threatens to turn part of her beloved mountain into a luxury resort. That's enough to make anyone's head spin!

There was no true search-and-rescue mission for Cisco and Raine in this book, and the mystery was a cold case, so there weren't a lot of clues to follow. Probably because this is such a short book (only 160 pages), the crime seemed to be solved really quickly, almost out of the blue. I didn't even have time to think about who might be responsible before it was presented in the book!

The next book from this series is a full-length novel that's in my audio library, and I look forward to listening to it soon. It will be fun to spend Christmas in Hansonville with Raine, Cisco and the rest.

[Linda Obermoeller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read four Raine Stockton Dog Mysteries and have enjoyed them all. However, I think I like this
one the best so far. It was not as long as the previous three and seemed to get to the point much faster which I like. There are several more in this series and I plan on reading them all. I have also read the Dog Leg Island mysteries and enjoyed them as well but there are only three. Looking forward to seeing what else Donna Ball has come up with and will read individual entries not in a series.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice little book, quite short but enjoyable. The ending was extremely anticlimactic. The heroine solved the crime without the reader having all the information so I couldn’t even figure it out with her.

I like that even though she’s a dog trainer, her dogs aren’t perfect, they’re dogs, real dogs, excitable, food motivated and attention loving dogs. Like I said, the book was enjoyable so I’m on to the next one.

[ReadaBook · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novella that advanced the series storyline very nicely. I so like these characters. There is a nice mix of mystery and romance. Most books I get on loan from the library. This series is not available there, so I’m buying the series 1-2 books at a time. I’m devouring them! Well written, funny and sad and informative and engrossing.

[Sherron L Pace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moved

When Raines' dog unearth human bones in her back yard building site, it creates some real problems. When the skull 💀is found with a bullet hole in it they have not just a body but a murdered body.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a very short book - even so let's be clear that Raine Stockton is not, repeat not, dating property developer Miles. Sonny is cemented as the dog-whisperer, Mystery sets off on the adventure of a lifetime, and, it rains a lot!

[Karen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Good Story

This is a mystery about a dog trainer and her dogs. When parts of a body are discovered on Raine’s property, she and her dogs are in danger and they search for a killer. The ending is a surprise I didn’t see coming. Good mystery.

[Jewett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Messy dogs - been there done that - even have a doggy t-shirt. Good mystery also.

[Ellen Thielen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series about a dog trainer are short, but sweet.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and whenever I need to just lay low and regroup I'm always hoping Donna Ball has written another. Raine, Buck, Cisco, and all the other characters feel like old friends.

[Nancy]

Easy reading. Interesting story. Moves along quickly.

[Judith Spence · Rating 3 out of 5]

seemed short

This was in need of better editing. There were grammar mistakes in several places. This one also seemed really short. I finished it in under 2 hours.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story. I loved this series so much I bought all 15 of them.

[Cheryle Katribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Raine Stockton series.

[Arthur · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's good enough for an hour or two's distraction. Something light-hearted, easy to read and to put down and pick up again. It's a book to read in waiting rooms or waiting for practice to be over.

[Janie R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this fast-paced story, keeping my interest in solving the mystery, wanting to find out who did it- that I didn't want to put it down! The dogs in the this story made me smile, and chuckle at some of their antics!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Originally published at Red Adept Reviews.)

Overall: 4 1/4 Stars

Plot/Storyline: 4 Stars

The story is firmly in the category of mystery cozy, meaning there’s a murder, but no overt violence and it’s meant to be a more of a simple who-dunnit/light read. I love dogs and so I occasionally like the subcategory of cozy featuring them – there might be more than you think.

Because I’m such a dog freak, my favorite part involved a subplot with Raine’s collie. For the rest of you, the non canine obsessed, the mystery was interesting enough and satisfying enough to keep me comfortably entertained. Nothing here will tax a reader’s brain and sometimes that’s the perfect read.

The resolution to the mystery was pretty straightforward and I imagine most readers will figure out at least a piece of it. The shorter the work, the less chance for false leads and red herrings, and that’s to be expected.

As mentioned in the description, this ties in with a book series by the author. I haven’t read the other books and still felt like I could follow along and like this stood alone. I think a reader could enjoy it as a quick one time read or the beginning of a new series to explore. My understanding is that other books in the series focus more on search and rescue. I think the writer had just the right amount of “sell” for her other books.

Characters: 4 1/4 stars

I liked Raine well enough, but Raine liked dogs, so that’s a no-brainer. Like Raine, I live in a small town and love dogs. I don’t think I’d be quite as calm of one of mine trotted up with a leg bone. Raine’s first interest and concern seemed to be how much this would hold up getting her kennel built, which I think would be on someone’s mind, but I’m not sure it would be the most pressing thought for a couple days. I laughed because the author actually had the character make a comment about 25% in about not really being as cavalier about it as she seems, which seems like a nice bit of awareness on the part of Raine and Raine’s Maker!

Presuming we can include dogs as characters – aren’t they all? – they were terrific. This isn’t the first mystery I’ve read with a dog trainer, and I find it funny how the heroine needs to seem good at what she does, but the plot often needs the dogs to break training.

Writing Style: 4 1/2 Stars

I keep on coming back to a word I’d already used: comfortable. I’d add to that the word “professional.” The writer did a solid job here and provided me with a good read.

Editing/Formatting: 4 stars

Overall, this was solid. The exception is a recurring spacing issue. Sometimes a space would be missing and sometimes there would be an extra space. The issue was particularly noticeable when periods and commas were in play. It was noticeable enough to be slightly distracting, but I don’t see it as being a deal-breaker for most readers.

[Douglas Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice dog/outdoors mystery series. Main character is much less bitchy in this book. (She should have taken a Xanax in the first book) Well worth reading

First paragraphs
ONE It’s the kind of story the newspapers always love: family dog drags home human bones from the woods.  Hunting dog sniffs out human remains beneath the autumn leaves.  Beloved family pet digs up the bones of a murder victim in suburban backyard.  Well, let me tell you, it doesn’t make for nearly such great reading when it’s your beloved family pet, and when the bones are buried in your backyard.  And it’s  even worse when that backyard has been in your family for over one hundred fifty years.  I mean, it’s not as though you could blame the bones on the person who lived there before you. My name is Raine Stockton, and I have lived in the small Smoky Mountain community of Hansonville, North Carolina all my life.  My father was a judge.  My mother was a respected community leader and member of the Hansonville Methodist Choir for two decades .  My uncle, up until his heart attack last month, had been the county sheriff for almost thirty years.  I even married—and divorced—one of his deputies. I think it’s fair to say I come from a perfectly respectable, law-abiding background.I have had my share of run-ins with the bad guys—my volunteer work in Search and Rescue has put me in harm’s way more than once—but for the most part I live a quiet life. I work part time  for the Forest Service. I train dogs.  I run a boarding kennel. I do my best to stay out of trouble.People don’t, as a general rule, get buried in my backyard. As you can probably tell, I was a little irked about it. It all started on a gray cold November morning, and my mood wasn’t much better than the dripping weather outside. I was on the downside of my thirties and was starting to understand that things were not going to work out at all as I had planned.

Ball, Donna (2011-05-09). Bone Yard (Raine Stockton Dog Mystery) (Kindle Locations 53-71). Blue Merle Publishing. Kindle Edition.

[Judy Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donna Ball’s Bone Yard: (Raine Stockton Dog Mystery #4) is a short novella-lovable golden retriever, Cisco uncovers mysterious bones in the location of owner Raine’s new training kennel.

Set in quiet community of Hansonville, NC in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, Raine Stockton, a dog trainer, among other things which keeps her busy, taking care of dogs. She does not have time to be involved in the middle of a murder mystery.

Just like my golden Duke, of fifteen years, Goldens are lovable and get into all kinds of mischief before age three. They love to uncover things. In this case, the bones are not that of an animal, but a murder-a human. Looks like they have been moved.

Mixed with an abusive relationship, twin sisters from the past, a pet psychic, a border collie, a protector, and a lovable golden retriever, making for a light mystery and a short engaging read.

If you have not read Donna Balls books, you are in for a treat – The Ladybug Series is a must read, as have read them all and look forward to the next in the series. I also enjoy listening to her audiobooks, as Donna Postel is perfect for the part of Raine for a pleasant performance.

[Sandy J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for this book (well, not really a book - more like a long short story) for several years, ever since I read the first 3 books in the series. It features Raine Stockton, dog trainer, and an assortment of believable dogs, including Cisco, her golden retriever. (Also a collie, 2 Australian Shepherds, and a border collie who now belongs to a pet psychic) I hope she can squeeze in a sheltie along the way. The plot is good, for such a short story, and the characters are top notch. This is definitely a cozy - no gore or violence - just my kind of story.
We've been promised a full length book around Christmas, and I'm eagerly awaiting it. This is a series that deserves quite a few more books.

[Jan C · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly quick read.

I enjoy this series. Takes place in North Carolina in the area where my parents retired. Story of dog trainer/search and rescue person and her dogs.

This time those scampish dogs break out of the house in the rain and discover an old dead body where the foundation for a new kennel is going to be.

It is peopled with interesting characters, including the dogs which are mostly of the herder variety and a golden retriever.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella is part of Donna Ball's Raine and Cisco series. It's a well-written story with believable characters. Although I've read the previous books the author gives enough back ground information that this can be read as a stand alone story. If you like dogs and mysteries then I recommend this series.