The Shattered Bones

by David Santana

** Finalist for the 2024 Kindle Book Award's "Readers Favorite", and category winner in the Horror genre.

Army veteran, Rylan "Rye" Beam, struggled to find balance after the Iraq War, reaching for a version of himself that no longer existed. With his boots back on American soil, he began building a family, convinced he was "maintaining" by drowning his demons in a bottle of whiskey. Unaware of how delicately he teetered on the brink, a devastating tragedy suddenly collapsed the ground underfoot and sent him headlong onto a murderous path. 

Unable to cope with the sudden loss of his family, Rylan had finally resolved to die but vowed to make a difference on his way out. With a hammer in one hand and a list of twenty-one names clutched in the other, he sets off on a cross-country quest for redemption while a brash young FBI agent is tasked with picking up the trail of a serial killer.

THE SHATTERED BONES, is the first novel in a trilogy chronicling the journey of a serial killer, the experiences that shaped him, and an FBI agent's struggle to stop his rampage

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2024

About the author

David Santana is a retired US Army Infantryman, a former drill sergeant, and veteran of multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Born in Colorado Springs, CO, he currently resides with his family in Washington DC.

His debut novel, THE SHATTERED BONES, was a finalist for the 2024 Kindle Book Award’s “Reader’s Favorite” in the horror/suspense category.

Visit TheDavidSantana.com to discover more about this exciting new author!

Reviews

[Karly · Rating 2 out of 5]

My Rating: 2⭐️⭐️ I wanted to love this… I just couldn’t!!

Quick round up - Rylan is an Army vet, he met a girl and fell in love, tragedy hit and now Rylan is embarking on a journey of mass destruction.. with murderous intent. One he doesn’t plan on coming back from…

So the writing is good.. it really is. That alone was not enough to keep me happy. This book was 336 pages and I swear I checked about 8 times how long it was… it never seemed to friggen end. It just went on and on and on… the chapters were sometimes so long that I fell asleep in the middle of it cause it was getting late. This book should not have taken me 6 days to read… but it did.

It is a bit of a mixed bag of topics, I see what the author is doing and I liked the premise but I didn’t like the execution. There are multi-timelines which as you know I love so that wasn’t an issue at all. We switch between the now and his journey across country to kill the current bad guys … to his teenage years and how he struggled with his fathers suicide… to the middle of his life when he married… and when he was deployed to Iraq.

All of it is actually really well written but it doesn't come together well… and then we have one POV from the FBI agent who is tasked (at 94%) with chasing down a serial killer… guess who!! At this point i am thinking why the F are we getting this at this point of the book… who is this guy and who cares…

There is a little twist at the end that ties that in thankfully and I quite liked that … but honestly we barely hear from this guy the whole book and its confusing. There is so much filler… the other thing I did not know is that this is the beginning of a series… so this is not wrapped up at all. I literally only kept reading to find out what happened to Rylan’s family…

NOTHING… NOT EXPLAINED… I found that actually so irritating because I didn’t know it was a series and I can tell you now that I am not reading anymore… it just meanders too much and goes off track and … look I found this hard to rate because I did like parts of it but as a whole I didn’t like it… I just didn’t.

Overall, I don’t know… you guys are on your own… there is some really interesting parts on being a war veteran if that takes your fancy but honestly you might be better off reading a true story on that… I dunno… I am literally so unhelpful for this one.

[Iz Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this ride!

The wide range of feelings in this book is abysmal, it has been a complete rollercoaster.

You change from pity to hate, to comprehension and love, once and again. You feel the tension and the internal discussions; you doubt alongside the main character (yes, the serial killer!) and sometimes even approve of his choice (yes, *that* choice, even you'd never do it in real life, of course)... Most times, both his doubts and his statements appeal to your core.

The flashbacks are very well intertwined with the "present" (2017), and I especially liked the jumping forward from one period of his youth to another. I felt the warmth of his family, his love for them. I really appreciated the backstories and was eager for those chapters.

I thought of the FBI agent's first chapter as an intrusion, as the novel was quite advanced and felt out-of-the-blue; it had nothing to do with the rest of the story. But next time he reappeared, I was ready and also enjoyed them.

I loved every page, I'll be waiting for the next one. Yes, there will be another one, as the final cliffhanger is spectacular. As a reader who usually gets plot twists easily, I thought I knew when their ways were going to cross but... nope! It was much better and unexpected.

And I loved that it was only hinted at, not explained like the reader is stupid. We are not. Thank you.

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[Venita Bonds]

Santana is off to a great start with his debut novel about a serial killer. The author creates a terrifying atmosphere in his lead scene, in which the victim is tied down while Rylan Beam considers the man's sins and what his punishment will be. (I found myself pleased with the outcome. The creep deserved it.)

We see Rylan's past dealings with his family and friends, and his Army service. Santana writes realistic combat scenes and directly relates them to his character's interactions with his victims.

Rylan is a multi-faceted character with a great deal of inner conflict. He wants to hear from his victims what they did and what their motives were. His emotions toward them vary: disgust, lust, comprehension, and even empathy on some level. At times, it seems he will relent in his vigilante quest to rid the world of the wicked people on his list. He imagines himself a Wolverine-type purveyor of justice. I found this fascinating.

We also see the beginnings of a law enforcement agent who will become Rylan's adversary in follow-on books in the series. Helio is also a character filled with inner conflict and angst.

If you like finding out what makes a serial killer begin a life of crime, this is the book for you.

Thanks for a fun read and insight into the mind of a killer, David Santana! I read the book in one sitting.

[Enri · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Breaker" is a gripping novel that hooks you from the very beginning. What sets "The Breaker" apart from other thrillers is the way the author masterfully creates empathy for both Rylan and his victims. There were moments when I felt myself rooting for Rylan, even though he is a serial killer, and other times when I found myself sympathizing with the person being killed. The author's ability to create such complex characters is truly remarkable.
The unexpected twist at the end of the book left me stunned and eager for more. The multi-part series setup ensures that readers will be left wanting more from "The Breaker." I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers and stories that explore the depths of human emotion. This book left me wanting more, and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

[Tracy (The Pages In-Between) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Santana, that was quite the read. A few times, I had the shivers during "The Breaker" scenes. Other times, I was almost crying for the victim and hoping Ry would change his mind. I loved that I knew exactly who some of the bad people were inspired by. Your writing is very meticulous, detailed, and flowed quite nicely. Loved the mention of Carson City! And that little plot twist at the end was fabulous!!! Can't wait for book two!

[☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5☆

This book started off pretty strong, and I immediately got the feeling that I'd enjoy it. I really liked the writing. The way the author describes the surroundings and characters' emotions feels very real, like I'm right there beside them, which is something I always appreciate.

I can't say that this story is about a serial killer, but about Rylan, as a person. You get to know him in the present as well as what brought him to this day with flashbacks of his past. We slowly start to understand his story, the important figures and events of his life, and how those shaped him to become the man he is now. With that said, I can't say I got attached to any of these characters. I don't really have a motive on why. It just didn't happen.

I felt like the author wanted to explore many different topics and reflect on important discussions through their characters. Although it felt engaging and refreshing in the beginning, it did end up exhausting me by the end, especially since they started to sound a bit unnatural when shoved down in dialogues. As I kept reading, I realized I wanted more from this book, too. I'm aware that this is only the first one of a series, but still... it left me hanging.

With that said, I really liked how the book and the characters all tie up in the end with a twist. I must say I didn't see it coming. "The Shattered Bones" is a solid introduction for the author's series, and therefore, I can easily recommend it to anyone interested in its synopsis.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Pattyh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the opportunity to preview The Shattered Bones.
This is a difficult read. Extremely emotional as we get to know an army vet who is suffering from what he has been thru.
He has a mission to accomplish and there are 21 names that will soon become aware of this.
But an eager FBI agent is also aware of the aftermath of the mission he is on.
Good book. 3 stars

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Shattered Bones by David Santana

Deep dive into a dark world that saw mental and physical pain suffered by more than one character in the book ~ It was dark, gritty, compelling, and immersive ~ WOW!

What I liked:
* That it took me out of my comfort zone
* It made me think and feel and question “what ifs”
* That characters could not be clumped into only good or evil ~ most were complex
* The plot, pacing, settings, and writing
* The hints about why Rylan started his journey and mission without really knowing 100% the true reasons behind what he is doing ~ Hope they will come out over the rest of the series
* Ryland’s backstory that came out in flashbacks ~ They made me want to know more about him and what set him on the path he chose to follow
* Abigail: The woman Ryland loves, marries, and has a child with ~ want to know more about her, too
* Emily: Ryland’s mother, protective mother, caring, conservative, loving, supportive – want to know more about her
* Jean: Ryland’s little sister, a bit of a pest, enjoyed education and became an educator, won’t tell you more but she may have a bigger part as the series progresses
* The Garbage Route: a list of places Ryland plans to stop on his mission ~ Do wonder how he chose the people he will stop to “spend time with”
* The journal that Ryland is keeping on his journey and the information he chooses to record.
* Helio: FBI agent, from immigrant parents, bright, single, has baggage from the way he was raised, has potential, will probably have a bigger part to play as the story progresses
* Knowing that there is another book to look forward to.

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Not having all of the answers at the end of the book and though not a cliff hanger…definitely left me eager to read what comes next

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the author, Goodnight Highway Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Jillian West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I had low expectations. I’d never heard of this author before, but a friend of mine enthusiastically recommended it and she usually has good taste. I’ve got to say, she was right again. This wasn’t like the normal slasher/serial killer books I’ve read. There are some layers of depth to the characters that I wasn’t expecting. The bio says this is the author’s first book, which is even more surprising to me. I just wish the second book was already available, because I want to see where this story goes.

[Katie Baez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to immerse yourself in the masterful storytelling of David A. Santana's 'THE SHATTERED BONES' – it's a captivating journey that will grip you from the very first page. Santana's meticulous attention to detail and skillful character development breathe life into every scene, offering readers a rich and immersive experience.

One of Santana's greatest strengths lies in his ability to craft characters with such depth and complexity that you'll find yourself empathizing with even the most unlikely individuals – including Rylan, the serial killer. It's a testament to Santana's talent that he can make you root for a character who walks such a morally gray line.

As the plot unfolds, Santana expertly weaves together suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists that will keep you guessing until the final pages. And when you reach the climax, prepare yourself for a cliffhanger that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment.

If you're searching for a thriller that offers both excitement and substance, 'THE SHATTERED BONES' is an absolute must-read. Santana's masterful storytelling and rich characterizations make for an unforgettable reading experience that will linger in your mind long after you've turned the last page. I, for one, can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was so interesting to see the whole journey of a serial killer from the killers pov instead of the FBI's pov. The characters are so complex and interesting, even the killer is not inherently bad. This was very interesting to me!
The pacing was good, the book kept you wanting to read more, for me it was difficult to put down.
The only thing that took me out of the story were the war flashbacks. They were difficult to read, because they were written so well.
The first chapter from the FBI agent felt intrusive, you were immersed with the killers pov and it felt very out of place. However by the time the next FBI chapters came, it felt better placed.
I am definitely going to read the next book by this author!
Thank you NetGalley for the ALC! ✨

[David Santana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I obviously loved it, I wrote it!
All joking aside, this story was over a decade in development and I’m so very proud of the result. I am also excited for readers to experience the continuing saga of Rylan Beam at the end of the year. Look out for FRACTURED SOULS in December!