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DI Fenella Sallow #7
Tell-Tale Bones
When village secrets are unearthed, the present can be a dangerous place to live…
Welcome to Ambleside. A quaint village of houses built from local stone in an ancient part of Cumbria. A place where everyone is welcome…until an elderly recluse artist is found dead in her remote stone cottage. Detective Inspector Fenella Sallow and her team are brought in to investigate. The manner of death is so abhorrent it is clear at once that murder is at play.
Suddenly Ambleside doesn't seem so welcoming.
The beloved village vicar is devastated, local politicians angry, and journalists hungry for sensational titbits. But with tight lipped locals hiding lie after lie, it soon becomes clear the dead woman knew dark secrets someone never wanted revealed.
As Fenella digs for the truth, anger boils and villagers become increasingly unhinged.
Who killed the reclusive woman and why?
Only one thing is clear— nothing will prepare you for the truth.
Tell-Tale Bones is another thrilling British police procedural mystery novel from NC Lewis's bestselling DI Fenella Sallow Crime Thriller series. If you like traditional detective mysteries with a touch of psychological thriller, complex characters and shocking twists, you'll love Tell-Tale Bones .
Set against the backdrop of beautiful coastal Cumbria, an ancient land of legend, folklore and myth, these detective books are page-turning crime thrillers that will keep you hooked until the very end.
If you like detective mysteries with psychologically complex characters and shocking twists, then you’ll love this English police procedural books . Perfect for fans of J M Dalgliesh, Ann Cleeves, Ryhs Dylan and TG Reid.
Welcome to Ambleside. A quaint village of houses built from local stone in an ancient part of Cumbria. A place where everyone is welcome…until an elderly recluse artist is found dead in her remote stone cottage. Detective Inspector Fenella Sallow and her team are brought in to investigate. The manner of death is so abhorrent it is clear at once that murder is at play.
Suddenly Ambleside doesn't seem so welcoming.
The beloved village vicar is devastated, local politicians angry, and journalists hungry for sensational titbits. But with tight lipped locals hiding lie after lie, it soon becomes clear the dead woman knew dark secrets someone never wanted revealed.
As Fenella digs for the truth, anger boils and villagers become increasingly unhinged.
Who killed the reclusive woman and why?
Only one thing is clear— nothing will prepare you for the truth.
Tell-Tale Bones is another thrilling British police procedural mystery novel from NC Lewis's bestselling DI Fenella Sallow Crime Thriller series. If you like traditional detective mysteries with a touch of psychological thriller, complex characters and shocking twists, you'll love Tell-Tale Bones .
Set against the backdrop of beautiful coastal Cumbria, an ancient land of legend, folklore and myth, these detective books are page-turning crime thrillers that will keep you hooked until the very end.
If you like detective mysteries with psychologically complex characters and shocking twists, then you’ll love this English police procedural books . Perfect for fans of J M Dalgliesh, Ann Cleeves, Ryhs Dylan and TG Reid.
426 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2024
1242 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 23, 2026
D.I. Finella Sallow and team at it once again, and once again, N. C. Lewis leads us on quite a chase with red herrings strewn everywhere. This one took us to another quaint Scottish village where a local artist is brutally murdered. Soon, more murders follow, all grotesque, and the chase is on. We are introduced to quite an array of potential suspects/witnesses and as in D.I. Finella's other cases, led down a false trail or two. Good story, folks.
August 31, 2024
The writing in this one tried way too hard to be descriptive, so much so it was cringe worthy. Endless adjectives do not make for better writing.
I really had a hard time with this story as it was confusing, went on endlessly without ever getting anywhere. The lead detective, with all her nosiness, is getting more unprofessional and even unlikeable. By the time I got to the end I didn't care who did it and was just glad it was finished.
I really had a hard time with this story as it was confusing, went on endlessly without ever getting anywhere. The lead detective, with all her nosiness, is getting more unprofessional and even unlikeable. By the time I got to the end I didn't care who did it and was just glad it was finished.
September 12, 2024
pretty good
I found the wrap up to be less than satisfying. I found it disappointing that after all the detailed back story, the conclusion was sort of plucked out of thin air.
I found the wrap up to be less than satisfying. I found it disappointing that after all the detailed back story, the conclusion was sort of plucked out of thin air.
October 9, 2025
Another story in the same mold.
As with earlier titles in this series, the narrative rattles on at a good pace. Inspector Fenella and her side-kick Dexter form a credible double act but other regular characters ( such as PC Jones, and big, bad Jeffery) are depicted as one-dimensional figures e.g Jeffrey's eternally present 'wolfish grin' - just what does this look like..?
Plot-wise there's a lot of bad things going on and almost everyone is a touch 'alternative ' in one way or another, which creates quite a list of suspects for the grisly stuff which Fenella is committed to eradicating.
But I don't think there's credible evidence for her landing on the true villain. Red herrings are fine but there does need to be a subtle thread connecting crimes and the baddies, which is not present here.
All a bit Midsomer Murders, with similar casting.
Not to say it isn't quite a fun read. I
As with earlier titles in this series, the narrative rattles on at a good pace. Inspector Fenella and her side-kick Dexter form a credible double act but other regular characters ( such as PC Jones, and big, bad Jeffery) are depicted as one-dimensional figures e.g Jeffrey's eternally present 'wolfish grin' - just what does this look like..?
Plot-wise there's a lot of bad things going on and almost everyone is a touch 'alternative ' in one way or another, which creates quite a list of suspects for the grisly stuff which Fenella is committed to eradicating.
But I don't think there's credible evidence for her landing on the true villain. Red herrings are fine but there does need to be a subtle thread connecting crimes and the baddies, which is not present here.
All a bit Midsomer Murders, with similar casting.
Not to say it isn't quite a fun read. I
July 27, 2024
Good story. Characters could be fuller
The books in this series are all good stories. The characters need filling out. Aside from the lead everyone is a stereotype. Main character is interesting The victims and villains are partially filled in but so cookie cutter as to distract. The self absorbed station chief is so unidimensional as to be ridiculous. All that said, they are still engrossing tales which provide an entertaining read
The books in this series are all good stories. The characters need filling out. Aside from the lead everyone is a stereotype. Main character is interesting The victims and villains are partially filled in but so cookie cutter as to distract. The self absorbed station chief is so unidimensional as to be ridiculous. All that said, they are still engrossing tales which provide an entertaining read
July 7, 2024
Excellent!
I absolutely love DI Fenella Sallow tales of crime. Once I start, I can't stop reading. The plot twists and unexpected endings keep me enthralled. I am looking forward to the next adventure.
I absolutely love DI Fenella Sallow tales of crime. Once I start, I can't stop reading. The plot twists and unexpected endings keep me enthralled. I am looking forward to the next adventure.
July 17, 2024
Tell-Tale Bones
This series keeps me guessing until the end. There were twists and turns throughout. DI Fenella Sallow and her team are a good fit. I look forward to the next book. I highly recommend this book.
This series keeps me guessing until the end. There were twists and turns throughout. DI Fenella Sallow and her team are a good fit. I look forward to the next book. I highly recommend this book.
July 31, 2024
Sad to see this is the last book until March 2025. I thoroughly enjoyed this series. The books are full of plot twists and I have yet to identify the killer before they are revealed. The characters are quirky and interesting and the relationships between them have developed in unexpected ways.
June 16, 2025
Another quiet village that has some weird residents and a definite surprise ending.
I didn't see the ending coming. There are some unusual people in this story who have strange characteristics. However, the ending completely surprised me.
I didn't see the ending coming. There are some unusual people in this story who have strange characteristics. However, the ending completely surprised me.
September 28, 2025
tail tail bones
I love this series by NC Lewis. There are so many twist and turns I really don’t know almost until the last page who actually has done the crime. I come up with various people while I’m reading it and I’m always wrong. I just love the way it twist and turns.
I love this series by NC Lewis. There are so many twist and turns I really don’t know almost until the last page who actually has done the crime. I come up with various people while I’m reading it and I’m always wrong. I just love the way it twist and turns.
October 12, 2025
What a shocker!
Filled with crazy characters and a myriad of different turns, this was one of the best of the series . N.C. Lewis is able to keep the action moving at a breakneck speed.
Filled with crazy characters and a myriad of different turns, this was one of the best of the series . N.C. Lewis is able to keep the action moving at a breakneck speed.
July 24, 2024
Kindle
August 27, 2024
Can't seem to stop
I'm ready to start book 7 Telltale Bones. After each book, I'm ready for more. Great reads. I love Fenella.
I'm ready to start book 7 Telltale Bones. After each book, I'm ready for more. Great reads. I love Fenella.
September 30, 2024
Loving this series. Hoping for more.
November 17, 2024
wicked book
Fanastic book you think uve worked it out who’s done then u get to the end of book and it’s some one else
Fanastic book you think uve worked it out who’s done then u get to the end of book and it’s some one else
November 19, 2024
the writing is not quite up to the high standards of the previous books in the series. good concepts; interesting characters; wonderful twists -- well worth reading.
January 1, 2025
Surprised again by who done it but got lost in the middle. I felt too many side stories, but of course they are great distractors.
February 24, 2025
Very British!
There are very ghoulish scenes and hard-to-believe scenes of peopl running through a woods.
In a way it was quite predictable.
There are very ghoulish scenes and hard-to-believe scenes of peopl running through a woods.
In a way it was quite predictable.
April 15, 2025
NC LEWIS is a fantastic story teller. She had this reader guessing and enjoying her character development. This is my 7th book in this series, and I look forward to more.
April 19, 2025
I really enjoy reading these books. I’m now into number 8. I really feel like I’m in northern England.
August 10, 2025
Great as usual
Lots of twists in this one. Kept me up late reading as I hadn’t a clue till the very end.
Lots of twists in this one. Kept me up late reading as I hadn’t a clue till the very end.
December 29, 2025
Buried bones
Here is another yarn where I totally missed the killer’s identity; lost and found people. She is indeed nosy but kind hearted.
Here is another yarn where I totally missed the killer’s identity; lost and found people. She is indeed nosy but kind hearted.
January 5, 2026
Excellent #7 in the series. A real page turner! All mystery readers will enjoy it!
June 30, 2024
I’ve enjoyed this author’s work for years, but she has really hit her stride with this series. When a murder in the small village of Ambleside, Detective Inspector Fenella Sallow is called in to find the culprit. Most of the citizens are a bit quirky, if not unhinged. Using her wits and wisdom, Fenella digs deep to solve the case. Unusual characters, a nice twisty plot and fine storytelling make this one hard to put down. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.
October 19, 2024
Each of these books get better. Love the interaction between Fanella and her team, each book I despise Jeffries.
I must say, the murder descriptions were a bit gruesome...guess I shouldn't read before bed, but I kept on reading and wasn't disappointed.
People keep being murderd near this old woman's home. The mystery had me going in different directions, and totally caught off guard by the murderer...let a lone some of the peoples actions.
I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.
Received an advanced copy from the author; my review is voluntary and all thoughts/opinions are my own.
Thank you for your review.
I must say, the murder descriptions were a bit gruesome...guess I shouldn't read before bed, but I kept on reading and wasn't disappointed.
People keep being murderd near this old woman's home. The mystery had me going in different directions, and totally caught off guard by the murderer...let a lone some of the peoples actions.
I am already looking forward to the next book in the series.
Received an advanced copy from the author; my review is voluntary and all thoughts/opinions are my own.
Thank you for your review.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews