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The Bone Queen: A Novel
A chilling horror-thriller debut where a mother's search for her missing daughter battles against the shadows of a historic, dangerous legend.
Single mother Jenna arrives on the tranquil shores of Athelsea fueled by the desperate hope to find Chloe, her teenage daughter who’s disappeared from their London home. She has no idea why–all she knows is that Chloe had changed in the previous two weeks, haunted by something, or someone, and the ferry ticket here is the only clue she has.
As she explores the village and interacts with the locals, Jenna soon realizes a macabre secret is being hidden in plain sight. A dark legend of a vengeful woman called the Bone Queen is spoken of in hushed tones amongst the villagers, some of whom are frantically trying to suppress the tale that has long terrorized their lives.
As Jenna starts to learn more about the Bone Queen and her previous victims, the village’s grip on reality begins to loosen and no one can say for sure who, or what, is responsible for the deaths and disappearances on Athelsea. Suffering from what she can no longer distinguish between paranoid hallucinations or real manifestations, Jenna must act quickly before Chloe is next…
The Bone Queen has left her mark, and one day she’ll collect.
A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books
Single mother Jenna arrives on the tranquil shores of Athelsea fueled by the desperate hope to find Chloe, her teenage daughter who’s disappeared from their London home. She has no idea why–all she knows is that Chloe had changed in the previous two weeks, haunted by something, or someone, and the ferry ticket here is the only clue she has.
As she explores the village and interacts with the locals, Jenna soon realizes a macabre secret is being hidden in plain sight. A dark legend of a vengeful woman called the Bone Queen is spoken of in hushed tones amongst the villagers, some of whom are frantically trying to suppress the tale that has long terrorized their lives.
As Jenna starts to learn more about the Bone Queen and her previous victims, the village’s grip on reality begins to loosen and no one can say for sure who, or what, is responsible for the deaths and disappearances on Athelsea. Suffering from what she can no longer distinguish between paranoid hallucinations or real manifestations, Jenna must act quickly before Chloe is next…
The Bone Queen has left her mark, and one day she’ll collect.
A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books
Audible Audio
Expected publication February 3, 2026
25370 people want to read
About the author
Will Shindler
12 books127 followersWill Shindler has been a Broadcast Journalist for the BBC for over twenty-five years, spending a decade working in television drama as a scriptwriter on Born and Bred, The Bill and Doctors.
You can currently find him every weekday on the radio reading the news headlines, whilst writing crime novels in the afternoon. Will has previously worked as a television presenter for HTV, a sports reporter for BBC Radio Five Live, and one of the stadium presenters at the London Olympics.
His debut novel, The Burning Men, will be published by Hodder.
You can currently find him every weekday on the radio reading the news headlines, whilst writing crime novels in the afternoon. Will has previously worked as a television presenter for HTV, a sports reporter for BBC Radio Five Live, and one of the stadium presenters at the London Olympics.
His debut novel, The Burning Men, will be published by Hodder.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
May 23, 2025
This spine-tingling, eerie, and absolutely horrifying debut is a knockout start—one that’ll have you sleeping with the lights on, whispering a prayer that the Bone Queen doesn’t mark you next. Blood for blood, she demands.
At its heart, this is a chilling story wrapped around a fractured mother-daughter bond. Jenna Tipton, a disgraced journalist, recovering alcoholic, and newly divorced mom, is trying her best to raise her sixteen-year-old daughter Chloe—who’s been acting strangely. Pale, sleep-deprived, constantly scratching her arms, and haunted by terrifying nightmares, Chloe is spiraling into something dark. After stumbling across a cursed link online, she starts communicating with a mysterious figure who tells her she’s been marked by the Bone Queen. Her only chance at survival? Go to Athelsea. Alone. Leave everything behind.
And she does. Vanishes.
When Jenna discovers her daughter is missing, she follows her digital trail and realizes Chloe may have traveled to Athelsea—a remote, fog-drenched island shrouded in secrets. Accompanied by her supportive sister Hattie, Jenna boards a ferry in pursuit. But the moment they step onto the island, they learn human remains have just been found—believed to belong to Adam Nick, the man once suspected of murdering his wife, Lily Yates, and their baby boy Josh, whose body was never recovered.
As Jenna digs deeper, she encounters a group of locals—Ben Markham, Frank Archer, Katrina, Ruth, and Sheelagh—people who were last seen with Adam. The more questions she asks, the clearer it becomes: this island is haunted by more than ghost stories. The legend of the Bone Queen, an avenging spirit born from the brutal murder of a grieving woman in the 1700s, begins to bleed into Jenna’s reality. According to myth, Eleanor Aubney lost her children to her husband’s drunken rage, was tortured by his friends, and thrown into the lake—only to rise again, collecting the bones of the children of her murderers.
Now, Jenna sees her ghost.
And as the legend warns, the Bone Queen haunts abusive parents. But how is Chloe connected? Why would she be marked? Why are the islanders denying she ever arrived? What links a 20-year-old murder case with Jenna’s daughter? With time running out and visions closing in, Jenna refuses to leave Athelsea without answers—even if it costs her life.
Overall: This is a fresh, gripping, and haunting paranormal thriller set in a claustrophobic island full of secrets. The pacing is tight, the plot twists cleverly layered, and the ending? Absolutely chilling. Will Shindler has made a powerful entrance into the thriller genre, and I cannot wait to see what he conjures up next!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books for the digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest review.
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At its heart, this is a chilling story wrapped around a fractured mother-daughter bond. Jenna Tipton, a disgraced journalist, recovering alcoholic, and newly divorced mom, is trying her best to raise her sixteen-year-old daughter Chloe—who’s been acting strangely. Pale, sleep-deprived, constantly scratching her arms, and haunted by terrifying nightmares, Chloe is spiraling into something dark. After stumbling across a cursed link online, she starts communicating with a mysterious figure who tells her she’s been marked by the Bone Queen. Her only chance at survival? Go to Athelsea. Alone. Leave everything behind.
And she does. Vanishes.
When Jenna discovers her daughter is missing, she follows her digital trail and realizes Chloe may have traveled to Athelsea—a remote, fog-drenched island shrouded in secrets. Accompanied by her supportive sister Hattie, Jenna boards a ferry in pursuit. But the moment they step onto the island, they learn human remains have just been found—believed to belong to Adam Nick, the man once suspected of murdering his wife, Lily Yates, and their baby boy Josh, whose body was never recovered.
As Jenna digs deeper, she encounters a group of locals—Ben Markham, Frank Archer, Katrina, Ruth, and Sheelagh—people who were last seen with Adam. The more questions she asks, the clearer it becomes: this island is haunted by more than ghost stories. The legend of the Bone Queen, an avenging spirit born from the brutal murder of a grieving woman in the 1700s, begins to bleed into Jenna’s reality. According to myth, Eleanor Aubney lost her children to her husband’s drunken rage, was tortured by his friends, and thrown into the lake—only to rise again, collecting the bones of the children of her murderers.
Now, Jenna sees her ghost.
And as the legend warns, the Bone Queen haunts abusive parents. But how is Chloe connected? Why would she be marked? Why are the islanders denying she ever arrived? What links a 20-year-old murder case with Jenna’s daughter? With time running out and visions closing in, Jenna refuses to leave Athelsea without answers—even if it costs her life.
Overall: This is a fresh, gripping, and haunting paranormal thriller set in a claustrophobic island full of secrets. The pacing is tight, the plot twists cleverly layered, and the ending? Absolutely chilling. Will Shindler has made a powerful entrance into the thriller genre, and I cannot wait to see what he conjures up next!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books for the digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest review.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
June 8, 2025
❥ My Thoughts & Rating ❥
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
This horror thriller novel debut was a hit! It is chilling and eerie! I was fully immersed in this eerie story while reading it. This novel is captivating, well written and unique! This is a medium paced read that is both plot and character driven. This novel is haunting and dark. It is the nightmarish horror, not the spooky kind of horror. I really enjoyed the characters in this one. My favorite character in the story was Jenna, who is a single mom in the story. The vivid imagery in this novel is great! It has twists and turns that you do not see coming! The only part that felt short for me was the ending. The cover of the book is amazing and it is what initially made me want to read it! Overall, I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars rating!
❥ Book Synopsis ❥
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
“The Bone Queen” is a novel that centers around a single mother named Jenna. She goes on to search for her missing daughter. Her teenaged daughter named Chloe disappeared from their London home. As this story unfolds, it uncovers buried legends and Jenna ends up exploring a mysterious village. She learns more about the bone queen and its victims.
❥ Who I think would enjoy this book & Content Warnings ❥
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
I think fans of adventurous, dark thriller horror mysteries would really enjoy reading this book! Content warnings include violence and death.
❥ Thank You ❥
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
Thank you to NetGalley, author Will Shindler and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this electronic arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
❥ Publication Date ❥
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
This book is expected to be published on February 3, 2026!
❥ Quick Review ❥
╰┈➤ Horror / Thriller
╰┈➤ Dark & Eerie
╰┈➤ Mysterious Vibes
╰┈➤ A mother searching for her daughter
╰┈➤ Suspenseful
╰┈➤ Uncovers buried legends
╰┈➤ Atmospheric/ Vivid Imagery
╰┈➤ Psychological Unraveling
》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《
❥ ୨⎯ Connie ⎯୧ ❥
ツ౨ৎ
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
This horror thriller novel debut was a hit! It is chilling and eerie! I was fully immersed in this eerie story while reading it. This novel is captivating, well written and unique! This is a medium paced read that is both plot and character driven. This novel is haunting and dark. It is the nightmarish horror, not the spooky kind of horror. I really enjoyed the characters in this one. My favorite character in the story was Jenna, who is a single mom in the story. The vivid imagery in this novel is great! It has twists and turns that you do not see coming! The only part that felt short for me was the ending. The cover of the book is amazing and it is what initially made me want to read it! Overall, I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars rating!
❥ Book Synopsis ❥
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
“The Bone Queen” is a novel that centers around a single mother named Jenna. She goes on to search for her missing daughter. Her teenaged daughter named Chloe disappeared from their London home. As this story unfolds, it uncovers buried legends and Jenna ends up exploring a mysterious village. She learns more about the bone queen and its victims.
❥ Who I think would enjoy this book & Content Warnings ❥
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
I think fans of adventurous, dark thriller horror mysteries would really enjoy reading this book! Content warnings include violence and death.
❥ Thank You ❥
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
Thank you to NetGalley, author Will Shindler and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this electronic arc of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
❥ Publication Date ❥
════ ⋆★⋆ ════
This book is expected to be published on February 3, 2026!
❥ Quick Review ❥
╰┈➤ Horror / Thriller
╰┈➤ Dark & Eerie
╰┈➤ Mysterious Vibes
╰┈➤ A mother searching for her daughter
╰┈➤ Suspenseful
╰┈➤ Uncovers buried legends
╰┈➤ Atmospheric/ Vivid Imagery
╰┈➤ Psychological Unraveling
》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ * 。° 。 • ˚《
❥ ୨⎯ Connie ⎯୧ ❥
ツ౨ৎ
November 26, 2025
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Will Shindler, and Minotaur Books, and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Eager to delve into great pieces of horror, I accepted this ARC by Will Shindler. Having read some of his work before, I came in with high expectations and hoped to be pulled into the middle of something intense. When Jenna arrives in Athelsea, she has a mission; locate her daughter, Chloe, who disappeared days ago from their London home. Chloe had been acting strangely and the only clue to her whereabouts was a ferry ticket. As Jenna explores the seaside town, she chats with locals and learns about the dark legend of the Bone Queen, an entity that captures people and demands they kill to be released. Jenna had high hopes of finding her daughter, though when bodies turn up around the island, brutally killed and marked by the Bone Queen, hope of finding Chloe keeps dwindling. Soon, Jenna is forced to face the ongoing concern about the entity and her own mental health, all the while hunting for the truth and hoping Chloe is still out there. Shindler makes his mark once more with this piece.
Will Shindler’s past writing is some that I have had trouble putting down. His storytelling abilities are matched with a strong narrative base that keeps the reader interested. This is a mix of thriller and horror genres, masterfully woven together for the reader’s enjoyment. Shindler’s use of varied chapter lengths provide a pace that pulls the reader into the mix as things take a dark turn. The multiple perspectives also help give a full picture quality to the piece. There is much to process in this novel and the reader is soon pulled into the heart of the darkness. Shindler is to be applauded for his hard work!
Characters emerge and provide needed impact to keep the reader curious. Core characters offer development to advance their own storylines, while flavouring the present piece to keep things relevant. Jenna and Chloe push their own perspectives well and add depth to a tense story the reader cannot help but enjoy. Other storylines emerge with characters who take some of the additional spotlight, which enriches the reading experience.
Shindler surprises the reader throughout and creates backstory when needed. Thrilling perspectives provide sharp angles and an ever-evolving story provides significant entertainment. While not overly graphic, the tension mounts and leaves the reader feeling ill at ease, which creates a story that can be enjoyed well into the night. I am ready to explore more or Will Shindler’s work and see if this intensity remains.
Kudos, Mr. Shindler, for another great novel!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Eager to delve into great pieces of horror, I accepted this ARC by Will Shindler. Having read some of his work before, I came in with high expectations and hoped to be pulled into the middle of something intense. When Jenna arrives in Athelsea, she has a mission; locate her daughter, Chloe, who disappeared days ago from their London home. Chloe had been acting strangely and the only clue to her whereabouts was a ferry ticket. As Jenna explores the seaside town, she chats with locals and learns about the dark legend of the Bone Queen, an entity that captures people and demands they kill to be released. Jenna had high hopes of finding her daughter, though when bodies turn up around the island, brutally killed and marked by the Bone Queen, hope of finding Chloe keeps dwindling. Soon, Jenna is forced to face the ongoing concern about the entity and her own mental health, all the while hunting for the truth and hoping Chloe is still out there. Shindler makes his mark once more with this piece.
Will Shindler’s past writing is some that I have had trouble putting down. His storytelling abilities are matched with a strong narrative base that keeps the reader interested. This is a mix of thriller and horror genres, masterfully woven together for the reader’s enjoyment. Shindler’s use of varied chapter lengths provide a pace that pulls the reader into the mix as things take a dark turn. The multiple perspectives also help give a full picture quality to the piece. There is much to process in this novel and the reader is soon pulled into the heart of the darkness. Shindler is to be applauded for his hard work!
Characters emerge and provide needed impact to keep the reader curious. Core characters offer development to advance their own storylines, while flavouring the present piece to keep things relevant. Jenna and Chloe push their own perspectives well and add depth to a tense story the reader cannot help but enjoy. Other storylines emerge with characters who take some of the additional spotlight, which enriches the reading experience.
Shindler surprises the reader throughout and creates backstory when needed. Thrilling perspectives provide sharp angles and an ever-evolving story provides significant entertainment. While not overly graphic, the tension mounts and leaves the reader feeling ill at ease, which creates a story that can be enjoyed well into the night. I am ready to explore more or Will Shindler’s work and see if this intensity remains.
Kudos, Mr. Shindler, for another great novel!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.25 ⭐
The Bone Queen was a very atmospheric read that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I mean who doesn't love a mystery on a spooky island that has a dark history?
While I liked this, I didn't love it. I liked the folklore it gave us about the island, but found the conclusion a little lackluster and missing that folklore creepiness it initially gave us. It just didn't live up to the hype the book was giving throughout.
» Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books | NetGalley for an eARC of this book! «
❗ Expected Publication Date: February 3, 2026
The Bone Queen was a very atmospheric read that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I mean who doesn't love a mystery on a spooky island that has a dark history?
While I liked this, I didn't love it. I liked the folklore it gave us about the island, but found the conclusion a little lackluster and missing that folklore creepiness it initially gave us. It just didn't live up to the hype the book was giving throughout.
» Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books | NetGalley for an eARC of this book! «
❗ Expected Publication Date: February 3, 2026
December 24, 2025
The Bone Queen by Will Shindler is a grisly, atmospheric horror‑thriller that blends folklore, small‑town mystery, and a mother’s desperate fight against both real and supernatural forces. The story begins when Jenna Tipton, a single mother and former journalist, follows the sudden disappearance of her teenage daughter Chloe from their London home to the fog‑shrouded isle of Athelsea after clues point there. Once on the island, she discovers a creepy local legend about a vengeful entity known as the Bone Queen, whispered among villagers and tied to decades‑old deaths and disappearances.
As Jenna probes deeper, pacing through eerie beaches, murky woods, and tight‑lipped locals bones wash ashore, secrets surface, and reality blurs into terrifying possibility. The novel alternates viewpoints and timelines, weaving psychological dread and supernatural menace as the hunt for Chloe becomes a race against both time and legend.
What lingered most with me is how haunting and uncanny the island setting feels: Athelsea becomes a character in its own right, with fog‑bound paths and whispers redolent of old, buried horrors that seep into characters’ minds and memories. Jenna’s relentless maternal fear and guilt ground the horror in real emotional stakes, making her fear of losing Chloe feel both gut‑wrenching and believable. The Bone Queen legend itself, an avenging spirit tied to past sins and the bones of victims gives the story a creepy folklore backbone that keeps the atmosphere tense and unsettling as layers of village history and personal loss intertwine.
My rating: 3 out of 5 stars. I’m giving The Bone Queen three stars because it delivers genuinely creepy folklore terror and a gripping emotional core in Jenna’s pursuit of her daughter, even if its conclusion doesn’t fully live up to the eerie promise of its early chapters.
For fans of atmospheric horror steeped in myth, isolated settings, and emotional suspense rooted in love and fear, this debut novel is a memorable, spooky journey that lingers in the mind long after the final page.
As Jenna probes deeper, pacing through eerie beaches, murky woods, and tight‑lipped locals bones wash ashore, secrets surface, and reality blurs into terrifying possibility. The novel alternates viewpoints and timelines, weaving psychological dread and supernatural menace as the hunt for Chloe becomes a race against both time and legend.
What lingered most with me is how haunting and uncanny the island setting feels: Athelsea becomes a character in its own right, with fog‑bound paths and whispers redolent of old, buried horrors that seep into characters’ minds and memories. Jenna’s relentless maternal fear and guilt ground the horror in real emotional stakes, making her fear of losing Chloe feel both gut‑wrenching and believable. The Bone Queen legend itself, an avenging spirit tied to past sins and the bones of victims gives the story a creepy folklore backbone that keeps the atmosphere tense and unsettling as layers of village history and personal loss intertwine.
My rating: 3 out of 5 stars. I’m giving The Bone Queen three stars because it delivers genuinely creepy folklore terror and a gripping emotional core in Jenna’s pursuit of her daughter, even if its conclusion doesn’t fully live up to the eerie promise of its early chapters.
For fans of atmospheric horror steeped in myth, isolated settings, and emotional suspense rooted in love and fear, this debut novel is a memorable, spooky journey that lingers in the mind long after the final page.
December 9, 2025
A missing daughter? A spooky, gothic island with a dark history? I was so excited to jump into this one.
It's a fast start - 2 sisters arrive on the island looking for the missing teenager. There are lots of characters and, pretty quick, a few POV and it was a tangle at first to keep it all straight. You're getting the spooky history of the island all while the sisters search and it rounded out the story to try to pull all the strings together.
But, I just never felt pulled in. I kept wondering how this all worked, why it was working out the way it did and I just couldn't wrap my head around why a teenager would go along with any of this. I never felt the gothic creepy factor and had wanted the ghost story part of it to feel a little more present.
It was a quick read, and one that had an interesting idea, but it just never seemed to pull together for me. I wanted to love it but it just wasn't my jam.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
It's a fast start - 2 sisters arrive on the island looking for the missing teenager. There are lots of characters and, pretty quick, a few POV and it was a tangle at first to keep it all straight. You're getting the spooky history of the island all while the sisters search and it rounded out the story to try to pull all the strings together.
But, I just never felt pulled in. I kept wondering how this all worked, why it was working out the way it did and I just couldn't wrap my head around why a teenager would go along with any of this. I never felt the gothic creepy factor and had wanted the ghost story part of it to feel a little more present.
It was a quick read, and one that had an interesting idea, but it just never seemed to pull together for me. I wanted to love it but it just wasn't my jam.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
May 24, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review
3.5 stars rounded up.
I really enjoyed my time in this world with these characters. From when Jenna steps onto the island the atmosphere just thrusts you into a creepy, foggy, small town world. The island itself is built out into its own character and its a nice way to get lost in the world.
Overall the story was heavier on the horror side than I expected and that ended up being my favorite part. The story is told out of order, flashing back to the weeks and days before Chloe's disappearance and it keeps you moving through it very easily.
It just ended up being the ending that fell a little flat for me, as most do in this genre. A lot of strong build up for what becomes a page climax, but I still enjoyed the journey and the characters that were introduced. If you are a fan of mystery horrors you will enjoy this book!
3.5 stars rounded up.
I really enjoyed my time in this world with these characters. From when Jenna steps onto the island the atmosphere just thrusts you into a creepy, foggy, small town world. The island itself is built out into its own character and its a nice way to get lost in the world.
Overall the story was heavier on the horror side than I expected and that ended up being my favorite part. The story is told out of order, flashing back to the weeks and days before Chloe's disappearance and it keeps you moving through it very easily.
It just ended up being the ending that fell a little flat for me, as most do in this genre. A lot of strong build up for what becomes a page climax, but I still enjoyed the journey and the characters that were introduced. If you are a fan of mystery horrors you will enjoy this book!
July 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for an ARC of The Bone Queen.
When I read the description of this book I had high hopes for a great read, but for a book with so many murders it was actually quite boring and not at all scary. My biggest problem was the characters didn't have enough dimension for me to care about what happened to them and the ending felt anticlimactic. A unique idea for a story, but one that definitely missed the mark for me.
2.5 stars
When I read the description of this book I had high hopes for a great read, but for a book with so many murders it was actually quite boring and not at all scary. My biggest problem was the characters didn't have enough dimension for me to care about what happened to them and the ending felt anticlimactic. A unique idea for a story, but one that definitely missed the mark for me.
2.5 stars
November 10, 2025
About a week before Halloween I was looking for a horror book to read, and NetGalley offered me this one. I was a mess with the technical details, so I ended up not starting it until Halloween. Too bad, but totally my fault.
I really enjoyed it. There were 2 or 3 times when I got goosebumps all over, and I think once the hairs on my arms stood straight up. That's pretty much what I'm looking for in a horror novel. Some reviewers didn't like the ending, and I was a little leery going in because "sticking the landing" is really hard, but I thought it was very well done.
I really enjoyed it. There were 2 or 3 times when I got goosebumps all over, and I think once the hairs on my arms stood straight up. That's pretty much what I'm looking for in a horror novel. Some reviewers didn't like the ending, and I was a little leery going in because "sticking the landing" is really hard, but I thought it was very well done.
January 13, 2026
I had a really hard time staying engaged with this novel and actually wanted to DNF quite a few times. After thinking on it for a while, I think that it just lacks emotional depth. The story revolves around a mother looking for her run away child, but I just didn't get the vibe that the mother cared that much about the kid. It just made it hard for me to care about the characters. It also reads more like a mystery novel, which I'm not too fond of. As for the mythology surrounding The Bone Queen, it was fantastic and well thought out. The author seamlessly stitches scenes together to create an almost fever dream feel that you don't even know you're in until you're in it.
I did take the time to read the author's afterword, and I would like to say that this is his first American published novel (and first horror novel). Schindler usually writes police procedural stories. Knowing that I'd like to applaud Schindler on his first horror novel and the very creative kill scenes included in this novel. I am going to say that those that aren't used to reading horror may want to tread lightly because they are quite realistic.
If you enjoy mystery/thrillers that take place on an island, this one is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and
Minotaur Books for providing an eARC of The Bone Queen prior to publication. Expected Pub Date: February 3, 2026.**
I did take the time to read the author's afterword, and I would like to say that this is his first American published novel (and first horror novel). Schindler usually writes police procedural stories. Knowing that I'd like to applaud Schindler on his first horror novel and the very creative kill scenes included in this novel. I am going to say that those that aren't used to reading horror may want to tread lightly because they are quite realistic.
If you enjoy mystery/thrillers that take place on an island, this one is for you!
Thank you to NetGalley and
Minotaur Books for providing an eARC of The Bone Queen prior to publication. Expected Pub Date: February 3, 2026.**
January 15, 2026
I did enjoy this more than I thought I would, but it still wasn’t my favorite. This hits very middle of the road in my opinion.
The author does a great job of building suspense and writing eerie imagery. There are a few scenes that were fairly creepy and kept me interested to figure out what was going on. The Bone Queen herself was creepy!
I didn’t really enjoy any of the characters. It was hard to get attached to any of them or root for anyone. I also thought the ending was a little disappointing. It was rushed and lacked the eerie feelings we get in the beginning. It feels so out of place and unanswered.
The audiobook version of this story I thought was very well done. I really enjoyed the narrator. Listening to the audiobook definitely kept my interest going and motivated me to finish this book.
Overall, this wasn’t for me. I felt that the ending was missing something and was rushed. I also would have liked to see more character development to get attached and root for them! I will give the author credit though that their writing style was good, they can write some good creepy scenes for sure! This would honestly probably do very well as a movie!
***Thank you so much to NetGalley, St Martins Press, and Minotaur Books for the eARC as well as Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The author does a great job of building suspense and writing eerie imagery. There are a few scenes that were fairly creepy and kept me interested to figure out what was going on. The Bone Queen herself was creepy!
I didn’t really enjoy any of the characters. It was hard to get attached to any of them or root for anyone. I also thought the ending was a little disappointing. It was rushed and lacked the eerie feelings we get in the beginning. It feels so out of place and unanswered.
The audiobook version of this story I thought was very well done. I really enjoyed the narrator. Listening to the audiobook definitely kept my interest going and motivated me to finish this book.
Overall, this wasn’t for me. I felt that the ending was missing something and was rushed. I also would have liked to see more character development to get attached and root for them! I will give the author credit though that their writing style was good, they can write some good creepy scenes for sure! This would honestly probably do very well as a movie!
***Thank you so much to NetGalley, St Martins Press, and Minotaur Books for the eARC as well as Macmillan Audio for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!
December 30, 2025
The Bone Queen, by Will Shindler, was a chilling story, The reader follows Jenna’s who is desperate to find her missing daughter, Chloe, and ventures to a remote foggy island which feels creepy. The residents whisper about the bone queen. The slow atmosphere drew me into the story. Houses were built over centuries old prison. A witch legend involving children consumes the town. There are mysterious bones and deaths. All of this peaks my interest and chills me to the bone.
Besides an excellent setting, the characters were well developed. As Jenna digs deeper into the legend because it could be the key to finding Chloe, emotions as a grieving mother jumped off the page. Readers may sense unease and foreboding among the residents.
The Bone Queen is told out of order. The reader follows Jenna on her search for Chloe and also flashes back to the weeks and days before Chloe’s disappearance. As the timeline shifts, Shindler builds atmosphere and storyline. The Bone Queen is a slow burn that I enjoyed lot. A great ghost story. Perfect for chilly winter nights.
I really enjoyed the characters and atmosphere in The Bone Queen. It is a great story for fans of atmospheric horror. If you are looking for a faster paced book. This might not be the book for you.
Besides an excellent setting, the characters were well developed. As Jenna digs deeper into the legend because it could be the key to finding Chloe, emotions as a grieving mother jumped off the page. Readers may sense unease and foreboding among the residents.
The Bone Queen is told out of order. The reader follows Jenna on her search for Chloe and also flashes back to the weeks and days before Chloe’s disappearance. As the timeline shifts, Shindler builds atmosphere and storyline. The Bone Queen is a slow burn that I enjoyed lot. A great ghost story. Perfect for chilly winter nights.
I really enjoyed the characters and atmosphere in The Bone Queen. It is a great story for fans of atmospheric horror. If you are looking for a faster paced book. This might not be the book for you.
January 25, 2026
I was really into the first half of this book. The atmosphere was eerie, the premise pulled me in, and the emotional stakes around a missing child genuinely worked. The slow-burn tension had me invested and expecting a strong payoff.
Unfortunately, the latter half fell short for me. The story lost some of its momentum, and the horror elements didn’t land as hard as I hoped. While the folklore and mood stayed interesting, the resolution didn’t quite match the promise of the setup.
Overall, a solid read with a strong start, but the ending kept it from being a standout.
Unfortunately, the latter half fell short for me. The story lost some of its momentum, and the horror elements didn’t land as hard as I hoped. While the folklore and mood stayed interesting, the resolution didn’t quite match the promise of the setup.
Overall, a solid read with a strong start, but the ending kept it from being a standout.
January 18, 2026
This one was fun and really interesting. I loved the setting and narration. The supernatural aspect was sinister and delightful. It lost a little momentum for me here and there but overall it was an enjoyable listen.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The moment I started The Bone Queen and I was pulled in and just couldn't stop because.....the moment you know about the Bone Queen, she knows about you.
What a tagline!!! Who wouldn't want to read a book with a tagline like that?
I felt The Bone Queen was super fast-paced with short chapters and not a ton of characters, I didn't forget who was who.
We follow Jenna in search for her daughter Chloe who is in search of the Bone Queen. Along the way we get to hear the creepy folk tale about the Bone Queen and all the lives she had touched.
I was able to listen to this book in less than 2 days and it was worth it. I wouldn't say it was a horror but definitely was scary at times. I recommend this read late at night.
I want to Thank NetGalley St. Martin's Press and Will Shindler for an audio arc in exchange for my honest review.
What a tagline!!! Who wouldn't want to read a book with a tagline like that?
I felt The Bone Queen was super fast-paced with short chapters and not a ton of characters, I didn't forget who was who.
We follow Jenna in search for her daughter Chloe who is in search of the Bone Queen. Along the way we get to hear the creepy folk tale about the Bone Queen and all the lives she had touched.
I was able to listen to this book in less than 2 days and it was worth it. I wouldn't say it was a horror but definitely was scary at times. I recommend this read late at night.
I want to Thank NetGalley St. Martin's Press and Will Shindler for an audio arc in exchange for my honest review.
May 17, 2025
Will Shindler's debut The Bone Queen expertly weaves a chilling tale of grief, legend, and lurking evil that will keep you on edge from start to finish. Jenna's desperate journey to find her missing daughter on the eerie shores of Athelsea is haunted by more than just her own fears — there's an ancient, deadly secret lurking beneath the village’s tranquil facade. From the moment Jenna steps onto the island, the atmosphere thickens with foreboding. The locals speak in hushed whispers about the vengeful Bone Queen, a figure shrouded in myth and bloodshed, whose presence seems to seep into every shadow and whisper of the wind. As Jenna digs deeper into the legend, reality begins to warp, blending paranoia with supernatural menace. Is she hallucinating? Or is the legend truly alive and hungry? Shindler masterfully crafts a tense, atmospheric story that balances psychological suspense with folklore horror. The characters are layered, and Jenna's desperation feels palpable as she fights against forces she barely can comprehend, risking her sanity and, perhaps, her life to save her daughter. While the plot occasionally leans into familiar tropes of cursed legends and isolated villages, Shindler’s skillful storytelling — along with some genuinely creepy moments — elevates the novel beyond typical horror fare. The ending provides a satisfying climax that leaves readers questioning what’s real and what’s myth, making The Bone Queen a haunting read that lingers long after the final page. Overall, a strong debut that’s perfect for fans of atmospheric horror and folklore gone awry. A solid 3.5 stars — rounded up for its chilling atmosphere and suspenseful storytelling.
December 22, 2025
3.5 stars
In horror, mystery, and thriller, I love a creepy, isolated location where the locals have their own set of beliefs, rituals, lore, and devotion to each other and NOT to you, the fateful outsider who comes to solve their troubles in these places. Well, you've seen _Wicker Man_ and its peers. We've all been warned!
Jenna is that outsider who comes to - in this case, Althesea - that creepy, isolated locale, for a good reason. Her daughter, Chloe, is missing, and since she is a teen who maybe believes she has been marked by the titular Bone Queen, she likely needs several kinds of assistance. The trouble is that Jenna, who is referred to more than once as clever, does not prove her assertions with actions and realizations as quickly as one may expect.
The location is great, and the lore of The Bone Queen is an intriguing backdrop for the central mystery. The Bone Queen apparently marks children whose parents are less than stellar, which encourages readers to wonder what's so concerning about Jenna's parenting that her daughter has been targeted by a supernatural entity to punish her (Jenna). This nuance made me more interested in how things were evolving than I'd have been with just the basic unfolding mystery.
I found it tough but not impossible to root for Jenna and enjoyed the directions this plot took overall. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for this arc and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
In horror, mystery, and thriller, I love a creepy, isolated location where the locals have their own set of beliefs, rituals, lore, and devotion to each other and NOT to you, the fateful outsider who comes to solve their troubles in these places. Well, you've seen _Wicker Man_ and its peers. We've all been warned!
Jenna is that outsider who comes to - in this case, Althesea - that creepy, isolated locale, for a good reason. Her daughter, Chloe, is missing, and since she is a teen who maybe believes she has been marked by the titular Bone Queen, she likely needs several kinds of assistance. The trouble is that Jenna, who is referred to more than once as clever, does not prove her assertions with actions and realizations as quickly as one may expect.
The location is great, and the lore of The Bone Queen is an intriguing backdrop for the central mystery. The Bone Queen apparently marks children whose parents are less than stellar, which encourages readers to wonder what's so concerning about Jenna's parenting that her daughter has been targeted by a supernatural entity to punish her (Jenna). This nuance made me more interested in how things were evolving than I'd have been with just the basic unfolding mystery.
I found it tough but not impossible to root for Jenna and enjoyed the directions this plot took overall. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
*Special thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for this arc and alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
July 6, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Bone Queen by Will Shindler is a spine tingling story about a mother searching for her missing daughter. She's followed her daughter to an island after finding a couple of notes that pointed her in that direction. Upon arrival, bones washing a shore have the entire island spooked. As more deaths occur, Jenna (mother) continues to hunt for her daughter Chloe, and can feel that something evil is lurking. It's clear to her that stories of The Bone Queen have a hold on the island. On the other hand, a group of friends who long ago were with another victim on the day she died, are hiding secrets and trying to find their own answers.
The characters in this book are well-rounded. Their story expands past the haunting of the island and therefore gives insight into why they take the actions they do. I was rooting for Jenna, it was clear that she had overcame some difficult times and just wanted to be better, and her missing daughter is a tipping point for her.
The time jumps from past to now in this novel are well-placed and added to the eerie mystery in a perfect way. I appreciate an unravelling history that lands the current storyline to a critical point. Overall, a great horror story.
The characters in this book are well-rounded. Their story expands past the haunting of the island and therefore gives insight into why they take the actions they do. I was rooting for Jenna, it was clear that she had overcame some difficult times and just wanted to be better, and her missing daughter is a tipping point for her.
The time jumps from past to now in this novel are well-placed and added to the eerie mystery in a perfect way. I appreciate an unravelling history that lands the current storyline to a critical point. Overall, a great horror story.
January 5, 2026
I have thoughts. 3 to 3.5 star rating. I was interested and I wanted to discover the mystery of The Bone Queen by Will Shindler. The ending felt super rushed. I was certainly eye rolling at least 2 major things that were introduced but only lightly explained. I’m the type of reader that is irritated and left questioning why the author did this. I did enjoy the narration by Tamsin Kennard. ALC was provided by Macmillan Audio. I received an advance listening copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 31, 2026
“The Bone Queen has left her mark, and one day she’ll collect.”
This was a wild and creepy ride.
Release date: 2/3/2026
Dark, creepy island ✔️
Little town with a creepy past ✔️
Mother and daughter with a strained relationship ✔️
Townspeople getting spooked ✔️
This was a perfect mix of spooky, thriller, a dash of horror, and fun whodunnit!
Highly recommend the audio! Tamsin Kennard did a fantastic job bringing the characters and the story to life! Perfect mix of creepy in her voice!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!
This was a wild and creepy ride.
Release date: 2/3/2026
Dark, creepy island ✔️
Little town with a creepy past ✔️
Mother and daughter with a strained relationship ✔️
Townspeople getting spooked ✔️
This was a perfect mix of spooky, thriller, a dash of horror, and fun whodunnit!
Highly recommend the audio! Tamsin Kennard did a fantastic job bringing the characters and the story to life! Perfect mix of creepy in her voice!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!
June 10, 2025
I was thrilled to be accepted for the arc for this book (my first ever acceptance!) so I devoured this in one sitting. I felt totally immersed in this world and its characters from start to finish and was entirely shocked at every twist and reveal. This book had me on the edge of my seat and never had a dull moment. It fell more in the mystery genre than what I’m used to but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. If you love a scary folk tale you’ll love this book!
July 13, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. The world building was on point and there was never a time that the book slowed down. The third person and multiple POV's were so refreshing after reading so many first person and single POV books. You could really feel the sense of urgency as Jenna is trying to find her daughter. I love the plot twists in this. The ending gave me cold chills for hours.
A big thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
A big thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 15, 2025
This book was creepy! I loved the way the book was written in that we got flashbacks of the events and history of the town then coming back to present day events. The legend of the Bone Queen was fantastic; all that she endured and the things that she witnessed ... it's no wonder the townspeople were cursed. I loved the ending!
January 15, 2026
loved it. Jenna is a newly divorced mom to her teenage daughter Chloe. The two live in London and have a dysfunctional relationship due to Jenna’s past addiction problems. But when Chloe starts behaving even more strangely, seeming to be hiding something, Jenna is put on high alert. Then Chloe goes missing, leaving her phone and all personal items behind. Jenna learns that her daughter, who believes she has been cursed, may have set off to the shore town of Athelsea in search of someone who can remove the curse of the Bone Queen. On arriving in Athelsea, Jenna begins to question everything and everyone in this strange village. And as she learns more about the legend of the Bone Queen, and the many victims who have died under her curse, Jenna races against time to try and find her daughter before it’s too late. I loved this atmospheric , very creepy story! It was a great audiobook that I gave 4 stars!
January 21, 2026
This atmospheric novel twists and turns and packs a punch. The plot is propulsive and original. The characters are well written and realistic. The location is as much a character as anyone since it sets the tone and scene for a novel you can’t put down.
December 9, 2025
Loved this book! Great mix of mystery and supernatural. I will definitely be reading more of Will Shindler’s books.
September 2, 2025
The Bone Queen is an atmospheric horror novel about the struggles of a mother in persuit of her missing teenage daughter. A persuit that leads her to a small and secluded island filled with mysterious legends and creepy lore on an entity called The Bone Queen, who used to be a local centuries ago and, after being mistreated, misjudged and murdered, this woman came back as this entity who will mark - and eventually murder - people who misjudge and mistreat other innocent people, but with a certain twist.
We follow the mother, Jenna, who is desperately searching for her daughter while interacting with the locals and learning all the creepy lore and the legend that has become The Bone Queen. The story is told by two timelines - from Jenna, the mother, and from Chloe, the daughter - but also with some chapters regarding the lives of some locals in the past. All connected to the island and to the entity.
The Bone Queen is an eerie and atmospheric supernatural horror story with good pacing, mostly likable characters, flawed characters, which makes a lot of them more realistic in my opinion (the mother, Jenna, carries a heavy burden herself), and fun and spooky tales. It combines real drama scenarios with a supernatural element. The writing is engaging and accessible.
My only reservation is that I felt the conclusion too rushed, too abrupt. I personally highly anticipated the ending due to some real appearance of the Bone Queen and how the characters would get out of that impossible situation. And it all got solved in half a page. That was a little underwhelming.
Yet, I finished this book almost a week ago and I'm still thinking about it. I believe this book turned out to be one of those cases when the journey is more important than the destination. At least to me. Some other readers might be a ltitle upset with that abrupt ending.
I'd still recommend it to any horror readers out there who enjoy supernatural horror and some family drama attached to it.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
We follow the mother, Jenna, who is desperately searching for her daughter while interacting with the locals and learning all the creepy lore and the legend that has become The Bone Queen. The story is told by two timelines - from Jenna, the mother, and from Chloe, the daughter - but also with some chapters regarding the lives of some locals in the past. All connected to the island and to the entity.
The Bone Queen is an eerie and atmospheric supernatural horror story with good pacing, mostly likable characters, flawed characters, which makes a lot of them more realistic in my opinion (the mother, Jenna, carries a heavy burden herself), and fun and spooky tales. It combines real drama scenarios with a supernatural element. The writing is engaging and accessible.
My only reservation is that I felt the conclusion too rushed, too abrupt. I personally highly anticipated the ending due to some real appearance of the Bone Queen and how the characters would get out of that impossible situation. And it all got solved in half a page. That was a little underwhelming.
Yet, I finished this book almost a week ago and I'm still thinking about it. I believe this book turned out to be one of those cases when the journey is more important than the destination. At least to me. Some other readers might be a ltitle upset with that abrupt ending.
I'd still recommend it to any horror readers out there who enjoy supernatural horror and some family drama attached to it.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
September 20, 2025
I want to start by thanking Goodreads and the author for this book! I was so happy to win it in the giveaway, and was very excited to start reading it.
The premise sounded so interesting to me, and I was immediately drawn in by the cover, as well as the great tagline ("The moment you know about the Bone Queen, she knows about you."); and while reading, I really liked the chapter lengths, and the back and forth between what our main character Jenna is going through now, and what her daughter Chloe had gone through, that lead her to running away. I also liked some of the creepy story elements, like the poem carved into the tree, or the short, vague, anonymous messages.
Unfortunately, my praise kind of stops there. I think there's such a good story in here, but it simply wasn't executed as well as it could have been. There's so many interesting parts, and so many spooky ideas, but somehow I was still bored and not really wanting to keep picking the book back up. There was just a lack of suspense in the writing. Moments that should have been big were stated plainly and therefore felt like nothing. The climax was anticlimactic. One of the reveals you could see coming from miles away. You never grew to care for the banal characters. There's a lot of stuff that could have been good, but it's not written with any style or substance. The ending was also unsatisfying. You're left with more questions than answers about the titular Bone Queen, and the final moments with our main characters are super rushed. We also never get full confirmation as to who the prologue was about. You can guess, but it's not 100% clear, and if I'm right, it's about a super minor character. Kind of annoying.
Frankly, I think this would make for a great short story. We don't need all the backstory on the sister, the divorce, the alcoholism, because they take up so much time, slow the story down, and ultimately don't matter. Just have a shorter, tighter story about a creepy Bone Queen that marks kids on an island with still-haunted residents. I just think this story didn't have enough interesting stuff to be stretched out this long. Like I'd be getting interested in the story and then it's all the sudden dragged down by more info on how terrible Jenna was when she was drunk, and how much she regrets it, and how much she still tries to make up for it, and... we just don't need all this! Let's get back to the mystery!
Some things in the writing I need to complain about, lol:
• There's a few moments where we jump from one thing to another without necessary transitions. Like, a character saw an email address left in a comment section, then starts typing, then receives an answer the next day. We soon come to understand she was typing an email, but we need to get from one place to another. Like say she copies and pastes the address before drafting the email. Otherwise it sounds like she's replying in the comments section. This sort of thing happens multiple times.
• I think we're supposed to like Jenna. We understand she's messed up, but we also want to feel for her. So maybe we shouldn't have her say things in regards to her daughter like "I thought she was just being stupid." Like? Maybe she could say "I thought she was just going through typical teen stuff and would snap out of it." Still not nice, but more realistic. Just sounds too harsh otherwise.
• Jenna never seems worried enough, frankly. Her 16 year old daughter is missing, and she's quite nonchalant. It's a weird choice. At one point she's asked how she is and she responds "Truthfully? I'm still worried sick." Um, yeah? Of course?! What do you mean "truthfully?" and "still"?! Your teenage daughter is missing and you haven't found her yet! Of course you're STILL, OBVIOUSLY worried sick!
• Some other examples of writing that bothered me are weird sentences like "stabbed both her parents in one crazy morning", and just ridiculous sentences like "It was hard to articulate but everything about this thing made him want to run." Not only is that sentence missing a comma, but it's not true! It's not hard to articulate! What's happening is scary! IT MAKES SENSE TO WANT TO RUN! Lmao.
• Chloe thinking the Bone Queen is targeting her because her parents suck is so ridiculous to me.
•
• Both main characters just eat and drink whatever strangers give them apparently. Okay then.
•
•
Despite what it may seem, I actually do believe this author has a lot of promise. The concept of this story is good, and I definitely didn't hate the writing entirely. I just think this one has a long way to go to being truly great and compelling. I didn't hate it, but I'm sadly not really able to recommend it either.
Separately from the story itself, I don't know if those of us given advanced copies are supposed to comment on the overall content or not, but I do hope this book just hasn't made it to the editor yet. There's so much missing and unnecessary punctuation (a severe lack of commas, one where it really shouldn't be, a couple spaces missing, and question marks where there doesn't need to be), there's a lack of consistency in presentation (like the "today", and "one week ago", etc., often having different fonts), and the main character's name (Jenna) is even spelled wrong on one page (Jemma, page 91). There's also a couple continuity issues.
I want to once again thank both the author and Goodreads for giving me the chance to read this book. I really appreciate it!
The premise sounded so interesting to me, and I was immediately drawn in by the cover, as well as the great tagline ("The moment you know about the Bone Queen, she knows about you."); and while reading, I really liked the chapter lengths, and the back and forth between what our main character Jenna is going through now, and what her daughter Chloe had gone through, that lead her to running away. I also liked some of the creepy story elements, like the poem carved into the tree, or the short, vague, anonymous messages.
Unfortunately, my praise kind of stops there. I think there's such a good story in here, but it simply wasn't executed as well as it could have been. There's so many interesting parts, and so many spooky ideas, but somehow I was still bored and not really wanting to keep picking the book back up. There was just a lack of suspense in the writing. Moments that should have been big were stated plainly and therefore felt like nothing. The climax was anticlimactic. One of the reveals you could see coming from miles away. You never grew to care for the banal characters. There's a lot of stuff that could have been good, but it's not written with any style or substance. The ending was also unsatisfying. You're left with more questions than answers about the titular Bone Queen, and the final moments with our main characters are super rushed. We also never get full confirmation as to who the prologue was about. You can guess, but it's not 100% clear, and if I'm right, it's about a super minor character. Kind of annoying.
Frankly, I think this would make for a great short story. We don't need all the backstory on the sister, the divorce, the alcoholism, because they take up so much time, slow the story down, and ultimately don't matter. Just have a shorter, tighter story about a creepy Bone Queen that marks kids on an island with still-haunted residents. I just think this story didn't have enough interesting stuff to be stretched out this long. Like I'd be getting interested in the story and then it's all the sudden dragged down by more info on how terrible Jenna was when she was drunk, and how much she regrets it, and how much she still tries to make up for it, and... we just don't need all this! Let's get back to the mystery!
Some things in the writing I need to complain about, lol:
• There's a few moments where we jump from one thing to another without necessary transitions. Like, a character saw an email address left in a comment section, then starts typing, then receives an answer the next day. We soon come to understand she was typing an email, but we need to get from one place to another. Like say she copies and pastes the address before drafting the email. Otherwise it sounds like she's replying in the comments section. This sort of thing happens multiple times.
• I think we're supposed to like Jenna. We understand she's messed up, but we also want to feel for her. So maybe we shouldn't have her say things in regards to her daughter like "I thought she was just being stupid." Like? Maybe she could say "I thought she was just going through typical teen stuff and would snap out of it." Still not nice, but more realistic. Just sounds too harsh otherwise.
• Jenna never seems worried enough, frankly. Her 16 year old daughter is missing, and she's quite nonchalant. It's a weird choice. At one point she's asked how she is and she responds "Truthfully? I'm still worried sick." Um, yeah? Of course?! What do you mean "truthfully?" and "still"?! Your teenage daughter is missing and you haven't found her yet! Of course you're STILL, OBVIOUSLY worried sick!
• Some other examples of writing that bothered me are weird sentences like "stabbed both her parents in one crazy morning", and just ridiculous sentences like "It was hard to articulate but everything about this thing made him want to run." Not only is that sentence missing a comma, but it's not true! It's not hard to articulate! What's happening is scary! IT MAKES SENSE TO WANT TO RUN! Lmao.
• Chloe thinking the Bone Queen is targeting her because her parents suck is so ridiculous to me.
•
• Both main characters just eat and drink whatever strangers give them apparently. Okay then.
•
•
Despite what it may seem, I actually do believe this author has a lot of promise. The concept of this story is good, and I definitely didn't hate the writing entirely. I just think this one has a long way to go to being truly great and compelling. I didn't hate it, but I'm sadly not really able to recommend it either.
Separately from the story itself, I don't know if those of us given advanced copies are supposed to comment on the overall content or not, but I do hope this book just hasn't made it to the editor yet. There's so much missing and unnecessary punctuation (a severe lack of commas, one where it really shouldn't be, a couple spaces missing, and question marks where there doesn't need to be), there's a lack of consistency in presentation (like the "today", and "one week ago", etc., often having different fonts), and the main character's name (Jenna) is even spelled wrong on one page (Jemma, page 91). There's also a couple continuity issues.
I want to once again thank both the author and Goodreads for giving me the chance to read this book. I really appreciate it!
February 3, 2026
Too slow for a thriller, not scary enough for horror
Thank you to NetGalley, Will Shindler, and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Alcoholism, death, violence, addiction, confinement, body horror, child abuse, someone being drugged
Will Shindler's The Bone Queen is about Jenna, a divorced mother and former journalist, who goes searching for her teenage daughter Chloe after she runs away from their London home. Following clues from Chloe's devices, Jenna tracks her to Athelsea, a fog covered island. Once there, Jenna discovers a local legend about the Bone Queen, a vengeful entity connected to decades of deaths and disappearances. As bones wash up on shore and people start dying, Jenna has to find Chloe before it's too late.
Tamsin Kennard narrates the audiobook. She's really good. She brings the characters to life. Her performance adds emotion and helps you feel what's happening. The narration is one of the strongest parts of this book.
The premise is interesting. The concept of the Bone Queen is compelling. The legend is well thought out. Stories from around the world about teenagers being marked by this entity after their parents fail them creates an intriguing foundation. The island setting is atmospheric. Eerie and fog shrouded. Some scenes are genuinely creepy. The kill scenes are creative and realistic.
The opening is fast paced. It grabs you right away. The chapter lengths work well. The book goes back and forth between Jenna in the present searching for Chloe and Chloe's timeline showing what led her to run away. That structure keeps you reading to piece things together.
Despite these positives, the pacing is a major issue. For something marketed as a horror thriller, it drags significantly. The story moves very slowly through most of the book. A book about a mother searching for her missing daughter and people being murdered should feel urgent. This struggles to maintain that sense of urgency.
This doesn't deliver on the horror aspect. It's positioned as horror but I didn't find it scary. People die but nothing about it felt frightening to me. The Bone Queen should be terrifying but she doesn't come across that way. The atmosphere doesn't build the kind of dread I expected. Some scenes try to be creepy but they don't quite land. The writing has a matter of fact quality that takes away from the scares. The author usually writes crime fiction and that procedural tone comes through here.
The characters could have used more depth. I had trouble connecting with them. Jenna is supposed to be desperate to find her daughter but she doesn't always act as worried as I expected. Her sixteen year old is missing and her reactions don't always match the situation. The supporting characters feel underdeveloped.
The ending feels rushed compared to the rest of the book. After moving slowly for so long, everything wraps up very quickly. The conclusion doesn't deliver the payoff I was hoping for after the setup.
Some character decisions are hard to believe. A character drinks things given to them by people who kidnapped and drugged them earlier. People get picked off when they're alone but no one thinks to stay together. Chloe figures out pretty early that the Bone Queen is targeting her because of her parents' behavior, but I'm not sure how she would have reached that conclusion with what she knew.
There's quite a bit of backstory about Jenna's divorce and her struggles with alcoholism. While some of this connects to the plot, it slows down the mystery when I wanted to stay focused on finding Chloe and understanding the Bone Queen legend.
The writing doesn't build the suspense I expected. Moments that could have been intense are presented in a straightforward way that doesn't create the tension a thriller needs. This reads more like a mystery than horror, but it's too slow to work well as a thriller either.
This might work for people who enjoy mystery novels set on isolated islands, readers who don't mind slower pacing, anyone interested in folklore based stories, and listeners who prioritize good narration. If you're looking for genuine scares, fast paced tension, deeply developed characters, or a satisfying conclusion, this might not be the best fit.
Good narration and an interesting premise, but the execution doesn't quite deliver what the concept promised.
"She'd said that something had been stalking her in the weeks leading up to the killings. Chloe took a sharp intake of breath as she read the final sentences of the article. 'The Bone Queen was real to Erin Anderson and this was the only way she believed she could protect herself from her,' said Hood River Deputy...There were more stories like it from all over the world."
Thank you to NetGalley, Will Shindler, and Macmillan Audio for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Alcoholism, death, violence, addiction, confinement, body horror, child abuse, someone being drugged
Will Shindler's The Bone Queen is about Jenna, a divorced mother and former journalist, who goes searching for her teenage daughter Chloe after she runs away from their London home. Following clues from Chloe's devices, Jenna tracks her to Athelsea, a fog covered island. Once there, Jenna discovers a local legend about the Bone Queen, a vengeful entity connected to decades of deaths and disappearances. As bones wash up on shore and people start dying, Jenna has to find Chloe before it's too late.
Tamsin Kennard narrates the audiobook. She's really good. She brings the characters to life. Her performance adds emotion and helps you feel what's happening. The narration is one of the strongest parts of this book.
The premise is interesting. The concept of the Bone Queen is compelling. The legend is well thought out. Stories from around the world about teenagers being marked by this entity after their parents fail them creates an intriguing foundation. The island setting is atmospheric. Eerie and fog shrouded. Some scenes are genuinely creepy. The kill scenes are creative and realistic.
The opening is fast paced. It grabs you right away. The chapter lengths work well. The book goes back and forth between Jenna in the present searching for Chloe and Chloe's timeline showing what led her to run away. That structure keeps you reading to piece things together.
Despite these positives, the pacing is a major issue. For something marketed as a horror thriller, it drags significantly. The story moves very slowly through most of the book. A book about a mother searching for her missing daughter and people being murdered should feel urgent. This struggles to maintain that sense of urgency.
This doesn't deliver on the horror aspect. It's positioned as horror but I didn't find it scary. People die but nothing about it felt frightening to me. The Bone Queen should be terrifying but she doesn't come across that way. The atmosphere doesn't build the kind of dread I expected. Some scenes try to be creepy but they don't quite land. The writing has a matter of fact quality that takes away from the scares. The author usually writes crime fiction and that procedural tone comes through here.
The characters could have used more depth. I had trouble connecting with them. Jenna is supposed to be desperate to find her daughter but she doesn't always act as worried as I expected. Her sixteen year old is missing and her reactions don't always match the situation. The supporting characters feel underdeveloped.
The ending feels rushed compared to the rest of the book. After moving slowly for so long, everything wraps up very quickly. The conclusion doesn't deliver the payoff I was hoping for after the setup.
Some character decisions are hard to believe. A character drinks things given to them by people who kidnapped and drugged them earlier. People get picked off when they're alone but no one thinks to stay together. Chloe figures out pretty early that the Bone Queen is targeting her because of her parents' behavior, but I'm not sure how she would have reached that conclusion with what she knew.
There's quite a bit of backstory about Jenna's divorce and her struggles with alcoholism. While some of this connects to the plot, it slows down the mystery when I wanted to stay focused on finding Chloe and understanding the Bone Queen legend.
The writing doesn't build the suspense I expected. Moments that could have been intense are presented in a straightforward way that doesn't create the tension a thriller needs. This reads more like a mystery than horror, but it's too slow to work well as a thriller either.
This might work for people who enjoy mystery novels set on isolated islands, readers who don't mind slower pacing, anyone interested in folklore based stories, and listeners who prioritize good narration. If you're looking for genuine scares, fast paced tension, deeply developed characters, or a satisfying conclusion, this might not be the best fit.
Good narration and an interesting premise, but the execution doesn't quite deliver what the concept promised.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You know when you walk into a creepy village and every local gives you the exact same tight-lipped stare like you just asked where they bury the bodies... and you think, “Yep. Something cursed lives here”? Welcome to Athelsea, baby. Population: trauma.
In The Bone Queen, we’re dropped into fog-choked folklore with Jenna, a single mom who is spiraling faster than a corkscrew rollercoaster after her 16-year-old daughter, Chloe, peaces out of their London home and vanishes into trauma island with only a ferry ticket and some cryptic digital footprints behind. Chloe’s convinced she’s been marked by something ancient and very murdery, and if she doesn’t get to Athelsea? She’s next.
Here’s the vibe: Something's seriously wrong with Chloe. She’s been acting haunted, scratching her arms raw, and staring off like she’s waiting for a ghost to text back. Jenna follows her daughter’s trail to Athelsea, a damp, eerie little village that practically screams, “We host pagan death rituals on Tuesdays.” The locals speak in riddles. Human remains wash ashore. And everyone’s terrified to say the name "Bone Queen" like she’ll float in through the fog if you whisper it too loud.
The Bone Queen, by the way, is no discount horror mascot. She’s the vengeance spirit of a woman murdered centuries ago and she’s got deeply personal beef with terrible parents. According to legend, once you’re marked, you’re done. And if you try to break the curse? Congratulations, you just put yourself on the kill list too. This island is a whole mess of hauntings, generational secrets, and that one local pub that’s absolutely seen at least two possessions.
And if you’re wondering, “Cool, is this ghost story actually a metaphor for maternal guilt and inherited trauma?” Ding ding ding. Because this book has dual POVs, past and present timelines, and a village full of people quietly waiting to die because no one ever talks about anything in this town except with ominous silences.
The atmosphere? Chef’s kiss. It’s cold. It’s damp. It’s crawling with dread. Shindler knows how to build a creepy village with cult-y undertones and a ghost that feels like she’s watching you through the wallpaper. The horror simmers slow, think psychological dread, not jump scares, and it works... most of the time. But, AND HERE’S MY TED TALK RANT, the middle starts to sag under the weight of too many perspectives. Do we need every backstory? Did we have to take a detour through the Ghosts of 2003 Trauma Past and Still Not Find Chloe? It gets a little foggy in here, plot-wise.
Chloe, for all her “marked by a vengeful entity” vibes, kind of reads like a Tumblr goth who skimmed a cursed blog and said, “Cool, I’ll run directly toward that.” And Jenna... oh Jenna. I get that you’re a journalist. I do. But at some point you’ve gotta stop emotionally unraveling mid-interrogation and maybe not follow mysterious sounds into the woods without backup. Please.
Also, can we talk about the Bone Queen’s revenge list? Because it ranges from “violent, abusive murderer” to “recovering alcoholic mom who maybe yelled once while holding a Chardonnay.” Ghost vengeance law is inconsistent and I have notes.
But despite the wobble, I still had a good time. The tension creeps in. The lore has teeth. The final act, while it wraps faster than a horror TikTok, throws down just enough “oh damn” to keep the lights on for one more chapter. It doesn’t all stick the landing, but it’s the kind of spooky you can cozy up with on a rainy night and still feel unsettled three days later when your reflection moves just a little too slow.
Would I reread it? Nah. Would I recommend it to a friend who loves creepy island horror with light folklore, messy moms, and a ghost who definitely has Opinions? Absolutely. 3.5 stars
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Suspect the Entire Island, the Lake, the Sister, and That One Passive-Aggressive Innkeeper
Huge thanks and a haunted bouquet of gratitude to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC! Y’all knew exactly what you were doing when you handed me a book with a cursed lake, maternal guilt, and a gothic ghost woman with vengeance issues. I salute the chaos.
In The Bone Queen, we’re dropped into fog-choked folklore with Jenna, a single mom who is spiraling faster than a corkscrew rollercoaster after her 16-year-old daughter, Chloe, peaces out of their London home and vanishes into trauma island with only a ferry ticket and some cryptic digital footprints behind. Chloe’s convinced she’s been marked by something ancient and very murdery, and if she doesn’t get to Athelsea? She’s next.
Here’s the vibe: Something's seriously wrong with Chloe. She’s been acting haunted, scratching her arms raw, and staring off like she’s waiting for a ghost to text back. Jenna follows her daughter’s trail to Athelsea, a damp, eerie little village that practically screams, “We host pagan death rituals on Tuesdays.” The locals speak in riddles. Human remains wash ashore. And everyone’s terrified to say the name "Bone Queen" like she’ll float in through the fog if you whisper it too loud.
The Bone Queen, by the way, is no discount horror mascot. She’s the vengeance spirit of a woman murdered centuries ago and she’s got deeply personal beef with terrible parents. According to legend, once you’re marked, you’re done. And if you try to break the curse? Congratulations, you just put yourself on the kill list too. This island is a whole mess of hauntings, generational secrets, and that one local pub that’s absolutely seen at least two possessions.
And if you’re wondering, “Cool, is this ghost story actually a metaphor for maternal guilt and inherited trauma?” Ding ding ding. Because this book has dual POVs, past and present timelines, and a village full of people quietly waiting to die because no one ever talks about anything in this town except with ominous silences.
The atmosphere? Chef’s kiss. It’s cold. It’s damp. It’s crawling with dread. Shindler knows how to build a creepy village with cult-y undertones and a ghost that feels like she’s watching you through the wallpaper. The horror simmers slow, think psychological dread, not jump scares, and it works... most of the time. But, AND HERE’S MY TED TALK RANT, the middle starts to sag under the weight of too many perspectives. Do we need every backstory? Did we have to take a detour through the Ghosts of 2003 Trauma Past and Still Not Find Chloe? It gets a little foggy in here, plot-wise.
Chloe, for all her “marked by a vengeful entity” vibes, kind of reads like a Tumblr goth who skimmed a cursed blog and said, “Cool, I’ll run directly toward that.” And Jenna... oh Jenna. I get that you’re a journalist. I do. But at some point you’ve gotta stop emotionally unraveling mid-interrogation and maybe not follow mysterious sounds into the woods without backup. Please.
Also, can we talk about the Bone Queen’s revenge list? Because it ranges from “violent, abusive murderer” to “recovering alcoholic mom who maybe yelled once while holding a Chardonnay.” Ghost vengeance law is inconsistent and I have notes.
But despite the wobble, I still had a good time. The tension creeps in. The lore has teeth. The final act, while it wraps faster than a horror TikTok, throws down just enough “oh damn” to keep the lights on for one more chapter. It doesn’t all stick the landing, but it’s the kind of spooky you can cozy up with on a rainy night and still feel unsettled three days later when your reflection moves just a little too slow.
Would I reread it? Nah. Would I recommend it to a friend who loves creepy island horror with light folklore, messy moms, and a ghost who definitely has Opinions? Absolutely. 3.5 stars
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Suspect the Entire Island, the Lake, the Sister, and That One Passive-Aggressive Innkeeper
Huge thanks and a haunted bouquet of gratitude to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC! Y’all knew exactly what you were doing when you handed me a book with a cursed lake, maternal guilt, and a gothic ghost woman with vengeance issues. I salute the chaos.
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