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A Shaw Connolly Mystery #2
Restless Bones
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26Fingerprint analyst Shaw Connolly grapples with both a new case and the lingering presence of her sister's killer in Gillian French's second compelling Maine thriller.
When a missing woman’s body is discovered in a submerged car one year after her disappearance, Shaw Connolly is called to process the scene. She finds a single print belonging to a long-dead female ex-con; could it be the key to identifying the murderer? As usual, Shaw won't stop looking until she’s dredged up more than a few hidden crimes.
All the while, Shaw’s past won’t let her go. Just as the Connolly family begins to find some peace after the arrest of Shaw’s sister’s killer, Anders Jansen, Shaw receives a request from her state police contact. Anders, in prison awaiting trial, has claimed responsibility for the murders of two other young women whose cases have grown cold over the past decade. But he refuses to help the police unless Shaw agrees to act as a special consultant in the search.
Despite her misgivings—Anders’s love of malicious mind games is as toxic as ever—Shaw could never prolong another family’s suffering. Her agreement to assist jeopardizes not only the fragile healing of her own family’s wounds, but the rebuilding of her marriage and her relationship with her youngest son, who’s colliding with some hard truths of how cruel people can be. It seems, for Shaw, closure is a long way off . . . but danger may be closer than she thinks.
When a missing woman’s body is discovered in a submerged car one year after her disappearance, Shaw Connolly is called to process the scene. She finds a single print belonging to a long-dead female ex-con; could it be the key to identifying the murderer? As usual, Shaw won't stop looking until she’s dredged up more than a few hidden crimes.
All the while, Shaw’s past won’t let her go. Just as the Connolly family begins to find some peace after the arrest of Shaw’s sister’s killer, Anders Jansen, Shaw receives a request from her state police contact. Anders, in prison awaiting trial, has claimed responsibility for the murders of two other young women whose cases have grown cold over the past decade. But he refuses to help the police unless Shaw agrees to act as a special consultant in the search.
Despite her misgivings—Anders’s love of malicious mind games is as toxic as ever—Shaw could never prolong another family’s suffering. Her agreement to assist jeopardizes not only the fragile healing of her own family’s wounds, but the rebuilding of her marriage and her relationship with her youngest son, who’s colliding with some hard truths of how cruel people can be. It seems, for Shaw, closure is a long way off . . . but danger may be closer than she thinks.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 16, 2026
About the author
Gillian French
12 books551 followersGillian French is the author of SHAW CONNOLLY LIVES TO TELL and RESTLESS BONES, both from Minotaur Books, and five novels for teens from various publishers: GRIT, THE DOOR TO JANUARY, THE LIES THEY TELL, THE MISSING SEASON, and SUGARING OFF. Her short fiction has placed in many competitions, including Writer's Digest and Zoetrope: All Story contests, and has been published in such magazines as Mystery Tribune m. She holds a BA in English and lives in her native state of Maine with her husband and four sons, where she's perpetually at work on her next novel.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
to @netgalley, @minotaurbooks, and Gillian French for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Restless Bones is a dark, atmospheric, and emotionally charged mystery that completely pulled me in from the first chapter. Gillian French blends forensic investigation, psychological suspense, and deeply personal family drama into a story that feels both gripping and grounded.
Shaw Connolly continues to be such a compelling main character. She’s sharp-tongued, flawed, fiercely protective of the people she loves, and still struggling with the emotional aftermath of finally learning the truth about her sister’s murder. I really appreciated how layered she felt throughout the story. Her grief, anger, and exhaustion all felt incredibly real, especially as she tries to juggle work, family tensions, and the emotional toll of being forced back into contact with her sister’s killer.
The forensic side of the story was fascinating. The submerged car case immediately hooked me, especially with the eerie discovery of fingerprints belonging to a woman who supposedly died years earlier. I also loved the second investigation involving the elderly woman found outside her home wrapped in a coverlet. Both mysteries were twisty, tense, and packed with enough clues and surprises to keep me constantly guessing.
One of my favorite things about this series is the Maine setting. Gillian French creates such a moody, isolated atmosphere that perfectly matches the darker tone of the story. The small-town dynamics, lingering secrets, and emotional undercurrents all added so much depth to the mystery.
I also really enjoyed the balance between the procedural elements and Shaw’s personal life. Her struggles with her estranged husband, her son being bullied at school, and the ongoing emotional impact of her sister’s death made the story feel more intimate and character-driven rather than just another crime thriller.
Overall, Restless Bones is a suspenseful, emotionally layered thriller with excellent pacing, strong character work, and a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the final page. I’m already looking forward to seeing where Shaw’s story goes next.
Restless Bones is a dark, atmospheric, and emotionally charged mystery that completely pulled me in from the first chapter. Gillian French blends forensic investigation, psychological suspense, and deeply personal family drama into a story that feels both gripping and grounded.
Shaw Connolly continues to be such a compelling main character. She’s sharp-tongued, flawed, fiercely protective of the people she loves, and still struggling with the emotional aftermath of finally learning the truth about her sister’s murder. I really appreciated how layered she felt throughout the story. Her grief, anger, and exhaustion all felt incredibly real, especially as she tries to juggle work, family tensions, and the emotional toll of being forced back into contact with her sister’s killer.
The forensic side of the story was fascinating. The submerged car case immediately hooked me, especially with the eerie discovery of fingerprints belonging to a woman who supposedly died years earlier. I also loved the second investigation involving the elderly woman found outside her home wrapped in a coverlet. Both mysteries were twisty, tense, and packed with enough clues and surprises to keep me constantly guessing.
One of my favorite things about this series is the Maine setting. Gillian French creates such a moody, isolated atmosphere that perfectly matches the darker tone of the story. The small-town dynamics, lingering secrets, and emotional undercurrents all added so much depth to the mystery.
I also really enjoyed the balance between the procedural elements and Shaw’s personal life. Her struggles with her estranged husband, her son being bullied at school, and the ongoing emotional impact of her sister’s death made the story feel more intimate and character-driven rather than just another crime thriller.
Overall, Restless Bones is a suspenseful, emotionally layered thriller with excellent pacing, strong character work, and a haunting atmosphere that lingers long after the final page. I’m already looking forward to seeing where Shaw’s story goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thanks to wonderful author and friend Gillian for the opportunity to read her upcoming book early 😀 Pre-order from your local book shop, request that your local library get a copy, or check it out on the release date this coming June 16th 💜
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When I read the first book in the series, Shaw Connolly Lives To Tell, I was instantly hooked! Anyone who has read Gillians previous books will know that she does a phenomenal job at bringing real and fictional Maine places to life, as well as providing detailed backgrounds we get to know as layers come undone. Gillian has a sharp, methodical way of pulling you in with a slower burn at first, but intriguing and almost painfully relatable characters, with new developments popping up, then throwing unexpected twists, but still manages to have you unsure where things will end up as the plot intensifies and thickens.
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Shaw, a fingerprint analyst is still working through trauma and grief surrounding her sisters death and Anders harassment and capturing from the first book. Throughout Restless Bones, she deals with new work cases along with marriage troubles, keeping her father out of trouble, navigating her youngest son being bullied, coping with fear and anxieties, grappling with feelings for a long time crush (and dreamy, complicated Scottish man) that she knows better than to act on, and finally having a shot at long term closure that she has been wanting for so long. Maybe a chance at some shred of normalcy, if life can ever be normal again after loss.
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Gillian has such an incredible way of writing riveting mysteries and thrillers set in Maine that make you feel like you become part of the setting and get to know the characters as if they're all too real. Gillian displays knowledge, experience, sensitivity, and effort with complex characters, events, and subjects.
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I'll leave off with a favorite quote from this easily 5 ⭐️ read.
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"...nobody's paying any goddamn attention. They're all paying attention to themselves and their own problems. It's about trying to keep your sanity and find a little happiness every day, because that's what keeps you going, helps you be there for the people you love."
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When I read the first book in the series, Shaw Connolly Lives To Tell, I was instantly hooked! Anyone who has read Gillians previous books will know that she does a phenomenal job at bringing real and fictional Maine places to life, as well as providing detailed backgrounds we get to know as layers come undone. Gillian has a sharp, methodical way of pulling you in with a slower burn at first, but intriguing and almost painfully relatable characters, with new developments popping up, then throwing unexpected twists, but still manages to have you unsure where things will end up as the plot intensifies and thickens.
.
Shaw, a fingerprint analyst is still working through trauma and grief surrounding her sisters death and Anders harassment and capturing from the first book. Throughout Restless Bones, she deals with new work cases along with marriage troubles, keeping her father out of trouble, navigating her youngest son being bullied, coping with fear and anxieties, grappling with feelings for a long time crush (and dreamy, complicated Scottish man) that she knows better than to act on, and finally having a shot at long term closure that she has been wanting for so long. Maybe a chance at some shred of normalcy, if life can ever be normal again after loss.
.
Gillian has such an incredible way of writing riveting mysteries and thrillers set in Maine that make you feel like you become part of the setting and get to know the characters as if they're all too real. Gillian displays knowledge, experience, sensitivity, and effort with complex characters, events, and subjects.
.
I'll leave off with a favorite quote from this easily 5 ⭐️ read.
.
"...nobody's paying any goddamn attention. They're all paying attention to themselves and their own problems. It's about trying to keep your sanity and find a little happiness every day, because that's what keeps you going, helps you be there for the people you love."
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The second Shaw Connelly mystery begins with her being called in to fingerprint a car that had been submerged. Along with the body of a long-missing woman, Shaw finds fingerprints for a woman who supposedly died before the car went into the water.
Since Shaw has finally solved the mystery of her long-missing sister and is now dealing with the grief that goes with finally knowing the truth, she is the best one to help the new victim's parents deal with their loss.
Shaw is also called in when the body of an elderly woman is discovered at her isolated home. She has been wrapped in her bed coverlet and left out in the yard. The first thing Shaw notices is that a spare room was apparently used and then thoroughly cleaned before the crime scene was discovered. She does find some partial prints, but most belong to that victim. Other prints seem to have been deliberately distorted in an attempt to foil identification.
While she is busy with her day-to-day jobs, she is also dealing with an eleven-year-old son who is being bullied at school. Also, she is uncertain about her relationship with her husband who moved out because he could no longer take her obsession with finding her missing sister.
Shaw would like to be left in peace to deal with her grief, but the man who killed her sister and is sitting in prison wants to tell her about other women he's killed. Shaw hates the idea of spending any time with him, but she also can't stand the idea of not listening if it could help families know what happened to their missing.
Shaw is a complex character. She's smart-mouthed and has a quick temper. She's dealing with grief as she best knows how and she's dealing with her relationships within her family also as she best knows how.
I enjoyed getting to know Shaw. She was an intriguing person. I also liked the Maine setting.
Since Shaw has finally solved the mystery of her long-missing sister and is now dealing with the grief that goes with finally knowing the truth, she is the best one to help the new victim's parents deal with their loss.
Shaw is also called in when the body of an elderly woman is discovered at her isolated home. She has been wrapped in her bed coverlet and left out in the yard. The first thing Shaw notices is that a spare room was apparently used and then thoroughly cleaned before the crime scene was discovered. She does find some partial prints, but most belong to that victim. Other prints seem to have been deliberately distorted in an attempt to foil identification.
While she is busy with her day-to-day jobs, she is also dealing with an eleven-year-old son who is being bullied at school. Also, she is uncertain about her relationship with her husband who moved out because he could no longer take her obsession with finding her missing sister.
Shaw would like to be left in peace to deal with her grief, but the man who killed her sister and is sitting in prison wants to tell her about other women he's killed. Shaw hates the idea of spending any time with him, but she also can't stand the idea of not listening if it could help families know what happened to their missing.
Shaw is a complex character. She's smart-mouthed and has a quick temper. She's dealing with grief as she best knows how and she's dealing with her relationships within her family also as she best knows how.
I enjoyed getting to know Shaw. She was an intriguing person. I also liked the Maine setting.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
So far, I am loving this series. Part of the reason is that I really like the main character. Shaw is a raw, real character that, for me, was easy to like and I definitively wanted to go to bat for her. I love her sarcastic wit. In a lot of ways, she reminded me of myself a lifetime ago. I love the banter she has with her coworkers and her family. But one of the things I loved the most was the sentence structure. French did an incredible job of increasing the tension with short, punchy sentences. But she also did the same with these amazing, long sentences that were literally anxiety-inducing. They were the perfect way to show what Shaw was going through in the moment, explaining her stresses and her interiority when she had to see Anders face to face. As a writer, I found the sentence structure to be impressive enough to take note of how she was combining all the aspects of it to control how the reader perceived those scenes. Had I not been looking for it, I wouldn’t have realized it was even happening! Her characterization was great too. Everyone fits so well together, even during the chaotic times. My history in forensics is what initially drew me to this story, but Shaw’s story is what kept me reading. This is a truly excellent series and I can’t wait to see where it goes now that Shaw has closed a couple of serious chapters in her life!
Huge thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!
Huge thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced copy of Restless Bones from NetGalley, and this was my first read by Gillian French. What a gripping introduction to this author for me. This book blends crime scene forensics, family trauma, and small town Maine tension into a thriller that’s both atmospheric and emotionally heavy in all the right ways. Shaw Connolly is such a compelling lead, a fingerprint analyst who’s still carrying the weight of her sister’s murder while trying to keep her family stitched together. When a missing woman’s body turns up in a submerged car a year after she vanished, Shaw is called to process the scene. The single fingerprint she finds belonging to a long‑dead ex‑con sets off a mystery that’s far more tangled than it first appears. I loved how French uses that one eerie detail to unravel a whole web of hidden crimes. But the real punch of the story comes from Shaw’s past refusing to stay buried. Just as her family is starting to heal, Anders Jansen, her sister’s killer claims responsibility for two more cold‑case murders. And of course, he refuses to talk unless Shaw agrees to consult. The psychological tension between them is sharp, unsettling, and full of those mind‑game moments that make you want to read just one more chapter. What raises the stakes even higher is how Shaw’s involvement threatens the fragile progress she’s made with her marriage and her youngest son. The book does a great job showing how the ripple effects of violence don’t end with an arrest they keep shaping lives long after. I want to read more from this author! #NETGALLEY #RESTLESSBONES
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I first grabbed this, I did not realize that this is book two in the series, and so I found myself having to backtrack to book one so I could fully understand and enjoy this novel completely.
Once I'd caught up, Restless Bones is dark, twisty, moody and the perfect continuation to Shaw Connolly's adventures in small-town Maine...one that will trap you within its pages and dark whispers... promising you secrets that perhaps should never leave the shadows.
Once more Gillian French has managed to bring forward something so raw and relatable, and yet also bringing something that is tense, and at times... utterly horrifying.
When a missing person shows up in a submerged car almost one year after her death... Shaw Connolly is summoned to help investigate the case... where she finds only one print belonging to a female con long-dead.... and a mystery that spirals only deeper...
Things only spiral when news is announced of her sister's killer's arrest. It seems that her past won't let her go after all... but perhaps the arrest of Anders Jansen might bring her and the rest of the Connolly family justice ...
Or perhaps closure is something that is not as simple as it seems... for Anders' games are as deceitful as they are...and his mind games are as good as ever and yet Shaw can't leave another family to suffer as hers has... can she?
But regardless, danger might be closer than Shaw has ever experienced.
Once I'd caught up, Restless Bones is dark, twisty, moody and the perfect continuation to Shaw Connolly's adventures in small-town Maine...one that will trap you within its pages and dark whispers... promising you secrets that perhaps should never leave the shadows.
Once more Gillian French has managed to bring forward something so raw and relatable, and yet also bringing something that is tense, and at times... utterly horrifying.
When a missing person shows up in a submerged car almost one year after her death... Shaw Connolly is summoned to help investigate the case... where she finds only one print belonging to a female con long-dead.... and a mystery that spirals only deeper...
Things only spiral when news is announced of her sister's killer's arrest. It seems that her past won't let her go after all... but perhaps the arrest of Anders Jansen might bring her and the rest of the Connolly family justice ...
Or perhaps closure is something that is not as simple as it seems... for Anders' games are as deceitful as they are...and his mind games are as good as ever and yet Shaw can't leave another family to suffer as hers has... can she?
But regardless, danger might be closer than Shaw has ever experienced.
March 19, 2026
I started ‘Restless Bones’ only to realize that this was Book #2 in a series by author Gillian French. Apprehension rose as I have been in this predicament before and been severely disappointed. In other cases, an author may refer to events from the previous book which confuses me with their out-of-context meaning. Or they allude to characters who I have not met. Then there is my personally aggressive peeve: retelling every detail of that story as a rehash that often feels like an info dump or worse a padding of pages.
That being said, this author did not do that and I was able to continue on, finding this novel to be quite engaging. Yes, there were references to the previous tale but it was more a continuation of the characters’ lives, events in their history that informed the current story. They were sparingly dropped in so this reader did not struggle to understand the characters’ actions and/or motivations.
A four-star rating is applied here with slight missteps keeping it from five.
Some early dialogue seemed so plot driven that it felt like it was…uh…written. Meaning: I couldn’t hear the character’s voice, only saw the words as info to further the story.
The tone of the characters dialogue and actions seemed occasionally abrupt which tended to be a bit jarring to the pacing.
Small things for an otherwise well written story.
This not-so-quick reader made good time in finishing this novel which is the sign of a book and author I’ll recommend.
That being said, this author did not do that and I was able to continue on, finding this novel to be quite engaging. Yes, there were references to the previous tale but it was more a continuation of the characters’ lives, events in their history that informed the current story. They were sparingly dropped in so this reader did not struggle to understand the characters’ actions and/or motivations.
A four-star rating is applied here with slight missteps keeping it from five.
Some early dialogue seemed so plot driven that it felt like it was…uh…written. Meaning: I couldn’t hear the character’s voice, only saw the words as info to further the story.
The tone of the characters dialogue and actions seemed occasionally abrupt which tended to be a bit jarring to the pacing.
Small things for an otherwise well written story.
This not-so-quick reader made good time in finishing this novel which is the sign of a book and author I’ll recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Restless Bones by Gillian French gets a solid three stars from me, and honestly, that’s me being generous because there were moments where I almost got hooked. Almost.
Every time the story started to build some real tension or hint at something fresh, it swerved straight into cliché territory like it had a personal vendetta against originality. Brooding characters? Check. Family secrets? Of course. People getting mad about people doing their jobs? Check. Ominous vibes that feel suspiciously familiar? You bet. It’s like the book raided a greatest hits album of thriller tropes and decided subtlety was overrated.
And look, clichés aren’t automatically bad if you do something interesting with them. But here, they’re laid on so thick that I spent more time predicting what would happen next than actually enjoying the ride. By the time I hit the halfway point, my eyes were basically doing cardio from all the rolling.
That said, the atmosphere is there. French clearly knows how to set a mood, and there are flashes of genuinely compelling writing that kept me from giving up entirely. I just wish the story trusted itself enough to take a few risks instead of leaning so hard on the familiar.
In the end, it’s not a terrible read, just a frustrating one. If you love a moody mystery and don’t mind a heavy dose of déjà vu, you might enjoy it more than I did. For me, it felt like almost getting a great book… and then getting smacked with a trope every time it tried.
Every time the story started to build some real tension or hint at something fresh, it swerved straight into cliché territory like it had a personal vendetta against originality. Brooding characters? Check. Family secrets? Of course. People getting mad about people doing their jobs? Check. Ominous vibes that feel suspiciously familiar? You bet. It’s like the book raided a greatest hits album of thriller tropes and decided subtlety was overrated.
And look, clichés aren’t automatically bad if you do something interesting with them. But here, they’re laid on so thick that I spent more time predicting what would happen next than actually enjoying the ride. By the time I hit the halfway point, my eyes were basically doing cardio from all the rolling.
That said, the atmosphere is there. French clearly knows how to set a mood, and there are flashes of genuinely compelling writing that kept me from giving up entirely. I just wish the story trusted itself enough to take a few risks instead of leaning so hard on the familiar.
In the end, it’s not a terrible read, just a frustrating one. If you love a moody mystery and don’t mind a heavy dose of déjà vu, you might enjoy it more than I did. For me, it felt like almost getting a great book… and then getting smacked with a trope every time it tried.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a series I cannot get enough of. Shaw Connolly is my dream character. A firecracker that will protect her family and loved ones at any cost. If you are doing something wrong, she will call you out. The sarcasm oozes from her bones and I am all for it! Shaw also has so many amazing lines and catch phrases that always leaves me with a smile on my face. The book itself is intense and fast moving. I was flying through the pages needing to know what was going to happen!
The Connolly's have finally found a nugget of peace with her sister's killer finally behind bars. They can breathe just a bit easier knowing he is no longer stalking Shaw. When the State Police detective calls her out of the blue, Shaw immediately knows something is up. Anders is trying to play his mind tricks even from prison. Making Shaw anxious and tense at a drop of a hat. Not only that she loves her job as a fingerprint analyst. She has a whopper of a case. No one has seen anything like it before and this is her jam. Even though she is living high at work, her eleven-year-old son is being bullied and the school is doing nothing! Which of course makes Mama Bear Shaw come out. All of these threads come together to weave a perfect story.
I love the balance of terrifying with Shaw's laughable moments. She is just a gem. I cannot wait to see what she gets up to next! Thank you to Gillian French and Minotaur Books for my gifted copy.
The Connolly's have finally found a nugget of peace with her sister's killer finally behind bars. They can breathe just a bit easier knowing he is no longer stalking Shaw. When the State Police detective calls her out of the blue, Shaw immediately knows something is up. Anders is trying to play his mind tricks even from prison. Making Shaw anxious and tense at a drop of a hat. Not only that she loves her job as a fingerprint analyst. She has a whopper of a case. No one has seen anything like it before and this is her jam. Even though she is living high at work, her eleven-year-old son is being bullied and the school is doing nothing! Which of course makes Mama Bear Shaw come out. All of these threads come together to weave a perfect story.
I love the balance of terrifying with Shaw's laughable moments. She is just a gem. I cannot wait to see what she gets up to next! Thank you to Gillian French and Minotaur Books for my gifted copy.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Shaw Connolly is a fingerprint analyst. The book starts with her being called in to try and obtain fingerprints from a car that was submerged and contained the body of a young woman that has been missing for a year. As Shaw grapples with that case and another involving the suspicious death of an old woman, her past is also coming back to her. The man who killed her sister and is currently in jail has told the police that he murdered other young women and can lead them to where they are buried. But, the only one he'll talk to is Shaw.
This is book 2 in this series, so there are some missing pieces on the backstory. However, I found it fairly easy to figure things out and didn't feel like I had to read the first book to understand this one.
I did feel like the pace of this book was very slow and it was a bit unfocused. It had several story lines going, and I didn't feel like any of them were developed as much as they could have been if the author had focused on one of them more. It just all felt a bit disjointed. I also just didn't care for Shaw's character much, which made it so that I wasn't really rooting for her.
The writing is good and I thought the ending was a nice twist, but just a middle of the road mystery/thriller for me.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is book 2 in this series, so there are some missing pieces on the backstory. However, I found it fairly easy to figure things out and didn't feel like I had to read the first book to understand this one.
I did feel like the pace of this book was very slow and it was a bit unfocused. It had several story lines going, and I didn't feel like any of them were developed as much as they could have been if the author had focused on one of them more. It just all felt a bit disjointed. I also just didn't care for Shaw's character much, which made it so that I wasn't really rooting for her.
The writing is good and I thought the ending was a nice twist, but just a middle of the road mystery/thriller for me.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 8, 2026
3.5 stars — Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC.
I’m glad I took the time to read the first book in this series before starting Restless Bones, because I would have missed a lot of the early nuances—especially the insinuations involving Shaw, her coworkers, and her sister Thea. Having the full background definitely added depth and context to the story.
That said, Shaw is not my favorite character. Her constant sarcasm started to grate on me after a while, and I wasn’t thrilled to see Anders become an active character again. I was hoping my experience might be different this time reading versus listening to the audio version of the first book, but his presence was still unsettling.
There’s a lot happening in this installment: Shaw and Ryan’s marriage struggles, the undeniable chemistry between Shaw and McKenzie, multiple murder investigations, her son’s issues at school, her father’s ongoing lawsuit from book one, and helping Anders locate the bodies of missing women he confesses to killing. At times it felt a bit busy, but it definitely kept the pace moving.
I did guess part of the ending fairly early, but overall this was a solid read. I actually enjoyed this second book more than the first and I’m still curious enough to continue the series and see where it goes next.
I’m glad I took the time to read the first book in this series before starting Restless Bones, because I would have missed a lot of the early nuances—especially the insinuations involving Shaw, her coworkers, and her sister Thea. Having the full background definitely added depth and context to the story.
That said, Shaw is not my favorite character. Her constant sarcasm started to grate on me after a while, and I wasn’t thrilled to see Anders become an active character again. I was hoping my experience might be different this time reading versus listening to the audio version of the first book, but his presence was still unsettling.
There’s a lot happening in this installment: Shaw and Ryan’s marriage struggles, the undeniable chemistry between Shaw and McKenzie, multiple murder investigations, her son’s issues at school, her father’s ongoing lawsuit from book one, and helping Anders locate the bodies of missing women he confesses to killing. At times it felt a bit busy, but it definitely kept the pace moving.
I did guess part of the ending fairly early, but overall this was a solid read. I actually enjoyed this second book more than the first and I’m still curious enough to continue the series and see where it goes next.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’ve savored Gillian French’s novels since I first discovered her writing in The Lies They Tell. Her suspenseful, small-town stories feature characters haunted by loss and secrets, and the settings have a gothic atmosphere, even while they could be anyone’s backyard. Restless Bones is the second installment in the Shaw Connolly mystery series, and it follows our familiar protagonist on a new crime investigation and a reopening of old wounds. As Shaw attempts to move on from her sister’s death and navigate her life, career, and relationships, the past comes back to haunt her.
Gillian French writes the kind of novels I love to read—part thriller, part domestic drama, with a dark, moody atmosphere and a twisty narrative. Restless Bones carries the same fearless introspection of character as the first book of the series (Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell), but this time, digs deeper. The honest and flawed characters make this tense, page-turning story stick long after the book is finished.
Thank you to Gillian French, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for making this advance reader copy available. A highly recommended read! I’m looking forward to seeing its big world release on June 16. In the meantime, you can pre-order from bookstores and libraries.
Gillian French writes the kind of novels I love to read—part thriller, part domestic drama, with a dark, moody atmosphere and a twisty narrative. Restless Bones carries the same fearless introspection of character as the first book of the series (Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell), but this time, digs deeper. The honest and flawed characters make this tense, page-turning story stick long after the book is finished.
Thank you to Gillian French, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for making this advance reader copy available. A highly recommended read! I’m looking forward to seeing its big world release on June 16. In the meantime, you can pre-order from bookstores and libraries.
March 21, 2026
Restless Bones by Gillian French is a dive into the world of a fingerprint analyst (Shaw) who works closely with law enforcement to identify the worst sort of criminals and takes the reader with her. Shaw is determined to find matches to ease the troubles of families like her own, that have had tragedy and need to find their loved ones, even if they are no longer alive.
In a previous installment of the Shaw Connolly Mysteries, Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell, Shaw finds the killer of her sister, Thea. You may want to read it first for two reasons. It sets up Restless Bones, and Gillian French has a way with words. Her characters all have well defined personalities and Shaw has a lot of personality, as do her almost ex-husband, her father, her sons and a special law enforcement friend.
In Restless Bones, Shaw is asked to help assist the Sheriff’s office locate bodies that her sister’s killer will lead them to, but only if Shaw goes. Her family is really not happy about her tagging along, to say the least.
Restless Bones is a page turning adventure that keeps you up at night to read. It is suspenseful and hard to put down.
In a previous installment of the Shaw Connolly Mysteries, Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell, Shaw finds the killer of her sister, Thea. You may want to read it first for two reasons. It sets up Restless Bones, and Gillian French has a way with words. Her characters all have well defined personalities and Shaw has a lot of personality, as do her almost ex-husband, her father, her sons and a special law enforcement friend.
In Restless Bones, Shaw is asked to help assist the Sheriff’s office locate bodies that her sister’s killer will lead them to, but only if Shaw goes. Her family is really not happy about her tagging along, to say the least.
Restless Bones is a page turning adventure that keeps you up at night to read. It is suspenseful and hard to put down.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC of this book before realizing it was the second in a series -- definitely recommend reading these in order as many of the events in the first book are crucial to this plot.
Shaw and her family are still reeling from the fallout of her sister's fifteen year old cold case finally being solved. But just when they think they can start to put the past behind them and start to move on, her sister's killer throws a wrench in that plan: he will share the location of other women he has murdered and buried, but he will only speak to Shaw.
Meanwhile, the fingerprinting team is trying to solve two unique cases that will put their expertise to the test.
I really enjoyed the first book but by the time I got to the end of this one, Shaw's character started to grate on me. The fingerprinting angle is a really interesting new twist on a police procedural, but I just don't think this is the FMC for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Shaw and her family are still reeling from the fallout of her sister's fifteen year old cold case finally being solved. But just when they think they can start to put the past behind them and start to move on, her sister's killer throws a wrench in that plan: he will share the location of other women he has murdered and buried, but he will only speak to Shaw.
Meanwhile, the fingerprinting team is trying to solve two unique cases that will put their expertise to the test.
I really enjoyed the first book but by the time I got to the end of this one, Shaw's character started to grate on me. The fingerprinting angle is a really interesting new twist on a police procedural, but I just don't think this is the FMC for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While this is the second book in the Shaw Connolly Mystery series, I felt this could be read as a stand alone but also felt if I’d read the first one I’d have enjoyed this one better.
Continuing the war of wits with her sister’s killer, Shaw is looking into the death of physical therapist, Nadia Jimenez. Meanwhile her love interest from the last book, Padraig MacKenzie, wants Shaw to accompany him to visit Anders Jansen, her sister’s murderer. Jansen says he has more info to share. What he wants is to take them to the site where he buried another victim two years ago. The requirement: Shaw must be there. And what could go wrong?
Lots of suspense and twists. The book explores themes of grief and the search for justice. Taut, propulsive with a fine leading character, I can see why this is a good mystery series.
My thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for granting me access to this ARC.
Continuing the war of wits with her sister’s killer, Shaw is looking into the death of physical therapist, Nadia Jimenez. Meanwhile her love interest from the last book, Padraig MacKenzie, wants Shaw to accompany him to visit Anders Jansen, her sister’s murderer. Jansen says he has more info to share. What he wants is to take them to the site where he buried another victim two years ago. The requirement: Shaw must be there. And what could go wrong?
Lots of suspense and twists. The book explores themes of grief and the search for justice. Taut, propulsive with a fine leading character, I can see why this is a good mystery series.
My thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for granting me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This was a solid four star read for me. Restless Bones follows Shaw Connolly as she looks into the discovery of human remains connected to an old case. The story focuses on small town secrets and the damage they leave behind. The mystery builds as Shaw uncovers pieces of the past that people tried hard to forget. The setting feels cold and tense which matches the tone of the story very well.
I liked how much time the book spent on Shaw as a character. She feels real and flawed and still driven to do the right thing. Her grief and determination shape the way she handles the case. The supporting characters add depth and make the town feel lived in. The twists were well done and the ending felt satisfying. This was a thoughtful and emotional mystery that worked well as a series installment.
I liked how much time the book spent on Shaw as a character. She feels real and flawed and still driven to do the right thing. Her grief and determination shape the way she handles the case. The supporting characters add depth and make the town feel lived in. The twists were well done and the ending felt satisfying. This was a thoughtful and emotional mystery that worked well as a series installment.
November 17, 2025
Restless Bones is dark, twisty, and full of that haunting small town Maine atmosphere Gillian French writes so well. Shaw Connolly is such a layered character…tough, brilliant, but clearly still haunted by her sister’s murder. I loved how the book balanced the investigative side with the deeply personal fallout of Shaw’s past. It’s not only about solving crimes, but about trauma, guilt, and what happens when the past refuses to stay buried. If you like moody and character driven thrillers, add this to your TBR!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Shaw Connolly is a fingerprint specialist in Maine. She’s called to work a submerged car where a missing woman’s body is found. But the lone usable print belongs to a dead ex-con. Alongside solving this mystery is the request by an incarcerated serial killer wanting to deal only with her in order for him to tell where his other victims are buried.
In book # 1, Connolly’s sister goes missing and that story is referenced frequently but enough info is provided that we don’t have to have read it to understand book # 2. But always feel free to start with that one if you wish.
In book # 1, Connolly’s sister goes missing and that story is referenced frequently but enough info is provided that we don’t have to have read it to understand book # 2. But always feel free to start with that one if you wish.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“Restless Bones” can be read and enjoyed without having read the first book in the series. However, I think the reading experience would have been more meaningful if I had already read the first book. That being said, I liked the characters and the multiple plots. There was creativity in how two of the deaths in the story tied together and the steps the killer had taken to obscure their identity. The ending was somewhat surprising and even leaves a slight possibility of a major villain not actually being dead.
April 7, 2026
This was a good one for me! It’s worth noting that I did not read the first book of this series prior, and I *think* this could have been a standalone book, but it’s very probable I missed some backstory and just didn’t realize it! I liked Shaw’s awkward, tough love kind of attitude and couldn’t imagine being in her shoes! Anders was pure evil and she put him in his place. This was a slow burn, also could have just felt that way because I hadn’t read book 1. If you’re looking for a good crime series, read both!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book 2 of Shaw Connolly. Shaw is still dealing with the aftermath of finally learning what happened to her long-missing sister, but she’s slowly healing. Working as a fingerprint technician, she is involved in two mysterious cases. Her sister’s killer has offered a deal to reveal the locations of more victims if Shaw meets with him, which causes much strife in her family.
This was a quick and engaging read. I liked the new cases Shaw was working on and her scenes with Anders.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
This was a quick and engaging read. I liked the new cases Shaw was working on and her scenes with Anders.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After reading Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell, I've been eagerly waiting for the second installment. French is back again with compelling characters, moody atmosphere, and a dark humor that I live for. I could literally feel the endless grind of crime, the long, restless hours, and lonely nights drinking at the bar. Restless Bones is a bullet to the heart, with suspense that gnaws at you and leaves you grinning in a puddle of blood.
March 28, 2026
https://www.netgalley.com/book/751252...
[I am pacing the floor, reading a d rereading
What I have written..FOR THE FIRST TIME ~
Is this book a 3🌟 OR 4🌟...
So, I'm goi g to give it 24 hours. The
theme is not new... it's totally not at
all believable. The 'RUN-ON SENTENCES
are in charge. The story is too long...
But I did enjoy it ...enough.
To the reviewers who have already posted ~
you planted the seed, but I knew...
[I am pacing the floor, reading a d rereading
What I have written..FOR THE FIRST TIME ~
Is this book a 3🌟 OR 4🌟...
So, I'm goi g to give it 24 hours. The
theme is not new... it's totally not at
all believable. The 'RUN-ON SENTENCES
are in charge. The story is too long...
But I did enjoy it ...enough.
To the reviewers who have already posted ~
you planted the seed, but I knew...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The book was pretty good, it is the second in a series but can be read as a standalone. There are three main storylines, two current cases she is working on and although she is not a police detective, she functions as one, dealing with the murderer who killed her sister and helping the police find other bodies, which means dealing with him, and family issues with one of her sons and her separated husband.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of the second book in the Shaw Connolly series. I can definitively say that "I'm just not that into her." The series has all the elements of a book that I'd like (strong sarcastic female protagonist with a tragic backstory) but I find Shaw's banter tiresome and it doesn't quite work for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh this is a good one. I was up way to late finishing this book. Shaw is a busy lady that gets too involved when a girl is found in a submersed car. A fingerprint is from a long dead person..or is the person dead? Shaw pushes for answers. The twists and turns are what kept me guessing. An excellent story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Always twisty and tense, Gillian French’s thrillers never fail to entertain. Restless Bones has it all - murder, mystery, family drama, deceit, friendship, and romance!
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Almost five stars and almost my new favorite author! The main character, Shawnee, is further developed in this second entry in the series. Other characters are well-drawn including her father and siblings. Really good read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley for this advance read. Loved the book, 4.5*
May 20, 2026
Shaw has a bit of sarcasm which I love. She is in the case of a missing girl found years later. The only print found is that of an excon. Thanks to Goodreads for the read!
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