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A Shaw Connolly Mystery #2
Restless Bones: A Novel
Fingerprint 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, Kindle Edition
Published June 16, 2026
About the author
Gillian French
11 books558 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. 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 7, 2026
Here we go again! I’ve always said I’m not a fan of series, but here I am diving into book two of Shaw Connoly's Mystery! It seems my commitment issues are being put to the test this year, as I’m unusually reading about five series at once!
This book picks up right where the last one left off; there’s no time wasted! We’ve already met Shaw in the first installment, and now we continue to follow her life and the recent changes she’s experienced. I love seeing characters evolve as their lives do. In this sequel, Shaw and her family are still healing after seeking justice for her sister’s death. Meanwhile, the antagonist, Anders Jensen, awaits trial and has a confession to make: he’ll cooperate with the police if Shaw is involved in the case. This deal threatens her family's healing, her marriage, and her relationship with her son as she faces new dangers while seeking closure. Shaw is sharp and quick-thinking, and I appreciate that this book gives us a deeper look into her job. Who doesn’t love a good episode of CSI, where they track down a killer using just a fiber or a single fingerprint? Plus, we can’t forget the adorable K9 sidekick, Aphrodite. I absolutely love when animals play a part in the story! If I ever get lost, I’d want Aphrodite to come find me!
This second installment carries a heavier emotional weight and has a slower pace, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the narrative and get invested in the plot. We watch as Shaw navigates her personal struggles, including her son’s bullying and her estranged husband, while also dealing with challenges at work. The villain from the first book loves to play mind games, some of which come at a devastating cost. This time around, we witness more of the cat-and-mouse dynamic, as Shaw strives to bring closure to grieving families while this sociopath enjoys his twisted games. The writing is well-crafted and keeps you on the edge of your seat, eager to discover what happens next. Given that the first book was a debut in a new genre, this follow-up reaffirms that the author has truly found her calling, and I can’t wait to see where she takes us next!
This book is perfect for anyone who loves the small-town mystery vibe in Maine and for readers who enjoy police procedurals and forensics. It’s filled with mysteries, unexpected twists, and subtle clues that let you piece things together or draw your own conclusions. While this installment differs from the first, it strikes a natural balance by exploring the emotional depth we encountered initially, an organic development of the story. Well done! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to head out and practice our Search and Rescue training with my dog, so I'm ready when the call comes in—after all, Shaw might need my help at any time! Ha!
Thank you, Minotaur Books and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book picks up right where the last one left off; there’s no time wasted! We’ve already met Shaw in the first installment, and now we continue to follow her life and the recent changes she’s experienced. I love seeing characters evolve as their lives do. In this sequel, Shaw and her family are still healing after seeking justice for her sister’s death. Meanwhile, the antagonist, Anders Jensen, awaits trial and has a confession to make: he’ll cooperate with the police if Shaw is involved in the case. This deal threatens her family's healing, her marriage, and her relationship with her son as she faces new dangers while seeking closure. Shaw is sharp and quick-thinking, and I appreciate that this book gives us a deeper look into her job. Who doesn’t love a good episode of CSI, where they track down a killer using just a fiber or a single fingerprint? Plus, we can’t forget the adorable K9 sidekick, Aphrodite. I absolutely love when animals play a part in the story! If I ever get lost, I’d want Aphrodite to come find me!
This second installment carries a heavier emotional weight and has a slower pace, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the narrative and get invested in the plot. We watch as Shaw navigates her personal struggles, including her son’s bullying and her estranged husband, while also dealing with challenges at work. The villain from the first book loves to play mind games, some of which come at a devastating cost. This time around, we witness more of the cat-and-mouse dynamic, as Shaw strives to bring closure to grieving families while this sociopath enjoys his twisted games. The writing is well-crafted and keeps you on the edge of your seat, eager to discover what happens next. Given that the first book was a debut in a new genre, this follow-up reaffirms that the author has truly found her calling, and I can’t wait to see where she takes us next!
This book is perfect for anyone who loves the small-town mystery vibe in Maine and for readers who enjoy police procedurals and forensics. It’s filled with mysteries, unexpected twists, and subtle clues that let you piece things together or draw your own conclusions. While this installment differs from the first, it strikes a natural balance by exploring the emotional depth we encountered initially, an organic development of the story. Well done! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to head out and practice our Search and Rescue training with my dog, so I'm ready when the call comes in—after all, Shaw might need my help at any time! Ha!
Thank you, Minotaur Books and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 28, 2026
☠️ T O X I C T H U R S D A Y review ☠️ featuring “Restless Bones” by Gillian French!
Fingerprint analyst Shaw Connelly is back again in book 2 of the series. This time around, Shaw is called to process a crime scene of a woman’s body that was found in a submerged car. However, the kicker is that this woman was classified as missing one year ago. As well as the only finger print she could find belonged to a woman ex-con who died several years prior 🤔!
Shaw and her family have spent the last year trying to heal after the arrest of her sister’s murderer. But Anders Jansen isn’t done with Shaw just yet. In fact he is awaiting trial for two more murders and refuses to help the police unless Shaw is brought in to help with the search of the bodies.
Once again Shaw must face her sister’s killer in order to give the families of the other victims some answers and peace of mind. A restless game of cat and mouse starts to play out that is filled with tormenting mind games, razor blade emotions and calculated deceit.
“That’s got to be hell for you, though. Dealing with him again, seeing him work the system like this. Visiting another one of his gravesites. Christ almighty, it’s a miracle you’re still standing”.
💭 The grit and moodiness in this book is such a VIBE! I loved the mix of police procedural, forensic investigation, mystery and suspense in the small town Maine setting. I feel like readers should start with book 1 in order to fully wrap their heads around everything the Connolly family has been through.
Thank you kindly to @gillianfrenchwriter @minotaur_books @stmartinspress @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases on June 16, 2026!
Fingerprint analyst Shaw Connelly is back again in book 2 of the series. This time around, Shaw is called to process a crime scene of a woman’s body that was found in a submerged car. However, the kicker is that this woman was classified as missing one year ago. As well as the only finger print she could find belonged to a woman ex-con who died several years prior 🤔!
Shaw and her family have spent the last year trying to heal after the arrest of her sister’s murderer. But Anders Jansen isn’t done with Shaw just yet. In fact he is awaiting trial for two more murders and refuses to help the police unless Shaw is brought in to help with the search of the bodies.
Once again Shaw must face her sister’s killer in order to give the families of the other victims some answers and peace of mind. A restless game of cat and mouse starts to play out that is filled with tormenting mind games, razor blade emotions and calculated deceit.
“That’s got to be hell for you, though. Dealing with him again, seeing him work the system like this. Visiting another one of his gravesites. Christ almighty, it’s a miracle you’re still standing”.
💭 The grit and moodiness in this book is such a VIBE! I loved the mix of police procedural, forensic investigation, mystery and suspense in the small town Maine setting. I feel like readers should start with book 1 in order to fully wrap their heads around everything the Connolly family has been through.
Thank you kindly to @gillianfrenchwriter @minotaur_books @stmartinspress @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases on June 16, 2026!
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 Author
Shaw Connolly lived to tell, and she's back with her no-nonsense attitude and drive for justice.
Our favorite Maine fingerprint analyst is busy as ever. New challenging and disturbing cases keep coming in, but she's able to find a little more work/life balance now that her sister's been laid to rest and the killer is behind bars. But her world gets shaken up again when Anders claims he has other cold-case victims, but he'll only disclose their location to her. Reopening wounds that have only just begun to heal, Shaw's left to decide whether to help provide closure to other families or protect the exposed nerves that Anders is intent on harming. Even knowing how invasive his mind games are, she reluctantly agrees, and the trauma of the past collides with the delicate progress her family has made toward healing. With her uncertain marriage, her youngest son's struggle with bullies, and the two cases she's working, will her involvement with Anders be what pushes her over the edge?
Restless Bones made me feel like I was watching a crime drama, maybe titled "CSI: Vacationland". It was full of thoughtful information that was well-researched, chock-full of family and relationship drama, and grew in intensity as the story progressed. The way French builds atmosphere makes it easy to place yourself beside the characters, and the blunt and crass way our MC conducts herself makes it easy to relate and cheer her on. This was the sequel I didn't know we needed!
Huge thank you to Gillian French for providing me with a copy of Restless Bones! This is the fifth book I've read by this author, and they never disappoint!
Our favorite Maine fingerprint analyst is busy as ever. New challenging and disturbing cases keep coming in, but she's able to find a little more work/life balance now that her sister's been laid to rest and the killer is behind bars. But her world gets shaken up again when Anders claims he has other cold-case victims, but he'll only disclose their location to her. Reopening wounds that have only just begun to heal, Shaw's left to decide whether to help provide closure to other families or protect the exposed nerves that Anders is intent on harming. Even knowing how invasive his mind games are, she reluctantly agrees, and the trauma of the past collides with the delicate progress her family has made toward healing. With her uncertain marriage, her youngest son's struggle with bullies, and the two cases she's working, will her involvement with Anders be what pushes her over the edge?
Restless Bones made me feel like I was watching a crime drama, maybe titled "CSI: Vacationland". It was full of thoughtful information that was well-researched, chock-full of family and relationship drama, and grew in intensity as the story progressed. The way French builds atmosphere makes it easy to place yourself beside the characters, and the blunt and crass way our MC conducts herself makes it easy to relate and cheer her on. This was the sequel I didn't know we needed!
Huge thank you to Gillian French for providing me with a copy of Restless Bones! This is the fifth book I've read by this author, and they never disappoint!
June 17, 2026
Thrilling hunt for killers by crime scene analyst
Shaw Connolly spends her days processing crime scenes. She is called to a new crime scene of a woman found in a submerged car. While processing the evidence, she finds clues that someone other than the victim was at the scene. No sooner than that investigation is started than another body is discovered at an isolated farmhouse.
Sixteen years ago, her younger sister disappeared, and that has influenced her whole life. Shaw helped find the killer and the evidence to arrest him. The murderer is in prison awaiting trial, and he wants contact with Shaw. Shaw has a good relationship with local detectives, but battles demons regarding her murdered sister. I could have used a bit more of the backstory, as I hadn’t read the first in the series.
Shaw’s home life is in a bit of a shambles. Her father is living with her. Her husband is not. Their sons want them to reconcile, and the younger son is being bullied at school. Shaw has flaws, but comes across as real and caring. She has a unique sense of humour. As much as her home life is a bit chaotic, she is sharp-eyed, intuitive, and very good at her job. I was really drawn to her character and now want to go back to read the first book. Three complex, intertwining stories kept me guessing till the explosive ending. This mystery will appeal to readers who enjoy the forensic work of Kathy Reichs’s Temperance Brennan series or the character-driven mysteries of Claire Booth’s Sheriff Hank Worth.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for access to an advanced reader copy.
Shaw Connolly spends her days processing crime scenes. She is called to a new crime scene of a woman found in a submerged car. While processing the evidence, she finds clues that someone other than the victim was at the scene. No sooner than that investigation is started than another body is discovered at an isolated farmhouse.
Sixteen years ago, her younger sister disappeared, and that has influenced her whole life. Shaw helped find the killer and the evidence to arrest him. The murderer is in prison awaiting trial, and he wants contact with Shaw. Shaw has a good relationship with local detectives, but battles demons regarding her murdered sister. I could have used a bit more of the backstory, as I hadn’t read the first in the series.
Shaw’s home life is in a bit of a shambles. Her father is living with her. Her husband is not. Their sons want them to reconcile, and the younger son is being bullied at school. Shaw has flaws, but comes across as real and caring. She has a unique sense of humour. As much as her home life is a bit chaotic, she is sharp-eyed, intuitive, and very good at her job. I was really drawn to her character and now want to go back to read the first book. Three complex, intertwining stories kept me guessing till the explosive ending. This mystery will appeal to readers who enjoy the forensic work of Kathy Reichs’s Temperance Brennan series or the character-driven mysteries of Claire Booth’s Sheriff Hank Worth.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for access to an advanced reader copy.
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
Fingerprint 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.
Wowza. This book was amazing from start to finish. Plot twists galore. Will recommend to others
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.
Wowza. This book was amazing from start to finish. Plot twists galore. Will recommend to others
June 18, 2026
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I wanted to read Restless Bones so I picked up the previous book and reviewed it last week. The main character and point of view is Shaw Connelly. She is a fingerprint and evidence technician for the police in a relatively small town. She has two boys, married her high school sweetheart after getting pregnant. The previous book focused on her continuing search for her sister Thea and what happened to her. Thea's killer came after her and is now in jail.
Of course, the killer isn't willing to give up seeing her so tries to rope her in with saying he will lead police to his burial sites but only if Shaw goes along. I could see this as a setup to get loose and go after Shaw. She doesn't tell her family because it would just stress them as much as herself.
Shaw and her husband have been separated and after finding Thea's killer were starting to reconcile. But she is just going along with it, it's familiar and comfortable. But she still likes another detective, and doesn't seem too focused on the relationship which made me uncomfortable. It's realistic though, not everything is simple.
The story is a real working class family with everyday problems. I find myself wishing she would get her act together but then nobody is together all the time and we all have problems. So while some things were messy they were also more realistic.
Review copy was received from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I wanted to read Restless Bones so I picked up the previous book and reviewed it last week. The main character and point of view is Shaw Connelly. She is a fingerprint and evidence technician for the police in a relatively small town. She has two boys, married her high school sweetheart after getting pregnant. The previous book focused on her continuing search for her sister Thea and what happened to her. Thea's killer came after her and is now in jail.
Of course, the killer isn't willing to give up seeing her so tries to rope her in with saying he will lead police to his burial sites but only if Shaw goes along. I could see this as a setup to get loose and go after Shaw. She doesn't tell her family because it would just stress them as much as herself.
Shaw and her husband have been separated and after finding Thea's killer were starting to reconcile. But she is just going along with it, it's familiar and comfortable. But she still likes another detective, and doesn't seem too focused on the relationship which made me uncomfortable. It's realistic though, not everything is simple.
The story is a real working class family with everyday problems. I find myself wishing she would get her act together but then nobody is together all the time and we all have problems. So while some things were messy they were also more realistic.
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 NetGalley
I went into this one not realizing that it is actually the second book in a series. Well, I still really enjoyed it and if it is any indication, then it looks like a pretty promising series, so far. Shaw Connelly is a fingerprint analyst called to the scene of a body found in a submerged car. The woman has been missing for over a year. The fingerprint found in the vehicle belongs to someone who has been dead for several years.
Shaw is also dealing with her sister's murder. Her killer, Anders Jansen, is awaiting trial. The Connelly family is still processing all of this when Anders confesses to murdering two other girls. He will only speak to Shaw to find the bodies. Shaw wants nothing to do with this scenario, but she does not want any other families to continue to suffer not knowing.
We get a lot of things that I love to read about in this story! A possible serial killer, a police/forensic procedural, atmospheric Maine small town setting and of course, Shaw! I absolutely love Shaw! She is sarcastic and funny, tough, flawed and dealing with numerous family issues. It was also cool to learn that a fingerprint analyst is a thing. I never thought about it before, and it sounds fascinating! I hope to read more in the future with this series and am definitely going back to check out Book One, Shaw Connelly Lives to Tell.
Thank you to #NetGalley, Gillian French and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Shaw is also dealing with her sister's murder. Her killer, Anders Jansen, is awaiting trial. The Connelly family is still processing all of this when Anders confesses to murdering two other girls. He will only speak to Shaw to find the bodies. Shaw wants nothing to do with this scenario, but she does not want any other families to continue to suffer not knowing.
We get a lot of things that I love to read about in this story! A possible serial killer, a police/forensic procedural, atmospheric Maine small town setting and of course, Shaw! I absolutely love Shaw! She is sarcastic and funny, tough, flawed and dealing with numerous family issues. It was also cool to learn that a fingerprint analyst is a thing. I never thought about it before, and it sounds fascinating! I hope to read more in the future with this series and am definitely going back to check out Book One, Shaw Connelly Lives to Tell.
Thank you to #NetGalley, Gillian French and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 9, 2026
Shaw Connolly is a fingerprint analyst in relatively small town in Maine, mother to two teenaged boys and separated from her husband but trying to reconcile. While the first book in the series was referred to (Shaw's sister disappeared over 15 years ago and it seems that her body was found recently and her killer is now in prison), I did not feel lost having not read it since enough information was provided to fill the reader in. Restless Bones begins with Shaw processing a car submerged in a lake, presumably for the last year based on when the dead woman inside went missing. The case gets more complex when one of the prints Shaw finds is identified as belonging to someone who died several years ago, but she is determined to figure out what happened. Alongside this and another case, she is contacted by the FBI, asking her to meet with the man who killed her sister as he says he will lead them to the bodies of more of his victims, but he'll only talk to Shaw. Shaw is a complex character who has survived a lot of trauma and is trying to leave it behind, but it keeps dragging her back in. The book doesn't just focus on the cases and Shaw's forensics work, but also her personal life and how it has also been damaged by the trauma her whole family has experienced, and how differently each member of the family dealt with it. Overall, multifaceted characters and an interesting and unique mystery have put this series on my radar and I'll definitely be looking out for book 3!
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
(I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion 😊)
Restless Bones is the second Shaw Connolly mystery by Gillian French. I didn’t know that when I started reading! Even though you can read it as a standalone, I’d recommend starting from the beginning—otherwise, you might feel like you’ve walked into a party two hours late! 😅
Shaw is a fingerprint analyst who’s called in to examine prints from a body found in a submerged car, and off we go! Gillian weaves in family drama—a family trying to rebuild after a loss—and a killer toying with Shaw and law enforcement.
Now, Gillian’s great at atmosphere—Restless Bones is no exception! So why just three stars? ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Well, I’m not big on family drama (that’s just me 🫠), and there’s a lot here. This is a procedural (which I love), but at times it felt like the procedural was in the back seat. We’d get momentum, only to find ourselves suddenly in the principal’s office talking about Shaw’s son being bullied, or back at the bar for yet another heart-to-heart about her marriage on the rocks.
Another reason for the three stars? It’s a slow burn! 🔥 I wanted more thrills!
That said, the writing is good, the atmosphere is great, and Shaw is a solid character. I think the next book will be stronger, as these two lay the groundwork. So, if you enjoy family drama in your procedural, give it a try! 😊
Restless Bones is the second Shaw Connolly mystery by Gillian French. I didn’t know that when I started reading! Even though you can read it as a standalone, I’d recommend starting from the beginning—otherwise, you might feel like you’ve walked into a party two hours late! 😅
Shaw is a fingerprint analyst who’s called in to examine prints from a body found in a submerged car, and off we go! Gillian weaves in family drama—a family trying to rebuild after a loss—and a killer toying with Shaw and law enforcement.
Now, Gillian’s great at atmosphere—Restless Bones is no exception! So why just three stars? ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Well, I’m not big on family drama (that’s just me 🫠), and there’s a lot here. This is a procedural (which I love), but at times it felt like the procedural was in the back seat. We’d get momentum, only to find ourselves suddenly in the principal’s office talking about Shaw’s son being bullied, or back at the bar for yet another heart-to-heart about her marriage on the rocks.
Another reason for the three stars? It’s a slow burn! 🔥 I wanted more thrills!
That said, the writing is good, the atmosphere is great, and Shaw is a solid character. I think the next book will be stronger, as these two lay the groundwork. So, if you enjoy family drama in your procedural, give it a try! 😊
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the second book of the series and I did not read the first before starting it. While it can be read as a standalone, I think that you would appreciate the characters and what is going on in their lives if you read the first book. I am still confused how her sister was buried in her own family yard and no one noticed new overturned dirt so maybe I need to go back and read Lives To Tell.
The blurb is all about the crime/mystery angle of the book but it also heavily features her personal life as Shaw struggles to find herself after her personality was all about finding the truth about her sister's disappearance years ago. Her father is living with her, she had an almost hookup with a cop before realising things may not be completely over with her husband and the people around her have struggles too.
I did like the fingerprint angle though. So many mysteries focus on the killer, detective or medical examiner so the fingerprint analysis was an interesting change. But the case could have been a story all by itself and sometimes felt like the story was being pulled in too many directions. It adds to Shaw's anxiety but I found myself wanting more of the fingerprint story and backstory to Ander's crimes over her kids.
Thanks to Minotaur Books for the advance copy for review through Netgalley
The blurb is all about the crime/mystery angle of the book but it also heavily features her personal life as Shaw struggles to find herself after her personality was all about finding the truth about her sister's disappearance years ago. Her father is living with her, she had an almost hookup with a cop before realising things may not be completely over with her husband and the people around her have struggles too.
I did like the fingerprint angle though. So many mysteries focus on the killer, detective or medical examiner so the fingerprint analysis was an interesting change. But the case could have been a story all by itself and sometimes felt like the story was being pulled in too many directions. It adds to Shaw's anxiety but I found myself wanting more of the fingerprint story and backstory to Ander's crimes over her kids.
Thanks to Minotaur Books for the advance copy for review through Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Restless Bones is a suspense filled mystery fraught with family drama. Shaw Connolly is still processing the revelation of what happened to her sister, (Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell, the first book).
A body of a long missing woman is found, Nadia Jimenez, in a Maine lake. Shaw, a fingerprint analyst, locates a print from a long dead ex-con. Shaw is asked by the detective to help with locating more missing women, when the man who killed her sister, now awaiting trial, will only cooperate if Shaw is on the case. Anders Jansen is a dangerous man. He is exceptionally good at playing mind games and enjoys taunting Shaw.
Shaw is dealing with grief, a fragile family dynamic, and a demanding job that leaves no room for errors. She is a well developed character, she is strong, sarcastic, and a fighter, especially when it comes to family. She helps her son deal with the bullying that he is facing in school. Her husband wants to move back home and she has some feelings for someone else.
If you like a good procedural with an atmospheric setting, this is a good read. I would recommend reading the first book since so much of that story carries over. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.
A body of a long missing woman is found, Nadia Jimenez, in a Maine lake. Shaw, a fingerprint analyst, locates a print from a long dead ex-con. Shaw is asked by the detective to help with locating more missing women, when the man who killed her sister, now awaiting trial, will only cooperate if Shaw is on the case. Anders Jansen is a dangerous man. He is exceptionally good at playing mind games and enjoys taunting Shaw.
Shaw is dealing with grief, a fragile family dynamic, and a demanding job that leaves no room for errors. She is a well developed character, she is strong, sarcastic, and a fighter, especially when it comes to family. She helps her son deal with the bullying that he is facing in school. Her husband wants to move back home and she has some feelings for someone else.
If you like a good procedural with an atmospheric setting, this is a good read. I would recommend reading the first book since so much of that story carries over. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, for an ARC. The opinions in this review are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to #NetGalley, #GillianFrench, and #MinotaurBooks for a copy of this book.
Shaw is a fingerprint analyst juggling more than anyone should have to handle at once. A car that has been submerged for a year is finally recovered, raising questions about whether any usable fingerprints remain. At the same time, Shaw is dealing with the aftermath of her sister's murder, the arrest of the killer, a strained separation from her husband, and sons who are struggling in school. When investigators ask her to meet with her sister's killer in hopes of solving other crimes, the emotional burden becomes almost overwhelming.
This novel weaves together multiple storylines, moving between Shaw's professional investigations and the personal challenges that threaten to consume her. The frequent shifts between these threads may feel demanding for some readers, but they also create a portrait of a woman trying to hold her life together while facing grief, guilt, and uncertainty.
Shaw is a flawed but compelling protagonist whose struggles feel authentic. While the numerous plotlines can occasionally make the story feel busy, they add depth to both the mystery and Shaw's character. Readers who enjoy character-driven crime fiction with emotional complexity may want to give this one a try.
#RestlessBones
Shaw is a fingerprint analyst juggling more than anyone should have to handle at once. A car that has been submerged for a year is finally recovered, raising questions about whether any usable fingerprints remain. At the same time, Shaw is dealing with the aftermath of her sister's murder, the arrest of the killer, a strained separation from her husband, and sons who are struggling in school. When investigators ask her to meet with her sister's killer in hopes of solving other crimes, the emotional burden becomes almost overwhelming.
This novel weaves together multiple storylines, moving between Shaw's professional investigations and the personal challenges that threaten to consume her. The frequent shifts between these threads may feel demanding for some readers, but they also create a portrait of a woman trying to hold her life together while facing grief, guilt, and uncertainty.
Shaw is a flawed but compelling protagonist whose struggles feel authentic. While the numerous plotlines can occasionally make the story feel busy, they add depth to both the mystery and Shaw's character. Readers who enjoy character-driven crime fiction with emotional complexity may want to give this one a try.
#RestlessBones
June 21, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest book by Gillian French, and the second in the Shaw Connolly Mystery series. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!
Fingerprint analyst Shaw Connolly has a new case to deal with - a missing woman's body discovered in a submerged car. But she's also still dealing with a past that won't let her rest - her sister's killer, Anders Jansen, has finally been caught and is in jail. But now, awaiting trial, he claims responsibility for more murders of young women. His condition is that he will only speak and work with Shaw on the search for the bodies. Shaw can't stomach the thought, but also can't put any more families in the position hers was in with her missing sister.
I love this series and I raced through this book. Shaw is such an intriguing character with so many layers - still dealing with guilt and grief, taking care of her dad, separated from her husband, and dealing with teenage boys, one of whom is struggling. She has a smart, snarky mouth that tends to get her in trouble, but will leave you rooting for her strength and conviction. It's also a fascinating police procedural from the fingerprinting side of things. I liked the rural Maine setting as well. A must read series and I'm anxious for more!
Fingerprint analyst Shaw Connolly has a new case to deal with - a missing woman's body discovered in a submerged car. But she's also still dealing with a past that won't let her rest - her sister's killer, Anders Jansen, has finally been caught and is in jail. But now, awaiting trial, he claims responsibility for more murders of young women. His condition is that he will only speak and work with Shaw on the search for the bodies. Shaw can't stomach the thought, but also can't put any more families in the position hers was in with her missing sister.
I love this series and I raced through this book. Shaw is such an intriguing character with so many layers - still dealing with guilt and grief, taking care of her dad, separated from her husband, and dealing with teenage boys, one of whom is struggling. She has a smart, snarky mouth that tends to get her in trouble, but will leave you rooting for her strength and conviction. It's also a fascinating police procedural from the fingerprinting side of things. I liked the rural Maine setting as well. A must read series and I'm anxious for more!
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.
June 12, 2026
When a missing woman’s body is found in a submerged car one year after her disappearance, fingerprint analyst Shaw Connolly is called in to process the scene, where she finds one print belonging to a long dead ex-con. In her hunt to solve the mystery, she is also dealing with her past - the murder of her sister, and the man responsible.
Having grown up in Maine, I’m always a sucker for a book with a Maine setting. This one doesn’t disappoint, as Gillian French does a fantastic job and bringing me back to many places and feelings of my youth. Her writing is strong, and the character of Shaw even stronger. She’s flawed, raw, sarcastic, funny, and so relatable. I did not realize this is a sequel (series?), so I think I’m missing a lot of backstory, but French manages to give you enough to still enjoy the current story without feeling lost. The suspense was so well done - I didn’t want to put it down! I also loved learning about fingerprint analysis - fascinating!!
I definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for a thriller with excellent atmosphere, solid writing, and strong characters. While not technically necessary, I would recommend starting with the first in the series though, because I wish I had that extra backstory just to get to know Shaw that much more.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books, and Gillian French for the eARC of Restless Bones.
Having grown up in Maine, I’m always a sucker for a book with a Maine setting. This one doesn’t disappoint, as Gillian French does a fantastic job and bringing me back to many places and feelings of my youth. Her writing is strong, and the character of Shaw even stronger. She’s flawed, raw, sarcastic, funny, and so relatable. I did not realize this is a sequel (series?), so I think I’m missing a lot of backstory, but French manages to give you enough to still enjoy the current story without feeling lost. The suspense was so well done - I didn’t want to put it down! I also loved learning about fingerprint analysis - fascinating!!
I definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for a thriller with excellent atmosphere, solid writing, and strong characters. While not technically necessary, I would recommend starting with the first in the series though, because I wish I had that extra backstory just to get to know Shaw that much more.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books, and Gillian French for the eARC of Restless Bones.
June 29, 2026
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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!
May 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)
Restless Bones by Gillian French was a dark, atmospheric mystery that kept me engaged from beginning to end. I really enjoyed returning to Shaw Connolly’s world and seeing her continue to navigate both complicated investigations and the emotional weight of her personal life.
The mystery itself was intriguing, especially with the discovery of the submerged car and the connection to a long-dead ex-con. The forensic elements and layered cold cases made the story feel tense and compelling, and I appreciated how the investigation slowly unraveled piece by piece.
One of the strongest parts of the book was Shaw’s character development. She feels flawed, determined, and very human, especially as she struggles to balance her work with the impact it has on her family and relationships. The interactions with Anders Jansen added an unsettling edge to the story and created several suspenseful moments throughout.
While the pacing felt a little slow in parts for me personally, the atmosphere and emotional depth kept me invested. Gillian French does an excellent job creating a gritty, haunting setting filled with buried secrets and complicated people.
Overall, this was an engaging crime thriller with strong emotional stakes, complex characters, and an eerie mystery that mystery fans will enjoy.
Restless Bones by Gillian French was a dark, atmospheric mystery that kept me engaged from beginning to end. I really enjoyed returning to Shaw Connolly’s world and seeing her continue to navigate both complicated investigations and the emotional weight of her personal life.
The mystery itself was intriguing, especially with the discovery of the submerged car and the connection to a long-dead ex-con. The forensic elements and layered cold cases made the story feel tense and compelling, and I appreciated how the investigation slowly unraveled piece by piece.
One of the strongest parts of the book was Shaw’s character development. She feels flawed, determined, and very human, especially as she struggles to balance her work with the impact it has on her family and relationships. The interactions with Anders Jansen added an unsettling edge to the story and created several suspenseful moments throughout.
While the pacing felt a little slow in parts for me personally, the atmosphere and emotional depth kept me invested. Gillian French does an excellent job creating a gritty, haunting setting filled with buried secrets and complicated people.
Overall, this was an engaging crime thriller with strong emotional stakes, complex characters, and an eerie mystery that mystery fans will enjoy.
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.
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