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The Bone Nest
The story is everything....
In 1986, the quiet town of Bluesummer, Texas, was shattered by the crimes of an elusive serial killer known as The Songbird Strangler. That same year, four lifelong friends—Hayes Sheridan, Troy Terrell, Greer Collins, and Chantilly “Tilly” Price—set out to spend one last unforgettable summer together before college.
Only three of them made it out of that summer alive.
Tilly became the killer’s fifth victim. And all the evidence pointed to one of their own.
Now, thirty-five years later, Troy sits on death row. His final appeal falls to Joaquin Ramos, a sharp, ambitious attorney with the Death Penalty Abolition Project. What begins as a hunt for procedural violations quickly unravels into something more disturbing when Joaquin and his assistant uncover evidence that Troy may be innocent—and that the real killer might still be hiding in plain sight.
Greer and Hayes, tied together by the tragedy, want nothing to do with Troy—or the lawyer trying to save him. But as Greer, now a journalist, begins investigating on her own, she starts to question everything she thought she knew—including her own role in Troy’s conviction.
Because in Bluesummer, justice was swift—but the truth was left behind.
For fans of I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai and All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda, this gripping literary thriller unravels the dark knots of memory, friendship, and the high cost of silence.
In 1986, the quiet town of Bluesummer, Texas, was shattered by the crimes of an elusive serial killer known as The Songbird Strangler. That same year, four lifelong friends—Hayes Sheridan, Troy Terrell, Greer Collins, and Chantilly “Tilly” Price—set out to spend one last unforgettable summer together before college.
Only three of them made it out of that summer alive.
Tilly became the killer’s fifth victim. And all the evidence pointed to one of their own.
Now, thirty-five years later, Troy sits on death row. His final appeal falls to Joaquin Ramos, a sharp, ambitious attorney with the Death Penalty Abolition Project. What begins as a hunt for procedural violations quickly unravels into something more disturbing when Joaquin and his assistant uncover evidence that Troy may be innocent—and that the real killer might still be hiding in plain sight.
Greer and Hayes, tied together by the tragedy, want nothing to do with Troy—or the lawyer trying to save him. But as Greer, now a journalist, begins investigating on her own, she starts to question everything she thought she knew—including her own role in Troy’s conviction.
Because in Bluesummer, justice was swift—but the truth was left behind.
For fans of I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai and All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda, this gripping literary thriller unravels the dark knots of memory, friendship, and the high cost of silence.
- GenresThriller
399 pages, Paperback
Published June 30, 2026
About the author
Shanessa Gluhm
3 books311 followersShanessa Gluhm works as a librarian at an elementary school in New Mexico where she lives with her husband and children. It was during her own elementary days when a teacher encouraged Shanessa to share a story she wrote with the class. She hasn’t stopped writing since.
Her debut novel, Enemies of Doves, was an IAN Book of the Year Finalist in the category of first novel, an NIEA Finalist for cross-genre fiction, and first place winner in the Chanticleer Clue Awards for mystery, suspense, and thriller fiction. Her second novel, A River of Crows, also won first place in the Chanticleer Clue Awards.
When Shanessa is not writing, she enjoys birdwatching, reading, and true crime podcasts.
The Bone Nest is her third novel.
Her debut novel, Enemies of Doves, was an IAN Book of the Year Finalist in the category of first novel, an NIEA Finalist for cross-genre fiction, and first place winner in the Chanticleer Clue Awards for mystery, suspense, and thriller fiction. Her second novel, A River of Crows, also won first place in the Chanticleer Clue Awards.
When Shanessa is not writing, she enjoys birdwatching, reading, and true crime podcasts.
The Bone Nest is her third novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
July 6, 2026
I cracked this book open thinking I was emotionally hydrated, and within five pages it had slapped the water bottle out of my hand and said, “Nope. Dehydrate and suffer with the rest of us.”
The Bone Nest hit me like a heatwave full of secrets — the kind that makes your skin prickle because you know something ugly is about to crawl out of the past.
Bluesummer, Texas is the kind of town that pretends it’s wholesome while rotting from the inside out. The cicadas scream, the air clings to your skin, and every person you meet is carrying a lie like a second heartbeat. In 1986, four friends planned one last summer together before college, and only three made it out alive. Tilly Price became the Songbird Strangler’s fifth victim, and the town practically sprinted to pin the murder on Troy Terrell. Case closed. Justice served. Everyone pretends the truth doesn’t itch.
Thirty‑five years later, Troy is on death row, counting down the days while the state sharpens its blade. Enter Joaquin Ramos — an attorney who thinks he’s here to check procedural boxes and instead finds himself wading through a swamp of bad memories, worse evidence, and a town that would rather swallow its own tongue than admit it got something wrong. The deeper he digs, the more Bluesummer starts to look like a crime scene that never stopped bleeding.
Greer and Hayes want nothing to do with reopening the past. They’ve spent decades building their lives on top of the rubble of that summer, and Joaquin showing up with questions is like someone kicking down a door they nailed shut years ago. But Greer — stubborn, sharp, and carrying trauma like a second spine — starts investigating anyway. And the more she uncovers, the more she realizes she’s been living inside a story someone else wrote for her.
The atmosphere is thick enough to chew. The tension never lets up. Every chapter feels like peeling back another layer of sun‑baked guilt, and the truth underneath is uglier than anyone wants to admit. Shanessa Gluhm writes memory like a weapon — warped, unreliable, dangerous — and watching these characters confront what they think they remember is devastating in the best way.
The ending doesn’t explode. It sinks in. Quiet. Heavy. Inevitable. The kind of reveal that makes you sit back and whisper “oh… oh that’s bad” because the truth was never going to be clean.
A haunting, emotionally loaded, slow‑burn thriller about friendship, guilt, and the kind of silence that ruins lives. Bluesummer is full of bones, and this story digs up every last one.
4.5 stars — gripping, atmospheric, and absolutely unforgettable.
The Bone Nest hit me like a heatwave full of secrets — the kind that makes your skin prickle because you know something ugly is about to crawl out of the past.
Bluesummer, Texas is the kind of town that pretends it’s wholesome while rotting from the inside out. The cicadas scream, the air clings to your skin, and every person you meet is carrying a lie like a second heartbeat. In 1986, four friends planned one last summer together before college, and only three made it out alive. Tilly Price became the Songbird Strangler’s fifth victim, and the town practically sprinted to pin the murder on Troy Terrell. Case closed. Justice served. Everyone pretends the truth doesn’t itch.
Thirty‑five years later, Troy is on death row, counting down the days while the state sharpens its blade. Enter Joaquin Ramos — an attorney who thinks he’s here to check procedural boxes and instead finds himself wading through a swamp of bad memories, worse evidence, and a town that would rather swallow its own tongue than admit it got something wrong. The deeper he digs, the more Bluesummer starts to look like a crime scene that never stopped bleeding.
Greer and Hayes want nothing to do with reopening the past. They’ve spent decades building their lives on top of the rubble of that summer, and Joaquin showing up with questions is like someone kicking down a door they nailed shut years ago. But Greer — stubborn, sharp, and carrying trauma like a second spine — starts investigating anyway. And the more she uncovers, the more she realizes she’s been living inside a story someone else wrote for her.
The atmosphere is thick enough to chew. The tension never lets up. Every chapter feels like peeling back another layer of sun‑baked guilt, and the truth underneath is uglier than anyone wants to admit. Shanessa Gluhm writes memory like a weapon — warped, unreliable, dangerous — and watching these characters confront what they think they remember is devastating in the best way.
The ending doesn’t explode. It sinks in. Quiet. Heavy. Inevitable. The kind of reveal that makes you sit back and whisper “oh… oh that’s bad” because the truth was never going to be clean.
A haunting, emotionally loaded, slow‑burn thriller about friendship, guilt, and the kind of silence that ruins lives. Bluesummer is full of bones, and this story digs up every last one.
4.5 stars — gripping, atmospheric, and absolutely unforgettable.
July 16, 2026
Yooooo!! Not me trying to solve the crime with them!! I started this book yesterday and was kinda sad when I had to put it down to go sleep!! I was INVESTED YOU HEAR ME!!! this was such a great read!!! You know i didn't like Hayes at all!! He just rubbed me the wrong way! AND OMG!!! when I got closer to the end! What they did with one character was AMAZING! I Teared up! It was so beautiful! I couldnt help me show some tears of the last few pages! I dont think i could have read fast enough to see how it was going to turn out! I wish I could give more then 5 stars! This is one Book that deserves all 10 stars!
October 24, 2026
This was a cracking story. A new author to me and I rarely pay for new authors but this was only 77p so I thought I could live with that if it was a dud ! Happily, it isn't in the least. I loved it and it held my interest all the way through. I'll certainly read more by her. Her second one sounds quite similar to this third novel by her so I'll try her debut story next, I think.....
I'm quite a fan of the dual-timeline tales, especially when I remember both eras. And it was full of delicious little twists and hardly any mistakes. THAT always matters to me. A lot. Though I don't always see other reviewers mention it so much. Perhaps I've a touch of the OCD or something similar !!
I did find Melrose a pretty useless assistant at first. She came across as a bit too much of a flake but she did improve. I especially loved something she did near the end that actually had me sobbing.....
The author does do that thing of capitalising black which always gets my back up, though. Welp was written when I'm pretty sure it was supposed to read Well and I spotted a dropped set of speechmarks and apostrophe and solo needed capitalising and so did plexiglass as they're both brand names.
I'd not heard of The Chandelier Tree so googled it and that's super !! Neither had I heard of Joe Arridy so I read up on his sad case as well. So I was also educated along with being very well entertained.
As I say, I'll definitely read something else by her. This is very good indeed.
I'm quite a fan of the dual-timeline tales, especially when I remember both eras. And it was full of delicious little twists and hardly any mistakes. THAT always matters to me. A lot. Though I don't always see other reviewers mention it so much. Perhaps I've a touch of the OCD or something similar !!
I did find Melrose a pretty useless assistant at first. She came across as a bit too much of a flake but she did improve. I especially loved something she did near the end that actually had me sobbing.....
The author does do that thing of capitalising black which always gets my back up, though. Welp was written when I'm pretty sure it was supposed to read Well and I spotted a dropped set of speechmarks and apostrophe and solo needed capitalising and so did plexiglass as they're both brand names.
I'd not heard of The Chandelier Tree so googled it and that's super !! Neither had I heard of Joe Arridy so I read up on his sad case as well. So I was also educated along with being very well entertained.
As I say, I'll definitely read something else by her. This is very good indeed.
July 19, 2026
4.5 Stars
Wow....what a story! I love discovering a new author and after seeing the cover of this book and the snyposis of the story-line, I was ready to dive in. The story gave me all the feels that I love in a mystery/thriller.....secrets, intrigue, lies, deception and a roller coaster of emotions. Just when I though I had it all figured out......boom...the "a-ha"moment that I did not see coming.
What can happen to 4 friends aka "quad" squad one a summer day when only three of them do survive the summer...one deceased and another charged on a horrific crime..that takes to ending up with serial killer implications ....this story has dual timelines, which was easy for me to keep track and keep turning the pages, figuring out is Troy truly innocent or not and what truly happened...
Such a good read and highly recommend!!
Wow....what a story! I love discovering a new author and after seeing the cover of this book and the snyposis of the story-line, I was ready to dive in. The story gave me all the feels that I love in a mystery/thriller.....secrets, intrigue, lies, deception and a roller coaster of emotions. Just when I though I had it all figured out......boom...the "a-ha"moment that I did not see coming.
What can happen to 4 friends aka "quad" squad one a summer day when only three of them do survive the summer...one deceased and another charged on a horrific crime..that takes to ending up with serial killer implications ....this story has dual timelines, which was easy for me to keep track and keep turning the pages, figuring out is Troy truly innocent or not and what truly happened...
Such a good read and highly recommend!!
July 18, 2026
I really enjoyed this, it was a fantastic pallete cleanser and a nudge back into thrillers. Hayes, Greer & Troy - i love their friendship and how they interact with one another as well as the minor romantic aspect included. I enjoyed that it didn't feel forced. The twist was set up so well that I truly didnt see it coming at all. I really enjoyed it, thank you for bringing me back to thrillers.
July 2, 2026
Wow! So good. I knew from Gluhm’s previous novels, not to get too attached to figuring out who was guilty, knowing that just when I settled into an idea, a perfectly timed plot twist would have me questioning everything all over again. It’s such a beautiful, perfect experience when reading a mystery/thriller. She expertly balances dual timelines, complex characters and relationships, and covering difficult moral situations in a way that makes you open your mind and consider all the perspectives and possibilities. The Bone Nest is another amazing one that I’d recommend to anyone willing to deal the roller coaster of perfection that is a Gluhm book.
Review of advance copy
If there's one way to immediately grab my attention, it's with a dual timeline thriller set in the 1980s. Anyone who knows me knows I'm an absolute sucker for nostalgic reads, so when I saw The Bone Nest, I couldn't sign up for this book tour fast enough. I'm so glad I did because this was my first experience with Shanessa Gluhm, and it definitely won't be my last.
Set between a Fourth of July weekend in 1986 and the present day, The Bone Nest is a gripping legal thriller that effortlessly blends nostalgia, suspense, and heart. As an attorney races against the clock to save a man on death row, long-buried secrets from one unforgettable summer night begin to unravel. I loved piecing together the mystery alongside the characters, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the story surprised me yet again.
Beyond the twists and stellar pacing, what stayed with me most were the themes of friendship, family, loyalty, and justice. The characters felt incredibly real, and the emotional weight behind their choices made this much more than just a mystery.
If you're looking for the perfect summer thriller. One filled with small-town nostalgia, a memorable Fourth of July backdrop, compelling characters, and plenty of surprises, The Bone Nest is one I highly recommend.
Thank you to Love Books Tours, Lost Meridian Press, and Shanessa Gluhm for this #giftedarc. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
5⭐
Set between a Fourth of July weekend in 1986 and the present day, The Bone Nest is a gripping legal thriller that effortlessly blends nostalgia, suspense, and heart. As an attorney races against the clock to save a man on death row, long-buried secrets from one unforgettable summer night begin to unravel. I loved piecing together the mystery alongside the characters, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the story surprised me yet again.
Beyond the twists and stellar pacing, what stayed with me most were the themes of friendship, family, loyalty, and justice. The characters felt incredibly real, and the emotional weight behind their choices made this much more than just a mystery.
If you're looking for the perfect summer thriller. One filled with small-town nostalgia, a memorable Fourth of July backdrop, compelling characters, and plenty of surprises, The Bone Nest is one I highly recommend.
Thank you to Love Books Tours, Lost Meridian Press, and Shanessa Gluhm for this #giftedarc. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
5⭐
July 21, 2026
Troy Terrell was sent to jail for being the Songbird Strangler, his last victim a friend and while everyone joined the band wagon ready to see him meet the executioner there was one thing that he never got to prove, his innocence. Years later as his execution date is set, Joaquin Ramos with the Death Penalty Abolition Act thinks he has what it takes to get the case overturned. Once he begins looking he finds evidence that the wrong man was convicted and the real killer is still out there. It is not an easy feat though when the people he needs help from do not want to reopen the past. Will the truth come out before time is up?
This was really well done. I liked the way it unfolded which vacillates a bit from current times to the past. Page turning suspense, I was anxious to see what would happen, who the guilty party was and if Troy would be proven innocent. Great read.
This was really well done. I liked the way it unfolded which vacillates a bit from current times to the past. Page turning suspense, I was anxious to see what would happen, who the guilty party was and if Troy would be proven innocent. Great read.
July 23, 2026
Oh my goodness. Started this book and was absolutely amazed, shocked and exhilarated. Flipping pages like you wouldn’t believe. Not wanting to do anything but find out what was happening next in this book.
Told across different timelines and from different perspectives as you see the way this has shaped the last 38 years of their lives. This book dives into so many things bringing to light the justice system along with deep feelings, social prejudice and generational expectations.
This is a great story that keeps you interested the entire way through.
Told across different timelines and from different perspectives as you see the way this has shaped the last 38 years of their lives. This book dives into so many things bringing to light the justice system along with deep feelings, social prejudice and generational expectations.
This is a great story that keeps you interested the entire way through.
July 7, 2026
Do you remember what it was like to have one last hang out with your best friends before embarking on the next leg of your journey in life? For friend Chantilly, Hayes, Troy, and Greer they wanted one last get together before heading off to college. They never imagined this would be the very last time as a foursome. An elusive killer dubbed The Songbird Strangler took one of them out and all the evidence led to one of them. Troy now sits on death row in Texas for a crime he didn't commit. Thirty-five years later and Troy has exhausted most of his appeals and his last one falls to a young and ambitious attorney that works with the Death Penalty Ambition Project, Joaquin Ramos. As the case unravels Joaquin and his assistant uncover evidence that points to the innocence of the man they represent. His old friends, Greer and Hayes, are tied together by the tragic loss of their friend but they had nothing to do with Troy in the years after. Now that Greer is a journalist she does some investigating of her own. Did she write off her friend without truly knowing the truth? Although she thought she knew all the facts of the case she is realizing she may have lost a friend to false evidence. I enjoyed this book and the unraveling of the facts. Although this book is set in two different timelines, 1986 and 2024 respectively, it is important to the story. Normally jumping from one timeline to another is not my favorite but this book did so almost seamlessly for me. Once you start this book it is hard to put down.
July 17, 2026
5 out of 5 Stars
The Bone Nest by Shanessa Gluhm
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. The Bone Nest is an interesting book to say the least. At first I was a little confused, but the further I got in the book I realized I was seeing two sides. I got into the book because who can deny a good crime book? Thriller Crime Lovers Unite is what I have to say about this book. You can’t deny a good book when you find one.
Troy is being accused of killing two of five girls that died in Bluesummer Texas. He claims he’s innocent, but the town thinks differently. His best friend and his father said that he was the one who killed the girls, Wendy and Chantilly, but in reality he didn’t do it. Or did he? You’ll have to read to find out. The quote I chose for him is this: “Bluesummer wasn’t kind to us. We were poor, Black. Daddy warned me to stay away from Chantilly. He said folks wouldn’t take kindly to it. I mean, her name literally means white. I’ve always wondered if the wrong person saw me leaving Tilly’s that night, got the wrong idea, and wanted us both to pay.”
Joaquin is Troy’s new lawyer and he’s trying to piece together the whole truth. He doesn’t think Troy deserves the death penalty, but if he can’t prove he’s innocent then that’s what is going to happen. So he gets with the original lawyer’s assistant and tries to find loop holes for Troy. The quote I chose for him is this: “Speaking of Bluesummer High, tell me about your class ring. Melrose said you lost it in the woods? Alright. Back to the night in question. Where were we?”
The Bone Nest by Shanessa Gluhm
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. The Bone Nest is an interesting book to say the least. At first I was a little confused, but the further I got in the book I realized I was seeing two sides. I got into the book because who can deny a good crime book? Thriller Crime Lovers Unite is what I have to say about this book. You can’t deny a good book when you find one.
Troy is being accused of killing two of five girls that died in Bluesummer Texas. He claims he’s innocent, but the town thinks differently. His best friend and his father said that he was the one who killed the girls, Wendy and Chantilly, but in reality he didn’t do it. Or did he? You’ll have to read to find out. The quote I chose for him is this: “Bluesummer wasn’t kind to us. We were poor, Black. Daddy warned me to stay away from Chantilly. He said folks wouldn’t take kindly to it. I mean, her name literally means white. I’ve always wondered if the wrong person saw me leaving Tilly’s that night, got the wrong idea, and wanted us both to pay.”
Joaquin is Troy’s new lawyer and he’s trying to piece together the whole truth. He doesn’t think Troy deserves the death penalty, but if he can’t prove he’s innocent then that’s what is going to happen. So he gets with the original lawyer’s assistant and tries to find loop holes for Troy. The quote I chose for him is this: “Speaking of Bluesummer High, tell me about your class ring. Melrose said you lost it in the woods? Alright. Back to the night in question. Where were we?”
July 3, 2026
Thank you LBT for having me on this book review tour and for my gifted copy of this book!! Can’t wait to read it again at the beach !!
Omg. What a great book. I loved the dual time line of this book so we were going from 1986 to present day and the legal battle of Troy Terrell’s death row conviction sometimes this is hard to follow but for me this wasn’t hard it was so easy and it was good.
This book does a fantastic job with showing how the memory can distort things and events and how keeping silent makes things so much harder. I try to teach my kids it’s better to speak up and face consequences than keep quiet cause it will eat you alive.
I loved how Joaquin Ramos' investigation adds a lot of compelling stuff to the case and shows how there are a lot of holes I guess you could say in the case and how the conviction they gave might be not so strong and uphold I mean this investigator was able to find a lot of inconsistency and it was so cool to see it all unravel I loved the writing style of this book and thought was so well done!!
I really want more by this author and hope to get more books. I think I may read this again. See if I can pick up more that I missed first time around.
Needs an audio book!!; for sure yep!!
Omg. What a great book. I loved the dual time line of this book so we were going from 1986 to present day and the legal battle of Troy Terrell’s death row conviction sometimes this is hard to follow but for me this wasn’t hard it was so easy and it was good.
This book does a fantastic job with showing how the memory can distort things and events and how keeping silent makes things so much harder. I try to teach my kids it’s better to speak up and face consequences than keep quiet cause it will eat you alive.
I loved how Joaquin Ramos' investigation adds a lot of compelling stuff to the case and shows how there are a lot of holes I guess you could say in the case and how the conviction they gave might be not so strong and uphold I mean this investigator was able to find a lot of inconsistency and it was so cool to see it all unravel I loved the writing style of this book and thought was so well done!!
I really want more by this author and hope to get more books. I think I may read this again. See if I can pick up more that I missed first time around.
Needs an audio book!!; for sure yep!!
July 3, 2026
The Bone Nest by Shanessa Gluhm.
5 of 5 Stars
This gripping crime thriller kept me hooked throughout. In 1986, the residents of the quiet town of Bluesummer were preyed on by an elusive serial killer, know as The Songbird Strangler. Four friends, Hayes, Troy, Greer, and Tilly were spending the summer together before college, when Tilly became the killer’s fifth victim.
Thirty-five years later and Troy sits on death row, after evidence pointed to him being the murderer. Ambitious attorney Joaquin Ramos from the Death Penalty Abolition Project, is dealing with Troy’s final appeal, and uncovers evidence that could prove his innocence. Greer and Hayes want nothing to do with either Troy or his lawyer, but journalist Greer starts her own investigation. She begins to question the events all those years ago, including her own memories and her role in Troy’s conviction.
This duel timeline story was fast paced and action packed. I felt engaged with the mix of relatable and realistically complex characters, and invested in the outcome of the story. The addictive storyline and plot twist and turns made this a real page turner, and one which I definitely recommend. But it will keep you reading way past your bedtime!
5 of 5 Stars
This gripping crime thriller kept me hooked throughout. In 1986, the residents of the quiet town of Bluesummer were preyed on by an elusive serial killer, know as The Songbird Strangler. Four friends, Hayes, Troy, Greer, and Tilly were spending the summer together before college, when Tilly became the killer’s fifth victim.
Thirty-five years later and Troy sits on death row, after evidence pointed to him being the murderer. Ambitious attorney Joaquin Ramos from the Death Penalty Abolition Project, is dealing with Troy’s final appeal, and uncovers evidence that could prove his innocence. Greer and Hayes want nothing to do with either Troy or his lawyer, but journalist Greer starts her own investigation. She begins to question the events all those years ago, including her own memories and her role in Troy’s conviction.
This duel timeline story was fast paced and action packed. I felt engaged with the mix of relatable and realistically complex characters, and invested in the outcome of the story. The addictive storyline and plot twist and turns made this a real page turner, and one which I definitely recommend. But it will keep you reading way past your bedtime!
July 18, 2026
This is a new-to-me author and boy was this a great introduction!!! The Bone Nest, first of all, the title grabbed my attention right away and I had to know what this was about. Then I read the synopsis and was like, how soon can I get into my comfy chair? I knew this was going to be a "read it until your finished, not quitting for nothing", kind of book! I wasn't wrong!
I do struggle with dual timeline stories whether it's in a book or a movie so that was a bit challenging for me at first until I got the rhythm of the story down. The way in which the author wrote this book though, wow...I felt like a part of the story, right along all the investigators, the attorneys, and the set of friends who have all gone their separate ways, some more eternal than others. There were times I wanted to throw my kindle, other times I was sobbing...I truly believe I went through the five stages of grief reading this book. I'm not mad about it either!
Do yourself a favor and block off an entire day, put on a pot of coffee or grab plenty of your favorite caffeinated beverages, put on your comfiest jammies and sit in your favorite chair and just dive in. Stay hydrated but food may have to wait until you can finish this fantastic story that will have you wondering, "what just happened here"?
I do struggle with dual timeline stories whether it's in a book or a movie so that was a bit challenging for me at first until I got the rhythm of the story down. The way in which the author wrote this book though, wow...I felt like a part of the story, right along all the investigators, the attorneys, and the set of friends who have all gone their separate ways, some more eternal than others. There were times I wanted to throw my kindle, other times I was sobbing...I truly believe I went through the five stages of grief reading this book. I'm not mad about it either!
Do yourself a favor and block off an entire day, put on a pot of coffee or grab plenty of your favorite caffeinated beverages, put on your comfiest jammies and sit in your favorite chair and just dive in. Stay hydrated but food may have to wait until you can finish this fantastic story that will have you wondering, "what just happened here"?
July 18, 2026
This book description had me at serial killer! What I didn’t except was to fall for the characters and feeling like I was stepping into the past each time the timeline would shift perfectly between 1986 and 2024. We have all been that age and wanted a lot of the same things and felt the same emotions of each do these characters before the tragedy struck so violently. It’s how they dealt with it afterward and the changes that they went through that are revealed. The main attorney, Joaquin, is helping to unravel the threads or memory from Troy who only has one last chance. I usually fear that I will get bogged down in legal jargon in books like this, but you don’t, and I loved that. And going back and forth with the timeline shifted perfectly without it being confusing which was also helpful and made the pages turn even faster because I kept wanting to know more about what happened in the past each time it would switch to the present tense. You need to check this out and you have to see if you can figure out who the killer is before they do!
July 22, 2026
The Bone Nest follows convicted murderer Troy Terrill and his journey to prove his innocence. With the help of his attorney and a couple others, the 35 year old case is under heavy review. It was supposed to be one final night of fun and partying before heading off to college. Instead, the night ended in tragedy when one of the four friends ends up dead and another is accused of murder. As time goes on, more and more evidence, and questions, are brought into the case. The deeper the digging goes, the more secrets come out. It seems multiple people had reason to for Tilly to die, and had plausible ability to make it happen. Was the death of an old friend the work of a serial killer, an accident, or is Troy actually guilty? This dual timeline telling from multiple perspectives leaves you guessing. The characters are complex and well written, and the plot is driven in a steady pace that keeps you turning the pages. This was a really well written book and great twists along the way.
July 22, 2026
If you’re looking for a crime mystery thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end, this one absolutely delivers. The story is packed with suspense, and just when I thought I had everything figured out, it hit me with a twist I never saw coming.
The plot centers around a false conviction and an innocent man sitting on death row, which added so much emotional weight and tension to the story. Every new clue had me questioning who the real killer was, and I genuinely couldn’t piece it together until the reveal.
The character development was exceptional. The characters felt authentic, layered, and believable, making it easy to become invested in their journeys and the outcome of the case.
Overall, this was a gripping, well-written thriller that kept me engaged from beginning to end. If you enjoy fast-paced mysteries with compelling characters, and shocking twists,, I highly recommend this one!
The plot centers around a false conviction and an innocent man sitting on death row, which added so much emotional weight and tension to the story. Every new clue had me questioning who the real killer was, and I genuinely couldn’t piece it together until the reveal.
The character development was exceptional. The characters felt authentic, layered, and believable, making it easy to become invested in their journeys and the outcome of the case.
Overall, this was a gripping, well-written thriller that kept me engaged from beginning to end. If you enjoy fast-paced mysteries with compelling characters, and shocking twists,, I highly recommend this one!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2026
The summer of 1986 in Bluesummer, Texas a serial killer is on the loose called the Songbird Strangler. Four friends Tilly, Hayes, Greer, and Troy are enjoying their final summer together before they go their separate ways for college/after high school jobs. However, Tilly becomes the seemingly last victim of the strangler that turns out to be none other than Troy. Now, almost 40 years later, Troy is on his last appeal before they all run out and he gets the death penalty. Enter Joaquin Ramos, a defense attorney that works for a non-profit that helps innocent people get off of death row. He's making it his mission to dig into the case and find any new and compelling evidence to exonerate Troy. We go back in time to the day of and the days leading up to Tilly's death, alternating with present day and Joaquin and his team digging into the past finding new leads. I was really intrigued by the story, had a good twist and plenty of red herrings. Definitely interested in reading more by this author in the future.
July 19, 2026
This is easily one of the best murder mysteries I’ve read recently. It's fast-paced and features a dual timeline that seamlessly unfolds between past and present. The story slowly puts the pieces together with unexpected twists that keep you guessing, perfectly balancing emotional romance with high-stakes tension. I was completely invested from beginning to end. While this is the first book I've read by this author, I’m already eager to go back and read her other books, and I look forward to whatever she writes next.
July 21, 2026
Wow! How twisty can a story get? Trust me it gets crazy in here. I absolutely loved the story. So many times I thought I knew who the Songbird Strangler really was and thought “what is the rest of this book going to be about?” Little did I know that Ms Gluhm had a lot more in store for me.
The story is amazing! The characters are plentiful and I have paragraphs on each one while I was trying to figure this out. This book is definitely thrilling, mysterious and thought provoking. I enjoyed every second!
The story is amazing! The characters are plentiful and I have paragraphs on each one while I was trying to figure this out. This book is definitely thrilling, mysterious and thought provoking. I enjoyed every second!
July 10, 2026
The Bone Nest was one of those books that had me hooked from the start. I loved how the story switched between the past and present, slowly revealing the truth piece by piece. The characters felt real, and I found myself second-guessing everyone until the very end. It wasn't just a thriller; it also made me think about friendship, justice, and how the past can shape so many lives. If you love twisty mysteries with emotional depth and unforgettable characters, this one is definitely worth reading.
July 11, 2026
This story was amazing! Just the thought of a loss in such a horrible way at a young age, kids just trying to have that last summer hurrah, one of your own accused! Literally had to read this
In one sitting! Written so well it plays like a movie in your mind, barely even seeing the words on the page. This thriller grabs your attention immediately and does not loosen its grip until the end! A Must Read!
In one sitting! Written so well it plays like a movie in your mind, barely even seeing the words on the page. This thriller grabs your attention immediately and does not loosen its grip until the end! A Must Read!
July 17, 2026
Just when I don’t think I can possibly like Gluhm’s writing more, she slaps me in the face with this masterpiece. My love of mysteries and unraveling secrets in a story began long ago with a girl named Nancy Drew. And i couldn’t love more the journey this book took me on as I attempted to put the details together. If you love a well crafted story, a book that you absolutely will hate to put down, you MUST read this book.
July 21, 2026
Well.....I may have lost sleep over trying to finish this book. Absolutely amazing! Hands down one of the best books I have read so far this year. This is a few author for me but will be reading more of their books for sure! Amazing storyline, I was hooked from the first chapter. The past and present tense chapters worked flawlessly together. Absolutely loved the characters. Just a fantastic book. Well done!
September 27, 2026
The Songbird Strangler is a serial killer terrorising the small Texas town of Bluesummer in the 80’s. Now 2024 and Troy is on death row awaiting his execution, but not everyone told the truth back then and when those secrets come to light, it changes absolutely everything. With Troy’s third and final appeal falling to an ambitious attorney Joaquin Ramos, the quest to save Troy’s life is a ticking time bomb.
This was a great read, the characters were all individual and I particularly loved Bernie. This is a story that you will race through, rooting for the truth and justice.
This was a great read, the characters were all individual and I particularly loved Bernie. This is a story that you will race through, rooting for the truth and justice.
July 23, 2026
The Bone Nest by Shanessa Gluhm is a dual timeliness thriller that will have you absolutely glued to the pages. You won't be able to get enough of the the twists and turns, and trust me there's plenty!! Its been a long time since ive read a book from this author, and I forgot how much i love her. This book is so addictive, and you'll absolutely love the ending, I did!!
July 18, 2026
One of the best reads for true crime I’ve read since All the Missing Girls! Ramos is determined to prove Troy is innocent and uncovers some secrets to prove his innocence. Lots of great twists and turns!
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 24, 2026
Another great read!
I could not put this book down! Shyness Gluhm is a fantastic author. I've loved every one of her books!
I could not put this book down! Shyness Gluhm is a fantastic author. I've loved every one of her books!
July 9, 2026
Gift exchange worthy
July 23, 2026
I love these kinds of stories. I always feel like I'm one of them and try to solve the case. The characters were amazing. It is definitely a five star read for me!
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