Buried Bones: A Raven West Mystery

by TERRA CROSS

Some secrets refuse to stay buried.
When freelance reporter Raven West follows an evidence trail, she’s drawn into the cold case of Evelyn Crane. Once a charismatic art promoter, Crane’s 1970s disappearance left behind whispers of greed, betrayal, and stolen artifacts.
Raven’s curiosity and emerging clairvoyance push her deeper into mysteries than she ever intends. Luckily, she’s joined by her friend Maya, whose quirky wit is matched only by her habit of packing snacks to crime scenes. Oscar, the intuitive service dog, has a nose for trouble and an unfortunate knack for stealing the thunder whenever snacks appear. The unlikely trio journeys to Arizona, where official Navajo records collide with shadowed canyons and tribal lore.
What begins as research quickly twists into danger. Skinwalker sightings haunt the edges of every lead. The tribal police lieutenant warns Raven away, while his junior officer quietly lends her support. Guided by an elder medicine woman, Raven is not only introduced to Navajo supernatural traditions but also feels the stirrings of her own long-dormant psychic abilities.
As red herrings multiply and suspects close in, Raven must unravel the truth behind Evelyn Crane’s disappearance before someone—or something—claims another victim.

125 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2025

Reviews

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic cozy mystery that includes Navajo lure and some increased psychic abilities. When she gets a message from a Navajo contact that there are stories she should check out, Raven, begin a journalist couldn't pass it up. It appears that there are stories, secrets and clues of a cold case about the missing Evelyn Crane. Of course, never to pass up a good story, Raven, her very smart service dog, Oscar and her quirky friend, Maya head out to Arizona to chase down this cold case. Will she be able to solve it? Will the supernatural lure get in the way? Will the medicine woman provide the help Raven needs? Is Raven finding out more about her own abilities? This is a fast paced, book that takes you on a roller coaster ride. I highly recommend this book! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Eileen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. When Raven West received a cryptic message from a Navajo contact suggesting that if she wanted to know stories that refuse to stay buried she should contact them.
As a freelance journalist she’s naturally curious, especially when she knows the subject. With her friend Maya and her service dog Oscar she sets off to see if she can solve a cold case.
The setting is spectacular. The characters are well developed and relatable. And there’s plenty to grip you in this well-written story.
I heartily recommend this book. Maybe you should pre-order it before it’s out…unless you’re reading this after the publish date.

I received this book for free in exchange for leaving an honest review.
Grâce

[Chere Gruver]

Will Raven be able to figure out what happened to Evelyn Crane?

As a freelance reporter, Raven finds her own stories to research and report on. This time around, she’s decided on the disappearance of Evelyn Crane so off to Arizona she goes, along with her friend Maya and Oscar, a partially trained service dog. They end up on the Navajo Reservation and get pulled into an investigation of partially buried bones Oscar finds. This story is very intriguing in that incorporated a lot of different beliefs of the Navajo people, which I found to be very interesting. The story is very well written and the plot flows along smoothly. This is a very enjoyable mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christian Domenicci · Rating 5 out of 5]

​I was completely captivated by "Buried Bones" from beginning to end. This novel excels as a Cozy Mystery with a compelling supernatural layer!
​Terra Cross immediately hooked me with the cold case of Evelyn Crane, setting a wonderful tone of intrigue and adventure.
I was particularly charmed by Oscar; his presence adds both intelligence and heart to the crime scenes.
am very grateful to the author, Terra Cross, for providing me with the opportunity to read this captivating story. Highly recommended for Cozy Mystery fans who enjoy a touch of the paranormal!

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creat cozy mystery

This was an incredible story.
Raven is an investigative journalist so when she's made aware of the cold case of Evelyn, it naturally piques her interest.
She heads out with Oscar, her very intelligent service dog and her friend Maya to find answers.
There's Navajo lore, psychic abilities, and eerie supernatural happenings.

[Soscha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, reminded me a bit of the Tony Hillerman books. The setting is the Four Corners area. There are regular Native characters but no tribe indicated.

Smart dog, pastry-stuffer sidekick. Main character has a bit of tribal beliefs with a touch of skinwalker tribalism.

But…..CLIFFHANGER! 🙁