What do you think?
Rate this book
The Talking Bone: A Novel
“Rene Denfeld reminds us that storytelling remains one of the most powerful means we have of confronting our darkest human impulses and sometimes overcoming them.”—Washington Post
From the revered bestselling author, a compulsive, page-turning thriller inspired by her real life work exonerating innocents, a novel that asks how far we’ll go in our pursuit of the truth—an emotionally rich, luminously written book about evil and people trying to do good in the world.
Ruby Spencer is known as “the exonerator.” Her job as an investigator is to free innocent men from death row, and she’s good at what she does. What many people don’t know is that she spends her time finding missing women, too. The orphaned daughter of an orphaned mother, Ruby feels a natural affinity for those who have been mistreated by the world at large.
Her newest case takes her to Georgia, and involves a man set to be executed in two weeks. What begins as a routine exoneration unexpectedly sends Ruby down a winding path. Pursuing the truth, she begins to uncover crimes that lead to startling revelations about her own life.
With time running out, will Ruby’s search for answers ultimately lead her to danger?
From the revered bestselling author, a compulsive, page-turning thriller inspired by her real life work exonerating innocents, a novel that asks how far we’ll go in our pursuit of the truth—an emotionally rich, luminously written book about evil and people trying to do good in the world.
Ruby Spencer is known as “the exonerator.” Her job as an investigator is to free innocent men from death row, and she’s good at what she does. What many people don’t know is that she spends her time finding missing women, too. The orphaned daughter of an orphaned mother, Ruby feels a natural affinity for those who have been mistreated by the world at large.
Her newest case takes her to Georgia, and involves a man set to be executed in two weeks. What begins as a routine exoneration unexpectedly sends Ruby down a winding path. Pursuing the truth, she begins to uncover crimes that lead to startling revelations about her own life.
With time running out, will Ruby’s search for answers ultimately lead her to danger?
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2026
About the author
Rene Denfeld
19 books2,536 followersRene Denfeld is the bestselling author of THE CHILD FINDER, THE ENCHANTED, THE BUTTERFLY GIRL, SLEEPING GIANTS, and the forthcoming THE TALKING BONE (Harper July 2026), which was inspired by her real life work exonerating innocents.
Rene's poetic fiction has won numerous awards including the French Prix, an ALA Medal for Excellence and an IMPAC listing. Rene works as a licensed investigator, including exonerating. In 2017 she was awarded the Break The Silence Award for her advocacy work, and the New York Times honored her for heroism.
By day Rene continues to work in justice, having worked hundreds of cases over the years, including exonerations, death row and helping trafficking victims.
She lives in Portland, Oregon, where she is a happy foster and adoptive mother.
Rene's poetic fiction has won numerous awards including the French Prix, an ALA Medal for Excellence and an IMPAC listing. Rene works as a licensed investigator, including exonerating. In 2017 she was awarded the Break The Silence Award for her advocacy work, and the New York Times honored her for heroism.
By day Rene continues to work in justice, having worked hundreds of cases over the years, including exonerations, death row and helping trafficking victims.
She lives in Portland, Oregon, where she is a happy foster and adoptive mother.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
July 29, 2026
The title is weird but appropriate.
Denfeld always writes from dark places - this isn’t the first time we are taken to death row with her.
Ruby is an exonerator. She takes on cases where there are no more leads; the verdict has been pushed down; most of the time is now served and now the client is waiting for the death toll.
But Ruby also spends time looking for missing women. Her own mother disappeared when she was 13. Countless others did too and the police just shrugged it off stating these women just up and left.
Crooked and lazy cops; a court system that is broken and racist; And a bone that talks of what happened.
A good twisty mystery.
4.25⭐️
My favourite Denfled remains The Enchanted
Denfeld always writes from dark places - this isn’t the first time we are taken to death row with her.
Ruby is an exonerator. She takes on cases where there are no more leads; the verdict has been pushed down; most of the time is now served and now the client is waiting for the death toll.
But Ruby also spends time looking for missing women. Her own mother disappeared when she was 13. Countless others did too and the police just shrugged it off stating these women just up and left.
Crooked and lazy cops; a court system that is broken and racist; And a bone that talks of what happened.
A good twisty mystery.
4.25⭐️
My favourite Denfled remains The Enchanted
July 28, 2026
“The Talking Bone”, by Rene Denfeld
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Terrific writing and storytelling!
Great premises, and slow but engaging development with interesting characters.
The story is a bit dark and sad, but very well executed.
The title is a metaphor, obviously, but sometimes I thought the author was going into magical realism territory, and I wouldn’t have minded it if that was the intention.
The conclusion felt rushed, otherwise I wouldn’t have rated it 5 stars.
This work of fiction is inspired by the author’s work in real life.
It’s a small book, with only 256 pages (hardcover edition) or 65k words, and a fast read.
This was my 5th book by this author, who highly impressed me with her work “The Enchanted”, a very dark and disturbing novel.
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Terrific writing and storytelling!
Great premises, and slow but engaging development with interesting characters.
The story is a bit dark and sad, but very well executed.
The title is a metaphor, obviously, but sometimes I thought the author was going into magical realism territory, and I wouldn’t have minded it if that was the intention.
The conclusion felt rushed, otherwise I wouldn’t have rated it 5 stars.
This work of fiction is inspired by the author’s work in real life.
It’s a small book, with only 256 pages (hardcover edition) or 65k words, and a fast read.
This was my 5th book by this author, who highly impressed me with her work “The Enchanted”, a very dark and disturbing novel.
June 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars
First, thank you to HarperCollins for the physical ARC of The Talking Bone by Rene Denfeld.
Rene Denfeld has a gift for writing stories that are equal parts mystery and meditation on humanity, and The Talking Bone is no exception. This beautifully written literary thriller follows Ruby Spencer, an investigator known for exonerating innocent men on death row, as she takes on a case that becomes far more personal than she ever expected.
What I loved most about this novel was the emotional depth. While there is certainly a compelling mystery at its core, this story is really about compassion, trauma, identity, and the lengths people will go to uncover the truth. Ruby is a fascinating protagonist—determined, empathetic, and deeply shaped by her own past—and I found myself completely invested in her journey.
Denfeld’s prose is luminous and atmospheric, creating a haunting sense of place while never losing sight of the people at the center of the story. The themes surrounding injustice, found family, and resilience added so much heart to the narrative. Several revelations caught me off guard, and I appreciated how the story balanced suspense with moments of tenderness and hope.
The reason this wasn’t a full five-star read for me is that the pacing occasionally slowed, particularly in the middle sections, and a few threads felt more reflective than urgent. However, the emotional payoff and unforgettable characters more than made up for it.
If you enjoy literary thrillers with richly drawn characters, emotional depth, and mysteries that explore both the darkness and goodness of humanity, The Talking Bone is absolutely worth picking up.
A haunting, compassionate, and thought-provoking story that stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
First, thank you to HarperCollins for the physical ARC of The Talking Bone by Rene Denfeld.
Rene Denfeld has a gift for writing stories that are equal parts mystery and meditation on humanity, and The Talking Bone is no exception. This beautifully written literary thriller follows Ruby Spencer, an investigator known for exonerating innocent men on death row, as she takes on a case that becomes far more personal than she ever expected.
What I loved most about this novel was the emotional depth. While there is certainly a compelling mystery at its core, this story is really about compassion, trauma, identity, and the lengths people will go to uncover the truth. Ruby is a fascinating protagonist—determined, empathetic, and deeply shaped by her own past—and I found myself completely invested in her journey.
Denfeld’s prose is luminous and atmospheric, creating a haunting sense of place while never losing sight of the people at the center of the story. The themes surrounding injustice, found family, and resilience added so much heart to the narrative. Several revelations caught me off guard, and I appreciated how the story balanced suspense with moments of tenderness and hope.
The reason this wasn’t a full five-star read for me is that the pacing occasionally slowed, particularly in the middle sections, and a few threads felt more reflective than urgent. However, the emotional payoff and unforgettable characters more than made up for it.
If you enjoy literary thrillers with richly drawn characters, emotional depth, and mysteries that explore both the darkness and goodness of humanity, The Talking Bone is absolutely worth picking up.
A haunting, compassionate, and thought-provoking story that stayed with me long after I turned the final page.
June 25, 2026
A woman whose mission is to free innocent people from death row seeks to help a wrongfully accused Georgia man and finds that their lives are eerily connected. As she searches to uncover the truth, she must face deep, dark, past secrets. Multiple narrators and timelines keep the plot fresh and compelling. Rene Denfeld’s writing skills and the raw empathy of her characters are captivating. Ideal for fans of Karen Dionne and Charlie Donlea.
Many thanks to Edelweiss, Harper and Rene Denfeld for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Edelweiss, Harper and Rene Denfeld for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 19, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for providing me with an eBook and a finished copy in exchange for my honest review.
📝 Summary
Ruby Spencer is an investigator dedicated to freeing innocent people from death row while also searching for missing women. When a new case takes her to Georgia, what begins as a race against time to save a man from execution uncovers long buried secrets that become deeply personal. As Ruby gets closer to the truth, she realizes some answers come with a heavy price.
💭 My Review
I really enjoyed this book. The concept immediately grabbed my attention, and I loved that it combined an investigation into a possible wrongful conviction with the search for missing women. It felt different from the typical thriller and kept me interested from beginning to end. There was a nice balance between the mystery and the emotional side of the story, which made it feel more meaningful than just solving a case.
Ruby was a wonderful main character. She was compassionate, determined, and impossible not to root for. I enjoyed following her as she pieced everything together, and I found myself just as invested in her personal journey as I was in the investigation itself. The supporting characters also added a lot to the story and made the world feel authentic.
Rene Denfeld has a beautiful writing style that brings so much heart to the story while still delivering an engaging mystery. This was a thoughtful, emotional read that kept me turning the pages, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it. If you enjoy mysteries with strong characters, emotional depth, and an original premise, I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely! If you enjoy thoughtful mysteries with memorable characters, emotional storytelling, and a unique investigative premise, The Talking Bone is well worth reading.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper for providing me with an eBook and a finished copy in exchange for my honest review.
📝 Summary
Ruby Spencer is an investigator dedicated to freeing innocent people from death row while also searching for missing women. When a new case takes her to Georgia, what begins as a race against time to save a man from execution uncovers long buried secrets that become deeply personal. As Ruby gets closer to the truth, she realizes some answers come with a heavy price.
💭 My Review
I really enjoyed this book. The concept immediately grabbed my attention, and I loved that it combined an investigation into a possible wrongful conviction with the search for missing women. It felt different from the typical thriller and kept me interested from beginning to end. There was a nice balance between the mystery and the emotional side of the story, which made it feel more meaningful than just solving a case.
Ruby was a wonderful main character. She was compassionate, determined, and impossible not to root for. I enjoyed following her as she pieced everything together, and I found myself just as invested in her personal journey as I was in the investigation itself. The supporting characters also added a lot to the story and made the world feel authentic.
Rene Denfeld has a beautiful writing style that brings so much heart to the story while still delivering an engaging mystery. This was a thoughtful, emotional read that kept me turning the pages, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it. If you enjoy mysteries with strong characters, emotional depth, and an original premise, I would definitely recommend picking this one up.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely! If you enjoy thoughtful mysteries with memorable characters, emotional storytelling, and a unique investigative premise, The Talking Bone is well worth reading.
July 28, 2026
This is the second book by this author that I've read, and I have noticed some similarites. Not in a bad way...more like in a creative way. The MC seems to have her past buried in the plot. There seems to be some twist or turn that links the two in a very direct way. This kind of thing can get gimmicky but the author does it with such an ease. It feels more like an a-ha moment.
I liked the overall story. The MC is trying to save a man on death row but the time is short and she's not getting much help from the authorities. She has much to unravel.
Overall this had a nice methodical pace and I enjoyed the journey. So 4 stars.
I liked the overall story. The MC is trying to save a man on death row but the time is short and she's not getting much help from the authorities. She has much to unravel.
Overall this had a nice methodical pace and I enjoyed the journey. So 4 stars.
July 28, 2026
4 stars.
July 28, 2026
The Talking Bone is a beautifully written and emotionally gripping mystery that blends suspense with deep character development. Rene Denfeld has a unique way of bringing overlooked people and difficult topics to life with compassion, and the story kept me invested from beginning to end. The atmosphere is haunting, and the dual narration added another layer of depth to the characters.
While I really enjoyed the mystery and the emotional impact, the pacing slowed in a few places, and I found myself wanting a bit more resolution at the end. Still, it was a compelling, thought-provoking read with memorable characters and an ending that stayed with me.
If you enjoy literary thrillers that focus as much on the people as the mystery itself, this is definitely worth reading.
While I really enjoyed the mystery and the emotional impact, the pacing slowed in a few places, and I found myself wanting a bit more resolution at the end. Still, it was a compelling, thought-provoking read with memorable characters and an ending that stayed with me.
If you enjoy literary thrillers that focus as much on the people as the mystery itself, this is definitely worth reading.
Want to Read
July 27, 2026YES: A book I borrowed from the library to try before I buy (tired buying hundreds books and hating half)
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend's reviews. This is what I did and didn't like:
Love this cover and small size
I can’t find a sample anywhere but I know this author has great writing and the Plot sounds interesting. My friends on GR really like
It.
I read first ch or more -first 10-100 pages skim around at times. I read many of my GR friend's reviews. This is what I did and didn't like:
Love this cover and small size
I can’t find a sample anywhere but I know this author has great writing and the Plot sounds interesting. My friends on GR really like
It.
February 16, 2026
4.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance copy.
Review to follow.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an advance copy.
Review to follow.
July 22, 2026
This was a short and powerful book. I was completely sucked into the story and loved getting to know Ruby. The setting was bleak, but seeing Ruby break though barriers and not repeating history thanks to her mom and her drive was so powerful to read. A lot of this book focused on parents and especially mothers and I don't want to spoil, but I felt the importance of all the mothers in how this story twisted and turned. It also highlighted missing women and how there is such an imbalance in whose stories get told, who gets the attention and the search and who gets written off. It was tense and dramatic and had my heart racing so many times. I loved it and the ending was so good. I would read this if it ever became a series!
Thanks to the publisher for a free ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.
Thanks to the publisher for a free ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.
July 29, 2026
I really loved the premise of this novel. It’s about a topic, wrongful incarceration (specifically on death row), that I care a lot about! So I was immediately drawn in by the summary and mystery. The overall story was well-written, smart, and so very dark and broody. A good detective tone, for sure.
Aside from that, what I really struggled with was the non-linear timeline. I see the value in going back and forth to explain the present day case versus the origin story, but I really felt like this would have been a more emotionally connecting story for me if it had gone in a traditional timeline. I felt pretty confused a lot of the time because there were so many characters and timeline jumping that I couldn’t track it all with ease. This also made it harder for me to get I to Ruby as a character, which I so badly wanted to do!
Aside from that, what I really struggled with was the non-linear timeline. I see the value in going back and forth to explain the present day case versus the origin story, but I really felt like this would have been a more emotionally connecting story for me if it had gone in a traditional timeline. I felt pretty confused a lot of the time because there were so many characters and timeline jumping that I couldn’t track it all with ease. This also made it harder for me to get I to Ruby as a character, which I so badly wanted to do!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I won this on good reads . I really loved this book . I ended up reading it in one night
Ruby Spencer's official job is freeing innocent men from death row, but she secretly spends her time searching for missing women as well. Her latest case takes her to Georgia to assist a man scheduled for execution in just two weeks. As she investigates, what starts as a routine exoneration turns into a dangerous journey uncovering crimes that lead to shocking revelations about her own life.
Ruby Spencer's official job is freeing innocent men from death row, but she secretly spends her time searching for missing women as well. Her latest case takes her to Georgia to assist a man scheduled for execution in just two weeks. As she investigates, what starts as a routine exoneration turns into a dangerous journey uncovering crimes that lead to shocking revelations about her own life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
As I celebrate 12 years of book blogging, sharing my literary adventures with you, my passion for the perfect intersection of literary fiction and crime thriller suspense has only grown deeper. I am absolutely thrilled to bring you a review of a phenomenal release that masterfully balances a high-stakes, urgent investigative timeline with the luminous, poetic prose of top-tier literary fiction. Written by a real-life death row defense investigator, this book completely blew me away—my first book by the author, and I look forward to reading more!
A Flawless, Deeply Compassionate Literary Thriller Triumph!
Rene Denfeld has delivered an absolute powerhouse of literary suspense with "The Talking Bone." An incredibly moving, tightly paced novel that brilliantly balances a tense, two-week countdown with deep character exploration.
📌 The Hook
~ Georgia investigator Ruby Spencer has exactly two weeks to save a reserved Black man from death row for a murder where the body was never found.
~ A hidden trail of forgotten, marginalized women whose disappearances span from small-town Georgia back to the Pacific Northwest.
~ A complex web of secrets that forces an investigator to retrace a missing mother's past while racing a ticking execution clock.
🛗 Elevator Pitch
Ruby Spencer, known to many as "the exonerator," has dedicated her life to freeing innocent people from death row while quietly searching for missing women. Her latest case takes her to Georgia, where Mitchell Brown faces execution in just fourteen short days for the murder of a gas station attendant. What begins as a routine race against time to prove Mitchell's innocence quickly spirals into a dark, winding mystery that uncovers a history of crimes against women and reveals startling secrets connecting directly back to Ruby’s own enigmatic past as an orphan.
🌲 Setting
The gritty, small-town landscapes of Georgia and the rainy, deeply layered memories of Portland, Oregon, weave a stark contrast between modern Southern justice and Pacific Northwest roots.
🤎Vibe
Grounded yet lyrical, emotionally raw, urgent, and deeply compassionate.
🧠 Themes
~The relentless pursuit of justice for marginalized, forgotten women.
~Systemic racial and social disparities within the capital punishment system.
~Generational trauma, orphanhood, and the pain of missing mothers.
~The reality of real-life defense investigation and wrongful convictions.
👥 Standout Characters
~Ruby Spencer: A fiercely independent, empathetic investigator shaped by a tough upbringing and her mother's disappearance when she was a teenager.
~Mitchell Brown: The quiet, reserved death row inmate whose impending execution drives the central narrative clock.
~Solemn: Mitchell's blind grandfather, who raised him, serves as a poignant, grounding anchor to the family's past.
✍️ Author Writing Standout
Rene Denfeld utilizes her extensive real-life expertise as a licensed defense investigator to ground the procedural elements in authentic, gripping detail. Her prose balances sharp, narrative momentum with an emotionally rich, luminous lyricism that honors victims without ever sensationalizing their pain.
💡 Takeaway
True advocacy requires looking past official courtroom narratives to discover the human truths of the vulnerable, proving that the stories of missing women will always surface if someone is willing to look.
🏷️ Title Significance
"The Talking Bone" serves as a powerful metaphor for the physical remnants of a life and the buried evidence that can still speak for silenced victims—proving that a case is never truly dead as long as someone is willing to listen.
🕊️ Metaphor
The missing body of the gas station attendant acts as a metaphor for the broader, systemic ways that the justice system rushes to final judgments based on incomplete truths and missing pieces.
📖 Why You Should Read
This is a masterclass in compassionate crime fiction. It completely bypasses cheap shock value to deliver a suspenseful, emotionally rich thriller that honors victims and challenges how we view guilt, innocence, and survival.
💬 My Thoughts
Rene Denfeld has delivered an absolute powerhouse of literary suspense." The Talking Bone" is an incredibly emotionally moving, tightly paced novel that brilliantly balances a tense, two-week countdown with deep character exploration. Ruby is a phenomenal protagonist—vulnerable yet unyielding. As my very first read by this author, I was thoroughly impressed by how beautifully she marries gritty crime elements with gorgeous literary prose. It is a heart-wrenching read, yet Denfeld infuses the dark subject matter with an undeniable sense of humanity.
⚖️ Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Stars) —
"An astonishing, heart-wrenching, and fiercely triumphant thriller. Rene Denfeld delivers a stellar blend of literary fiction and crime suspense that will linger with you long after the final page."
📚 Recs or Read Alikes
If you loved the lyrical prose, high-stakes investigation, and profound empathy of Rene Denfeld's The Talking Bone, you will enjoy psychological thrillers and literary mysteries that explore trauma, survival, and deep-seated systemic injustices. Denfeld’s real-life background as a death row investigator gives her work a raw authenticity that few can match.
~The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld
~The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
~Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke
~The Guardians by John Grisham
~Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Audio 🎧 Standout
The audiobook version features excellent dual narration by Allyson Ryan and James Shippy. The alternating voices perfectly capture both Ruby's urgent investigative drive and the poignant, generational echoes of Mitchell's past.
Blog review featured @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 21, 2026
July 2026 Just Read Books
July Newsletter
A Flawless, Deeply Compassionate Literary Thriller Triumph!
Rene Denfeld has delivered an absolute powerhouse of literary suspense with "The Talking Bone." An incredibly moving, tightly paced novel that brilliantly balances a tense, two-week countdown with deep character exploration.
📌 The Hook
~ Georgia investigator Ruby Spencer has exactly two weeks to save a reserved Black man from death row for a murder where the body was never found.
~ A hidden trail of forgotten, marginalized women whose disappearances span from small-town Georgia back to the Pacific Northwest.
~ A complex web of secrets that forces an investigator to retrace a missing mother's past while racing a ticking execution clock.
🛗 Elevator Pitch
Ruby Spencer, known to many as "the exonerator," has dedicated her life to freeing innocent people from death row while quietly searching for missing women. Her latest case takes her to Georgia, where Mitchell Brown faces execution in just fourteen short days for the murder of a gas station attendant. What begins as a routine race against time to prove Mitchell's innocence quickly spirals into a dark, winding mystery that uncovers a history of crimes against women and reveals startling secrets connecting directly back to Ruby’s own enigmatic past as an orphan.
🌲 Setting
The gritty, small-town landscapes of Georgia and the rainy, deeply layered memories of Portland, Oregon, weave a stark contrast between modern Southern justice and Pacific Northwest roots.
🤎Vibe
Grounded yet lyrical, emotionally raw, urgent, and deeply compassionate.
🧠 Themes
~The relentless pursuit of justice for marginalized, forgotten women.
~Systemic racial and social disparities within the capital punishment system.
~Generational trauma, orphanhood, and the pain of missing mothers.
~The reality of real-life defense investigation and wrongful convictions.
👥 Standout Characters
~Ruby Spencer: A fiercely independent, empathetic investigator shaped by a tough upbringing and her mother's disappearance when she was a teenager.
~Mitchell Brown: The quiet, reserved death row inmate whose impending execution drives the central narrative clock.
~Solemn: Mitchell's blind grandfather, who raised him, serves as a poignant, grounding anchor to the family's past.
✍️ Author Writing Standout
Rene Denfeld utilizes her extensive real-life expertise as a licensed defense investigator to ground the procedural elements in authentic, gripping detail. Her prose balances sharp, narrative momentum with an emotionally rich, luminous lyricism that honors victims without ever sensationalizing their pain.
💡 Takeaway
True advocacy requires looking past official courtroom narratives to discover the human truths of the vulnerable, proving that the stories of missing women will always surface if someone is willing to look.
🏷️ Title Significance
"The Talking Bone" serves as a powerful metaphor for the physical remnants of a life and the buried evidence that can still speak for silenced victims—proving that a case is never truly dead as long as someone is willing to listen.
🕊️ Metaphor
The missing body of the gas station attendant acts as a metaphor for the broader, systemic ways that the justice system rushes to final judgments based on incomplete truths and missing pieces.
📖 Why You Should Read
This is a masterclass in compassionate crime fiction. It completely bypasses cheap shock value to deliver a suspenseful, emotionally rich thriller that honors victims and challenges how we view guilt, innocence, and survival.
💬 My Thoughts
Rene Denfeld has delivered an absolute powerhouse of literary suspense." The Talking Bone" is an incredibly emotionally moving, tightly paced novel that brilliantly balances a tense, two-week countdown with deep character exploration. Ruby is a phenomenal protagonist—vulnerable yet unyielding. As my very first read by this author, I was thoroughly impressed by how beautifully she marries gritty crime elements with gorgeous literary prose. It is a heart-wrenching read, yet Denfeld infuses the dark subject matter with an undeniable sense of humanity.
⚖️ Verdict ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5 Stars) —
"An astonishing, heart-wrenching, and fiercely triumphant thriller. Rene Denfeld delivers a stellar blend of literary fiction and crime suspense that will linger with you long after the final page."
📚 Recs or Read Alikes
If you loved the lyrical prose, high-stakes investigation, and profound empathy of Rene Denfeld's The Talking Bone, you will enjoy psychological thrillers and literary mysteries that explore trauma, survival, and deep-seated systemic injustices. Denfeld’s real-life background as a death row investigator gives her work a raw authenticity that few can match.
~The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld
~The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
~Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke
~The Guardians by John Grisham
~Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Audio 🎧 Standout
The audiobook version features excellent dual narration by Allyson Ryan and James Shippy. The alternating voices perfectly capture both Ruby's urgent investigative drive and the poignant, generational echoes of Mitchell's past.
Blog review featured @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: July 21, 2026
July 2026 Just Read Books
July Newsletter
July 30, 2026
The Talking Bone by Rene Denfeld
Narrated by Allyson Ryan, James Shippy
This is my second book by this author and I want to go back and listen to more of her books. I have to mention Allyson Ryan's narration, because I loved it when I listened to the book, Long Bright River by Liz Moore. As soon as I heard Allyson's voice, I was all set for this story. There is such a melancholy atmosphere to both books, made even sadder, by the actual stories. So I was able to sink right into this story, immediately, and it's a good one. I know I would have enjoyed it just as much if I had read the book.
Ruby Spencer is known as “the exonerator.” She works as if her life depends on it to attempt to free innocent men from death row. Ideally, she will have two years or more to do her work because it's all a slow process, real feet on the ground physical work, plus digging through mountains of paperwork, literally or online. There are people to interview, professionals involved in the cases, friends, family, enemies, and more. This all takes time and the pay is abysmal but Ruby does this because doing so is what makes her tick.
Ruby also looks for missing women, dozens and dozens and dozens of missing women. Her apartment contains a map with colored flags designating every missing woman on her radar. She has a very personal connection to missing women, you could say missing runs in the family. Some people call her missing women search a side job but searching for missing women, a job that pays nothing, is just as much Ruby's job as her (poorly) paid "exonerator" job.
We will meet the young black man, still young but made old by years in prison, who appears to have been framed for something he didn't do. There is all kinds of evidence, or there was evidence, but so much of it seems to be missing. Also, many avenues of inquiry seem to have been ignored or bungled. And while Ruby is investigating, she is seeing very real ties to missing women, maybe even ties that are personal.
The story starts slowly while in reality Ruby only has less than two weeks to save a man's life. So lots goes on in a short time and as Rudy digs deeper, my interest in all aspects of this story grew. I felt sad and angry and frustrated as I read this book. So much is wrong in this world, so many people suffer, and these things continue in our everyday lives.
Published July 21, 2026 by Harper
Audiobook from my library through Libby
Narrated by Allyson Ryan, James Shippy
This is my second book by this author and I want to go back and listen to more of her books. I have to mention Allyson Ryan's narration, because I loved it when I listened to the book, Long Bright River by Liz Moore. As soon as I heard Allyson's voice, I was all set for this story. There is such a melancholy atmosphere to both books, made even sadder, by the actual stories. So I was able to sink right into this story, immediately, and it's a good one. I know I would have enjoyed it just as much if I had read the book.
Ruby Spencer is known as “the exonerator.” She works as if her life depends on it to attempt to free innocent men from death row. Ideally, she will have two years or more to do her work because it's all a slow process, real feet on the ground physical work, plus digging through mountains of paperwork, literally or online. There are people to interview, professionals involved in the cases, friends, family, enemies, and more. This all takes time and the pay is abysmal but Ruby does this because doing so is what makes her tick.
Ruby also looks for missing women, dozens and dozens and dozens of missing women. Her apartment contains a map with colored flags designating every missing woman on her radar. She has a very personal connection to missing women, you could say missing runs in the family. Some people call her missing women search a side job but searching for missing women, a job that pays nothing, is just as much Ruby's job as her (poorly) paid "exonerator" job.
We will meet the young black man, still young but made old by years in prison, who appears to have been framed for something he didn't do. There is all kinds of evidence, or there was evidence, but so much of it seems to be missing. Also, many avenues of inquiry seem to have been ignored or bungled. And while Ruby is investigating, she is seeing very real ties to missing women, maybe even ties that are personal.
The story starts slowly while in reality Ruby only has less than two weeks to save a man's life. So lots goes on in a short time and as Rudy digs deeper, my interest in all aspects of this story grew. I felt sad and angry and frustrated as I read this book. So much is wrong in this world, so many people suffer, and these things continue in our everyday lives.
Published July 21, 2026 by Harper
Audiobook from my library through Libby
August 2, 2026
This is the best of the four books from this author I've read. I hope it becomes a series, but it's not set up that way. The author had a previous series for which the plug was pulled after two, I assume because the world wasn't ready for stories that, in part, tell children's accounts of being abducted and abused by predators. They followed a woman who made it her life's mission to track down what happened to abducted children after police had given up looking.
In this book, there's a similar woman — this one has made it her life's mission to track down what happened to abducted adult women after police have given up looking or never really looked in the first place. That work doesn't pay the bills so, to make ends meet, she works as an "exonerator," an investigator for appeals lawyers seeking to find evidence of innocence in death penalty cases.
Here, a man with two weeks before his execution gets assigned to her and he's from her same small town in Oregon. Both had mothers go missing.
This was 5 stars all the way. Few writers capture the inside details of the death row ecosystem as she does. (See her dream-like book "The Enchanted.) The ache of poverty and an unsympathetic system become real in her hands.
But the ending reminded me too much of Robert Altman's classic movie "The Player." I won't say more than that to avoid spoilers, but suffice it to say, she didn't need the Hollywood ending. There were plenty of more realistic ways to achieve the exact same outcome, and those other ways would feel more true to the story that proceeded. I hope an editor twisted the author's arm into this ending and that she'll be free to write her own ending next time.
In this book, there's a similar woman — this one has made it her life's mission to track down what happened to abducted adult women after police have given up looking or never really looked in the first place. That work doesn't pay the bills so, to make ends meet, she works as an "exonerator," an investigator for appeals lawyers seeking to find evidence of innocence in death penalty cases.
Here, a man with two weeks before his execution gets assigned to her and he's from her same small town in Oregon. Both had mothers go missing.
This was 5 stars all the way. Few writers capture the inside details of the death row ecosystem as she does. (See her dream-like book "The Enchanted.) The ache of poverty and an unsympathetic system become real in her hands.
But the ending reminded me too much of Robert Altman's classic movie "The Player." I won't say more than that to avoid spoilers, but suffice it to say, she didn't need the Hollywood ending. There were plenty of more realistic ways to achieve the exact same outcome, and those other ways would feel more true to the story that proceeded. I hope an editor twisted the author's arm into this ending and that she'll be free to write her own ending next time.
July 30, 2026
Atmospheric mystery thriller focused on exonerating a death row inmate.
Death row investigator, Ruby Spencer, known as the exonerator, travels to Georgia with just two weeks to prove the innocence of a man facing execution for the murder of a gas station cashier. While racing against the clock, Ruby also uses her skills to track down missing women who have been overlooked by society. The investigation soon unearths long-buried secrets that connect the death row case to dark truths about Ruby’s own past and family origins.
Although the premise was solid, there are a lot of things going on in this book that require suspension of disbelief at the coincidences and parallels. The core story and procedural elements are halfway decent, keeping a steady pace as the timeline winds down. The author, however, loses me when she pushes the atmospheric and supernatural elements with the bone giving her clues and information that feel out of place and detract from what could have been a sharp grounded mystery. If you strip away that extra magical realism fluff, it’s enjoyable but didn’t live up to my expectations and its full potential.
I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The production had two narrators, with the primary being Allyson Ryan. I had a really difficult time tolerating her breathy and overly dramatic voice with her pauses and how difficult it was to differentiate between Ruby and the other female characters who all sounded the same. The character of Mitchell was voiced by James Shippy who did a good job for those short parts. I typically really enjoy the immersive experience of listening while reading.
Death row investigator, Ruby Spencer, known as the exonerator, travels to Georgia with just two weeks to prove the innocence of a man facing execution for the murder of a gas station cashier. While racing against the clock, Ruby also uses her skills to track down missing women who have been overlooked by society. The investigation soon unearths long-buried secrets that connect the death row case to dark truths about Ruby’s own past and family origins.
Although the premise was solid, there are a lot of things going on in this book that require suspension of disbelief at the coincidences and parallels. The core story and procedural elements are halfway decent, keeping a steady pace as the timeline winds down. The author, however, loses me when she pushes the atmospheric and supernatural elements with the bone giving her clues and information that feel out of place and detract from what could have been a sharp grounded mystery. If you strip away that extra magical realism fluff, it’s enjoyable but didn’t live up to my expectations and its full potential.
I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The production had two narrators, with the primary being Allyson Ryan. I had a really difficult time tolerating her breathy and overly dramatic voice with her pauses and how difficult it was to differentiate between Ruby and the other female characters who all sounded the same. The character of Mitchell was voiced by James Shippy who did a good job for those short parts. I typically really enjoy the immersive experience of listening while reading.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Looking for your next unputdownable read?
📚 I’ve got four incredible, wildly different books to add to your TBR today!
Here is my honest, unfiltered breakdown:
🌊 The Sea Hides Its Dead by Megan Bontrager
The Vibe: The Descent meets The Ritual.
The Plot: Academics trapped in a sea cave by an ancient ocean cult must atone for their sins to survive.
My Take: Gritty, claustrophobic, and terrifying. A must-read for horror and survival-thriller junkies.
🔪 The House Guest by Jennifer Pashley
The Vibe: Propulsive psychological suspense with domestic drama.
The Plot: A struggling chef takes a live-in gig for a reclusive author and gets caught in a toxic, seductive marital triangle.
My Take: A dizzying slow-burn full of mind games and messy secrets. Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers.
🎲 The Kings of Vegas by Karen Mack & Jennifer Kaufman
The Vibe: Succession energy meets high-stakes Sin City mob drama.
The Plot: A brilliant math whiz returns to Vegas to run her late father’s casino empire alongside her fractured siblings.
My Take: Fast-paced and highly entertaining. It’s packed with family rivalry, romance, and corporate espionage.
🦴 The Talking Bone by Rene Denfeld
The Vibe: A deeply emotional, urgent investigative thriller.
The Plot: An exonerator races a two-week clock to save an innocent man on death row, uncovering secrets from her own past.
My Take: Beautiful, haunting, and written with incredible empathy. Bring tissues for this one.
✨️ Thank you, Run For It, Little, Brown and Company, William Morrow, Harper, and the authors for the copies!
📚 I’ve got four incredible, wildly different books to add to your TBR today!
Here is my honest, unfiltered breakdown:
🌊 The Sea Hides Its Dead by Megan Bontrager
The Vibe: The Descent meets The Ritual.
The Plot: Academics trapped in a sea cave by an ancient ocean cult must atone for their sins to survive.
My Take: Gritty, claustrophobic, and terrifying. A must-read for horror and survival-thriller junkies.
🔪 The House Guest by Jennifer Pashley
The Vibe: Propulsive psychological suspense with domestic drama.
The Plot: A struggling chef takes a live-in gig for a reclusive author and gets caught in a toxic, seductive marital triangle.
My Take: A dizzying slow-burn full of mind games and messy secrets. Perfect for fans of domestic thrillers.
🎲 The Kings of Vegas by Karen Mack & Jennifer Kaufman
The Vibe: Succession energy meets high-stakes Sin City mob drama.
The Plot: A brilliant math whiz returns to Vegas to run her late father’s casino empire alongside her fractured siblings.
My Take: Fast-paced and highly entertaining. It’s packed with family rivalry, romance, and corporate espionage.
🦴 The Talking Bone by Rene Denfeld
The Vibe: A deeply emotional, urgent investigative thriller.
The Plot: An exonerator races a two-week clock to save an innocent man on death row, uncovering secrets from her own past.
My Take: Beautiful, haunting, and written with incredible empathy. Bring tissues for this one.
✨️ Thank you, Run For It, Little, Brown and Company, William Morrow, Harper, and the authors for the copies!
July 22, 2026
Ruby Spencer, the Exonerator, has been called in as a Hail Mary move.
Mitchell Brown, an innocent man, is scheduled to be executed by the state of Georgia in fourteen days.
It's a race against the clock for Ruby with her spending time in Oregon and Georgia as she tries to sift through evidence (what little is there) and follow the many rabbit trails that pop up.
📚I have been a fan of Rene Denfeld's books since I read The Child Finder in 2017. This book is filled with her signature blend of literary fiction and a compelling mystery. A book I read in 2018 also came to mind: The Mercy Seat.
🦴There is a bone that communicates clues to some of the characters. It was an interesting method to help move the investigation along. Who did the bone belong to?
🕵Ruby is an inspiring character. She lives on a shoestring and knows how to travel cheaply. Her work as an Exonerator gives her just a bit of income and she uses the rest of her time to find missing women.
🎧Kudos to Harper Audio for producing a compelling audio read with Allyson Ryan and James Shippy as narrators. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for a review.
Happy Publication Day (July 21, 2026). Thank you also to Harper and Edelweiss+ for a digital copy that helped me to zip to the end more quickly.
Mitchell Brown, an innocent man, is scheduled to be executed by the state of Georgia in fourteen days.
It's a race against the clock for Ruby with her spending time in Oregon and Georgia as she tries to sift through evidence (what little is there) and follow the many rabbit trails that pop up.
📚I have been a fan of Rene Denfeld's books since I read The Child Finder in 2017. This book is filled with her signature blend of literary fiction and a compelling mystery. A book I read in 2018 also came to mind: The Mercy Seat.
🦴There is a bone that communicates clues to some of the characters. It was an interesting method to help move the investigation along. Who did the bone belong to?
🕵Ruby is an inspiring character. She lives on a shoestring and knows how to travel cheaply. Her work as an Exonerator gives her just a bit of income and she uses the rest of her time to find missing women.
🎧Kudos to Harper Audio for producing a compelling audio read with Allyson Ryan and James Shippy as narrators. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for a review.
Happy Publication Day (July 21, 2026). Thank you also to Harper and Edelweiss+ for a digital copy that helped me to zip to the end more quickly.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
I opted to read this title based primarily on the author, as I have read some of her books before and really enjoyed them. Also, she's from my home state of Oregon and bases her books there, and I tend to enjoy books set in the PNW.
While I did enjoy this book, it didn't resonate with me in the same way as her previous works. I liked the premise of the story, and the interconnectedness of the lives of the characters. They seemed like true, unique, perhaps slightly flawed individuals, yet still mostly redeemable (well, minus the one major exception...). The big reveal near the end of the story was also a positive aspect, as I did not anticipate it and felt like it wrapped things up nicely.
However, a couple of aspects made it challenging for me to fully delve into the world of this story. I struggled to keep track of the timeline based on the inconsistent reference points. Also, the omniscient third-person narrative voice that included the direct perspective of several characters, as well as the breaking of the fourth wall to have that narrative voice 'speak' directly at the reader, took away from some of the magic of the story - for me, at least.
Ultimately, though, the characters, the setting, and the overall plot made it a worthwhile read, and I will definitely pick up more books by this author in the future.
*Note: I received an Advance Digital Copy of this title from the publisher, via Edelweiss+, in exchange for my honest review.
I opted to read this title based primarily on the author, as I have read some of her books before and really enjoyed them. Also, she's from my home state of Oregon and bases her books there, and I tend to enjoy books set in the PNW.
While I did enjoy this book, it didn't resonate with me in the same way as her previous works. I liked the premise of the story, and the interconnectedness of the lives of the characters. They seemed like true, unique, perhaps slightly flawed individuals, yet still mostly redeemable (well, minus the one major exception...). The big reveal near the end of the story was also a positive aspect, as I did not anticipate it and felt like it wrapped things up nicely.
However, a couple of aspects made it challenging for me to fully delve into the world of this story. I struggled to keep track of the timeline based on the inconsistent reference points. Also, the omniscient third-person narrative voice that included the direct perspective of several characters, as well as the breaking of the fourth wall to have that narrative voice 'speak' directly at the reader, took away from some of the magic of the story - for me, at least.
Ultimately, though, the characters, the setting, and the overall plot made it a worthwhile read, and I will definitely pick up more books by this author in the future.
*Note: I received an Advance Digital Copy of this title from the publisher, via Edelweiss+, in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: The Talking Bone
Author: Rene Denfeld
Narrators: Allyson Ryan and James Shippy
Format: 🎧
Publisher: HarperAudio Adult | Harper
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: July 21, 2026
My Rating: 3.5
Stars
Ruby Spencer is an investigator known as “the exonerator” who works to free innocent men from death row and also devoted time to finding missing women. She is the orphaned daughter of an orphaned mother and works hard to help those who have been mistreated.
Her newest case takes her to Georgia, and involves a man set to be executed in two weeks. What begins as a routine exoneration unexpectedly sends Ruby down a winding path. Pursuing the truth, she begins to uncover crimes that lead to startling revelations about her own life.
I was drawn to this story as I liked the blurb however, it
is a difficult one for me to rate – it was sad and dark. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t good but was far from an enjoyable read for me.
The narrators were both great at performing the characters and gave what I felt was a true picture.
About the Author~ In addition to writing and being a successful author Ms. Denfeld continues to work in justice, having worked hundreds of cases over the years, including exonerations, death row and helping trafficking victims.
She lives in Portland, Oregon, where she is a happy foster and adoptive mother.
This story was inspired by her work exonerating innocents.
Want to thank NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult/Harper for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 21, 2026.
Author: Rene Denfeld
Narrators: Allyson Ryan and James Shippy
Format: 🎧
Publisher: HarperAudio Adult | Harper
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: July 21, 2026
My Rating: 3.5
Stars
Ruby Spencer is an investigator known as “the exonerator” who works to free innocent men from death row and also devoted time to finding missing women. She is the orphaned daughter of an orphaned mother and works hard to help those who have been mistreated.
Her newest case takes her to Georgia, and involves a man set to be executed in two weeks. What begins as a routine exoneration unexpectedly sends Ruby down a winding path. Pursuing the truth, she begins to uncover crimes that lead to startling revelations about her own life.
I was drawn to this story as I liked the blurb however, it
is a difficult one for me to rate – it was sad and dark. Doesn’t mean it wasn’t good but was far from an enjoyable read for me.
The narrators were both great at performing the characters and gave what I felt was a true picture.
About the Author~ In addition to writing and being a successful author Ms. Denfeld continues to work in justice, having worked hundreds of cases over the years, including exonerations, death row and helping trafficking victims.
She lives in Portland, Oregon, where she is a happy foster and adoptive mother.
This story was inspired by her work exonerating innocents.
Want to thank NetGalley and HarperAudio Adult/Harper for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for July 21, 2026.
July 23, 2026
I was thrilled to get an early look at this novel via NetGalley.
Rene Denfeld’s The Talking Bone is an incredibly powerful, beautifully written mystery-thriller that balances procedural stakes with an atmospheric, near-mystical heart.
Denfeld draws from her real-life experience as a death-row investigator to deliver a story that is as morally complex as it is emotionally gripping.
Denfeld's real-world expertise shines brightly through every page.
Denfeld writes about heavy, devastating systemic failures and breathes life into a Southern setting and treats the victims of institutional abuse with immense dignity.
There is a Magical Realism Touch to this novel. The concept of a literal "talking bone" that speaks to those who listen acts as a profound thematic device, but I felt it was confusing and hard to follow at some points; finding myself re-reading certain pages to figure out if it is a straightforward legal procedural section of the novel or the magical realism of the “talking bone”.
The story dives into incredibly dark corners, showcasing institutional cruelty, violent misogyny, and child neglect. It is a gorgeous read, but readers should be prepared for its intense and sensitive imagery.
I am giving this a highly deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars!
It is a tight, fast-paced thriller. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves character-driven mysteries, atmospheric procedurals, and books with a strong focus on social justice and redemption.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audio version of the ARC.
Rene Denfeld’s The Talking Bone is an incredibly powerful, beautifully written mystery-thriller that balances procedural stakes with an atmospheric, near-mystical heart.
Denfeld draws from her real-life experience as a death-row investigator to deliver a story that is as morally complex as it is emotionally gripping.
Denfeld's real-world expertise shines brightly through every page.
Denfeld writes about heavy, devastating systemic failures and breathes life into a Southern setting and treats the victims of institutional abuse with immense dignity.
There is a Magical Realism Touch to this novel. The concept of a literal "talking bone" that speaks to those who listen acts as a profound thematic device, but I felt it was confusing and hard to follow at some points; finding myself re-reading certain pages to figure out if it is a straightforward legal procedural section of the novel or the magical realism of the “talking bone”.
The story dives into incredibly dark corners, showcasing institutional cruelty, violent misogyny, and child neglect. It is a gorgeous read, but readers should be prepared for its intense and sensitive imagery.
I am giving this a highly deserved 4.5 out of 5 stars!
It is a tight, fast-paced thriller. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves character-driven mysteries, atmospheric procedurals, and books with a strong focus on social justice and redemption.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audio version of the ARC.
July 24, 2026
4.5 Exonerator Stars
This is my fifth book by this author, and I am a huge fan! I was excited to read her latest book, “The Talking Bone.” I flew through this compelling tale, and the ending was a powerhouse one!
Ruby Spencer is the main character in this one, and she really resonated with me. I grew to love her story and to root for her in this compelling tale. Ruby is the Exonerator, known for her work with death row inmates. She has successfully helped innocent men, and sadly, some were exonerated posthumously. What many don’t know is that Ruby also has a side mission of trying to find missing women.
Through this book, we follow one case, following Ruby from her hometown in Oregon to Georgia. She’s only got two weeks before the execution date, and she has to work through details that countless others have reviewed. It was fascinating to read about her process and to root for her and the condemned man, who clearly was beaten into a confession and not guilty.
The clock is definitely ticking here, and Ruby’s own past is relevant to the story. There is a bit of assistance from ghosts in this one. The ending was riveting, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened.
I truly enjoyed this character, and I hope that there are more Ruby stories ahead!
Don’t miss the author’s notes and her background that shape this story.
My thanks to Harper for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.
This is my fifth book by this author, and I am a huge fan! I was excited to read her latest book, “The Talking Bone.” I flew through this compelling tale, and the ending was a powerhouse one!
Ruby Spencer is the main character in this one, and she really resonated with me. I grew to love her story and to root for her in this compelling tale. Ruby is the Exonerator, known for her work with death row inmates. She has successfully helped innocent men, and sadly, some were exonerated posthumously. What many don’t know is that Ruby also has a side mission of trying to find missing women.
Through this book, we follow one case, following Ruby from her hometown in Oregon to Georgia. She’s only got two weeks before the execution date, and she has to work through details that countless others have reviewed. It was fascinating to read about her process and to root for her and the condemned man, who clearly was beaten into a confession and not guilty.
The clock is definitely ticking here, and Ruby’s own past is relevant to the story. There is a bit of assistance from ghosts in this one. The ending was riveting, and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened.
I truly enjoyed this character, and I hope that there are more Ruby stories ahead!
Don’t miss the author’s notes and her background that shape this story.
My thanks to Harper for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Talking Bone by Rene Denfeld. Thanks to Harper books for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ruby Spencer works to exonerate innocent men on death row. She’s known for it but most don’t know she also searches for missing women. Her newest case takes her to Georgia and a man set for execution in two weeks, where she starts uncovering crimes and learning about her own background.
I loved Denfeld’s last book, Sleeping Giants, so I knew I was in for another treat. She has a way of writing that is hypnotizing and makes it hard to put the book down. I loved the main character and could see more books with her and different convicts she is exonerated. I would read them! I loved the slight magical realism with the talking bone and how it served as a stepping stone to the past. There were a lot of characters that I had difficulty keeping track of but I think it’s because I read this one over a longer period of time than I usually would due to life events.
“Being innocent was not an inoculation against injustice.”
“It was said that sometimes the sharp edge of a bone - the voice - could break through. That was why people had the bury the dead. So they no longer had to hear what they had to say.”
Read if you like:
-Murder investigations
-Missing women stories
-Small southern town atmosphere
-Exoneration work
The Talking Bone comes out 7/21.
Ruby Spencer works to exonerate innocent men on death row. She’s known for it but most don’t know she also searches for missing women. Her newest case takes her to Georgia and a man set for execution in two weeks, where she starts uncovering crimes and learning about her own background.
I loved Denfeld’s last book, Sleeping Giants, so I knew I was in for another treat. She has a way of writing that is hypnotizing and makes it hard to put the book down. I loved the main character and could see more books with her and different convicts she is exonerated. I would read them! I loved the slight magical realism with the talking bone and how it served as a stepping stone to the past. There were a lot of characters that I had difficulty keeping track of but I think it’s because I read this one over a longer period of time than I usually would due to life events.
“Being innocent was not an inoculation against injustice.”
“It was said that sometimes the sharp edge of a bone - the voice - could break through. That was why people had the bury the dead. So they no longer had to hear what they had to say.”
Read if you like:
-Murder investigations
-Missing women stories
-Small southern town atmosphere
-Exoneration work
The Talking Bone comes out 7/21.
July 30, 2026
The Talking Bone by Rene Denfeld
Synopsis: Ruby is an exonerator and tirelessly working on cases to acquit unfortunate people sitting on death row. She is given a case of a young man from her hometown that intermingles with her past.
This book was wonderfully written with a slow buildup to the plot and crucial past/present point of view to bring things all together in the end. I couldn’t put it down and as I tried to solve the case with Ruby; I was both filled with dread and anticipation for the conclusion! Not only was the story intriguing, it’s also very compelling. Its themes are dark and force the reader to contemplate the innocent that are currently sitting in prisons all over the country today.
There are real people who are working, without much pay, to absolve the guiltless. This story forces the reader to acknowledge the power dynamics and injustice that befall people who are economically vulnerable and often in the minority, with no means to defend themselves in our country.
I highly recommend if this is something you are interested in. It’s under the genre umbrella of mystery/thriller and even horror. I am often annoyed when a book is placed in said genres without containing freaky, scary or gruesome matters but in truth injustice is horrific and should be treated as such.
Synopsis: Ruby is an exonerator and tirelessly working on cases to acquit unfortunate people sitting on death row. She is given a case of a young man from her hometown that intermingles with her past.
This book was wonderfully written with a slow buildup to the plot and crucial past/present point of view to bring things all together in the end. I couldn’t put it down and as I tried to solve the case with Ruby; I was both filled with dread and anticipation for the conclusion! Not only was the story intriguing, it’s also very compelling. Its themes are dark and force the reader to contemplate the innocent that are currently sitting in prisons all over the country today.
There are real people who are working, without much pay, to absolve the guiltless. This story forces the reader to acknowledge the power dynamics and injustice that befall people who are economically vulnerable and often in the minority, with no means to defend themselves in our country.
I highly recommend if this is something you are interested in. It’s under the genre umbrella of mystery/thriller and even horror. I am often annoyed when a book is placed in said genres without containing freaky, scary or gruesome matters but in truth injustice is horrific and should be treated as such.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Ruby Spencer is known as “The Exonerator.” Her job is to free innocent men from Death Row.
She also works passionately to locate missing women. Ruby’s mother mysteriously vanished when she was young. She wants to give these women dignity and help their families find closure.
While investigating her latest case, Ruby finds that she and the inmate Mitchell have some interesting things in common. She also has two weeks to clear his name before the execution.
Ruby has no idea that her two passions are about to collide!
If you enjoy atmospheric, mysterious thrillers, you should preorder this book.
The Talking Bone is also interesting, because it is based on Denfeld’s real life experiences as a licensed investigator working for a public defender.
I think The Talking Bone could easily be the first book in a series!
Release date is July 21, 2026.
Thank you HarperCollins for sending me this ARC.
She also works passionately to locate missing women. Ruby’s mother mysteriously vanished when she was young. She wants to give these women dignity and help their families find closure.
While investigating her latest case, Ruby finds that she and the inmate Mitchell have some interesting things in common. She also has two weeks to clear his name before the execution.
Ruby has no idea that her two passions are about to collide!
If you enjoy atmospheric, mysterious thrillers, you should preorder this book.
The Talking Bone is also interesting, because it is based on Denfeld’s real life experiences as a licensed investigator working for a public defender.
I think The Talking Bone could easily be the first book in a series!
Release date is July 21, 2026.
Thank you HarperCollins for sending me this ARC.
July 26, 2026
I really enjoyed following Ruby as she worked to help her death row client.
The story itself is really interesting. Ruby is working not only to help death row inmates, but also to look for missing women. Her newest client has exhausted all avenues, and Ruby is his last hope.
Ruby goes back to his hometown, which coincidentally is also her own. And that's not the only way their lives overlapped. Ruby finds herself in danger from an unknown person who is following her, the mystery of missing women, and how she can uncover the one clue that could help her client.
You can tell the author has worked in this field. Everything felt very real in the way the investigations worked. She was able to write a compelling story that had me hooked from the beginning, and I couldn't wait to see how it was all going to play out. Would she get her client exonerated? Would she find out what happened to the missing women? I read this in one sitting and was on the edge of my seat the whole time.
The story itself is really interesting. Ruby is working not only to help death row inmates, but also to look for missing women. Her newest client has exhausted all avenues, and Ruby is his last hope.
Ruby goes back to his hometown, which coincidentally is also her own. And that's not the only way their lives overlapped. Ruby finds herself in danger from an unknown person who is following her, the mystery of missing women, and how she can uncover the one clue that could help her client.
You can tell the author has worked in this field. Everything felt very real in the way the investigations worked. She was able to write a compelling story that had me hooked from the beginning, and I couldn't wait to see how it was all going to play out. Would she get her client exonerated? Would she find out what happened to the missing women? I read this in one sitting and was on the edge of my seat the whole time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ruby Spencer is an exonerator. She travels all over the country to visit death row inmates who claim innocence. It's Ruby's job to investigate thoroughly to find proof of the inmates' innocence before it's too late. Typically Ruby has months to do her research. With her newest case, she has 10 days.
Mitchell was just a young man when he moved to Georgia for a new job opportunity. After celebrating at a bar one evening, an inebriated Mitchell drove off and was later found passed out in the parking lot of a gas station; a gas station whose attendant is missing; a gas station whose counter is full of blood.
Mitchell is convicted of the crime and sentenced to death. His lawyer asks for Ruby's help to pull off a last minute miracle and prove Mitchell's innocence before it's too late. As Ruby races against time, she uncovers errors and deceit in the previous investigation.
Rene Denfeld has written a rollercoaster of a novel, part mystery, part drama, part suspense, and a little whimsical, and completely unputdownable.
Mitchell was just a young man when he moved to Georgia for a new job opportunity. After celebrating at a bar one evening, an inebriated Mitchell drove off and was later found passed out in the parking lot of a gas station; a gas station whose attendant is missing; a gas station whose counter is full of blood.
Mitchell is convicted of the crime and sentenced to death. His lawyer asks for Ruby's help to pull off a last minute miracle and prove Mitchell's innocence before it's too late. As Ruby races against time, she uncovers errors and deceit in the previous investigation.
Rene Denfeld has written a rollercoaster of a novel, part mystery, part drama, part suspense, and a little whimsical, and completely unputdownable.
June 30, 2026
The Talking Bone is a beautifully written story about family, tragedy, and the pursuit of justice. When Ruby, a private investigator who specializes in exonerating death row inmates, is handed a case with only a two week deadline, long buried secrets in a small town in Georgia begin to surface.
The author skillfully blends an emotionally resonant family story with a haunting mystery, creating a compelling read that kept me invested throughout. The audiobook narrators delivered thoughtful performances that perfectly matched the somber tone of the novel and enhanced the overall experience.
I had the pleasure of listening to this ARC audiobook courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The author skillfully blends an emotionally resonant family story with a haunting mystery, creating a compelling read that kept me invested throughout. The audiobook narrators delivered thoughtful performances that perfectly matched the somber tone of the novel and enhanced the overall experience.
I had the pleasure of listening to this ARC audiobook courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews