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Briar Calloway #1
The Bonekeeper's Bride
I arrested him on our anniversary, and now I have to beg him for help on the day of his execution.
For three years, I’ve tried to scrub the memory of Adrian Calloway from my mind. To the world, he was the devastatingly handsome, wealthy neurosurgeon who charmed D.C. high society. To the FBI, he was The Bonekeeper. He stopped his victims’ hearts with a lover’s touch, then posed them in public like living dolls.
And to me? He was the man I promised to love until death do us part.
Now, the clock is ticking. In twelve hours, Adrian will get the needle. But the nightmare has started again. A woman was found this morning standing in the National Gallery, gazing at a painting. The M.E. says she’s been dead for eight hours.
It’s Adrian’s signature. Impossible, unless someone on the outside is continuing his collection.
With the Bureau stumped and the city terrified, I have no choice but to walk back into the cage with the man who broke my heart. Adrian is willing to talk, but he doesn’t want a commuted sentence; he wants to play one last game.
He wants inside my head again.
I put the love of my life on Death Row, but now he’s the only one who can help me catch a copycat.
For three years, I’ve tried to scrub the memory of Adrian Calloway from my mind. To the world, he was the devastatingly handsome, wealthy neurosurgeon who charmed D.C. high society. To the FBI, he was The Bonekeeper. He stopped his victims’ hearts with a lover’s touch, then posed them in public like living dolls.
And to me? He was the man I promised to love until death do us part.
Now, the clock is ticking. In twelve hours, Adrian will get the needle. But the nightmare has started again. A woman was found this morning standing in the National Gallery, gazing at a painting. The M.E. says she’s been dead for eight hours.
It’s Adrian’s signature. Impossible, unless someone on the outside is continuing his collection.
With the Bureau stumped and the city terrified, I have no choice but to walk back into the cage with the man who broke my heart. Adrian is willing to talk, but he doesn’t want a commuted sentence; he wants to play one last game.
He wants inside my head again.
I put the love of my life on Death Row, but now he’s the only one who can help me catch a copycat.
382 pages, Paperback
Published January 25, 2026
About the author
Georgia Wagner
98 books194 followersHaving worked on projects with New York Times Bestsellers and USA Today bestsellers, Georgia Wagner recently hit #1 bestseller with her newest series. Location and character are two big factors for Georgia, and getting those right allows the story to flow seamlessly onto the page. And flow it does, because Georgia is so prolific a new term is required to describe the rate at which nerve-tingling stories find their way into print.
When not found attached to a laptop, Georgia likes spending time in local arboretums, among the trees and ponds. An avid cultivator of orchids, begonias, and all things floral, Georgia also has a strong penchant for art, paintings, and sculptures. A many-decades-long passion for mystery novels and years of chess tournament experience makes Georgia the perfect person to pen the Artemis Blythe series. That's where it all started, but the drive to craft thrilling mystery tales soon demanded new characters in new locations.
Where will she take us next?
When not found attached to a laptop, Georgia likes spending time in local arboretums, among the trees and ponds. An avid cultivator of orchids, begonias, and all things floral, Georgia also has a strong penchant for art, paintings, and sculptures. A many-decades-long passion for mystery novels and years of chess tournament experience makes Georgia the perfect person to pen the Artemis Blythe series. That's where it all started, but the drive to craft thrilling mystery tales soon demanded new characters in new locations.
Where will she take us next?
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
February 23, 2026
Quick and entertaining read, binged the 3 book series in a few days. Loved the premise. There are a few things in the series that do get under my skin. For example, in one book she and her partner go to a crime scene and touch things. Why in the world would you touch things at a crime scene if you’re supposed to be an FBI agent. You would know better, right? So that sort of stuff kind of irritated me. But literally that’s my only complaint. And in a few of the books, she lets out breaths that she didn’t know she was holding. IYKYK! 😂😂. Anyway, if you’re not a purist and a total realist and just want fun FBI dark and twisty book, I highly recommend this series.
August 31, 2026
I am so glad I finally moved this book from my TBR to my reading & then read shelves. It was addictive! The concept was really unique but what sold me was the actual writing of the book. The author made me feel like I was in the room as things were happening — describing things with such vivid sensory language and imagery that you can almost experience it yourself along with the characters. I’m probably most impressed with this authors writing skills more than any other book/author I’ve read yet. Embarrassing confession: I write articles/blogs here and there and I actually found myself highlighting parts of the book that were so well written — ways she describes the air in a way that’s palpable, scents and sounds that put you in a room with the characters, and emotions that are so brilliantly described you can’t help but feel them too — so I can reread them later and analyze how the author describes them in such easy to consume language.
April 21, 2026
This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire book- if I didn’t actually need to sleep I would have stayed up and continued to read the whole book in one setting. Now I need to know how the story continues…on to the next!
March 13, 2026
The Bonekeeper’s Bride is a compelling story that pulled me in from the start. The writing style is smooth and easy to follow, which made the book flow effortlessly. I found myself invested in the characters and the unfolding plot, eager to see where it would lead.
That said, there were moments of repetition in the descriptions, for example, the recurring line “She smelled their breath like stale coffee” stood out as overused. While the imagery was strong, the repetition slightly disrupted the otherwise fluid narrative.
The story itself remained engaging throughout, though by the end it veered into territory that felt a bit far-fetched. Still, that’s the nature of fiction, stretching reality to keep us hooked. And in that sense, it succeeded.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that balanced intrigue with accessibility. Despite a few stylistic hiccups, it kept me turning the pages and left me satisfied.
That said, there were moments of repetition in the descriptions, for example, the recurring line “She smelled their breath like stale coffee” stood out as overused. While the imagery was strong, the repetition slightly disrupted the otherwise fluid narrative.
The story itself remained engaging throughout, though by the end it veered into territory that felt a bit far-fetched. Still, that’s the nature of fiction, stretching reality to keep us hooked. And in that sense, it succeeded.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read that balanced intrigue with accessibility. Despite a few stylistic hiccups, it kept me turning the pages and left me satisfied.
March 30, 2026
I really enjoyed the book when I started reading it, a total page turner, however, after I had read 3/4 of the book, I was so disappointed how the book was becoming way too unbelievable, just so bizarre! And frankly, I’m disappointed that I purchased book 2 and 3!! A waste of money.
April 26, 2026
Don’t read this book!! If you do, you’ll have to read the other two in the series for the full story and you’ll be angry you can never get those hours of your life back. I originally gave this a four star review. I changed it to one star after reading the next two in the series. These books were written by AI and in books two and three it is glaringly obvious. Details contracting details left and right. It’s criminal that this “author” can make money off of this. If you’re going to “write” a book, at least read it and make sure it’s consistent.
February 15, 2026
great characters a good read
I did not enjoy the last twist in the story. Up until then I was wrapped up tho. I would read a part 2
I did not enjoy the last twist in the story. Up until then I was wrapped up tho. I would read a part 2
February 28, 2026
It was interesting at first but was so far fetched towards the end that I did not finish.
August 18, 2026
I really liked the premise of this book. The description grabbed me immediately, and I appreciated that we know from the start who the killer is — rather than the usual late‑stage twist revealing it was the police chief, the partner, the best friend, or whoever else the genre likes to throw under the bus.
The opening line sets up a great hook:
“I arrested him on our anniversary, and now I have to beg him for help on the day of his execution.”
Unfortunately, that moment never actually happens. She doesn’t communicate with him on the day of his execution at all, which makes the dramatic setup feel a bit misleading.
The story begins well, with solid tension and a sense of intrigue. As things progress, though, the plot starts to wobble — messy, occasionally unbelievable, and stretching realism past its limits. Fiction can absolutely push boundaries, but by the final act it tips into the outright ridiculous.
By around the 30% mark, I was already tiring of one particular cliché: a feeling that “hit like a physical blow” or “hit like a physical slap.” It appears so often that I began to brace for it, cringing each time it landed. It’s the kind of repetition you get when a child learns a new phrase at school and insists on using it in every sentence until something shinier comes along. It pulls you out of the story because you start waiting for it.
I thought at least the author had avoided the other famously overused line — “I let out the breath I didn’t realise I was holding.”
Alas, chapter 37. Groan.
Cambridge Dictionary defines a cliché as “an idea or expression that has been used too often and is often considered a sign of bad writing.” Not my words, but… accurate.
There’s also a continuity issue that’s hard to ignore. In chapter 34, Briar speaks with Mrs. Povice about Lyla and Jax and is told, “cuff the boy first.”
Later, in chapter 36, Briar “remembers” being told “cuff the girl first,” which makes no sense — especially for a character described as having a photographic memory. Chapter 34 then reverts back to “cuff the boy first.” It’s a small detail, but it’s the kind of inconsistency that sticks out.
In the end, the disappointment in this book "hit me like a physical blow" (sorry, I couldn’t resist). I won’t be continuing with the series.
The opening line sets up a great hook:
“I arrested him on our anniversary, and now I have to beg him for help on the day of his execution.”
Unfortunately, that moment never actually happens. She doesn’t communicate with him on the day of his execution at all, which makes the dramatic setup feel a bit misleading.
The story begins well, with solid tension and a sense of intrigue. As things progress, though, the plot starts to wobble — messy, occasionally unbelievable, and stretching realism past its limits. Fiction can absolutely push boundaries, but by the final act it tips into the outright ridiculous.
By around the 30% mark, I was already tiring of one particular cliché: a feeling that “hit like a physical blow” or “hit like a physical slap.” It appears so often that I began to brace for it, cringing each time it landed. It’s the kind of repetition you get when a child learns a new phrase at school and insists on using it in every sentence until something shinier comes along. It pulls you out of the story because you start waiting for it.
I thought at least the author had avoided the other famously overused line — “I let out the breath I didn’t realise I was holding.”
Alas, chapter 37. Groan.
Cambridge Dictionary defines a cliché as “an idea or expression that has been used too often and is often considered a sign of bad writing.” Not my words, but… accurate.
There’s also a continuity issue that’s hard to ignore. In chapter 34, Briar speaks with Mrs. Povice about Lyla and Jax and is told, “cuff the boy first.”
Later, in chapter 36, Briar “remembers” being told “cuff the girl first,” which makes no sense — especially for a character described as having a photographic memory. Chapter 34 then reverts back to “cuff the boy first.” It’s a small detail, but it’s the kind of inconsistency that sticks out.
In the end, the disappointment in this book "hit me like a physical blow" (sorry, I couldn’t resist). I won’t be continuing with the series.
April 12, 2026
*Possible slight spoiler ahead*
In a race against the stay of execution, Briar must figure out who has become her husband Adrian's copycat murderer. And what do two kids aged out of the system have to do with it?
It wasn't bad, but it could have been better. I think what bothered me most is the repetitiveness of Briar talking about how damaged she is or how she remembers so much. It's like every other page is steeped in how messed up she or her life is.
Towards the middle things felt like they got a little slow for me. And all the constant reminders made it hard to focus.
The characters felt a little flat to me. And while the twist was decent, I feel like it is a little unbelievable to spin given what would be needed to be a proxy for something that is claimed to be so precise.
I do like that it makes you question whether Adrian is truly innocent or not. And minus the proxy, I thought the twist was interesting.
And of course it ends on a cliffhanger. So...I guess I will be reading the next one because I want to know!
It wasn't horrible, just felt a bit repetitive, and I think I went in thinking the mystery would be a bit different.
In a race against the stay of execution, Briar must figure out who has become her husband Adrian's copycat murderer. And what do two kids aged out of the system have to do with it?
It wasn't bad, but it could have been better. I think what bothered me most is the repetitiveness of Briar talking about how damaged she is or how she remembers so much. It's like every other page is steeped in how messed up she or her life is.
Towards the middle things felt like they got a little slow for me. And all the constant reminders made it hard to focus.
The characters felt a little flat to me. And while the twist was decent, I feel like it is a little unbelievable to spin given what would be needed to be a proxy for something that is claimed to be so precise.
I do like that it makes you question whether Adrian is truly innocent or not. And minus the proxy, I thought the twist was interesting.
And of course it ends on a cliffhanger. So...I guess I will be reading the next one because I want to know!
It wasn't horrible, just felt a bit repetitive, and I think I went in thinking the mystery would be a bit different.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2026
This was an excellent book. It has a unique storyline with complex characters. It wasn't predictable & it is perfectly paced. Georgia Wagner may have just moved up my shelves to Karen Slaughter territory. I can't wait to read more of her work.
Briar is a complex character. She believes she is a broken person, what she doesn't realize is she is really kintsugi. Her life has been rough, but she has survived & stitched herself back with gold. Former foster kid she finds trust hard to come by. She let one man in, whom she loved dearly, and he turned out to be a serial killer. It ruined her career in the FBI.
Now on the eve of his execution a copycat murder has occured. She's been called in to consult to see if it is truly the same as Adrian's work and help solve the case. Is it a copy cat? Was she wrong all along & Adrian was innocent, as he has always maintained?
She's got 2 hours before his execution to uncover enough truth to either save his life or say goodbye to her love forever.
Quickly paced, I did not want to put this one down. Richly told, solidly written, zero complaints. I want to follow Briar down all the rabbit holes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Briar is a complex character. She believes she is a broken person, what she doesn't realize is she is really kintsugi. Her life has been rough, but she has survived & stitched herself back with gold. Former foster kid she finds trust hard to come by. She let one man in, whom she loved dearly, and he turned out to be a serial killer. It ruined her career in the FBI.
Now on the eve of his execution a copycat murder has occured. She's been called in to consult to see if it is truly the same as Adrian's work and help solve the case. Is it a copy cat? Was she wrong all along & Adrian was innocent, as he has always maintained?
She's got 2 hours before his execution to uncover enough truth to either save his life or say goodbye to her love forever.
Quickly paced, I did not want to put this one down. Richly told, solidly written, zero complaints. I want to follow Briar down all the rabbit holes.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 29, 2026
First, I really enjoyed the potential of this plot, BUT, there are areas that drive me crazy. So, 3.5 rounded down to a 3.
I can't buy the proxy angle. Briar mentions several times in this book "to achieve this level of anatomical perfection, you didn't just need a manual; you needed the hands of a neurosurgeon who had spent ten years in the theatre." The are just too many flaws in that portion of the story for it to be anywhere near believable.
However, if you can get past the unbelievable, it's a good story. I kept thinking that I knew where it was going (and who knows, by book three it may go there), but as of now, my guess was wrong.
The book ends with a few loose ends, but for the most part you could read as a stand alone. Unfortuntely, I'm not sure if I'm vested enough to read the other two books.
I can't buy the proxy angle. Briar mentions several times in this book "to achieve this level of anatomical perfection, you didn't just need a manual; you needed the hands of a neurosurgeon who had spent ten years in the theatre." The are just too many flaws in that portion of the story for it to be anywhere near believable.
However, if you can get past the unbelievable, it's a good story. I kept thinking that I knew where it was going (and who knows, by book three it may go there), but as of now, my guess was wrong.
The book ends with a few loose ends, but for the most part you could read as a stand alone. Unfortuntely, I'm not sure if I'm vested enough to read the other two books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2026
What intriguing, memorable opponents. I am addicted to this series. Very thought provoking, to say the least. You are drawn into the damaged Briar, who seems posed for complete collapse, yet somehow still struggles on. And Adrian, oh my god Adrian. Brilliant, complex,a serial killer, yet completely devoted to Briar. A fascinating character who I have to understand more of. I definitely recommend this series.
March 1, 2026
I feel like there was a lot of history missing, especially with this being the first book of its series/trilogy. The relationship between the serial killer and his FBI Agent wife is left in disarray and unresolved. I understand that’s intentional to set the scene for the second book, but I’m just not feeling it. Unfortunately, I’m not invested enough in the characters or storyline to continue the series.
February 1, 2026
Another Unforgettable Heroine
The Bonekeeper's Bride, by Georgia Wagner, is another terrific mystery thriller that keeps you turning the pages to see what happens. Full of twists and turns, this book gets you hooked on a new heroine, Briar Calloway. Wagner draws you in with her riveting plot and her intriguing characters. I can't wait to read the entire series.
The Bonekeeper's Bride, by Georgia Wagner, is another terrific mystery thriller that keeps you turning the pages to see what happens. Full of twists and turns, this book gets you hooked on a new heroine, Briar Calloway. Wagner draws you in with her riveting plot and her intriguing characters. I can't wait to read the entire series.
February 27, 2026
This was basically like an episode of criminal minds which I loved! Briar sometimes came off as hard to relate to and the ending wasn’t quite as unexpected and mind blowing as I was wanting but it was still such a good book. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and it was a really fun psychological game trying to figure out if Adrian was innocent or not.
February 27, 2026
fantastic beginning to a series. it starts with an FBI agent awaiting the execution of her husband who she arrested when she discovered he was a serial killer. even though she arrested him, some of her colleagues at the bureau think she knew or was complicit in his crimes. I already downloaded the rest of the series and can't wait to finish these books!
March 9, 2026
Holy Sheep Dip Batman, that was dark twisty ride!
From page you need to buckle in and hang on.
Good main characters with dark backgrounds, those come out slowly and add to the story.
You will want more until you don't and that is the best kind of thriller.
Briar has ghosts and they chase her and vise versa.
This is a good fast read.
From page you need to buckle in and hang on.
Good main characters with dark backgrounds, those come out slowly and add to the story.
You will want more until you don't and that is the best kind of thriller.
Briar has ghosts and they chase her and vise versa.
This is a good fast read.
April 7, 2026
One of the best reads I've had in a long time
For once ig marketing hit the mark! This book kept me guessing even to the end. The epilogue leave the story as a cliffhanger however the next books blub makes it seem like it will be a whole different story line. Excited to see where it goes from here.
For once ig marketing hit the mark! This book kept me guessing even to the end. The epilogue leave the story as a cliffhanger however the next books blub makes it seem like it will be a whole different story line. Excited to see where it goes from here.
April 9, 2026
I thought this was a decent book. I enjoyed the story line. I can't imagine being a FBI agent and then finding out my husband is a serial killer. That got me hooked to find out about that. I want to read the second book because of the cliffhanger. If It wasn't for that I might not bother wanting to know what happen. I will read the next book to see what happens next.
April 11, 2026
Read on Kindle. Definitely a page turner/thriller that I couldn’t stop reading! Briar’s poor life has been messed up by so many people including the man she married who is a serial killer! This book was recommended by Sandy to me and I loved it. Had to put it down a few times because it was too scary and too much darkness. But very good.
April 16, 2026
Solid writing, solid prose, good plot...thrown off by 1 massive mistake that would have taken 10 seconds of research to not make.
Towards the end of the book the FMC "thumbs back the hammer" on her sidearm for dramatic effect.... The problem? It's a Glock, a striker fired sidearm WITHOUT A HAMMER.
Towards the end of the book the FMC "thumbs back the hammer" on her sidearm for dramatic effect.... The problem? It's a Glock, a striker fired sidearm WITHOUT A HAMMER.
May 15, 2026
I would put this at 5 stars but I feel like those coveted spots need to be reserved for books that are profound or moving or something. But this story line and characters are amazing and I immediately started the next. Recommendation from my sister in law that saw it on Facebook. I have read other books from this author but ended up dropping the series so this is a great surprise.
July 18, 2026
This book was incredible! Some details were obviously wrong if you’re a huge police drama fan, but overall, it was unique and intense. There’s a big cliffhanger I’m hoping is addressed in book 2, but it’s hard to say if these are interconnected or stand alones!
Briar is a mix of Dr Reid from Criminal minds, Bones from Bones, and something just uniquely her. Honestly, this is a great easy read!
Briar is a mix of Dr Reid from Criminal minds, Bones from Bones, and something just uniquely her. Honestly, this is a great easy read!
August 30, 2026
⭐⭐⭐
It was okay, I suppose. I didn’t dislike The Bonekeeper’s Wife, but I didn’t love it either. There were some interesting ideas and moments that kept me reading, but overall it just didn’t really grab me or leave much of an impression.
Not a bad book, just very much a middle-of-the-road read for me. I finished it, but I’m unlikely to be thinking about it for long.
It was okay, I suppose. I didn’t dislike The Bonekeeper’s Wife, but I didn’t love it either. There were some interesting ideas and moments that kept me reading, but overall it just didn’t really grab me or leave much of an impression.
Not a bad book, just very much a middle-of-the-road read for me. I finished it, but I’m unlikely to be thinking about it for long.
February 6, 2026
Excellent read
The author does an excellent job of putting the reader in the character's world. Actions, thoughts, fears, motivation, etc, the reader goes through the emotions. An immersive experience.
The author does an excellent job of putting the reader in the character's world. Actions, thoughts, fears, motivation, etc, the reader goes through the emotions. An immersive experience.
February 14, 2026
A super interesting premise...the wife of a serial killer...but, I felt like I was missing far too much back story to care about the characters...this was mostly the pilot in what could be a fantastic TV police procedural...all action, no emotion in a mad rush to Crazytown.
March 4, 2026
a tough read
This was an intense story of an FBI agent and her elite renowned surgeon husband. It’s about choices she has to make and how those affect her life. It was a weird feeling of oh I can’t wait to finish and noooo I don’t want it to end.
This was an intense story of an FBI agent and her elite renowned surgeon husband. It’s about choices she has to make and how those affect her life. It was a weird feeling of oh I can’t wait to finish and noooo I don’t want it to end.
March 12, 2026
Agent Briar Calloway’s ex-husband is a serial killer on death row. His crimes were preserving people using wire and posing them as a form of art. Many believe that Briar was aware of her husband’s Art even though she was the one to turn him in. Now there is a copycat killer but who can it be?
March 15, 2026
Briar is an amazing FBI agent who caught her murdering husband and locked up. I love this type of books plots, crazier the better...I'm getting ready to start The Skinning Game.
Bring it on with the crazier I'm ready.
Bring it on with the crazier I'm ready.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews