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The Bone Woman
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26As a renowned forensic consultant digs into a case that could reconnect her with her long-missing father, she uncovers dark truths about her desert hometown.
The desert runs through Hazel Dylan’s marrow. She grew up on the edge of The Wild, an untamed expanse outside her hometown of Black Vulture, Arizona. She became fascinated with bones as a child while observing her taxidermist father, Wilmot, until he disappeared without a trace decades ago. Now, after years of study and countless cases, she’s known as the Bone Woman. She can read the dark stories that bones tell.
When a hiker makes a disturbing discovery in The Wild—bleached human bones arranged with surgical precision into a taxidermy-like sculpture of a coyote mid-howl—Sheriff Calloway summons Hazel to the scene. Not just for her formidable expertise but because it looks like it could be Wilmot’s work. Could Hazel’s father be behind this twisted creation? Are these his bones?
Hazel doesn’t want to believe either is true, but after another sculpture is found and Wilmot’s well-known talisman—a rogue finger bone—is discovered amid both sets of remains, she can’t deny the optics.
As the case takes Hazel deep into her past, she unearths long-buried secrets. And with time running out, she’ll have to risk her own skin to catch the killer.
The desert runs through Hazel Dylan’s marrow. She grew up on the edge of The Wild, an untamed expanse outside her hometown of Black Vulture, Arizona. She became fascinated with bones as a child while observing her taxidermist father, Wilmot, until he disappeared without a trace decades ago. Now, after years of study and countless cases, she’s known as the Bone Woman. She can read the dark stories that bones tell.
When a hiker makes a disturbing discovery in The Wild—bleached human bones arranged with surgical precision into a taxidermy-like sculpture of a coyote mid-howl—Sheriff Calloway summons Hazel to the scene. Not just for her formidable expertise but because it looks like it could be Wilmot’s work. Could Hazel’s father be behind this twisted creation? Are these his bones?
Hazel doesn’t want to believe either is true, but after another sculpture is found and Wilmot’s well-known talisman—a rogue finger bone—is discovered amid both sets of remains, she can’t deny the optics.
As the case takes Hazel deep into her past, she unearths long-buried secrets. And with time running out, she’ll have to risk her own skin to catch the killer.
304 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 27, 2026
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Bone Woman
by Paige Shelton is an atmospheric standalone thriller versus her cozy mystery series. Hazel Dylan is a highly respected forensic consultant nicknamed the “Bone Woman.” She grew up and still lives on the edge of The Wild, an untamed expanse of desert outside her hometown of Black Vulture, Arizona. She became intrigued with bones as a child observing her taxidermist father, Wilmot. Now, after years of study and countless cases, she’s on retainer by the state of Arizona as well as sought after internationally for her expertise.
A hiker makes a disturbing discovery in The Wild and Sheriff Benji Calloway summons Hazel to the scene. Could this be Wilmot’s creation despite his disappearance decades ago? Could the bones be that of Wilmot?
Hazel has been fascinated by bones since childhood. She’s independent after being abandoned by Wilmot at age 13. She’s smart, eccentric, resilient, and analytical and likes to take her own look at evidence versus relying on others. Wilmot was a master taxidermist who was eccentric, secretive, and his whereabouts are a key mystery in the town. Sheriff Calloway is observant and is willing to call in specialized experts to help his small team. Sonny Riley is alert, protective, and keeps cropping up around Hazel.
This evocative novel has a creative premise with macabre, taxidermy-like sculptures against the harsh, arid desert landscape. Hazel is a compelling protagonist with a niche professional background making this more unique than many thrillers. The plot is full of twists and turns that keep the suspense high. For some, the descriptions of the bone sculptures may be too dark. This is certainly a departure from the author’s usual novels, but she successfully delivered an unusual and exciting novel.
Overall, this is an atmospheric, gripping, and immersive novel with great characterization and a focus on trauma, macabre killings, and a terrific setting. I could easily see this becoming a series. I looking forward to my next novel by this author.
Crooked Lane Books and Paige Shelton provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for October 27, 2026.
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My 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
A hiker makes a disturbing discovery in The Wild and Sheriff Benji Calloway summons Hazel to the scene. Could this be Wilmot’s creation despite his disappearance decades ago? Could the bones be that of Wilmot?
Hazel has been fascinated by bones since childhood. She’s independent after being abandoned by Wilmot at age 13. She’s smart, eccentric, resilient, and analytical and likes to take her own look at evidence versus relying on others. Wilmot was a master taxidermist who was eccentric, secretive, and his whereabouts are a key mystery in the town. Sheriff Calloway is observant and is willing to call in specialized experts to help his small team. Sonny Riley is alert, protective, and keeps cropping up around Hazel.
This evocative novel has a creative premise with macabre, taxidermy-like sculptures against the harsh, arid desert landscape. Hazel is a compelling protagonist with a niche professional background making this more unique than many thrillers. The plot is full of twists and turns that keep the suspense high. For some, the descriptions of the bone sculptures may be too dark. This is certainly a departure from the author’s usual novels, but she successfully delivered an unusual and exciting novel.
Overall, this is an atmospheric, gripping, and immersive novel with great characterization and a focus on trauma, macabre killings, and a terrific setting. I could easily see this becoming a series. I looking forward to my next novel by this author.
Crooked Lane Books and Paige Shelton provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for October 27, 2026.
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My 4.25 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3 stars for book 1 in a new series by Paige Shelton. The author writes two other series. Both my wife and I enjoy her Alaska Wild series, so I decided to read this book. The protagonist and narrator for most of the book is Hazel Dylan, known as the "Bone Woman." She is considered to be an expert at reading bones, able to tell if they are human or animal, and often how the person died. She is called to the scene of human bones arranged in the shape of a coyote. Hazel's father was as taxidermist and taught her the craft. He disappeared over 20 years ago, and that is part of the mystery.
Pros: The plot moved along well. The protagonist and most of the people in the book are likeable characters. The second narrator is easily identified because the killer's narrative is always in italics. I was not sure who the killer was until the end.
If you are a hunter, and have used the services of a taxidermist, you might enjoy this book.
Cons: The bones being arranged in the shape of an animal was creepy.
My wife might read this book. If she does, I will update with her opinion.
Thank You Crooked Lane Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheBoneWoman #NetGalley.
Pub Date Oct 27 2026
Pros: The plot moved along well. The protagonist and most of the people in the book are likeable characters. The second narrator is easily identified because the killer's narrative is always in italics. I was not sure who the killer was until the end.
If you are a hunter, and have used the services of a taxidermist, you might enjoy this book.
Cons: The bones being arranged in the shape of an animal was creepy.
My wife might read this book. If she does, I will update with her opinion.
Thank You Crooked Lane Books for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#TheBoneWoman #NetGalley.
Pub Date Oct 27 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hazel Dylan grew up in Black Vulture, Arizona, on the edge of The Wild. Her father was a taxidermist who raised her alone after her mother died in childbirth. However, her father disappeared without a trace when Hazel was 13. Hazel was watched over by the town and by Sheriff Calloway who has been one of her father's friends.
Twenty years have passed and Hazel has built her reputation as someone who knows bones. She consults with law enforcement and others all over the world. So, when Sheriff Calloway calls her to look at something he's found, she isn't surprised. However, the find rocks her world and has her looking back to the time of her father's disappearance which is a time period where Hazel has memory gaps.
Someone has turned a collection of human bones into an object the resembles a mounted animal from her father's collection. An extra bone similar to one her father always carried with him makes the tie to her father very clear.
A second find of human bones shaped to resemble a desert scorpion and also made of human bones makes the situation even eerier. Hazel and Calloway need to identify the people whose bones were used in such a perverse way and identify the person making the installations.
Since we also have sections from the point of view of the perpetrator, we know that his final goal is to kill Hazel and turn her into his next art project. We also learn that he is hiding himself in clear sight in Black Vulture.
There are a number of new people in Black Vulture who might be the killer. The new people include a new police chief and deputy, a new scientist from The Institute, and a visiting professor from Boulder who has an interest in these sorts of bone sculptures. And some of the other residents are keeping secrets too.
This was an entertaining mystery. I liked Hazel who has a unique fascination and knowledge of bones. I look forward to reading more about her in future stories.
Twenty years have passed and Hazel has built her reputation as someone who knows bones. She consults with law enforcement and others all over the world. So, when Sheriff Calloway calls her to look at something he's found, she isn't surprised. However, the find rocks her world and has her looking back to the time of her father's disappearance which is a time period where Hazel has memory gaps.
Someone has turned a collection of human bones into an object the resembles a mounted animal from her father's collection. An extra bone similar to one her father always carried with him makes the tie to her father very clear.
A second find of human bones shaped to resemble a desert scorpion and also made of human bones makes the situation even eerier. Hazel and Calloway need to identify the people whose bones were used in such a perverse way and identify the person making the installations.
Since we also have sections from the point of view of the perpetrator, we know that his final goal is to kill Hazel and turn her into his next art project. We also learn that he is hiding himself in clear sight in Black Vulture.
There are a number of new people in Black Vulture who might be the killer. The new people include a new police chief and deputy, a new scientist from The Institute, and a visiting professor from Boulder who has an interest in these sorts of bone sculptures. And some of the other residents are keeping secrets too.
This was an entertaining mystery. I liked Hazel who has a unique fascination and knowledge of bones. I look forward to reading more about her in future stories.
August 10, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.
The Bone Woman was a really atmospheric mystery with a fascinating forensic angle. Hazel Dylan’s skills, learnt from her father, in reading the stories left behind in bones made for a really interesting investigation, especially when human remains are discovered in a creepy bone sculpture that appears to have links to her long-missing father.
I really liked Hazel as a character. Her knowledge of bones comes from her childhood and her relationship with her father, so the case becomes much more personal as she starts uncovering secrets about her past and questioning what really happened to him. The research for this very specialised topic was top notch h and really added to the forensic nature of the plot line.
The desert setting worked really well too, adding to the sense of isolation and unease, while the investigation gradually revealed more layers and kept me guessing. I enjoyed the combination of forensic detail, family secrets and a good old-fashioned mystery.
A twisty and atmospheric read with a strong central character and an unusual premise.
The Bone Woman was a really atmospheric mystery with a fascinating forensic angle. Hazel Dylan’s skills, learnt from her father, in reading the stories left behind in bones made for a really interesting investigation, especially when human remains are discovered in a creepy bone sculpture that appears to have links to her long-missing father.
I really liked Hazel as a character. Her knowledge of bones comes from her childhood and her relationship with her father, so the case becomes much more personal as she starts uncovering secrets about her past and questioning what really happened to him. The research for this very specialised topic was top notch h and really added to the forensic nature of the plot line.
The desert setting worked really well too, adding to the sense of isolation and unease, while the investigation gradually revealed more layers and kept me guessing. I enjoyed the combination of forensic detail, family secrets and a good old-fashioned mystery.
A twisty and atmospheric read with a strong central character and an unusual premise.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
THE BONE WOMAN by Paige Shelton is a haunting, atmospheric mystery filled with tension and suspense. The gripping opening immediately drew me in, while the vivid details brought the stark desert setting and its unsettling secrets to life. Hazel Dylan is a compelling protagonist—fiercely independent, shaped by a difficult childhood, and trained, first under her father’s watch and then with mentors, to learn the ability to “read” bones at crime scenes. Her search for answers about her father’s disappearance adds emotional depth to the chilling mystery. I was captivated from beginning to end and would love to see Hazel return in a series. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy mysteries packed with chills and thrills.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finished reading: August 25th 2026
"The desert swallows things. Bones. Bodies. Memories. They can disappear forever. Or they can resurface when you least expect."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Bones don't lie.
Paige Shelton centers her latest offering on exactly that. She introduces us to Hazel Dylan, a forensic consultant, who lives in The Wild region of Black Vulture, Arizona. Hazel's father, Wilmot, was the town's taxidermist who went missing under strange circumstances over twenty years ago when Hazel was just thirteen. With no other options, the town raised Hazel.
Hazel is called upon by Sheriff Calloway to examine a sculpture in the desert made of bones. These bones appear to be human. And it won't be the last of such sculptures. Hazel sets out to discover who is behind these displays. From the evidence, it appears that it may just be her long gone father. But why? And then, Hazel's own life looks to be in danger.
The Bone Woman was somewhat of a disappointment that teetered on 3 Stars. It started out well, but then it became more of a long ago secret that was now coming to light. I questioned Hazel's credentials as the so-called Bone Woman. She was never degreed with a formal background in forensics. She learned a great deal from Dr. Fulgi in Tucson and from watching her father. I also wanted more science in the determination of these bones. It was limited.
The Bone Woman circled around relationships from the past to the present. The deep dark secret didn't carry as much weight as it should have. I have a feeling that Shelton may turn this one into a series. But how many incidents can there be in such a small town setting? That's why Hazel's credentials lack the weight of a verified consultant who could have traveled throughout Arizona to expand this story for future books. I guess it's a wait-and-see proposition here. The writing was well done (4 Stars), but the bulk of this storyline kept me wanting more. Maybe, just maybe, Paige Shelton has bigger fish to fry in the next one.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to Paige Shelton for the opportunity.
Paige Shelton centers her latest offering on exactly that. She introduces us to Hazel Dylan, a forensic consultant, who lives in The Wild region of Black Vulture, Arizona. Hazel's father, Wilmot, was the town's taxidermist who went missing under strange circumstances over twenty years ago when Hazel was just thirteen. With no other options, the town raised Hazel.
Hazel is called upon by Sheriff Calloway to examine a sculpture in the desert made of bones. These bones appear to be human. And it won't be the last of such sculptures. Hazel sets out to discover who is behind these displays. From the evidence, it appears that it may just be her long gone father. But why? And then, Hazel's own life looks to be in danger.
The Bone Woman was somewhat of a disappointment that teetered on 3 Stars. It started out well, but then it became more of a long ago secret that was now coming to light. I questioned Hazel's credentials as the so-called Bone Woman. She was never degreed with a formal background in forensics. She learned a great deal from Dr. Fulgi in Tucson and from watching her father. I also wanted more science in the determination of these bones. It was limited.
The Bone Woman circled around relationships from the past to the present. The deep dark secret didn't carry as much weight as it should have. I have a feeling that Shelton may turn this one into a series. But how many incidents can there be in such a small town setting? That's why Hazel's credentials lack the weight of a verified consultant who could have traveled throughout Arizona to expand this story for future books. I guess it's a wait-and-see proposition here. The writing was well done (4 Stars), but the bulk of this storyline kept me wanting more. Maybe, just maybe, Paige Shelton has bigger fish to fry in the next one.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to Paige Shelton for the opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a new mystery/thriller from an author I have read many times. This author’s cozy mysteries are my favorite, but despite this not being a cozy mystery, the book continues to have the great writing and characters I have found in all her other books. Though the title made me think of a famous TV show, this book is about a woman whose father was a taxidermist, and via that she became fascinated with the bones of all animals. She is called in to consult with police because of her expertise, but she is not a scientist with a degree. However, her knowledge, and experience are spot on. In this particular case, there are bones showing up in The Wild that have been rearranged to look like animals in taxidermy, and it may be a clue to her own father’s disappearance from long ago.
The main character is one that is well rounded and is so well depicted, you could probably guess what her favorite flower, and color are. Other characters are well done, too. The town itself has some quirky ones that are ones you might like to sit down and chat with over coffee, and others you might cross the street when they pass. Overall, this book is very character driven.
The author throws in a lot of red herrings, and you are also privy to the thoughts of a mysterious stranger who is following her. You are not quite sure if it is her long lost father, or someone else. Why her dad left is also part of the mystery, and it takes you on a wild ride to find out the answer.
I enjoyed the book, but I will have to say, I was not expecting the ending. I am not sure if this is intended as a standalone story, or if she plans to write more about this character. Since the protagonist works with the police, I could see her being called on other cases, and it being a series. I am sure that if it does, they will be exceptional novels. I recommend to mystery lovers this new book, and also for fans of this author to give it a try.
The main character is one that is well rounded and is so well depicted, you could probably guess what her favorite flower, and color are. Other characters are well done, too. The town itself has some quirky ones that are ones you might like to sit down and chat with over coffee, and others you might cross the street when they pass. Overall, this book is very character driven.
The author throws in a lot of red herrings, and you are also privy to the thoughts of a mysterious stranger who is following her. You are not quite sure if it is her long lost father, or someone else. Why her dad left is also part of the mystery, and it takes you on a wild ride to find out the answer.
I enjoyed the book, but I will have to say, I was not expecting the ending. I am not sure if this is intended as a standalone story, or if she plans to write more about this character. Since the protagonist works with the police, I could see her being called on other cases, and it being a series. I am sure that if it does, they will be exceptional novels. I recommend to mystery lovers this new book, and also for fans of this author to give it a try.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Bone Woman is a mystery that will send chills down your spine. Or is that cacti spines in the scorching Arizona desert?
Hazel Dylan's father disappeared many years ago. She now runs his taxidermy museum while sharing her expertise with bones and helping out law enforcement. Someone is arranging human bones into poses of animals. Is it morbid artwork or something more sinister? The sheriff sees signs that might point to Hazel's father. While Hazel can't remember everything that led up to his disappearance she fears he might be right. But her father is not a killer and their gut feeling is this is a case of murder.
Hazel is a standout main character. She's a little prickly and a lot determined. The other characters are also colorful. I really liked the sheriff who has a great relationship with Hazel.
Black Vulture is small town in a vast environment. The setting draws you in. You can feel and see the heat. Everything is sharp and coated in dust. It's not known for its affluence. Many of the residents have their own troubles. Yet it's a place you can't help be drawn to.
There is another voice at the end of some chapters. It's delightfully eerie. Makes the rest feel cozy in comparison. There's an element of distrust with some new residents and Hazel's memory. Along with trying to solve the case we don't know what happened to her father or whether he's even alive. The discovery of evidence is helpful. I can't say more without spoilers...
I loved everything about this book which I hope is the beginning of a new series. Mystery fans won't want to miss it! It also has a bit of a wild west vibe. And do not skip the epilogue!
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
Hazel Dylan's father disappeared many years ago. She now runs his taxidermy museum while sharing her expertise with bones and helping out law enforcement. Someone is arranging human bones into poses of animals. Is it morbid artwork or something more sinister? The sheriff sees signs that might point to Hazel's father. While Hazel can't remember everything that led up to his disappearance she fears he might be right. But her father is not a killer and their gut feeling is this is a case of murder.
Hazel is a standout main character. She's a little prickly and a lot determined. The other characters are also colorful. I really liked the sheriff who has a great relationship with Hazel.
Black Vulture is small town in a vast environment. The setting draws you in. You can feel and see the heat. Everything is sharp and coated in dust. It's not known for its affluence. Many of the residents have their own troubles. Yet it's a place you can't help be drawn to.
There is another voice at the end of some chapters. It's delightfully eerie. Makes the rest feel cozy in comparison. There's an element of distrust with some new residents and Hazel's memory. Along with trying to solve the case we don't know what happened to her father or whether he's even alive. The discovery of evidence is helpful. I can't say more without spoilers...
I loved everything about this book which I hope is the beginning of a new series. Mystery fans won't want to miss it! It also has a bit of a wild west vibe. And do not skip the epilogue!
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What intrigued me about this book was the colorful cover. And, I enjoy this author’s writing. This one is so much different than her Alaska Wild series.
We are introduced to Hazel Dylan, daughter of Wilmot Dylan who was a taxidermist. I don’t know that you find many taxidermists these days. Anywho … because of her father’s chosen profession, Hazel developed an interest in bones … thus, her neighbors of Black Vulture dubbed her “the bone woman.”
Mysterious bone sculptures started to appear where they shouldn’t be.
Hazel was called in by local law enforcement to help them age the bones. Pretty creepy scenario.
They even went so far as to call in an expert from another county. Graham.
Sonny entered the picture. Hazel’s reaction to him, having been alone most of her life, led me down a path … following breadcrumbs.
Minnie’s podcast comes into play, which Hazel reused to listen to.
Some of Hazel’s past comes into play.
Some truths are revealed.
For me, there are also a couple of cliffhangers. You’ll have to read the book to find out what they are. I suspect this may lead to further adventures for Hazel. Or maybe not. Maybe we are all going to be left wondering.
I find it interesting that there are people who are able to find out so much information about bones. Kind of puts me in the mind of the TV show Bones, with Temperance as the bone expert.
I also enjoyed the fact that this tale was told in Hazel’s voice and the voice of the whodunnit; personally, I didn’t see that one coming. The whodunnit’s voice added just the right touch of sinisterism, at least for me. I also tend to enjoy books that are told in the main character’s voice; I think it adds a personal touch.
We are introduced to Hazel Dylan, daughter of Wilmot Dylan who was a taxidermist. I don’t know that you find many taxidermists these days. Anywho … because of her father’s chosen profession, Hazel developed an interest in bones … thus, her neighbors of Black Vulture dubbed her “the bone woman.”
Mysterious bone sculptures started to appear where they shouldn’t be.
Hazel was called in by local law enforcement to help them age the bones. Pretty creepy scenario.
They even went so far as to call in an expert from another county. Graham.
Sonny entered the picture. Hazel’s reaction to him, having been alone most of her life, led me down a path … following breadcrumbs.
Minnie’s podcast comes into play, which Hazel reused to listen to.
Some of Hazel’s past comes into play.
Some truths are revealed.
For me, there are also a couple of cliffhangers. You’ll have to read the book to find out what they are. I suspect this may lead to further adventures for Hazel. Or maybe not. Maybe we are all going to be left wondering.
I find it interesting that there are people who are able to find out so much information about bones. Kind of puts me in the mind of the TV show Bones, with Temperance as the bone expert.
I also enjoyed the fact that this tale was told in Hazel’s voice and the voice of the whodunnit; personally, I didn’t see that one coming. The whodunnit’s voice added just the right touch of sinisterism, at least for me. I also tend to enjoy books that are told in the main character’s voice; I think it adds a personal touch.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hazel Dylan has spent many years studying bones, she can tell you their story, their origin, and often times shed light on their final moments amongst the living. Being the daughter of a taxidermist she was always surrounded by bones, so taking an interest in them felt like the one way she could really connect with her father. But then her father disappeared and that connection was lost...but she still had her bones.
Between the pages of this well crafted thriller readers will meet a woman who is in search of answers, and she's hoping the bones recently found will point her in the right direction. When the sheriff calls and tells her that he has bones for her to examine Hazel thinks it's just the usual case, but upon her arrival she learns it's anything but. The bones have a story to tell and they have an eerie similarity to her father's last works, and she has to know if they help discover the answers she's longed for since his disappearance. But the story these bones have to tell are dangerous and she has just found herself right in the middle of it. But it's a risk she's willing to take...
From the get-go this one had me intrigued and with page I turned the deeper I fell into Hazel's world, and the more I realized things weren't quite as they appeared. Hazel was in danger, but she also couldn't let the bones story go unsolved either, it was case full of danger and suspense, and I loved being along for the ride! Highly recommend!!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, via NetGalley request, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Between the pages of this well crafted thriller readers will meet a woman who is in search of answers, and she's hoping the bones recently found will point her in the right direction. When the sheriff calls and tells her that he has bones for her to examine Hazel thinks it's just the usual case, but upon her arrival she learns it's anything but. The bones have a story to tell and they have an eerie similarity to her father's last works, and she has to know if they help discover the answers she's longed for since his disappearance. But the story these bones have to tell are dangerous and she has just found herself right in the middle of it. But it's a risk she's willing to take...
From the get-go this one had me intrigued and with page I turned the deeper I fell into Hazel's world, and the more I realized things weren't quite as they appeared. Hazel was in danger, but she also couldn't let the bones story go unsolved either, it was case full of danger and suspense, and I loved being along for the ride! Highly recommend!!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, via NetGalley request, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The main character in The Bone Woman (Crooked Lane Books 2026), Hazel Dylan, has studied bones her entire life, first under the tutelage of her taxonomist father and then under an excellent teacher who inspired her future goals. She could have offered her services to any number of towns or cities, but returned to her small desert town of Black Vulture because that’s where she grew up, where her father disappeared when she was only thirteen, and where the town's people took care of her until she became an adult. She now leads a quiet life examining bones and consulting with the police when needed. The case in this story is a skeleton posed in the town's street in a way that draws attention to her missing father. Plus, it holds a carpel finger, as her father always did. With these connections, she can't NOT try to figure out what is going on, if someone was murdered to provide the bones, or if it's a message to her. Maybe--somehow--it means her father is still alive.
It’s a good story, but less about bone forensics than secrets. Rarely do I turn a handful of pages without a return to the mystery of her father. Though he disappeared twenty years ago, he is central to the plot and its pacing. I was looking for Kay Scarpetta and found instead a main character who focused on bones but without Scarpetta's science and energy. Mostly this story is a mystery set in a small dusty town that can only be unraveled by revealing the characters and the towns closely held secrets. If that's what you're looking for, you'll enjoy this book.
It’s a good story, but less about bone forensics than secrets. Rarely do I turn a handful of pages without a return to the mystery of her father. Though he disappeared twenty years ago, he is central to the plot and its pacing. I was looking for Kay Scarpetta and found instead a main character who focused on bones but without Scarpetta's science and energy. Mostly this story is a mystery set in a small dusty town that can only be unraveled by revealing the characters and the towns closely held secrets. If that's what you're looking for, you'll enjoy this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hazel Dylan is one of the most unique characters I have encountered on the page in a very long time. She is a self-educated highly respected and sought-after bone expert. Daughter of a taxidermist that bolted from her life when she was 13, leaving her to be raised by the remote desert community of Black Vulture, Arizona, she pretty much took care of herself from that point forward.
As the story opens, Hazel is awakened when the sheriff knocks on her door asking her to go into the desert with him to see something he will not describe. What she sees is human bones, bleached and connected, posed to resemble a coyote her father had mounted in their museum.
Black Vulture and the surrounding desert are a primary character in this darkly atmospheric mystery. The area simply comes alive as the hunt for the person responsible lays out his plans bit by bit. The possible suspect list grows with each male character we meet. We learn how unforgiving the desert environment, called The Wild, by the locals can be. Cactus, scorpions, javelinas, and rattlesnakes are all Hazel's usual desert cautions, but the 2-legged animal is by far the most dangerous for her.
All of the characters have such strong personalities they are intriguing for me as a reader, but 0I especially loved Hazel's personal journey as the story unfolds and cannot wait to see where she goes from here.
My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. All of the thoughts expressed are entirely my honest opinion.
As the story opens, Hazel is awakened when the sheriff knocks on her door asking her to go into the desert with him to see something he will not describe. What she sees is human bones, bleached and connected, posed to resemble a coyote her father had mounted in their museum.
Black Vulture and the surrounding desert are a primary character in this darkly atmospheric mystery. The area simply comes alive as the hunt for the person responsible lays out his plans bit by bit. The possible suspect list grows with each male character we meet. We learn how unforgiving the desert environment, called The Wild, by the locals can be. Cactus, scorpions, javelinas, and rattlesnakes are all Hazel's usual desert cautions, but the 2-legged animal is by far the most dangerous for her.
All of the characters have such strong personalities they are intriguing for me as a reader, but 0I especially loved Hazel's personal journey as the story unfolds and cannot wait to see where she goes from here.
My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. All of the thoughts expressed are entirely my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Bone Woman is an extremely satisfying murder mystery novel set in the desert of Arizona. Hazel Dylan has been alone since her enigmatic father disappeared when she was 13. Raised by the town that she lived in, she inherited his taxidermy museum along with his love of bones. Now grown, Hazel has applied the knowledge that she received from her father, along with schooling, to become a forensic consultant. That consultant designation comes to use when mysterious skeletons are found in the desert - humans who have been reconstructed to resemble taxidermy animals. The local police, and Hazel, cannot ignore the references to her father that the statues invoke. As more of these 'creatures' appear, Hazel starts uncovering pieces of her father's past that perhaps should have always remained buried.
This book kept me interested from the first page to the last. Hazel Dylan is a somewhat aloof, but still likeable main character, whose traumatic past makes her extremely interesting and an unreliable narrator. As she learns more of her father's secrets, many people in the town start to feel vaguely threatening, and I spent the whole novel trying to figure out who the villain of the piece was. Wilmont's disappearance adds another mystery, along with the strange creations in the desert. I felt on edge the whole novel, which had plenty of action and suspense in it. I would love to see Hazel Dylan become the star of her own series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Paige Shelton for the eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
This book kept me interested from the first page to the last. Hazel Dylan is a somewhat aloof, but still likeable main character, whose traumatic past makes her extremely interesting and an unreliable narrator. As she learns more of her father's secrets, many people in the town start to feel vaguely threatening, and I spent the whole novel trying to figure out who the villain of the piece was. Wilmont's disappearance adds another mystery, along with the strange creations in the desert. I felt on edge the whole novel, which had plenty of action and suspense in it. I would love to see Hazel Dylan become the star of her own series.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Paige Shelton for the eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for this advanced reader copy, the bone woman had me intrigued straight away with the synopsis. What i will say about this book is that its a slow burn mystery and it builds over time , but i quite enjoyed it . The book works between the present and the past so you will need to make sure you read this consistently as there are alot of moving parts that fit into the big picture. Hazel our main character has ties her dad in this book and it does pull the heart strings a little bit been as her dad isnt around, Hazel needs the closure in her life.
It's a very twisty road in this book and i really couldn’t predict how this would work out. I loved the descriptive setting it was almost like i could picture Black Vulture and its local people. I could taste the desert dry air and the bumpy roads.
The whole bones and taxidermy was all knew to me and this is the reason why i requested it as i felt it was something so different it felt refreshing. Its complicated in this book but it also shows the courage around difficult scenarios that no one can predict. There is still the family ties and dedication built into this book and at times i felt like i wanted to hug Hazel her inner child still craves for her dad and she needed to know the truth. Its certainly an adventure in this book and quite action packed!
It's a very twisty road in this book and i really couldn’t predict how this would work out. I loved the descriptive setting it was almost like i could picture Black Vulture and its local people. I could taste the desert dry air and the bumpy roads.
The whole bones and taxidermy was all knew to me and this is the reason why i requested it as i felt it was something so different it felt refreshing. Its complicated in this book but it also shows the courage around difficult scenarios that no one can predict. There is still the family ties and dedication built into this book and at times i felt like i wanted to hug Hazel her inner child still craves for her dad and she needed to know the truth. Its certainly an adventure in this book and quite action packed!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This was a slow burn mystery which built over time. It also jumps from present to past, so you need to be aware of this, so you can keep track of what time period you are reading about. This book is well written with plenty of descriptions that you could see through your mind’s eye Black Vulture and its locals. You had a few mysteries going on in this story, who was killing and building sculptures with their bones and materials and what happened to Hazel’s father who disappeared 20 years ago. You were certainly given lessons on taxidermy and bones throughout the book, which sometimes complicated your reading of the story. There was plenty of action and enough twists to keep you reading.
Hazel has been called in by the police because of a sculpture that was found in the desert. Not only because she is expert with bones but because the work resembled something her father used to do. Hazel gets caught up in this mystery not only to find out who killed and assembled the bones, but does it have something to do with her dad’s disappearance.
I was leaning towards a 3.5 but scored it a 4 because of the excellent writing by Shelton. Thank you to Edelweiss and Crooked Lane Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Hazel has been called in by the police because of a sculpture that was found in the desert. Not only because she is expert with bones but because the work resembled something her father used to do. Hazel gets caught up in this mystery not only to find out who killed and assembled the bones, but does it have something to do with her dad’s disappearance.
I was leaning towards a 3.5 but scored it a 4 because of the excellent writing by Shelton. Thank you to Edelweiss and Crooked Lane Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hazel Dylan lives in a small desert town outside of Tucson, Arizona and her job is researching bones. Her father, Wilmont, was a taxidermist who disappeared twenty years ago when Hazel was thirteen, and he taught her the art of the bones and she stayed in the small town where they had lived together maybe hoping he would return one day. His name is brought up when the sheriff gets a call about a strange thing in the desert. It's a sculpture made out of bones. Could it be Wilmont's work...Hazel doesn't think so as her father was proud of the work he did and this sculpture wasn't that. Another sculpture is found and after some digging for answers, it is clear they are connected to her father's past, and maybe to Hazel herself. But the answers that Hazel eventually finds puts names to the bones, but leaves her with more questions than before some haunting memories she had forgotten. Excellent and interesting read.
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy)
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not only is this a brilliant mystery and plot but the setting of this in Arizona was fascinating. I love travelling to far away places through reading and this was a real treat. This got me hooked from the first page to which i then had trouble putting the book down . The storyline was fascinating, not to give too much away but the bones and the taxidermy subject was so interesting! Every chapter has some new information from the characters to digest and constantly kept me entertained. I’ll definitely be reading more from Paige Shelton in the near future. Well written and totally absorbing thank you #Netgalley, #Paigeshelton and #Crookedlanebooks for sending me an e-copy to read and review, it was an absolute pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hazel is a smart, independent, capable main character. Although she is a consultant, she actually doesn't have any formal education or credentials, which I found unique, as well as the taxidermy theme. While I maybe would have liked to see more of the science there, it does make sense for the story. I also like the supporting cast around town, particularly Sheriff Calloway. The way that the whole town has kept an eye on Hazel after Wilmot's disappearance, even now that she's an adult, seemed a good plot choice to me, to further illustrate the insular, remote town that added so much atmosphere to the story. The current mystery based on old buried secrets is a favorite trope of mine. I had some suspicions but didn't put it all together until the reveal. I do hope this will be able to continue as a series. I think there's more stories to be told, more secrets to be revealed.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hazel has bones in her blood. Her dad was a well known and often misunderstood taxidermist which most people in town found off putting. He did transfer that love and knowledge of bones to his daughter making Hazel the forensic specialist the police call on. Strange bone sculptures have been found in the desert and it is up to Hazel to determine if they are animal or human as well as how old they are. There are some clues left behind that seem to point to her dad's handiwork but he has been missing for years. The desert hides its secrets well just like the townspeople and Hazel must pick apart what has been exposed. Solid mystery that is not too gruesome but far from cozy. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this mystery about Hazel who lives in a rural desert town. She was orphaned at an early age and pretty much raised by the townspeople. She has studied bones all her life and is an expert. When human bones start showing up in the desert staged to look like different animals she is called upon to assist. This brings forth the mystery of what happened to her father years ago and also puts Hazel in danger. I really liked Hazel and how she has come through her difficulties to be the woman she is now. I would love to see this made into a series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book.
I enjoy this author's work and really wanted to like this new series. Unfortunately, it didn't hold my interest at all, and I couldn't connect with a single character. It was so slow, and the action so repetitive, that it didn't move the story forward. I gave up around 40% and it was a real struggle to get that far. This one just wasn't for me, but I can see I'm in the minority. If you like this author, give it a try.
I enjoy this author's work and really wanted to like this new series. Unfortunately, it didn't hold my interest at all, and I couldn't connect with a single character. It was so slow, and the action so repetitive, that it didn't move the story forward. I gave up around 40% and it was a real struggle to get that far. This one just wasn't for me, but I can see I'm in the minority. If you like this author, give it a try.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a different take on the crime thriller, with a really unusual premise and a dark, creepy setting. Hazel’s knowledge of bones brings something fresh to the investigation, and I love the idea of a protagonist with such a niche area of expertise.
The disturbing discoveries, her father’s mysterious disappearance and the secrets buried in Hazel’s past all add layers to the mystery. It sounds like a great start to a new series, and I’m looking forward to seeing where Paige Shelton takes Hazel’s story next!
The disturbing discoveries, her father’s mysterious disappearance and the secrets buried in Hazel’s past all add layers to the mystery. It sounds like a great start to a new series, and I’m looking forward to seeing where Paige Shelton takes Hazel’s story next!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC!
Where do I begin was drawn in right away with this book. It kept me continuously guessing about what was happening. Trying to figure out what happened to her dad.. who set the bones up on the desert. I thought I knew who it might be and then nope wasn’t them. The author did a good job making it so I wasn’t able to figure out who it was. I enjoyed the FMC and the story line.
Where do I begin was drawn in right away with this book. It kept me continuously guessing about what was happening. Trying to figure out what happened to her dad.. who set the bones up on the desert. I thought I knew who it might be and then nope wasn’t them. The author did a good job making it so I wasn’t able to figure out who it was. I enjoyed the FMC and the story line.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Creepy thriller set in an isolated desert environment. The main character, Hazel Dylan, is an expert on bones and an interesting character with lots of unanswered questions in her life (that I assume the author will answer as the series continues). Some descriptions of skeletons were too graphic for me, so I did some skimming of those sections. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you like mysteries with a twist - I can HIGHLY recommend the first book in a new series by Author Paige Shelton "The Bone Woman."
It is fantastic! I was thoroughly engaged throughout the entire book. Suspense, great characters, and the descriptions of the landscape are incredible. The ending was an absolute surprise!!!
It is fantastic! I was thoroughly engaged throughout the entire book. Suspense, great characters, and the descriptions of the landscape are incredible. The ending was an absolute surprise!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Set in rural Arizona, this was an engaging story. The main character is a bone expert who assists the sheriff with investigations. While not heavy on the forensic science end, the bones and the taxidermy details made for some interesting reading. There were a few twists and a bit at the end that made me think this could be a series.
Thanks for the ARC Netgalley.
Thanks for the ARC Netgalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, Crooked Lane Books, for providing the copy of The Bone Woman by Paige Shelton. Shelton’s writing style was great, but the story and the characters didn’t catch my attention, so it moved very slowly. I loved Shelton’s Alaska Wild series, but The Bone Woman was not for me. If you love quirky characters, taxidermy, and a desert location, you might love this! 3 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was an unique twisted story. I felt sad for Hazel and yet admired how resilient and smart she was. I spent most of book between 3 suspects. I’m looking forward to what’s next.
This author has a way of writing such unique, quirky strong woman. I always get hooked on her storytelling.
This author has a way of writing such unique, quirky strong woman. I always get hooked on her storytelling.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
review to come
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