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Every Last Bone
Clem has always known how to survive.
A gifted liar and professional scam artist, she’s spent years reinventing herself and escaping consequences.
But when her chronically ill sister Vicky becomes the target of a relentless stalker, Clem finds herself hunting someone who may be even more dangerous than she is.
Threatening messages escalate. The police start asking questions.
And for the first time, Clem isn’t the only one hiding something. Because as the investigation closes in, it won’t just expose a stalker.
It will expose the truth about the sisters themselves.
And some truths don’t set people free. They destroy them.
A gifted liar and professional scam artist, she’s spent years reinventing herself and escaping consequences.
But when her chronically ill sister Vicky becomes the target of a relentless stalker, Clem finds herself hunting someone who may be even more dangerous than she is.
Threatening messages escalate. The police start asking questions.
And for the first time, Clem isn’t the only one hiding something. Because as the investigation closes in, it won’t just expose a stalker.
It will expose the truth about the sisters themselves.
And some truths don’t set people free. They destroy them.
273 pages, Paperback
Published July 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 28, 2026
Every Last Bone by Holly Payne-Strange didn’t completely wow me but still had a lot to appreciate.
I was pulled in right away by the atmosphere. There’s this quiet, lingering unease throughout the story that kept me turning pages, and I really liked how it explored grief and memory alongside the mystery.
For me, the pacing was a bit up and down. The beginning hooked me, but the middle slowed more than I wanted, and then the ending wrapped things up a little quickly. I also didn’t fully connect with the characters emotionally, even though I found their stories interesting.
That said, there are definitely moments where the writing shines—especially in those quieter, slightly eerie scenes. And while some twists didn’t totally surprise me, I still enjoyed seeing how everything came together.
Overall, this is a good pick if you like slower, more reflective thrillers with an emotional core. It may not be a standout favorite for me, but I’m glad I read it—and I’d absolutely try more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the author for gifting me the ARC. As always, the opinions in this review are my very own.
I was pulled in right away by the atmosphere. There’s this quiet, lingering unease throughout the story that kept me turning pages, and I really liked how it explored grief and memory alongside the mystery.
For me, the pacing was a bit up and down. The beginning hooked me, but the middle slowed more than I wanted, and then the ending wrapped things up a little quickly. I also didn’t fully connect with the characters emotionally, even though I found their stories interesting.
That said, there are definitely moments where the writing shines—especially in those quieter, slightly eerie scenes. And while some twists didn’t totally surprise me, I still enjoyed seeing how everything came together.
Overall, this is a good pick if you like slower, more reflective thrillers with an emotional core. It may not be a standout favorite for me, but I’m glad I read it—and I’d absolutely try more from this author in the future.
Thank you to the author for gifting me the ARC. As always, the opinions in this review are my very own.
June 10, 2026
⭐️3
I received an advance copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. ✨
What I liked most was that I slowly started to trust nobody. Every time I thought I had figured things out I started doubting the characters again, which definitely kept me reading to see what was really going on.
That being said, I did find it quite slow at times. As a thriller, it wasn’t as suspenseful as I expected, and some parts felt a little long for me.
Overall, I still enjoyed the mystery and the feeling of not knowing who to trust. If you enjoy slower paced thrillers, this might work better for you than it did for me.
I received an advance copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. ✨
What I liked most was that I slowly started to trust nobody. Every time I thought I had figured things out I started doubting the characters again, which definitely kept me reading to see what was really going on.
That being said, I did find it quite slow at times. As a thriller, it wasn’t as suspenseful as I expected, and some parts felt a little long for me.
Overall, I still enjoyed the mystery and the feeling of not knowing who to trust. If you enjoy slower paced thrillers, this might work better for you than it did for me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Clementine and Victoria are two sisters whose relationship puts the fun in dysfunction! Clem is an expert liar and con artist, and Vic is a chronically ill grad student. When Vic is faced with a stalker, Clem becomes concerned and even a little jealous of the attention Vic is receiving. Their relationship is put to the test when one sister feels like they’re being suspected of wrongdoing. This is a fast-paced and tense suspense novel where you think you have an idea of what’s going but then those thoughts are flipped! There are some outrageous scenes that are shocking as well as laughable making this a fun and and entertaining read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I am someone with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos syndrome and many complications due to it.
While I think Holly Payne-Strange did a great job at capturing the internal monologue of someone with eds, the external world seems lacking. I found the story to be fun and engaging, however, full of major logical errors. The book was difficult to follow at times.
Vicky was very impacted by her disability, but never had any issues in university? She made it all the way to the phD level without any conflicts or discrimination? Less than 1% of disabled people make it to the upper levels of academia. I have a hard time believing someone like this would risk their position, as disabled people often are not allowed any room for error in these environments.
What was the point of introducing Clementine as Mimi if no one called her this?
I liked the scene with the pills and how she outsmarted her sister. I think the story could have ended in the hospital there. After that, I had a hard time suspending my disbelief. She was told to avoid rib injuries for the rest of her life, but the airbag going off was fine? She has no prior schooling in anatomy, but magically stabbed herself just right. Someone with Vascular Ehlers Danlos would be very unlikely to pull through after the second incident due to the fragile vascular tissue.
Vicky is supposed to have a high level technical knowledge, but seems to have zero understanding of basic forensics. One cannot simply delete their half of a text conversation and have it be gone forever. The phone company keeps a copy of data which the police can retrieve if needed.
Clem scams hundreds of thousands of dollars out of people, yet never faces any consequences for this. Scamming $100k out of someone on the black market would be enough to get her a felony by itself. The police were investigating her but just never found any of this? Her enemies, rich enough to own yachts, all threw up their hands and said “darn!!”?!
I would also like to add a word of caution about making a disabled character into an unreliable narrator. At its core, medical gaslighting is when a healthcare provider, due to bias, does not believe that a person is a reliable narrator of their own story. The stalker storyline felt unnecessary in the end. Clem’s fraud should’ve been enough on its own to convict her. If Vicky wanted to expose her as a fraudster, and Clem got suspicious of that, that on its own could’ve replaced the stalker storyline. For this reason alone, I will have to give this story two stars. While I think the author tried to capture the experience, where I think this falls short is it doesn’t seem like she has a deeper understanding of ableism.
I like the overall idea of the story, this just doesn’t feel like a finished novel. It was full of major grammar, spelling, and logical errors.
I am someone with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos syndrome and many complications due to it.
While I think Holly Payne-Strange did a great job at capturing the internal monologue of someone with eds, the external world seems lacking. I found the story to be fun and engaging, however, full of major logical errors. The book was difficult to follow at times.
Vicky was very impacted by her disability, but never had any issues in university? She made it all the way to the phD level without any conflicts or discrimination? Less than 1% of disabled people make it to the upper levels of academia. I have a hard time believing someone like this would risk their position, as disabled people often are not allowed any room for error in these environments.
What was the point of introducing Clementine as Mimi if no one called her this?
I liked the scene with the pills and how she outsmarted her sister. I think the story could have ended in the hospital there. After that, I had a hard time suspending my disbelief. She was told to avoid rib injuries for the rest of her life, but the airbag going off was fine? She has no prior schooling in anatomy, but magically stabbed herself just right. Someone with Vascular Ehlers Danlos would be very unlikely to pull through after the second incident due to the fragile vascular tissue.
Vicky is supposed to have a high level technical knowledge, but seems to have zero understanding of basic forensics. One cannot simply delete their half of a text conversation and have it be gone forever. The phone company keeps a copy of data which the police can retrieve if needed.
Clem scams hundreds of thousands of dollars out of people, yet never faces any consequences for this. Scamming $100k out of someone on the black market would be enough to get her a felony by itself. The police were investigating her but just never found any of this? Her enemies, rich enough to own yachts, all threw up their hands and said “darn!!”?!
I would also like to add a word of caution about making a disabled character into an unreliable narrator. At its core, medical gaslighting is when a healthcare provider, due to bias, does not believe that a person is a reliable narrator of their own story. The stalker storyline felt unnecessary in the end. Clem’s fraud should’ve been enough on its own to convict her. If Vicky wanted to expose her as a fraudster, and Clem got suspicious of that, that on its own could’ve replaced the stalker storyline. For this reason alone, I will have to give this story two stars. While I think the author tried to capture the experience, where I think this falls short is it doesn’t seem like she has a deeper understanding of ableism.
I like the overall idea of the story, this just doesn’t feel like a finished novel. It was full of major grammar, spelling, and logical errors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Pathological liar is someone who habitually lies, often without a clear reason or obvious benefit.
I've always wondered how someone could be a pathological liar, how they could feel such a compulsive need to lie when telling the truth would be so much easier. This book gave me a chilling glimpse into that mindset.
The story follows two sisters, Clementine and Vicky. While Vicky, who lives with EDS, begins receiving threatening messages and realizes someone is stalking her, Clementine steps in to protect her. But Clementine isn't your typical protective sister. She's a narcissist and a pathological liar who manipulates everyone around her with shocking ease. The lies she tells are so outrageous that I constantly found myself wondering how anyone could possibly believe them, yet somehow, she always managed to stay one step ahead.
What surprised me most was that neither sister is as innocent as they first appear. As the story unfolds, secrets begin to surface, and it becomes clear that both of them have been hiding far more than anyone realizes. Watching those layers peel away was one of the book's strongest aspects.
I also appreciated how the book portrayed EDS and the reality of living with a chronic illness. It was heartbreaking to see how much it affected Vicky's daily life, and even more upsetting to see how often her pain was dismissed. It serves as a reminder that invisible illnesses are real, and that people deserve to be believed when they say they're suffering.
I won't lie, these characters frustrated me to no end. Their manipulation, constant lies, selfishness, and endless drama had me wanting to throw the book across the room more than once. But at the same time, I couldn't stop reading.
This isn't an easy read. The characters are deeply unlikeable, and the story can be emotionally exhausting. But it's also incredibly gripping and unsettling. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators, and twists that keep you questioning everyone's motives, this one is worth picking up.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go touch some grass after spending so much time inside these sisters' chaotic minds.
I've always wondered how someone could be a pathological liar, how they could feel such a compulsive need to lie when telling the truth would be so much easier. This book gave me a chilling glimpse into that mindset.
The story follows two sisters, Clementine and Vicky. While Vicky, who lives with EDS, begins receiving threatening messages and realizes someone is stalking her, Clementine steps in to protect her. But Clementine isn't your typical protective sister. She's a narcissist and a pathological liar who manipulates everyone around her with shocking ease. The lies she tells are so outrageous that I constantly found myself wondering how anyone could possibly believe them, yet somehow, she always managed to stay one step ahead.
What surprised me most was that neither sister is as innocent as they first appear. As the story unfolds, secrets begin to surface, and it becomes clear that both of them have been hiding far more than anyone realizes. Watching those layers peel away was one of the book's strongest aspects.
I also appreciated how the book portrayed EDS and the reality of living with a chronic illness. It was heartbreaking to see how much it affected Vicky's daily life, and even more upsetting to see how often her pain was dismissed. It serves as a reminder that invisible illnesses are real, and that people deserve to be believed when they say they're suffering.
I won't lie, these characters frustrated me to no end. Their manipulation, constant lies, selfishness, and endless drama had me wanting to throw the book across the room more than once. But at the same time, I couldn't stop reading.
This isn't an easy read. The characters are deeply unlikeable, and the story can be emotionally exhausting. But it's also incredibly gripping and unsettling. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with unreliable narrators, and twists that keep you questioning everyone's motives, this one is worth picking up.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go touch some grass after spending so much time inside these sisters' chaotic minds.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Every Last Bone is one of those psychological thrillers that immediately announces its intentions: this is not a story about a hero. It is a story about a deeply unreliable narrator whose self-image and reality exist in constant conflict.
The novel opens with Clementine ("Mimi"), a woman who decides she wants to donate a kidney to a stranger—not from pure altruism, but because she craves the admiration associated with being seen as heroic. Within a handful of chapters, readers discover that she is unemployed, habitually dishonest, emotionally volatile, manipulative, and involved in various scams. Yet despite her deeply flawed nature, she remains fascinating to follow.
The unreliable narrator, psychological characterization, sister relationship and immediate hook works extremely well.
The prose is accessible, conversational, and highly voice-driven. Payne-Strange prioritizes character perspective over elaborate literary flourishes, which suits the story. The humor lands surprisingly well considering the darker subject matter. The writing often creates comedy and horror simultaneously—an increasingly rare skill in psychological suspense.
These themes emerge naturally through character behavior rather than overt exposition.
- Self-deception
- Grief and family trauma
- Identity construction
- Internet culture and performance
- Obsession and stalking
- The ethics of truth versus comfort
Finally, Every Last Bone succeeds because it understands that compelling characters do not need to be admirable.
The novel's strongest asset is Clementine herself: a narrator who is simultaneously funny, delusional, sympathetic, manipulative, and increasingly alarming. Combined with a believable sibling relationship and a growing atmosphere of unease, the opening chapters create a psychological thriller that feels fresh and character-driven rather than formulaic.
Recommended for readers who enjoy morally complex protagonists, unreliable narration, dark humor, and psychologically rich thrillers.
Every Last Bone is one of those psychological thrillers that immediately announces its intentions: this is not a story about a hero. It is a story about a deeply unreliable narrator whose self-image and reality exist in constant conflict.
The novel opens with Clementine ("Mimi"), a woman who decides she wants to donate a kidney to a stranger—not from pure altruism, but because she craves the admiration associated with being seen as heroic. Within a handful of chapters, readers discover that she is unemployed, habitually dishonest, emotionally volatile, manipulative, and involved in various scams. Yet despite her deeply flawed nature, she remains fascinating to follow.
The unreliable narrator, psychological characterization, sister relationship and immediate hook works extremely well.
The prose is accessible, conversational, and highly voice-driven. Payne-Strange prioritizes character perspective over elaborate literary flourishes, which suits the story. The humor lands surprisingly well considering the darker subject matter. The writing often creates comedy and horror simultaneously—an increasingly rare skill in psychological suspense.
These themes emerge naturally through character behavior rather than overt exposition.
- Self-deception
- Grief and family trauma
- Identity construction
- Internet culture and performance
- Obsession and stalking
- The ethics of truth versus comfort
Finally, Every Last Bone succeeds because it understands that compelling characters do not need to be admirable.
The novel's strongest asset is Clementine herself: a narrator who is simultaneously funny, delusional, sympathetic, manipulative, and increasingly alarming. Combined with a believable sibling relationship and a growing atmosphere of unease, the opening chapters create a psychological thriller that feels fresh and character-driven rather than formulaic.
Recommended for readers who enjoy morally complex protagonists, unreliable narration, dark humor, and psychologically rich thrillers.
Review of advance copy
I came close to abandoning this book when I was about 15% of the way through it. Initially, I found nobody and nothing to like in the narrative. The lead character, Clem, is a horrible woman, and not simply because of her deplorable actions — scamming vulnerable people to fund her lifestyle — but because of her pathological need to be liked. That bothered me more than anything else. I’ve spent more than enough time in the orbit of toxic narcissists, and the prospect of seeing the world through the eyes of such a person had little appeal for me.
I also had the strong impression that I was going to spend the entire novel watching a car skid slowly towards a wall, and that the inevitable crash would do little to make me feel any more sympathetic towards Clem.
I stuck with it, though, and found that it improved considerably once the narration switched from Clem to Victoria. However, I still struggled with the improbability of the plot. I never fully believed Victoria would behave the way she did. If Clem were my sister, I’d simply stay out of her reach rather than submit myself to the whole process.
There is nothing wrong with the writing itself. Payne-Strange writes well, and the characters are clearly drawn and convincingly developed. I just didn’t enjoy spending time with them, and ultimately I couldn’t get past that.
There are also some jarring elements. This is a US author writing about events in England, and at times she doesn’t quite get the details right. At one point Clem has just scammed someone out of more than a hundred thousand dollars, yet only a few pages later she is apparently skint again. Victoria’s university experience also shows little understanding of how a PhD is actually funded and completed in the UK. There's confusion between parole and bail. Those details pulled me out of the story.
Perhaps this simply wasn’t the right book for me, but it undoubtedly has strengths and will likely find an appreciative audience.
I also had the strong impression that I was going to spend the entire novel watching a car skid slowly towards a wall, and that the inevitable crash would do little to make me feel any more sympathetic towards Clem.
I stuck with it, though, and found that it improved considerably once the narration switched from Clem to Victoria. However, I still struggled with the improbability of the plot. I never fully believed Victoria would behave the way she did. If Clem were my sister, I’d simply stay out of her reach rather than submit myself to the whole process.
There is nothing wrong with the writing itself. Payne-Strange writes well, and the characters are clearly drawn and convincingly developed. I just didn’t enjoy spending time with them, and ultimately I couldn’t get past that.
There are also some jarring elements. This is a US author writing about events in England, and at times she doesn’t quite get the details right. At one point Clem has just scammed someone out of more than a hundred thousand dollars, yet only a few pages later she is apparently skint again. Victoria’s university experience also shows little understanding of how a PhD is actually funded and completed in the UK. There's confusion between parole and bail. Those details pulled me out of the story.
Perhaps this simply wasn’t the right book for me, but it undoubtedly has strengths and will likely find an appreciative audience.
Review of advance copy
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse and the author herself for this gifted e-ARC...this is my honest review.
📱 Every Last Bone 📱
Author: Holly Payne-Strange
Pub Date: July 20, 2026
MY RATING: 3.75/5⭐
(Rounded Up To 4⭐)
If you're looking for a thriller with completely unhinged main characters, look no further than Every Last Bone, the upcoming thriller from Holly Payne-Strange. This book wasted NO time jumping right into the unhinged madness, and the twists and turns kept me on my toes from start to finish.
This fast-paced thriller was told from the dual POVs of sisters Clementine (Clem) and Victoria (Vic). Clem and Vic couldn't be more different. Clem has always survived by becoming whoever people need her to be:a liar, a scam artist, a woman one step ahead of consequences. Vic, on the other hand, is chronically ill and increasingly isolated, surviving at the mercy of her own body. When a stalker begins sending emails and texts to Vic, and then begins leaving gifts for the sisters, the police get involved. Someone knows the truth about these sisters, but what lengths are they willing to go to in order to reveal those truths to the world?
It was really difficult to like these characters, but let me tell you: if you're a fan of unhinged weird girl thrillers, and are open to reads that just might qualify as psychological horror, I think you'll really enjoy this wild ride. These sisters rival the most unhinged characters I've ever read, with jaw-dropping behaviors that left me shocked multiple times throughout this read. If shockingly bad behavior, unhinged female main characters, and twisty sibling dynamics are your vibes, you're going to want to add this one to your TBR immediately when it publishes next week!
#EveryLastBone #HollyPayneStrange #ThrillerBookLoversThePulse #unhingedthrillers #thrillerreads #thrilleraddict #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
📱 Every Last Bone 📱
Author: Holly Payne-Strange
Pub Date: July 20, 2026
MY RATING: 3.75/5⭐
(Rounded Up To 4⭐)
If you're looking for a thriller with completely unhinged main characters, look no further than Every Last Bone, the upcoming thriller from Holly Payne-Strange. This book wasted NO time jumping right into the unhinged madness, and the twists and turns kept me on my toes from start to finish.
This fast-paced thriller was told from the dual POVs of sisters Clementine (Clem) and Victoria (Vic). Clem and Vic couldn't be more different. Clem has always survived by becoming whoever people need her to be:a liar, a scam artist, a woman one step ahead of consequences. Vic, on the other hand, is chronically ill and increasingly isolated, surviving at the mercy of her own body. When a stalker begins sending emails and texts to Vic, and then begins leaving gifts for the sisters, the police get involved. Someone knows the truth about these sisters, but what lengths are they willing to go to in order to reveal those truths to the world?
It was really difficult to like these characters, but let me tell you: if you're a fan of unhinged weird girl thrillers, and are open to reads that just might qualify as psychological horror, I think you'll really enjoy this wild ride. These sisters rival the most unhinged characters I've ever read, with jaw-dropping behaviors that left me shocked multiple times throughout this read. If shockingly bad behavior, unhinged female main characters, and twisty sibling dynamics are your vibes, you're going to want to add this one to your TBR immediately when it publishes next week!
#EveryLastBone #HollyPayneStrange #ThrillerBookLoversThePulse #unhingedthrillers #thrillerreads #thrilleraddict #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I went into this book hoping to love it. Instead I got something messier and more complicated.
Weirdly, that might be the point
Every Last Bone gave me a reading experience I can only describe as “I need to know how this ends” wrestling with “do I actually like anyone in here?” Spoiler: the latter won, but I still couldn’t put it down.
Let’s start with what genuinely moved me: the author’s note at the end hit hard. As someone living with EDS and chronic pain myself, I felt seen in a way that doesn’t happen often, and that connection alone made the read worthwhile. The chronic illness and chronic pain representation throughout the book is something I wish more authors would attempt; it’s rare,and this clearly didn’t shy away from the messy, exhausting reality of it.
Here’s where it got complicated for me: I found the characters almost universally unlikeable. Now, I’ll own that this might be a “me” problem more than a “book” problem, living the chronic pain experience myself meant I was reading these characters against my own lived reality rather than against the realm of fictional possibility, and that’s a tough bar to clear. Not everything needs to be rooted strictly in reality, and a more easygoing reader than me might not flinch the way I did.
The writing also lost me in places…
a bit choppy, occasionally hard to stay locked into, and I caught my attention drifting more than once. But credit where it’s due: even half-tuned-out, I needed to see this through to the end.
3 ⭐️ for the representation that mattered to me, and a story that, for the right reader, could land as a five.
This one’s a “know thyself” read. If you want unflinching chronic illness rep with characters who don’t ask for your approval, this might be exactly your book. I just wasn’t built for it today.
Thank you Book Sirens for the opportunity and ARC.
Weirdly, that might be the point
Every Last Bone gave me a reading experience I can only describe as “I need to know how this ends” wrestling with “do I actually like anyone in here?” Spoiler: the latter won, but I still couldn’t put it down.
Let’s start with what genuinely moved me: the author’s note at the end hit hard. As someone living with EDS and chronic pain myself, I felt seen in a way that doesn’t happen often, and that connection alone made the read worthwhile. The chronic illness and chronic pain representation throughout the book is something I wish more authors would attempt; it’s rare,and this clearly didn’t shy away from the messy, exhausting reality of it.
Here’s where it got complicated for me: I found the characters almost universally unlikeable. Now, I’ll own that this might be a “me” problem more than a “book” problem, living the chronic pain experience myself meant I was reading these characters against my own lived reality rather than against the realm of fictional possibility, and that’s a tough bar to clear. Not everything needs to be rooted strictly in reality, and a more easygoing reader than me might not flinch the way I did.
The writing also lost me in places…
a bit choppy, occasionally hard to stay locked into, and I caught my attention drifting more than once. But credit where it’s due: even half-tuned-out, I needed to see this through to the end.
3 ⭐️ for the representation that mattered to me, and a story that, for the right reader, could land as a five.
This one’s a “know thyself” read. If you want unflinching chronic illness rep with characters who don’t ask for your approval, this might be exactly your book. I just wasn’t built for it today.
Thank you Book Sirens for the opportunity and ARC.
July 18, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I reached 35% of the way through this book and thought to myself, "this is like your best friend finally telling you the history of everything her sister has done, and by the end your jaw is on the floor."
This was probably the fastest book I have read so far this year, because I absolutely had to find out what was going to happen next.
I really liked the book and how throughout the entire novel I felt as if I wasn't sure exactly WHO I could trust. Who was good and who was bad?
I liked the suspense that mistrust helped build along the journey of the book and just when you thought you had gotten things straight, something else would happen.
I thought she really brought out the personality of each sister. The character of Vic was a bit close to me personally as someone with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I could tell that either she had the condition or someone in her life does when she didn't take the typical route of "stretchy skin bendy people!"
She gave an accurate depiction of the intensity of the condition and the extent to which it can disable you and the damage it does to your body. She didn't sugarcoat the struggle Vic went through at times. I also love that she made her an absolute badass despite having a disability. Thank you Holly for the care you took in writing the condition and the advocacy that this book and your writing will do for us.
If I had one complaint, I was left a little bit wanting only in regards to the length of the climax towards the end of the book and what happened after. I wanted just a bit more!
I loved the ending and overall really enjoyed this book. I will be reading Holly again and I thank her for inviting me to review her book.
I reached 35% of the way through this book and thought to myself, "this is like your best friend finally telling you the history of everything her sister has done, and by the end your jaw is on the floor."
This was probably the fastest book I have read so far this year, because I absolutely had to find out what was going to happen next.
I really liked the book and how throughout the entire novel I felt as if I wasn't sure exactly WHO I could trust. Who was good and who was bad?
I liked the suspense that mistrust helped build along the journey of the book and just when you thought you had gotten things straight, something else would happen.
I thought she really brought out the personality of each sister. The character of Vic was a bit close to me personally as someone with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I could tell that either she had the condition or someone in her life does when she didn't take the typical route of "stretchy skin bendy people!"
She gave an accurate depiction of the intensity of the condition and the extent to which it can disable you and the damage it does to your body. She didn't sugarcoat the struggle Vic went through at times. I also love that she made her an absolute badass despite having a disability. Thank you Holly for the care you took in writing the condition and the advocacy that this book and your writing will do for us.
If I had one complaint, I was left a little bit wanting only in regards to the length of the climax towards the end of the book and what happened after. I wanted just a bit more!
I loved the ending and overall really enjoyed this book. I will be reading Holly again and I thank her for inviting me to review her book.
July 20, 2026
BECAUSE SOME TRUTHS DON'T SET PEOPLE FREE. THEY DESTROY THEM.
Every Last Bone is a dark, claustrophobic domestic thriller that gets under your skin and stays there.
Clem has always survived by becoming whoever people need her to be — a liar, a con artist, a woman one step ahead of consequences. Her sister Vicky couldn't be more different. Chronically ill, isolated, and vulnerable, Vicky lives at the mercy of her own body. When strange gifts start arriving and Vicky realizes she's being followed in the street, Clem is forced to come home and confront the past they've both tried to bury.
What I loved:
The unreliable narrator is unreliable. Clem is fascinating, messy, and you never quite know when she's telling the truth — even to herself. I loved not trusting her.
The sister dynamic. This is the heart of the book. It's not just about a stalker, it's about guilt, resentment, love, and what we do to protect the people we love, even when they don't need protecting.
The atmosphere. It's tense and suffocating from page one. Holly Payne-Strange does such a good job with the slow burn dread — the feeling that someone knows exactly what you did.
The representation. Disability rep and LGBT+ rep woven in so naturally into a thriller, which we need more of.
It's twisty without being ridiculous, emotional without being melodramatic. The ending hit hard and I did NOT see that final reveal coming.
If you love domestic thrillers with morally grey sisters, stalker tension, and secrets that rot you from the inside out — read this.
Thank you to Nook & Fable Media and Holly Payne-Strange for the tour invite. Out today — July 20th, 2026!
Tropes: Domestic Thriller / Unreliable Narrator / Stalker / LGBT+ Rep / Disability Rep
Every Last Bone is a dark, claustrophobic domestic thriller that gets under your skin and stays there.
Clem has always survived by becoming whoever people need her to be — a liar, a con artist, a woman one step ahead of consequences. Her sister Vicky couldn't be more different. Chronically ill, isolated, and vulnerable, Vicky lives at the mercy of her own body. When strange gifts start arriving and Vicky realizes she's being followed in the street, Clem is forced to come home and confront the past they've both tried to bury.
What I loved:
The unreliable narrator is unreliable. Clem is fascinating, messy, and you never quite know when she's telling the truth — even to herself. I loved not trusting her.
The sister dynamic. This is the heart of the book. It's not just about a stalker, it's about guilt, resentment, love, and what we do to protect the people we love, even when they don't need protecting.
The atmosphere. It's tense and suffocating from page one. Holly Payne-Strange does such a good job with the slow burn dread — the feeling that someone knows exactly what you did.
The representation. Disability rep and LGBT+ rep woven in so naturally into a thriller, which we need more of.
It's twisty without being ridiculous, emotional without being melodramatic. The ending hit hard and I did NOT see that final reveal coming.
If you love domestic thrillers with morally grey sisters, stalker tension, and secrets that rot you from the inside out — read this.
Thank you to Nook & Fable Media and Holly Payne-Strange for the tour invite. Out today — July 20th, 2026!
Tropes: Domestic Thriller / Unreliable Narrator / Stalker / LGBT+ Rep / Disability Rep
Review of advance copy
Every Last Bone is psychological thriller full of drama that grips you right up until the end.
Clementine and Vicky are two sisters with a tumultuous past. But they've worked through it enough to be around each other and live together. They are both very flawed characters.
Clementine is a fraud who makes her money by scamming people. She is a professional liar and con artist. Her current scam is as a kidney donator. Her sister Vicky, on the other hand is a Phd student who suffers with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
When Vicky claims she has an online stalker and involves the police, Clementine can only think one thing. How can she make this about her and involve herself as well? She claims she's also being stalked as well. But she didn't think about what this would mean for her as a scammer with police presence in her life. That's when Mimi decides to "handle" things on her own and find the stalker herself, or someone whom she believes could be the stalker, plant evidence, and make him look guilty enough. But then the POV starts shifting and we start seeing more and more of Vicky's unreliability.
Both characters are unreliable and frustrating. Their relationship is full of drama, tension, and a past that one of them isn't willing to move on from.
While I did find the story to be on the slower side at times and a little confusing with both characters being unreliable, it was still an enjoyable with a very unique plot.
Clementine and Vicky are two sisters with a tumultuous past. But they've worked through it enough to be around each other and live together. They are both very flawed characters.
Clementine is a fraud who makes her money by scamming people. She is a professional liar and con artist. Her current scam is as a kidney donator. Her sister Vicky, on the other hand is a Phd student who suffers with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
When Vicky claims she has an online stalker and involves the police, Clementine can only think one thing. How can she make this about her and involve herself as well? She claims she's also being stalked as well. But she didn't think about what this would mean for her as a scammer with police presence in her life. That's when Mimi decides to "handle" things on her own and find the stalker herself, or someone whom she believes could be the stalker, plant evidence, and make him look guilty enough. But then the POV starts shifting and we start seeing more and more of Vicky's unreliability.
Both characters are unreliable and frustrating. Their relationship is full of drama, tension, and a past that one of them isn't willing to move on from.
While I did find the story to be on the slower side at times and a little confusing with both characters being unreliable, it was still an enjoyable with a very unique plot.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Clem has spent her life surviving by becoming whoever people needed her to be: a chameleon, a liar, and a scam artist always outrunning the consequences. Her sister Vicky, is her opposite: fragile, chronically ill and trapped in an increasingly isolated life. But when unsettling messages begin to target Vicky, the sisters are forced to confront a past that they have buried deep.
I absolutely devoured this one! It's the kind of thriller that keeps you flipping pages because the tension never lets up and you just need to know what happens! The dual POVS between Clem and Vicky make the story feel like a relentless game of cat and mouse where every reveal only made me question everything more. What really hooked me was the sister dynamic. I love a messy complicated sibling relationship, and this one was packed with love, resentment, loyalty and secrets. Their bond felt raw and unpredictable which made the emotional weight that much heavier. I also really appreciated how the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome representation was handled. It added real depth to Vicky's character and the story itself without ever feeling forced. If you love morally gray characters, family secrets and thrillers that are twisty and tense, Every Last Bone is definitely worth picking up!
Thank you so much to Holly Payne Strange and Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for letting me read an early copy!
I absolutely devoured this one! It's the kind of thriller that keeps you flipping pages because the tension never lets up and you just need to know what happens! The dual POVS between Clem and Vicky make the story feel like a relentless game of cat and mouse where every reveal only made me question everything more. What really hooked me was the sister dynamic. I love a messy complicated sibling relationship, and this one was packed with love, resentment, loyalty and secrets. Their bond felt raw and unpredictable which made the emotional weight that much heavier. I also really appreciated how the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome representation was handled. It added real depth to Vicky's character and the story itself without ever feeling forced. If you love morally gray characters, family secrets and thrillers that are twisty and tense, Every Last Bone is definitely worth picking up!
Thank you so much to Holly Payne Strange and Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for letting me read an early copy!
Review of advance copy received from Author
And some truths don’t set people free. They destroy them.
✨My Thoughts✨
Firstly, thank you so much for the ARC. I’m genuinely glad I picked this one up because after taking a month-long reading break, I honestly feel lucky to have returned with gems like this especially from indie authors 👏📖
Coming to the book… once again, I went in completely blind. I didn’t read the description properly. I only knew this was a thriller, and I had absolutely no idea what I was stepping into 😭
And wow… this story felt so fresh. I’ve never read a thriller built around a topic quite like this before.
What starts with “what the hell is Clem doing?” slowly turns into “OMG… who even is she?!” 👀
This book emotionally played with me. I was stressed, anxious, frustrated, and constantly on the edge of my seat. The story alternates between Clem and Vicky, and with every chapter the tension tightens around your neck slowly, methodically, until you can’t escape it.
Seriously… how does someone write 270 pages this gripping?! There wasn’t a single moment where I wanted to stop reading.
Dark, addictive, tense, and impossible to put down 🔥
✨My Thoughts✨
Firstly, thank you so much for the ARC. I’m genuinely glad I picked this one up because after taking a month-long reading break, I honestly feel lucky to have returned with gems like this especially from indie authors 👏📖
Coming to the book… once again, I went in completely blind. I didn’t read the description properly. I only knew this was a thriller, and I had absolutely no idea what I was stepping into 😭
And wow… this story felt so fresh. I’ve never read a thriller built around a topic quite like this before.
What starts with “what the hell is Clem doing?” slowly turns into “OMG… who even is she?!” 👀
This book emotionally played with me. I was stressed, anxious, frustrated, and constantly on the edge of my seat. The story alternates between Clem and Vicky, and with every chapter the tension tightens around your neck slowly, methodically, until you can’t escape it.
Seriously… how does someone write 270 pages this gripping?! There wasn’t a single moment where I wanted to stop reading.
Dark, addictive, tense, and impossible to put down 🔥
Review of advance copy
“Every Last Bone” is an interesting, character driven thriller with lots of twists and turns. First up, we meet Clementine, a seemingly charming, altruistic young woman about to donate a kidney to someone in need. Or is she? If ever anyone’s mind was Tiffany twisted, it’s hers! Phew…I’ve met some toxic narcissists in my time but Clem takes the cake. The fact that she seems to have no moral compass or empathy almost makes you feel sorry for her, a poor lass in dire need of an intervention.
Then we have her sister Vicki, a PHD student with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition I hadn’t heard of before. In fragile health, she is grappling with an online stalker …the police are notified, the sisters try to make sense of the situation as they see it. The gradually emerging truth is ugly, and you can sense that the ending won’t be pretty.
I enjoyed this story as told by the sisters… quite over the top but always entertaining!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Then we have her sister Vicki, a PHD student with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition I hadn’t heard of before. In fragile health, she is grappling with an online stalker …the police are notified, the sisters try to make sense of the situation as they see it. The gradually emerging truth is ugly, and you can sense that the ending won’t be pretty.
I enjoyed this story as told by the sisters… quite over the top but always entertaining!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
Every Last Bone by Holly Payne-Strange. Thanks to @thrillerbookloverpulse for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Clem is a gifted liar and uses it to her advantage to make money. When her chronically ill sister, Vicky, becomes the target to a stalker, Clem finds herself possibly hunting someone worse than her.
This was one of those back and forth thrillers where the tension and suspense is so extreme it’s very hard to put down. I love stories with sisters, especially when there’s drama and a love/hate relationship. This was an extremely complicated relationship and very anxiety provoking to read the back and forth. The cat and mouse action is emphasized by having both points of views alternating as well. The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome rep was well done too. It added sympathy and purpose to the storyline, without using it as a caricature.
“… this level of stalking isn’t normal, or relatable. There’s a darkness there, something callous and angry under the surface.”
Read if you like:
-Stalking thrillers
-Con and grifter characters
-Cat and mouse action
-Stories about sisters
Every Last Bone comes out 7/20.
Clem is a gifted liar and uses it to her advantage to make money. When her chronically ill sister, Vicky, becomes the target to a stalker, Clem finds herself possibly hunting someone worse than her.
This was one of those back and forth thrillers where the tension and suspense is so extreme it’s very hard to put down. I love stories with sisters, especially when there’s drama and a love/hate relationship. This was an extremely complicated relationship and very anxiety provoking to read the back and forth. The cat and mouse action is emphasized by having both points of views alternating as well. The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome rep was well done too. It added sympathy and purpose to the storyline, without using it as a caricature.
“… this level of stalking isn’t normal, or relatable. There’s a darkness there, something callous and angry under the surface.”
Read if you like:
-Stalking thrillers
-Con and grifter characters
-Cat and mouse action
-Stories about sisters
Every Last Bone comes out 7/20.
Review of advance copy received from Author
"Can love and justice be wrong, if they're both certain?"
WOW. What a ride!
Every Last Bone follows two sisters who are dealing with a stalker, but the more you read, the more unreliable both narrators become.
I love when protagonists are flawed and unreliable narrators. Going into this, I knew Clementine was going to be a suspicious character. She's already doing questionable things in the beginning, like scamming rich people on the black market. But the more I read the book, the more she made me uncomfortable.
But I really enjoy that in a story! And when you're reading a thriller, you should at least expect that the protagonist isn't all the way there.
I also loved Vic's perspective and seeing the story play out through her eyes. Clementine feels like a completely different person through Victoria's chapters. While Clementine sees herself as a wannabe hero, she's so crazy and selfish in Vic's POV.
This book was very fun! And if you enjoy psychological thrillers, I highly recommend it!
WOW. What a ride!
Every Last Bone follows two sisters who are dealing with a stalker, but the more you read, the more unreliable both narrators become.
I love when protagonists are flawed and unreliable narrators. Going into this, I knew Clementine was going to be a suspicious character. She's already doing questionable things in the beginning, like scamming rich people on the black market. But the more I read the book, the more she made me uncomfortable.
But I really enjoy that in a story! And when you're reading a thriller, you should at least expect that the protagonist isn't all the way there.
I also loved Vic's perspective and seeing the story play out through her eyes. Clementine feels like a completely different person through Victoria's chapters. While Clementine sees herself as a wannabe hero, she's so crazy and selfish in Vic's POV.
This book was very fun! And if you enjoy psychological thrillers, I highly recommend it!
Review of advance copy
I received this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a unique book in multiple ways: exploring disability in horror and dealing with a wild psychopath sister.
I started out questioning if i would enjoy this; Clementine, one of the main characters, shares her life and how she works different scams. It’s clear from the beginning that she is absolutely devoid of any empathy; most of the book she’s trying to reconcile that she’s a good person. The scams are frankly unrealistic and insane, but it’s fiction so I’m not going to look too hard into it.
The real strength of the book came after a POV shift to her sister, Victoria. Having dual POV allowed me as the reader to shift through unreliable narration and wtf was actually going on.
Was this a wildly unrealistic book? Yes.
Was it entertaining? Yes.
A few grammar and structural changes and this will be an easy and quick thriller for anyone who likes a twisty and wild ride.
This was a unique book in multiple ways: exploring disability in horror and dealing with a wild psychopath sister.
I started out questioning if i would enjoy this; Clementine, one of the main characters, shares her life and how she works different scams. It’s clear from the beginning that she is absolutely devoid of any empathy; most of the book she’s trying to reconcile that she’s a good person. The scams are frankly unrealistic and insane, but it’s fiction so I’m not going to look too hard into it.
The real strength of the book came after a POV shift to her sister, Victoria. Having dual POV allowed me as the reader to shift through unreliable narration and wtf was actually going on.
Was this a wildly unrealistic book? Yes.
Was it entertaining? Yes.
A few grammar and structural changes and this will be an easy and quick thriller for anyone who likes a twisty and wild ride.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2026
4.5⭐️ — I received this book as part of a release day tour, and the moment I saw the cover, I couldn’t resist diving right in. And wow… I don’t regret it for a second.
I didn’t finish it in one sitting only because, well… life. But this was one of those books I couldn’t wait to get back to every chance I had.
The writing was fast-paced and engaging, the characters felt authentic, and the narration was incredibly well done. The author’s understanding of each character, the way the plot unfolded, and the overall execution made this such an enjoyable read.
One aspect I especially appreciated was how the story portrayed disability. It was handled with empathy and authenticity, making it easy to understand the experiences and challenges the characters faced. As a healthcare professional, that resonated with me even more and made the story all the more impactful.
This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. I can’t wait to read more of her work.
I didn’t finish it in one sitting only because, well… life. But this was one of those books I couldn’t wait to get back to every chance I had.
The writing was fast-paced and engaging, the characters felt authentic, and the narration was incredibly well done. The author’s understanding of each character, the way the plot unfolded, and the overall execution made this such an enjoyable read.
One aspect I especially appreciated was how the story portrayed disability. It was handled with empathy and authenticity, making it easy to understand the experiences and challenges the characters faced. As a healthcare professional, that resonated with me even more and made the story all the more impactful.
This was my first book by this author, but it definitely won’t be my last. I can’t wait to read more of her work.
July 29, 2026
A stalking story on the surface, but what the book is actually about is two sisters who built very different lives out of the same damage, and the fact that both of them are managing what you're allowed to see.
The opening stretch is a test. Clem is exhausting by design, and it takes a while for that design to pay off. I nearly set it down. Once the perspective shifts, small details from the early chapters start reading differently, and I found myself going back to check things. That's a really good sign of a very well written work.
I can't speak to the accuracy, but Vicky's illness reads as very realistic. The way she calculates the cost of ordinary movement stayed with me longer than the thriller elements did. You can see roughly where it's heading before it gets there. Didn't bother me. The interest was in how far both of them would go, not in being surprised.
Really enjoyed this one.
The opening stretch is a test. Clem is exhausting by design, and it takes a while for that design to pay off. I nearly set it down. Once the perspective shifts, small details from the early chapters start reading differently, and I found myself going back to check things. That's a really good sign of a very well written work.
I can't speak to the accuracy, but Vicky's illness reads as very realistic. The way she calculates the cost of ordinary movement stayed with me longer than the thriller elements did. You can see roughly where it's heading before it gets there. Didn't bother me. The interest was in how far both of them would go, not in being surprised.
Really enjoyed this one.
Review of advance copy
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5
Every Last Bone hooked me from the very first chapter with its gripping family drama and intense sister rivalry. This fast-paced thriller follows two sisters as they navigate a series of murders and a dangerous stalker, forcing each of them to confront what justice truly means.
The story is told from both sisters' perspectives, adding depth to the mystery while delivering plenty of unexpected plot twists. Clementine appears to have the perfect life on the surface, but as her past unfolds, so do the enemies she may have created. Meanwhile, Vic, the brilliant sister pursuing her PhD, finds her life thrown into chaos when she becomes the target of a stalker.
The dual perspectives kept me invested throughout, and the constant twists made it difficult to predict where the story was headed.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Every Last Bone hooked me from the very first chapter with its gripping family drama and intense sister rivalry. This fast-paced thriller follows two sisters as they navigate a series of murders and a dangerous stalker, forcing each of them to confront what justice truly means.
The story is told from both sisters' perspectives, adding depth to the mystery while delivering plenty of unexpected plot twists. Clementine appears to have the perfect life on the surface, but as her past unfolds, so do the enemies she may have created. Meanwhile, Vic, the brilliant sister pursuing her PhD, finds her life thrown into chaos when she becomes the target of a stalker.
The dual perspectives kept me invested throughout, and the constant twists made it difficult to predict where the story was headed.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2026
This one was a bit rough to get through for me. from the start, it is immediately noticeable how unlikeable the characters are. Clementine is a disgusting person who you would never want to root for, and that's sort of the point, but 14 straight chapters of her perspective before we switch to her sister is really rough to get through. not even in a "i want to see this person brought to justice" kind of way, more like a "i wish this person would shut up" way. the narcissism and the way she narrates make it hard to push through. and i'm not sure i would say her sister is much better.
maybe that's the point. maybe the idea is to hate every character so much you want to see the whole world burn down around them. if so, then this book might be for you. for me, it was less of a psychological thrill and more of a psychological stress test.
maybe that's the point. maybe the idea is to hate every character so much you want to see the whole world burn down around them. if so, then this book might be for you. for me, it was less of a psychological thrill and more of a psychological stress test.
August 2, 2026
ARC Review ❣️
4 hearts for me
This is such a fun and entertaining read throughout the last page. Fastpaced, a little funny, entertaining, suspense all together.
While reading the first 30% I believed Clem is great except her lying and the way she cons everyone but next came Vic's POV and I was confused about whom to support and it's been the same through the entire book. Both pov's were written in such a great way that I have a confusing ming to pick one as a favorite.
But I can say that these both sisters have corrupted my mind, Clem gas lighting herself at the end and even in some scenes are kind of unbelievable and Vic 😮💨 the way her EDS is explained clearly and the way she struggles to fight against her own sister are great.
If you love fastpaced, sister themed thrillers, this one is for you 😇
4 hearts for me
This is such a fun and entertaining read throughout the last page. Fastpaced, a little funny, entertaining, suspense all together.
While reading the first 30% I believed Clem is great except her lying and the way she cons everyone but next came Vic's POV and I was confused about whom to support and it's been the same through the entire book. Both pov's were written in such a great way that I have a confusing ming to pick one as a favorite.
But I can say that these both sisters have corrupted my mind, Clem gas lighting herself at the end and even in some scenes are kind of unbelievable and Vic 😮💨 the way her EDS is explained clearly and the way she struggles to fight against her own sister are great.
If you love fastpaced, sister themed thrillers, this one is for you 😇
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75/5)
Thank you to Holly Payne-Strange for the ARC.
Every Last Bone was an interesting read with a concept that felt completely different from anything I've read before. The story started strong, and the unique premise kept me curious about where it was going. I enjoyed the overall flow of the writing and thought the ending was good.
The middle section felt a bit slow and dragged at times, making the story feel somewhat boring for a while. However, I continued reading, and the pace picked up again, bringing back my interest in the story.
The characters were frustrating and quite unlikeable in their own ways, but they fit the plot and overall story.
Overall, this was a good read and offered something different from my usual reads.
Thank you to Holly Payne-Strange for the ARC.
Every Last Bone was an interesting read with a concept that felt completely different from anything I've read before. The story started strong, and the unique premise kept me curious about where it was going. I enjoyed the overall flow of the writing and thought the ending was good.
The middle section felt a bit slow and dragged at times, making the story feel somewhat boring for a while. However, I continued reading, and the pace picked up again, bringing back my interest in the story.
The characters were frustrating and quite unlikeable in their own ways, but they fit the plot and overall story.
Overall, this was a good read and offered something different from my usual reads.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really didn't know what to expect going into this book, starting of Clem drove me insane with the try on for size innocents while robbing people blind.
But the book kept me somewhat interested past her delusions. There are so many jaw dropping moments. Things you dont see coming or think you know will happen but turn out completely different.
There are bits that prolonged the story when there was no need for it and the ending felt like an unnecessary add on to the previous happenings but i understand why the author chose to add it.
My heart aches for Victoria, you can truly feel her grief, fear and strength through this story.
Disability be damned feminine rage and vengeance fule the fire.
But the book kept me somewhat interested past her delusions. There are so many jaw dropping moments. Things you dont see coming or think you know will happen but turn out completely different.
There are bits that prolonged the story when there was no need for it and the ending felt like an unnecessary add on to the previous happenings but i understand why the author chose to add it.
My heart aches for Victoria, you can truly feel her grief, fear and strength through this story.
Disability be damned feminine rage and vengeance fule the fire.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The author did a great job showing how Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome can affect your life while not making it the primary issue. Legit gave me anxiety at a few points and sympathy pains when they described running, and possibly some strategies to help manage my own experience with EDS.
I might buy a couple copies for my family and friends who are known readers, while my symptoms are not as bad as Vicky's, it explains why I try to move slowly and cautiously and regret it when I get carried away. They don't always get why I can't just go walk across town at the drop of a hat.
I don't know if I've ever read a book with such a flip between the two narrator personalities. If your just starting this book and struggling with Clementine, just wait for Vicky!
I might buy a couple copies for my family and friends who are known readers, while my symptoms are not as bad as Vicky's, it explains why I try to move slowly and cautiously and regret it when I get carried away. They don't always get why I can't just go walk across town at the drop of a hat.
I don't know if I've ever read a book with such a flip between the two narrator personalities. If your just starting this book and struggling with Clementine, just wait for Vicky!
July 30, 2026
This psychological thriller had me questioning everything from the very first chapter. The story follows sisters Vic and Clem as they struggle with the loss of their sister, Elle, while long buried secrets slowly begin to surface.
Because sometimes the most dangerous secrets are the ones families will do anything to protect.
This is a slow burning, character driven thriller filled with family drama, unreliable perspectives, buried secrets, and plenty of moments where you have more questions to your theories
Holly Payne-Strange did an excellent job building suspense and keeping the tension high.
If you enjoy stories that keep you guessing every chapter and leave you questioning who can really be trusted,
This will be a great one to add to your TBR
Because sometimes the most dangerous secrets are the ones families will do anything to protect.
This is a slow burning, character driven thriller filled with family drama, unreliable perspectives, buried secrets, and plenty of moments where you have more questions to your theories
Holly Payne-Strange did an excellent job building suspense and keeping the tension high.
If you enjoy stories that keep you guessing every chapter and leave you questioning who can really be trusted,
This will be a great one to add to your TBR
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I laughed out loud in chapter one. Then four pages later I was unexpectedly emotional. That is basically this whole book in a sentence.
Clementine is a mess and I loved every second of her. The kidney donation plan alone tells you everything you need to know about her. She is chaotic and completely convinced she is doing the right thing and somehow that makes her more likeable not less.
What got me most was the sister relationship. The history between Mi and Vicky creeps up on you slowly and by the time you feel the full weight of it, it is too late to put the book down.
My only honest note is that I wanted to feel the danger around Vicky a little sooner. The tension is there but sharpening it earlier would have made those chapters hit even harder.
Funny, messy, and more emotional than it lets on. Really glad I read this one.
I laughed out loud in chapter one. Then four pages later I was unexpectedly emotional. That is basically this whole book in a sentence.
Clementine is a mess and I loved every second of her. The kidney donation plan alone tells you everything you need to know about her. She is chaotic and completely convinced she is doing the right thing and somehow that makes her more likeable not less.
What got me most was the sister relationship. The history between Mi and Vicky creeps up on you slowly and by the time you feel the full weight of it, it is too late to put the book down.
My only honest note is that I wanted to feel the danger around Vicky a little sooner. The tension is there but sharpening it earlier would have made those chapters hit even harder.
Funny, messy, and more emotional than it lets on. Really glad I read this one.
Review of advance copy
Once I started reading this ARC I couldn't put it down. A fantastic thriller with so many plot twits and turns . I was always routing for Victoria. I have a chronic illness one where I am in pain 24/7. Although not the same ailments I could relate to the never ending battle with your own body. Beautifully written. This story has you in a chockhold from the first chapter. The family drama, the love and betrayal, the cunning plans, the scams, the decit all makes for a gripping read. One of the best thrillers I've read this year . 5 🌟
I received an Advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an Advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
A very fun little twisty turn-y mystery! I read this book while recovering from surgery and it was a perfect distraction. I’m a sucker for a freaky, unlikable woman, and Clem fit the bill! Though what I particularly enjoyed about Every Last Bone was what I felt to be a very accurate depiction of a disability I suffer from, one that is rarely represented. It actually made me emotional at times to see how the characters with this syndrome didn’t have to be perfect to be worthy of existing as disabled.
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