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Gwen Marcey #2
The Bones Will Speak
Forensic artist Gwen Marcey has become the target of a serial killer who believes he's been appointed God's executioner.
In Copper Creek, Montana, Gwen Marcey is struggling to put together her life after cancer and divorce. When her dog retrieves a skull of a murder victim and leads her to the victim's grave, Gwen uses her forensic art ability to identify a serial killer. She is horrified to discover all the victims look like her fourteen-year-old daughter.
The murderer is a "lone wolf," a member of the terrorist group Phineas Priesthood-and he has a score to settle with Gwen. Unraveling the tangled Christian Identity movement, where race-not grace-provides salvation, Gwen is in a frantic rush against time. She must use all her skills to uncover the killer before he can carry out his threat to destroy her and everyone she loves.
In Copper Creek, Montana, Gwen Marcey is struggling to put together her life after cancer and divorce. When her dog retrieves a skull of a murder victim and leads her to the victim's grave, Gwen uses her forensic art ability to identify a serial killer. She is horrified to discover all the victims look like her fourteen-year-old daughter.
The murderer is a "lone wolf," a member of the terrorist group Phineas Priesthood-and he has a score to settle with Gwen. Unraveling the tangled Christian Identity movement, where race-not grace-provides salvation, Gwen is in a frantic rush against time. She must use all her skills to uncover the killer before he can carry out his threat to destroy her and everyone she loves.
336 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2015
87 people are currently reading
1459 people want to read
About the author
Carrie Stuart Parks
35 books915 followersCarrie Stuart Parks is Christy, Carol, and Inspy award-winning author, an award-winning fine artist, and internationally known forensic artist. Along with her husband, Rick, she travels across the US and Canada teaching courses in forensic art to law enforcement as well as civilian participants. She has won numerous awards for career excellence. Carrie is a popular platform speaker, presenting a variety of topics from crime to creativity.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 174 reviews
September 3, 2015
I've been reading a bunch of thrillers lately...because they are awesome.
This one fell in the not so awesome category for me though.
I usually read pretty fast but it feels like I've been reading this one forever.
Gwen Marcey is a forensic artist who has recently taken a break from everything due to recovering from breast cancer, a recent divorce and it gets alluded to that she had someone try and kill her. (Probably in book one since this is a series)
Her dog brings home a human skull one day and she follows the dog to an abandoned house where she discovers some more bones and a girl that has survived the killer. A girl who looks exactly like Gwen's daughter.
Then more remains start turning up.
Gwen and her best friend are digging around in the case and discover that it looks like everything is tied into the Phineas Priesthood movement. (A hate group)
It looks like everything is about to hit the fan since the date that has significance for the hate group is approaching.
Yawn.
This book just didn't do it for me. There is a bunch of religious and scriptures used throughout the book so at times I felt preached too.
I don't think I'm going to go on with this series.
A true test for me when I read a book is when I can't even work up the enthusiasm for much of a review.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
This one fell in the not so awesome category for me though.
I usually read pretty fast but it feels like I've been reading this one forever.
Gwen Marcey is a forensic artist who has recently taken a break from everything due to recovering from breast cancer, a recent divorce and it gets alluded to that she had someone try and kill her. (Probably in book one since this is a series)
Her dog brings home a human skull one day and she follows the dog to an abandoned house where she discovers some more bones and a girl that has survived the killer. A girl who looks exactly like Gwen's daughter.
Then more remains start turning up.
Gwen and her best friend are digging around in the case and discover that it looks like everything is tied into the Phineas Priesthood movement. (A hate group)
It looks like everything is about to hit the fan since the date that has significance for the hate group is approaching.
Yawn.
This book just didn't do it for me. There is a bunch of religious and scriptures used throughout the book so at times I felt preached too.
I don't think I'm going to go on with this series.
A true test for me when I read a book is when I can't even work up the enthusiasm for much of a review.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
July 12, 2017
Once again, I tore through this book. Once again, I couldn't have predicted many of the twists. Once again, I learned something new. Somewhat gritty, but not graphic, this is a series I would recommend to all my mystery-reading friends. Now, on to the next in the series!
July 8, 2018
The Bones Will Speak is the second book in the Gwen Marcey series, but it is the first of Carrie Stuart Parks' books I've read. I didn't have any issue following along with the story and found the suspense to be gripping. The story was written very well and I liked how the villain wasn't obvious (at least to me).
The book didn't really have any romance, it was more about the characters and the killer. I enjoyed that. I also really liked Gwen's daughter and thought she was definitely brave in the story.
All in all, The Bones Will Speak was a great suspense novel. I recommend it to fans of the genre.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
The book didn't really have any romance, it was more about the characters and the killer. I enjoyed that. I also really liked Gwen's daughter and thought she was definitely brave in the story.
All in all, The Bones Will Speak was a great suspense novel. I recommend it to fans of the genre.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
September 19, 2021
Excellent.
Smart/Witty/Occasionally humorous
Mysterious.
Suspenseful.
Hooked from 1st page to last. Notes at end of book are interesting and explain the parallels written in this book.
Smart/Witty/Occasionally humorous
Mysterious.
Suspenseful.
Hooked from 1st page to last. Notes at end of book are interesting and explain the parallels written in this book.
Want to read
February 15, 2017Hooray! Got this in a Goodreads giveaway. I'd been thinking about buying it and got home from a death in the family to find it waiting in my mailbox. :) Now to add it to my reading schedule...
August 18, 2015
This was my first read by this author and it most definitely will not be my last! This was an excellent mystery/suspense novel! I had never read a book about a forensic artist before and I found Gwen's profession to be quite fascinating, especially knowing that the author is a forensic artist herself so she wrote a lot from personal experience. I really liked all the characters, but I think perhaps Gwen's friend Beth--with her love if all things purple and penchant for using uncommon words--was quite possibly my favorite of this cast, but they truly were all so well written. I'm not going to lie, this is a very chilling story, if you have a weak stomach you may want to skip this one. But it was amazing how complex the mystery was--and yet I was still able to follow everything without a problem, while I had many guesses as the villain's identity, they kept changing all the way through until it was finally revealed who the villain was, let's just say I was sufficiently stumped which is not an easy thing for an author to do! Brava, Carrie Stuart Parks! I found myself hooked by this story from page one, I was overwhelmed by a desire to see what would happen--so much so that I read this book from cover to cover in about 24 hours--which kept the pages flying! While there are obviously few similarities; while reading this book I found myself thinking that Gwen kind of reminded me of a female version of Patrick Bowers (The Bowers Files by Steven James are one of my favorite series!)
So I would recommend this book to anyone who likes chilling suspense/thrillers, particularly the Bowers Files!
Overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of this author's work in the future!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookLook bloggers review program in exchange for my honest review, which I have done. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
So I would recommend this book to anyone who likes chilling suspense/thrillers, particularly the Bowers Files!
Overall I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of this author's work in the future!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookLook bloggers review program in exchange for my honest review, which I have done. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
August 14, 2016
I have to mention again how much I love Gwen Marcey - she's just such a great character! Her fascinating career, her honesty about the realities of breast cancer aftermath, her almost-snarky wit, her feistiness, her "realness" with God and with her ex and with her daughter and best friend. All of it just gets better with each new book.
In The Bones Will Speak, Gwen is up against a neo-Nazi group and trying to figure out how and why a past case has come back to haunt her. High-stakes tension, fast-paced drama, a book full of characters you're not sure you can trust (just like A Cry From the Dust), and more intriguing glimpses into the world of forensic art and psychology.
This one gets personal and emotional for Gwen - and therefore for the reader - so be prepared to find yourself holding your breath in suspense as well as crying and laughing and just about everything in between. Parts of this book will make your heart ache. Parts of this book will make your stomach turn. Parts of this book will make you hug your loved ones closer. But this ENTIRE book is impossible to put down until you've reached the end. It's absorbing and it will hold you hostage in all the best ways.
*Note: If you are particularly sensitive to animals being hurt, certain scenes in this book may be too much for you, though the author writes them with care.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
In The Bones Will Speak, Gwen is up against a neo-Nazi group and trying to figure out how and why a past case has come back to haunt her. High-stakes tension, fast-paced drama, a book full of characters you're not sure you can trust (just like A Cry From the Dust), and more intriguing glimpses into the world of forensic art and psychology.
This one gets personal and emotional for Gwen - and therefore for the reader - so be prepared to find yourself holding your breath in suspense as well as crying and laughing and just about everything in between. Parts of this book will make your heart ache. Parts of this book will make your stomach turn. Parts of this book will make you hug your loved ones closer. But this ENTIRE book is impossible to put down until you've reached the end. It's absorbing and it will hold you hostage in all the best ways.
*Note: If you are particularly sensitive to animals being hurt, certain scenes in this book may be too much for you, though the author writes them with care.
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
July 22, 2016
This is book number two of the Gwen Marcey’s series. Gwen is a forensic artist who’s recovering from a divorce and from cancer. When Gwen’s dog finds a skull of a murder victim, Gwen uses her forensic knowledge and sets out to solve the crime. I really enjoyed this story. The Bones Will Speak is an exciting, fast-paced thriller full of twists and surprises. I didn’t read book one in the series, but I thought this book stood on its own. The parts I really liked about this book was the emphasis on forensic science and the job of forensic artists. At times Gwen came across as a know-it-all sort of person who is part forensic artist part detective. Overall, I enjoyed Parks’ writing style and I think this book will really appeal to fans of CSI and other forensic shows. I recommend it.
September 26, 2017
In this second in this series, Gwen Marcey is lured to a vacant cabin not far from her house, only to discover a teenage girl, tied and beaten, who looks very much like her own 14 year old daughter. Gwen and law enforcement learn that the girl had been abducted, and soon discover other bodies near by, and realize they are on the trail of a serial murderer, who for some reason has let this latest victim live. Gwen soon realizes that she herself is the target of this killer's plans, although not why. Although Gwen's skills as a forensic artist are being very under utilized by local and state law enforcement, she persists in using them for her own investigation, as she tries to find the killer before her own daughter becomes a victim. Gwen soon finds herself searching among the members of a local terrorist/white supremacist group for the killer.
I found this book to be better paced, and to flow more evenly, than the first in the series. This was certainly suspenseful, and the author continues to do a good job of building the central characters.
I found this book to be better paced, and to flow more evenly, than the first in the series. This was certainly suspenseful, and the author continues to do a good job of building the central characters.
August 21, 2015
This book is an absolute page turner. Carrie Stuart Parks has quickly developed a style that goes deep into a story with multiple plot lines intersecting throughout the pages. This style makes it incredibly hard to put it down. Where the first book dove into a what if regarding Mormon history, this one dives into the neo-Nazi world with a serial killer who seems to be stalking Gwen Marcey. He's planted evidence close to her home and takes her on a scary ride that is intense and filled with suspense. The prologue launches the book with one case. The first chapter picks up with Gwen's first person account of what is happening years later...and eventually the two begin to overlap.
This book is perfect for those who love a good suspense. I highly recommend it!
This book is perfect for those who love a good suspense. I highly recommend it!
June 18, 2016
In the author's sophomore novel, the writing was tighter and the suspense much more intense than in her debut.
The Bones Will Speak is the second book of the Gwen Marcey series. In this novel, Gwen becomes the intended victim. She uses her skill with forensics to help solve the case. I didn't guess who the villain was and pages were turning to see what would happen next.
I look forward to the next novel in the series.
The Bones Will Speak is the second book of the Gwen Marcey series. In this novel, Gwen becomes the intended victim. She uses her skill with forensics to help solve the case. I didn't guess who the villain was and pages were turning to see what would happen next.
I look forward to the next novel in the series.
August 15, 2015
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Carrie Stuart Parks, and Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of this book, which allows me to provide you with this review.
Without having read Parks' previous novel, I felt unsure how to approach this second book in the series. Gwen Marcey is a forensic artist, working piecemeal for the local sheriff , but is unable to make ends meet. While out with her dog, they discover a skull and eventually a body that bears an uncanny resemblance to Gwen's own daughter. Pulled deeper into the mix, move victims emerge and Gwen finds herself visiting crime scenes she knows well from an artistic point of view. Honing her investigative skills, Gwen uncovers parallels between the victims and clues found at the scene, all of which lead back to a neo-Nazi group in the guise of a Christian church, the Phineas Priesthood. Gwen's past forensic work may also play a role in her being a target, a case with deep religious and supremacist roots. With a killer out on the loose, no one is safe, especially Gwen and her daughter. Set in the Montana backcountry, Parks uses what she knows best and formulates a wonderful forensic mystery that develops in unique ways, luring the reader deeper with each passing moment.
Parks has a wonderful way of laying out a mystery in a clear and concise manner, which attracts the reader from the early stages. Without bogging the reader down with excessive forensic information, the story moves quickly. A unique approach, forensic art, keeps the main character distanced from many other attempts authors have made to create their respective niche in the genre. Parks builds on her characters slowly, but constantly. Use of a more rural setting allows the reader more of a personal connection to each person introduced, rather than having to flip back an reacquaint one's self with the plethora of legal authorities. Also, use of short, sharp chapters pushes the reader forward, promising that they will 'read only one more' before completing a dozen. Parks has found her calling and with more novels using this style will surely allow her following to grow exponentially.
Kudos, Madam Parks for this wonderfully entertaining piece. I can only hope you'll keep writing and finding new ways to use the Gwen Marcey character to your benefit.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Without having read Parks' previous novel, I felt unsure how to approach this second book in the series. Gwen Marcey is a forensic artist, working piecemeal for the local sheriff , but is unable to make ends meet. While out with her dog, they discover a skull and eventually a body that bears an uncanny resemblance to Gwen's own daughter. Pulled deeper into the mix, move victims emerge and Gwen finds herself visiting crime scenes she knows well from an artistic point of view. Honing her investigative skills, Gwen uncovers parallels between the victims and clues found at the scene, all of which lead back to a neo-Nazi group in the guise of a Christian church, the Phineas Priesthood. Gwen's past forensic work may also play a role in her being a target, a case with deep religious and supremacist roots. With a killer out on the loose, no one is safe, especially Gwen and her daughter. Set in the Montana backcountry, Parks uses what she knows best and formulates a wonderful forensic mystery that develops in unique ways, luring the reader deeper with each passing moment.
Parks has a wonderful way of laying out a mystery in a clear and concise manner, which attracts the reader from the early stages. Without bogging the reader down with excessive forensic information, the story moves quickly. A unique approach, forensic art, keeps the main character distanced from many other attempts authors have made to create their respective niche in the genre. Parks builds on her characters slowly, but constantly. Use of a more rural setting allows the reader more of a personal connection to each person introduced, rather than having to flip back an reacquaint one's self with the plethora of legal authorities. Also, use of short, sharp chapters pushes the reader forward, promising that they will 'read only one more' before completing a dozen. Parks has found her calling and with more novels using this style will surely allow her following to grow exponentially.
Kudos, Madam Parks for this wonderfully entertaining piece. I can only hope you'll keep writing and finding new ways to use the Gwen Marcey character to your benefit.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 15, 2015
4.5 stars!!! My heart is still pumping too fast as I just finished reading this book. Wow!!! Carrie Stuart Parks certainly just took me on one helluva journey. A serial killer who is killing girls that resemble Gwen's (the main character) daughter is just part of the action going on here. My first suspect, while he was squirrelly enough, was WRONG! As well as my second. You just don't see this ending coming. And the ending? For those weak of heart, put on your blood pressure monitor and definitely take your medicine before reading this one. Oh, and don't forget to breathe.
My only negative was that there was a little too much religion and quoting of scriptures for me. However, I guess when your caught up in what goes on in this book, you'll look for anything to save you as well. It wasn't that it was that much, just more than I like. Of course I do have to remember the publisher after all.
I want to thank Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this fast paced thriller!!!
My only negative was that there was a little too much religion and quoting of scriptures for me. However, I guess when your caught up in what goes on in this book, you'll look for anything to save you as well. It wasn't that it was that much, just more than I like. Of course I do have to remember the publisher after all.
I want to thank Thomas Nelson and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this fast paced thriller!!!
April 30, 2015
Love, love, loved this book. I found it really hard to put down and really enjoyed it. Been a while since I read such a good page turner, I couldn't wait to get to the end and then felt sad when I got there as I'd finished the book! I really liked Gwen's character and back story and I think it helped give the story the body it needed to flow. I guessed twice who was responsible and got it wroth boths - that doesn't normally happen for me, so I enjoyed it all the more. A fab read. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 25, 2016
I could not put down this book by Carrie Stuart Parks once I started it. I connected immediately with Gwen Marcey--cancer survivor trying to put her life back together after her husband divorces her. All the odds are stacked against her, but she keeps coming back. The suspense kept me up at night, reading until the end. And then I hated that it was over!
If you're looking for a well-written book that will make you care about the characters and keep you on the edge of your seat, then The Bones Will Speak is for you.
If you're looking for a well-written book that will make you care about the characters and keep you on the edge of your seat, then The Bones Will Speak is for you.
September 27, 2016
Love Gwen!! Loved this story!
August 31, 2023
I really enjoyed this novel. I have been on the lookout for a teen friendly murder mystery and found it! I love mysteries and true crime and want to have some books that are less hardcore than what I read for when my sons are ready to dip their toes into the thriller world.The writing was tight, fast paced and it surprised me at the end. I didn't figure out who the killer was. I haven't read the first book in the series but it was fairly stand alone with references to the other book but you didn't feel like you missed anything major.
Bonus it was set in my state and the local characters were spot on!
Bonus it was set in my state and the local characters were spot on!
April 20, 2023
Suppenseful. Well Read. Kept me guessing AND 100% clean.
No sex.
No language.
Some violence...but not overly so.
No sex.
No language.
Some violence...but not overly so.
August 11, 2015
II love books that have a synopsis that mentions a serial killer. I know that sounds morbid, but that means that the body count will be high and that there should be plenty of action written in the story to capture my attention. In Carrie Stuart Parks second novel, The Bones Will Speak, Parks does exactly what I wanted. She is a great fit for the suspense genre.
Since Gwen Marcey is a forensics expert who reconstructs faces from the victim’s memory or from a skull, the story gripped my attention from the first chapter. I liked how Gwen’s dog found the skull and brought it home to her. This sparked Gwen’s thirst for a mystery. And mine. I couldn’t wait to turn the pages and find out who the killer was and who the skull belonged to. The story never lagged. Parks did a great job at keeping my attention, even though I did figure out who the killer was pretty early on. I still kept flipping the pages, glued to the action to prove that I was right or wrong.
Gwen is a newly divorced woman who recently surpassed breast cancer. While trying to raise her daughter and living with the struggles of paying her bills, Gwen comes across mysteries, needing her expert opinion to solve the case. Gwen is the typical mother that too many women today can relate too. She wants to be a good mother and shelter her daughter from the horrors of her daily job, but she also wants to allow her daughter to have some freedom. The never-ending struggle consumes her thoughts and life.
The writing is written with close attention to the colors and details of the surroundings. Parks does a good job at allowing the readers to follow the first person point of view of an artist. I really enjoyed how Parks invites the reader into Gwen’s stream of concinsous to solve the murders. I understood every move that Gwen made and followed closely, wanting to be proved that the killer was who I thought it was.
Another aspect was Parks’ research into the Phineas Priesthood. It enhanced the story, not detract from it. I really enjoyed reading and learning about the inner workings and beliefs of this Priesthood, but I did not feel like I was reading it from a textbook. It was enjoyable. Parks voice floated from the page, creating an enthralling tale of history mixed with suspense, not taking away from the movement of the plot.
The tension of the serial killer filled the pages. There was no romantic tension. The whole story centered on Gwen and the serial killer who is targeting her with the victims who look like her fourteen-year-old daughter. Every time I thought Parks would slow down the action, it would escalate and make me want to read faster to keep up with Gwen as she ran for her life, protecting her daughter.
Parks really did not mention God a lot. There were references to Bible verses and how Jezebel died, but nothing that would overwhelm fans of the ABA market. On the same vein, there really was no questionable content to flinch from. As an avid reader of suspense, thrillers, and mysteries, it holds about the same amount of violence, but nothing cringeful or distasteful. The Bones will speak is an original story with a predictable villain, at least for me. But I truly enjoyed the twists and turns. Fans of Steven James, Terri Blackstock, Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason would love the story. I truly loved The Bones will Speak and can’t wait to see what else Carrie Stuart Parks puts out next.
Always thrilling, Carrie Stuart Parks’ latest suspense novel The Bones will Speak will grip readers with a relatable heroine who struggles with her daily life, but the non-stop action will keep readers glued to the page, begging for another book from Parks.
Since Gwen Marcey is a forensics expert who reconstructs faces from the victim’s memory or from a skull, the story gripped my attention from the first chapter. I liked how Gwen’s dog found the skull and brought it home to her. This sparked Gwen’s thirst for a mystery. And mine. I couldn’t wait to turn the pages and find out who the killer was and who the skull belonged to. The story never lagged. Parks did a great job at keeping my attention, even though I did figure out who the killer was pretty early on. I still kept flipping the pages, glued to the action to prove that I was right or wrong.
Gwen is a newly divorced woman who recently surpassed breast cancer. While trying to raise her daughter and living with the struggles of paying her bills, Gwen comes across mysteries, needing her expert opinion to solve the case. Gwen is the typical mother that too many women today can relate too. She wants to be a good mother and shelter her daughter from the horrors of her daily job, but she also wants to allow her daughter to have some freedom. The never-ending struggle consumes her thoughts and life.
The writing is written with close attention to the colors and details of the surroundings. Parks does a good job at allowing the readers to follow the first person point of view of an artist. I really enjoyed how Parks invites the reader into Gwen’s stream of concinsous to solve the murders. I understood every move that Gwen made and followed closely, wanting to be proved that the killer was who I thought it was.
Another aspect was Parks’ research into the Phineas Priesthood. It enhanced the story, not detract from it. I really enjoyed reading and learning about the inner workings and beliefs of this Priesthood, but I did not feel like I was reading it from a textbook. It was enjoyable. Parks voice floated from the page, creating an enthralling tale of history mixed with suspense, not taking away from the movement of the plot.
The tension of the serial killer filled the pages. There was no romantic tension. The whole story centered on Gwen and the serial killer who is targeting her with the victims who look like her fourteen-year-old daughter. Every time I thought Parks would slow down the action, it would escalate and make me want to read faster to keep up with Gwen as she ran for her life, protecting her daughter.
Parks really did not mention God a lot. There were references to Bible verses and how Jezebel died, but nothing that would overwhelm fans of the ABA market. On the same vein, there really was no questionable content to flinch from. As an avid reader of suspense, thrillers, and mysteries, it holds about the same amount of violence, but nothing cringeful or distasteful. The Bones will speak is an original story with a predictable villain, at least for me. But I truly enjoyed the twists and turns. Fans of Steven James, Terri Blackstock, Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason would love the story. I truly loved The Bones will Speak and can’t wait to see what else Carrie Stuart Parks puts out next.
Always thrilling, Carrie Stuart Parks’ latest suspense novel The Bones will Speak will grip readers with a relatable heroine who struggles with her daily life, but the non-stop action will keep readers glued to the page, begging for another book from Parks.
January 12, 2018
"The addictive and not boring Christian thriller" - does it sound like an oxymoron? Well, but it is true in this case (as it is in several other cases, too).
But I give it to you, my doubting Thomas - to write a good thriller is a tough job. You need some believable tension, a hero you feel some emotions for (and I am not speaking about attraction/love, but even the more difficult stuff - in thriller you must fear for your hero, his/her safety and wellbeing!), a fearful villain/a couple of them and finally - a plot/conflict/cause you are emotionally invested to.
Here you go!
Gwen Marcey is tough as nails and fierce - while not being rude or imposing. She is believable both as a capable professional (being forensic artist, which has also been the real job of the authoress) and as a real woman (and under "a real woman" label I don´t mean anything sensual, just that I can relate to her in her voice, her feelings and even in her realistic struggles with her body (she is a cancer survivor)). She is smart, resourceful, courageous - and hot-headed, hard-headed and a force to be reckoned with. Add a rebellious teen and egoistical ex-husband - and here you are, wishing for a friend like her in your life (as I do) and a heroine like her in a substantial part of your bookshelf.
And she needs to be like that - when dealing with a ruthless serial killer.
Her gentler side is her girlfriday Beth, the researcher extraordinaire and a friend true enough to point on a character flaw or two in her (while being as sweet as honey (even a bit too much from time to time)).
The mystery is believable and in the last few pages I was not able to turn the pages fast enough for me, so immersed I was with the...situation :) I will not spoil your thrill. And what thrill it is!
I also like that this series is not afraid to confront some darker shades of "Christianity" (as I don´t think this is the real Christianity) - the neo-nazi "churches" and white supremacists. The authoress is brave enough to present a clear stance - that any hate is never good.
But on the other had (and this is a personal preference, not criticism) - while praising the naming of dark "religious" issues, I would love just pure-blood villain a bit better.
Anyway, give me the next one! I feel excited to read - and this is a sign of some good storytelling for me!
But I give it to you, my doubting Thomas - to write a good thriller is a tough job. You need some believable tension, a hero you feel some emotions for (and I am not speaking about attraction/love, but even the more difficult stuff - in thriller you must fear for your hero, his/her safety and wellbeing!), a fearful villain/a couple of them and finally - a plot/conflict/cause you are emotionally invested to.
Here you go!
Gwen Marcey is tough as nails and fierce - while not being rude or imposing. She is believable both as a capable professional (being forensic artist, which has also been the real job of the authoress) and as a real woman (and under "a real woman" label I don´t mean anything sensual, just that I can relate to her in her voice, her feelings and even in her realistic struggles with her body (she is a cancer survivor)). She is smart, resourceful, courageous - and hot-headed, hard-headed and a force to be reckoned with. Add a rebellious teen and egoistical ex-husband - and here you are, wishing for a friend like her in your life (as I do) and a heroine like her in a substantial part of your bookshelf.
And she needs to be like that - when dealing with a ruthless serial killer.
Her gentler side is her girlfriday Beth, the researcher extraordinaire and a friend true enough to point on a character flaw or two in her (while being as sweet as honey (even a bit too much from time to time)).
The mystery is believable and in the last few pages I was not able to turn the pages fast enough for me, so immersed I was with the...situation :) I will not spoil your thrill. And what thrill it is!
I also like that this series is not afraid to confront some darker shades of "Christianity" (as I don´t think this is the real Christianity) - the neo-nazi "churches" and white supremacists. The authoress is brave enough to present a clear stance - that any hate is never good.
But on the other had (and this is a personal preference, not criticism) - while praising the naming of dark "religious" issues, I would love just pure-blood villain a bit better.
Anyway, give me the next one! I feel excited to read - and this is a sign of some good storytelling for me!
September 1, 2015
A Forensic Artist Stalked by a Serial Killer
Gwen Marcey, a forensic artist, spots her dog, Winston, digging in her yard. She races from the house to make him stop. When he relinquishes his prize, she's shocked to discover that it's a human skull with a bullet hole in it. Relying on her artistic sense and forensic skill, she decides it's the skull of a young girl. The local sheriff isn't sure, but when Gwen and Winston find the rest of the body, he knows he has a problem on his hands.
Finding the first body leads to the recovery of the bodies of more young girls on the farms through the rural Montana county. Eerily, the first body reminds Gwen of her teenage daughter Aynslee. The more bodies that are uncovered, it becomes clear that the resemblance is no accident and Gwen and her daughter are in the cross hairs of a serial killer.
This is a fast paced novel. Although the author includes a considerable amount of forensic detail, it's done in short sections that don't slow the story. The descriptions of rural Montana enhance the feeling of menace, but also show the beauty of the area.
Gwen and Aynslee are strong characters. Although Gwen is experiencing all the maternal trials of teenage rebellion, when it counts, the two are able to rely on each other in life-threatening situations. Beth, Gwen's assistant, and best friend is another strong character. Beth is the source of Christian faith in the book. She isn't preachy, but she tries to help Gwen deal with the need for forgiveness in her divorce.
The ending is a twist, but not all that surprising if you've been following the clues carefully. The author is good at planting her clues.
If you like fast paced thrillers, this is a good one. I recommend it.
I reviewed this book for BookLook Bloggers.
Gwen Marcey, a forensic artist, spots her dog, Winston, digging in her yard. She races from the house to make him stop. When he relinquishes his prize, she's shocked to discover that it's a human skull with a bullet hole in it. Relying on her artistic sense and forensic skill, she decides it's the skull of a young girl. The local sheriff isn't sure, but when Gwen and Winston find the rest of the body, he knows he has a problem on his hands.
Finding the first body leads to the recovery of the bodies of more young girls on the farms through the rural Montana county. Eerily, the first body reminds Gwen of her teenage daughter Aynslee. The more bodies that are uncovered, it becomes clear that the resemblance is no accident and Gwen and her daughter are in the cross hairs of a serial killer.
This is a fast paced novel. Although the author includes a considerable amount of forensic detail, it's done in short sections that don't slow the story. The descriptions of rural Montana enhance the feeling of menace, but also show the beauty of the area.
Gwen and Aynslee are strong characters. Although Gwen is experiencing all the maternal trials of teenage rebellion, when it counts, the two are able to rely on each other in life-threatening situations. Beth, Gwen's assistant, and best friend is another strong character. Beth is the source of Christian faith in the book. She isn't preachy, but she tries to help Gwen deal with the need for forgiveness in her divorce.
The ending is a twist, but not all that surprising if you've been following the clues carefully. The author is good at planting her clues.
If you like fast paced thrillers, this is a good one. I recommend it.
I reviewed this book for BookLook Bloggers.
September 29, 2015
***Suspenseful & chilling 'clean read' mystery demands to be read in 1 sitting***
In The Bones Will Speak, book two in the "Gwen Marcey" suspense series, the author uses both fact and fiction to pen a riveting account of a man "with a penchant for torture." The faith-based fiction story features murder, a serial killer, a lovable dog named Winston, a forensic artist named Gwen, her best friend Beth and Gwen's fourteen-year-old daughter Aynslee.
The serial killer, who believes he's God's executioner, is based on the real life of confessed serial killer Robert L. Yates Jr. who lived with his wife and children in Spokane, WA. The author was "one of the courtroom artists" at Yates's trial in 2000, a man influenced by radical groups such as Phineas Priesthood, the Christian Identity movement and Aryan Nations. The author's father, then director of the North Idaho Regional Crime Lab, was wounded by members of the Aryan Nations which gave her a special interest in the case.
The fictionalized account opens with Gwen Marcey, recent divorcee, cancer survivor and expert forensic artist for the Missoula, Montana police department chasing her very large dog to retrieve what she thought was "road kill." Winston, a delighted Great Pyrenees eager to play "crouched, wagging his tail," taunting her before he again "snatched his prize and shook it."
That's when Gwen saw the "sightless eye-sockets" of a human skull with a "neat bullet hole in the forehead" and a chilling murder mystery wrapped in heart-pounding suspense begins... Full Review: http://www.examiner.com/list/the-bone...
In The Bones Will Speak, book two in the "Gwen Marcey" suspense series, the author uses both fact and fiction to pen a riveting account of a man "with a penchant for torture." The faith-based fiction story features murder, a serial killer, a lovable dog named Winston, a forensic artist named Gwen, her best friend Beth and Gwen's fourteen-year-old daughter Aynslee.
The serial killer, who believes he's God's executioner, is based on the real life of confessed serial killer Robert L. Yates Jr. who lived with his wife and children in Spokane, WA. The author was "one of the courtroom artists" at Yates's trial in 2000, a man influenced by radical groups such as Phineas Priesthood, the Christian Identity movement and Aryan Nations. The author's father, then director of the North Idaho Regional Crime Lab, was wounded by members of the Aryan Nations which gave her a special interest in the case.
The fictionalized account opens with Gwen Marcey, recent divorcee, cancer survivor and expert forensic artist for the Missoula, Montana police department chasing her very large dog to retrieve what she thought was "road kill." Winston, a delighted Great Pyrenees eager to play "crouched, wagging his tail," taunting her before he again "snatched his prize and shook it."
That's when Gwen saw the "sightless eye-sockets" of a human skull with a "neat bullet hole in the forehead" and a chilling murder mystery wrapped in heart-pounding suspense begins... Full Review: http://www.examiner.com/list/the-bone...
August 31, 2015
The Bones Will Speak is a chilling suspense novel with an unraveling plot surrounded around Gwen Marcey, a forensics artist with an enemy. The discovery of a skull leading to the discovery of even more bones, re-opens a years-closed case that turns out more complicated and deadly than originally thought. The attacks and murders of several girls who bear a chilling resemblance to Gwen’s daughter, Aynslee, make the case personal for Gwen, sinking her deeper and deeper into the danger.
The Bones Will Speak had an awesome plot that really kept me guessing—there was so many aspects creating mystery and suspense. There was literally never a dull moment in this book. I was accusing so many different characters as being the bad guy. I loved the character of Gwen. She was by far the most developed character, making her really stand out in the novel. The way she handled her problems was so natural and non-fictitious, yet in a tough “I can do this” sort of attitude that was inspiring. I felt the other characters were deserving of a little more growth, with the exception of her best friend, Beth, and daughter, Aynslee. They both added some spice to the novel with Beth’s quirky and bubbly personality, and Aynslee’s teenage attitude surrounded by a good heart.
I would recommend this book, unless bones and mild talk of dead people are a problem—although the title (which I thought was a pretty clever) clearly suggests the content.
The Bones Will Speak had an awesome plot that really kept me guessing—there was so many aspects creating mystery and suspense. There was literally never a dull moment in this book. I was accusing so many different characters as being the bad guy. I loved the character of Gwen. She was by far the most developed character, making her really stand out in the novel. The way she handled her problems was so natural and non-fictitious, yet in a tough “I can do this” sort of attitude that was inspiring. I felt the other characters were deserving of a little more growth, with the exception of her best friend, Beth, and daughter, Aynslee. They both added some spice to the novel with Beth’s quirky and bubbly personality, and Aynslee’s teenage attitude surrounded by a good heart.
I would recommend this book, unless bones and mild talk of dead people are a problem—although the title (which I thought was a pretty clever) clearly suggests the content.
August 27, 2015
Carrie Stuart Parks hits another home run with The Bones Will Speak, her sophomore novel. In my opinion, she’s a cross between Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell for the Christian market, which I find refreshing and exciting. Her knowledge of forensic art only makes her novels that much more believable. I loved digging along with the multi-layered heroine (a forensic artist). She’s savvy, tough, a little snarky and resourceful, but she’s also tender and relatable. From page one I was hooked and stayed on the edge of my seat, literally gasping at one point with a surprising twist. I wish I could rate the book higher. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait for the next book. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
August 24, 2016
This is THE most suspenseful book that I have read this year. Wowza. Another book that was a fictional book but had some facts sprinkled throughout so I learned a lot! Loved the storyline, loved the characters, loved the who dun it factor and was pleasantly surprised at the end. I did not read the first book in the series and feel as though this can be read as a stand alone but I definitely want to read the first book in the series to read about the things that were mentioned in this book. It's hard writing about a suspense book without giving anything away, but trust me its worth the time and it's no wonder that it's an award winner I personally couldn't put it down!!!
February 10, 2020
This might have been my favorite of the four Gwen Marcey books, actually. Maybe because it has a rescue aspect to it too, not just solving a crime or stopping one. And because her daughter Aynslee isn't quite as grating in this one as some of the others.
Gwen Marcey's dog finds a serial killer's dump site AND a not-quite-dead-yet victim at the same time. Both are very close to Marcey's house. And the victims, both the dead ones and the one saved at the nick of time, bear an eerie resemblance to Gwen's teen daughter. The killer appears to have ties to a neo-Nazi group, and lots of danger and excitement occur before the end.
I enjoyed this book so much, I inhaled it in 2 days.
Gwen Marcey's dog finds a serial killer's dump site AND a not-quite-dead-yet victim at the same time. Both are very close to Marcey's house. And the victims, both the dead ones and the one saved at the nick of time, bear an eerie resemblance to Gwen's teen daughter. The killer appears to have ties to a neo-Nazi group, and lots of danger and excitement occur before the end.
I enjoyed this book so much, I inhaled it in 2 days.
December 18, 2016
I had the luxury of reading this while on vacation, so was able to finish it in one sitting. The book started off with a bang and never stopped moving. I like Gwen Marcey as a protagonist. She is down-to-earth, realistic, and an interesting mix of bravery and insecurities. I enjoyed following the clues to try to determine the identity of the killer. The message of salvation, and the themes of grace and forgiveness are effectively worked into the story without hitting the reader over the head. There are regular episodes of violence and graphic imagery, although not gratuitous.
November 5, 2022
Love it. The Gwen Marcey series is one of my absolute favorites. I actually started with this book after giving up on the first in the series (just couldn't get into it), and I'm so glad I decided to give Carrie's books another try. The rest of the series was amazing.
February 29, 2016
A page turner that is totally different than any from the genre of thriller that I have read. Excellent read and strong characters.
April 14, 2016
Exciting plot with a cast of unique characters. There is a layer of Christian theme but it fits in with the character development in a reasonable, non-proselytizing fashion.
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