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Will Finch Mystery #1
Bone Maker
A death in the wilderness. A woman mourns alone. A reporter works a single lead.
If you have an appetite for organized crime series, you’ll love this new crime trilogy. Add a slice of noir novels, the juice of steamy PI mysteries, the zest of a financial thriller series. Soon you’ll be stewing in this new technothriller trilogy — and begging for more.
Following a family tragedy that has broken his spirit, crime reporter Will Finch returns to his news desk in San Francisco eager to reboot his career and renew his lease on life. When he’s assigned to cover the grisly death of a witness to a multi-million dollar bitcoin fraud, Finch discovers some troubling complications: A Mercedes-Benz abandoned in the wilderness. A wounded bear. A cop who rules a remote town with an iron fist. And the witness’s fiancée — a US senator’s daughter — knows there’s something mysterious about her lover’s death. But what?
Inspired by true events, Bone Maker is the first thriller in this series of noir crime new releases — a new crime trilogy that races from coastal Oregon to San Francisco, Moscow, Honolulu and Washington DC. It intersects the worlds of international finance, cryptocurrency software algorithms, and corruption that reaches from the US Senate to Turk Street in the Tenderloin District.
Fans of contemporary noir novels will love this technothriller trilogy. Be sure to read this gripping financial thriller series in order: Bone Maker, Stone Eater, Lone Hunter. All three books are available now.
Author Interview with D. F. Bailey
Q. The first page of Bone Maker states that the novel is “inspired by true events.”* Tell us more.
DFB. Two events inspired these books. The first involves a massive bitcoin theft. In the spring of 2014 the bitcoin equivalent of over $450,000,000 simply disappeared from a bitcoin exchange called Mt. Gox. Solving this crime drives the plots of all three novels. At heart, the books are an organized crime series in the form of a technothriller trilogy.
Q. What was the second true event?
DFB. A few years ago I came across a news article about a convicted murderer — 53-year-old Rory Nelson Wagner — whose corpse was discovered outside his car in a mountain wilderness. Apparently he died of a heart attack and a bear had dragged him from his vehicle and partially devoured him. Horrible as it seems, I was drawn by the notion of some sort of natural justice at play. Early on in Bone Maker, the sheriff handling a similar case refers to the attack as “Murder by Nature.” I considered using that for the book title at one point.
Q. Sounds like one of Agatha Christie’s PI mysteries.
DFB. Granted, there’s an element of PI mysteries to the trilogy. However, I’m not the sort of writer who likes to create a maze or puzzle with red herrings and hidden clues to fool or mislead the reader. Bone Maker is a crime thriller with a strong noir flavor. Readers learn about the crimes one step at a time, just as our hero Will Finch uncovers the facts of each case.
Q. So who is Will Finch?
DFB. Finch is a 35 year-old crime reporter working for the San Francisco eXpress. Before becoming a journalist, he served in Iraq, at Abu Graib, in military intelligence. Like all noir heroes, there is an irredeemable quality to him, but he’s not completely lost. He senses that he can find his way back to a normal life, yet he’s not sure how to do it.
Q. Tell us about the title, Bone Maker.
DFB. Each of the three titles in the trilogy uses the nickname of a bad guy — the antagonist.
If you have an appetite for organized crime series, you’ll love this new crime trilogy. Add a slice of noir novels, the juice of steamy PI mysteries, the zest of a financial thriller series. Soon you’ll be stewing in this new technothriller trilogy — and begging for more.
Following a family tragedy that has broken his spirit, crime reporter Will Finch returns to his news desk in San Francisco eager to reboot his career and renew his lease on life. When he’s assigned to cover the grisly death of a witness to a multi-million dollar bitcoin fraud, Finch discovers some troubling complications: A Mercedes-Benz abandoned in the wilderness. A wounded bear. A cop who rules a remote town with an iron fist. And the witness’s fiancée — a US senator’s daughter — knows there’s something mysterious about her lover’s death. But what?
Inspired by true events, Bone Maker is the first thriller in this series of noir crime new releases — a new crime trilogy that races from coastal Oregon to San Francisco, Moscow, Honolulu and Washington DC. It intersects the worlds of international finance, cryptocurrency software algorithms, and corruption that reaches from the US Senate to Turk Street in the Tenderloin District.
Fans of contemporary noir novels will love this technothriller trilogy. Be sure to read this gripping financial thriller series in order: Bone Maker, Stone Eater, Lone Hunter. All three books are available now.
Author Interview with D. F. Bailey
Q. The first page of Bone Maker states that the novel is “inspired by true events.”* Tell us more.
DFB. Two events inspired these books. The first involves a massive bitcoin theft. In the spring of 2014 the bitcoin equivalent of over $450,000,000 simply disappeared from a bitcoin exchange called Mt. Gox. Solving this crime drives the plots of all three novels. At heart, the books are an organized crime series in the form of a technothriller trilogy.
Q. What was the second true event?
DFB. A few years ago I came across a news article about a convicted murderer — 53-year-old Rory Nelson Wagner — whose corpse was discovered outside his car in a mountain wilderness. Apparently he died of a heart attack and a bear had dragged him from his vehicle and partially devoured him. Horrible as it seems, I was drawn by the notion of some sort of natural justice at play. Early on in Bone Maker, the sheriff handling a similar case refers to the attack as “Murder by Nature.” I considered using that for the book title at one point.
Q. Sounds like one of Agatha Christie’s PI mysteries.
DFB. Granted, there’s an element of PI mysteries to the trilogy. However, I’m not the sort of writer who likes to create a maze or puzzle with red herrings and hidden clues to fool or mislead the reader. Bone Maker is a crime thriller with a strong noir flavor. Readers learn about the crimes one step at a time, just as our hero Will Finch uncovers the facts of each case.
Q. So who is Will Finch?
DFB. Finch is a 35 year-old crime reporter working for the San Francisco eXpress. Before becoming a journalist, he served in Iraq, at Abu Graib, in military intelligence. Like all noir heroes, there is an irredeemable quality to him, but he’s not completely lost. He senses that he can find his way back to a normal life, yet he’s not sure how to do it.
Q. Tell us about the title, Bone Maker.
DFB. Each of the three titles in the trilogy uses the nickname of a bad guy — the antagonist.
177 pages, ebook
First published December 6, 2015
1833 people are currently reading
2135 people want to read
About the author
D.F. Bailey
21 books116 followersD.F. Bailey is a W.H. Smith First Novel Award and a Whistler Independent Book Award finalist.
His first novel, Fire Eyes was optioned for film. His second novel, Healing the Dead, was translated into German as Todliche Ahnungen. The Good Lie, another psychological thriller, was recorded as a talking book. A fourth novel, Exit from America, made its debut as an e-book in 2013.
In 2015 D.F. Bailey published The Finch Trilogy — Bone Maker, Stone Eater, and Lone Hunter — novels narrated from the point-of-view of a crime reporter in San Francisco. He is now extending the trilogy in a series of stand-alone novels.
Following his birth in Montreal, D.F. Bailey's family moved around North America from rural Ontario to New York City to McComb, Mississippi to Cape May, New Jersey. He finally "landed on his feet" on Vancouver Island — where he lives next to the Salish Sea in the city of Victoria.
For twenty-two years D.F. Bailey worked at the University of Victoria where he taught creative writing and journalism and coordinated the Professional Writing Cooperative Education Program — which he co-founded. From time to time he also freelanced as a business writer and journalist. In the fall of 2010 he left the university so that he could turn "his pre-occupation with writing into a full-blown obsession."
For more information about D.F. Bailey's books and his free newsletter visit: www.dfbailey.com
His first novel, Fire Eyes was optioned for film. His second novel, Healing the Dead, was translated into German as Todliche Ahnungen. The Good Lie, another psychological thriller, was recorded as a talking book. A fourth novel, Exit from America, made its debut as an e-book in 2013.
In 2015 D.F. Bailey published The Finch Trilogy — Bone Maker, Stone Eater, and Lone Hunter — novels narrated from the point-of-view of a crime reporter in San Francisco. He is now extending the trilogy in a series of stand-alone novels.
Following his birth in Montreal, D.F. Bailey's family moved around North America from rural Ontario to New York City to McComb, Mississippi to Cape May, New Jersey. He finally "landed on his feet" on Vancouver Island — where he lives next to the Salish Sea in the city of Victoria.
For twenty-two years D.F. Bailey worked at the University of Victoria where he taught creative writing and journalism and coordinated the Professional Writing Cooperative Education Program — which he co-founded. From time to time he also freelanced as a business writer and journalist. In the fall of 2010 he left the university so that he could turn "his pre-occupation with writing into a full-blown obsession."
For more information about D.F. Bailey's books and his free newsletter visit: www.dfbailey.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
September 15, 2025
A very good start to the series. Will Finch is a man who has lost much, still has some secrets in his past, and might be a bit reckless but he is also very smart and dogged in his pursuit of the truth. I am not sure we know the truth yet about what happened to Toeplitz. As always, I get mad about people in power abusing that power, but I am so happy when people start to be bold in fighting back. I know this is fiction but I also know it happens in real life. I am definitely going to read the next in the series. I hope a few of the gaps in logic get filled in a little more.
May 27, 2023
I received a complimentary copy of this first in a Will Finch Mystery Thriller series tale from TheFussyLibrarian and the author, D. F. Bailey. I have also read the prequel to this novel, The Bank Investigator, which sets us up for the series. This prequel was gifted by the author. This series was started in 2015, but has stories added as recently as 2022.
Bone Maker is a fast-paced D.F. Bailey series you will not want to miss. In 'Bone Maker' we follow Will Finch, San Francisco, California reporter for a daily newspaper, internet edition. Will has been out for several weeks following an overwhelming personal tragedy and needs to get back to work to bring himself back to the present. But maybe this case is too over the top? Hard to tell. In any case, it's his, so he heads out in the staff car to Astoria, Oregon, a 12-hour drive to the site of a probable death-by-bear attack in a small town with an overpowering police force that keeps Astoria's citizens in line and subdued by threats, lies, and blackmail. California reporters are not an exception - Will is not provided much information via the popo and what he is finding on his own seems to have nothing to do with the information the police are releasing to the news media.
The mystery is well concealed, I thoroughly enjoyed 'visiting' Astoria and the surrounding countryside and sea, and I especially liked seeing into the mind of Will Finch. This is a series I'm going to binge.
Reviewed on May 27, 2023, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and Book Bub.
Bone Maker is a fast-paced D.F. Bailey series you will not want to miss. In 'Bone Maker' we follow Will Finch, San Francisco, California reporter for a daily newspaper, internet edition. Will has been out for several weeks following an overwhelming personal tragedy and needs to get back to work to bring himself back to the present. But maybe this case is too over the top? Hard to tell. In any case, it's his, so he heads out in the staff car to Astoria, Oregon, a 12-hour drive to the site of a probable death-by-bear attack in a small town with an overpowering police force that keeps Astoria's citizens in line and subdued by threats, lies, and blackmail. California reporters are not an exception - Will is not provided much information via the popo and what he is finding on his own seems to have nothing to do with the information the police are releasing to the news media.
The mystery is well concealed, I thoroughly enjoyed 'visiting' Astoria and the surrounding countryside and sea, and I especially liked seeing into the mind of Will Finch. This is a series I'm going to binge.
Reviewed on May 27, 2023, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and Book Bub.
August 28, 2022
A fast read filled with action at every turn. The imagery is excellent, and draws the reader into the scenes. Loved the ending which is the perfect lead to the next book in the series.
September 6, 2019
3.5 rating
It was actually the second book in this series that drew me in, but naturally I had to read this one first, because, well, first thing’s first… right? I like to rotate genres, along with best sellers and up-and-coming Indi-authors. This is a fairly popular book that I added in the docket just for myself, and to be honest, I’m a tiny bit disappointed. The story line is good, and the characters are great, but it read kind of slow and put me in a bit of a slump. I’m behind on reads as it is, so I don’t have time for a slow slump. That said, it did have some great qualities… here’s what it’s all about:
Will Finch is a reporter with a dicey personal life. He’s suffered much loss, mostly by the hand of alcoholism both by himself and by those closest to him. He’s taken an extended leave from work and for good reason. Now that he’s returned to the job, his boss asked him to be the one to work a particular case because there is just no other reporter he can trust to get truly get to the bottom of such a far fetched, dangerous, HUGE story.
Like several other mystery books before this one, and surely hundreds more to be in the future, reporters make excellent case workers. They often work hand in hand with police officers and detectives on murder mysteries because they are relentless and get to the bottom of things for the sake of uncovering an original fact-based story. Will is just that reporter!
You see, a big name wallstreet man was found in a mountain, his carcass being munched on by a bear. That’s right folks, a bear was eating a man, and the local law enforcement chocked it up as death by nature. Claimed he was attacked by the bear, and that was that, case closed… but was it?
To Will, Fiona a co-worker, and their boss something just didn’t smell right here. What was a financial tycoon doing cruising his mercedes around in the woods anyway? There are a lot of people out there who’d like to see this man dead, so the entire bear thing just seemed a little too convenient.
Will gladly takes on the story, burying himself in the case in order to escape his personal life. The entire thing wrecks of juicy lies, and he’s determined to uncover the truth, but what he doesn’t know is that there is oh so much more into play here than what originally meets the eye. Crooked cops, dirty money families, lying gizabells, how does it all tie together? Will has braided himself into one hell of a dangerous rope, and is going to have to do some seriously genius reporter work to get himself out of it all.
All in all, it was a good read. I just wish it was quicker paced. I will be checking out the second in the series, as that is what drew me in in the first place… just not any time soon.
It was actually the second book in this series that drew me in, but naturally I had to read this one first, because, well, first thing’s first… right? I like to rotate genres, along with best sellers and up-and-coming Indi-authors. This is a fairly popular book that I added in the docket just for myself, and to be honest, I’m a tiny bit disappointed. The story line is good, and the characters are great, but it read kind of slow and put me in a bit of a slump. I’m behind on reads as it is, so I don’t have time for a slow slump. That said, it did have some great qualities… here’s what it’s all about:
Will Finch is a reporter with a dicey personal life. He’s suffered much loss, mostly by the hand of alcoholism both by himself and by those closest to him. He’s taken an extended leave from work and for good reason. Now that he’s returned to the job, his boss asked him to be the one to work a particular case because there is just no other reporter he can trust to get truly get to the bottom of such a far fetched, dangerous, HUGE story.
Like several other mystery books before this one, and surely hundreds more to be in the future, reporters make excellent case workers. They often work hand in hand with police officers and detectives on murder mysteries because they are relentless and get to the bottom of things for the sake of uncovering an original fact-based story. Will is just that reporter!
You see, a big name wallstreet man was found in a mountain, his carcass being munched on by a bear. That’s right folks, a bear was eating a man, and the local law enforcement chocked it up as death by nature. Claimed he was attacked by the bear, and that was that, case closed… but was it?
To Will, Fiona a co-worker, and their boss something just didn’t smell right here. What was a financial tycoon doing cruising his mercedes around in the woods anyway? There are a lot of people out there who’d like to see this man dead, so the entire bear thing just seemed a little too convenient.
Will gladly takes on the story, burying himself in the case in order to escape his personal life. The entire thing wrecks of juicy lies, and he’s determined to uncover the truth, but what he doesn’t know is that there is oh so much more into play here than what originally meets the eye. Crooked cops, dirty money families, lying gizabells, how does it all tie together? Will has braided himself into one hell of a dangerous rope, and is going to have to do some seriously genius reporter work to get himself out of it all.
All in all, it was a good read. I just wish it was quicker paced. I will be checking out the second in the series, as that is what drew me in in the first place… just not any time soon.
February 20, 2017
It is the first book of a trilogy and you probably need to read all three to get the whole picture. So far I've read only the first and it leaves many questions open.
The main character is an investigative journalist with a still unrevealed history.
It's quite entertaining.
The main character is an investigative journalist with a still unrevealed history.
It's quite entertaining.
May 27, 2023
I received a complimentary copy of this first in a Will Finch Mystery Thriller series tale from TheFussyLibrarian and the author, D. F. Bailey. I have also read the prequel to this novel, The Bank Investigator, which sets us up for the series. This prequel was gifted by the author. This series was started in 2015, but has stories added as recently as 2022.
Bone Maker is a fast-paced D.F. Bailey series you will not want to miss. In 'Bone Maker' we follow Will Finch, San Francisco, California reporter for a daily newspaper, internet edition. Will has been out for several weeks following an overwhelming personal tragedy and needs to get back to work to bring himself back to the present. But maybe this case is too over the top? Hard to tell. In any case, it's his, so he heads out in the staff car to Astoria, Oregon, a 12-hour drive to the site of a probable death-by-bear attack in a small town with an overpowering police force that keeps Astoria's citizens in line and subdued by threats, lies, and blackmail. California reporters are not an exception - Will is not provided much information via the popo and what he is finding on his own seems to have nothing to do with the information the police are releasing to the news media.
The mystery is well concealed, I thoroughly enjoyed 'visiting' Astoria and the surrounding countryside and sea, and I especially liked seeing into the mind of Will Finch. This is a series I'm going to binge.
Also reviewed under title - The Finch Trilogy
Bone Maker is a fast-paced D.F. Bailey series you will not want to miss. In 'Bone Maker' we follow Will Finch, San Francisco, California reporter for a daily newspaper, internet edition. Will has been out for several weeks following an overwhelming personal tragedy and needs to get back to work to bring himself back to the present. But maybe this case is too over the top? Hard to tell. In any case, it's his, so he heads out in the staff car to Astoria, Oregon, a 12-hour drive to the site of a probable death-by-bear attack in a small town with an overpowering police force that keeps Astoria's citizens in line and subdued by threats, lies, and blackmail. California reporters are not an exception - Will is not provided much information via the popo and what he is finding on his own seems to have nothing to do with the information the police are releasing to the news media.
The mystery is well concealed, I thoroughly enjoyed 'visiting' Astoria and the surrounding countryside and sea, and I especially liked seeing into the mind of Will Finch. This is a series I'm going to binge.
Also reviewed under title - The Finch Trilogy
April 22, 2020
I didn’t actually get very far in this book, to be honest. I was completely turned off but the graphic description of the two people (didn’t read far enough to determine how important they were to the story) shooting a bear within the first chapter. It was absolutely disgusting. Made me want to cry, scream and strangle those characters and quite frankly, the author for putting the poor fictional bear (and me) through that torture.
In real life, I can’t stand hunters or people who harm wildlife or animals and I can’t stand it in movies or fiction. I suppose it speaks some to the author’s ability in that I felt it so viscerally, so if you aren’t bothered by this sort of thing, maybe this would be a good book for you. The story did sound interesting from the description. But I couldn’t get over that, couldn’t even stomach reading it. So I had to give this one a hard pass, fully recognizing that my judgment here is skewed and maybe not fair. Which is why I give 3 stars instead of the one star that was my gut reaction to reading that. I don’t for a second believe my reviews are important enough to catch anyone’s attention, but just in case someone stumbles upon it, I don’t want to cost the author readers just because I am incredibly sensitive to that particular issue.
In real life, I can’t stand hunters or people who harm wildlife or animals and I can’t stand it in movies or fiction. I suppose it speaks some to the author’s ability in that I felt it so viscerally, so if you aren’t bothered by this sort of thing, maybe this would be a good book for you. The story did sound interesting from the description. But I couldn’t get over that, couldn’t even stomach reading it. So I had to give this one a hard pass, fully recognizing that my judgment here is skewed and maybe not fair. Which is why I give 3 stars instead of the one star that was my gut reaction to reading that. I don’t for a second believe my reviews are important enough to catch anyone’s attention, but just in case someone stumbles upon it, I don’t want to cost the author readers just because I am incredibly sensitive to that particular issue.
June 4, 2017
I read this book as one of a ten book collection by ten different authors. I enjoyed reading it and would have given it 4 stars based on the quality of the story and the writing. The plot was interesting and believable and the protagonist was appealing. I would like to read more by this author and more about these characters. HOWEVER, I've downgraded my review by one star (as a punishment?) because I feel the author cheated me (and all the other readers) by intentionally not finishing the story. One of the murders was left unsolved (and uninvestigated) at the end of the book. IMHO, just a cheap trick to get me to buy the next book in the series. I think the quality of the story and the strength of the characters alone could do that, but I want a complete, finished story when I spend my time reading a novel. You can't just cut the book into two and then call it two different books!
January 21, 2021
Corruption, Murder and Bears
Corruption leads to murder. An unholy alliance of politicians and law enforcement is relentless and merciless. A reporter recovering from a personal tragedy investigates putting himself in harm's way.
This is a readable novel. The reporter Will is none to swift and his judgment is questionable. The other characters are fairly stock, the politicians and their spoiled heirs, the senator's sexy conflicted daughter, the brutal sheriff. I did not like the bit about wounding the bear and then not putting it out of its misery. Predictable but fairly entertaining.
Corruption leads to murder. An unholy alliance of politicians and law enforcement is relentless and merciless. A reporter recovering from a personal tragedy investigates putting himself in harm's way.
This is a readable novel. The reporter Will is none to swift and his judgment is questionable. The other characters are fairly stock, the politicians and their spoiled heirs, the senator's sexy conflicted daughter, the brutal sheriff. I did not like the bit about wounding the bear and then not putting it out of its misery. Predictable but fairly entertaining.
June 25, 2020
I'm tuition between a there start and two start review. On the one hand, the story is good, as is the writing, making it a three start review. But this story doesn't end in the last page. The mystery is not solved but we are given the first chapter of the second book in the trilogy to check out. In other words, this first volume is a hook for the second. The story doesn't end her. Frustrating. Makes it a two start review.
October 6, 2020
Not bad. Only major issue I had with it, was I felt like the author wrote the book with an open thesaurus nearby...some strange word choices.."The moment he heard his voice rising over Smeardon's near-illiterate rants..."He could feel himself sinking in a well of dread, a deep porous hole that would drown him." I probably wouldn't continue reading this "trilogy," but for better or worse, I already bought the next two, so here's hoping!
January 17, 2021
Struggled to finish this. The main character is supposed to be fresh from a major loss but doesn't come across as in mourning at all. The characters are flat and unlikeable/unbelievable. The storyline itself is quite good but let down by all the other details.
July 4, 2022
Got 50 pages in, couldn’t finish the story… the author inserted way too much irrelevant bs that had absolutely zero bearing on the story and it completely turned me off. Won’t be reading anymore of this authors works.
September 17, 2017
Hartley was widowed four years ago, and hasn't been out since her husband died in a car wreck. Her best friend Taylor bullies her into going on blind dates through a service. The dates are mostly bad, but she finally meets Jacob who seem to be a real nice guy, and they start seeing each other casually. Next door to her on the same floor of the apartment building, who is a fine figure of a man. Hartley can't help but look at him since he is eye candy with his big muscles and sexy good looks, but he is rude, and standoffish.
Hartley thinks her life is finally getting back to normal, but then weird things start happening. Her husband's things that are packed away keep showing up around her apartment.She thinks she's sleepwalking. Eventually she realizes someone is gaslighting her. Who could it be, one of her blind dates, maybe? She did know one had lied on his profile, and was so full of himself she told him off.
The cop next door starts trying to figure out the mystery.
This story is full of suspense, keeps you guessing, and thrills you every minute. I couldn't put it down.
D.F.Bailey shows great imagination, I was intrigued from the first page to the last.
There are many reasons you should never go on a blind date, I think that was proven here in this awesome , real to life story. I will be sure to check out other books by this author.
Hartley thinks her life is finally getting back to normal, but then weird things start happening. Her husband's things that are packed away keep showing up around her apartment.She thinks she's sleepwalking. Eventually she realizes someone is gaslighting her. Who could it be, one of her blind dates, maybe? She did know one had lied on his profile, and was so full of himself she told him off.
The cop next door starts trying to figure out the mystery.
This story is full of suspense, keeps you guessing, and thrills you every minute. I couldn't put it down.
D.F.Bailey shows great imagination, I was intrigued from the first page to the last.
There are many reasons you should never go on a blind date, I think that was proven here in this awesome , real to life story. I will be sure to check out other books by this author.
September 1, 2017
Ben Argyle and his son Ethan are hunting for dear, instead they find a bear devouring a carcass of what they assume is an animal. The bear being startled at the sight of them charges, they are forced to shoot the bear wounding it, it runs off into the forest.They start ot to follow the bear but upon viewing it's meal, they discover the half eaten body of a man. Close by is his Mercedes with the window down and set covered in blood. So they venture on to alert the Sheriff.It appears the poor man was drug from his open car window by the bear, the sheriff believes it is a simple case of death by misadventure.But why would this man be out in the middle of nowhere in the dead of night sitting in his car with the windows rolled down?
The Medical Examiner is not so sure as to what the cause of death is, so she has the local mechanic secure the car in case it is needed later for collecting evidence.
Finch is a reporter from a dying newspaper sent to scoop the story. He has many questions, and tries to unravel the mysterious case. The man in the car has been involved in some shady dealings with some very powerful people, so there just might be a story here, Finch hopes so anyway.
Good storyline, kept my attention, some surprises. I liked it very much, and if you like thrillers this is a story designed for you.
The Medical Examiner is not so sure as to what the cause of death is, so she has the local mechanic secure the car in case it is needed later for collecting evidence.
Finch is a reporter from a dying newspaper sent to scoop the story. He has many questions, and tries to unravel the mysterious case. The man in the car has been involved in some shady dealings with some very powerful people, so there just might be a story here, Finch hopes so anyway.
Good storyline, kept my attention, some surprises. I liked it very much, and if you like thrillers this is a story designed for you.
May 15, 2025
The Bone Maker is a mystery thriller and the first book in the Will Finch Mystery Thriller series. I’ve had this book on my shelf for a while, and now that I’ve read it, I’m not sure why I waited so long!
Told from the perspective of investigative reporter Will Finch, the story follows his relentless pursuit of the truth. Like a bloodhound on the scent, Finch won’t stop until he uncovers the answers he’s looking for. The pacing is steady, keeping the suspense simmering while introducing a range of characters — all of whom feel essential to the plot.
Bailey’s ability to juggle a complex web of people, clues, and events is impressive. The main characters are detailed and well-developed, and even the more minor players are vivid and memorable thanks to Bailey’s descriptive writing. Conversations feel natural and immersive, making it easy to feel like a fly on the wall as events unfold.
If you enjoy mystery thrillers with a strong investigative lead, smart writing, and a compelling cast of characters, The Bone Maker is well worth your time. It's a promising start to the series and one that has definitely made me want to continue reading more about Will Finch’s cases. I’m off to get the 2nd book in the series.
Told from the perspective of investigative reporter Will Finch, the story follows his relentless pursuit of the truth. Like a bloodhound on the scent, Finch won’t stop until he uncovers the answers he’s looking for. The pacing is steady, keeping the suspense simmering while introducing a range of characters — all of whom feel essential to the plot.
Bailey’s ability to juggle a complex web of people, clues, and events is impressive. The main characters are detailed and well-developed, and even the more minor players are vivid and memorable thanks to Bailey’s descriptive writing. Conversations feel natural and immersive, making it easy to feel like a fly on the wall as events unfold.
If you enjoy mystery thrillers with a strong investigative lead, smart writing, and a compelling cast of characters, The Bone Maker is well worth your time. It's a promising start to the series and one that has definitely made me want to continue reading more about Will Finch’s cases. I’m off to get the 2nd book in the series.
April 11, 2018
Bone Maker - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Will Finch is an ace reporter who often - as in this case - helps the police as well as getting the exclusive front page stories for the SF eXpress he works for.
Ethan Argyle and his son Ben are on a leisurely drive through the forests near their California home, when they come across a gruesome sight - a bear chewing on the corpse of a man whose open-windowed car stands empty nearby.
How did the victim die and who's the killer? What was important about the victim?
When is foul play suspected? Who is Donnel Smeadon - and how does he link Ben with a gun the police are investigating? Who tries to frame Ethan and how?
What does Fiona tell Will about Senator Franklin Whitelaw?
As the plot thickens Sheriff Mark Gruman's part in the investigation changes into something unexpected and Will must do all he can to make sure the truth id revealed before another innocent victim is added to the total. D F Bailey's thriller will keep you guessing until the very end!
Will Finch is an ace reporter who often - as in this case - helps the police as well as getting the exclusive front page stories for the SF eXpress he works for.
Ethan Argyle and his son Ben are on a leisurely drive through the forests near their California home, when they come across a gruesome sight - a bear chewing on the corpse of a man whose open-windowed car stands empty nearby.
How did the victim die and who's the killer? What was important about the victim?
When is foul play suspected? Who is Donnel Smeadon - and how does he link Ben with a gun the police are investigating? Who tries to frame Ethan and how?
What does Fiona tell Will about Senator Franklin Whitelaw?
As the plot thickens Sheriff Mark Gruman's part in the investigation changes into something unexpected and Will must do all he can to make sure the truth id revealed before another innocent victim is added to the total. D F Bailey's thriller will keep you guessing until the very end!
February 19, 2019
Bare
Well crafted mystery with engaging characters. This talented author has a clever way of succinctly describing situations and events that leave the reader in no doubt of his intent along with a real sense of being in the moment. Well developed main and secondary characters are accomplished with finesse and pithy biographical detail. I particularly liked his ability to give just enough detail to flesh out situations without belabouring the point and leaving wriggle room for further character development. He does an excellent job of adhering to the writing tenet "show, don't tell" to the benefit of the story and the enjoyment of his audience. The first in a series of, I believe, three, this story works well as a standalone and I didn't feel any pressure to go further, although events in the last few pages had me willingly clicking on the "buy now" button for book two. I'm looking forward to engaging further with these characters. Well done
Well crafted mystery with engaging characters. This talented author has a clever way of succinctly describing situations and events that leave the reader in no doubt of his intent along with a real sense of being in the moment. Well developed main and secondary characters are accomplished with finesse and pithy biographical detail. I particularly liked his ability to give just enough detail to flesh out situations without belabouring the point and leaving wriggle room for further character development. He does an excellent job of adhering to the writing tenet "show, don't tell" to the benefit of the story and the enjoyment of his audience. The first in a series of, I believe, three, this story works well as a standalone and I didn't feel any pressure to go further, although events in the last few pages had me willingly clicking on the "buy now" button for book two. I'm looking forward to engaging further with these characters. Well done
April 17, 2024
Will Finch has lost his son in a tragic accident, and come back to life, and work. Tossed onto a case about a man who was pulled from his car, mauled, and eaten by a bear, he takes off into the mountains to get some pictures and facts on the case.
What he doesn't expect is that there is a lot more to the death than anyone expected. The local sheriff is an iron-fisted bully of a man with his own set of rules. The medical examiner is an up-and-coming young woman with a bright future, who is less certain than others about the bear, and the cause of death.
This is an interesting story, rooted in real life stories involving billionaires and Bitcoin, though the crypto and what happened with it is only mentioned very briefly in passing.
This is a very short novel, and it felt pieced together, without the depth of story and character building that might have made it exceptional. It was an enjoyable listen (the audiobook) but probably not one that will stick with me.
What he doesn't expect is that there is a lot more to the death than anyone expected. The local sheriff is an iron-fisted bully of a man with his own set of rules. The medical examiner is an up-and-coming young woman with a bright future, who is less certain than others about the bear, and the cause of death.
This is an interesting story, rooted in real life stories involving billionaires and Bitcoin, though the crypto and what happened with it is only mentioned very briefly in passing.
This is a very short novel, and it felt pieced together, without the depth of story and character building that might have made it exceptional. It was an enjoyable listen (the audiobook) but probably not one that will stick with me.
August 2, 2017
First-rate storytelling. This is the first of four Will Finch novels. I plan on purchasing all of them.
Investigative journalists, a small town, some very interesting forensic science, (including a necropsy on a large bear), a whistle-blower, and a wealthy family with a lot to lose – Just stir the ingredients, add a little heat, and serve.
All of the characters are interesting and diverse. Perhaps, to me, that is the most important element in a good story. And at the end, there is a thirst for more, which, perhaps, is the second of the most important elements.
Usually, at this stage of a review, there is the “Writes like…” addition to whet the appetite of readers who have a good idea of what they like, and want more. One of these days, solid and reliable writers will be classified as “Writes like D. F. Bailey”.
Investigative journalists, a small town, some very interesting forensic science, (including a necropsy on a large bear), a whistle-blower, and a wealthy family with a lot to lose – Just stir the ingredients, add a little heat, and serve.
All of the characters are interesting and diverse. Perhaps, to me, that is the most important element in a good story. And at the end, there is a thirst for more, which, perhaps, is the second of the most important elements.
Usually, at this stage of a review, there is the “Writes like…” addition to whet the appetite of readers who have a good idea of what they like, and want more. One of these days, solid and reliable writers will be classified as “Writes like D. F. Bailey”.
April 1, 2024
Commencing with a hungry bear, a father and son out hunting in the wild country of Oregon, are confronted by a macabre situation when they come across an abandoned motor vehicle and a black bear eating the body of a human, apparently from the vehicle. So, the story takes off when Will Finch, an investigative reporter in the digital media is tasked to follow up the story of a key prosecution witness eaten by a bear, and he finds a plethora of situations as the many twists and turns in this story unfold. The local Sherriff thinks this a case of misadventure, but the local medical examiner is not so sure and piece by piece, Finch is able to piece together a possible scenario, leading to him confronting the possible villain behind the whole situation.
The story is fast and furious with plenty of action and this makes for a gripping read from start to finish.
Moses
The story is fast and furious with plenty of action and this makes for a gripping read from start to finish.
Moses
June 12, 2023
Will Finch is an interesting reporter. He investigates and takes chances. He opens himself up and makes himself vulnerable, but has a good instinct as to when to keep others at a safe distance. In this story he is plunged into a situation where he must find the circumstances of the death of an important witness in a trial, and he ends up turning up very important evidence himself.
The relationships in the story are well-defined and make reading very easy and interesting. It is easy for the reader to get caught up in the meaning and ramifications of those relationships. As a result there are actually few surprises other than the actions taken by the characters. The book is a compelling read.
The relationships in the story are well-defined and make reading very easy and interesting. It is easy for the reader to get caught up in the meaning and ramifications of those relationships. As a result there are actually few surprises other than the actions taken by the characters. The book is a compelling read.
July 23, 2023
This is the first book I've read by this author. By the time I was a quarter of the way through I knew I'd be reading the rest of the series. The first 10% of this book was slow going but I persevered because it was set in Astoria, Oregon, a place I visited often as a child. It is so beautiful there and the author frequently mentioned the lovely views there.
There was a bear in the book which was quite interesting, considering how much it added to the intrigue in the tale.
There were some necessary bad guys, more good guys than I expected and a few people who kept you guessing about which side of the law they'd land on.
The medical examiner was one of my favorite characters. Smart lady! A real gift to the journalist telling the story.
There was a bear in the book which was quite interesting, considering how much it added to the intrigue in the tale.
There were some necessary bad guys, more good guys than I expected and a few people who kept you guessing about which side of the law they'd land on.
The medical examiner was one of my favorite characters. Smart lady! A real gift to the journalist telling the story.
May 5, 2018
Not a Fan of Cliffhangers, But ...
No spoilers in any of my reviews.
I decided to read this book because I love mysteries and thrillers, but I rarely find them from the perspective of a reporter. It is an interesting way to tell the story leaving much of the discovery in the form of a surprise. The few main characters are instantly recognizable. The tale unfolds at a steady pace, leading to a satisfying conclusion. What appears to be a cliffhanger is really the start of a new story. I recommend this book if you are looking for something a little different but still immensely entertaining.
No spoilers in any of my reviews.
I decided to read this book because I love mysteries and thrillers, but I rarely find them from the perspective of a reporter. It is an interesting way to tell the story leaving much of the discovery in the form of a surprise. The few main characters are instantly recognizable. The tale unfolds at a steady pace, leading to a satisfying conclusion. What appears to be a cliffhanger is really the start of a new story. I recommend this book if you are looking for something a little different but still immensely entertaining.
October 29, 2020
RIVETING READ
BONE MAKER immediately shocks with a stupefying, gruesome discovery. Although distressing, there seems to be a relatively simple explanation. However, as time goes on, strands of perplexing, ominous mysteries become apparent. They wind their way into multiple avenues of a confounding maze and appear to have no connections that lead to a conclusion.
The twists, turns and dead ends create an environment fraught with intense nail-biting, unnerving suspense that keep the pages flying by. There's a dynamite, heart-racing explosive finish as the myriad of paths converge.
THE BONE MAKER SHOULD BE YOUR NEXT READ!
BONE MAKER immediately shocks with a stupefying, gruesome discovery. Although distressing, there seems to be a relatively simple explanation. However, as time goes on, strands of perplexing, ominous mysteries become apparent. They wind their way into multiple avenues of a confounding maze and appear to have no connections that lead to a conclusion.
The twists, turns and dead ends create an environment fraught with intense nail-biting, unnerving suspense that keep the pages flying by. There's a dynamite, heart-racing explosive finish as the myriad of paths converge.
THE BONE MAKER SHOULD BE YOUR NEXT READ!
July 19, 2023
If you want to start at the very beginning you should read The Bank Investigator, Finch Confidential and then Five Knives. This was the first book I read but I went back to read the others. You can get all three free by signing up for his newsletter.
This was a very realistic storyline and characters. Very believable characters to include the 17 year old son. It’s one of those books that you just can’t put down. You start it and you’re on the edge of your seat at times wondering what’s next. Oh OH NO ! I believe the writing style making you FEEL like you’re in the story is why you’re like that. You want to be deputized and do your own investigation. I will keep reading on…LOVE IT !
This was a very realistic storyline and characters. Very believable characters to include the 17 year old son. It’s one of those books that you just can’t put down. You start it and you’re on the edge of your seat at times wondering what’s next. Oh OH NO ! I believe the writing style making you FEEL like you’re in the story is why you’re like that. You want to be deputized and do your own investigation. I will keep reading on…LOVE IT !
November 17, 2016
Bone Maker is a Financial Crime Thriller. Will Finch is a Newspaper Reporter.
When a key witness is found dead after being mauled by a bear in the wilderness of a small Oregon Town. Will is sent up to Oregon to find out what is happening with the upcoming trial of a U.S Senator.
Will finds out the dead guy was dating the Senators Daughter and was going to turn over some evidence against the Senator. Than the Sheriff doesn't like Will snooping around his town. Does he have something to hide? Many twists and turns and a surprise ending. I look forward to reading more books by D.F Bailey
When a key witness is found dead after being mauled by a bear in the wilderness of a small Oregon Town. Will is sent up to Oregon to find out what is happening with the upcoming trial of a U.S Senator.
Will finds out the dead guy was dating the Senators Daughter and was going to turn over some evidence against the Senator. Than the Sheriff doesn't like Will snooping around his town. Does he have something to hide? Many twists and turns and a surprise ending. I look forward to reading more books by D.F Bailey
June 24, 2019
An unusual story of a mans death. A car was found in the woods. Blood was in the car and scratches all over the side of the door. Later 2 people hunting seen a bear and shot at him just hitting him in the foot. Days later they couldn't find this bear. Was he what killed this man. Have to catch the bear to find out first to see if any of this mans body was still in the bears stomach. Did the bear kill him or was he already dead when the bear got him. More truth is hidden. More investigating the case.
January 22, 2021
A war vet comes back from rehab. Not war rehab, but personal rehab, and goes back to the office. This journalist (war vet) is going back to a story about fraud and hundreds of millions of dollars. One of the people involved is missing, but his car was found in the woods.
The journalist goes to Oregon where some of the fraudsters are hanging out. He meets the sheriff, the coroner, a a student and his dad who just shot a bear that was eating a corpse on the road. And so on......
A very good read. I bet you're going to love this book.
The journalist goes to Oregon where some of the fraudsters are hanging out. He meets the sheriff, the coroner, a a student and his dad who just shot a bear that was eating a corpse on the road. And so on......
A very good read. I bet you're going to love this book.
February 18, 2022
Outstanding Read
Homemaker is a well crafted story of a reporter's investigation for a story. It reaches deeply into the thoughts and motivations of an investigative reporter's actions in finding a true story from the bits and pieces of information he has been given or those he has uncovered himself. I do not believe in reiterating a storyline as I feel it takes away from a reader's enjoyment. I can honestly say, hiwever, that this novel is an excellent example of this genre and one I thoroughly recommend.
Homemaker is a well crafted story of a reporter's investigation for a story. It reaches deeply into the thoughts and motivations of an investigative reporter's actions in finding a true story from the bits and pieces of information he has been given or those he has uncovered himself. I do not believe in reiterating a storyline as I feel it takes away from a reader's enjoyment. I can honestly say, hiwever, that this novel is an excellent example of this genre and one I thoroughly recommend.
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