Silver and Bone

Silver and Bone #1

by Claudia Cain

You can’t outrun your past. Jennifer Jones has tried. She’s gone from killer to cop, but being a vampire isn’t so easily changed. Her body count is high, and her checkered past has made her plenty of enemies. Now one of them wants revenge. As bodies start appearing in the streets, repeating a very familiar pattern, Jennifer finds herself framed for murder. The life she has built is beginning to unravel, and if she doesn't prove her innocence she will lose everything. Worse - maybe she deserves it. If you love urban fantasy, you’ll love this gripping new trilogy.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Fantasy, Mystery, Young Adult, LGBT, Vampires

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2016

About the author

Claudia Cain is the author of the Silver and Bone trilogy and the Fallow Creek series. She currently lives in New Zealand, and when not writing stories full of magic and monsters, she can usually be found reading them.

Reviews

[Skye Kilaen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember the last time I fell in love so hard with a series that spent so much time kicking me in the heart. This is a paranormal police procedural / mystery / thriller series about Jennifer Jones, a bisexual vampire with a history of serial killing who reformed and now works as a detective for the police division that handles supernatural threats and crimes. It's somber, often tense, and at times heartbreaking. Cain's characterization skills are amazing to me, especially given how many characters she brings in over the course of all three books.

I'm still kind of staggered that this trilogy is over, because of how much I invested in everyone on Team Good and how real this fictional world felt. Absolutely gripping, I adored the bi rep, and I can't wait to see what Cain does next.

[sally ✿ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Grief is for times when people aren't trying to kill you. Anger keeps you alive."

Silver and Bone was fast paced, paranormal mystery/thriller novel with super fun and likable characters who you just couldn't help rooting for. The writing and the story arc overall were nicely done and easy to read. Though I will admit, there were some parts that were a bit info-dumpy, but the paranormal political system that Cain has created is clearly well thought out, so it wasn't too bad.

Though it's mostly told in first person from the point of view of our main character, Jennifer Jones, it does have include other character's point of views. In addition to that, it also flips from the past to the present. I've never entirely been a huge fan of this, since it's very easy to prefer one story to the other, but it was actually done really well. The past narrative is just as interesting and important to read as the present. It does not ever detract from the main story, and both narratives very much tie into one another.

"Surely there is some good in you?"
She gave him a pitying look. "When you've been alive for as long as I have...I don't know if there any good in me."
"So look."

I really liked the characters! They were so cheeky and fun. I've always had a dry, almost dark sense of humor that rarely anyone ever understands unless they know me well, but I feel Jennifer Jones and I would have been great friends! Oh, how I wish I could have her wit. I'm still extremely curious to learn more about her past, especially her past relationship with the charming, and super cool, Mosi. And I absolutely loved her friendship with a certain adorable, not-so crazy killer vampire.

"I have never feared death.
Sometimes I pray for it.
When it comes to my friends, I wish it away with every bone in my body."

I will admit, I've always had a slight fascination with creepy Necromancers, and the ones in this book did not disappoint at all with their creep factor.

And I can't forget about Paul! I loved his and Jennifer's relationship so much. They complimented each other so well, and their banter was extremely cute.

"He bought me a steak. I like steak. And he was good looking, so I couldn't really lose."

Overall, a pretty great debut novel! The paranormal genre and I have always had a love-hate genre, I'll either really love the book or I will really hate the book. Thankfully, I'm happy to say Silver and Bone ended up being a really enjoyable read! The ending was completely satisfactory, but still left room for a sequel should the author choose to do so. The story I felt was a bit unnecessarily long, Claudia is a very talented author and I can see a lot of potential in her future books.

Definitely recommend for anyone who loves mysteries with plenty of action and a dash of paranormal fun!

"Some fates cannot be avoided. The future must play out."

Disclaimer: A huge thank you to the author for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Lauren (Northern Plunder) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review was first posted on Northern Plunder, you can read more of my reviews there too.

I’m super thankful that Claudia reached out to me to offer me a review copy of Silver & Bone. She reached out just before I went to Ohio in March and I was like hell yeah this will be the perfect book to read on the plane.

Then do you know what happened? I got accepted for The Heart Forger book tour which I 100% didn’t think I’d be selected for and had to rejuggle my reading plan.

Anyway I’m here now. I’ve read the book. And omg I am in love.

Silver & Bone took me a tiny bit of time to get into cause I suddenly got very anxious over the page count but man once things started going I was hooked.

The story follows Jennifer Jones who is not only a detective, but also a vampire. The only vampire hired in the Bureau of Supernatural Crime.

and y’all know I’m a sucker for vampires so of course we were gonna hit things off

I really liked how we’re introduced to Jennifer (omg I keep almost writing Jessica I’m sorry) because it starts with her finishing up a case in true Vampire fashion; a good ol fight.

The next case that lands at her feet is a gruesome murder, a cryptic warning from a Necromancer, and seems somewhat familiar…

It doesn’t take long for it to be clear that Jennifer is being framed for the murder and the ones that follow. Her bloody past has returned to bite her back.

The journey she takes to find the killer is intense, dark, and a wild ride.

I really enjoyed how the story unravelled because it introduced the other characters well, we got flashback scenes that added extra background information when nescesary, and the mystery wasn’t stupidly obvious.

I loved every character (and creature) introduced and just wanted to know more about them.

Jennifer also has a werewolf boyfriend and I love that this relationship already existed prior to the start of the book because it means we skip out on all that romance taking over the plot thing that happens a lot. Paul is such a great person and I loved his scenes so much. He’s the leader of the local Wolf Pack and cares about Jennifer so much. He plays an important role in the story too!

There is a coven of Vampires and how they exist and follow a “Queen” was interesting to learn about and I can’t wait to see what role the coven plays in the second book because of events that happen at the end of this one.

There are others I wanna talk about but also … spoilers? So just know that I love pretty much every character in Jennifers immediate friendship/work circle.

I will happily recommend this book to anyone who needs more vampires in their lives, who needs a good crime, who needs an action packed read. The writing was amazing okay.

Go buy a copy now!

Update: I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT JENNIFER IS ALSO BI AND ADDRESS’ THIS MATTER AMAZINGLY TO A VAMPIRE WHO IS NOT UP TO DATE ON HOW THIS IS OK IN SOCIETY NOW AND IDK IT WAS V HEARTWARMING OK

[Ashley Daviau · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual Claudia Cain does not disappoint! At this point I’ll read anything by them and know it’s going to be fantastic. I’m so picky with vampire novels because they’re either really good or really bad but this one is definitely in the really good camp. As soon as I finished it I immediately wanted to read the next, I became invested in the characters and the world Cain built!

[Courtney (courtneyandherbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5 stars.

Love vampires and everything supernatural but sick of the cheesy consistency that is most vampire books? Welcome to the book you need! Cain's supernatural mystery is a refreshing take on a cliched genre which has you hanging to the edge of your seat and page turning faster and faster.

Silver and Bone follows a vampire detective, Jennifer Jones, and a series of murders she and her friends/colleagues (a range of humans and other supernatural beings) must solve before Jennifer is taken down for them herself.

I went into this book very excited about the premise; Vampires, murder mystery, a twisted history, what's not to love?! Thankfully, I as the reader was rewarded with a thrilling ride void of cliche. Classic tropes were still included for characteristics of each individual species - silver for vampires, moon transformations for werewolves, a distinct creepiness of necromancers - but of course we need these! Otherwise they aren't vampires, werewolves and necromancers, are they? What made the difference was the very refreshing take on human/supernatural interaction. The supernatural beings weren't hiding in the dark from authority, but rather working alongside them to keep the rest of the supernatural world in check and likewise, the humans in the force treated them as colleagues and not monsters.

I enjoyed how the book kept the reader in the dark for some of the story, but were slowly given depth with the addition of flashbacks as the present progressed (a device that worked brilliantly in this particular novel). There was never a dull moment and the conflicts weren't repetitive at all. The pace was consistently fast and thrilling - the perfect mix of story and details. And that ending! (Better read it to find out what I'm talking about!)

As we all know, a great story isn't a great book unless it's characters are great too, right? Well, count yourselves incredibly lucky! The characters in this book all have distinct personalities and everyone has a purpose. Nobody is unnecessarily included just for the sake of dialogue - thank God! In particular, I loved Jennifer, but then again, I am an absolute sucker for cynicism and sardonicism. I could imagine Jennifer and I sitting back and making witty jokes about nearly everything. Also, kick-ass female much?! Mosi and Mei were other favourites of mine, although they did play more minor parts.

This book was one where I finished and sighed. The type of sigh where I sit and stare into space, thinking about the marvel which was the book I just read and what I am going to now now I have finished it. Where I sit and thinking about how perfectly the story flowed and how I simply didn't want it to end even though it had to! Thank God for sequels! I am so thrilled that I had the opportunity to read this book and most definitely want to read the sequel to see what else these characters will get up to and how their lives will change and develop.

Disclaimer: I was given an e-copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own! A huge thank you to Claudia Cain ♥

[Emily Rainsford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ove this author, I'm a big fan of her Fallow Creek series. I was happy to be asked to read this one before its re-release on 31 October 2024.

This one is different in setting and vibe to the Fallow Creek books, but just as good. The main character is a morally grey female vampire detective in San Francisco, where paranormal creatures walk amongst humans unknown, and she's chasing down a vampire serial killer.

I'm actually surprised this is the author's debut written at a young age, because this story has a ton of maturity with a complex main character. It's definitely a bit brutal at times but it's a vampire story so that's to be expected. Cain is an author who doesn't hold back from making some tough decisions in her stories and I find that refreshing.

This is a smart urban paranormal story with solid worldbuilding. Look forward to reading the next in the series!

[P. Kirby · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Nother "Flawed, but entertaining" book.

Silver and Bone is best described as old-school Urban Fantasy (UF). With its vampire heroine, bevy of good looking men, and murder mystery-driven plotline, it's in the vein of schtuff from back in the day--Laurel Hamilton, Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, et. al. Looong ago. LOL. It doesn't seem that long ago, but Hamilton, and her various clones had their heyday starting in the 90s--twenty some-odd years ago.

There's nothing original about Silver and Bone; it adds nothing especially new to the genre. Set in San Franscisco, the story follows Jennifer Jones, a detective with the Bureau, a law enforcement division committed to, of course, keeping supernatural beasties from running amuck, devouring the human citizenry, etc. Jennifer, a vampire, is a self-described reformed serial killer. For many of her centuries-long existence, she killed her meals. Since "meals" meant humans, or at least their blood, her tally of dead people is huge.

Several decades previously, something changed, she grew a conscience, and now only drinks bottled blood, and confines her killing to rogue vampires. As one might expect, however, all that murdering left a trail of vengeful victims and a handy way to drive the plot.

A series of murders, perpetrated in the same manner as her last kills decades ago, casts suspicion on Jennifer and threatens the safety of her friends and coworkers.

The bones of a good story are present, but the novel is plagued by a strong taste of vanilla. As in a bland setting with no strong sense of atmosphere. There are way too many characters, too many to build interpersonal chemistry. The cast is predominantly male and white. The few women are confined to small roles with no significant part in the plot. There's more sausage at this party than at Octoberfest.

And the paranormal races--vampires-werewolves, Fey--lack the menace, magic, and depth of culture need to impart originality to the novel.

That said, I enjoyed reading this. As UF protagonist go, Jennifer is refreshingly low on bitter-angsty-wangsty shit. She carries guilt for her past, but the writing isn't an unrelenting pity party. Which makes sense. You live long enough and you'll get over anything. Jennifer's characterization is a solid balance of understandable human empathy and long-lived paranormal practicality.

Romance is largely absent which means the protagonist is free to get on with solving crime and not losing her mind over a set of tight abs. Although the overabundance of characters imparts a superficiality to most interactions, there are some stretches of sharp, fun dialogue.

Ultimately, however, what saves the story for me, is that it's a lot like my own attempt at writing UF. For all the story's weaknesses, I"get" the character. I'll go as far as to say, if you liked my book, you'll probably like Silver and Bone.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I begin I would like to thank Claudia Cain for contacting me and asking me to review her book because it was simply awesome-sauce (She very kindly offered to send me a free review ebook copy but because PDF + Julia's Phone = Disaster, I opted to buy a copy off of amazon because it was like $2. Which I totally did not mind doing FYI).

Silver and Bone has to be one of the coolest books I have read this year. It was just groovy and exactly what I needed read right now. For those of you who aren't aware, this book is a magic-realism/fantasy mystery/thriller book (Wow. That's so specific).  It was incredibly awesomely paced and the plot was wonderful and easy to read. While I will say that at times certain parts could be a bit info-dumpy, overall the world-building and everything else was very obviously well thought out and just amazing. 

Also, you know those cliches that you find in quite a number of fantasy novels (Cliche is perhaps not the right word... more popular tropes? I think that's what I mean), this book both has them and also SO DOESN'T HAVE THEM. The author has written each supernatural species with elements you would expect: Werewolves turning on the full moon, Vampires hating silver, Necromancers being creepy AF. But that is about as far as the "Usual" stuff extends. YAY!

Ah, the characters (cue happy sigh). I really liked the characters in this book. As a fan of the sarcastic sense of humour I LOVED our darling protagonist Jennifer. She was witty and funny and just badass.

So all else aside, I FREAKING LOVED the writing in this book. It was just brilliant and had me laughing out loud at times. When people ask me about this I will call these particular quotes about werewolves Exhibit A and B:

"Contrary to popular belief that also stems from fiction, when a werewolf shifts, they are not a person trapped in the body of a wolf. They are an overly large, exceptionally aggressive furry mammal, and given the chance, they will kill you, and probably eat what’s left."

"There’s an astonishing amount of werewolves in America, and a large amount of them are loners. Most stay underground and off the radar, because it is, unsurprisingly, illegal to run around in the form of a large wolf, especially when you knowingly leave yourself in a position where you’re a danger to others."

Most of the novel is told in the First Person (I, We , Us, etc. in case you need a small refresher) BUT it does occasionally switch POVs. On top of that, it also occasionally switches timelines - from the present to the past and back again. BUT don't be alarmed because I personally think that Claudia has pulled this off magnificently well.

What an amazing debut. As someone who is quite the fan of magic-realism/fantasy book (especially of the YA variety) it was fantastic to see something different from the whole OMG MY BOYFRIEND IS A "INSERT MYTHICAL CREATURE HERE"! Silver and Bone was such a good story and I feel incredibly privileged to have had the author contact me to read it. I definitely plan to read the sequel (which is out) and hopefully any other Claudia Cain books whenever I get the chance.



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[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Not interested in reading a book about vampires? Then NZ author Claudia Cain’s first book Silver and Bone will change your mind as this book is completely refreshing and has an amazing spin on supernatural beings.

Silver and Bone is about Jennifer Jones, a vampire detective, who has suddenly been framed for murder when she hasn’t killed a human in years. With the help of friends, there is only a limited amount of time for Jennifer Jones to figure out this mystery before it’s too late.
Silver and Bone will have you constantly on the edge of your seat eager to find out what happens next and will make you fall completely in love with the characters and their humour.

I have never read a book about vampires before and was never really interested in reading one. However, after the author, Claudia Cain, messaged me asking if I'd read her book for an honest review I thought why not and saying yes was one of the best decisions I have made.
All I really have to say about Silver and bone is WOW. This book was truly amazing and I honestly loved so many aspects of this novel. Silver and Bone had such an intriguing storyline with amazing, likeable characters *cough* sassy Jennifer Jones was amazing *cough*. This all had me hooked and constantly wanting me to find out more. It is definitely a book I would recommend to people as more people really need to know about this amazing novel.

What I loved most about Silver and Bone was that I was constantly on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the mysteries just so I would know what would happen to my favourite characters. However, this was completely difficult as Claudia Cain filled this book with lots of little twists and turns which constantly surprised me.
I also want to add that the author’s writing style was also really refreshing and beautiful as the way she produced her storyline and wove flashbacks and different point of views in were amazing.

Silver and Bone is a must read even if you don’t like supernatural books! It’s one of those books you’ll never regret reading and will have you instantly grabbing for the sequel Smoke and Mirrors.

Disclaimer: A very big thanks to Claudia Cain for asking me to read your book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Sarah (knightofstories) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can run as much as you want, but sometimes your past just comes to get you, in the big and murderous way .

Caine's Urban Fantasy debut Silver and Bone gets 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 surprised stars from me!!! .

When asked for an honest review, I have to say that I had a hard time getting into the first person, present tense writing. But all of a sudden, the story got me, I got invested in the plot & characters, and was suddenly right there next to Jennifer, who's investigating murders that seem strangely familiar to things she did in her past. You know: The past when she didn't work for the law, but was one of the murderous vampires people often read about .

1. I read a lot of paranormal mystery/fantasy, and this story has all the best elements: Vampires, werewolves, necromancers and things that "go bump in the night". And it wasn't all "same, same". Some elements, like The Bureau which investigates supernatural crime, surprised me. It felt all very classic Urban Fantasy, but also new and not boring at all.

2. The PLOT was fast-paced and constantly had me guessing, and twists & turns and new sketchy protagonists kept me interested. Also, the flashbacks to Jennifer's past were not boring at all, but where inserted at the right time and helped the development of the story and getting deeper understanding of the characters.I also didn't guess who was responsible for the murders at all!! It's an easy read, with some minor beginner's quirks.

3.Characters: Hell yes! Investigator Jennifer Jones is kick-ass and witty, sometimes even too sassy 😉😂 (which gets her in trouble). There's lots of hidden depth and tragedy to the protagonists, too. You might even fall for adorable side-characters (vampires) ... .

All in all: This is a well thought out Urban Fantasy world with sassy characters you don't want to mess with, and lots of mysteries that'll keep you on the edge of your seat .

I also strongly urge all of you to give new authors a chance. We all love stories, and you might even discover something new .

[Shaylyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I discovered Claudia Cain on Twitter and decided to try her book even though I'd never read anything in that genre. The story immediately sucked me in, which is no small feat as my ADHD makes it difficult to get into any new book.

The main character drew me in right away and the rest of the cast felt like old friends of mine by the end. The aspects of supernatural life played out in such an intriguing way with relatable and frequently very human emotion swirling around in alien, unnatural lives. I also enjoyed how the different supernatural creatures and factions interacted, how the relationships between groups had developed over time under the influence of different abilities, lifespans, and basic nature.

The beginning of the book had me interested for sure but by the time I hit the halfway point I had a hard time putting it down. It hit this wonderful pacing that made it hard to stop and I would’ve stayed up all night to finish it if I didn’t have work the next morning. I literally read until I couldn’t keep my eyes open and dropped my phone on my face, then finished the last 10% as soon as I got home the next day.

If you want a world to escape into for a while with characters that are easy to connect with and an exciting, often moving story, this book is for you. It was easy to slip into and involving enough to offer a nice escape from day to day issues and worries.

Can’t wait to read the next book!

[Mackenzie (mackenziespocket) · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you very much to the author for sending me a copy for review! this has not affected my review in any way
i have previously read one of the author's books (Lovely, Dark and Deep) and really enjoyed it, so I was very excited to read this one. It's the vampire renaissance baby!!! This is an urban fantasy with a vampire detective main character, and it is filled with other interesting creatures (Fae, werewolves, Necromancers, and more). i loved the darkness of the whole book. the murders were brutal and grisly, as they should be haha. and i do love that Jennifer (the mc) is not your classic hero - she has quite the dark past and it comes back to haunt her!! i think the flashback chapters worked really well in showing Jennifer's past and how the storylines connected to the present day. the cast of characters was great, and I really want to see more of all of them. i will def be continuing on with the series!

REP: bisexual main character, sapphic side character

[Horror Haus Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced story with a lot of supernatural elements to it. I absolutely LOVED Jennifer, she’s such a fun, well written, and witty character. I’m such a sucker for a good paranormal story and this one did not disappoint, Claudia Cain has never let me down. This book literally has all of my favorite things, vampires, werewolves, and fricken necromancers!!!!

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an eARC.

WHAT A START.

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OH my gosh I loved this book y’all. I need book two ASAP. I LOVE Jennifer Jones. Her whole character is immaculately crafted and I am obsessed with her snarky personality that is also filled with love and loyalty to those around her. This book kind of reads like one of those NCIS types of shows but throw in a whole bunch of paranormal characters.

I loved the entire cast. I just don’t have one negative to say about the entire book. I was hooked from the get go and the slow reveals were fantastic. It’s fast paced and full of action. I loved the flashback chapters and the world set-up. As someone who’s generally not an urban fantasy lover, this one HIT ALL THE MARKS.

But excuse me, THE ENDING. I am shooketh. And I’m so curious how this story will continue and where things will lead to next.

Claudia Cain is a hidden gem and you absolutely need to take a chance on her books.

Overall audience notes:
- Urban Fantasy Mystery
- Language: low
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: high
- Content Warnings: blood/gore depiction involving deaths from vampires, murder, kidnapping, torture, werewolf attacks

[Tara (Spinatale Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been on a huge urban fantasy kick lately so when I was offered the chance to review Silver and Bone, I couldn’t resist. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down. The plot, the characters, and the world were all so wonderful and enjoyable. Thematically, it reminded me a bit of the TV show Jessica Jones. Silver and Bone was a quick, fun read that left me wanting the next book immediately.

I loved how Cain explored Jessica’s past. Rather than being explained in an info-dump, the reveal of her checkered past was intertwined with the book’s central mystery. I was never quite sure whether or not to trust her. However, that did nothing to affect how much I liked her as a character. She was a wonderful kickass detective with a great sense of humor. I loved how Cain balanced Jessica’s detective side with her vampire instincts. Plus, I loved how realistic her relationships with the other characters felt.

The secondary characters were one of my favorite parts of the book. They were all well-developed and vibrant. Each had their own personality and quirks. My favorites were Mosi, Oliver, and a certain maladjusted vampire. There were a lot of characters but Cain did an excellent job of making each one relevant to the plot. Plus I never got them confused, which does sometimes happen when the cast of characters is large. Perhaps the one complaint that I have (which isn’t really even a complaint), is that I wanted to know more about every single character. They were all so fascinating, I would totally be okay reading short stories about their backgrounds.

Because of spoilers, I’m not going to say too much about the plot. However, it was an excellent mystery full of creepy and dark things. I was so engaged with the plot that I couldn’t put the book down. I was constantly surprised by the various twists and turns. The writing was good and formatting were remarkably clean, particularly for a self-published book. I’m surprised a publisher has’t picked this series up yet!

Silver and Bone was an incredibly fun urban fantasy read. I would absolutely recommend if you like the genre! I can’t wait to read the next one, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there will be more than two books in the series.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I could I would give this book a 4.5/5 rating. Only because crime books are usually the one genre that I can never really get into or like. But what a game changer this one is !! I find that a lot of crime books are dragged out - from a writers perspective i can understand setting the scene for everything to line up. But what Claudia Cain has managed to do was not only line everything up perfectly so it all clicks in the end but kept me interested throughout. There were no boring bits. The supernatural element was a big bonus for me and the humour set throughout i could relate to. The writing itself flowed and really described the characters that grew before your very eyes. A good balance of supernatural, detective story line, & thriller. I would read again.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

SILVER AND BONE - 3,75/5 stars

"Hold on to that feeling. Grief is for times when people aren't trying to kill you. Anger keeps you alive."

- Mild spoilers ahead -

I am hurt by how this book ended, but I promised to write a review, so I'll review this while in pain.

Look—I was a sucker for vampires when I was younger (pun intended), so it was a lot of fun to dive into a darker vampire setting with a morally grey vampire MC after leaving my Twilight years (far) behind me. And Jennifer Jones, as our POV vampire, is everything I hoped she would be: stubborn and tough, with quipped remarks and sarcasm that befit her as someone who lived well over three centuries.

I don't often read murder mysteries, but I really enjoyed reading one from a supernatural perspective. It provided an additional element of mystery and danger to the story, especially when it became clear that the murders they were investigating had happened before—caused by Jennifer herself. I loved how Cain slowly revealed more of Jennifer's backstory and how it intertwined with current events. It left me on the edge of my while trying to discover how all the puzzle pieces would fall into place, attempting to guess who of her past would wish her harm and who might die next. Even after the murderer was named, the race against the clock continued while Jennifer attempted to stop events from the past from repeating themselves, maintaining the tension until the last page.

If I were to give a critical note, I would've liked to see more of the workings of supernatural society in an urban setting, especially in comparison to the regular humans living in the city. It's a bit unclear to me whether regular humans are aware of the supernatural living alongside them and how such large-scale fights and murders would go unnoticed in a city with a dense population and a world that is constantly online. Then again, I suppose such details might become more apparent in the other instalments of this series.

Overall, it's impressive to think that this was Cain's debut, considering the intricately interwoven storyline of past and present, the depth of the relationships between the cast of characters, and the heartbreakingly raw ending (I am still not over it—will hold on to denial for a bit longer). If you enjoy murder mysteries that revolve around revenge, forgiveness, and friendship, all steeped in supernatural elements, 'Silver and Bone' is a great fit.

I was given a review copy by the author in exchange for my honest review. This did not influence my opinion.

[Elle Cheshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain has given this series a revamp so I just had to try it! We’ve got a reformed vampire detective who’s division works to combat supernatural crime, a whole host of supernatural people and a mystery thriller that pulls you in and doesn’t let go.

Set in modern day San Francisco but with a supernatural community of werewolves, vampires coven, the order of necromancer, far and more we had plenty of fun exploring characters from all backgrounds. It made for some interesting dynamics and I was so here for it.

I really loved all the side characters and the chaotic found family feel they gave me. The character dynamics added much needed levity to balance the heavier murder aspect which worked really well.
The human sidekick gets swept along for the ride but it’s a great guy who goes with the flow without complaint. He’s earnest and lovely and I couldn’t not love him and also want to roll him in bubble wrap so he stays safe. And then we have Ian who I came to love - the guy has had a rough life and after one mistake he regrets he deserves a second chance. When he has the choice to help he does, more than that he stands by Jennifer through it all despite his grievances. He was surprisingly stalwart and also just wants friends. Cain’s characterisation are fantastic; every book has such an interesting cast who I end up deeply invested in and this book was no different. All the side characters leapt off the page and I enjoyed every minute spent with them. I’m looking forward to continuing their story and seeing what life delivers to them next.

I really liked that as a vampire Jennifer used to be a terrible person - a past she’s tried to atone for over her last 70 ish years but that comes back to haunt her. As much as she wants to forget what she did, someone won’t let her. It was certainly interesting to explore a main character who has done undeniably bad things but is a different person now. We see her awful deeds mimicked in the present as well as investigated in the past. I really appreciated how Cain brought these two storylines together and used the past to help us understand the present and also to see how Jennifer came to join the detectives. This coupled with a high stakes mystery plot really drew me in. I also liked that don’t have to wait too long to discover the murderer because he had a lot more planned once they knew. I was on the edge of my seat desperately hoping they all made it out okay.

Overall a great read that I sped through! Claudia’s characters once again swept me off my feet. It’s safe to say that whatever she writes, I’ll read.

4.5 ⭐️

[Simone van Heijst · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little over a week ago New Zealand based author Claudia Cain contacted me if I wanted to read her urban fantasy novel, Silver and Bone. I really like urban fantasy, so of course I said yes.

There are a lot of things I like about this book. The first is that it jumps right into the action. There is not a single moment that this book has you feeling bored. Second, there is a good amount of sarcasm and wit, and since sarcasm is my third language, I was often actually laughing out loud.

I also think the flashbacks into the past were really well done. Of course we know our main vampire has a bloody history, but the details are pretty vague. The timing of the flashbacks always fit perfectly into the progress of the story.
Like I said, it is fast-paced and jam-packed with action. This book had me reading well into the night, because I just kept wanting to know what would happen next!

There are more things I loved about this book. One of them is that despite the fact that a vampire is our main character, it is not thrown into your face every chapter. Yes, there are basic needs a vampire needs to attend to, but in the end of the day Jennifer is just a vampire trying to not get locked up for murders she did not commit (this time). I also really enjoyed the inclusion of other creatures, like the Fae and werewolves. I have never read a book that included necromancers, so that was refreshing. Also, necromancers are now decidedly creepy. I think that I felt about each character exactly the way Claudia Cain wanted me to feel about them. Some are easy to love, and some are easy to hate.

Claudia Cain is also not afraid to make tough decisions, which is pretty rare in a first book in a series. It was not so good for my mood yesterday night when I finished the book, but that is honestly a good thing. It made me want to read the next book, Smoke and Mirrors, immediately!

In all, this was a very refreshing take on a genre that has been done a lot. I thought it was in no way cliché, and really enjoyable. I definitely hope to see more of Claudia Cain in the future. If this book sounds like something you would enjoy, please consider supporting Claudia by buying her books! They are both on Amazon!

5/5

*****All opinions and ideas in this review are entirely my own*****
*****I was not asked to promote these books, but I'm doing it anyway***** 

[Samantha Nalepa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Jones is a reformed killer and the only vampire detective working with humans alongside other supernaturals at the San Francisco Bureau of Supernatural Crime. 

Her motto: “It’s all fun and games until someone tries to bring about the apocalypse." 

After a gruesome series of murders that mirror the kills of her past, Jennifer Jones is in a race against time because she has seen this all before, and she knows how it ends.

The story unfolds between flashbacks from past to present, but it is easy to follow and adds to the suspense.
Claudia Cain has a natural talent for writing dark elements and weaving in gruesome details while keeping the tone light with humor. Her writing can turn from introspective to gross and shocking to comedic in a matter of sentences. She executes this perfectly through an action-packed plot, entertaining dialogue, and a cast of well-developed characters.

Jennifer Jones has the perfect blend of dry, dark humor and wit. I loved her gritty perspective of eternal life and the realities it presents in life and relationships.

Paul, her werewolf boyfriend, is loyal to a fault. I appreciated that he wasn’t the typical perfect male specimen usually portrayed in the standard paranormal template. He is covered in scars and disfigurements that would accurately reflect his station as the pack leader, if werewolves were a real thing.

Oliver Hawk is the human hero you cannot help but root for. He is known for taking down a rogue werewolf using only a belt and a fork. You could say he is resourceful. 

Every character contributed to the plot and added to the depth of the story, even Samuel Bison, who, and I think I can speak for everyone, totally deserved a shovel to the head.

There were some heartbreaking plot twists that I am still not over. Claudia Cain’s writing will continue to haunt me years after reading, which may be why I love her books so much.

[Nat (readwriteteach_repeat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Vampires? Werewolves? Fairies? Goblins? Even Necromancers? Can you ask for more??

Silver and Bone offers a full range of paranormal delicacies in one tasty morsel. Set in an intricately detailed urban-fantasy world that is jammed packed with murder, politics, gripping action and sassy banter!

Silver and Bone follows the story of Jennifer Jones - an elite vampire agent with 'The Bureau' (an organisation set up to monitor all of the paranormal activity and crime in San Francisco). She is trying to outrun her past but in this world it is easier said that done. With her team (yes! It is full of heartthrob worthy men and women of all paranormal persuasions) she has to revisit her past in order to save her future. can I just say, Jennifer is a refreshing heroine! She is 300+ years old and acts like it! No whining, high-maintenance heroines here. Jennifer can kick serious paranormal butt and has the sassiest banter.

The read is action packed and I couldn't put it down. I devoured it all in one sitting #sorrynotsorry - haha! I found myself hooked from the first page - seriously it opens with a BANG and doesn't really slow done. As the reader you are also satisfyingly kept in the dark about certain plot points (it just makes you need to read more!) and are given clues and glimpses into Jennifer's past through well-timed flashbacks.

I really enjoyed this read and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone who loves vampires, urban-fantasy and crime solving novels!

Disclaimer: I was given an e-copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own! A huge thank you to Claudia Cain!

[Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

So firstly thanks to the author for letting me read her book for an honest review because boy, I'm so glad I got to read this amazing book. I don't even know where to start except i NeEd ThE sEcOnD bOoK NoW. So as we know, vampire/werewolf books can be super cheesy, I mean I'm not naming any books but I think we can guess what one I mean *cough* twilight *cough* but this is anything but that. There's so much to love about it like the characters, the plot, the storyline, the writing. Oooh and there was humour too and who doesn't love a bit of humour.

Okay so I didn't give it a full 5 stars only because there were some parts that I thought were quite abrupt like the start of fighting scenes for example but that's just a small thing compared to the amazingness of this book. Normally mystery books can sometimes be dragged out waaay too long which can get super annoying but this mystery was beautifully written and i could not at all guess who was behind everything. Plus can we talk about how cool Jennifer is? She's so badass and her personality is fluffin' amazing and I honestly wanna be her friend.

This book is hugely underrated and needs much more love so please go and read it and I can certainly tell you that you won't regret it because this book has something for everyone. Thanks again to the amazing author for letting me read this stunning book!

[Gabrielle (belle.bookcorner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You’re not damned when you become a vampire.
You’re not damned by what you are.
It’s what you do that determines, whether you’re damned or not, if Hell even exist.”

I’ve never read a paranormal detective story so this one really intrigue me right from the premise!
The storyline is pretty unique where our FMC – Jennifer Jones is a vampire detective who works to solve supernatural cases.

I really enjoy my time getting to know Jennifer Jones throughout the story along with following the investigation of a serial killer. There’s no info dumping and I can follow the plot easily, although there are quite a lot of characters to keep track of, not to mention there’s two different timelines as well.

The last few chapters are quite intense and I was slightly heart-broken by the ending, but I’m curious to see what happens next, what kind of cases will Jennifer and her friends solve next time….

Overall, for a debut novel this was pretty good and enjoyable.
It’s a good start for a series and has the potential to be one of my favorite series, but we’ll see..
I’m looking forward to read the sequel of this trilogy soon!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: Violence, depiction of injury and death, mild gore, and mentions of suicide and child death.

I received an advanced review copy for free from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

[Ashley (alwaysbooksandtea) · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I am not going to go for a drink with someone who once literally tried to get me burned at the stake for witchcraft."

Jennifer Jones. Detective. Cat owner. Fuzzy sock wearer. Oh, and vampire. Silver and Bone is book one in an urban fantasy trilogy by Claudia Cain. Bureau of Supernatural Crime Detective Jennifer Jones gets roped into investigating a series of familiar looking murders with help from an unlikely source. Can Jennifer uncover the murderer and their vendetta before it's too late?

Cain delivers an irresistible combination of humor, action, mystery, banter, and heart in Silver and Bone. The world building is seamlessly woven into the story in a way that's easy for readers to understand. Jennifer Jones is a dynamic and endearing FMC whose sarcasm and wit never failed to make me laugh and smile. Cain peels back Jennifer's layers so that the readers can empathize with her long and dark past, and how it shaped her into the being she is now.

I loved the storyline, and the incorporation of chapters from the past to understand how Jennifer came to work for the Bureau. While I figured out who was behind the murders around half way through the story, I was no less invested in the ending. Cain threw in twists that shocked me, and made me burst into tears. I loved the story, even though it broke my heart a little. Can't recommend this one enough!

This story is perfect for people who love:
-Urban fantasy
-Murder mystery
-Witty banter
-Found family
-Vampires, werewolves, and necromancers! Oh my! (Plus fae!)
-Buffy the Vampire Slayer (if Buffy was the vampire)

"His death was but a spoke in the wheel of an approaching menace."

"The Order of Necromancers is a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in dark suits and disturbing traditions."

"You've been reading the wrong books...You're not damned when you become a vampire. You're not damned by what you are. It's what you do that determines if you're damned or not, if Hell even exists."

"Plan?"
"We go out there, we hit it, and then we run away."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"I feel like this plan could use a little more fleshing out."

"It's all fun and games until someone tries to bring about the apocalypse."

[Autumn Brimm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! Yes! Yes! I have been in a bit of a reading slump and Silver and Bone by Claudia Cain was exactly what I needed to get out of it. This is not the first book I've read by the author and it won't be the last. I adore how Cain's writing can so easily capture my full attention and immerse me in the story. She has a great balance of vivid imagery and realistic dialogue that just brings every scene to life. This story follows a vampire detective as she works with a group of friends and allies to catch a supernatural murderer. I loved the use of multiple timelines to help feed us little bits of background for Jennifer as the story progressed. It supported her amazing character development throughout the story. There was a fairly large cast of characters and I loved so many of them. There were a lot of darker themes in this one but none of the gore was too graphic or hard to handle. And what really sealed this as a five star read for me was how hard I cried. It has been so long since a book made me cry and I think my heart is going to hurt for a while.

A huge thank you to the author for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claudia Cain has done something very special with this book. You might be thinking, ugh, another vampire novel? BUT, I urge you dear readers to give "another vampire novel" a chance.

Jennifer Jones is a detective in San Francisco. She is also over 300 years old and a vampire. She works for the Supernatural Crime Investigation Bureau and is surrounded by an odd cast of characters. From werewolves to the fair folk this book is filled with the odd and mysterious. Most mysterious of all is a string of murders that seem very familiar to Detective Jones...

The story was fun, the characters were odd in a good way, and the humor was on point. The pacing of the book was spot on! No boring moments or lulls but it also didn't feel rushed. It was just well written! I will say that there were some sentences that seemed a bit off/oddly phrased but everyone's writing style is different. No complaints here!

*A special thank you to Claudia for sending this book to me in exchange for an honest review!

[thebookishstephanie]

Jennifer Jones strives to be a better person - or, at least, better than who she used to be. As a vampire with a history of serial killing, being a better person has been going well. However, when bodies start to turn up in her town, Jennifer finds herself being framed again for something that this time, was not her doing. She needs to prove her innocence, and fast.

Jennifer is such a striking main character! Being a bisexual vampire (how I wish to be), she now works for the police helping with supernatural threats/crimes. She's desperate to keep her life on track, but has to face her past in order to solve the mystery happening in her own town.

The last few chapters are highly tense, and the ending is heartbreaking, but I am excited to see what's coming next.

I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys paranormal mysteries/thrillers with a romance plot too.

Thank you so much to Claudia for reaching out with e-arc of the revised version of Silver and Bone! All opinions are my own.

[Kayla Borden (boocwurm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the gifted ARC!

Looking for a mystery novel with a paranormal twist? SILVER AND BONE delivers!
-Bisexual vampires
-Supernatural detectives
-Gruesome murders
-A whole lot of wit

I had a lot of fun with this story. Mystery/thriller books aren’t my usual jam, but the supernatural elements added a layer of intrigue to this story that kept it fast-paced and engaging to the very end. It’s got vampires, werewolves, necromancers—the works—chock-full of classic lore and tropes.

Jennifer is a kick-ass heroine with a sense of humor I really appreciated. There’s tons of banter in this book, but it never felt cringey or overdone. The side characters had quite a bit of depth to them too, filling the book with a lot of heart I didn’t necessarily expect.

I did struggle a little with the flashback parts of the novel. At times, the POV and time setting changed, and that threw me for a loop, but it wasn’t so challenging as to make it unreadable. That being said, these parts did help round out the main story and allow the reader to piece together what was happening in the mystery, working to build out the world a lot more.

I would be remiss to not mention: Claudia Cain is positively ruthless. Her fight scenes are detailed and interesting to read—just don’t get too attached to… anyone. She’s not sorry for what she’s done.

I absolutely plan to read the second and third books in this trilogy to see what else Jennifer and her crew get themselves into!

[Allyson Barkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down! As always, Cain creates vivid characters you want to root for (or despise) and an exciting mystery that keeps you turning the pages. The ending of this first installment was absolutely heartbreaking, but I’m really excited to see what happens with some of the characters introduced in the latter part of the book. The flashbacks to the past are beautifully written and play into the contemporary plot line perfectly. I can’t wait to read the next one!

[Raechel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good thriller / vampire book no matter the time of year, but I must say, this was a great spooky season read!! The characters were like-able & I found it to be so easy to get hooked from the start. I honestly wish this book (series) was a show too because I would binge watch it for sure. The suspense was perfection & kept you turning the pages without a second thought. A great read for young & older adults. Oh, & the dark humor had me chuckling throughout! So, so good.