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Ryan DeMarco Mystery #2
Walking the Bones
When long-buried secrets come back to the surface...
The bones of seven young girls, picked clean and carefully preserved, discovered years ago... that's all Sergeant Ryan DeMarco knows about the unsolved crime he has unwittingly been roped into investigating during what is supposed to be a healing road trip with his new love, Jayme.
DeMarco is still reeling from the case that led to death of his best friend months ago and wants nothing more than to lay low. Unfortunately, the small southern town of Jayme's idyllic youth is not exactly a place that lets strangers go unnoticed--especially strangers who have a history of solving violent crimes. And if there's anything DeMarco knows, it's that a killer always leaves clues behind, just waiting for the right person to come along and put all the pieces together...
Walking the Bones is a story about things buried--memories, regrets, secrets, and bodies. Acclaimed author Randall Silvis delivers another heart-stopping investigation as DeMarco finds himself once again drawn into a case that will demand more of himself than he may be willing to give.
The bones of seven young girls, picked clean and carefully preserved, discovered years ago... that's all Sergeant Ryan DeMarco knows about the unsolved crime he has unwittingly been roped into investigating during what is supposed to be a healing road trip with his new love, Jayme.
DeMarco is still reeling from the case that led to death of his best friend months ago and wants nothing more than to lay low. Unfortunately, the small southern town of Jayme's idyllic youth is not exactly a place that lets strangers go unnoticed--especially strangers who have a history of solving violent crimes. And if there's anything DeMarco knows, it's that a killer always leaves clues behind, just waiting for the right person to come along and put all the pieces together...
Walking the Bones is a story about things buried--memories, regrets, secrets, and bodies. Acclaimed author Randall Silvis delivers another heart-stopping investigation as DeMarco finds himself once again drawn into a case that will demand more of himself than he may be willing to give.
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 23, 2018
294 people are currently reading
2266 people want to read
About the author
Randall Silvis
48 books306 followersRandall Silvis is the internationally acclaimed author of over a dozen novels, one story
collection, and one book of narrative nonfiction. Also a prize-winning playwright, a
produced screenwriter, and a prolific essayist, he has been published and produced in
virtually every field and genre of creative writing. His numerous essays, articles, poems and short stories have appeared in the Discovery Channel magazines, The Writer, Prism International, Short Story International, Manoa, and numerous other online and print magazines. His work has been translated into 10 languages.
Silvis’s many literary awards include two writing fellowships from the National
Endowment for the Arts, the prestigious Drue Heinz Literature Prize, a Fulbright Senior Scholar Research Award, six fellowships for his fiction, drama, and screenwriting from the Pennsylvania Council On the Arts, and an honorary Doctor of Letters degree awarded for “distinguished literary achievement.”
collection, and one book of narrative nonfiction. Also a prize-winning playwright, a
produced screenwriter, and a prolific essayist, he has been published and produced in
virtually every field and genre of creative writing. His numerous essays, articles, poems and short stories have appeared in the Discovery Channel magazines, The Writer, Prism International, Short Story International, Manoa, and numerous other online and print magazines. His work has been translated into 10 languages.
Silvis’s many literary awards include two writing fellowships from the National
Endowment for the Arts, the prestigious Drue Heinz Literature Prize, a Fulbright Senior Scholar Research Award, six fellowships for his fiction, drama, and screenwriting from the Pennsylvania Council On the Arts, and an honorary Doctor of Letters degree awarded for “distinguished literary achievement.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
January 10, 2018
More of a character study than a mystery.
This is a slow burn character study of Detective Ryan DeMarco--roughly 30% is about a case, the remaining 70% is about DeMarco struggling to find his footing after the death of his former friend, Thomas Huston.
Having read the first book in the series, Two Days Gone, which was extremely dark and slow moving (I described the first book as gray and colorless), I was expecting something similar in Walking the Bones. However while the pacing is similar, there’s finally some light in Ryan DeMarco’s life.
Feeling like he isn’t making an impact as a detective, DeMarco decides to take early retirement. His girlfriend, Jayme, talks him into buying an RV and traveling around the U.S. Their journey is interrupted by the death of Jayme’s grandmother, which takes them off course into Kentucky. While there, they are approached by a group of three senior citizens , who are independently investigating a serial killer who murdered 7 young African American girls. The group lures DeMarco and Jayme into helping them discover who committed these heinous crimes.
Not only is DeMarco reeling from Huston’s death, he also is also battling demons of his past, as he shoulders the responsibility for the death of his young son and failed marriage. Also mixed in are snippets from his childhood, which help to explain a lot about his character. Jayme is the only thing keeping him afloat, but he’s struggling to fully open up and share his feelings with her, putting their relationship at risk. As he and Jayme dig deeper into the case of the seven dead girls, it threatens to tear their relationship apart.
The book starts off slowly, but the pacing does pick up. I found the mystery interesting, and I had no clue who the serial killer was. However I have a feeling this won’t work for everyone, since it’s more character driven than plot driven. I really like DeMarco’s character, and his relationship with Jayme, which was enough to keep me invested. I hope there is a third book in which we learn more about Jayme--the little bits about her past that were revealed were quite intriguing.!
Warning--there's a disturbing scene involving a puppy=(
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a slow burn character study of Detective Ryan DeMarco--roughly 30% is about a case, the remaining 70% is about DeMarco struggling to find his footing after the death of his former friend, Thomas Huston.
Having read the first book in the series, Two Days Gone, which was extremely dark and slow moving (I described the first book as gray and colorless), I was expecting something similar in Walking the Bones. However while the pacing is similar, there’s finally some light in Ryan DeMarco’s life.
Feeling like he isn’t making an impact as a detective, DeMarco decides to take early retirement. His girlfriend, Jayme, talks him into buying an RV and traveling around the U.S. Their journey is interrupted by the death of Jayme’s grandmother, which takes them off course into Kentucky. While there, they are approached by a group of three senior citizens , who are independently investigating a serial killer who murdered 7 young African American girls. The group lures DeMarco and Jayme into helping them discover who committed these heinous crimes.
Not only is DeMarco reeling from Huston’s death, he also is also battling demons of his past, as he shoulders the responsibility for the death of his young son and failed marriage. Also mixed in are snippets from his childhood, which help to explain a lot about his character. Jayme is the only thing keeping him afloat, but he’s struggling to fully open up and share his feelings with her, putting their relationship at risk. As he and Jayme dig deeper into the case of the seven dead girls, it threatens to tear their relationship apart.
The book starts off slowly, but the pacing does pick up. I found the mystery interesting, and I had no clue who the serial killer was. However I have a feeling this won’t work for everyone, since it’s more character driven than plot driven. I really like DeMarco’s character, and his relationship with Jayme, which was enough to keep me invested. I hope there is a third book in which we learn more about Jayme--the little bits about her past that were revealed were quite intriguing.!
Warning--there's a disturbing scene involving a puppy=(
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2018
Four ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is asked to step away - a medical leave. Let’s call it a retirement of sorts, from the State Police department in Pennsylvania. Sergeant Ryan is now highly agitated and unpredictable. Not a good combination.
His girlfriend, Jayme, is excited to be taking leave from work, heading out on a cross country adventure with Ryan. Time to slow down, heal. Rediscover each other and the goodness in the world. They’re on the road when Jayme’s grandmother suddenly passes away in Kentucky and, they of course make a detour to pay their respects. Sad, yes. But unfortunately, far from the only pot-hole waiting for them down the road in Kentucky.
They soon find themselves swept-up in a local cold case of seven murdered girls. Despite his best efforts to mind his own business and just enjoy the road-trip, DeMarco manages to find himself in the middle of routing out who was responsible.
This is book two of the Ryan DeMarco series. I would suggest starting with book one - Two Days Gone to truly understand his character. He’s a broken soul, not sure he can find his way out of the black hole that has enveloped him.
As with book one, this is a slow burn with only the witty banter between the characters that kept the momentum moving forward. I love the dynamic between DeMarco and Jayme. Though the murder mystery itself was a little too slow to keep me fully engaged.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Randall Silvis for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is asked to step away - a medical leave. Let’s call it a retirement of sorts, from the State Police department in Pennsylvania. Sergeant Ryan is now highly agitated and unpredictable. Not a good combination.
His girlfriend, Jayme, is excited to be taking leave from work, heading out on a cross country adventure with Ryan. Time to slow down, heal. Rediscover each other and the goodness in the world. They’re on the road when Jayme’s grandmother suddenly passes away in Kentucky and, they of course make a detour to pay their respects. Sad, yes. But unfortunately, far from the only pot-hole waiting for them down the road in Kentucky.
They soon find themselves swept-up in a local cold case of seven murdered girls. Despite his best efforts to mind his own business and just enjoy the road-trip, DeMarco manages to find himself in the middle of routing out who was responsible.
This is book two of the Ryan DeMarco series. I would suggest starting with book one - Two Days Gone to truly understand his character. He’s a broken soul, not sure he can find his way out of the black hole that has enveloped him.
As with book one, this is a slow burn with only the witty banter between the characters that kept the momentum moving forward. I love the dynamic between DeMarco and Jayme. Though the murder mystery itself was a little too slow to keep me fully engaged.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Randall Silvis for an ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
January 28, 2018
I have so many series that I already follow, I decided to be a bit more picky this year. I read the first in this series, actually it is the beginning, last year and liked the main character DeMarco. This is the second in series, and liked it better than the first, so I made what for me is a good decision to pick up this relatively new series.
Very character driven, DeMarco, man still reeling from his last case, his violent childhood, and a state of recent tragedies, is trying to come to terms with his life as it is now. It is very introspective, contains flashbacks to his youth, and shows us his doubts in his new relationship, the guilt he feels moving forward when others do not have this option. Taking leave from the police force, he is traveling with new love and fellow officer Jamie, when her Grandmother's death forces them to detour to her old hometown. There he will find himself embroiled in the discovery of the bones of eight young women hidden in a church wall. The fate of these young women will haunt him, and also introduce him to three elderly people in the town that have a vested interest in the case.
I enjoy these characters, the in-depth look at how we process our past, how in reflects on our present.
Slower paced, but interesting, so I never minded. I actually like character driven stories, they seem less shallow to me, and after a few thrillers that left me with a kind of meh feeling it was a welcome relief to read one that drew me in intellectually and emotionally.
ARC from Edelweiss.
Very character driven, DeMarco, man still reeling from his last case, his violent childhood, and a state of recent tragedies, is trying to come to terms with his life as it is now. It is very introspective, contains flashbacks to his youth, and shows us his doubts in his new relationship, the guilt he feels moving forward when others do not have this option. Taking leave from the police force, he is traveling with new love and fellow officer Jamie, when her Grandmother's death forces them to detour to her old hometown. There he will find himself embroiled in the discovery of the bones of eight young women hidden in a church wall. The fate of these young women will haunt him, and also introduce him to three elderly people in the town that have a vested interest in the case.
I enjoy these characters, the in-depth look at how we process our past, how in reflects on our present.
Slower paced, but interesting, so I never minded. I actually like character driven stories, they seem less shallow to me, and after a few thrillers that left me with a kind of meh feeling it was a welcome relief to read one that drew me in intellectually and emotionally.
ARC from Edelweiss.
October 23, 2017
Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is on a road trip in an RV with his girlfriend, Jayme. He is still dealing with the death of his best friend months ago and is hoping to relax and enjoy his time alone with his girlfriend. While DeMarco and Jayme are in in Jayme's hometown it becomes common knowledge that DeMarco is known for solving violent crimes. He is soon wrapped up in the cold case mystery of the bones of 7 young girls who have been discovered years earlier.
Both DeMarco and Jayme want to solve the murders of the young women. The bones have been carefully preserved and they both hope to find clues that will lead them to the killer. This is a cold case but one that they can't leave behind. For me, this seemed to take years. I had very high hopes for this book but it just felt like it dragged and dragged and dragged. Ryan and Jayme had relationship issues that consumed many of the pages. When they weren't having sex or running, they were dealing with jealousy over past lovers, being open emotionally, etc.
I should point out that this is the second book in the Ryan DeMarco Mystery series. The first book in the series is "Two Days Gone" which I read and also gave 3 stars. Perhaps I was being impatient, but the investigation took forever. I had high hopes for this book and although it was enjoyable, I found it to be a little slow and I grew impatient. This book is well written but slow. It is still a good read and mystery.
I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks landmark and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Both DeMarco and Jayme want to solve the murders of the young women. The bones have been carefully preserved and they both hope to find clues that will lead them to the killer. This is a cold case but one that they can't leave behind. For me, this seemed to take years. I had very high hopes for this book but it just felt like it dragged and dragged and dragged. Ryan and Jayme had relationship issues that consumed many of the pages. When they weren't having sex or running, they were dealing with jealousy over past lovers, being open emotionally, etc.
I should point out that this is the second book in the Ryan DeMarco Mystery series. The first book in the series is "Two Days Gone" which I read and also gave 3 stars. Perhaps I was being impatient, but the investigation took forever. I had high hopes for this book and although it was enjoyable, I found it to be a little slow and I grew impatient. This book is well written but slow. It is still a good read and mystery.
I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks landmark and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
May 20, 2019
Ryan DeMarco returns following Two Days Gone landing on my Top Books of 2017 with a gripping follow-up from the acclaimed author, Randall Silvis — WALKING THE BONES.
The continuation of Ryan DeMarco leads Marco and his partner to an unsolved murder case of seven African American girls who went missing from 1998 and 2004. A story of things buried―memories, regrets, secrets, and bodies.
Dark hidden secrets are unraveled and exposed in this gripping psychological suspense crime mystery thriller (procedural) with a strong literary twist. The shocking conclusion will leave you gasping, with thoughts of Vladimir Nabokov’s classic Lolita.
“The past is never past, she thought. Every second of their pasts lay gathered inside them. Every incident of their pasts had constructed their present, every cell interlocking, layer upon layer. The past is omnipresent."
Picking up from Two Days Gone, Sergeant (49 yrs. old) Ryan DeMarco of the Pennsylvania State Police is still suffering from the loss of his best friend, Thomas Hutson, his son, Ryan Jr. and the demise of his marriage. Guilt-ridden, he continues to wrestle with his demons spending time at the cemetery.
They were all gone. Only Jayme remained. He hopes he will not ruin her life.
Currently, he is dating Jayme Matson (fellow Trooper), and she is quite concerned about his well-being. She has convinced Ryan to take a medical leave of absence for three months rather than retire. She decides to join him. They rent an RV and hit the road to visit her sick grandmother in Kentucky, her hometown.
However, when they arrive, they become involved in a murder mystery. Seven young females reduced to bone. Seven skeletons found in a four by fourteen by ten-foot space between the walls of a local church.
Each of the girls — are between fifteen to nineteen years of age. All light-skinned African American girls. Not a single Caucasian. Each cocooned in a clear plastic sheeting and sealed with silver duct tape. Each meticulously, obsessively cleaned and stripped.
One per year from 1998 to 2004. A fetish for girls of color, or a hatred of them? Cause of death?
"Sometimes the bones talk, and sometimes they hoard their secrets."
Who was the killer? It had to be someone who knew about the false wall in the church and how to access it. A regular visitor, the pastor, or someone well-known in the community? Later the church was torched.
Flashing back and forth from Ryan’s childhood to the present –we learn more about his earlier childhood. The one which still haunts him.
Between Ryan’s internal struggle, his grief and guilt, emotions, insecurities, disturbing dreams, regrets, his troubled ex-wife Laraine, and his current relationship with Jayne – he has his hands full. The tensions and drama run high. Will he screw up his second chance at happiness?
“Unless you have chaos inside, you cannot give birth to a dancing star.”—Freidrich Nietzche
Neither Ryan nor Jayne knows where their relationship may be going, but they are along for the rocky ride. (Mixed with a few family members and locals). Plus we learn about both their pasts.
In the midst of their personal affairs, they are drawn into this old mystery.
From a senior amateur group of six concerned citizens (Da Vinci Cave Irregulars). Determined to solve this case and help in any way they can —to a registered pedophile, minister, Mennonite, a groundskeeper, a foreman, a tarot-car-reading librarian, a retired coroner, a reclusive chiropractor millionaire, among others.
They have folders for the players: Suspects: Chad McGintey (statutory rape), Lucas McGintey (drug possession), Aaron Henry (teacher), Virgil Helm (caretaker), Eli Royce (pastor & narcissist), and the victims.
Each of the victims had circumstances and were reported missing in the Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri. The all were between five feet and five four. Petite. The cause, date, time, and place of death were undetermined. Runaways. Had their families given up on them long before their bones ended up in Aberdeen?
In addition to Ryan’s haunted past, afraid he was becoming his father—now the seven girls are starting to haunt him as well. Will the cemetery, a bear cage, or being trapped in the woods give him the answers they are desperately seeking?
"History never really says good-bye. History says, see you later.” — Eduardo Galeano
With rich, evocative language, a twisty plot, and well-developed characters, Silvis once again delivers an extraordinary piece of art. Not only is WALKING THE BONES a phenomenal suspense crime mystery, but it also possesses an intense character study. I loved Two Days Gone; however, the followup further delves into the heart and soul of DeMarco and his tormented childhood as well as adulthood.
Both parts of the story (Ryan’s) and the (murder mystery) are equally as gripping. The secret behind the girl’s death was unpredictable and a clever twist. Silvis lyrical prose is spellbinding. Beautifully written, and profoundly moving, an emotional and haunting meditation of acceptance, love, trust, and survival. (an intriguing character).
I enjoyed Jayme’s personality — a strong sassy and witty female counterpart to Ryan’s complicated, moody, emotional, deep, and grief-stricken side, at times. A delicate balance of humor. Enjoying Silvis’ writing and look forward to reading his backlist.
Highly Recommend both Two Days Gone and WALKING THE BONES. For fans of intelligent well-plotted literary mystery suspense thrillers. Looking forward to seeing what is coming next!
A special thank you to Sourcebooks and #NetGalley for an early reading copy.
JDCMustReadBooks
The continuation of Ryan DeMarco leads Marco and his partner to an unsolved murder case of seven African American girls who went missing from 1998 and 2004. A story of things buried―memories, regrets, secrets, and bodies.
Dark hidden secrets are unraveled and exposed in this gripping psychological suspense crime mystery thriller (procedural) with a strong literary twist. The shocking conclusion will leave you gasping, with thoughts of Vladimir Nabokov’s classic Lolita.
“The past is never past, she thought. Every second of their pasts lay gathered inside them. Every incident of their pasts had constructed their present, every cell interlocking, layer upon layer. The past is omnipresent."
Picking up from Two Days Gone, Sergeant (49 yrs. old) Ryan DeMarco of the Pennsylvania State Police is still suffering from the loss of his best friend, Thomas Hutson, his son, Ryan Jr. and the demise of his marriage. Guilt-ridden, he continues to wrestle with his demons spending time at the cemetery.
They were all gone. Only Jayme remained. He hopes he will not ruin her life.
Currently, he is dating Jayme Matson (fellow Trooper), and she is quite concerned about his well-being. She has convinced Ryan to take a medical leave of absence for three months rather than retire. She decides to join him. They rent an RV and hit the road to visit her sick grandmother in Kentucky, her hometown.
However, when they arrive, they become involved in a murder mystery. Seven young females reduced to bone. Seven skeletons found in a four by fourteen by ten-foot space between the walls of a local church.
Each of the girls — are between fifteen to nineteen years of age. All light-skinned African American girls. Not a single Caucasian. Each cocooned in a clear plastic sheeting and sealed with silver duct tape. Each meticulously, obsessively cleaned and stripped.
One per year from 1998 to 2004. A fetish for girls of color, or a hatred of them? Cause of death?
"Sometimes the bones talk, and sometimes they hoard their secrets."
Who was the killer? It had to be someone who knew about the false wall in the church and how to access it. A regular visitor, the pastor, or someone well-known in the community? Later the church was torched.
Flashing back and forth from Ryan’s childhood to the present –we learn more about his earlier childhood. The one which still haunts him.
Between Ryan’s internal struggle, his grief and guilt, emotions, insecurities, disturbing dreams, regrets, his troubled ex-wife Laraine, and his current relationship with Jayne – he has his hands full. The tensions and drama run high. Will he screw up his second chance at happiness?
“Unless you have chaos inside, you cannot give birth to a dancing star.”—Freidrich Nietzche
Neither Ryan nor Jayne knows where their relationship may be going, but they are along for the rocky ride. (Mixed with a few family members and locals). Plus we learn about both their pasts.
In the midst of their personal affairs, they are drawn into this old mystery.
From a senior amateur group of six concerned citizens (Da Vinci Cave Irregulars). Determined to solve this case and help in any way they can —to a registered pedophile, minister, Mennonite, a groundskeeper, a foreman, a tarot-car-reading librarian, a retired coroner, a reclusive chiropractor millionaire, among others.
They have folders for the players: Suspects: Chad McGintey (statutory rape), Lucas McGintey (drug possession), Aaron Henry (teacher), Virgil Helm (caretaker), Eli Royce (pastor & narcissist), and the victims.
Each of the victims had circumstances and were reported missing in the Kentucky, Tennessee, and Missouri. The all were between five feet and five four. Petite. The cause, date, time, and place of death were undetermined. Runaways. Had their families given up on them long before their bones ended up in Aberdeen?
In addition to Ryan’s haunted past, afraid he was becoming his father—now the seven girls are starting to haunt him as well. Will the cemetery, a bear cage, or being trapped in the woods give him the answers they are desperately seeking?
"History never really says good-bye. History says, see you later.” — Eduardo Galeano
With rich, evocative language, a twisty plot, and well-developed characters, Silvis once again delivers an extraordinary piece of art. Not only is WALKING THE BONES a phenomenal suspense crime mystery, but it also possesses an intense character study. I loved Two Days Gone; however, the followup further delves into the heart and soul of DeMarco and his tormented childhood as well as adulthood.
Both parts of the story (Ryan’s) and the (murder mystery) are equally as gripping. The secret behind the girl’s death was unpredictable and a clever twist. Silvis lyrical prose is spellbinding. Beautifully written, and profoundly moving, an emotional and haunting meditation of acceptance, love, trust, and survival. (an intriguing character).
I enjoyed Jayme’s personality — a strong sassy and witty female counterpart to Ryan’s complicated, moody, emotional, deep, and grief-stricken side, at times. A delicate balance of humor. Enjoying Silvis’ writing and look forward to reading his backlist.
Highly Recommend both Two Days Gone and WALKING THE BONES. For fans of intelligent well-plotted literary mystery suspense thrillers. Looking forward to seeing what is coming next!
A special thank you to Sourcebooks and #NetGalley for an early reading copy.
JDCMustReadBooks
June 21, 2019
A compelling mystery combined with a in-depth character study of a man struggling with memories, loss and regrets.
SUMMARY
Ryan DeMarco is still reeling from the case that led to the death of his best friend months ago and is considering retirement from the Pennsylvania State Police Department. He’s fighting some personal demons that he knows he needs to conquer. Instead of retiring DeMarco and his new girlfriend Trooper Jayme Matson are convinced to take a leave of absence. They buy an RV together and begin a road trip. They are just about to head to Florida when they get a call; Jayme’s grandmother in Aberdeen, Kentucky, has just passed away. They turn the RV around and head to Kentucky.
After the funeral, DeMarco and Jayme are approached by three amateur crime solving septuagenarians who want their help in solving a decades old mystery. Several years ago the bones of seven young black girls were found behind a false wall in the First Baptist Church. The girls all went missing between 1998 and 2004. There are plenty of suspects to be considered—the evasive pastor, two former church caretakers and a convicted pedophile and ex-teacher. Ryan and Jayme are soon embroiled in this unresolved case. Was it a fetish for young girls of color or was it a hatred for them?
REVIEW
WALKING THE BONES is a continuation of the intriguing saga of a man fighting the demons of grief, loss and guilt. Ryan DeMarco is a man who knows he needs a break, and who know he needs to move beyond the memories that are haunting him. This RV road trip and his relationship with the spunky Trooper Jayme Matson might be just the cure. It takes a strong man to admit when he needs help!
In WALKING THE BONES we watch DeMarco’s evolution as he gallantly attempts to cast off his demons. We find out about his abusive childhood, the cause of his PTSD and so much more. It’s a fascinating and brilliant character study.
The investigation into mystery of the seven young girls will keep you on the edge of your seat and will put DeMarco to both a physical and mental test. It’s a robust story full of dead-ends and twists as each of the many suspects are found and questioned. Silvas’s writing is enjoyable, even lyrical at times and his settings are wonderfully descriptive. Particularly loved the very first chapter, when DeMarco decides to take a walk in the deep, dark woods alone and without a cell phone. It will definitely draw you in!
Both parts of Walking the Bones, the character study and the mystery of the seven young girls are compelling. If you enjoyed Randall 's Silvis first novel Two Days Gone, you will definitely love this one as well. Ryan DeMarco is turning out to be a great series!
“Throughout that day he marched toward one slender, streaming shaft of mote filled yellow after another, the neglected sky like a sputtering fluorescent bulb hidden somewhere high above. Those high leaves when DeMarco stared into them for a few seconds while resting, would become like leaves afloat upon first milky and later inky water, and he would remember his childhood and the woods to which he had so often escaped...”
Publisher Sourcebooks Landmark/Recorded Books
Published January 23, 2018
Narrated Graham Winton
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
SUMMARY
Ryan DeMarco is still reeling from the case that led to the death of his best friend months ago and is considering retirement from the Pennsylvania State Police Department. He’s fighting some personal demons that he knows he needs to conquer. Instead of retiring DeMarco and his new girlfriend Trooper Jayme Matson are convinced to take a leave of absence. They buy an RV together and begin a road trip. They are just about to head to Florida when they get a call; Jayme’s grandmother in Aberdeen, Kentucky, has just passed away. They turn the RV around and head to Kentucky.
After the funeral, DeMarco and Jayme are approached by three amateur crime solving septuagenarians who want their help in solving a decades old mystery. Several years ago the bones of seven young black girls were found behind a false wall in the First Baptist Church. The girls all went missing between 1998 and 2004. There are plenty of suspects to be considered—the evasive pastor, two former church caretakers and a convicted pedophile and ex-teacher. Ryan and Jayme are soon embroiled in this unresolved case. Was it a fetish for young girls of color or was it a hatred for them?
REVIEW
WALKING THE BONES is a continuation of the intriguing saga of a man fighting the demons of grief, loss and guilt. Ryan DeMarco is a man who knows he needs a break, and who know he needs to move beyond the memories that are haunting him. This RV road trip and his relationship with the spunky Trooper Jayme Matson might be just the cure. It takes a strong man to admit when he needs help!
In WALKING THE BONES we watch DeMarco’s evolution as he gallantly attempts to cast off his demons. We find out about his abusive childhood, the cause of his PTSD and so much more. It’s a fascinating and brilliant character study.
The investigation into mystery of the seven young girls will keep you on the edge of your seat and will put DeMarco to both a physical and mental test. It’s a robust story full of dead-ends and twists as each of the many suspects are found and questioned. Silvas’s writing is enjoyable, even lyrical at times and his settings are wonderfully descriptive. Particularly loved the very first chapter, when DeMarco decides to take a walk in the deep, dark woods alone and without a cell phone. It will definitely draw you in!
Both parts of Walking the Bones, the character study and the mystery of the seven young girls are compelling. If you enjoyed Randall 's Silvis first novel Two Days Gone, you will definitely love this one as well. Ryan DeMarco is turning out to be a great series!
“Throughout that day he marched toward one slender, streaming shaft of mote filled yellow after another, the neglected sky like a sputtering fluorescent bulb hidden somewhere high above. Those high leaves when DeMarco stared into them for a few seconds while resting, would become like leaves afloat upon first milky and later inky water, and he would remember his childhood and the woods to which he had so often escaped...”
Publisher Sourcebooks Landmark/Recorded Books
Published January 23, 2018
Narrated Graham Winton
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
October 26, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for an advance copy of Walking the Bones, the second novel to feature Sergeant Ryan Demarco of the Pennsylvania State Police.
Following the events of Two Days Gone DeMarco is a broken man, angry, grieving and perhaps depressed. In an effort to help him his girlfriend, Trooper Jayme Matson, decides that a road trip in an RV is the answer. When Jayme's grandmother dies they detour to Aberdeen, Kentucky where they get involved in trying to solve the cold case mystery of seven skeletons of young women of colour found walled up in a local church.
I enjoyed Walking the Bones more than I thought I would after the first few chapters where my heart sank. The novel opens with DeMarco in a dangerous situation and thinking he might die and most of the novel covers events up to that point. I prefer a straightforward linear timeline but this chapter certainly grabs the reader's attention. The first few chapters also have an alternating point of view with descriptions of 3 pensioners carrying out unspecified surveillance but fortunately this is soon dropped when they meet DeMarco. I have not read the first novel in the series, Two Days Gone, and I'm not sure if this is good or bad. The events in it are referenced frequently and the perpetrator identified so there's not much point but, on the other hand, perhaps a fuller knowledge of the events would have added understanding to DeMarco's angst. Oh, and did I mention frequent, random flashbacks to DeMarco's troubled childhood? I actually came to enjoy them although I can't see much relevance to them, other than to explain some of DeMarco's personality.
Walking the Bones is a more literary novel than I usually read so the angst ridden DeMarco and his problems didn't really engage me. Matson, on the other hand, is an excellent character, strong, feisty and caring. Fortunately they are both top notch investigators and have a great case to investigate which held my attention from start to finish. I liked the vignettes of the characters they met from the venal pastor to the wannabe white supremacist.
Walking the Bones is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Following the events of Two Days Gone DeMarco is a broken man, angry, grieving and perhaps depressed. In an effort to help him his girlfriend, Trooper Jayme Matson, decides that a road trip in an RV is the answer. When Jayme's grandmother dies they detour to Aberdeen, Kentucky where they get involved in trying to solve the cold case mystery of seven skeletons of young women of colour found walled up in a local church.
I enjoyed Walking the Bones more than I thought I would after the first few chapters where my heart sank. The novel opens with DeMarco in a dangerous situation and thinking he might die and most of the novel covers events up to that point. I prefer a straightforward linear timeline but this chapter certainly grabs the reader's attention. The first few chapters also have an alternating point of view with descriptions of 3 pensioners carrying out unspecified surveillance but fortunately this is soon dropped when they meet DeMarco. I have not read the first novel in the series, Two Days Gone, and I'm not sure if this is good or bad. The events in it are referenced frequently and the perpetrator identified so there's not much point but, on the other hand, perhaps a fuller knowledge of the events would have added understanding to DeMarco's angst. Oh, and did I mention frequent, random flashbacks to DeMarco's troubled childhood? I actually came to enjoy them although I can't see much relevance to them, other than to explain some of DeMarco's personality.
Walking the Bones is a more literary novel than I usually read so the angst ridden DeMarco and his problems didn't really engage me. Matson, on the other hand, is an excellent character, strong, feisty and caring. Fortunately they are both top notch investigators and have a great case to investigate which held my attention from start to finish. I liked the vignettes of the characters they met from the venal pastor to the wannabe white supremacist.
Walking the Bones is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
January 16, 2018
3.5 Stars rounded to 4 stars.
Last year i came by chance upon Two Days Gone, the first book of the Ryan DeMarco series and it was an agreeable surprise for me. So i was looking forward to reading this new book
Once again we meet Sergeant Ryan DeMarco, more depressed and broken than ever after the last case that took his friend's life, his only glimmer of hope is with Jayme. So they embark together in a road trip that leads them to Jayme's hometown. There, he was requested to take a look at a cold case.
7 well preserved skeletons of young girls, were found in the wall of the main church of the town. The only thing they knew were the identities of the 7 girls. No crime scene, No murder weapon, No cause of death and No connections between the girls. All the usual suspects were interviewed at the time with no result.
So DeMarco and Jayme decide to take a fresh look at the case.
The mystery of the skeletons was an intriguing factor. The interesting part was that the story seemed to be mainly a journey inside the head of DeMarco. As he was looking for clues, we kept getting more insight into his past. Chapters about his childhood were put now and then.
The actual case he was working on seemed more like a background story for his own.
This was interesting but also a bit tiring sometimes.
Which leads me to what i did not like about the book. The crime was intriguing, but it was practically solved in a couple of chapters. I mean i liked reading all that thinking behind it, but i felt it deserved more elaboration and a bit less dwelling on DeMarco, i mostly sympathized with him, but sometimes i almost skipped the parts were he was thinking alone about everything that went wrong in his life, and that happened a lot in the book, it felt repetitive a lot.
In general, i liked the organization of the book. Quick, short chapters that held my attentions. The
addition of chapters of both his past and Jayme's was also interesting.
And the characters were fascinating, especially the mysterious group we get to meet at the beginning.
Last remark, although the two books are not exactly related, i would recommend to start with Two Days Gone, as it will gove more insight into Ryan DeMarco.
Thank you to the Publisher, Author and NetGalley for this copy in exchange of an honest review.
Last year i came by chance upon Two Days Gone, the first book of the Ryan DeMarco series and it was an agreeable surprise for me. So i was looking forward to reading this new book
Once again we meet Sergeant Ryan DeMarco, more depressed and broken than ever after the last case that took his friend's life, his only glimmer of hope is with Jayme. So they embark together in a road trip that leads them to Jayme's hometown. There, he was requested to take a look at a cold case.
7 well preserved skeletons of young girls, were found in the wall of the main church of the town. The only thing they knew were the identities of the 7 girls. No crime scene, No murder weapon, No cause of death and No connections between the girls. All the usual suspects were interviewed at the time with no result.
So DeMarco and Jayme decide to take a fresh look at the case.
The mystery of the skeletons was an intriguing factor. The interesting part was that the story seemed to be mainly a journey inside the head of DeMarco. As he was looking for clues, we kept getting more insight into his past. Chapters about his childhood were put now and then.
The actual case he was working on seemed more like a background story for his own.
This was interesting but also a bit tiring sometimes.
Which leads me to what i did not like about the book. The crime was intriguing, but it was practically solved in a couple of chapters. I mean i liked reading all that thinking behind it, but i felt it deserved more elaboration and a bit less dwelling on DeMarco, i mostly sympathized with him, but sometimes i almost skipped the parts were he was thinking alone about everything that went wrong in his life, and that happened a lot in the book, it felt repetitive a lot.
In general, i liked the organization of the book. Quick, short chapters that held my attentions. The
addition of chapters of both his past and Jayme's was also interesting.
And the characters were fascinating, especially the mysterious group we get to meet at the beginning.
Last remark, although the two books are not exactly related, i would recommend to start with Two Days Gone, as it will gove more insight into Ryan DeMarco.
Thank you to the Publisher, Author and NetGalley for this copy in exchange of an honest review.
July 8, 2018
Ryan De Marco, a Pennsylvania state trooper still feeling the grief losing his little boy and a best friend. He takes some time off.
He hears about an unsolved crime in Kentucky .
His girl friend Jayme is also a state trooper in the same office as Ryan DeMarco. She gets word that her Grandmother has died and the funeral is in her home town in Abaleen Kentucky .
Ryan travels with her to Kentucky and after the funeral they embark on a road trip to help with the unsolved crime.
This is a story of buried secrets, bodies memories and regrets.
I loved this book with losts of twists and turns to the story.
He hears about an unsolved crime in Kentucky .
His girl friend Jayme is also a state trooper in the same office as Ryan DeMarco. She gets word that her Grandmother has died and the funeral is in her home town in Abaleen Kentucky .
Ryan travels with her to Kentucky and after the funeral they embark on a road trip to help with the unsolved crime.
This is a story of buried secrets, bodies memories and regrets.
I loved this book with losts of twists and turns to the story.
January 3, 2024
3.5* Силвис успява да развие главния си герой доста успешно в различен контекст и да остави отверена врата за още книги. Ще продължа прочита на поредицата при първа възможност. Много близък стил до този на Джон Конъли, но без паранормалните отклонения. Силвис пише трилъри, но във всяка негова книга се усеща любовта му към класиката, поезията и философията.
November 16, 2020
This was too looonnnngggg.
Look, I'm all for character development and helpful expositional groundwork but the saying "too much of a good thing" definitely applies here, minus the "good thing" part.
Ryan is mourning the loss of his good friend and infant son from the events of the first novel, Two Days Gone.
He is currently separated from his estranged wife, Laraine, and starting anew with trooper, Jayme Matson.
When he is forced to take medical leave to recuperate, the pair go on a RV road trip that makes a brief pit stop in Jayme's hometown when her beloved grandmother passes.
Forced to cool his heels in this small town, Ryan is pulled into an intriguing mystery concerning the discovery of old female bones from several years ago located in the false panel of a church.
The local authorities are baffled and "coerce" Ryan and Jayme to help them investigate and check out witnesses and suspects, hoping fresh eyes would lead to a break.
There are numerous suspects, from a lascivious preacher, to drug running brothers and pedophiles to a quiet doctor and his crippled much younger wife, Ryan and Jayme's stalwart detecting leads to a break and a final showdown between the the couple and the murderer.
But the mystery is superfluous in Walking the Bones since it is wrapped up in the final 50 pages.
Readers are forced to read sad narratives of Ryan's past; his abusive father, depressed mother and f**ked up childhood and how these dark events shaped Ryan into the man he currently is.
And there is only so much guilt shaming I can hear Ryan whine and heap on himself.
The constant recriminations about how people closest to him die because he is bad, tainted, of poor stock...wah wah WAH. Woe is me.
This got tiresome...fast.
After all this constant blubbering, I started to wonder, "What does Jayme see in you?" Seriously.
There's nothing wrong with feeling guilt and anger at losing people you love but you're not the only one who has ever lost someone and you definitely won't be the last.
Minus the sniveling, the mystery lacked suspense and the case itself, as I mentioned, was relegated to the background. This second book is really about Ryan and his neuroses.
I am confident Ryan is a decent man and officer of the law and we all have issues and baggage, but after slogging through 400 pages of his crappy childhood and where his bad temper stems from, all I wanted was for him to check himself into a clinic and get the help he desperately needs.
Look, I'm all for character development and helpful expositional groundwork but the saying "too much of a good thing" definitely applies here, minus the "good thing" part.
Ryan is mourning the loss of his good friend and infant son from the events of the first novel, Two Days Gone.
He is currently separated from his estranged wife, Laraine, and starting anew with trooper, Jayme Matson.
When he is forced to take medical leave to recuperate, the pair go on a RV road trip that makes a brief pit stop in Jayme's hometown when her beloved grandmother passes.
Forced to cool his heels in this small town, Ryan is pulled into an intriguing mystery concerning the discovery of old female bones from several years ago located in the false panel of a church.
The local authorities are baffled and "coerce" Ryan and Jayme to help them investigate and check out witnesses and suspects, hoping fresh eyes would lead to a break.
There are numerous suspects, from a lascivious preacher, to drug running brothers and pedophiles to a quiet doctor and his crippled much younger wife, Ryan and Jayme's stalwart detecting leads to a break and a final showdown between the the couple and the murderer.
But the mystery is superfluous in Walking the Bones since it is wrapped up in the final 50 pages.
Readers are forced to read sad narratives of Ryan's past; his abusive father, depressed mother and f**ked up childhood and how these dark events shaped Ryan into the man he currently is.
And there is only so much guilt shaming I can hear Ryan whine and heap on himself.
The constant recriminations about how people closest to him die because he is bad, tainted, of poor stock...wah wah WAH. Woe is me.
This got tiresome...fast.
After all this constant blubbering, I started to wonder, "What does Jayme see in you?" Seriously.
There's nothing wrong with feeling guilt and anger at losing people you love but you're not the only one who has ever lost someone and you definitely won't be the last.
Minus the sniveling, the mystery lacked suspense and the case itself, as I mentioned, was relegated to the background. This second book is really about Ryan and his neuroses.
I am confident Ryan is a decent man and officer of the law and we all have issues and baggage, but after slogging through 400 pages of his crappy childhood and where his bad temper stems from, all I wanted was for him to check himself into a clinic and get the help he desperately needs.
February 1, 2018
Excellent entry in the recent Ryan DeMarco series which finds Ryan and his new love Jayme investigating the decade old murders of seven young African-American women in Jayme's former Kentucky stomping grounds after being derailed on a road trip due to the death of Jayme's grandmother. The story focuses heavily on character development and past experiences of both Ryan and Jayme as they both struggle with Ryan's sadness over the death of his friend and infant son, crumbled marriage and abusive father. Silvis uses humor perfectly to offset the great tragedies that have befallen Ryan. These are characters you truly care about. The mystery takes a bit of time to develop but does so rather solidly with a satisfying resolution. Silvis is a terrific writer which elevates this one into literary thriller category. A new series that's getting better. Looking forward to the next one. 4.5 stars. Highly recommended.
Read
December 22, 2017Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is back in this fascinating mystery, accompanied by his new love, Jayme, and more than a few regrets from his past. Their RV vacation takes the couple back to Jayme's childhood town when her grandmother dies and straight into the puzzle of finding the killer or killers of seven young women, a case long gone cold. The author has created a mesmerizing character in DeMarco, who has experienced his share of tragedies and truly wants to escape those bad memories. Fans of Jack Reacher, give this book (and series) a try. You won't be disappointed!
-- Louisa A.
-- Louisa A.
October 30, 2017
4 stars
A trio of septuagenarian crime fighters, two men and a woman are on the watch for pedophiles and other n’er-do wells. They are outfitted with the latest gear and disguises and provide the reader with some chuckles at their very serious antics. They live in Evansville, Illinois.
Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is retiring from the Pennsylvania State Police. He is still suffering from the death of his friend Thomas Huston nearly a year earlier. He shot the man who killed his friend. DeMarco’s son is also dead, although from another incident.
Trooper Jayme Matson, Ryan’s girlfriend, convinces him to take a leave of absence instead. She will also take leave and they will travel. Ryan is uncertain as they go to buy an RV, but Jayme convinces him. They’re on the road enjoying themselves when Jayme gets a phone call that her grandmother has passed away. They travel to Aberdeen, Kentucky.
While in Aberdeen, the three septuagenarians conspire to lure Ryan into looking into the murder of seven young girls who were walled up behind a wall in an old church. One per year for seven years. They capture Ryan’s interest. In other words, they rope him into investigating the case.
Jayme and DeMarco’s investigation moves glacially slowly. They interview many, many people and discard suspects one by one. The killer is vicious and somewhat of a surprise. What led to the killings is a bigger surprise.
DeMarco and Jayme learn a lot on their journey. Not just about criminals and killers, but also about themselves. About forgiveness, loss, friendship and love. DeMarco learns much about himself and to throw off his past.
This book is well written and plotted. It starts out a little slowly, but once the basic introductions are made, the pace and suspense pick up. I like both Jayme and DeMarco. I thought that DeMarco was as closed off and mysterious as the brief synopsis led the reader to believe. I thought he was self-effacing and humorous. I like the gentle teasing that DeMarco and Jayme trade back and forth.
I want to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting book to read and enjoy.
A trio of septuagenarian crime fighters, two men and a woman are on the watch for pedophiles and other n’er-do wells. They are outfitted with the latest gear and disguises and provide the reader with some chuckles at their very serious antics. They live in Evansville, Illinois.
Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is retiring from the Pennsylvania State Police. He is still suffering from the death of his friend Thomas Huston nearly a year earlier. He shot the man who killed his friend. DeMarco’s son is also dead, although from another incident.
Trooper Jayme Matson, Ryan’s girlfriend, convinces him to take a leave of absence instead. She will also take leave and they will travel. Ryan is uncertain as they go to buy an RV, but Jayme convinces him. They’re on the road enjoying themselves when Jayme gets a phone call that her grandmother has passed away. They travel to Aberdeen, Kentucky.
While in Aberdeen, the three septuagenarians conspire to lure Ryan into looking into the murder of seven young girls who were walled up behind a wall in an old church. One per year for seven years. They capture Ryan’s interest. In other words, they rope him into investigating the case.
Jayme and DeMarco’s investigation moves glacially slowly. They interview many, many people and discard suspects one by one. The killer is vicious and somewhat of a surprise. What led to the killings is a bigger surprise.
DeMarco and Jayme learn a lot on their journey. Not just about criminals and killers, but also about themselves. About forgiveness, loss, friendship and love. DeMarco learns much about himself and to throw off his past.
This book is well written and plotted. It starts out a little slowly, but once the basic introductions are made, the pace and suspense pick up. I like both Jayme and DeMarco. I thought that DeMarco was as closed off and mysterious as the brief synopsis led the reader to believe. I thought he was self-effacing and humorous. I like the gentle teasing that DeMarco and Jayme trade back and forth.
I want to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting book to read and enjoy.
November 29, 2017
Ryan DeMarco is a troubled character that because of his abusive father and the loss of his son struggles with "Love" relationships and his own violent tendencies. I had not read Mystery #1 but did not feel too lost. Lengthy read that took about 25% into the book before any real action and connection was evident between happenings. That being said the remainder of the novel was full of investigative information in solving a cold case of the murder of seven young women entombed in the wall of a church. Ryan's girlfriend Jayme like Ryan is employed with the police dept in Pennsylvania. When Ryan seeks to retire at an early age Jayme also takes a lengthy vacation with him and their travels lead them to Kentucky and the site of this serial killing. Character reveals about Jayme are touched on and will probably be more completely included in a future installment. Not so much a cliff hanger which I so hate; but a knowing that not all has been revealed with Ryan and Jayme. "A copy of this book was provided by SOURCEBOOKS Landmark via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."
July 27, 2021
The mystery portion of this book was a minor sub plot to a terribly annoying romance between the main characters despite a seemingly bottomless supply of strange emotional baggage. The mystery never builds any suspense, the action almost non existent and not believable. It just never gained any traction. Every other page was another sex scene to the point they got annoying and I just got through them to try to get to the mystery. I don't mind sex scenes when they add to the story, but these did not at all. I found myself eye rolling through them. When everything unfolded at the end it was a let down.
January 27, 2018
"If not for the termites, the poor girls might never have been found.”
This is the second book in author Silvis' series about Pennsylvania State Police Sergeant Ryan DeMarco. I enjoyed the first book TWO DAYS GONE but liked this offering even more.
These aren't your normal plot driven murder mysteries. I called the last one a "literary murder mystery" and I consider this to be the same. The characters are everything in these books.
This book takes place a few months after the first one. Sgt. DeMarco decides he wants to retire but he's talked into taking a medical leave for a couple of months instead. Jayme, fellow officer and his woman friend, takes time off also and they end up buying a used RV and start traveling.
They end up in the small Kentucky town that Jayme grew up in when they learn her grandmother has passed on. And while there for the funeral they get approached about a cold case that involves seven dead young girls.
I loved the progression of this novel, the fleshing out of the characters especially Ryan and Jayme, and the wonderful nature passages that take place in the Kentucky woods.
There were quite a few times , while reading the nature scenes, that I thought about a favorite author of mine - Gene Stratton-Porter. There probably aren't a lot of people any more that remember her books but she wrote beautifully about the Limberlost swamp and wetlands of Indiana. I felt Silvis' love for nature in his passages just like I used to feel in Stratton-Potter's books from when I was younger.
This is a great mystery novel plus just being an all-around good book. I highly recommend it.
I received this book from Sourcebooks Landmark through Edelweiss in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
This is the second book in author Silvis' series about Pennsylvania State Police Sergeant Ryan DeMarco. I enjoyed the first book TWO DAYS GONE but liked this offering even more.
These aren't your normal plot driven murder mysteries. I called the last one a "literary murder mystery" and I consider this to be the same. The characters are everything in these books.
This book takes place a few months after the first one. Sgt. DeMarco decides he wants to retire but he's talked into taking a medical leave for a couple of months instead. Jayme, fellow officer and his woman friend, takes time off also and they end up buying a used RV and start traveling.
They end up in the small Kentucky town that Jayme grew up in when they learn her grandmother has passed on. And while there for the funeral they get approached about a cold case that involves seven dead young girls.
I loved the progression of this novel, the fleshing out of the characters especially Ryan and Jayme, and the wonderful nature passages that take place in the Kentucky woods.
There were quite a few times , while reading the nature scenes, that I thought about a favorite author of mine - Gene Stratton-Porter. There probably aren't a lot of people any more that remember her books but she wrote beautifully about the Limberlost swamp and wetlands of Indiana. I felt Silvis' love for nature in his passages just like I used to feel in Stratton-Potter's books from when I was younger.
This is a great mystery novel plus just being an all-around good book. I highly recommend it.
I received this book from Sourcebooks Landmark through Edelweiss in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.
July 7, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed Two Days Gone, the first Ryan DeMarco book. This one, not quite so much.
It tended to go off into literary land. He didn't need 15 words when 10 would do just fine and make it so much more readable. Seemed like there were more leaps of logic in this one and the bad guy seemed to come out of nowhere.
I did like the mini-chapters of Ryan's backstory.
It tended to go off into literary land. He didn't need 15 words when 10 would do just fine and make it so much more readable. Seemed like there were more leaps of logic in this one and the bad guy seemed to come out of nowhere.
I did like the mini-chapters of Ryan's backstory.
October 26, 2017
Follow up to the excellent Two Days Gone, Walking The Bones is the second Ryan De Marco thriller and features Sergeant De Marco and his girlfriend Jayme taking a leave of absence from their jobs in the police and driving across the US in a camper van. Ryan is suffering from burnout and feelings of loss after his last case and really wants to retire but Jayme is trying to prevent this by suggesting the road trip.
En route they hear that Jayme's grandmother has died and they drive to the small town of Aberdeen for the funeral. Whilst there they are asked to look into a crime- bones of 7 girls have been discovered in the cavity of a church wall. Who is responsible? Ryan and Jayme must use all their skills to find out and Ryan, in particular, must try and survive in some very extreme circumstances.
Not only is this a mystery story it is also an examination of how guilt can affect human behaviour. We have flashbacks to Ryan's life as a child living in a trailer with his violent father as well as dreams where his dead son appears. As in the last book there are several literary quotations which tie in with the themes of the novel. At times it is quite slow moving with a lot of detail but it always held my attention.
There are many references to the earlier novel so I would suggest reading this first in order to enjoy the full potential of Walking The Bones which is perfect for fans of literary noir thrillers.
I raced through this book enjoying both the mystery aspect as well as the burgeoning romance between Ryan and Jayme. Learning more about both of the main characters' family backgrounds was also interesting and I am now looking forward to the next instalment.
Thanks to NetGalley and the the Publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.
En route they hear that Jayme's grandmother has died and they drive to the small town of Aberdeen for the funeral. Whilst there they are asked to look into a crime- bones of 7 girls have been discovered in the cavity of a church wall. Who is responsible? Ryan and Jayme must use all their skills to find out and Ryan, in particular, must try and survive in some very extreme circumstances.
Not only is this a mystery story it is also an examination of how guilt can affect human behaviour. We have flashbacks to Ryan's life as a child living in a trailer with his violent father as well as dreams where his dead son appears. As in the last book there are several literary quotations which tie in with the themes of the novel. At times it is quite slow moving with a lot of detail but it always held my attention.
There are many references to the earlier novel so I would suggest reading this first in order to enjoy the full potential of Walking The Bones which is perfect for fans of literary noir thrillers.
I raced through this book enjoying both the mystery aspect as well as the burgeoning romance between Ryan and Jayme. Learning more about both of the main characters' family backgrounds was also interesting and I am now looking forward to the next instalment.
Thanks to NetGalley and the the Publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2017
I was excited to have the opportunity to obtain an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from Net Galley.
The second installment in the Ryan DeMarco mystery series provides a vision quest through the protagonist’s psyche. DeMarco is mentally deconstructed and reassembled as he deals with his best friend’s death, childhood scars, ghosts of the past, and promises of the future, while solving a murder mystery.
The story shifts between past and present as DeMarco quits his job and takes an extended road trip with his lady love Jayme. A relative’s death brings a detour to Kentucky and the introduction to a cold case involving the discovery of the bones of seven young women, who went missing between 1998 and 2004. DeMarco feels a special connection to the dead women, who were castoffs from society, beaten down and broken-hearted. He longs to obtain justice for the poor souls, whose sad lives were terminated too soon. He works the list of suspects in search of clues the other investigators missed.
Brilliant writing, solid characterization, and a fascinating whodunit engage the reader. While the focus of the book is on DeMarco and Jayme, Silvis creates a unique and fascinating cast of secondary characters. By the end of the book, one can’t help but wonder what the third book in the series will bring for DeMarco.
Walking the Bones is a tour de force follow up to the fantastic series starter, Two Days Gone. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment.
The second installment in the Ryan DeMarco mystery series provides a vision quest through the protagonist’s psyche. DeMarco is mentally deconstructed and reassembled as he deals with his best friend’s death, childhood scars, ghosts of the past, and promises of the future, while solving a murder mystery.
The story shifts between past and present as DeMarco quits his job and takes an extended road trip with his lady love Jayme. A relative’s death brings a detour to Kentucky and the introduction to a cold case involving the discovery of the bones of seven young women, who went missing between 1998 and 2004. DeMarco feels a special connection to the dead women, who were castoffs from society, beaten down and broken-hearted. He longs to obtain justice for the poor souls, whose sad lives were terminated too soon. He works the list of suspects in search of clues the other investigators missed.
Brilliant writing, solid characterization, and a fascinating whodunit engage the reader. While the focus of the book is on DeMarco and Jayme, Silvis creates a unique and fascinating cast of secondary characters. By the end of the book, one can’t help but wonder what the third book in the series will bring for DeMarco.
Walking the Bones is a tour de force follow up to the fantastic series starter, Two Days Gone. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installment.
October 6, 2017
“The Ryan DeMarco Mystery series by Randall Silvis sets a new standard for noir mystery, a standard not soon to be scaled by any other author any time soon. WALKING THE BONES, the second book of the series, is a story both fragile and gritty with main character Sergeant Ryan DeMarco grappling to understand the meaning of life. In a tango with the reader, Silvis is a master-manipulator. He twirls you out to the furthest edges of your imagination, letting you spin away only moments before snapping you back into his grasp, back to where he wishes to lead you next. Throughout the story, I kept expecting the ghosts of DeMarco’s past to reach out of the dirt from their graves and drag him under. In a most introspective, eloquent way, Silvis has created a world as disturbing and beautiful as real life, with all its heart-wrenching wonders. Silvis’ WALKING THE BONES is story where regret is DeMarco’s closest friend—a friend who wants to devour him.” -Susan Wingate, Amazon Bestseller, www.susanwingate.com.
October 25, 2017
My first exposure to Randall Silvis was Two Days Gone, and Walking the Bones picks up the story of Ryan DeMarco as he is still recovering from the death of his friend.
Walking the Bones begins as a road trip instigated by his girlfriend Jayme, but the cold case of seven young women drags him (kicking and screaming) into investigating who killed the young women and stacked them behind a hidden wall in a church.
The book was simultaneously interesting and slow. For me, the most interesting characters were the three elderly "detectives" who involve DeMarco in the case and are treated rather disdainfully.
The two books featuring Ryan DeMarco are markedly different from Silvis' Blood and Ink, a dark comedy. All three of the books I've read by Silvis feature his love of literature and skillful descriptions, but my favorite is Blood and Ink with the hapless protagonist, Nick.
Read in Oct.; blog review scheduled for Jan. 4, 2018.
NetGalley/Sourcebooks
Crime/Mystery. Jan. 23, 2018. Print length: 464 pages.
Walking the Bones begins as a road trip instigated by his girlfriend Jayme, but the cold case of seven young women drags him (kicking and screaming) into investigating who killed the young women and stacked them behind a hidden wall in a church.
The book was simultaneously interesting and slow. For me, the most interesting characters were the three elderly "detectives" who involve DeMarco in the case and are treated rather disdainfully.
The two books featuring Ryan DeMarco are markedly different from Silvis' Blood and Ink, a dark comedy. All three of the books I've read by Silvis feature his love of literature and skillful descriptions, but my favorite is Blood and Ink with the hapless protagonist, Nick.
Read in Oct.; blog review scheduled for Jan. 4, 2018.
NetGalley/Sourcebooks
Crime/Mystery. Jan. 23, 2018. Print length: 464 pages.
October 22, 2017
There was a time I liked the thrillers fir pace and action. I guess I have finally realized that it's not true in real life and to be able to totally relate to the story , you need flawed characters ,a slowly evolving story line and a truth that is just out there to be explored by the right set of mind. This book scores well on all the counts. I am not a fan of irregular narration but that alone added so much depth to the story telling.There were very few dull moments in the book and all felt very much in place. Brilliant writing and amazing characterization. I will be reading the first book by the author soon.
February 23, 2019
The mystery part of the book is good. However, a large part of the book is devoted to DeMarco and Jayme's relationship, feelings and emotions. I also thought there was too much about sex in it. I like mysteries that are about the crime and how it is solved. If I want to read a love story or a story about a person's past childhood and what they went through, I would choose that type of book. I love a good mystery like Agatha Christie's or psychological suspense. This book was very well written and I know the author has won a lot of awards, but it is not my cup of tea.
October 14, 2017
Walking the bones by Randall silvis.
Sergeant ryan demarco is on a healing trip with his new love Jayme. But the bones of 7 young girls are found.
This was a little slow and confusing to begin with but then all of a sudden I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know who the killer was and why. 4*. Netgalley and sourcebooks landmark.
Sergeant ryan demarco is on a healing trip with his new love Jayme. But the bones of 7 young girls are found.
This was a little slow and confusing to begin with but then all of a sudden I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know who the killer was and why. 4*. Netgalley and sourcebooks landmark.
February 1, 2018
Although my inclination was to devour this book as I did the first one in this series, I paced myself so I could savor the beautiful prose and the masterful way Silvis develops his tales.
Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is a tortured soul, consumed by missed opportunities and might-have-beens. His tragic past refuses to release its grip on his soul, and the novel explores many of the experiences that have shaped the man. Filled with painful memories and engrossing vignettes of his childhood growing up as 'trailer trash,' (how Ryan sees himself), Walking the Bones is a journey of discovery and an attempt to climb back from the psychological edge of despair.
The story also contain a mystery, but the tale of the seven skeletons meanders, like a backwoods stream, convoluted, at times almost dry, but on a determined course. Ryan's lover, Jayme Matson, is as interesting as Ryan. It is a return to her hometown for the funeral of her grandmother that offers up the mystery and a path to, if not redemption, at least reclamation of DeMarco's self. What a pleasure to read a literate, insightful, psychological thriller. Perhaps an added bonus for romance lovers, Silvis provides a satisfying number of sexual encounters between Ryan and Jayme and a thoughtful consideration of the redemption love offers. The book ends with a teasing suggestion regarding the third installment. Can I pre-order that one now? ;)
Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is a tortured soul, consumed by missed opportunities and might-have-beens. His tragic past refuses to release its grip on his soul, and the novel explores many of the experiences that have shaped the man. Filled with painful memories and engrossing vignettes of his childhood growing up as 'trailer trash,' (how Ryan sees himself), Walking the Bones is a journey of discovery and an attempt to climb back from the psychological edge of despair.
The story also contain a mystery, but the tale of the seven skeletons meanders, like a backwoods stream, convoluted, at times almost dry, but on a determined course. Ryan's lover, Jayme Matson, is as interesting as Ryan. It is a return to her hometown for the funeral of her grandmother that offers up the mystery and a path to, if not redemption, at least reclamation of DeMarco's self. What a pleasure to read a literate, insightful, psychological thriller. Perhaps an added bonus for romance lovers, Silvis provides a satisfying number of sexual encounters between Ryan and Jayme and a thoughtful consideration of the redemption love offers. The book ends with a teasing suggestion regarding the third installment. Can I pre-order that one now? ;)
January 16, 2018
"Seven young females reduced to bone," Hoyle said. His eyes remained fixed on DeMarco's. "Seven skeletons in a four by fourteen by ten-foot space between walls. Each one cocooned in clear plastic sheeting. The kind painters use to cover a floor. Each cocoon sealed with silver duct tape."....
Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is back for the second book of this mystery series. We first met Ryan in “Two Days Gone,” a previous book I reviewed. I enjoyed that one, and looked forward to the next installment. It didn’t disappoint!
After events in the first book, Ryan is just trying to take some down time. With his new girlfriend, Jayme, Ryan finds himself drawn into another investigation. While visiting Jayme’s hometown he is made aware of an unsolved crime. Seven young girls gone, and nothing but their bones left behind.
Very descriptive, draws you in from the very first page. Well defined characters and a chilling story line make for a great suspense, mystery thriller.
Small town life, where everyone knows something about someone. Could it help Ryan solve these crimes? Even if he is a reluctant part of this, some things you just can’t walk away from.
While this book is a stand alone, I think it always helps to read the series. It’s interesting to see character development. You never know if a character in the first book is who you think they are. I like to see the life changes, and the roads they take.
Ryan has been through some tragedy and heartbreak. Is Jayme his saving grace? Will his down time bring him back to the state police department or take him permanently away?
Will Ryan and Jayme find justice for these young girls?
Thank you Randall Silvis, Netgalley, and Sourcebooks Landmark
Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is back for the second book of this mystery series. We first met Ryan in “Two Days Gone,” a previous book I reviewed. I enjoyed that one, and looked forward to the next installment. It didn’t disappoint!
After events in the first book, Ryan is just trying to take some down time. With his new girlfriend, Jayme, Ryan finds himself drawn into another investigation. While visiting Jayme’s hometown he is made aware of an unsolved crime. Seven young girls gone, and nothing but their bones left behind.
Very descriptive, draws you in from the very first page. Well defined characters and a chilling story line make for a great suspense, mystery thriller.
Small town life, where everyone knows something about someone. Could it help Ryan solve these crimes? Even if he is a reluctant part of this, some things you just can’t walk away from.
While this book is a stand alone, I think it always helps to read the series. It’s interesting to see character development. You never know if a character in the first book is who you think they are. I like to see the life changes, and the roads they take.
Ryan has been through some tragedy and heartbreak. Is Jayme his saving grace? Will his down time bring him back to the state police department or take him permanently away?
Will Ryan and Jayme find justice for these young girls?
Thank you Randall Silvis, Netgalley, and Sourcebooks Landmark
January 24, 2018
This book is well written, the prose is rich and complex, it digs into the minds of the protagonists, De Marco and Jayme. The reader discovers the life of the sergeant through chapters that refer to his childhood. The book is divided into sections, divided into chapters, which are focused on the cold case story, childhood story of Ryan, and Jayme POV part. At the begin, I was involved with the story of Ryan’s past, but then the book began to slowly grow to a repetitive point. I lost interest at a certain time, in the middle of the reading.
As I said, the book is well written, but leaves a little indifferent, it’s not so gripping and passionate as a thriller, it is more a mystery. The most interesting part is inherent to the club created by those who are involved in the old case. Moreover, the setting of a provincial town is very interesting.
I recommend it to those who are ready for a long journey, because if you do not have time you can not read this book.
I received a free copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review •••
As I said, the book is well written, but leaves a little indifferent, it’s not so gripping and passionate as a thriller, it is more a mystery. The most interesting part is inherent to the club created by those who are involved in the old case. Moreover, the setting of a provincial town is very interesting.
I recommend it to those who are ready for a long journey, because if you do not have time you can not read this book.
I received a free copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review •••
February 15, 2023
This book started out promising. An interesting mystery and a decent description of the settings and characters, but after a while it seemed like there was a lot dragged out. I still have mixed feelings about the romance because it wasn’t totally bad, it just wasn’t something I was invested in. It seemed kinda dull and there was too much emotional damage. Jayme’s over sexualization was uncomfortable to read about especially her high school experience.
The writing style just wasn’t for me. I don’t like super long chapters but it was annoying having chapters not even a page long sometimes. In the end I just didn’t care, and yet, I was still disappointed with how it ended. Maybe I would have liked it better if I read the first book, but the world may never know.
The writing style just wasn’t for me. I don’t like super long chapters but it was annoying having chapters not even a page long sometimes. In the end I just didn’t care, and yet, I was still disappointed with how it ended. Maybe I would have liked it better if I read the first book, but the world may never know.
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