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Northern Michigan Asylum #5
Rag Doll Bones
Each book in the Northern Michigan Asylum Series is a stand alone novel. Their mothers told them monsters weren’t real, but they were wrong.
It’s the start of summer vacation in 1983. Twelve-year-olds Ashley and Sid are excited for three months of swimming at the pit, playing arcade games, and getting lost in the woods.
But the woods aren’t safe.
Kids are going missing in their small town. One of them has been found dead. The cops are indifferent, the parents are clueless, and a summer of fun Is slowly turning into a summer of terror.
Sid and Ashley have come face to face with the monster, more boy than creature, and are desperate to reveal it.
Get lost in a twisted tale of abduction, supernatural forces and dark asylum secrets.
Grab your copy of Rag Doll Bones today.
It’s the start of summer vacation in 1983. Twelve-year-olds Ashley and Sid are excited for three months of swimming at the pit, playing arcade games, and getting lost in the woods.
But the woods aren’t safe.
Kids are going missing in their small town. One of them has been found dead. The cops are indifferent, the parents are clueless, and a summer of fun Is slowly turning into a summer of terror.
Sid and Ashley have come face to face with the monster, more boy than creature, and are desperate to reveal it.
Get lost in a twisted tale of abduction, supernatural forces and dark asylum secrets.
Grab your copy of Rag Doll Bones today.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 3, 2019
732 people are currently reading
1016 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Erickson
39 books894 followersJ.R. Erickson writes novels that blend murder mysteries with haunted houses. Her Northern Michigan Asylum series are novels of paranormal suspense inspired by a real former asylum in Traverse City. Her current books, the Troubled Spirits series, are all inspired by real crimes, which she covers in her true crime podcast, Bitter Endings.
Jacki is a lifelong lover of all things spooky, and started penning scary stories in childhood. She grew up in Mason, Michigan and is a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Psychology. These days, Jacki resides near Traverse City, Michigan with her husband, son, and three cats.
Jacki is a lifelong lover of all things spooky, and started penning scary stories in childhood. She grew up in Mason, Michigan and is a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Psychology. These days, Jacki resides near Traverse City, Michigan with her husband, son, and three cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
October 23, 2021
This is a 3.5 star read.
June 27, 2020
This book was so fun! Ashley and Sid are great characters. I love that they are horror fans, all the references were great. The story was good and kept me guessing. I had no idea what was in the woods. I am enjoying this series very much.I listened to the audio book. Alan Carlson does a great job narrating this one. A big thank you to J.R. Erickson for the audio book. I really enjoyed it.
April 4, 2023
Mystery lovers will have a great time with this book...horror enthusiast may find it a bit too mild depending on how scared you want to be. Kids are coming up missing. There is a rumored monster in the woods and a creepy abandoned funeral home, which should give anybody a few chills. A schoolteacher and three bullied teens start to try to figure some things out. The ending will surprise you and you more than likely will spend most of the book thinking you know what's happening but I'm betting you are going to be SOOOO wrong. I did think that one of the events that happened was unnecessary to the story...but hey...I didn't write the book.... but I really enjoyed every single goosebump and I will continue the series.
February 18, 2021
This reminded me of early Stephen King
This was an entertaining quick read which reminded me of early Stephen King books where the relationship between the kids takes center stand and the casual cruelty of men is more horrible than the monsters lurking in the shadows.
However, as far as the actual monsters go, I found the ones in this book rather underwhelming.
Also, the whole haunting storyline was basically useless. Would Max have made different choices if he hadn't been haunted? I don't think so. And because of that the whole haunting felt like an afterthought added for extra creepy factor.
This was an entertaining quick read which reminded me of early Stephen King books where the relationship between the kids takes center stand and the casual cruelty of men is more horrible than the monsters lurking in the shadows.
However, as far as the actual monsters go, I found the ones in this book rather underwhelming.
Also, the whole haunting storyline was basically useless. Would Max have made different choices if he hadn't been haunted? I don't think so. And because of that the whole haunting felt like an afterthought added for extra creepy factor.
January 28, 2022
This is an awesome series.
May 10, 2020
( Format : Audiobook )
"Heart of darkness...heart of men."
The story starts slowly, comfortably, ordinary: end of term, the summer holidays ahead, two friends, Sid and Ashley, very different but both bullied at school. And a teacher, Max, concerned at the report of a missing boy. But the tranquility quickly becomes uncomfortable as other children's bodies are discovered, mutilated, apparently attacked by an unknown animal. The tension in the writing rises as the children's fear increases in their woods, and Max, the teacher, befriends the mother of a missing child. There is an excellent blend of normal, childish hope and exuberance combined with the sinister which makes this book feel very teal.
This is the first of the Northern Michigan Asylum novels that this reader has encountered and is now a series firmly on the to be sought out list. The paranormal advertisers not intrusive but added a slight creepiness, the characterisation was very nicely done and, even though a couple of threads were left unanswered, the ending was satisfying. Alan Carlson, who narrated, have a fine lerformance, his reading clear, well modulated but unintrusive, without over emphasis designed to rouse the listener to greater emotion, letting the text itself do that. His background approach somehow made what was being said all the more dramatic. Very good.
From the gentle openings to the tempestuous finale, this book maintained my interest and involvement. Well written and we'll read, this was a most enjoyable book. My thanks to the rights holder of Ray Doll Bones, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. Recommended even to those who enjoy murder mysteries but are usually somewhat wary of the inclusion of the paranormal, and I will certainly be looking out for more by J.R.Ericson.
"Heart of darkness...heart of men."
The story starts slowly, comfortably, ordinary: end of term, the summer holidays ahead, two friends, Sid and Ashley, very different but both bullied at school. And a teacher, Max, concerned at the report of a missing boy. But the tranquility quickly becomes uncomfortable as other children's bodies are discovered, mutilated, apparently attacked by an unknown animal. The tension in the writing rises as the children's fear increases in their woods, and Max, the teacher, befriends the mother of a missing child. There is an excellent blend of normal, childish hope and exuberance combined with the sinister which makes this book feel very teal.
This is the first of the Northern Michigan Asylum novels that this reader has encountered and is now a series firmly on the to be sought out list. The paranormal advertisers not intrusive but added a slight creepiness, the characterisation was very nicely done and, even though a couple of threads were left unanswered, the ending was satisfying. Alan Carlson, who narrated, have a fine lerformance, his reading clear, well modulated but unintrusive, without over emphasis designed to rouse the listener to greater emotion, letting the text itself do that. His background approach somehow made what was being said all the more dramatic. Very good.
From the gentle openings to the tempestuous finale, this book maintained my interest and involvement. Well written and we'll read, this was a most enjoyable book. My thanks to the rights holder of Ray Doll Bones, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. Recommended even to those who enjoy murder mysteries but are usually somewhat wary of the inclusion of the paranormal, and I will certainly be looking out for more by J.R.Ericson.
June 29, 2025
Oh yes, I really liked this one!
December 3, 2019
This is a fantastic series! I often develop a favorite book in a series. With this series my favorite has changed three times with new releases. This is the best book so far (again) in one of my current favorite series. You really don’t want to miss this one!
Ashley and Sid have been best friends since grade school. Moving to middle school hasn’t change their friendship at all. Children have quietly been disappearing from their town. Two have gone missing from their school since this year began.
The police have written the missing kids off as runaways, never really bothering to look for them. When a young teacher, Max, realizes students have gone missing, he begins to look into it. Max soon realizes it isn’t just his own town where this is happening but surrounding ones as well. He is soon convinced these children are being abducted. The police aren’t interested. What will a teacher be able to do about the situation?
Not long before summer break, both Ashley and Sid have harrowing experiences in the woods near their houses. Each on their own are stalked by something. It is a bit like a boy, but more like a monster than any normal kid. They unfailingly believe each other. Can they convince an adult or maybe the police of the danger? Or will they too fall victim to the evil stealing the children?
Kindle Unlimited edition
Ashley and Sid have been best friends since grade school. Moving to middle school hasn’t change their friendship at all. Children have quietly been disappearing from their town. Two have gone missing from their school since this year began.
The police have written the missing kids off as runaways, never really bothering to look for them. When a young teacher, Max, realizes students have gone missing, he begins to look into it. Max soon realizes it isn’t just his own town where this is happening but surrounding ones as well. He is soon convinced these children are being abducted. The police aren’t interested. What will a teacher be able to do about the situation?
Not long before summer break, both Ashley and Sid have harrowing experiences in the woods near their houses. Each on their own are stalked by something. It is a bit like a boy, but more like a monster than any normal kid. They unfailingly believe each other. Can they convince an adult or maybe the police of the danger? Or will they too fall victim to the evil stealing the children?
Kindle Unlimited edition
June 13, 2020
Oh, I loved all the references to Stephen King in this book! Seems to me that the author and I share a love for him :P
Ashley and Sid's friendship is wonderful, and their love for books and horror stories! I can relate so well *laughs* But this summer, the horror will jump out from the books and take residence in their town. Children are disappearing, and one of the teachers, Max is worried. And he was right to be worried: soon children's bodies are discovered, mutilated. It was an animal attack? Or something different?
The story is, as always, gripping and full of suspense, and the way in which all the threads come together at the end is really great.
And for those like me who have read all the books, there is a surprising but truly delightful cameo in this one, too :D
Alan Carlson did a great job with the narration.
Ashley and Sid's friendship is wonderful, and their love for books and horror stories! I can relate so well *laughs* But this summer, the horror will jump out from the books and take residence in their town. Children are disappearing, and one of the teachers, Max is worried. And he was right to be worried: soon children's bodies are discovered, mutilated. It was an animal attack? Or something different?
The story is, as always, gripping and full of suspense, and the way in which all the threads come together at the end is really great.
And for those like me who have read all the books, there is a surprising but truly delightful cameo in this one, too :D
Alan Carlson did a great job with the narration.
September 5, 2020
LOVED it!This harkend back to the good old days of Horror novels. It is 1983 and kids are going missing.A less than empathetic police force does nearly nothing to aid in finding them or alerting the public.No one but the kids believe that real monsters are doing this...again. I loved all the reminders of school in the 80's! Alan Carlson was a terrific narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
December 3, 2019
Each book in the Northern Michigan Asylum Series is a stand alone novel.
Their mother’s told them monster’s weren’t real, but they were wrong.
It’s the start of summer vacation in 1983. Twelve-year-olds Ashley and Sid are excited for three months of swimming at the pit, playing arcade games, and getting lost in the woods.
But the woods aren’t safe.
Kids are going missing in their small town.
One of them has been found dead. The cops are indifferent, the parents are clueless, and a summer of fun Is slowly turning into a summer of terror.
Sid and Ashley have come face to face with the monster, more boy than creature, and are desperate to reveal it.
Get lost in a twisted tale of abduction, supernatural forces and dark asylum secrets.
What an absolutely gripping and stunning read this was!
I can't get over how thoroughly gripped I was from the very start.
Stunning plot and story line with paranormal mystery entwined.
Wonderful well fleshed out characters and some disturbing ones as well.
This by far is the best in the series of 5 so far in my opinion that is.
Read in one sitting as I could not put this down once started.
Recommend reading highly!!
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Their mother’s told them monster’s weren’t real, but they were wrong.
It’s the start of summer vacation in 1983. Twelve-year-olds Ashley and Sid are excited for three months of swimming at the pit, playing arcade games, and getting lost in the woods.
But the woods aren’t safe.
Kids are going missing in their small town.
One of them has been found dead. The cops are indifferent, the parents are clueless, and a summer of fun Is slowly turning into a summer of terror.
Sid and Ashley have come face to face with the monster, more boy than creature, and are desperate to reveal it.
Get lost in a twisted tale of abduction, supernatural forces and dark asylum secrets.
What an absolutely gripping and stunning read this was!
I can't get over how thoroughly gripped I was from the very start.
Stunning plot and story line with paranormal mystery entwined.
Wonderful well fleshed out characters and some disturbing ones as well.
This by far is the best in the series of 5 so far in my opinion that is.
Read in one sitting as I could not put this down once started.
Recommend reading highly!!
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
September 11, 2020
Rag Doll Bones is J.R. Erickson's fifth installment in her Northern Michigan Asylum collection. This is a standalone novel, although it does share undercurrents of the asylum with other volumes. Ash and Sid have been looking forward to enjoying a carefree summer vacation. Instead, they find themselves fighting for their lives in their normally sleepy little town. Something is taking the children. Others are found dead, their throats ripped out. Max is trying to find answers before whatever is after him finds it's mark. Murder, abuse, terror, lies and secrets fill the pages of this fast-paced and well written manuscript.
December 8, 2019
Every one as good as the last...
A great series- I keep looking forward to the next one so I hope they don’t stop! It’s a great idea to have stand alone books, but yet in a series where you often recognize names from past books, and you can tie them together. Yet it’s not necessary to do so if you haven’t read the ones prior...it’s just such a great idea! I love these wonderfully detailed books with characters that seem as real as people you know. I love this series and this author :)
A great series- I keep looking forward to the next one so I hope they don’t stop! It’s a great idea to have stand alone books, but yet in a series where you often recognize names from past books, and you can tie them together. Yet it’s not necessary to do so if you haven’t read the ones prior...it’s just such a great idea! I love these wonderfully detailed books with characters that seem as real as people you know. I love this series and this author :)
April 1, 2020
Wildly imaginative
J R Erickson grabbed my attention with Kerry Manor, a bewildering page turner.
Rag Doll Bones, slower realistic beginning with kids in and out of the woods, unfolded to harrowing disbelief.
No need to tell more, read it and let your imagination go wild with Ms. Erickson’s wildly imaginative Rag Doll Bones.
Looking forward to the beginning of Michigan Asylum Series, book 1 is a must read!
J R Erickson grabbed my attention with Kerry Manor, a bewildering page turner.
Rag Doll Bones, slower realistic beginning with kids in and out of the woods, unfolded to harrowing disbelief.
No need to tell more, read it and let your imagination go wild with Ms. Erickson’s wildly imaginative Rag Doll Bones.
Looking forward to the beginning of Michigan Asylum Series, book 1 is a must read!
May 22, 2020
So Good
This book is the best one yet. I read it in only one day because I could not put it down. It brought out all the feels. I laughed,cried,talked to the characters, wanted to strangle some of them and wanted to offer some of them a shoulder to cry on. I like that each book is a stand alone book while bringing in some characters from the other books as well as the asylum. Read it you won’t be sorry.
This book is the best one yet. I read it in only one day because I could not put it down. It brought out all the feels. I laughed,cried,talked to the characters, wanted to strangle some of them and wanted to offer some of them a shoulder to cry on. I like that each book is a stand alone book while bringing in some characters from the other books as well as the asylum. Read it you won’t be sorry.
December 2, 2019
Rag Doll Bones is a disturbing paranormal mystery. As some children go missing and some turn up dead, we find that monsters do exist. This creepy tale is the fifth in the Northern Michigan Asylum series, but my first. I will definitely have to go back and read them all. I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
December 3, 2019
I loved it. A paranormal mystery that keeps you guessing to the end. As the kids in this story find that monsters are real and that it is up to them to solve the mystery of the children that are missing. This is a fast paced nail biter of a story with twists that you won't see coming. I received thia story ad an ARC and this is my honest review.
December 16, 2019
Wow!!!
The Northern Michigan Asylum series just keeps getting better! I've plowed through this series so quickly, and I love each and every one. This one just came out, so it will be a while before the next one, but I'll be waiting patiently. Thanks to the author for such an amazing series. You've got a fan for life!
The Northern Michigan Asylum series just keeps getting better! I've plowed through this series so quickly, and I love each and every one. This one just came out, so it will be a while before the next one, but I'll be waiting patiently. Thanks to the author for such an amazing series. You've got a fan for life!
January 25, 2020
This was absolutely spell binding!!!
Once I started it I couldn't put it down. It
had me right from the get-go. So much action
and spookiness. She'd some years throughout
the story. Especially over the raccoons. This
story line was fantastic. Hated when Joan/Kim
died! All in all a truly magnificent, entertaining
and fantastic addition to this series!!!
Once I started it I couldn't put it down. It
had me right from the get-go. So much action
and spookiness. She'd some years throughout
the story. Especially over the raccoons. This
story line was fantastic. Hated when Joan/Kim
died! All in all a truly magnificent, entertaining
and fantastic addition to this series!!!
May 4, 2020
Do not mess with bones
This book was definitely terrifying! After reading the previous books, I thought nothing could be any more disturbing but this book brought out a whole new fear. If these type of people exist, what a terrible thought. And yet, I also hope there are people out there trying to stop this crazy stuff.
This book was definitely terrifying! After reading the previous books, I thought nothing could be any more disturbing but this book brought out a whole new fear. If these type of people exist, what a terrible thought. And yet, I also hope there are people out there trying to stop this crazy stuff.
December 10, 2019
This was awesome! I don't like reading a series out of order however I got this as an ARC and it was so good Monsters aren't real right? just stay away from the woods.
November 6, 2020
I did enjoy this book in the series kept me wondering how it fit in to the series the bam you got it. What a great mind the author has. Kept me riveted with every page turn. Worth the price.
March 19, 2021
I have to admit that this wasn't the best entry in the Northern Michigan Asylum series. I had to push through to the end because it didn't grip me like the others have. I enjoyed the storyline about missing children and a scary monster and there were some pretty creepy parts towards the end, but there were some things that I thought could have been left out. For example, the entire 'domestic violence, man saves woman just for woman to be murdered by husband' part of the story was unnecessary and irrelevant. I know that she was the mother of one of the missing kids, but it just didn't make sense with the story. I also feel as though it was too disconnected from the Northern Michigan Asylum itself. It's almost like a connection was thrown in as an afterthought, just so it could be part of the series. The ending felt rushed. It just missed the mark. However, not badly enough that I don't want to finish the series. This one just wasn't the greatest. I give it a flat 3 stars.
Now, for what I have to say about the Kindle version of this book. The editing of the Kindle edition is terrible. There are typos, missing words and mistakes throughout the entire series. I don't know if it's the same with the print edition, but it's really distracting. I could see it deterring people from reading the books, which is a shame. I'm not sure if it was the Publisher, author or Amazon itself that dropped the ball here, but someone did and the author may want to ensure these mistakes don't get made in future books.
Now, for what I have to say about the Kindle version of this book. The editing of the Kindle edition is terrible. There are typos, missing words and mistakes throughout the entire series. I don't know if it's the same with the print edition, but it's really distracting. I could see it deterring people from reading the books, which is a shame. I'm not sure if it was the Publisher, author or Amazon itself that dropped the ball here, but someone did and the author may want to ensure these mistakes don't get made in future books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 4, 2024Their mothers told them monsters weren’t real, but they were wrong.
It’s the start of summer vacation in 1983. Twelve-year-olds Ashley and Sid are excited for three months of swimming at the pit, playing arcade games, and getting lost in the woods.
But the woods aren’t safe.
Kids are going missing in their small town. One of them has been found dead. The cops are indifferent, the parents are clueless, and a summer of fun is slowly turning into a summer of terror.
This was a pretty good read- It kept my interest.
Although I didn't understand the whole 'domestic violence' section, I'm not sure how that affected the plot at all. It was a little disjointed in parts, and the ending was a little anti-climatic. I enjoyed the friendship between Sid and Ashley.
It’s the start of summer vacation in 1983. Twelve-year-olds Ashley and Sid are excited for three months of swimming at the pit, playing arcade games, and getting lost in the woods.
But the woods aren’t safe.
Kids are going missing in their small town. One of them has been found dead. The cops are indifferent, the parents are clueless, and a summer of fun is slowly turning into a summer of terror.
This was a pretty good read- It kept my interest.
Although I didn't understand the whole 'domestic violence' section, I'm not sure how that affected the plot at all. It was a little disjointed in parts, and the ending was a little anti-climatic. I enjoyed the friendship between Sid and Ashley.
April 4, 2024
I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, the story was interesting. I liked the kids’ characters, and I was intrigued by the events. On the other hand, there were a lot of errors in the Kindle version (almost like the unedited version had been uploaded by mistake), and it took a really long time to connect back to the asylum. It was almost like the asylum connection was an afterthought, if that makes sense. I’m torn, so I’m going to give this one three stars. I’m not upset that I read it, but it’s definitely not my favorite. Still, I’m ready for the next book! 😊
July 2, 2021
The main character kids were well though out and developed, as was the adult Max, and the story was interesting. It seemed as though the “monster” in the woods could have been a bit more prominent. I felt like it was a minor part of the story until near the end when I think it was intended to be a major plot point. Also, Max being haunted didn’t quite work either. There just wasn’t enough to tie it together with the story. It was a quick read and I mostly enjoyed it.
January 29, 2023
Just finished this one and, oh my gosh! It was so good!! It has a little bit of a Stephen King’s IT vibe for me because of the kids and their relationship and fighting evil together. This book made me laugh, and cry. Not to mention keeping me on the edge of my seat! I really identified with Sid. I feel like I say this every time I finish another JR Erickson book, but this is one of my favorites! Every one I read seems to get better than the last. This is a must read!
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December 16, 2019A wonderful addition to this great series. This book is probably my favorite of the whole series. I loved the characters, the plot, and the mystery. JR Erickson is just getting better as she works on this series. This is absolutely a fantastic story. I was literally swept off my feet and couldn't put it down.
November 5, 2022
Great read!
This was a good story, the characters really fleshed out. Definitely a twist at the end I didn’t guess. Definitely a thriller and will keep you reading to the end. Spoiler alert! I was really sad that Kim died, I didn’t think it was necessary for the advancement and she should’ve got her happy ending with her son, oh well! Good story!
This was a good story, the characters really fleshed out. Definitely a twist at the end I didn’t guess. Definitely a thriller and will keep you reading to the end. Spoiler alert! I was really sad that Kim died, I didn’t think it was necessary for the advancement and she should’ve got her happy ending with her son, oh well! Good story!
September 7, 2023
Slow and Silly
Although I generally like this series this book was slow and silly. It drags as kids disappear. Some remain missing while others wind up dead. Of course it leads back to the cabal of evil doctors at the Northern Michigan Asylum. Too much teenage angst, not enough action and suspense.
Although I generally like this series this book was slow and silly. It drags as kids disappear. Some remain missing while others wind up dead. Of course it leads back to the cabal of evil doctors at the Northern Michigan Asylum. Too much teenage angst, not enough action and suspense.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews