What do you think?
Rate this book
Pine Grove Mystery #1
Bones and Drones:
Hanging out in a cemetery isn’t every girl’s idea of a good time, but for Paislee Grimes, the dead can be the best company.
Raised in the sleepy Connecticut town of Pine Grove by an undertaker and a coroner, Paislee has seen more than her fair share of death, and she’s right at home amid the morbid and macabre.
She’s happy enough to spend her last months before college cobbling together a history of the place she loves most and studying the lives of the people buried in her backyard, but when the body of a classmate turns up face down in the lake, it’s Paislee’s time to shine.
Armed with a fierce drive and a gift for forensic anthropology, Paislee dives headfirst into the biggest shock Pine Grove has ever seen.
Suddenly everyone is a suspect—friends, love interests, even the mayor. And in a community as tight-knit as hers, no one wants to believe the killer could be one of their own.
But where there’s a murder, there’s a murderer, and with more questions than answers, it’s beginning to look like Paislee is the only one who can connect the dots.
- GenresYoung AdultMystery
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2019
13 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
August 30, 2019
What an interesting story!
I really like the main character Paislee. She's so smart and loves the cemetery and learning about those who resides there. While others would be too scared or weirded out to even hangout there. But she's totally happy there and chill. This story revolves around solving a Murder mystery. It's very entertaining. I am fascinated by the whole "morbid and macabre". I find anything scary or creepy to be awesome actually. And this story has so much depth to it. I don't want to give any spoilers. But i really enjoyed reading this. Good story! I hope that Paislee would end up with Elgort. It just seems their relationship can still happen, but then Gage seems to be the right one for her as well... Looking forward to seeing more of this story.
I really like the main character Paislee. She's so smart and loves the cemetery and learning about those who resides there. While others would be too scared or weirded out to even hangout there. But she's totally happy there and chill. This story revolves around solving a Murder mystery. It's very entertaining. I am fascinated by the whole "morbid and macabre". I find anything scary or creepy to be awesome actually. And this story has so much depth to it. I don't want to give any spoilers. But i really enjoyed reading this. Good story! I hope that Paislee would end up with Elgort. It just seems their relationship can still happen, but then Gage seems to be the right one for her as well... Looking forward to seeing more of this story.
November 7, 2019
This was an amazing start to a new series! Paislee lives in a small town called Pine Grove that has a weird history with many gaps. When a classmate turns up dead, the mayor enlists her to help discover a past secret that could ruin his re-election. With her curious and determined personality and the need of a recommendation letter for college, she dives head first into the case with some friendly competition. This book was unique, yet familiar in ways and I absolutely loved every word of it! Paislee’s family is very different- her parents are coroners, her brother Nat helps them and loves to cook, her sister Mitzy is funny and throws up at the taste of alcohol, and she loves anthology, death, and history. Paislee seems to have her whole life planned out and she doesn’t want anything to make her stray from her path. She has a unique outlook on death and it was refreshing and not depressing. I found it extremely cool that she talks to the deceased people in her graveyard like they’re long lost friends and cares about who they used to be. Her best friend Raimy is a journalist trying to make a name for herself and supports her through the entire case and Gage, her frenemy, is cute and technology savvy. I’m not too fond of the love triangle (mainly because I just don’t care for Elgort) and I hope it dissipates throughout the series. The mayor is very sketchy and it seems that everyone is hiding one thing or another. I love how well developed Katie made this town and it’s characters- the past and present, living and dead. I can’t wait to continue this series and see what other mysteries Paislee and her crew uncover!
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
July 16, 2020
A body at the lake turns young Paislee’s thoughts from college admission to investigation in a heartbeat. Reared by an undertaker and a coroner, Paislee is comfortable with the dead and her favorite place to hang out is the local cemetery visiting with the graves of those long since passed. She also enjoys helping her father work on cold cases using her historical and cemetery research hobbies to solve the cases. But now, the mayor is in an election year and wants the cased solved swiftly so he brings together Paislee with a surprising partner who uses tech to work on a case that is definitely not cold.
Bones and Drones was an engaging surprise. I liked the idea of a teen who is not typical by any stretch working to solve a murder. Well, she is typical in some ways since she thinks and acts her age, but has a unique skill set and interests which her supportive parents encourage. This was right up my alley because I grew up with similar interests- at least in cemeteries and town histories.
The story is a mystery at the core, but the mystery is only one of the elements. This is also a teenager’s life story, too. Paislee in transition to college, figuring out relationships with guys, navigating home life, prepping for her career, and learning to be part of a team.
At first, I was enjoying the story, but felt it was only moderately engaging. For me, the entrance of her partner-competition in solving the case, Gage, was the element needed to make the story have some sparkle. Paislee seemed to have things her own way because she is unique, but now she is forced to learn that another person has connected interests and can contribute strongly. It was fun seeing Gage confuse and amuse her out of her Lone Ranger attitude that included a sense of superiority.
The mystery itself stayed background to the set up of the story for the longest time, but it all built to those riveting moments near the end. I had no idea who or why and could only follow along. Things are left dangling, but this is a series that progresses the story into the next book.
Carrie Coello is a new to me narrator. She was a perfect match for a teen girl main character and a wide range of voices from both genders surrounding Paislee. She nails the tone and paced the story well especially as it got near the end. The book was enhanced by her audio work.
In summary, it was an amusing coming of age blended with small town murder mystery that will continue on in a series of books. I can definitely recommend it to YA mystery fans.
Bones and Drones was an engaging surprise. I liked the idea of a teen who is not typical by any stretch working to solve a murder. Well, she is typical in some ways since she thinks and acts her age, but has a unique skill set and interests which her supportive parents encourage. This was right up my alley because I grew up with similar interests- at least in cemeteries and town histories.
The story is a mystery at the core, but the mystery is only one of the elements. This is also a teenager’s life story, too. Paislee in transition to college, figuring out relationships with guys, navigating home life, prepping for her career, and learning to be part of a team.
At first, I was enjoying the story, but felt it was only moderately engaging. For me, the entrance of her partner-competition in solving the case, Gage, was the element needed to make the story have some sparkle. Paislee seemed to have things her own way because she is unique, but now she is forced to learn that another person has connected interests and can contribute strongly. It was fun seeing Gage confuse and amuse her out of her Lone Ranger attitude that included a sense of superiority.
The mystery itself stayed background to the set up of the story for the longest time, but it all built to those riveting moments near the end. I had no idea who or why and could only follow along. Things are left dangling, but this is a series that progresses the story into the next book.
Carrie Coello is a new to me narrator. She was a perfect match for a teen girl main character and a wide range of voices from both genders surrounding Paislee. She nails the tone and paced the story well especially as it got near the end. The book was enhanced by her audio work.
In summary, it was an amusing coming of age blended with small town murder mystery that will continue on in a series of books. I can definitely recommend it to YA mystery fans.
August 9, 2020
I'm glad I got the chance to read Bones and Drones because it really is an interesting story. I enjoyed reading this but I think it's mainly geared towards the younger crowds? so I think it's suitable for those who loves and enjoy reading YA books. It’s an easy read— definitely suitable for readers who are just starting to try reading thicker books. A lot of spelling errors here and there but overall, it’s fine and it has an interesting storyline!!
The story goes around the life of Paislee, a teenage girl turning 18 years old. So from there, it's mostly on her having this 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘥, 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 feelings towards this boy she's getting to know with and it also goes around with Paislee's feelings towards her ex-boyfriend. I was excited and expected a lot more of sherlock investigations, but there weren't much. So I guess, I like it but, I do wish there could be more on the sherlock investigation-ish going on 🤩.
I love the characters though, I mostly love Paislee's family. I kind of wish Paislee is a bit more friendly to them (lmao). I also really like Gage!! I think he’s very nicely written, this smooth dude who’s all cool and ya know. and I wish to read more on him!! Maybe there’s more on Gage in the second book of the series, I guess?
The story goes around the life of Paislee, a teenage girl turning 18 years old. So from there, it's mostly on her having this 𝘸𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘥, 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 feelings towards this boy she's getting to know with and it also goes around with Paislee's feelings towards her ex-boyfriend. I was excited and expected a lot more of sherlock investigations, but there weren't much. So I guess, I like it but, I do wish there could be more on the sherlock investigation-ish going on 🤩.
I love the characters though, I mostly love Paislee's family. I kind of wish Paislee is a bit more friendly to them (lmao). I also really like Gage!! I think he’s very nicely written, this smooth dude who’s all cool and ya know. and I wish to read more on him!! Maybe there’s more on Gage in the second book of the series, I guess?
April 21, 2020
Paislee is nearly eighteen and lives in a small town with her siblings where her mom runs the family business (funeral director) and dad is the Medical Examiner and she wants a career in forensic anthropology. She also has the habit of communing with nature in the cemetery, works with the mayor's office on historical records and has an uncanny gift for forensic facial reconstruction from skulls. There is a very well done mystery complete with twists, red herrings, and excellently well drawn characters which I enjoyed, but I really geeked out on the forensics and the info on early photography and tintypes.
Carrie Coello was inspired as narrator!
I won this audiobook in a giveaway!
Carrie Coello was inspired as narrator!
I won this audiobook in a giveaway!
December 23, 2019
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook on audible this week. It is the first book in a quirky YA mystery series. My favorite part was the interesting characters and the clever one-liners. Example: “Raisin cookies that look like chocolate chip cookies are the main reason I have trust issues.” Same!
The characters who live in the town are fascinating and I would love to learn more about each one of them. There are a lot of characters introduced in the beginning and I did lose track of who was who at first, but that could have been because I was listening to it on audiobook.
This is the start to a new series, which I didn’t realize until the audiobook ended and I thought, wait, there's more mysteries to solve here! The town and the people in it are so amusing, I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
All in all a fun YA small town mystery that was compelling enough to make me want to read more in this series. 4/5
Thank you so much to the narrator Carrie Coello @elderberrytales for a free review copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.
The characters who live in the town are fascinating and I would love to learn more about each one of them. There are a lot of characters introduced in the beginning and I did lose track of who was who at first, but that could have been because I was listening to it on audiobook.
This is the start to a new series, which I didn’t realize until the audiobook ended and I thought, wait, there's more mysteries to solve here! The town and the people in it are so amusing, I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
All in all a fun YA small town mystery that was compelling enough to make me want to read more in this series. 4/5
Thank you so much to the narrator Carrie Coello @elderberrytales for a free review copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.
October 1, 2019
This is book one of the Bones & Drones: A Pine Grove Mystery series and while you may think of it as a weird combination of words for a title, as you read the book, it all makes perfect sense. The main character is a girl called Paislee Grimes and her idea of a peaceful place to go, is the local cemetery, which is just across the street from her home in Pine Grove, Connecticut. This isn’t quite so odd when you realise that their home is also the local undertakers and her parents are the local undertaker and coroner.
She loves to research the past of the many tombstones she classes almost as best friends. There is one in particular, that she will often sit and have conversations with on a regular basis. She has been putting together a history of the town and the part each of the people buried in this cemetery were part of. Not just their names and dates of birth and death, but what their role was and what they did. She has applied for colleges and has to decide on which one to attend and this is her last summer at her home, before she leaves for college, hoping to study forensic anthropology.
After a recent flood and heavy deluge of water, part of the cemetery was destroyed and a skull was unearthed. Paislee has a talent for putting faces to skulls and has been called upon to do this in the past. She is having problems with this latest skull and so carries the skull around with her, everywhere she goes. She takes great comfort in this and the graveyard. One of her close friends who doesn’t take her as strange is a boy called Elgort, who will hopefully appear more in the next book.
She tells him she isn’t into him in the same way he is, as she doesn’t want to have a relationship start just before she was to leave for college, as most long distance relationships don’t make it. He doesn’t take this well and storms off angrily. Shortly after, her father and her are requested to help with the case of a body found down by the lake. Something she has been doing for the police department for a while, when they need help. When Paislee first sees the back of the body, she thinks it is Elgort, as they are dressed as he was the previous night. Fortunately for her it isn’t, but it is the young football star from the high school.
Someone has murdered him and she and her father have to work out how he was killed and help the sheriff find out who killed this boy. Her years helping out her father, have helped her rationalise death and normally most bodies would not bother her. The close connection makes this hard for her. A note left on the body ties the murder to the founders of the town and Paislee’s research and previous experience is thought to be of assistance in solving this case. At the funeral she bumps into Gage, a really popular boy at school, who she had a crush on, but never seemed to notice her. He tells her he can help find the graves of the founders, which are not marked and may not even be in either of the local cemeteries.
Paislee doubts he can find something that she has been researching for years and she already has plans of all the grave locations for the cemetery across from her home. Gage however, has a different plan and it involves a drone that he basically built from scratch for himself. He shows her how it can be used with different settings and filters to see where the ground has been disturbed and what might be underneath. A lot like how old cities are now being mapped from the air, even through dense jungle. They begin to get close as they spend days together looking for the founder’s graves and trying to find out who the murderer is.
A very unusual background for the main character and I can’t wait to see what she will get up to next and what will happen with Gage and Elgort. Her interest in the dead and its normal part in the journey of life, is really well laid out and makes for a really interesting character. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will certainly be looking out for more. If you love quirky characters and a bit of crime investigation, you will love this book. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
She loves to research the past of the many tombstones she classes almost as best friends. There is one in particular, that she will often sit and have conversations with on a regular basis. She has been putting together a history of the town and the part each of the people buried in this cemetery were part of. Not just their names and dates of birth and death, but what their role was and what they did. She has applied for colleges and has to decide on which one to attend and this is her last summer at her home, before she leaves for college, hoping to study forensic anthropology.
After a recent flood and heavy deluge of water, part of the cemetery was destroyed and a skull was unearthed. Paislee has a talent for putting faces to skulls and has been called upon to do this in the past. She is having problems with this latest skull and so carries the skull around with her, everywhere she goes. She takes great comfort in this and the graveyard. One of her close friends who doesn’t take her as strange is a boy called Elgort, who will hopefully appear more in the next book.
She tells him she isn’t into him in the same way he is, as she doesn’t want to have a relationship start just before she was to leave for college, as most long distance relationships don’t make it. He doesn’t take this well and storms off angrily. Shortly after, her father and her are requested to help with the case of a body found down by the lake. Something she has been doing for the police department for a while, when they need help. When Paislee first sees the back of the body, she thinks it is Elgort, as they are dressed as he was the previous night. Fortunately for her it isn’t, but it is the young football star from the high school.
Someone has murdered him and she and her father have to work out how he was killed and help the sheriff find out who killed this boy. Her years helping out her father, have helped her rationalise death and normally most bodies would not bother her. The close connection makes this hard for her. A note left on the body ties the murder to the founders of the town and Paislee’s research and previous experience is thought to be of assistance in solving this case. At the funeral she bumps into Gage, a really popular boy at school, who she had a crush on, but never seemed to notice her. He tells her he can help find the graves of the founders, which are not marked and may not even be in either of the local cemeteries.
Paislee doubts he can find something that she has been researching for years and she already has plans of all the grave locations for the cemetery across from her home. Gage however, has a different plan and it involves a drone that he basically built from scratch for himself. He shows her how it can be used with different settings and filters to see where the ground has been disturbed and what might be underneath. A lot like how old cities are now being mapped from the air, even through dense jungle. They begin to get close as they spend days together looking for the founder’s graves and trying to find out who the murderer is.
A very unusual background for the main character and I can’t wait to see what she will get up to next and what will happen with Gage and Elgort. Her interest in the dead and its normal part in the journey of life, is really well laid out and makes for a really interesting character. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will certainly be looking out for more. If you love quirky characters and a bit of crime investigation, you will love this book. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
January 29, 2021
The whole plot is ridiculous. It’s got a Scooby Doo mystery kind of vibe and you get the clues but for how long it takes to get the clues and the lack of character development and interaction setting and grammar really makes it not worth reading.
It’s set in a small rural town like really small. So small that the 17-year-old high school senior protagonist Paislee, works alongside her father and mother in the death business solving deaths preparing bodies. For some reason she also apparently has the ability to create facial components from a skull Which is my understanding takes a really long time to actually be able to do correctly and you know like maybe school. Her older brother who is 20 digs the graves and his dating her 17-year-old best friend. And for some reason although her older brother is allowed to date this young 17-year-old girl Raime who is still in high school and surprisingly is a journalist for the local paper because this town is again so small that high school students are basically adults, but Paislee can’t date anyone? Her father her mother and her brother seem to want to control her love life and monitor her every goddamn move. Then a murder happens. And now Paislee has to work with a high school classmate who’s in competition for a scholarship that she wants. Paislee and Gage want to solve this murder because apparently the town mayor said that they can’t solve it without them. And Gage is so tech savvy with drones that he has a $20,000 drone that he created that can detect what’s in the ground 8 feet deep in order to solve this murder mystery that also requires them to search a historic cemetery. Did I mention that Gage is Paislee’s best friend’s brother who she has never really talk to until today?
I won’t spoil the ending if you do choose to read it but the protagonist is put into a love triangle which isn’t much of a love triangle at all because absolutely nothing happens in this book. The murder plot is weak the investigation is weaker the characters don’t speak in a manner that befits a teenager.
Also I found 21 grammatical errors and what seemed like a few plot errors in a book that’s 270 pages long.
Get an editor.
It’s set in a small rural town like really small. So small that the 17-year-old high school senior protagonist Paislee, works alongside her father and mother in the death business solving deaths preparing bodies. For some reason she also apparently has the ability to create facial components from a skull Which is my understanding takes a really long time to actually be able to do correctly and you know like maybe school. Her older brother who is 20 digs the graves and his dating her 17-year-old best friend. And for some reason although her older brother is allowed to date this young 17-year-old girl Raime who is still in high school and surprisingly is a journalist for the local paper because this town is again so small that high school students are basically adults, but Paislee can’t date anyone? Her father her mother and her brother seem to want to control her love life and monitor her every goddamn move. Then a murder happens. And now Paislee has to work with a high school classmate who’s in competition for a scholarship that she wants. Paislee and Gage want to solve this murder because apparently the town mayor said that they can’t solve it without them. And Gage is so tech savvy with drones that he has a $20,000 drone that he created that can detect what’s in the ground 8 feet deep in order to solve this murder mystery that also requires them to search a historic cemetery. Did I mention that Gage is Paislee’s best friend’s brother who she has never really talk to until today?
I won’t spoil the ending if you do choose to read it but the protagonist is put into a love triangle which isn’t much of a love triangle at all because absolutely nothing happens in this book. The murder plot is weak the investigation is weaker the characters don’t speak in a manner that befits a teenager.
Also I found 21 grammatical errors and what seemed like a few plot errors in a book that’s 270 pages long.
Get an editor.
September 27, 2019
I enjoyed this book. I felt that it was a little hard to connect with the main character but I still enjoyed reading her. I liked that this was geared towards a younger crowd and was very clean. I was definitely not expecting the ending and who the killer was. I love the family aspect of this story and how they all help each other out with the business.
I enjoyed the characters and thought the relationship/partnership between Paislee and Gage was interesting. I’m really curious to see what happens in book 2 with them. I thought Elgort was also an interesting character but almost had no point to the story. He was there in the beginning and then randomly thrown in during the book and was back right at the end. He almost didn’t do much for me so I wonder if he will show up in the second one.
This ending left a few questions in my mind so I’m excited for Brooms & Tombs and the next adventure.
I enjoyed the characters and thought the relationship/partnership between Paislee and Gage was interesting. I’m really curious to see what happens in book 2 with them. I thought Elgort was also an interesting character but almost had no point to the story. He was there in the beginning and then randomly thrown in during the book and was back right at the end. He almost didn’t do much for me so I wonder if he will show up in the second one.
This ending left a few questions in my mind so I’m excited for Brooms & Tombs and the next adventure.
October 25, 2019
I agree there was a lot of backstory in the beginning, but I really enjoyed it: it was… comforting. Maybe I’m just missing New England at this time of year (give it a few more weeks and I’ll have that out of my system) so I was fond of the stage setting, and I never felt it dragged or was slodgey.
Unlike a few books that disappointed me lately by trying to be too clever for their own good (and instead, just being jarring and weird), this story let its characters and brilliance speak for itself, giving you a chance to connect with people and place - and I did.
There are a few places toward the middle that flowed a little less well - or I'm easily distracted today, both are possible! - but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.
I liked Paislee and am excited to start the second book.
Unlike a few books that disappointed me lately by trying to be too clever for their own good (and instead, just being jarring and weird), this story let its characters and brilliance speak for itself, giving you a chance to connect with people and place - and I did.
There are a few places toward the middle that flowed a little less well - or I'm easily distracted today, both are possible! - but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story.
I liked Paislee and am excited to start the second book.
August 15, 2019
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This isn’t the type of book I’d usually read, I’m more of a fantasy girl. I really enjoyed this book though, it was a quick read, that was easy to get into.
I was drawn in by the fact that this was considered to be like Gilmore Girls, and that was enough to make me want to read it. It had a lot of pop culture references, and had a lovely ‘small town, close-knit family’ kind of feel to this story.
I felt like the characters were very fleshed out and all had great, and unique personalities.
While this was a little slow for me in some places, I can’t wait for book two. My hope is that maybe there will be some more of Paislee and Gage interactions. I’d love to see them together! 🤞
This isn’t the type of book I’d usually read, I’m more of a fantasy girl. I really enjoyed this book though, it was a quick read, that was easy to get into.
I was drawn in by the fact that this was considered to be like Gilmore Girls, and that was enough to make me want to read it. It had a lot of pop culture references, and had a lovely ‘small town, close-knit family’ kind of feel to this story.
I felt like the characters were very fleshed out and all had great, and unique personalities.
While this was a little slow for me in some places, I can’t wait for book two. My hope is that maybe there will be some more of Paislee and Gage interactions. I’d love to see them together! 🤞
October 1, 2019
This story started out full of details and very slow for me. It was a bit tedious to get though but after about six chapters (only 12%) I was greatful for that information and the story really took off.
I loved the idea of a young adult finding their groove in life so early and that her parents not only encouraged it but helped her whenever possible. This is a great story for those interested in Halloween, murder mysteries, science, fun and quirky families, coming of age stories and just plain well written enjoyable reads. I won’t give anything away, it is far too much fun to find out by reading, I will just say that this was a wonderful story and I am jumping into book two! I highly recommend this for all ages. I received an ARC and a leaving an honest review. 4.5 stars.
I loved the idea of a young adult finding their groove in life so early and that her parents not only encouraged it but helped her whenever possible. This is a great story for those interested in Halloween, murder mysteries, science, fun and quirky families, coming of age stories and just plain well written enjoyable reads. I won’t give anything away, it is far too much fun to find out by reading, I will just say that this was a wonderful story and I am jumping into book two! I highly recommend this for all ages. I received an ARC and a leaving an honest review. 4.5 stars.
September 18, 2019
First of all I don't give many books 5 stars - they really have to stick with me and be special and, for reasons I can't really put my finger on, this is that kind of book. I'd classify it as a YA cozy mystery but it's definitely not typical. I love the small town feel where everyone knows everyone but nobody's too far into your business that this has. Paislee is a fun character to get to know, as are most of the other characters that are introduced. I like the idea that we'll get to known most of these characters better since there are more books coming, and not just Paislee. Can't wait for book 2! Bring on the next mystery!
September 30, 2019
I really loved the idea of this book, and I'm very excited that it lived up to my expectations! I loved how weird Paislee was. She was very into her own thing and quirky, I really enjoyed reading about her. The setting of this book is like a spooky lovers dream! I was immediately drawn into the setting and story. I then became fully immersed in the story and could not put it down! Bones & Drones is a fun, spooky read that's perfect for fall!
October 3, 2019
Good start to a YA cozy mystery series. It took me a chapter of two to get really into this book but once I did it was great. I love the quirkiness of the MC and her family....I meant who buys a cemetery plot and headstone for their child's birthday? Such a fun and quirky world the author has built. She has definitely taken cozy mystery outside of the box, and man, what a ride! Did I mention, I finished it in a just a few hours.
September 25, 2019
I really liked this book. I thought Paislee was a great character and I loved her interest in the history of those who have passed away in the towns cemetery's. I can't wait for book two! I am really looking forward to see how Paislee's relationship progresses with everyone in the book.
October 16, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book. The setting was quaint, the characters were entertaining, and the storyline was clever. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
May 14, 2020
I requested a free copy of this book from the website Audiobooks Unleashed in exchange for a unbiased review and though this book is a little out of my comfort range, I was quite glad I did.
Bones & Drones is the first in a continuing series of books detailing the adventures of Paislee Grimes around the town of Pine Grove, Connecticut. Paislee is the towns Nancy Drew, though she has a lot more in common with forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan from another series of books.
Paislee, or Temperance Jr. as I came to think of her, is the daughter of a mortician and a medical examiner and lives in the grounds of the local cemetery so she is, as you'd expect, literally surrounded by death. Her best friends include Raimy, the local wannabe-journalist, Elgort, track star and wannabe-boyfriend, and Sarah, a two-hundred year dead girl who is her main confidant.
Paislee wants to catalogue the unknown graves of the old cemetery, giving names to those who have been forgotten and weaving them in with the history of the town. She wants to bring life back to the dead and in this way she want to honour them; but there are more pressing concerns when a local boy turns up dead and everyone in the small town seems implicated.
What unfolds in Bones & Drones is a cosy mystery not unlike the Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books many of us read in our youths. However the stories main concern isn't a weaving narrative of intrigue but rather Paislee's life and how the tragedy affects it. There's more than a little soap-opera in Bones & Drones and normally this would have rapidly made me loose interest in the book; but with this one it didn't.
Bones & Drones true strength isn't in the mystery of its story-line, its in the unfolding mystery of youth growing into adulthood that many of the characters are experiencing. The reader is discovering things about Paislee, Raimy, Elgort and, yes, even Sarah that feel real and has gravitas. Despite the book being labelled as a Young Adult book there's none of the juvenile outbursts we often see in such work, rather we see characters trying to understand their abilities and limits while these vie against their dreams and needs.
K. A. Goodsell has managed to create a collection of extremely likeable characters that manage to transcend the story itself, the murder plot often falling into the background as Paislee's life overtook it in importance to the reader. What became important wasn't necessarily if and when the perpetrator was brought to justice, but how this would affect those around Paislee when it happened.
If you are looking for a hard hitting thriller then Bones & Drones is about as far away from that as you can get, but if you like tales that are character-driven where you'll want to read to the end not to get to a conclusion but rather just for the act of knowing more, then this book might just be for you.
Personally I have decided to continue with Paislee's journey with the second book.
I have to congratulate K. A. Goodsell on a great book, as well as thank Audiobooks Unleashed for introducing me to her.
To conclude I have to point out the one negative concerning the book. Unfortunately there are at least three narration errors that managed to bypass the editor, one of them pretty big, spoiling a great narration from Carrie Coello. This isn't a deal-breaker but it did irritate me quite a lot when I heard them as they were all pretty close together and I didn't feel right posting this without commenting on them.
Bones & Drones is the first in a continuing series of books detailing the adventures of Paislee Grimes around the town of Pine Grove, Connecticut. Paislee is the towns Nancy Drew, though she has a lot more in common with forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan from another series of books.
Paislee, or Temperance Jr. as I came to think of her, is the daughter of a mortician and a medical examiner and lives in the grounds of the local cemetery so she is, as you'd expect, literally surrounded by death. Her best friends include Raimy, the local wannabe-journalist, Elgort, track star and wannabe-boyfriend, and Sarah, a two-hundred year dead girl who is her main confidant.
Paislee wants to catalogue the unknown graves of the old cemetery, giving names to those who have been forgotten and weaving them in with the history of the town. She wants to bring life back to the dead and in this way she want to honour them; but there are more pressing concerns when a local boy turns up dead and everyone in the small town seems implicated.
What unfolds in Bones & Drones is a cosy mystery not unlike the Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books many of us read in our youths. However the stories main concern isn't a weaving narrative of intrigue but rather Paislee's life and how the tragedy affects it. There's more than a little soap-opera in Bones & Drones and normally this would have rapidly made me loose interest in the book; but with this one it didn't.
Bones & Drones true strength isn't in the mystery of its story-line, its in the unfolding mystery of youth growing into adulthood that many of the characters are experiencing. The reader is discovering things about Paislee, Raimy, Elgort and, yes, even Sarah that feel real and has gravitas. Despite the book being labelled as a Young Adult book there's none of the juvenile outbursts we often see in such work, rather we see characters trying to understand their abilities and limits while these vie against their dreams and needs.
K. A. Goodsell has managed to create a collection of extremely likeable characters that manage to transcend the story itself, the murder plot often falling into the background as Paislee's life overtook it in importance to the reader. What became important wasn't necessarily if and when the perpetrator was brought to justice, but how this would affect those around Paislee when it happened.
If you are looking for a hard hitting thriller then Bones & Drones is about as far away from that as you can get, but if you like tales that are character-driven where you'll want to read to the end not to get to a conclusion but rather just for the act of knowing more, then this book might just be for you.
Personally I have decided to continue with Paislee's journey with the second book.
I have to congratulate K. A. Goodsell on a great book, as well as thank Audiobooks Unleashed for introducing me to her.
To conclude I have to point out the one negative concerning the book. Unfortunately there are at least three narration errors that managed to bypass the editor, one of them pretty big, spoiling a great narration from Carrie Coello. This isn't a deal-breaker but it did irritate me quite a lot when I heard them as they were all pretty close together and I didn't feel right posting this without commenting on them.
January 26, 2020
This was a great start to a new series. Paislee is the teen historian of the town who assists the police department and the coroner, who is her father, in solving a crime. She is paired with another boy, Gage, who is also studying forensics but from a different angle which is through the use of drones. They work together to try to figure out the link between a classmates murder and one of the towns missing founders.
I liked the macabre comedy of the funeral home and Paislee’s odd family. The love/hate relationship between her and Gage works well as does their witty banter. The one thing I couldn’t stand was Elgort. First of all, he was boring. We didn’t really get to know him. He was one dimensional. Secondly, that name! Every time the narrator said it I would cringe and say “Why? Why choose such a random weird name?” It just didn’t work for me. It was almost distractingly weird. It didn’t have any historical context in the town or at least none that was noted. On top of that, I looked it up because I was curious and it’s a surname. It’s not even used as a first name. Maybe the author is just an Ansel Elgort fan and thought Ansel was too common. Anyway, name rant over. Sorry for the detour.
The ending was satisfying. There were a few red herrings in there throughout to through you off the trail and I totally love that. I liked that I didn’t suspect the actual killer until close to the very end. There were two big mysteries to solve in this book if you don’t count the skull that Paislee carries. Essentially only one was solved. I didn’t mind it though. It just makes me want to read the next book more.
The narrator did a really nice job. She really brought the story to life. She infused the characters with a lot of feeling and emotion. She managed to make each of their personalities really show through.
Overall, this was an amusing new mystery series. I’m excited to continue on to the next book. 4 stars.
I liked the macabre comedy of the funeral home and Paislee’s odd family. The love/hate relationship between her and Gage works well as does their witty banter. The one thing I couldn’t stand was Elgort. First of all, he was boring. We didn’t really get to know him. He was one dimensional. Secondly, that name! Every time the narrator said it I would cringe and say “Why? Why choose such a random weird name?” It just didn’t work for me. It was almost distractingly weird. It didn’t have any historical context in the town or at least none that was noted. On top of that, I looked it up because I was curious and it’s a surname. It’s not even used as a first name. Maybe the author is just an Ansel Elgort fan and thought Ansel was too common. Anyway, name rant over. Sorry for the detour.
The ending was satisfying. There were a few red herrings in there throughout to through you off the trail and I totally love that. I liked that I didn’t suspect the actual killer until close to the very end. There were two big mysteries to solve in this book if you don’t count the skull that Paislee carries. Essentially only one was solved. I didn’t mind it though. It just makes me want to read the next book more.
The narrator did a really nice job. She really brought the story to life. She infused the characters with a lot of feeling and emotion. She managed to make each of their personalities really show through.
Overall, this was an amusing new mystery series. I’m excited to continue on to the next book. 4 stars.
April 28, 2020
I think the biggest question I had for this story was why Elgort seemed to be the biggest suspect. He wasn’t allowed contact with Paislee until he was questioned, yet that seemed to take years. And strangely, the author never included any questioning on his part. What would have been his motive to kill? Overall, I enjoyed the story.
I think the narrator did a great job with the voices. Can I say that she annoyed me whenever she said “important,” pronounced as “import- tant” (drawing emphasis to the t’s)? In chapter 15, she had two mess-ups that were included in the audiobook. I never understand how mess-ups are never caught prior to publication/release. Mess-ups as in she forgot to delete it from the story. For example, “I was glad that my mother…” and she did one of those blah kind of noises like she wasn’t happy with how she said it. Then the next sentence (I believe), has Paislee asking, “How’s Rainy’s obit coming?” The narrator said it once, then said it again in a different tone.
Questions/Comments:
How did she not notice Elgort carrying to-go containers considering he’d been on foot?
Paislee is talking to the hair/makeup guy in the morgue. “I stared at Teddy while Chance stitched up his side near the rib cage.” One of the previous sentences described Teddy as being in a black and white suit… so if he was still getting sewn up (for what exactly?), why would he have a suit on already?
Paislee is at Rainy’s brother’s house (I forgot his name) and decides to make pancakes for them. Of course, a young, single male would have buttermilk in his fridge.
Elgort sends Paislee a message saying he left something for her with Sarah. Why was she surprised it was a b-day gift when he was her best friend?
The police had taken Paislee’s car to check her dashcam footage. Why did it take so long before it was returned?
I received a free audiobook version in exchange for an honest review.
I think the narrator did a great job with the voices. Can I say that she annoyed me whenever she said “important,” pronounced as “import- tant” (drawing emphasis to the t’s)? In chapter 15, she had two mess-ups that were included in the audiobook. I never understand how mess-ups are never caught prior to publication/release. Mess-ups as in she forgot to delete it from the story. For example, “I was glad that my mother…” and she did one of those blah kind of noises like she wasn’t happy with how she said it. Then the next sentence (I believe), has Paislee asking, “How’s Rainy’s obit coming?” The narrator said it once, then said it again in a different tone.
Questions/Comments:
How did she not notice Elgort carrying to-go containers considering he’d been on foot?
Paislee is talking to the hair/makeup guy in the morgue. “I stared at Teddy while Chance stitched up his side near the rib cage.” One of the previous sentences described Teddy as being in a black and white suit… so if he was still getting sewn up (for what exactly?), why would he have a suit on already?
Paislee is at Rainy’s brother’s house (I forgot his name) and decides to make pancakes for them. Of course, a young, single male would have buttermilk in his fridge.
Elgort sends Paislee a message saying he left something for her with Sarah. Why was she surprised it was a b-day gift when he was her best friend?
The police had taken Paislee’s car to check her dashcam footage. Why did it take so long before it was returned?
I received a free audiobook version in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2020
I loved this book. Paislee is a 17 year old girl who lives in a small town, Pine Grove. She has been surrounded by death her whole life; her mother is the town funeral director, her father is the medical examine and she wants to study forensic anthropology. So yeah she is very comfortable with death.. That is until one of her classmates is found dead. She teams up with Gage who has never really spoken to her. They form a really adorable friendship as they work on the case together. I am very intrigued by both of these characters. Paislee is unapologetic in her love for the macabre. She is a very smart and ambitious girl and I can't wait to see what happens next for her. Gage is actually a lot like Paislee in his ambition. He wants to create drones that will change investigations. I loved that both of these young characters know what they want and go for it!
If you enjoy a good mystery and characters that you will instantly fall in love with, then I highly, highly recommend this book.
I listened to the audiobook and Carrie Coello was a phenomenal narrator. I think she captured Paislee's inner voice perfectly.
The author kindly gave me the audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you enjoy a good mystery and characters that you will instantly fall in love with, then I highly, highly recommend this book.
I listened to the audiobook and Carrie Coello was a phenomenal narrator. I think she captured Paislee's inner voice perfectly.
The author kindly gave me the audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 28, 2020
Bones and Drones is a YA mystery novel, that follows Paislee a 17-year-old teenager who loves nothing more than spending time in her local cemetery in Pine Grove. History is a favourite topic of hers. Her dream is to go to Vale University to study to be a forensic anthropologist. One morning, there is news of a murder in the small town. The mayor has asked for Paislee to get involved because of her tremendous knowledge of the area. She agrees as she needs a letter of recommendation from the Mayor to get into her preferred university. With her dad the local coroner, Paislee visits the site of the murder and soon regrets the decision after finding her classmate face down in the lake. Determined to find out who killed her peer, Paislee dives headfirst into the investigation and teams up with her best friends’ brother to find the murderer. There are suspects are everywhere and clues littered throughout the sleepy town.
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Bones and Drones, it was a really pleasant experience. I enjoyed the storyline and the pacing of the book and thought the choice of narrator was spot on. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a YA mystery/contemporary.
I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of Bones and Drones, it was a really pleasant experience. I enjoyed the storyline and the pacing of the book and thought the choice of narrator was spot on. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a YA mystery/contemporary.
May 12, 2020
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
This is a very captivating YA cozy mystery. The MC Paislee is a teenager who likes to hang out in cemeteries talking to the dead [no ghosts, just headstones]; has a father who is a medical examiner and a mother who is a funeral director [they own a funeral parlor] ; has a penchant for her town's history and forensics; on occasion, helps her father investigate death cases; loves to read; and loves forensic anthropology. Paislee and her family were really likeable, relatable in their interactions and very quirky. On top of that, Paislee has all of the other issues of a typical teenager - college applications/acceptance, romance/dating, and getting her recommendation letter from the mayor. Overall, all of the characters in this story were well-drawn and interesting. I enjoyed the mystery - with several red herrings. But, most of all, I just enjoyed spending time with this oddball group of characters.
The narrator, Carrie Coello, made the story a fun listen.
This is a very captivating YA cozy mystery. The MC Paislee is a teenager who likes to hang out in cemeteries talking to the dead [no ghosts, just headstones]; has a father who is a medical examiner and a mother who is a funeral director [they own a funeral parlor] ; has a penchant for her town's history and forensics; on occasion, helps her father investigate death cases; loves to read; and loves forensic anthropology. Paislee and her family were really likeable, relatable in their interactions and very quirky. On top of that, Paislee has all of the other issues of a typical teenager - college applications/acceptance, romance/dating, and getting her recommendation letter from the mayor. Overall, all of the characters in this story were well-drawn and interesting. I enjoyed the mystery - with several red herrings. But, most of all, I just enjoyed spending time with this oddball group of characters.
The narrator, Carrie Coello, made the story a fun listen.
June 27, 2020
Fun Teen Murder Mystery
This story is about a senior in high school who's parents own and run the local funeral home. She's grown up with death and is completely comfortable with it until she finds herself facing her first murder scene and victim who is a boy from her own school. Other then some mild language (no f-bombs) it's a really clean read and I wouldn't have a problem with my middle school aged kids reading this one. The narrator did a great job and was definitely fun to listen to. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
*** I did notice that one of the chapters either 15 or 16 had two of three sound editing issues with repeating lines/redone lines.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
This story is about a senior in high school who's parents own and run the local funeral home. She's grown up with death and is completely comfortable with it until she finds herself facing her first murder scene and victim who is a boy from her own school. Other then some mild language (no f-bombs) it's a really clean read and I wouldn't have a problem with my middle school aged kids reading this one. The narrator did a great job and was definitely fun to listen to. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
*** I did notice that one of the chapters either 15 or 16 had two of three sound editing issues with repeating lines/redone lines.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
April 9, 2020
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request, and have voluntarily left this review. In a few months Paislee will be going off to college so she's just relaxing, waiting for her acceptance letter and solving a murder of a fellow classmate. Of course that's after she proves she isn't a suspect. For Paislee being around death is not all that strange, her mother is an undertaker and her father is a coroner, but it is very different when you know the person. A highly entertaining mystery with quirky characters and an interesting plot with lots of twists to keep you guessing until the very end. The perfect listen for a road trip.
April 14, 2020
This is a light, engaging mystery with some quite quirky, but likable, characters. It's not especially realistic, though. For instance, there's no logical reason why Paislee didn't learn the cause of death early in the investigation. The appeal of this story is not so much the mystery, but rather the interesting characters. And Carrie Coello voiced these characters amazingly well. Her performance is outstanding. I'm looking forward to more from this series.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 3, 2020
Bones and Drones
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the family in this book and all of their quirkiness they add to the story. I love mysteries but with this one having comical parts made it all the way better. The conclusion of who the murderer was so fun to watch it unfold. A great listen to pass the time.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the family in this book and all of their quirkiness they add to the story. I love mysteries but with this one having comical parts made it all the way better. The conclusion of who the murderer was so fun to watch it unfold. A great listen to pass the time.
October 29, 2020
Actually...this is quite a good who dun it, l was interested thru the first half and totally committed thru the remainder. It was cleverly done and l didn't guess the culprits identity. In audiobook form it was nicely narrated. loved the cemetery.
Recommended clean mystery suitable for teenage to old age.
Recommended clean mystery suitable for teenage to old age.
November 17, 2021
This is the beginning of a great new series! Paisley is the daughter od death.Well,not really,but her parents run a mortuary and she spends a lot of time in cemetaries. She and a boy are teamed against each other to find a body.With her knowledge and his drone,it should be a cinch! Excellent narration.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 7, 2020
A murder mystery in a small town. However, the go to person to solve the problem is a 17 year old girl, with a very strange family background, that gives her a head start on forensic evidence.
A different type of story!
A different type of story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews