A Broken Bone

Widow's Island #6

by Melinda Leigh

The mysterious death of a local teen leads to a hunt for a killer in the sixth Widow’s Island novella by #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh.

On Widow’s Island, the secrets are dark…and everybody has one. So when Deputy Tessa Black responds to a call about an explosion in a quiet neighborhood, she gets more than she bargained for: the body of a teen who went missing weeks ago.

Until recently, Gavin was living in a reputable foster home. But now that he is found dead—Tessa can’t help but wonder if sinister forces are at play. Who would want to hurt him, and why?

With the help of her partner, Park Ranger Logan Wilde, Tessa tries desperately to decipher what happened to Gavin before another life is cut short. Someone on Widow’s Island knows the explosive truth. Will Tessa find the answers she needs before someone else turns up dead?

Genres: Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Fiction, Novella, Crime, Romance, Audiobook

104 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 3, 2020

About the author

#1 Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker who learned that writing books is way more fun than analyzing financial statements. Melinda’s debut novel, SHE CAN RUN, was nominated for Best First Novel by the International Thriller Writers. Since then, she has garnered numerous writing accolades, including two RITA® Award nominations and an induction into the NJ Romance Writers Hall of Fame. Her novels have sold more than 15 million copies across the world. Melinda loves martial arts, rescue dogs, and sea turtles.

WEBSITE: https://www.melindaleigh.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/melindaleighauthorpage/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MelindaLeigh1

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

When Tessa is called out on a disturbance job, she doesn't expect to find a dead body too. But who is the unknown victim, and why are there tripwires set up in the garden?

I think I've mentioned before that I'm not as keen on Tessa's stories compared to Cate's. I find they follow a much for formulaic plot, with added familial drama and traumatic pasts (although Cate does have this too) that I'm just not keen on. This plays out rather stereotypically for a police procedural. A body is found, some weird guys show up, reveals happen, the end. The story feels very repetitive this time around. We also don't really get any expansion into the island locals this time, which I have enjoyed in the past, and I was just left feeling a bit emotionless about the whole thing.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The titles of this series are novellas, and I'd love them to be much longer. It is enjoyable that in a slow but steady process you can see the main character and those closest to her develop over the course of the series. There is not really much romance in these, but if you enjoy a nice and neat whodunit this might be great for you. 5 out of 5 stars

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliott as authors after each of them appeared on question and answer sessions with Romance Writers of America's Mystery Suspense Chapter Kiss Of Death. I read one book and another until I caught on their various series.
The novellas are quick but thorough books. Don't let the word "novella" fool you. It's a solid plot with twists and turns that earns my 5 stars.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a fantastic Novella Mystery series. Each book has a murder to solve and wonderful characters to catch up on.

Deputy Tessa Black and Park Ranger Logan Wilde are having lunch when the call comes in of an explosion in a quiet residential neighborhood. They find a local lady had fallen through the rotting floor of an abandoned house into the basement. They also find a dead body in the basement as well. With decomp, the identification will have to wait on the county medical examiner. As Tessa and Logan search the house they find belongings, but they don't belong to the dead person.

The body belongs to a teen, missing for two weeks. He was a foster kid living in a good home. Now Tessa has to find out why he ran away and who killed him.

[Aristotle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tessa uncovered another dead body.

I thought island life was supposed to be a sanctuary from city life.

'In addition to being the only doctor on the island, Henry also served as coroner.'
Really? I didn't not know that.

'He dragged him in front of him using him as a shield as he pressed the muzzle of the gun into the side of his head.'
Again? These novellas sure are repetitive.

Nothing exciting. Tessa dealing with her mother who suffers from dementia was interesting.
I won book six on Goodreads giveaway so i went back and bought the other five. Are they worth it? 99 cents each ok, anything more no.

[Obsidian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually really good. I didn't see the ending coming and I liked how things came together. I am just starting to sigh about anything that shifts to Cate now. At this point, if she's not going to be a FBI agent, she can just go away. She doesn't do much besides show up at Tessa's with food and to sit with her mom.

"A Broken Bone" follows Tessa and Logan as the investigate when a dead body is found in an abandoned home. When Tessa realizes the body is of a teen boy who has gone missing, she feels responsible for not doing enough to investigate when he first went missing.

The novella hums along and I have to say that Leigh tosses in a lot of red herrings so you think the novella is going one way and then it's not. I was surprised at the murderer and liked how things ended up.

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novellas in this series are written alternatively (sort of) by Kendra Elliott and Melinda Leigh. I have usually liked the Elliott titles much better, however, this one written by Leigh, was quite good.

[Carvanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook: Narrator - Christine Williams

Either I’ve gotten used to this narrator, or she’s adjusted the inflection she gives to the voice of some of the characters. I was very pleased with this narration as I did not hear the cadence in her voice rise up and stay that way when the situation did not warrant it. Instead, I was completely caught up in the story and while it certainly wasn’t a performance that wow’d me, it didn’t make me want to stop listening. Win!





Another great little mystery that took me by surprise. This is a fast paced story and can be read or listened to within a couple of hours. I enjoy the main characters and always try to guess who the guilty person is. I’ve been unsuccessful each time.





This had a bit more storyline to the romance taking place between Tessa and Logan but the heat level is non-existent. Overall, I’m enjoying each of these books as a quick diversion in between lengthier reads/audios.

Dual POV
Safe no ow/om drama
Triggers accusations of domestic abuse
Steam 0 /5 steam level

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

t’s another beautiful day on the island until Deputy Tessa Black responds to a call about an explosion in A Broken Bone by Melinda Leigh. This is the sixth novel in the romantic suspense novella series Widow’s Island.

Tessa finds a dead body in an abandoned home. It turns out to be the body of a missing teen. Tessa’s boyfriend Park Ranger Logan Wilde aids her as they investigate.

What an interesting case. The young teen was suspected of running away from his foster family. When witnesses place him on the ferry, Tessa dismissed the case. Determined to set thing right, she investigates and uncovers something sinister.

Leigh combines suspense with island life as Tessa deals with her ailing mother, the chickens and one hot park ranger.

Suspense and a picturesque island with quirky characters held me captive. I recommend reading the previous novellas since the relationship began in early ones. Tessa is a strong character who has come a long way, and I enjoyed developments.

The Widow’s Island series offers perfect one evening reads, but I must warn you, you’ll want to devour them all. I am excited to see what comes next in Burned Bones and the Lost Bones coming this fall. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific series made up entirely of novellas from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot writing every other book. I love both authors; however, not so certain I like the format of novellas, nor the long time in between each book. But, I will read anything written by these authors.

[julia ☆ [owls reads] · Rating 4 out of 5]

#1 Close to the Bone: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#2 A Bone to Pick: ★★★★☆ | 4 stars
#3 Whisper of Bones: ★★★☆☆ | 3 stars
#4 Bred in the Bone: ★★★☆☆ | 3 stars
#5 Below the Bones: ★★★☆☆ | 3 stars

*

A Broken Bone captured my attention right from the very beginning. I really enjoyed how the mystery was set up and developed this time around--there was a lot of tension surrounding the investigation and what happened and the resolution caught me totally off guard! Big warning for child abuse, though.

It does seem like Leigh and Elliot decided to do one-off mysteries now, set in the island, after the Sam situation? I'm curious to see if that's how it's going to go for the next novellas, but that's my assumption at the moment. Not sure how I feel about it lol

[Melike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these novellas. Even though they are short, they are packed with lots of action and great writing.

[Sonia Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice. I thought the ending, when they caught the killer, was too much, it had too much of a fiction TV police show but it was a good plot and I liked the characters. The last pages, wow, those were so sweet💕.

♡♡♡

"...you can't just share half of your life. It's all or nothing."

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Broken Bone was another excellent installment in the Widow's Island series.

When Deputy Tessa Black arrives on the scene of a possible explosion, she's not sure what she'll be walking into. Finding the body of a teenager who went missing two weeks ago was the last thing she expected. With the help of her partner Park Ranger Logan Wilde, Tessa tries to trace the teen's last movements to uncover who could possibly have wanted to hurt him. Tessa and Logan will have to work fast before the killer hurts someone else.

The case surrounding Gavin, the dead teenager, was a surprising one with several twists I didn't see coming. Initially Tessa and Logan are responding to an entirely different situation when they find Gavin's body. When the pair begin to work the murder investigation, I was curious to find out how a seemingly normal teenager ended up with his body hidden in the basement of an abandoned house. The author offers up a few different suspects during the course of the investigation and I was ultimately surprised by the identity of the killer. The bulk of the action in this story is at the end and I enjoyed those scenes. The confrontation with the killer was suspenseful and overall was very well done.

Tessa continues to be a great character who is handling a lot in her life. She works as a sheriff's deputy, cares for her teenaged sister, cares for her ill mother, and is in a relationship with Logan. Tessa juggles her responsibilities well and I like that she isn't too proud to accept help from others. Her and Logan's relationship is fantastic and I like how easy things are between them. These two went from teenaged crush to friends to lovers and it's done very well. There is some great development in their relationship in this book and I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds for them. The romance in this series is on the lighter side with more of a focus on the suspense aspects for those who prefer that.

Overall I really enjoyed A Broken Bone and I'm looking forward to the release of the next book in the series, Buried Bones. I highly recommend this series for fans of romantic suspense with an emphasis on the suspense.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

This is by far the best book in the series. The perfect amount of mystery, suspense and craziness.

I wish Tessa was smarter. Where are her Seattle PD wits? Where’s her “Big City”
experience? It’s practically nonexistent. She’s more like a cop from a town of 100 people,
slow. Thankfully she didn’t ruin the entire book.

Wait until you see who the murderer is, it shocked the heck out of me. I can always count on Melinda Leigh to bring the shock and intrigue.

[Olivia's Bookish World · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not a stand alone book. I highly recommend reading the previous 5 before reading this one. In the 6th book of the Widow’s Island series we switch back to Tessa and Logan’s story. We have the usual murder to solve and I was surprised by the resolution of that problem. I didn’t figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed in the book. I really liked how Tessa and Logan’s relationship is played out and portrayed, although I was a little confused that he was consistently her back up. Maybe in his role as a forest ranger it was okay? But I digress. Logan is a companion that grounds Tessa and keeps her going. Dementia is a hard, hard disease. We had my husband’s grandmother with us for one week while arrangements were being made for her care and it was a very difficult week. We didn’t know what to expect from one moment to the next, if she would know us, if she wouldn’t and how she would react. Ms. Leigh did a good job of showing the beginnings of the disease with Tessa’s mom in this book and previous ones. I enjoyed how the book ended.

www.inthecornerofmythoughts.com

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fooled Me

This turned out to be one of my favorite books in the series. The pace and suspense was good. The mystery of what happened to the murdered foster kid kept me fully engaged. The initial encounter with the villain threw me off the scent. When the crime was solved, I was surprised by who did it. The tense exchange as they tried to apprehend him had my heart racing. I’m glad that the series continues to get better.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

I just really like Melinda Leigh’s heroines and heroes. This was another solid novella set in this crazy island. Lol.

[Shana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This FMC needs to works on her listening skills. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Both professionally and personally! 😅 Outside of that slightly annoying factor, good book!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not see that coming! Still going wow! Love this series, love this author and love that I am entertained and thought provoked. Tessa and Logan are my favorite on Widows Island and I have a sneaking suspicion down the road Suzanne is going to move me to tears, but that in the future, some day, maybe. .A Broken Bone is a mystery that deftly lays a light hand on dementia and foster care. A light romance as Logan and Tessa navigate their life together while trying to solve the disappearance of Gavin. A Bone Broken is a fast paced novella that makes you think, care and feel as you try and solve they mystery. Thank you Melinda Leigh for another great read. Thank you Montlake and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this arc. I freely volunteer my own thoughts and opinions and recommend this book to anyone who wants a fast read that takes you away.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

These novella's are just the thing to get me out of any reading slump I'm in. They're short and very well written. You get a nice little story that will grab your attention and won't make reading feel like a chore.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just another day at the office? Not on the atmospheric Widow's Island. A series of well-developed, novella-length, thrilling romantic suspenses. Set in a remote location where natural beauty, folklore, and quirky locals are the backdrop, these tales deliver on riveting plot, complex characters, and engaging relationships. Authors and narrator always bring the listener along for a fabulous story every time.

A Broken Bone is the sixth of the Widow's Island series and there is a build on what came before so in order works best.

The latest has Tessa and Logan responding to a call about a bomb going off in an abandoned house. The situation turns into a murder investigation when a decomposing body is found at the scene along with evidence that someone was squatting. I loved following the deputy and her forest ranger boyfriend along as they follow the evidence into a surprising situation. They are a great team on and off the job.

Tessa is stretched to the limit taking care of a mom with Alzheimer's a teenage sister, and a full-time job, but she is learning to lean on her friends and neighbors to let them help including Logan. She must also face up to the inevitable about her mom's growing needs. Logan is still working with his PTSD issues, but the therapy and his move home and relationship with Tessa is helping. He's ready to take on more and that includes dangerous work at Tessa's side and being in her life permanently.

The victim is a foster kid and my heart both broke and warmed for how the foster system was part of the story. There was one point where I felt such a lump of sorrow and disappointment. But, happily, a huge twist, that restored a little. The mystery was a good one.

Christine Williams told it well and infused so much energy and emotion as is usual that I was utterly captivated by her narration work.

In summary, another visit to Widow's Island made me feel part of a wonderful group in a gorgeous setting while a murder was solved satisfactorily. Those who want quick-listen fully developed romantic suspense should grab these up.

My thanks to Brilliance Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

These ones are short, but there is a lot going on in them. Tessa's life is so busy between her job and caring for her sister and mother. Sadly Tessa was faced with her mother's problems getting worse and while they were able to curb them this time, it's just a matter of time before that won't be the case. I'm glad that going forward Tessa will have help and someone to lean on with Logan, despite how he almost botched things at the end.

The crime that Tessa and Logan were working on was odd. From the start to how they found the body, to where the investigation led them, to who the bad guy was. But at least they figured things out and for some of the kids involved things will be much better.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deputy Tessa Black and her partner Park Ranger Logan Wilde respond to a call that ends up revealing the murder of a teen. Lots of red herrings in the investigation of his murder that has you as a the reader wondering who actually committed the crime.

As I said in my review of Book 5, even though this was a short story the murder investigation was contained to this book, no crossing over from Kendra's. At this stage of the series I really enjoyed that. I think this may be the last book of the series and if it is I know these two authors – Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot – will one day give is a new combined series and will look forward to that and more books from their individual series.

[Sandra R · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Well written murder/crime mystery. This novella can be read as a stand alone, as the main story is contained within the book. For me though it was way to short, although it didn't feel rushed. I'm comparing this book to the author's full length novels and it's certainly not as satisfying a read. If you're looking for romance, then there none until the last page, then it's so brief, blink and you miss it. LOL.

[Pennie Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth installment in this series and they all sorta intertwine just by characters alone. This one involves foster siblings (not related) and parents. One of the boys was reported missing and when he is found murdered the parents come under suspicion. Everyone thought the parents were the best foster parents until suddenly the tables turn and we discover it was one of the boys. A squatter took his picture and when he was caught up to all the stories fall apart.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Broken Bone

Totally worth the wait!! I am so in love with this series...I almost waited a few months to read this one because I already know I'm not going to get another fix until October of 2021 that lasted all of 3 days...

Completely safe and free of abuse. I love that these stories have just a touch of romance but that it's not the focus

[Anne Szlachcic · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have loved this series - with the Author alternating books with Kendra Elliot BUT it now seems to be fizzling out .
The book was far too short , the main characters showed little development/advancement in their storylines - I was left feeling disappointed

[Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hard to truly appreciate a short mystery as there aren’t enough words for the author to play with potential killers. As someone who likes to guess, it’s disappointing when I don’t. Still a solid installment. The narration was excellent.

[Sierra Danicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ What a quick read ! I was honestly shocked by the ending and will continue to recommend the previous novellas in the series. Action packed, light romance and touching on hard subject matters with truth behind it what more can a girl ask for?