Little Bones

by N.V. Peacock

I have three names: I was born Leigh-Ann. I became Cherrie. When I was a child, they called me Little Bones…

My father was Mr Bones – the notorious serial killer of 25 years ago.
As a child I witnessed his crimes.
Everything is different now. I have a new identity. I’m a mother. I am finally free.
Until that podcast. I should never have listened.
They’re linking a recent disappearance to the crimes of the past.
They know who I am. They’re calling me Little Bones again.
They say I’m a villain but I’m not. I’m a victim.
You believe me, don’t you?

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Psychological Thriller, Ebooks

400 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2020

About the author

Nicky lives in lovely Northamptonshire. She works full time in sales and spends her spare time writing, reading, and running a group for local writers. She started her writing career with short stories in anthologies for publishers all over the world, before turning her hand to novels. After writing 2 YA supernatural series, she decided to indulge her dark side and write an adult thriller, and hasn’t looked back since. As an avid writer, she spends every minute she can creating characters, drafting stories and plotting. Nicky writes for her readers and appreciates every review she receives; without them, she couldn’t do what she loves.

Reviews

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got lost in sea of complex, irritating thoughts one more time! I admired the plot line and the clever, intriguing premise of the story and in the beginning everything was so exciting, I was ready to be hooked and get lost in the story.

But... yes truly unlikable MC and so obviously predictable twists and outcomes destroyed my delightful thriller reading mood. It just blew away, leaving disappointment smokes in the air!

Let’s take a closer look to the story: Leigh Ann changed her name to Cherrie for the fresh start and forget her haunted nickname “ Small Bones”! Because the name is connected with her father’s last name. Mr. Bones was a brutal serial killer and Leigh Ann a.k.a Cherrie was considered as her successor. (More painful to become Logan Roy’s successor!)

The solution was simple: she is notorious killer’s daughter running away from her past but as soon as her past comes back out of nowhere and hits on her face, her secret identity slowly crumbles to reveal her true colors, only thing she can do is facing challenges and proving her innocence to the others.

Well, eventually I wanted to organize “Cherrie slapping contest” because I haven’t been introduced to annoying, irritating, happily punchable ever character for a long time! Her never ending and bickering inner thoughts made me put the book down and scream at my iPad which took the attention of the shoppers at the market who started to run away from me like avoiding a contagious mental disease! ( Notes to myself! Don’t do shopping and reading at the same time and don’t read a book about the least likable character in the public!)

And of course the slowing and repetitive pace of second half didn’t cure my irritation and frustration problem.

Overall: I really liked the premise and idea of the book but foreseeable twists, annoying characters and extremely slow, boring pace made me cut my points. I’m rounding up 2.5 stars to 3! The book has so much potential and I wish I could enjoy it more! But it stayed at Switzerland territory- neither hate it nor like it!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon UK for sharing this interesting ARC with me in exchange my honest opinions.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Crime Thriller. I enjoyed reading this book. I know it was one of two people who did it, and I really was thinking it would end up being the person that really did it. I do not think the twist was super good, but the book was good not thrilling. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Avon) or author (N.V. Peacock) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Bones by N.V. Peacock is an interesting true crime thriller. I was intrigued since the beginning of the book.

I recommend Little Bones to True Crime Thriller fans as long as having likeable characters is not important to you.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for Little Bones.

Full review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...

[Kyra Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to figure out, still a thrilling read.
Side note: polar bears are not left handed 🤣 more ambidextrous considering

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have three names: I was born Leigh-Anne. I became Cherrie. When I was a child they called me little bones. My father was Mr Bones, the notorious serial killer of twenty five years ago. As a child I witnessed his crimes. Everything is different now. I have a new identity. I'm a mother. I'm finally free. crimes of the past. They know who I am. They're calling me a villain not I'm not, I'm a victim.

When I read that premise, I knew I had to get a copy of the book. So I was grateful when NetGalley approved my request. Cherrie now lives with her boyfriend and her six year olĺd son, Robin. When a young boy is kidnapped and murdered, Robin goes missing, the local people find out who Cherrie really is. This is one of those books you can't say too much about as I don't want to spoil the story for potential readers. Just go out and get yourself a copy of this fabulous book.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AvonBooksUK and the author #NVPeacock for my ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Lyn❤Loves❤Listening to Real Voices Only!!!!❤️🎧📚 Addict ON HIATUS]

Dnf @23%

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just okay for me. The story kept me turning the pages, but it disappointed me in the resolution. It left me thinking.."Really? That's it?" I don't want to say too much and spoil anything, but it all seemed a little too contrived. On top of that, Cherrie was SO incredibly unlikable as a character. It was hard to care about what was happening to her when she brought SO much of it on herself. 🤷In fact, I am not sure there was a single likable character in this book. *shrug* So yeah...just okay.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

[daniela weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

from an easily relatable
protagonist, her broken
childhood and odd sassy
actions, a tale of podcast
exposure is witly told. ♡

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Crime Thriller. I enjoyed reading this book. I know it was one of two people who did it, and I really was thinking it would end up being the person that really did it. I do not think the twist was super good, but the book was good not thrilling. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Avon) or author (N.V. Peacock) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that. (*)

[Vonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an unusual book! The protagonist is a serial murderers daughter who was used by her father in more ways than one. When her son goes missing her background comes back into play just when she thought she had outrun it. Fast flowing, edge of the seat thrill ride. Hard to put down...I had the guilty "one" pegged 3 different times. Very well written

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Bones is the cruel nickname given to Leigh-Ann as she naively helped her father - a twisted serial killer who'd murder young boys so he could use their bones in a macabre artwork.

Twenty-five years later, Leigh now goes by the name of Cherrie.
As a recent disappearance reminds people of 'Mr. Bones', Cherries finds herself unwillingly thrust into the limelight again.

The inclusion of a 'True Crime' podcast through the narrative outs Cherrie real identity, which causes our protagonist much anxiety.

Told through Cherrie's perspective, I felt completely sympathetic to the character.
Especially as she has a son who she's tried to protect from knowing the darkly disturbing family history.

Nicely written, with enough mystery thrown in as well. I found this author first adult thriller to be engaging and tense, with some really powerful scenes.

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Bones is NV Peacock’s dark, twisty and top-class debut thriller, which puts a whole new spin on the serial killer genre. William ’Billy’ Hendry is a notorious serial killer, also known as Mr Bones, who kidnapped young boys before murdering them and boiling their bodies to use the bones in his macabre and disturbing artwork. His crimes were carried out 25 years ago and now he is incarcerated. His daughter Leigh-Ann was only 8 years old when her father used her as bait to lure young boys into the car, which scarred her and took her a long time to heal from. At age 17 Leigh-Ann decides to change her identity to kill the association with her father and escape her past; she becomes known as Cherie. She builds a new life in which she has a son, Robin, and a boyfriend named Leo who have no clue who she is. But when a young boy goes missing and Cherie starts to follow the story. She finds a podcast ’The Flesh in the Bones’ and begins listening. To her horror, they mention her new identity, place of work and her residence.

Then one evening she takes Robin to the fair and he disappears completely; she had only looked away for a second when she received a text and when she looked up he was gone. She calls the police, but when they learn exactly who she is they are unsympathetic and imply she may have killed her own son. This is a riveting, original and high tension read, which never lets up ur gives you time to breathe throughout. There are twists upon twists and the whole story of Mr Bones is a gruesome and disturbing one. I felt quite sorry for Cherie as at 8 years old she was part of her fathers killing team and feels terribly guilty that her father used her to lure boys away to be murdered. It's creepy and full of exciting developments and the cast of characters are well-wrought and believable. The truth is Cherie will never escape her past but is it fair that she is judged based on her fathers crimes? This is an entertaining, captivating and gripping read from first page to last. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Avon for an ARC.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eight-year-old Leigh-Anne has had a troubled childhood. Her mother took her own life and her father is Mr Bones a serial killer who abducted and kill young boys and used their bones for sculptures. Her father was convicted for the crimes. Leigh-Anne hasn’t seen him since. She was nicknamed Little Bones.
When Leigh-Anne turned 17 after living in foster care she changed her name to Cherrie and started a new life. Present day Cherrie now has a boyfriend and a son called Robin. When a child goes missing, somewhere someone finds out about her past because of a podcast, accusing her as the number 1 suspect and when her own child Robin goes missing the rumours spread that she has abducted and killed both boys. Like father Like daughter.
I have read a lot of books in this genre, but Little Bones has a unique, dark storyline that I enjoyed very much. There is a lot of twists and turns that kept me captivated throughout. I thought that this was an exceptionally good start for a debut novel. I can’t wait to see what the author has in store in the future.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a woman named Cherrie. She was formerly known as Leigh-Ann, daughter to a serial killer of young boys. She sought to separate her past by changing her name and starting a new life. She has a live-in boyfriend and a five-year-old son named Robin. Her father was caught when she was eight years of age so she should have been able to bury her past.

However, there is a new podcast about her father and her identity is leaked. What is more, and far worse, is there is a new disappearance. The public is calling her Little Bones again and suspect her of killing the missing child. She feverishly searches for the child, all while trying to avoid the finger pointing and stares coming her way.

What a chilling book, especially when it came to Cherrie's internal dialogue. I never liked Cherrie. Not from page one. Of course, I didn't judge her by her father's crimes, but there were things about her that ate at me while I read through the pages of this book. I was only able to give this book 3 Stars.

Many thanks to Avon Books UK and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me and I was intrigued to read it. The subject matter was a little darker than I usually like - I’m wary of stumbling across violent or disturbing images but I was ok with this. Cherrie, or ‘little bones’ is the daughter of a serial killer. As a child she played a disturbing part in luring young boys to their fate and been involved in her father’s artwork using their bones. Now as an adult her own son is missing, her secret identity is uncovered in a podcast and she is a suspect in her son’s disappearance. Although the central premise of a man killing children and using their bones in artwork is a little gory that is not what you take from this. The book is really well paced, characters are well drawn, the writing has a lovely lightness of touch and there’s some clever trails which lead you off the main route! The central character is intriguing and there’s a ‘did she, didn’t she..is she, isn’t she ..’ dialogue throughout. I could not put this down. I think it would make a very successful tv series or film. With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this book.

[Mariah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a fast moving book, and as the story develops, you sort of can guess what is going to happen next, but nothing that ruins the story, because you know where it's headed. When we find out about Cherrie and who she is, I felt like there was a hard turn in her character. More in the sense that once her past was brought to light and her secrets immediate attention of being spilled, she shows us a different side of her that appears darker than we originally thought she was and she literally flies off the handle is unrealistic ways too often.

I feel like the author really is trying to push and act like they know exactly how serial killers think. It comes off a little, 'I read a lot of books about certain serial killers because they're cool' vs criminology books. It comes off very fangirl-ish of serial killers and it sort of takes away from the story. I also don't really like that she calls her father by his nickname instead of, I don't know, maybe his real name or just use the term my dad. And she refers to herself as her serial killer daughter nickname. It's like it's trying to be drilled into your head that you can't forget her father was a serial killer. Just really over played, like we get it, her dad was Mr. Bones and shes Little Bones, you've told us that like 49 times before we're even half way through the book. The more I read, the more I don't like this book.

I had to take a 2 day break after getting to page 220. Like come on, now her husband is calling her Little Bones and shes doing this whole 'I can kill someone it's in my DNA' crap thing. The only reason I am forcing myself to finish this book is because I can't stand not finishing books.

Finishing the last 150 pages was just terrible. Cherrie is so dramatic, the ending is completely unbelievable when they find her son. No couple would act like that after being caught kidnapping a young boy. They wouldn't just let her leave and carry her son out without any fight at all.
And of course, eye roll, she's pregnant by the end of the book.
Wouldn't recommend this book.

[Mellisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child, she helped her father clean the bones of the boys he killed. He was Mr Bones, and she nicknamed Little Bones. Now Little Bones is all grown up, has a child and a new identity. Someone has found out her past, and exposed her on a podcast, blaming her for the latest boy murdered. If that wasn't bad enough, someone dressed as a skeleton has stolen her son. Is she a victim - or a villain?

I absolutely flew through this book. I couldn't stop and put it down. From the first page it had me gripped, it started straight away, with a boy getting into a strangers car. This book is terrifying in the sense of why children need to know stranger danger, to not go with other people. What an absolutely fantastic book and an incredible author!

[Pat K · Rating 4 out of 5]

My feelings about this book are complicated. There is no doubt that it’s a very well-written, well-structured mystery. The audiobook production is professional and seamless, with multiple narrators. It’s deeply compelling listening, but l found it disturbing.
The story opens with the prologue set in the past, with a person on the hunt for young victims. It’s disturbing and from the POV of being in the mind of the monster. The descriptions of violence are distant and objective and don’t actually contain the disturbing elements of many crime fiction / serial killer books. It’s psychologically disturbing and suspenseful. There is no sexual abuse, no sex scenes ( simple mentions of marital sex). The violence is in the past. I feel conflicted about all the characters.

[Diane Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a good by book. Flowed easily to read. And the character build up was good. Surprised ending for me.


Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for an early release of this book.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really thoroughly enjoyed this! It is the first book I've read by NV Peacock and really appreciate this simplistic, informative writing style. The story began with an immediate gripping scene to reel you in and is so well broken down in the way sentences, paragraphs and chapters have been woven which really made me appreciate the good grammar and presentation- writing with clean lines and fabulous structure. As for the content of the story itself, really fascinating as I've never given thought to the families whom sadistic killers leave behind. I welcomed reading a novel that tied in so well with our current world, the use of podcasts and supermarket reductions (sorry what can I say, I'm easily pleased!). I wont give any spoilers but I found this to be a very engrossing tale of a young woman whose identity had changed due to the crimes of her father, and how her past catches up with her. Will definitely be reading more from this author. With thanks to Peacock, Avon Books and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased opinion.

[Kylie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Positives
* the cover is eye catching
* the title is really cool

Negatives
* the book is painfully boring
* Cherrie has way to much unnecessary internal dialogue
* there was not one likeable character in the entire book
* killing your brother for shoes! Really? That's just lazy of the author
* the ending also felt lazy

Thanks to netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

[Sophie Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this book really intrigued me, I'd never come across a thriller like this so it really piqued my interest.
I got a copy of this via net galley on audio - I have to say the audiobook is very well done, the cast do a very good job of conveying the emotions of the characters.
I just felt that the story lacked a little, the first 40% was reallly good and I was intrigued to see where it would go but after that it jusy got a bit repetitive and a bit dull and it didn't pick up even when all was revealed.
I did guess where the plot was going and it didn't really make much sense. It was over before it began so just ended up being rather anticlimactic.
It wasnt necessarily a bad book, i just feel like there could of been more, so ended up being a bit of a disappointment.

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this very much- it was a fast, addictive read with a decent resolution and you'll certainly find it to be a page turner.

I probably would have rated it higher years ago and the writing is great but I did come away with the feeling I'd read this exact story before- I haven't but many similar ones so much so that it becomes a bit blended which maybe took something away from the whole for this reader.

Having said that it is very good with some interesting characters and as I said very addictive.

Crime fans will enjoy it muchly even if it is dead on trend so may feel strangely familiar.

[Julie Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been looking forward to reading this book and it didn’t disappoint.
Cherrie is living with a secret from her past that not even her partner knows about, but this soon changes thanks to a would be journalist making a podcast.
Cherrie comes across it accidentally and is astounded when he tells everyone her father was Mr Bones and what her name is now.
People start to talk and it’s not long before her partner hears about her past.
Cherrie is at the fair with her son Robin when Leo texts her to say he knows about her father, and she then loses sight of him.
Soon she is panicking as her son is missing and as the days past Cherrie is desparate to find her son.
I really like Cherrie’s character and was fully behind her innocence. I loved the way the story ended as it brought all the strands together.
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️s

SpookTober read 2025


I was looking for a hallowe’en-y type of book and it didn’t disappoint.

This was an unusual but riveting read and unlike anything I’ve read before, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

Mr Bones, infamous serial killer.

Little Bones, daughter of Mr Bones.

I was captivated by Little Bones’ character and her internal monologue was a standout element of the book.

A startling twist delivered in the final moments. So good.


Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Avon
Read by Stephanie Racine
Duration: 13 hrs 42 min. 1.25x Speed

[Jenn Brouwer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book started strong and stayed strong the whole way through.
When you are the daughter of a notorious serial killer ( not just any serial killer but a killer of children) life is hard. Little Bones, daughter of Mr Bone has changed her name and has a whole new life. Now a child is found dead and her past and present has merged: what could her incarcerated father have to do with this child’s abduction and death? What happens when her own son vanishes.
Twisty and turny right till the end with richly woven characters and a great suspenseful plot. This one is a must read

[Amie's Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began this book with no experience of reading other N.V. Peacock books. (Many of her previous books were published with Nicky Peacock as the author, but, before reading LITTLE BONES, I had yet to read any books written under either name.) I was unsure of what to expect since my research showed that the author's usual genre is Young Adult. However, reading LITTLE BONES with a completely open mind ended up being a pleasantly rewarding experience and I am very pleased that I did so.

There are two interwoven plots in LITTLE BONES; they are fascinating both separately as well as together.

Cherrie is a grown woman with a child of her own. She lives a comfortable life even though she doesn't make much money at her job at the deli counter of a local independent grocery store. The father of her child lives with them and Cherrie feels lucky. The only thing marring her perfect suburban existence is the knowledge that she harbors a secret.

She knows she should be honest with her boyfriend and with her close friends, but the terror and ostracism she experienced as a child has never been forgotten and she is afraid history will repeat itself.

As a child her name had been Leigh-Ann and her father was the notorious artist and serial killer MR. BONES. (Wait until you read about his crimes, you will be surprised at their uniqueness.) When he was arrested, Cherrie's entire world fell apart. Kids who knew about her father and what he had done began calling her LITTLE BONES, the media followed suit and the horrible nickname followed her until she was old enough to legally change her name.

But, all that happened twenty-five years ago. Noone in her present-day life knew about her past and she planned to keep it that way... FOREVER.

BUT, life has a way of throwing curveballs into the best laid plans...

When a local child goes missing and ends up dead, one podcast is all it takes to place Cherrie right in the middle of her worst nightmare.

She needs to keep her son safe, and she may just have to channel her inner "Little Bones" to do so.

The fast pace of this story left me unable to put the book down. I just had to know what would happen next.

Kidnapping, murder, stalking, grief, and shame are just a few of the many themes addressed in LITTLE BONES.

I am a mother, so I empathize with Cherrie and her desire to keep her child safe no matter what the cost. There are several incidents during which she crossed the line between legal and illegal, and between moral and immoral. Readers will have to answer for themselves just how far they would be willing to go to keep their family safe. I think the answer might surprise you.

Creepy, yet relatable, this story is one that readers will continue thinking about long after reading the final page. In fact, this book is perfect for Book Clubs and is sure to invite vigorous discussion.

I rate LITTLE BONES as 4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

*** Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book. ***

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one though I did find it to be slightly slow at times. The story centres on Cherrie Forrester a mother who lives with her boyfriend Leo and their eight-year-old son Robin. Cherrie likes the normality and mundaneness of her life especially considering her Rocky beginnings until everything changes for her when her son Robin goes missing at a local fair.

Suddenly Cherrie is once again thrown into the spotlight her past blown wide open with Robins abduction and also the attentions of a local podcaster who has discovered her secret past and is stirring up hatred and trouble. Cherrie is actually the daughter of a notorious serial killer monikered Mister Bones. Nicknamed Little Bones by the media at the time Cherrie who was formally known as Leigh-Ann Hendy was naively complicit in her father's crimes just eight at the time she innocently assisted her father in the abductions and his grisly art.

This then had Cherrie going rogue in the search for her son there was also a few red herrings thrown in for good measure. This also had me questioning quite a few individuals during the course of this The boyfriend, the grandmother even one of Cherrie’s new friends they were all under suspicion. I did manage to call it right in the end but it wasn’t until other possibilities were eliminated that I knew for sure. Overall I found this an intriguing enough psychological thriller and it was well written. I voluntary reviewed a copy of little Bones.



Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[Clarisse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this down. I spent all night reading, desperate to find the conclusion to this thrilling story. It kept me guessing and leading me down different paths, only to add another twist along the way. This has definitely been one of those books I'll have to read again. I can’t wait to read more books by this amazing author! Keep them coming please the darker and creepier the better please.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed this novel. The storyline was well executed, moved along at fairly decent pace and the characters were well conceived. To give this novel one more star I would have liked more of a plot twist.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for sending me this arc in exchange of an honest review.