Harvester of Bones

SPECTR Series 3 #4

by Jordan L. Hawk

Federal exorcist John Starkweather is consumed by the search for the truth about his past. A new lead takes him away from New Orleans, to confront the twisted man who experimented on him as a teen.

Left behind yet again, Caleb and Gray throw themselves into the hunt for a murderous demon lurking deep in the swamp. But they can’t shake their growing fear that the more John’s memories return, the further he pulls away from them.

As John digs deeper into the secrets surrounding the Center where he was held captive, the danger around him grows. Because someone wants the truth buried—and they’re willing to kill to keep it that way.

Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, M M Romance, Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Demons

86 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 16, 2020

About the author

Jordan L. Hawk is a trans author from North Carolina. Childhood tales of mountain ghosts and mysterious creatures gave him a life-long love of things that go bump in the night. When he isn’t writing, he brews his own beer and tries to keep the cats from destroying the house. His best-selling Whyborne & Griffin series (beginning with Widdershins) can be found in print, ebook, and audiobook.

Reviews

[Lisazj1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Every single minute that I get to spend book-time with John, Caleb & Gray is time well spent. But this installment in their story seems to match 2020's theme of everything hurts. 😕

Finding out that his life to that point had been a lie was the worst John thought could happen, but in digging deeper, he finds one of the program directors where he was held and tortured as a child with paranormal abilities, and one further betrayal is revealed. And this one just about kicks out the rest of the foundation of his life that John had left. 🤯😭

To make things worse, in the depths of his rage and anguish, John isn't *perhaps understandably* considering how all this is affecting Caleb & Gray. Both of them are feeling distance from John as he pulls everything he feels inward, which they feel as him pulling away from them, and it does seem that way. Caleb, being more accustomed to human emotions, tries his hardest to put himself in John's place and not take things personally, though it's damn difficult. However, Gray is feeling, for the first time in his long, long immortal life, both doubt and insecurity and it's a bit heartbreaking all around. 😢💔

And I'm sorry about this, and maybe I'm wrong *I honestly hope I'm wrong* but I do not trust Ryan any more. Just a vibe I'm getting, and didn't until this episode. Maybe it's just my suspicious nature but....and if I'm right? I hope that's not the straw that breaks the camel's back for John. *shivers*. That would be really, really bad, I think.

There's nothing bright in the darkness this time, and I'm terrifically anxious about the direction it's going. I guess I'll have to wait and see.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4.25 stars

Oh, how I love this series! And if you have questions this season, this installment brings the answers. The story does offer a ghoul hunt as usual, but the real focus here is on revealing the secrets of John’s past, and things all come pouring out here. We learn what was really going on at the Center for Loving Redemption, how John lost his own memories, whose memories have replaced his, who is behind the Center’s funding, and, most importantly, who John actually is. It is fascinating and horrifying and ties together lots of details we have learned along the way to give us a big reveal. Of course, the answers here open up some new paths for John and the gang, particularly as he wants to find out more about his past. But this book definitely brings us a lot of answers and serves as sort of a transition point for the season.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Alisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. I'm not sure why but I'm losing interest in the series.

*shrugs*

[PaperMoon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another short-ish visit with John, Caleb and Gray with the continuation of the 'mystery' that surrounds John's messed-up memories, his 'lost' identity and which powers/entities are now covering up the dreadful tortuous experiments at the ex-paranormal 'facility' that he keeps gets flashbacks of. Regrettably, as with the last series installment, the team gets split up again - John goes off tracking down leads and witnesses in his quest and Caleb, Gray and Night stays behind to hunt down NHE's terrorizing the local scene.

The author gets to introduce yet another demonic entity/monster hunting down it's victims in the back roads and swamps of Louisiana ... this one having a gruesome penchant for collecting bones from it's unfortunate victims (hence the title) - thank God we have not one but two drakuls this time to the rescue! And of course there is another cliffhanger ending to John's discoveries - can't wait for the next book now.

[Natalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read June 2025
__________
4.5 stars

[Emilie · Rating 5 out of 5]

John goes off without Caleb and Gray again, to search for the truth of his childhood. His cousin/not-cousin Ryan goes with him, and so does Zahira. At least Zahira is a definite ally.

Though Night continues to have spectacular powers of hiding when he chooses to, his attempts at "normal" human interaction are very funny. Blending into the shadows, yes. Blending in with people, big no.

Tiffany comes for a visit early on, and thinks that Caleb, Gray and John are corrupting Night. However, Night still has his own opinions of what he does or doesn't want to do, and who he wishes to go with in his journeys. Hopefully he's learned to stop standing near a bed and watching humans as they sleep, since a couple of those people have expressed to him how creepy that is. (lol)

The demonic adversary that Caleb, Gray and Night battle against in this episode is a real challenge to them. Gray remembers fighting one of that kind years before, where Gray in a non-living body had certain disadvantages and certain advantages against the creature. Gray with Caleb has a very different set of advantages and disadvantages. While Gray can heal Caleb's body, Caleb has kind of the opposite of good hunting instincts, and Gray is taking more notice of Caleb's opinions. In the case of hunting, Gray should be the one fully in charge.

Night actually does contribute usefully when it comes to the battle, as he has the advantages that Gray used to have, though the body he's occupying doesn't heal. They're learning to work together, though.

Edited to add: I read a Patreon ARC. I did not feel obligated to write the review. I chose to write it.

[Cierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but lacking

So far I have enjoyed this series, but this book just seemed lacking. It was very short, felt more like a couple of chapters from a whole, rather than a book on its own. Caleb and Grey's dealings felt like an afterthought for the sake of being there, rather than a fleshed out story. I would have rather waited an extra year to have more of the story, rather than what feels like a couple of scene building chapters.

I love Hawk's works, and I know this year has been strange and really hard for a lot of people, but this one just fell a little flat for me. I still look forward to the next one, because it is a good story and I enjoy reading them.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Filler book

Usually, I’m a big fan of Jordan Hawks work, but this one felt like a huge box of styrofoam peanuts with only a small gift inside. I feel like this was the publisher saying we want a series of x books and Jordan only felt they had material for y. The story is decent but it felt too short, a bit rushed and overall mediocre. Hoping the next one gets back into their normal style of amazing!

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

HARVESTER OF BONES revealed so many secrets and wow were they surprising! I feel so bad for John and how everything he thought he knew and trusted is falling apart around him. Thankfully he has Caleb and Gray as support. I do wish the three had spent more time together on page, since just like the last book they spent the majority of page time apart. That being said, I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next.

Content Warning: past suicide attempt; gaslighting; forced possession; mental manipulation; institutional abuse

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I'm enjoying finding out more about John's past and what led up to him being the man he is today, I do miss the team working things together and being the team. A lot of this book has Caleb and John working on separate things and in different cities. I do like the information that we're learning and am curious how it's all going to come together. SPECTR certainly seems to not be what everyone's thought they were. I just want more time with Caleb, Grey, and John spending time together and the growth in their relationship.

[Fritz42 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. With each book of this series, the duplicity of the people in John's past gets more and more entangled. This book is no different, and some important realizations are found out.

My heart went out to John with the discoveries made. Love how Caleb and Gray want to be there for John.

Night continues to be an interesting character, and I had to laugh at his deadpanned (no pun intended) response to things that made Caleb nuts. I love the different creatures/demons that Gray and Night have had to deal with over the last books. The one in this book sent chills down my spine.

I'll be anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.

[Juno Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Way too short. I need MORE!

[WillBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC. It is SO GOOD. And of course, I wish the next one was already out because as this is part of a series we don't get all the answers, though we get some very important ones.

I could be wrong but I think this is the first book where John, Caleb and Gray don't have sex, and we see Caleb and Gray struggling with not being able to help John the way they usually do. Gray is learning that there is no easy way to help the man he loves when it comes to his traumatic past, and even worries that John will start to see them as a reminder of that past since Caleb and Gray were originally joined without their consent. I think there are lots of clues to point to a huge revelation that John has not yet realized as he is puzzling all the pieces of his past together but I won't say anything here so as not to spoil it (and I could be wrong) except that I think one of the kids he was in the Center with is already very much around.

Night continues to be a nice opportunity for comic relief as he struggles to pas as human when so much of this book is dark. I am curious as to what will happen with his story -- will he want to find a live host in the end to experience the things he can't in a corpse? So many possibilities remain open in Series 3.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many in the series, this is a short one. It feels too short because the things I was most curious about weren't the focus. As always the writing style is good, characters fun, story unique. John finds out alarming things about his past, and the ending is - while not a cliffhanger - an ending with an abrupt announcing detailing his next plans. I am not crazy about this storyline because I find stuff like this a bit frustrating. Caleb/Gray and John are separated a few times, and there is not bonding. Night is still fascinating but again small scenes and no advancement in that area since the plot is still John trying to find this stuff out about himself. We do get a creepy swamp scene - yuck, that's one creepy monster.

[Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Welp. At least it set up the next round...

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this new SPECTR series, the storyline has been focused on the mystery of John’s past. As John and Caleb/Gray try to blend in to their semi-retired new lives in New Orleans, the family that John had been estranged from, are not telling him he is not one of them at all. At first, it seems like it might just be because they don’t want to be associated with John’s special abilities of exorcism. But John begins to question things, especially when it appears someone is trying to silence anyone who might tell him different.

Each story in the series has unveiled a little bit more of the secret, and there are smaller battles with NHE’s (non-human-entities) that take place in New Orleans. In this book, John, Caleb, and Gray have reached out to an old acquaintance to try to uncover secrets contained in a laptop John found. Some memories are also coming back for John, and he decides to see one of the doctors that was supposedly “helping” John and other teens with psychic abilities get rid of them . While some answers are revealed, like who is behind it all, I still don’t feel like there was much progress in this book. We don’t know the extent of who exactly was in the know and why they continued to deceive John for years and years after.

John and Caleb and Gray have mostly repaired their relationship after their break-up in the second series of SPECTR. But between hiding who they are from the local agency, and from John’s “cousin” Ryan, and the constant presence of the second drakul, Night, in their lives, I can see the relationship between the three of them deteriorating. Knowing, but not being sure of, who was behind John’s new mixed up identity, teenage torture, and memory loss is just one more strain I hope they can make it through. I really hope they do.

I do want to bring up Night for a moment. As a drakul that doesn’t share its body with a living soul he has been spending time with John, Caleb, and Gray for his own form of research. Night wants to know if Gray has been corrupted by the presence of Caleb and their romance with John. The situation with Night is interesting, and I don’t know exactly where it is going, but I like to imagine that he is learning from Caleb and Gray and might be taking on human morals and that will play a factor in how this series plays out.

From the previous series, I figure this series will last for one or two more books before they reach the moment of true knowledge and confrontation. I can’t wait for that moment and will be eagerly anticipating the next book(s) in the series. I definitely recommend the story and the narrator of the series is great. He has narrated the three men since the beginning and he does a good job of bringing them to life.

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because it had been a long time since I visited this world, I happily re-read the first three books in SPECTR series 3 before diving into this novella. I may have forgotten some details, but I didn’t forget how much I love this intriguing urban fantasy world, in which the general public knows about paranormal abilities, “demon” is just the colloquial slang for a non-human entity (though the possession and death are still as horrible as the term demon implies), and SPECTR is the government agency that deals with both. This latest installment continues the established pattern of the characters searching for clues regarding John’s mysterious past while also staying on the local SPECTR office’s good side by dealing with the “monster of the week” in New Orleans. Night, the other drakul found by John, Caleb, and Gray still hangs around for some reason. He mostly switches between vaguely creepy and violently helpful, when not being unintentionally hilarious attempting to mimic humanity.

I didn’t even take any notes on the monster hunt issue this time because it has nothing to do with the primary plot, except for forcing Caleb/Gray and Night to work together since they can’t accompany John on a trip to discover more about his past. That bit of this series’ continuing plot arc gets creepier as more about John’s past is revealed. Someone doesn’t want those secrets to get out, and the plot darkens as each clue they discover ends up with someone dying. The major discoveries at the end of this book are more tragic than I could have imagined—and also more surprising.

At this point, multiple series into this world and these characters, the relationship between John and Caleb/Gray is pretty solid. Hawk doesn’t let their connection get stale, however, as the emotional arc of this particular story revolves around the rift John’s metaphorical demons are creating between the partners, both physically and mentally. I still believe they are all in it for the long haul, but any relationship takes work, and these three just happen to have a lot of extra complications and baggage.

I continue to be incredibly impressed by how Hawk seamlessly switches between Caleb and Gray in John’s POV scenes. I never have trouble determining which character is in control, thanks to his phenomenal use of subtle physical and vocal cues in the text. This story reminded me of how much I enjoy this world, and I’m looking forward to diving into the just-released next novella in this series.

[VVivacious · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book definitely picked up the pace. This is the shortest instalment so far, so it reads very quickly. In fact, having finished it the thing that stands out the most is the fact that I can't truly separate this instalment from the overarching plot of the series. This book also ends on a note I'm sceptical about being resolved satisfactorily with just one more instalment left in the series and that has me worrying about the future of this series, will there be more or is the next book supposed to be an ending?

So, with all that in mind let's dive into my thoughts on this book. Harvester of Bones is the first book to truly divulge what is happening with John and what was going on in the Centre of Loving Redemption. So, that was one aspect the other being Caleb and Gray going after another NHE with Night.

Our main characters were separated for the second instalment in a row and that was kind of a bummer. Caleb and Gray do address this issue in the book but it's becoming kind of hard to ignore the fissures that seem to be arising between John and Caleb & Gray. I even have a pretty good idea that there might be a bit of an identity crisis coming along as the story proceeds (this time centred on John's sexuality) likely creating even more problems between them. So, all in all, I didn't enjoy that but as long as we are headed to a good place eventually I guess I can hold on as they struggle to reach it. Considering John's situation, it's actually expected that some things might not just fall back into place and a re-evaluation of their relationship is probably on that list.

Other than my personal gripes on the direction the story is headed, this was another fast-paced, well-written and intense addition to this series. As usual, I look forward to more.

[Sophie P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to wait before reading this book because of circumstances... And then I wondered if I should maybe wait until the next book comes out before reading this one since I remember book 4 of series 2 ending on such an intense note. I didn't want to be left unable to sleep at night because I'm still too invested in the book, wondering what would happen next, creating myself scenarios, and just wishing book 5 will come out soon!

But I really couldn't resist. And... ah. It was so good. It was nice to finally get some answers about what happened to John. The betrayal in there made me feel so much for the characters! Goddamn! It's just... Everyone is so broken and so hurt by what's going on and it feels so real! That's what I like about this author. He writes stories with real people and real emotions and real, shitty situations.

Something that truly gutted me is that... I fear for Caleb, Gray and John's relationship. So far, John has always had an easier time making sure their relationship stays stable. But John is completely unable to do that this time. So that leaves Gray who barely understands human emotions and Caleb who tends to either get too angry when it isn't appropriate or he simply doesn't really know what to do to make things better. Caleb is going to have to step up (and I know he can!) to make sure that this situation with John's identity doesn't rip the three of them apart.

So anyway. Lots of emotions in there. Emotions that hit a bit too close to home if I'm being quite honest, but it's so realistic that I can only applaud the author. And lament because, yeah, I wasn't able to fall asleep that night until 3am.

[Kendra Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the continuing saga of John Starkweather and Caleb/Gray. John got some disturbing news in the last book and in this book he's following up on it. John takes his "cousin" Ryan and Zahira to Boca Raton to hunt down the man responsible for his torture and experimentation as a teen. While there he finds out some information that he wasn't expecting. A key player in his torture is killed while he's in Boca Raton leaving John to wonder if SPECTR is behind everything. Another player close to John is tickling my suspicious bone and I'm anxious to see if it turns out like I think it's heading.

Caleb/Gray and the new drakul Night stay in New Orleans to hunt down a NHE that is in the swamps. Night is still not understanding of Gray and his "tamed" attitude but he's all for hunting. Caleb feels like John is pulling away from him and Gray and wonders what he can do for John when he gets back to New Orleans. Caleb decides to do something special for John but it doesn't turn out how he planned.

I really like the continuing saga of John and Caleb/Gray. The chemistry is hot between the three and you can definitely feel the love between them. Jordan has an amazing imagination and great world building, so each story feels like a full length novel and yet also feels like it's too short all at the same time. I am already excited for the next book in the series. Highly recommend this series as well as all of Jordan's books. This is auto buy author for me.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. M/M (effectively M/M/M) paranormal romance series.
The books are short as they act more as sections/chapters in the bigger arc of series 3.
Book 4 in series 3 starts immediately after the previous book.
The mystery of John’s past is still all consuming and I didn’t like that he splits again from Caleb and Gray.

Caleb and Gray instead go on another tough hunt with Night.

The discovery of John’s past was a bit too angst-y for me. And there are several plot holes like the selective clean up that is taking place in the present and the sloppy clean up from the past. Why leave the naga? Why leave the center with evidence strewn? And I couldn’t wrap my head around the whole let’s erase the past to help with the escape!

Hardly any sex in this one and Caleb and Gray are understandably worried that they are left behind again.

Although this particular plot was less than the others this is a great M/M paranormal series so far. Must be read in order as some of the books ends in serious cliffhangers. The world building is imaginative, the pace is solid and character development is very good. It is an interesting take on a poly relationship and on typical paranormal lore such as vampires.

Now that John knows who was behind it all I am curious how this series arc will end!

[Loves · Rating 5 out of 5]

(The "Spoilers" in this review would be general, for the theme and character of the book, not for specific plot details. They are supposed to be blurb level, no more)
I've read Patreon ARC. This is a relatively short installment in Series 3, but it's extremely satisfying. The specific SPECTR case is not the main focus here, although it offers the usual hilarious Night interactions, the main source of humor in this otherwise quite dark book. The master plot of the series is finally supplying us some shocking answers. I've especially appreciated the way these answers gave rise to new and even more disturbing questions regarding John's past and present. I've entertained myself long after finishing this book with numerous hypotheses and theories that may explain some of the missing pieces in the puzzle (I may discuss them in tagged comments if there's interest). There are clues. Highly recommended.

[Dokun888 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like where this is going

Short engaging read.
The plot is thickenning up and I'm curious about what's coming next.
But I think I'm most curious about Night lol I wonder where he's eventually gonna end up. Maybe the author will give him a pair to make a spill off with (idk if I'd like that though) I kind of want him to stay with John, Caleb and Gray, I think he fits XD the more the merrier

Oh and can I say how much I dislike the cover? XDD I liked the face of the dude in SPECTR 1 way better. I'll pretend I didn't see this

[Gerald Hewitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very aggravating

Its a good story. Jordan l Hawks writes very good stories! But this dribs and drabs of one story arc being parsed out over several separate books is irritating, and appears to be an attempt to milk as much Money as possible from their readers! I'm used to the SPECTR series being larger books with one very good story, some good sex, and a very good, exciting climactic ending with John and Caleb triumphant, not this serialized bits and pieces! Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter......except I'm losing patience! Wrap it up already!

[Becky A · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Harvester of Bones" received FOUR stars.

The novel gained *stars* for these items:

* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."

* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."

* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."

* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"

The novel failed to gain stars for this item:

NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."

[Tetiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh yeah, the absolute devastation John’s real past conceals… Just chef’s kiss.

It was a mistake to binge all of the available novellas, because now I have to WAIT, ugh. But I’m sure Hawk will serve us a slice of delicious hurt/comfort pie in the next one, so I’ll just have to hunker down for now.

Excellent cinematic storytelling, as always. 5/5, and a few extra points for Night being awkward at the store, because that bit was hilarious.

[Levi Rivas Pratt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harvester of Bones is a stodgy installment in the Spectr series, trading fast-paced action for character development. The magic feels muted and the plot unfolds slowly even though the book is short. Regardless, the deeper character exploration keeps the pages turning. Hawk gives the characters more weight and complexity through this exploration but feels restrained where magical intrigue could be amplified, all in all, it enriches the series in meaningful ways.

[C Cager · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these books. I love the characters and how they have developed as the series has progressed. It is an interesting world that Hawk has developed but he is excellent at that. I look forward to the next book every time and I only wish that these books were longer but the tradeoff is that they come out more.often than, oh, say Gryffin and Whyborne.

[James Hardison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but too short

I love these characters. As usual, Jordan writes great stuff, characters, plots, etc. But this "series" format is very unsatisfying. I want whole stories - not bits and pieces.

[Alex Jay Lore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series me hooked!

This one was a really quick read that answered some questions while raiding lots of others. I’m loving where this series keeps going and can’t wait for the next installment!