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Lies in Bone
Told by a tart-tongued young woman with a love of Bruce Springsteen, Lies in Bone is at once a mystery and coming-of-age tale fueled by dark secrets involving love, murder, and the truths worth lying for.
On Halloween 1963, eleven-year-old Chuck Coolidge and his brother Danny are lost in a toxic smog covering the steel town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. When the smog lifts, half the town is sick and twenty people are dead. And Danny is missing.
Now, over twenty years later, Chuck's teenage daughter Frank plots escape from this "busted and disgusted" town. When a murdered child is found in the river, investigators link the crime to the disappearance of Danny in '63, and Frank's life is turned upside down. In the face of her worst fears, she must uncover her family's dark past if she wants to keep her sister Boots from the hands of The State. Led to discover the unimaginable truth about Danny's disappearance, Lies in Bone culminates in a shocking eleventh-hour reveal and an emotionally charged finale.
On Halloween 1963, eleven-year-old Chuck Coolidge and his brother Danny are lost in a toxic smog covering the steel town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. When the smog lifts, half the town is sick and twenty people are dead. And Danny is missing.
Now, over twenty years later, Chuck's teenage daughter Frank plots escape from this "busted and disgusted" town. When a murdered child is found in the river, investigators link the crime to the disappearance of Danny in '63, and Frank's life is turned upside down. In the face of her worst fears, she must uncover her family's dark past if she wants to keep her sister Boots from the hands of The State. Led to discover the unimaginable truth about Danny's disappearance, Lies in Bone culminates in a shocking eleventh-hour reveal and an emotionally charged finale.
402 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2021
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1001 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
December 2, 2021
In October 1963, two brothers are out for bike rides clad in their Halloween costumes as a fog rolls into town. Chuck, dressed as Spiderman, loses track of younger brother Danny, dressed as Huckleberry Hound. He is lost and the truth of what happened to Danny would remain a mystery. In December 1987, Chuck Coolidge and his two daughters head back to Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania to care for his ill mother who has never gotten over the loss of Danny. Teenage Frances “Frank” is unhappy to move to this rundown town. But she promised her mother, who left the family, that she’d always care for her younger sister Megan “Boots”. The residents of Slippery Elm don’t welcome Chuck back with open arms as people have long thought he was responsible for the death of his younger brother and another young boy found dead in the woods soon after. When another child turns up murdered, old wounds open up and growing up becomes harder than ever for Frank.
Lies in Bone is the type of book that once you start it, you can’t put it down. The characters are unforgettable, starting with teenage Frances “Frank” Coolidge, who has to become the grownup in the family far too early. She is forced to face life’s ugliness including the aftermath of a local murder. Author Natalie Symons skillfully presents the darkness and despair of Slippery Elm, a once prosperous town that has been deteriorating since the closing of its steel mill. You can envision the crumbling, boarded-up buildings and once stately homes. Even during her darkest days, Frank remains tough and resilient, with the ever-present music of Bruce Springsteen to help her along.
Many thanks to author Symons for the opportunity read her beautifully-written debut novel. At its heart, it’s a moving coming-of-age story yet it is also a compelling murder mystery filled with lots of suspense. Do yourself a favor and read it.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Lies in Bone is the type of book that once you start it, you can’t put it down. The characters are unforgettable, starting with teenage Frances “Frank” Coolidge, who has to become the grownup in the family far too early. She is forced to face life’s ugliness including the aftermath of a local murder. Author Natalie Symons skillfully presents the darkness and despair of Slippery Elm, a once prosperous town that has been deteriorating since the closing of its steel mill. You can envision the crumbling, boarded-up buildings and once stately homes. Even during her darkest days, Frank remains tough and resilient, with the ever-present music of Bruce Springsteen to help her along.
Many thanks to author Symons for the opportunity read her beautifully-written debut novel. At its heart, it’s a moving coming-of-age story yet it is also a compelling murder mystery filled with lots of suspense. Do yourself a favor and read it.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
November 7, 2021
I am speechless... A thriller full of suspense, and a bit of drama, which I loved. In addition, I have empathized a lot with the protagonist, Frank.
The outcome of the story unfolds little by little, without haste. And the ending is surprising. So much so that I have had to read it several times.
In short, I highly recommend it to all readers who love thrillers and Bruce Springsteen 😉.
.
Estoy sin palabras... Un thriller plagado de suspense, y un poco de drama, que me ha encantado. Además, he empatizado mucho con la protagonista, Frank.
El desenlace de la historia se va desvelando poco a poco, sin prisa. Y el final es sorprendente. Tanto que he tenido que leerlo varias veces.
En definitiva, lo recomiendo encarecidamente a todos los lectores que adoren los thrillers y a Bruce Springsteen 😉.
The outcome of the story unfolds little by little, without haste. And the ending is surprising. So much so that I have had to read it several times.
In short, I highly recommend it to all readers who love thrillers and Bruce Springsteen 😉.
.
Estoy sin palabras... Un thriller plagado de suspense, y un poco de drama, que me ha encantado. Además, he empatizado mucho con la protagonista, Frank.
El desenlace de la historia se va desvelando poco a poco, sin prisa. Y el final es sorprendente. Tanto que he tenido que leerlo varias veces.
En definitiva, lo recomiendo encarecidamente a todos los lectores que adoren los thrillers y a Bruce Springsteen 😉.
January 11, 2022
GRIPPING COMING-OF-AGE MYSTERY
Playwright Symons invests her characters with such depth that you MUST know what happens to them in this stunning story of mystery, murder, mental illness, and secrets. What a read! What an ending!
Thanks to the author and Boyle & Dalton for the review copy; opinions are mine.
Playwright Symons invests her characters with such depth that you MUST know what happens to them in this stunning story of mystery, murder, mental illness, and secrets. What a read! What an ending!
Thanks to the author and Boyle & Dalton for the review copy; opinions are mine.
January 15, 2022
4/5⭐️
This one's full of suspense, thriller, a lot of drama, sureprises, with a very strong protagonist - Frank. The story unfolds little by little, but from the beginning it kept me bound to it and has surprises till the last page of the book!
The story is about Frank Coolidge who shifts to Slippery Elm with her father and her younger sister - Megan, to take care of her grandmother. And also because her mother -Elma, left them to lead her own independent life. But since the time they have shifted to this part of the town, I.e. Slippery Elm, their lives have become a rollercoaster. Frank discovers truth about her father and her uncle - Danny, an incident that took place back in 1963 due to a death smog that took over the city! Frank's father - Chuck, gets embroiled in a murder case of a little girl. From here, Frank unfolds the truth of her life, protecting her sister from the cruel world out there. Did her father kill the little girl, where is her mother, would she be able to take care of Megan, where is Danny, who killed the child, and the list goes on!!
The author - Natalie Symons, reveals every part of the story bit by bit knitting all the stories together, which makes it so interesting. I literally had chills down my spine. She has successfully reflected the protagonist as a strong girl who is dealing with so much at such a young age, which is also sad and disheartening.
I recommend this book 100% !
This one's full of suspense, thriller, a lot of drama, sureprises, with a very strong protagonist - Frank. The story unfolds little by little, but from the beginning it kept me bound to it and has surprises till the last page of the book!
The story is about Frank Coolidge who shifts to Slippery Elm with her father and her younger sister - Megan, to take care of her grandmother. And also because her mother -Elma, left them to lead her own independent life. But since the time they have shifted to this part of the town, I.e. Slippery Elm, their lives have become a rollercoaster. Frank discovers truth about her father and her uncle - Danny, an incident that took place back in 1963 due to a death smog that took over the city! Frank's father - Chuck, gets embroiled in a murder case of a little girl. From here, Frank unfolds the truth of her life, protecting her sister from the cruel world out there. Did her father kill the little girl, where is her mother, would she be able to take care of Megan, where is Danny, who killed the child, and the list goes on!!
The author - Natalie Symons, reveals every part of the story bit by bit knitting all the stories together, which makes it so interesting. I literally had chills down my spine. She has successfully reflected the protagonist as a strong girl who is dealing with so much at such a young age, which is also sad and disheartening.
I recommend this book 100% !
January 9, 2022
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!
I've seen this debut novel on bookstagram a few times, with great reviews. It sounded like one I'd like and I'm happy to say it was definitely awesome. This story builds in suspense as you read. The characters are well developed and there are many twists and turns I was not expecting.
Taking place in the small town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. In 1963, Chuck and his brother Danny are biking through the woods that are thick with toxic fog from the steel town. When the fog lifts, Danny is nowhere to be found. What really happened to Danny has remained a mystery, even after his body is found years later.
In 1987, Chuck and his 2 daughters head back to Slippery Elm to care for his sick mother that's never gotten over the loss of her son Danny. The town is not happy to have him back, thinking he had something to do with the death of his brother. When another child is found dead in the woods soon after they arrive, Frances (Frank), Chuck's older daughter sets out to find the truth about what happened so long ago.
I loved how the author wrote the town if Slippery Elm. The town has been deteriorating throughout the years, and is like a character in itself. There are many characters in this book, and I loved following Frank's compelling journey through the book to find out the truth.
So good. If you love True Crime, and thrillers, you will definitely enjoy this one I think.
I've seen this debut novel on bookstagram a few times, with great reviews. It sounded like one I'd like and I'm happy to say it was definitely awesome. This story builds in suspense as you read. The characters are well developed and there are many twists and turns I was not expecting.
Taking place in the small town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. In 1963, Chuck and his brother Danny are biking through the woods that are thick with toxic fog from the steel town. When the fog lifts, Danny is nowhere to be found. What really happened to Danny has remained a mystery, even after his body is found years later.
In 1987, Chuck and his 2 daughters head back to Slippery Elm to care for his sick mother that's never gotten over the loss of her son Danny. The town is not happy to have him back, thinking he had something to do with the death of his brother. When another child is found dead in the woods soon after they arrive, Frances (Frank), Chuck's older daughter sets out to find the truth about what happened so long ago.
I loved how the author wrote the town if Slippery Elm. The town has been deteriorating throughout the years, and is like a character in itself. There are many characters in this book, and I loved following Frank's compelling journey through the book to find out the truth.
So good. If you love True Crime, and thrillers, you will definitely enjoy this one I think.
December 22, 2021
Summary:
Told by a tart-tongued young woman with a love of Bruce Springsteen, Lies in Bone is at once a mystery and coming-of-age tale fueled by dark secrets involving love, murder, and the truths worth lying for.
On Halloween 1963, eleven-year-old Chuck Coolidge and his brother Danny are lost in a toxic smog covering the steel town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. When the smog lifts, half the town is sick and twenty people are dead. And Danny is missing.
Now, over twenty years later, Chuck's teenage daughter Frank plots escape from this "busted and disgusted" town. When a murdered child is found in the river, investigators link the crime to the disappearance of Danny in '63, and Frank's life is turned upside down. In the face of her worst fears, she must uncover her family's dark past if she wants to keep her sister Boots from the hands of The State. Led to discover the unimaginable truth about Danny's disappearance, Lies in Bone culminates in a shocking eleventh-hour reveal and an emotionally charged finale.
My take:
This story was beautifully written. Once I found out the author also writes plays- it made perfect sense- she can describe a scene with such detail, you feel you are there.
The characters are well developed, especially the main character, 16 year old Francis, better known as Frank. She is a no-nonsense, feisty girl who says whatever is on her mind. She has grown up as Mom to her much younger sister, Boots. Their mother left right after Boots was born and their father is a raging alcoholic who loves his girls, but is basically incapable of caring for them. Frank shoulders the responsibility for it all. She has had to grow up fast and learn how to survive with little help.
This is a very character-driven story, I wouldn’t call it a thriller. There was a mystery and there were twists, but it was a slow burn getting to the investigation and answers. The second half moved much faster than the first. As the mystery wrapped up, the twists were very clever, and I was really surprised by a couple of them.
Overall, this is a gritty and heartbreaking story of abandoned youth and a sister’s love. 3.6 rounded up to 4 stars.
Told by a tart-tongued young woman with a love of Bruce Springsteen, Lies in Bone is at once a mystery and coming-of-age tale fueled by dark secrets involving love, murder, and the truths worth lying for.
On Halloween 1963, eleven-year-old Chuck Coolidge and his brother Danny are lost in a toxic smog covering the steel town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. When the smog lifts, half the town is sick and twenty people are dead. And Danny is missing.
Now, over twenty years later, Chuck's teenage daughter Frank plots escape from this "busted and disgusted" town. When a murdered child is found in the river, investigators link the crime to the disappearance of Danny in '63, and Frank's life is turned upside down. In the face of her worst fears, she must uncover her family's dark past if she wants to keep her sister Boots from the hands of The State. Led to discover the unimaginable truth about Danny's disappearance, Lies in Bone culminates in a shocking eleventh-hour reveal and an emotionally charged finale.
My take:
This story was beautifully written. Once I found out the author also writes plays- it made perfect sense- she can describe a scene with such detail, you feel you are there.
The characters are well developed, especially the main character, 16 year old Francis, better known as Frank. She is a no-nonsense, feisty girl who says whatever is on her mind. She has grown up as Mom to her much younger sister, Boots. Their mother left right after Boots was born and their father is a raging alcoholic who loves his girls, but is basically incapable of caring for them. Frank shoulders the responsibility for it all. She has had to grow up fast and learn how to survive with little help.
This is a very character-driven story, I wouldn’t call it a thriller. There was a mystery and there were twists, but it was a slow burn getting to the investigation and answers. The second half moved much faster than the first. As the mystery wrapped up, the twists were very clever, and I was really surprised by a couple of them.
Overall, this is a gritty and heartbreaking story of abandoned youth and a sister’s love. 3.6 rounded up to 4 stars.
February 28, 2022
Though Natalie Symons is a successful playwright, Lies in Bone is her first novel and as a Book Reviewer I received a free ebook copy. This is my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor any review.
Lies in Bone is told through the eyes of a teenage girl who lives in a dysfunctional family. She also has a younger sister. The story is set in a small town in Pennsylvania in the mid to late 1980s. The characters are well developed and Ms. Symons seems to have knowledge of what it’s like to be a teenager in difficult circumstances, as Frank is very well written, very realistic, and believable.
Though well written, I found the story’s pacing slow. It held my attention enough to keep me reading because Ms. Symons did a good job of gaining my sympathy for the main characters. I continued reading because I hoped to see their lives change for the better.
However, I was disappointed that not a single character in Slippery Elm seemed to have any happiness in their life. They were all struggling or causing problems for other characters. I disliked all of the profanity in the story, especially when it came from the mouths of children. There were also characters in the novel that I felt were represented in the extreme or in a stereotypical or negative way, with no characters from those particular people groups being represented in a more favorable light.
Though the ending of the story had clear resolution, if you like happy endings, I’m afraid you won’t really find it here. Probably the most disappointing thing was that the biggest conflict that happened in the story didn’t bring about the redemption I had hoped to see.
So, all in all, though the story was very well written and had well-developed characters, I found the story disturbing and depressing. Therefore, I give Lies in Bone by Natalie Symons three stars.
Lies in Bone is told through the eyes of a teenage girl who lives in a dysfunctional family. She also has a younger sister. The story is set in a small town in Pennsylvania in the mid to late 1980s. The characters are well developed and Ms. Symons seems to have knowledge of what it’s like to be a teenager in difficult circumstances, as Frank is very well written, very realistic, and believable.
Though well written, I found the story’s pacing slow. It held my attention enough to keep me reading because Ms. Symons did a good job of gaining my sympathy for the main characters. I continued reading because I hoped to see their lives change for the better.
However, I was disappointed that not a single character in Slippery Elm seemed to have any happiness in their life. They were all struggling or causing problems for other characters. I disliked all of the profanity in the story, especially when it came from the mouths of children. There were also characters in the novel that I felt were represented in the extreme or in a stereotypical or negative way, with no characters from those particular people groups being represented in a more favorable light.
Though the ending of the story had clear resolution, if you like happy endings, I’m afraid you won’t really find it here. Probably the most disappointing thing was that the biggest conflict that happened in the story didn’t bring about the redemption I had hoped to see.
So, all in all, though the story was very well written and had well-developed characters, I found the story disturbing and depressing. Therefore, I give Lies in Bone by Natalie Symons three stars.
April 16, 2022
I was an emotional WRECK after finishing this book. I was not expecting to sob through the last 4 or 5 chapters. Completely gutted.
This is a dark, gritty, emotional, and ultimately incredibly beautiful story. Symons is a master at magnificent character development and detailed imagery that you can practically see, smell, and taste. The secrets that are revealed layer by layer at the ending were a masterpiece of writing. I know this book and its vivid imagery are going to stay with me a long time. This is most definitely making it on my favorite books for the year list.
I have to include the most heartbreakingly beautiful quote from the entire novel for me. . It won’t be meaningful or spoil anything for you if you haven’t read the book yet but when you reach it in the book it is just EVERYTHING.
““Look, Mommy, it’s Halloween.”
The day was still and the sky was pale blue, dotted with flecks of clouds. I heard a bird chirp and then a rustle flutter from a tree and across the sky.
Now all was quiet.
Except for the laugh of a six-year-old boy.”
A GIANT thank you to author Natalie Symons who provided me with a copy of her beautiful novel in exchange for my honest opinion!
This is a dark, gritty, emotional, and ultimately incredibly beautiful story. Symons is a master at magnificent character development and detailed imagery that you can practically see, smell, and taste. The secrets that are revealed layer by layer at the ending were a masterpiece of writing. I know this book and its vivid imagery are going to stay with me a long time. This is most definitely making it on my favorite books for the year list.
I have to include the most heartbreakingly beautiful quote from the entire novel for me. . It won’t be meaningful or spoil anything for you if you haven’t read the book yet but when you reach it in the book it is just EVERYTHING.
““Look, Mommy, it’s Halloween.”
The day was still and the sky was pale blue, dotted with flecks of clouds. I heard a bird chirp and then a rustle flutter from a tree and across the sky.
Now all was quiet.
Except for the laugh of a six-year-old boy.”
A GIANT thank you to author Natalie Symons who provided me with a copy of her beautiful novel in exchange for my honest opinion!
November 11, 2021
This is one of the most emotional coming-of-age mysteries I have read recently. A deeply moving story about family, loss, and disappointment. The bond between siblings is beautifully highlighted in this gut-wrenching tale.
Natalie Symons gives her character a strong voice, allowing you to experience the emotions as they pour off the pages. The story is gripping and grabs your full attention on the first page and does not let you go until you reach the end. This book was beautifully written and I am keen to spend more time with this author.
Frances and Megan’s mother left to help her dad after an operation only never to return. Now, their dad Chuck is moving them to a failing mining town in the middle of nowhere to look after Ruth – Chuck’s mother, who has taken a fall and can no longer look after herself. But Ruth has a mean streak and Frances does not believe she needs any help. Discovering the town's secrets, and her families loss reveals a dark past closely linked to Chuck. When six-year-old Bernice is found murdered it is up to Frances to take care of Megan and get to the truth behind Bernice’s murder. Is young Frances ready to accept what is thrown at her, and can she keep Megan safe? Is she strig enough to stand alone when it appears that she cannot trust anyone?
This book had me hooked from the start. I could not flick the pages fast enough. This poor child was dealt a very difficult hand and with every new disaster coming her way my heart broke a little more. In the face of community judgement, Chuck and his daughters never stood a chance. The more of the story that was revealed the more invested I became. I was so engrossed in this story that this book did not feel like a work of fiction.
Frances was an amazing character. The story shows you how this young girl grows into a woman way before her time. She is forced into a parental role even before her mother left and her father appears to be a constant source of stress. Frances is left taking care of everyone, even a grandmother who is consumed by loss and not particularly caring. The way this character stumbles around in a world way beyond her years and makes mistakes only to grow up and turn her life around, being strong and loyal to her family despite everything she is forced to endure is simply magnificent. Natalie Symons brought this young woman to life on every page. She is fantastic in all her flaws.
This is a five-star read that deserves to make it onto your TBR. I loved this book. You should be prepared for a few emotional scenes as poor Frances has the carpet pulled out from under her feet time and time again.
Mystery fans, you do not want to miss out on this extremely original tale guaranteed to keep you glued to your seat. You will fall in love with this young character as the disasters that befall her leave you heartbroken. Be ready for a whopper of a twist at the end, and remember, trust no one, because the world is a nasty place, especially in the town of Slippery Elm.
I highly recommend this book, it is a fantastic read!
Natalie Symons gives her character a strong voice, allowing you to experience the emotions as they pour off the pages. The story is gripping and grabs your full attention on the first page and does not let you go until you reach the end. This book was beautifully written and I am keen to spend more time with this author.
Frances and Megan’s mother left to help her dad after an operation only never to return. Now, their dad Chuck is moving them to a failing mining town in the middle of nowhere to look after Ruth – Chuck’s mother, who has taken a fall and can no longer look after herself. But Ruth has a mean streak and Frances does not believe she needs any help. Discovering the town's secrets, and her families loss reveals a dark past closely linked to Chuck. When six-year-old Bernice is found murdered it is up to Frances to take care of Megan and get to the truth behind Bernice’s murder. Is young Frances ready to accept what is thrown at her, and can she keep Megan safe? Is she strig enough to stand alone when it appears that she cannot trust anyone?
This book had me hooked from the start. I could not flick the pages fast enough. This poor child was dealt a very difficult hand and with every new disaster coming her way my heart broke a little more. In the face of community judgement, Chuck and his daughters never stood a chance. The more of the story that was revealed the more invested I became. I was so engrossed in this story that this book did not feel like a work of fiction.
Frances was an amazing character. The story shows you how this young girl grows into a woman way before her time. She is forced into a parental role even before her mother left and her father appears to be a constant source of stress. Frances is left taking care of everyone, even a grandmother who is consumed by loss and not particularly caring. The way this character stumbles around in a world way beyond her years and makes mistakes only to grow up and turn her life around, being strong and loyal to her family despite everything she is forced to endure is simply magnificent. Natalie Symons brought this young woman to life on every page. She is fantastic in all her flaws.
This is a five-star read that deserves to make it onto your TBR. I loved this book. You should be prepared for a few emotional scenes as poor Frances has the carpet pulled out from under her feet time and time again.
Mystery fans, you do not want to miss out on this extremely original tale guaranteed to keep you glued to your seat. You will fall in love with this young character as the disasters that befall her leave you heartbroken. Be ready for a whopper of a twist at the end, and remember, trust no one, because the world is a nasty place, especially in the town of Slippery Elm.
I highly recommend this book, it is a fantastic read!
September 2, 2022
Overview:
On Halloween 1963, eleven-year-old Chuck Coolidge and his brother Danny are lost in a toxic smog covering the steel town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. When the smog lifts, half the town is sick and twenty people are dead. And Danny is missing.
Now, over twenty years later, Chuck's teenage daughter Frank plots escape from this "busted and disgusted" town. When a murdered child is found in the river, investigators link the crime to the disappearance of Danny in '63, and Frank's life is turned upside down. In the face of her worst fears, she must uncover her family's dark past if she wants to keep her sister Boots from the hands of The State. Led to discover the unimaginable truth about Danny's disappearance, Lies in Bone culminates in a shocking eleventh-hour reveal and an emotionally charged finale.
"We had our chance to seek out a place where despair wasn't behind the eyes of an entire town and where people spoke kindly to each other. Even on the days that weren't Christmas."
Lies in Bone was an amazing thriller read! Once you got into it, it was hard to put down. I thought I had everything figured out, but I was wrong!
The story is narrated by Frank (Chuck's eldest daughter) after she is forced to live in the town her dad 'escaped' from 20 years earlier. As soon as she crossed the towns threshold, she knew bad things were to come and they should leave while they still could...but Chuck wants to stay and care for his mother who is having health issues.
As the secrets start to unveil themselves, Frank goes into detective mode to reveal her families as well as the towns secrets. The vivid description of each character was superb and allows the reader a deep dive into the POV of each character.
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
On Halloween 1963, eleven-year-old Chuck Coolidge and his brother Danny are lost in a toxic smog covering the steel town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. When the smog lifts, half the town is sick and twenty people are dead. And Danny is missing.
Now, over twenty years later, Chuck's teenage daughter Frank plots escape from this "busted and disgusted" town. When a murdered child is found in the river, investigators link the crime to the disappearance of Danny in '63, and Frank's life is turned upside down. In the face of her worst fears, she must uncover her family's dark past if she wants to keep her sister Boots from the hands of The State. Led to discover the unimaginable truth about Danny's disappearance, Lies in Bone culminates in a shocking eleventh-hour reveal and an emotionally charged finale.
"We had our chance to seek out a place where despair wasn't behind the eyes of an entire town and where people spoke kindly to each other. Even on the days that weren't Christmas."
Lies in Bone was an amazing thriller read! Once you got into it, it was hard to put down. I thought I had everything figured out, but I was wrong!
The story is narrated by Frank (Chuck's eldest daughter) after she is forced to live in the town her dad 'escaped' from 20 years earlier. As soon as she crossed the towns threshold, she knew bad things were to come and they should leave while they still could...but Chuck wants to stay and care for his mother who is having health issues.
As the secrets start to unveil themselves, Frank goes into detective mode to reveal her families as well as the towns secrets. The vivid description of each character was superb and allows the reader a deep dive into the POV of each character.
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2021
Lies in Bone by Natalie Symons is not what I'd usually pick up to read. A coming-of-age story about a teen girl, her optimistic but underachieving father, and a Jonathan-Lipnicki-in-Jerry-Maguire-type six-year-old just isn't my daily fare. But the author is a gifted playwright whose work I support, so I thought I'd give it a shot. And boy am I glad I did.
Ms. Symons has a stellar command of dialogue which extends brilliantly to her prose. Her sentences deliver opinionated visions with an economy of language that allows ideas to cut straight through. She gives plenty of detail to keep her characters interesting ("The lack of neck made him look like a thumb with a face.") but more importantly for a murder mystery, she keeps the plot moving forward, and keeps the reader compelled to turn the page. And no spoilers, but there were several times I found myself putting the Kindle down to exhale a verbal "holy .......".
There are novels with characters and situations that stick with me long after I put down the book. I have a feeling Lies in Bone will be one of them.
Ms. Symons has a stellar command of dialogue which extends brilliantly to her prose. Her sentences deliver opinionated visions with an economy of language that allows ideas to cut straight through. She gives plenty of detail to keep her characters interesting ("The lack of neck made him look like a thumb with a face.") but more importantly for a murder mystery, she keeps the plot moving forward, and keeps the reader compelled to turn the page. And no spoilers, but there were several times I found myself putting the Kindle down to exhale a verbal "holy .......".
There are novels with characters and situations that stick with me long after I put down the book. I have a feeling Lies in Bone will be one of them.
February 13, 2022
This book is an emotional roller coaster but I have to say I loved it!
It starts out on Halloween night with Chuck and his younger brother Danny out trick or treating on bicycles. The smog comes in and makes it difficult to see. Chuck can hear Danny but he can't see them and keeps yelling his name. Eventually he finds his bicycle and his Halloween mask but no signs of him. His mother is devastated and blames Chuck. She wishes it would have been Chuck to disappear as he is the problem child.
Chuck gets married and has two kids-Boots(Meagan) and Frank(Frances). Then one day his wife leaves and doesn't come back. Right about now you are thinking what else can possible go wrong for this family.
Chuck's mom's health is failing so they need to go back to Slippery Elm, PA. This is a small town and most people do not like Chuck as they believe he got away with murder. Poor Frank has to grow up way too fast and take care of her sister.
Your heart goes out to Frank after all the turmoil that she has to endure. Great read!
It starts out on Halloween night with Chuck and his younger brother Danny out trick or treating on bicycles. The smog comes in and makes it difficult to see. Chuck can hear Danny but he can't see them and keeps yelling his name. Eventually he finds his bicycle and his Halloween mask but no signs of him. His mother is devastated and blames Chuck. She wishes it would have been Chuck to disappear as he is the problem child.
Chuck gets married and has two kids-Boots(Meagan) and Frank(Frances). Then one day his wife leaves and doesn't come back. Right about now you are thinking what else can possible go wrong for this family.
Chuck's mom's health is failing so they need to go back to Slippery Elm, PA. This is a small town and most people do not like Chuck as they believe he got away with murder. Poor Frank has to grow up way too fast and take care of her sister.
Your heart goes out to Frank after all the turmoil that she has to endure. Great read!
September 17, 2022
Lies In Bone took me completely by surprise! The author has put so much love and heart into the characters, it feels like you've known them forever! I didn't expect a mystery, specially with a plot like this would be so provocatively hilarious but it was! And I didn't want it to end.
I really like @nataliesymons ' way of story telling. I'm still shocked by everything behind Danny's disappearance and loved how the story was woven by connecting the mysteries of 20 years.
I really like @nataliesymons ' way of story telling. I'm still shocked by everything behind Danny's disappearance and loved how the story was woven by connecting the mysteries of 20 years.
January 12, 2022
Lies in Bone is a mystery set mainly in 1986 in a small forgotten American steel town.
The story opens with a scene from 1963; brothers Chuck and Danny are out on their bicycles on a foggy Halloween night. The fog is so thick that they get separated.
Twenty-three years later, in 1986, single father Chuck is bringing his two daughters Frank and Boots back to his childhood town because his mother has cancer; he feels that they should be there for her. However, this isn’t a happy family reunion; the town is desolate after the steel mill closed and apart from fourteen churches there is little else. Chuck struggles to get work and spends too many nights out at bars.
When a child is found dead, Chuck is arrested; there have always been whispers around town about Chuck and the local police are desperate to solve this case and link it to other cold cases. Frank is the only one who believes Chuck is innocent, but no-one will listen to a teenager.
This is quite a bleak tale, but it does hold glimmers of hope ; Chuck’s invention ideas, Frank’s refusal to give up and the strong love from a neglected child called Bernie. There’s plenty of teenage angst and moments when Frank needs an outlet for all of the hurt and pain while she tries to protect her sister Boots. This story made me think about the ‘American dream’ ideology especially how real life, for some, is far from perfect. I became engrossed in the tale quite quickly, following Frank as she tried to save her family and hoping that someone would throw her a lifeline. It’s a good story and one that I can happily recommend.
The story opens with a scene from 1963; brothers Chuck and Danny are out on their bicycles on a foggy Halloween night. The fog is so thick that they get separated.
Twenty-three years later, in 1986, single father Chuck is bringing his two daughters Frank and Boots back to his childhood town because his mother has cancer; he feels that they should be there for her. However, this isn’t a happy family reunion; the town is desolate after the steel mill closed and apart from fourteen churches there is little else. Chuck struggles to get work and spends too many nights out at bars.
When a child is found dead, Chuck is arrested; there have always been whispers around town about Chuck and the local police are desperate to solve this case and link it to other cold cases. Frank is the only one who believes Chuck is innocent, but no-one will listen to a teenager.
This is quite a bleak tale, but it does hold glimmers of hope ; Chuck’s invention ideas, Frank’s refusal to give up and the strong love from a neglected child called Bernie. There’s plenty of teenage angst and moments when Frank needs an outlet for all of the hurt and pain while she tries to protect her sister Boots. This story made me think about the ‘American dream’ ideology especially how real life, for some, is far from perfect. I became engrossed in the tale quite quickly, following Frank as she tried to save her family and hoping that someone would throw her a lifeline. It’s a good story and one that I can happily recommend.
September 14, 2021
Lies in Bone is the most captivating novel I’ve read in years. I couldn’t put it down. The characters’ voices echoed in my mind long after reading this gripping, haunting story. Natalie Symons has such a gift for dialogue and crafting flesh & blood characters you feel like you know - you may not necessarily like all of them, but you understand them and can empathize with them. The town of Slippery Elm is a character in and of itself - the perfect backdrop for the traumatic events that take place there. I honestly gasped at several of the twists and turns of this thrilling story. After reading this debut novel by Ms. Symons, I can’t wait to read what this incredibly gifted writer comes up with next. Someone needs to option this for an HBO limited series immediately.
August 23, 2022
"We had our chance to seek out a place where despair wasn't behind the eyes of an entire town and where people spoke kindly to each other. Even on the days that weren't Christmas." - @nataliesymons , Lies in Bone
Lies in Bone is an amazing mystery thriller! I went through a roller-coaster of emotions while reading it! There is love, there is murder, and there are truths worth lying for. How far can one go to protect their lies and how far can one go to uncover the truth? But more importantly, how far can one go to protect their truth?
It is a super engrossing and absorbing read! I finished it in a single sitting itself.☺️
The story begins with Chuck and his brother, Danny, two young boys who were dressed up in their Halloween costumes, cycling in their small town, The Slippery Elm. Little did they know that a deadly smog was on its way to change their lives forever.
It changed Chuck's life in more ways than one. His brother went missing and his mother, Ruth, developed lung cancer after some time.
The story is narrated by Frank, Chuck's teenage daughter, who finds herself in that same town twenty years later. Her father took her and her sister, Boots, there to take care of their grandmother.
The minute she entered the town, she knew they shouldn't be there. But it was too late by then. Her life turned upside down when a murdered child was found in the river.
Being unaware of her family's and town's dark past and secrets, she goes on a quest to seek the truth. But will she succeed or will she get caught up in a web of lies?
I loved the enormous depth every single character had, especially Elma, Frank's mother. The vivid and descriptive writing evoked a wide spectrum of emotions throughout the novel. The author has very masterfully highlighted the tragic effects of industrial pollution. Once I picked up this novel, there was no way I was going to keep it down before finding the truth about Danny's disappearance. I was completely invested in it till the end and didn't expect an emotional finale.❤
It's a solid debut by @nataliesymons and a must-read for all the mystery lovers!☺️
Lies in Bone is an amazing mystery thriller! I went through a roller-coaster of emotions while reading it! There is love, there is murder, and there are truths worth lying for. How far can one go to protect their lies and how far can one go to uncover the truth? But more importantly, how far can one go to protect their truth?
It is a super engrossing and absorbing read! I finished it in a single sitting itself.☺️
The story begins with Chuck and his brother, Danny, two young boys who were dressed up in their Halloween costumes, cycling in their small town, The Slippery Elm. Little did they know that a deadly smog was on its way to change their lives forever.
It changed Chuck's life in more ways than one. His brother went missing and his mother, Ruth, developed lung cancer after some time.
The story is narrated by Frank, Chuck's teenage daughter, who finds herself in that same town twenty years later. Her father took her and her sister, Boots, there to take care of their grandmother.
The minute she entered the town, she knew they shouldn't be there. But it was too late by then. Her life turned upside down when a murdered child was found in the river.
Being unaware of her family's and town's dark past and secrets, she goes on a quest to seek the truth. But will she succeed or will she get caught up in a web of lies?
I loved the enormous depth every single character had, especially Elma, Frank's mother. The vivid and descriptive writing evoked a wide spectrum of emotions throughout the novel. The author has very masterfully highlighted the tragic effects of industrial pollution. Once I picked up this novel, there was no way I was going to keep it down before finding the truth about Danny's disappearance. I was completely invested in it till the end and didn't expect an emotional finale.❤
It's a solid debut by @nataliesymons and a must-read for all the mystery lovers!☺️
November 13, 2021
Check out this review and more on my blog, Maya’s Reviews.
Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews.
---
A huge thank you to Boyle & Dalton and Natalie Symons for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
// Book Content Warnings: death, murder, kidnapping, pedophilia, alcoholism, mental illness, self-harm, eating disorder, attempted drowning, homophobia (slurs), racism, sexual harassment, sexual assault, violence // – There are some graphic and disturbing scenes in this novel, so please educate yourself on the content warnings before reading, as I might have missed some.
---
// Quick Statistics //
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Plot: 5/5 Stars
Setting: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 Stars
Writing: 5/5 Stars
Memorability: 5/5 Stars
---
// Quick Review //
Lies in Bone is a curiosity-inducing novel that examines the fragility of humanity and truth through the lens of a teen in the 80’s. Full of family secrets, lies, and discoveries, Natalie Symon’s thrilling novel took me on an electrifying ride with its vulnerable and realistic characters.
---
// Other Information //
Publisher: Boyle & Dalton
Page Count: 402 pages
Release Date: September 6, 2021
Series: None
Genre: Fiction, Adult, Young adult, Coming of age, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Thriller, LGBTQ+
---
// Book Description (from Goodreads) //
Told by a tart-tongued young woman with a love of Bruce Springsteen, Lies in Bone is at once a mystery and coming-of-age tale fueled by dark secrets involving love, murder, and the truths worth lying for.
On Halloween 1963, eleven-year-old Chuck Coolidge and his brother Danny are lost in a toxic smog covering the steel town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. When the smog lifts, half the town is sick and twenty people are dead. And Danny is missing.
Now, over twenty years later, Chuck’s teenage daughter Frank plots escape from this “busted and disgusted” town. When a murdered child is found in the river, investigators link the crime to the disappearance of Danny in ’63, and Frank’s life is turned upside down. In the face of her worst fears, she must uncover her family’s dark past if she wants to keep her sister Boots from the hands of The State. Led to discover the unimaginable truth about Danny’s disappearance, Lies in Bone culminates in a shocking eleventh-hour reveal and an emotionally charged finale.
---
// Characters //
Lies in Bone boasts a large cast of realistic and complex characters who are utterly human. I felt such deep connections to many of the characters, especially Frank, the main character whose story Lies in Bone tells.
Frances (Frank) Coolidge is a fiery, determined, and responsible teen whose family is anything but functional. She’s the best big sister who’s always looking out for her little sister, Boots. Frank’s entire life is thrown upside down when her family moves to Slippery Elm to take care of her grandmother. Frank meets her best friend Ray, the taboo gay kid in a small town, and begins to adjust to her future in a dreary small town in a house full of secrets. Frank learns things she never knew about her family, specifically that she has a missing uncle, Danny. Her dad, Chuck, apparently neglected to tell her that on Halloween 1963, his little brother went missing and his own mother thought he was responsible. Frank begins her own investigation into the family secrets that her grandmother and father refuse to discuss. She refuses to give up until the very end, she is determined to solve a 20+-year-old cold case because it is just too personal.
One of my favorite characters, Ray, is Frank’s best friend. I loved the realistic inclusion of a gay and POC character, and the criticism of homophobia. Ray is a relief in the continual darkness of a small town in the ’80s that is wrapped up in murders and disappearances.
Frank’s mysterious and seriously messed up father, Chuck Coolidge, is a bundle of good and bad. I have mixed feelings about him, just as Frank does. To be honest, Frank, the 16-year-old, is more responsible than her father. To give Chuck some grace, he was looked upon as the murderer of two young boys at a young age, one of the boys being his own little brother. But still, his actions are questionable.
Now, while I may love Ray, I love Boots a whole lot more. She is the most adorable character who is just along for the crazy and disturbing ride. I felt so sorry for Boots, as she is a young child experiencing the horrendous events in this novel.
One of the aspects I most admire about this book’s characters is the growth all of them undergo. I was able to watch Frank and Boots grow up and adapt amidst the chaos.
---
// Writing and Setting //
The novel was full of fast-paced and slower-paced sections that balanced out perfectly and created a thrilling adventure. It was dark, twisted, terrifying, and disturbing. I loved reading about the dark corners of the small town of Slippery Elms during the late ’80s.
The novel takes place in the ’80s (I love, love, love media set in the ’70s-’80s) in the decrepit small town of Slippery Elms that has a history of child disappearances and murders. The atmosphere was chilling and sinister, adding more to the suspense of the story.
---
// Plot //
There were so many twists-and-turns and ups-and-downs throughout Lies in Bone that I was shaking with anticipation. Discovering answers to questions burning in my mind was satisfying yet torturous since more mysteries were introduced along the way.
Frank describes the moment her life began to plummet into darkness as the ominous move to Slippery Elms to take care of her grandmother. The start of the novel builds up deliciously to an apogee full of thrills. Murder, disappearances, family secrets, town secrets, crooked characters, and shady events can all be found within the pages of this anxiety-inducing novel.
I truly do not want to say much about specific events in this novel, as every little discovery was a magnificent discovery for me and I do not want to ruin that experience for everyone else.
---
// Overall Review //
Lies in Bone is one of the most thrilling novels I have read in a long time. It has paved its way onto my list of favorite books. It was perfect in many aspects and kept me intrigued until the very end.
---
FOLLOW ME: Twitter || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts
Listen to this review and more on my podcast, Maya's Reviews.
---
A huge thank you to Boyle & Dalton and Natalie Symons for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
// Book Content Warnings: death, murder, kidnapping, pedophilia, alcoholism, mental illness, self-harm, eating disorder, attempted drowning, homophobia (slurs), racism, sexual harassment, sexual assault, violence // – There are some graphic and disturbing scenes in this novel, so please educate yourself on the content warnings before reading, as I might have missed some.
---
// Quick Statistics //
Overall: 5/5 Stars
Plot: 5/5 Stars
Setting: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 Stars
Writing: 5/5 Stars
Memorability: 5/5 Stars
---
// Quick Review //
Lies in Bone is a curiosity-inducing novel that examines the fragility of humanity and truth through the lens of a teen in the 80’s. Full of family secrets, lies, and discoveries, Natalie Symon’s thrilling novel took me on an electrifying ride with its vulnerable and realistic characters.
---
// Other Information //
Publisher: Boyle & Dalton
Page Count: 402 pages
Release Date: September 6, 2021
Series: None
Genre: Fiction, Adult, Young adult, Coming of age, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Thriller, LGBTQ+
---
// Book Description (from Goodreads) //
Told by a tart-tongued young woman with a love of Bruce Springsteen, Lies in Bone is at once a mystery and coming-of-age tale fueled by dark secrets involving love, murder, and the truths worth lying for.
On Halloween 1963, eleven-year-old Chuck Coolidge and his brother Danny are lost in a toxic smog covering the steel town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. When the smog lifts, half the town is sick and twenty people are dead. And Danny is missing.
Now, over twenty years later, Chuck’s teenage daughter Frank plots escape from this “busted and disgusted” town. When a murdered child is found in the river, investigators link the crime to the disappearance of Danny in ’63, and Frank’s life is turned upside down. In the face of her worst fears, she must uncover her family’s dark past if she wants to keep her sister Boots from the hands of The State. Led to discover the unimaginable truth about Danny’s disappearance, Lies in Bone culminates in a shocking eleventh-hour reveal and an emotionally charged finale.
---
// Characters //
Lies in Bone boasts a large cast of realistic and complex characters who are utterly human. I felt such deep connections to many of the characters, especially Frank, the main character whose story Lies in Bone tells.
Frances (Frank) Coolidge is a fiery, determined, and responsible teen whose family is anything but functional. She’s the best big sister who’s always looking out for her little sister, Boots. Frank’s entire life is thrown upside down when her family moves to Slippery Elm to take care of her grandmother. Frank meets her best friend Ray, the taboo gay kid in a small town, and begins to adjust to her future in a dreary small town in a house full of secrets. Frank learns things she never knew about her family, specifically that she has a missing uncle, Danny. Her dad, Chuck, apparently neglected to tell her that on Halloween 1963, his little brother went missing and his own mother thought he was responsible. Frank begins her own investigation into the family secrets that her grandmother and father refuse to discuss. She refuses to give up until the very end, she is determined to solve a 20+-year-old cold case because it is just too personal.
One of my favorite characters, Ray, is Frank’s best friend. I loved the realistic inclusion of a gay and POC character, and the criticism of homophobia. Ray is a relief in the continual darkness of a small town in the ’80s that is wrapped up in murders and disappearances.
Frank’s mysterious and seriously messed up father, Chuck Coolidge, is a bundle of good and bad. I have mixed feelings about him, just as Frank does. To be honest, Frank, the 16-year-old, is more responsible than her father. To give Chuck some grace, he was looked upon as the murderer of two young boys at a young age, one of the boys being his own little brother. But still, his actions are questionable.
Now, while I may love Ray, I love Boots a whole lot more. She is the most adorable character who is just along for the crazy and disturbing ride. I felt so sorry for Boots, as she is a young child experiencing the horrendous events in this novel.
One of the aspects I most admire about this book’s characters is the growth all of them undergo. I was able to watch Frank and Boots grow up and adapt amidst the chaos.
---
// Writing and Setting //
The novel was full of fast-paced and slower-paced sections that balanced out perfectly and created a thrilling adventure. It was dark, twisted, terrifying, and disturbing. I loved reading about the dark corners of the small town of Slippery Elms during the late ’80s.
The novel takes place in the ’80s (I love, love, love media set in the ’70s-’80s) in the decrepit small town of Slippery Elms that has a history of child disappearances and murders. The atmosphere was chilling and sinister, adding more to the suspense of the story.
---
// Plot //
There were so many twists-and-turns and ups-and-downs throughout Lies in Bone that I was shaking with anticipation. Discovering answers to questions burning in my mind was satisfying yet torturous since more mysteries were introduced along the way.
Frank describes the moment her life began to plummet into darkness as the ominous move to Slippery Elms to take care of her grandmother. The start of the novel builds up deliciously to an apogee full of thrills. Murder, disappearances, family secrets, town secrets, crooked characters, and shady events can all be found within the pages of this anxiety-inducing novel.
I truly do not want to say much about specific events in this novel, as every little discovery was a magnificent discovery for me and I do not want to ruin that experience for everyone else.
---
// Overall Review //
Lies in Bone is one of the most thrilling novels I have read in a long time. It has paved its way onto my list of favorite books. It was perfect in many aspects and kept me intrigued until the very end.
---
FOLLOW ME: Twitter || Tumblr || BookBub || BookSiren || Anchor || YouTube || Spotify || Google Podcasts || Apple Podcasts
February 4, 2022
Book Review: Lies in Bone by Natalie Symons
Disclaimer: I was kindly gifted an eARC of this book via Netgally in exchange for an honest review.
Frank, her sister Megan (known as Boots) and her father Chuck move to the small town of Slippery Elm to look after her ailing grandmother. Frank starts to uncover many of the town’s secrets. She soon realizes that she can’t trust anyone in the eerie town, not even her father who has been accused of murdering two young boys when he too was only a boy. One of those boys happen to be his brother and Franks uncle that she never knew existed. Then another murder rocks the town and Frank is forced to question everything she has always believed.
The story is told from Frank’s point of view. A young sixteen-year-old that was forced to grow up too quickly. Frank is a very straight forward to the point kinda gal. She never holds her tongue and lets you know exactly what she is thinking. I loved her relationship with her younger sister, Boots. Frank has a hard exterior with everyone around her except with her sister. Elma, Franks mother, walked out on them many years ago and Frank adopts a motherly role for her sister. Frank was my favorite character. She seems stubborn but soon grows on you. With everything she has had to deal with you really start to sympathize with her.
I have never read a thriller quite like this one. The narration and characters were so original and well thought out. The plot was engaging and fast paced with tidbits of information that keep you engaged. I still think about this story and the characters. It’s a very atmospheric story and at some points I felt like I was standing next to Frank peering up at the old, abandoned houses. This story has sad moments that remind you how unfair life can be, but this made the story feel more realistic and relatable. I had a great time with this one and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys heart-wrenching coming-of-age story, a mysterious whodunit, and Bruce Springsteen.
If you enjoy my reviews be sure to checkout my other socials for more content:
instagram: @books.and.other.things.i.love
Blog: https://booksandotherthingsilove.wordpress.com
Disclaimer: I was kindly gifted an eARC of this book via Netgally in exchange for an honest review.
Frank, her sister Megan (known as Boots) and her father Chuck move to the small town of Slippery Elm to look after her ailing grandmother. Frank starts to uncover many of the town’s secrets. She soon realizes that she can’t trust anyone in the eerie town, not even her father who has been accused of murdering two young boys when he too was only a boy. One of those boys happen to be his brother and Franks uncle that she never knew existed. Then another murder rocks the town and Frank is forced to question everything she has always believed.
The story is told from Frank’s point of view. A young sixteen-year-old that was forced to grow up too quickly. Frank is a very straight forward to the point kinda gal. She never holds her tongue and lets you know exactly what she is thinking. I loved her relationship with her younger sister, Boots. Frank has a hard exterior with everyone around her except with her sister. Elma, Franks mother, walked out on them many years ago and Frank adopts a motherly role for her sister. Frank was my favorite character. She seems stubborn but soon grows on you. With everything she has had to deal with you really start to sympathize with her.
I have never read a thriller quite like this one. The narration and characters were so original and well thought out. The plot was engaging and fast paced with tidbits of information that keep you engaged. I still think about this story and the characters. It’s a very atmospheric story and at some points I felt like I was standing next to Frank peering up at the old, abandoned houses. This story has sad moments that remind you how unfair life can be, but this made the story feel more realistic and relatable. I had a great time with this one and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys heart-wrenching coming-of-age story, a mysterious whodunit, and Bruce Springsteen.
If you enjoy my reviews be sure to checkout my other socials for more content:
instagram: @books.and.other.things.i.love
Blog: https://booksandotherthingsilove.wordpress.com
February 19, 2022
…
Lies in Bone is a haunting literary mystery spanning three generations of the Coolidge family of Slippery Elm, PA. This hard scrabble and depressed community is an echo of heartbreaking haunts in the Bruce Springsteen songs that comfort our heroine, Frances (Frank) Coolidge.
Frank’s father Chuck returns his tiny family, minus the wife who abandoned them years earlier, to his hometown, ostensibly to care for his ailing mother. It’s the scene of tragedy and crime for his childhood family and the entire community in the early ‘60’d when a toxic fog from a nearby factory fell over town on a Halloween evening sickening and killing many. Chuck and his younger brother Danny are trick-or-treating as the poisonous cloud envelopes them and Danny goes missing, leaving behind his Halloween treats scattered and his bike and mask laying on the ground. Another young boy is also goes missing and is found murdered by the river.
So, Frank and little sister Boots are now trapped in a town polluted by these unsolved tragedies and the sickness and death generated by the noxious environmental incident. Also poisoned is the relationship with their grandmother, who deeply resents her son Chuck over her missing and sainted Danny. As Frank struggles to protect and mother Boots and make her own way through the minefield of high school, Boot’s best friend Bernie is found shot to death in the river, echoing the earlier crimes. Are they connected and how? Her father soon becomes the prime suspect and Frank must find a way to clear Chuck’s name and take care of her sister with few resources beyond her wits and her strong assertive nature.
I absolutely love coming-of-age stories and this is a very gritty and realistic one. But what I loved best of all about this novel was its affirmation that there are many good and caring people out there, at least enough to rival the banal, corrupt, or just plain evil ones. Author Symons creates some unforgettable characters and Frank, her best friend Ray, and Bernie and her choppy haired Barbie doll are going to be on my mind for a long time.
Thank you to author Natalie Symons for an opportunity to listen to the audiobook of her deeply moving novel, which will be in my favorites of 2022.
…
…
Lies in Bone is a haunting literary mystery spanning three generations of the Coolidge family of Slippery Elm, PA. This hard scrabble and depressed community is an echo of heartbreaking haunts in the Bruce Springsteen songs that comfort our heroine, Frances (Frank) Coolidge.
Frank’s father Chuck returns his tiny family, minus the wife who abandoned them years earlier, to his hometown, ostensibly to care for his ailing mother. It’s the scene of tragedy and crime for his childhood family and the entire community in the early ‘60’d when a toxic fog from a nearby factory fell over town on a Halloween evening sickening and killing many. Chuck and his younger brother Danny are trick-or-treating as the poisonous cloud envelopes them and Danny goes missing, leaving behind his Halloween treats scattered and his bike and mask laying on the ground. Another young boy is also goes missing and is found murdered by the river.
So, Frank and little sister Boots are now trapped in a town polluted by these unsolved tragedies and the sickness and death generated by the noxious environmental incident. Also poisoned is the relationship with their grandmother, who deeply resents her son Chuck over her missing and sainted Danny. As Frank struggles to protect and mother Boots and make her own way through the minefield of high school, Boot’s best friend Bernie is found shot to death in the river, echoing the earlier crimes. Are they connected and how? Her father soon becomes the prime suspect and Frank must find a way to clear Chuck’s name and take care of her sister with few resources beyond her wits and her strong assertive nature.
I absolutely love coming-of-age stories and this is a very gritty and realistic one. But what I loved best of all about this novel was its affirmation that there are many good and caring people out there, at least enough to rival the banal, corrupt, or just plain evil ones. Author Symons creates some unforgettable characters and Frank, her best friend Ray, and Bernie and her choppy haired Barbie doll are going to be on my mind for a long time.
Thank you to author Natalie Symons for an opportunity to listen to the audiobook of her deeply moving novel, which will be in my favorites of 2022.
…
…
December 30, 2022
✨𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨✨
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Lies in Bone
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Natalie Symons
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis: Told by a tart-tongued young woman with a love of Bruce Springsteen, Lies in Bone is at once a mystery and coming-of-age tale fueled by dark secrets involving love, murder, and the truths worth lying for.
On Halloween 1963, eleven-year-old Chuck Coolidge and his brother Danny are lost in a toxic smog covering the steel town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. When the smog lifts, half the town is sick and twenty people are dead. And Danny is missing.
Now, over twenty years later, Chuck's teenage daughter Frank plots escape from this "busted and disgusted" town. When a murdered child is found in the river, investigators link the crime to the disappearance of Danny in '63, and Frank's life is turned upside down. In the face of her worst fears, she must uncover her family's dark past if she wants to keep her sister Boots from the hands of The State. Led to discover the unimaginable truth about Danny's disappearance, Lies in Bone culminates in a shocking eleventh-hour reveal and an emotionally charged finale.
ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs:
I really enjoyed this coming of age story for Frank, and how fiercely she loves her little sister, Boots. At times, this book is totally heartbreaking. The hand that these girls were dealt is far from the best, but I grew to love their characters- along with other characters in the book. It’s no surprise that Itchy the dog completely stole my heart 🥰 and I think that we all need a ride or die like Ray in our lives.
There are a lot of trigger warnings in this book (sexual assault, self harm, murder, domestic violence to name a few) so please be aware.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read! I was rooting for Frank to not only uncover the truth, but for her and Boots to find a way to rise above some of the terrible things happening in their lives. The resilience of these girls is everything. Thank you the author for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: Lies in Bone
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: Natalie Symons
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis: Told by a tart-tongued young woman with a love of Bruce Springsteen, Lies in Bone is at once a mystery and coming-of-age tale fueled by dark secrets involving love, murder, and the truths worth lying for.
On Halloween 1963, eleven-year-old Chuck Coolidge and his brother Danny are lost in a toxic smog covering the steel town of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania. When the smog lifts, half the town is sick and twenty people are dead. And Danny is missing.
Now, over twenty years later, Chuck's teenage daughter Frank plots escape from this "busted and disgusted" town. When a murdered child is found in the river, investigators link the crime to the disappearance of Danny in '63, and Frank's life is turned upside down. In the face of her worst fears, she must uncover her family's dark past if she wants to keep her sister Boots from the hands of The State. Led to discover the unimaginable truth about Danny's disappearance, Lies in Bone culminates in a shocking eleventh-hour reveal and an emotionally charged finale.
ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs:
I really enjoyed this coming of age story for Frank, and how fiercely she loves her little sister, Boots. At times, this book is totally heartbreaking. The hand that these girls were dealt is far from the best, but I grew to love their characters- along with other characters in the book. It’s no surprise that Itchy the dog completely stole my heart 🥰 and I think that we all need a ride or die like Ray in our lives.
There are a lot of trigger warnings in this book (sexual assault, self harm, murder, domestic violence to name a few) so please be aware.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read! I was rooting for Frank to not only uncover the truth, but for her and Boots to find a way to rise above some of the terrible things happening in their lives. The resilience of these girls is everything. Thank you the author for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
August 9, 2022
This is a must read. What an incredible debut novel!
"The thing of it is, life is strung together with sorrows and regrets and busted hearts. But it’s what happens in between all that, that’s what I hold onto anyway."
The story follows Frances (aka Frank) and her family as they move back to her fathers hometown, Slippery Elm. Frank & her families lives have been fraught with tragedy - from her father Chuck's younger brother disappearing at only 6 years old, to Frank's mom abandoning her and her younger sister Boots. Chuck, Frank, and Boots move to Slippery Elm to care for Ruth, Frank's grandmother, after she is diagnosed with cancer. Little do they know, this move is the beginning of the end for any happiness they'd once had.
This is such a complex tale, with so many twists and turns. It was gripping and had me hooked from page one. The author did an INCREDIBLE job with character building, each character truly feels like a real person. I was so engrossed in all of their stories that I could not put this book down. I felt so much heartache for Frank and Boots throughout the story, this was a very emotional read for me. Just when things seem like they cannot get worse, they do.
The ending - I did not see that coming! It ends on a mix of hope & sadness - which felt so real and natural and I don't think I would've wanted it any other way. This really feels like you are reading a true story.
I highly, highly, recommend this book and am so glad I had the opportunity to read it.
*Make sure to check TW*
"The thing of it is, life is strung together with sorrows and regrets and busted hearts. But it’s what happens in between all that, that’s what I hold onto anyway."
The story follows Frances (aka Frank) and her family as they move back to her fathers hometown, Slippery Elm. Frank & her families lives have been fraught with tragedy - from her father Chuck's younger brother disappearing at only 6 years old, to Frank's mom abandoning her and her younger sister Boots. Chuck, Frank, and Boots move to Slippery Elm to care for Ruth, Frank's grandmother, after she is diagnosed with cancer. Little do they know, this move is the beginning of the end for any happiness they'd once had.
This is such a complex tale, with so many twists and turns. It was gripping and had me hooked from page one. The author did an INCREDIBLE job with character building, each character truly feels like a real person. I was so engrossed in all of their stories that I could not put this book down. I felt so much heartache for Frank and Boots throughout the story, this was a very emotional read for me. Just when things seem like they cannot get worse, they do.
The ending - I did not see that coming! It ends on a mix of hope & sadness - which felt so real and natural and I don't think I would've wanted it any other way. This really feels like you are reading a true story.
I highly, highly, recommend this book and am so glad I had the opportunity to read it.
*Make sure to check TW*
July 22, 2022
“Lies in Bone” begins in 1963 with eleven-year-old Chuck Coolidge on a bike ride with his brother Danny. They become lost in the thick smog of Slippery Elm, Pennsylvania and Danny goes missing.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. The beginning of the book sets the tone for the rest of the tale and draws you in immediately. The transition to Frank as a narrator was fantastic- sarcastic, funny, dark, and damaged. Between her strained relationship with her father and abandonment issues with her mother, it’s no wonder she has the challenges she does. Chuck’s an absolutely believable and tragic character and his mother’s a piece of work (but also with a tragic past). The town is perfectly developed as a middle-of-nowhere-town-where-no-one-ever- leaves-and-if-you-happen-to-escape-you-should-not-go-back. The full blog post can be found at heatherlbarksdale.com
I ended up checking this book out on mixed platforms (e-book and audiobook). The narrator is really entertaining and does a great job in changing voices throughout many different characters.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. The beginning of the book sets the tone for the rest of the tale and draws you in immediately. The transition to Frank as a narrator was fantastic- sarcastic, funny, dark, and damaged. Between her strained relationship with her father and abandonment issues with her mother, it’s no wonder she has the challenges she does. Chuck’s an absolutely believable and tragic character and his mother’s a piece of work (but also with a tragic past). The town is perfectly developed as a middle-of-nowhere-town-where-no-one-ever- leaves-and-if-you-happen-to-escape-you-should-not-go-back. The full blog post can be found at heatherlbarksdale.com
I ended up checking this book out on mixed platforms (e-book and audiobook). The narrator is really entertaining and does a great job in changing voices throughout many different characters.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
September 13, 2022
Thank you to Katie and Brey PA and Natalie Symons for providing me with a copy of Lies in Bone. This is my honest review.
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Lies in Bone is a mystery thriller set in a tiny town that simply won’t let you go. Once you pick it up, you won’t be able to put it down. At least I know I couldn’t!
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The events in Lies in Bone are incredibly sad and extremely heavy, but well worth the read. The mystery was strong. I was theorizing the entire way through. There were an endless number of possibilities and just when I thought I had it all figured out another twist would pummel me.
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While you might pick it up for the mystery, it’s the characters and the setting that keep you reading. Frank is a tenacious heroine with a heart of gold. There are so many twists and turns in her life, but she always keeps pushing for the people she loves. It was so incredibly vivid in its setting. The fog, the decrepit houses, the loneliness of a dying town. These characters in their small corner of the world felt so incredibly real.
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All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book. If you’re looking for an atmospheric mystery perfect for fall that will keep you on your toes, definitely try Lies in Bone.
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Please check TW/CW before reading this book.
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Lies in Bone is a mystery thriller set in a tiny town that simply won’t let you go. Once you pick it up, you won’t be able to put it down. At least I know I couldn’t!
-
The events in Lies in Bone are incredibly sad and extremely heavy, but well worth the read. The mystery was strong. I was theorizing the entire way through. There were an endless number of possibilities and just when I thought I had it all figured out another twist would pummel me.
-
While you might pick it up for the mystery, it’s the characters and the setting that keep you reading. Frank is a tenacious heroine with a heart of gold. There are so many twists and turns in her life, but she always keeps pushing for the people she loves. It was so incredibly vivid in its setting. The fog, the decrepit houses, the loneliness of a dying town. These characters in their small corner of the world felt so incredibly real.
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All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book. If you’re looking for an atmospheric mystery perfect for fall that will keep you on your toes, definitely try Lies in Bone.
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Please check TW/CW before reading this book.
January 12, 2022
The story unfolds with each page and will keep you guessing until the last few pages. This is not one of those slow thrillers where you find out everything at the last second and wrap it all up in a neat bow. You’re on this journey with Frank to solve the mysteries each step of the way. It was very similar to listening to a true crime podcast, which I loved. Through the mystery lies a beautiful coming of age story. Frank and her sister Boots will capture your heart.
It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel! The plot was incredible. Every character and scene were so detailed that it felt like you were there in the town of Slippery Elm. You will become completely invested in the characters and won’t want to put the book down! It’s such an unforgettable story and one of those books that you’ll wish you could read again for the first time.
Thank you so much to the author Natalie Symons for this gifted copy in exchange for a review!
It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel! The plot was incredible. Every character and scene were so detailed that it felt like you were there in the town of Slippery Elm. You will become completely invested in the characters and won’t want to put the book down! It’s such an unforgettable story and one of those books that you’ll wish you could read again for the first time.
Thank you so much to the author Natalie Symons for this gifted copy in exchange for a review!
July 10, 2022
I listened to this book very quickly. It was an okay read. I liked it enough to get through it.
March 23, 2022
This book really gave you the feels. The story is told by Frank, the oldest of two sisters. They move back to their father’s hometown to take care of his mother, Ruth. When the past’s secrets start to emerge, Frank must help figure out what is the truth and what are lies. All while protecting her sister and keeping them away from the hands of the state.
This was a great read. But also a hard read! I definitely recommend!
This was a great read. But also a hard read! I definitely recommend!
September 13, 2022
4.5⭐️
I'm not even sure what to say after reading this book. I'm basically speechless. Lies In Bone is a very dark, emotional read that will take you on an emotional roller coaster. I was captivated by this novel and could not put it down. This is a story you will continue to think about long after you have finished. If you love a good thriller, then this is a must read for you.
I'm not even sure what to say after reading this book. I'm basically speechless. Lies In Bone is a very dark, emotional read that will take you on an emotional roller coaster. I was captivated by this novel and could not put it down. This is a story you will continue to think about long after you have finished. If you love a good thriller, then this is a must read for you.
November 10, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC of this book! All opinions are my own.
This did take me a little bit to get into, but once I did I absolutely couldn’t stop! This was thrilling, mysterious and absolutely encapsulating. It really brought me fully in and didn’t let me go until the end. It was well written and gives you so much to want to keep reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this!
This did take me a little bit to get into, but once I did I absolutely couldn’t stop! This was thrilling, mysterious and absolutely encapsulating. It really brought me fully in and didn’t let me go until the end. It was well written and gives you so much to want to keep reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this!
September 7, 2021
Wow, wow, WOW! I read Symons’s debut novel quickly and I look forward to giving it a slow read. The prose is too lovely to pass by and the story is so intricate and exciting, it should be savored. I want to live with these quirky, flawed and surprisingly funny characters once again. The twists and turns in this gritty tome are aplenty and will keep you guessing. Root for Boots, I say!
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