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DI Fenella Sallow #2
Whispered Bones
When darks secrets surface the living must pay…
Inspector Fenella Sallow is haunted by her past and obsessive about the truth…no matter how painful.
When a body is found on an isolated footbridge in the scenic village of St Bees, Fenella must piece together the events that lead to the grizzly death. All evidence points to a murder by the escaped serial killer dubbed "Mr Shred".
As the investigation heats up Fenella and her team discover a world darker than most can imagine. And it soon becomes clear the killer is determined to teach the police a lesson.
With time running out, Fenella must engage in a deadly cat and mouse game that could cost more than her career. Can she solve the case before another victim dies, or will Mr Shred vanish like a ghost, just like he did from prison?
Set against the backdrop of beautiful coastal Cumbria, an ancient land of legend, folklore and myth, Whispered Bones is the second book in the Detective Inspector Fenella Sallow series.
This page-turning crime thriller will keep you hooked until the very end. If you like police procedurals with psychologically complex characters and shocking twists, then you’ll love Whispered Bones.
Perfect for fans of L. J. Ross, JD. Kirk, Simon McCleave, Stuart MacBride, Matt Brolly, Angela Marsons, Alex Smith, JM. Dalgliesh, JE. Mayhew, David J. Gatward, Damien Boyd, TG Reid, Jack Gatland, Robert F Barker and JR. Ellis.
Inspector Fenella Sallow is haunted by her past and obsessive about the truth…no matter how painful.
When a body is found on an isolated footbridge in the scenic village of St Bees, Fenella must piece together the events that lead to the grizzly death. All evidence points to a murder by the escaped serial killer dubbed "Mr Shred".
As the investigation heats up Fenella and her team discover a world darker than most can imagine. And it soon becomes clear the killer is determined to teach the police a lesson.
With time running out, Fenella must engage in a deadly cat and mouse game that could cost more than her career. Can she solve the case before another victim dies, or will Mr Shred vanish like a ghost, just like he did from prison?
Set against the backdrop of beautiful coastal Cumbria, an ancient land of legend, folklore and myth, Whispered Bones is the second book in the Detective Inspector Fenella Sallow series.
This page-turning crime thriller will keep you hooked until the very end. If you like police procedurals with psychologically complex characters and shocking twists, then you’ll love Whispered Bones.
Perfect for fans of L. J. Ross, JD. Kirk, Simon McCleave, Stuart MacBride, Matt Brolly, Angela Marsons, Alex Smith, JM. Dalgliesh, JE. Mayhew, David J. Gatward, Damien Boyd, TG Reid, Jack Gatland, Robert F Barker and JR. Ellis.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2021
3008 people are currently reading
743 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
May 4, 2022
Unlikable Characters
I've read 2 of these now, won't be reading another. So many unlikable characters. Almost everyone turns out to have an ulterior motive. And the location doesn't really ring true for me, maybe because the author is American. There are a few attempts at British English, but it feels like a passing nod to the setting, rather than a natural feature of the characters.
I've read 2 of these now, won't be reading another. So many unlikable characters. Almost everyone turns out to have an ulterior motive. And the location doesn't really ring true for me, maybe because the author is American. There are a few attempts at British English, but it feels like a passing nod to the setting, rather than a natural feature of the characters.
January 18, 2022
The title has nothing to do with the story
Nary a bone to be found in this book. The writer arguably has some talent but has little writing skill: I would delineate the evidence but I haven’t the fortitude. This is a very elementary book that desperately needed a copy editor.
Nary a bone to be found in this book. The writer arguably has some talent but has little writing skill: I would delineate the evidence but I haven’t the fortitude. This is a very elementary book that desperately needed a copy editor.
July 17, 2024
A killer nicknamed Mr. Shred for his MO has escaped from prison. Fenella and her team believe he will come back to their village. When two women are murdered, it’s believed to be the work of the escaped killer. But is it? Seems like everyone in this village has secrets. This author has a knack for nasty characters (and there are quite a few) and a fondness for cliffhanger endings.
November 9, 2023
This second book was marginally better than her first book of this series. At least this one didn't put me to sleep like book #1 did.
What I didn't like about this book was that the author is really negative about all of her characters. She criticizes every character and makes judgements about them. It is as though she doesn't like any of her characters. She also often repeats herself in both books. She often uses the same phrases over and over.
The most annoying thing is how the main character, DI Fenella Sallow, suddenly comes up with the murderer on the last couple of pages without any explanation or reasoning on how she got there. It is like the author says to herself, "I now have the number of words written that I have to write," and suddenly decides to end the story. It's 'blah, blah, blah,' and now we are finished. This is very unsatisfactory.
Unfortunately, I have purchased several books from this author and even though they are from different series, I wonder if all of her books are written with the same shortcut to the ending of the story. We'll see, although I really don't have any high hopes. But, who knows, she could surprise me.
What I didn't like about this book was that the author is really negative about all of her characters. She criticizes every character and makes judgements about them. It is as though she doesn't like any of her characters. She also often repeats herself in both books. She often uses the same phrases over and over.
The most annoying thing is how the main character, DI Fenella Sallow, suddenly comes up with the murderer on the last couple of pages without any explanation or reasoning on how she got there. It is like the author says to herself, "I now have the number of words written that I have to write," and suddenly decides to end the story. It's 'blah, blah, blah,' and now we are finished. This is very unsatisfactory.
Unfortunately, I have purchased several books from this author and even though they are from different series, I wonder if all of her books are written with the same shortcut to the ending of the story. We'll see, although I really don't have any high hopes. But, who knows, she could surprise me.
January 15, 2022
book 2 didn’t disappoint
Another wonderful novel. I read book one in two days and the same for book 2. I couldn’t put it down, I had to try and figure it out. Which I didn’t. So many great twists and turns! Wonderful author. I will check out more of their books. Any wait for book 3.
Another wonderful novel. I read book one in two days and the same for book 2. I couldn’t put it down, I had to try and figure it out. Which I didn’t. So many great twists and turns! Wonderful author. I will check out more of their books. Any wait for book 3.
November 16, 2024
page turner!
Gripping and beautiful. We begin to love the main characters and appreciate the mix of human complexity that surrounds the villains.
Gripping and beautiful. We begin to love the main characters and appreciate the mix of human complexity that surrounds the villains.
October 14, 2025
I enjoyed the second book in this series.
August 6, 2025
Good book
Good book. The ending was not what I expected, I liked that. Will read other books in the Fenella Shallow series.
Good book. The ending was not what I expected, I liked that. Will read other books in the Fenella Shallow series.
June 13, 2025
Promising but not fully delivered
This was the second book I read. I quite like the characters and became involved. The plot was promising with the usual red herrings thrown in. However towards the end it seemed to lose its way and drive. I was a little disappointed and found myself not fully believing what was being presented. Nevertheless, a well written novel which still had merit. I will still look for other books from this author.
This was the second book I read. I quite like the characters and became involved. The plot was promising with the usual red herrings thrown in. However towards the end it seemed to lose its way and drive. I was a little disappointed and found myself not fully believing what was being presented. Nevertheless, a well written novel which still had merit. I will still look for other books from this author.
April 15, 2023
Lots going on in this one.
I am trying to.like this series as I enjoy other British mysteries but can't really say its great. The characters seemed more like caricatures than characters, the dialogue was bad, the setting was crazy with the amount of sex going on in that village! (Nothing explicit but everyone with everyone kind of) There was some good mystery though, some paths we were taken down which weren't what they seemed. Guess ill give #3 a try!
I am trying to.like this series as I enjoy other British mysteries but can't really say its great. The characters seemed more like caricatures than characters, the dialogue was bad, the setting was crazy with the amount of sex going on in that village! (Nothing explicit but everyone with everyone kind of) There was some good mystery though, some paths we were taken down which weren't what they seemed. Guess ill give #3 a try!
January 20, 2024
Wow! what a plot twister this second Book by Stig Abell is, it had me gripped all the way through as the plots & characters twist & turn , so just as you begin to think to know what's going to happen with the main Characters Jake & Livia your knocked sideways by another twist , so I truly highly recommend you read this : #NetGalley, #GoodReads, #Amazon.co.uk, #FB, #Instagram, # 
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, #, #.June 27, 2025
I have read the first two books in this series and am about to start the third. I quite enjoyed the twist at the end of this one but feel, like other reviewers, that there are some repetative sentences in each book that don't need to be there. Also does the main character HAVE to call everyone Luv? Its an expression I loathe and is patronising. I know Fenella is Cumbrian, and I assume the author is trying to replicate a Cumbrian accent but its grating!! It's such an old fashioned turn of phrase that I doubt it is needed every time she speaks to a witness. I am hoping that the author will improve her stories as this series goes along.
August 2, 2023
Again I'm left wondering how Fenella solved the crime. What, exactly, led her to her whodunit conclusion? What tumblers clicked into place to unlock the mystery? We'll never know. At least this one doesn't have as many loose threads hanging except for introduction of Fenella's missing sister, who was not mentioned at all in Book 1. I'm going on to the next one because I like the characters -- I just think N.C. Lewis is really crappy at plotting.
June 25, 2024
It was okay not really interested in it much. Officers were trying to find out who murdered some people, and if it was a serial killer or not who did it. One of the officers had a habit of taking womans pocketbooks and hiding them if he was the first officer on the scene. He would take them home and not tell anyone. Him and his wife didnt get along and he was planning on getting revenge on her eventually but in the end it didnt work out that way.
December 12, 2024
Love the series
This series is about Detective Swallow who lives in the UK. The first 2 books are written in excellent prose. The setting seems to be early winter along a
The Irish sea. Its always dark and cold in her books and everyone is constantly drinking hot tea or coffee while trying to solve a murder I like The characters and the way the story line us developed. I'm moving all g to book 3
This series is about Detective Swallow who lives in the UK. The first 2 books are written in excellent prose. The setting seems to be early winter along a
The Irish sea. Its always dark and cold in her books and everyone is constantly drinking hot tea or coffee while trying to solve a murder I like The characters and the way the story line us developed. I'm moving all g to book 3
February 9, 2025
Bones? She did?
As in her first book after many lead-ups we arrive at the culminating moment and... are terribly confused and disappointed! Who? Why? What about the other threads? Are there always bad cops? Has the author talked to and observed police in real life?
I like the locations and small town environments of West Cumbria but the weather is a turn off. Fortunately our week there was mainly sunny.
As in her first book after many lead-ups we arrive at the culminating moment and... are terribly confused and disappointed! Who? Why? What about the other threads? Are there always bad cops? Has the author talked to and observed police in real life?
I like the locations and small town environments of West Cumbria but the weather is a turn off. Fortunately our week there was mainly sunny.
December 10, 2025
interesting twists
The detective Inspector is such a lovely person with a family. She cares about police families: she visits them and organizes meals for ailing members. She has a soft voice seeking confessions. The story is full of possible culprits till the last moment when the killer is fingered and it was a surprise to me. But not so much if one sifts through the motives.
The detective Inspector is such a lovely person with a family. She cares about police families: she visits them and organizes meals for ailing members. She has a soft voice seeking confessions. The story is full of possible culprits till the last moment when the killer is fingered and it was a surprise to me. But not so much if one sifts through the motives.
June 9, 2022
No bones present in this book. Call me crazy but I believe the title should reflect something in the book.
The story line was well done. The ending was somewhat flat.
I would ask the author to get some help for DC Fenella Sallow and her neck issues. I lost track of how many times she referred to neck issues. Same in the first book.
The story line was well done. The ending was somewhat flat.
I would ask the author to get some help for DC Fenella Sallow and her neck issues. I lost track of how many times she referred to neck issues. Same in the first book.
August 31, 2023
Whispered Bones
This book is great it keeps going all the way through and you keep thinking youve found the killer and then it turns out not to them please read this author I will by another book but at the moment they are a bit to expensive for me but the author gives you a brilliant read.
This book is great it keeps going all the way through and you keep thinking youve found the killer and then it turns out not to them please read this author I will by another book but at the moment they are a bit to expensive for me but the author gives you a brilliant read.
July 20, 2024
The second book in this series is much better than the first. The characters seem more developed and the plot took twists in many different ways and the murderer not identified until the very end. The story seemed to flow and it was hard to put down, didn't seem to have a good stopping point. I was unsure of this series after the 1st book but now glad I decided to keep going in the series.
September 22, 2024
I had a hard time getting into this story. The author runs several sub-plots concurrently with the main murder search, and all the characters involved seemingly have a dark past and are plotting terrible actions. I did keep reading, and it was interesting, and I'll read the next book. But I thought book 1 was easier to read and make sense of.
October 9, 2024
this is not a series that grabbed me enough to believe i want to read the remainder. the story had the potential to be grabbing, but failed in the attempt. the characters were interesting, and different from those in other detective novels, but not engaging enough to hold my attention. the plot plodded. there were no moments of true suspense or excitement.
August 27, 2025
It's a really good detective story, good for those who don't like the deep psychological, gruesome stuff. The main character, Fenella, is good, although at times she can be annoying. She replies,'Aye' to everything. The story is good, and there are plenty of plot twists to keep you interested. I will certainly try others in the series.
September 15, 2025
whispered bones
This series of books by NC Lewis are absolutely fantastic. They are so well written the twist and turns in the book are just incredible. I don’t know until the very last few pages who actually commits the murders I like the way that she weaves a little information about the detectives along with all the different characters that’s are involved in the plot
This series of books by NC Lewis are absolutely fantastic. They are so well written the twist and turns in the book are just incredible. I don’t know until the very last few pages who actually commits the murders I like the way that she weaves a little information about the detectives along with all the different characters that’s are involved in the plot
October 14, 2025
Very readable with a twisty plot
A host of deeply flawed characters - including some on the side of law and order - vie for pride of place as most villainous. A picture of a village steeped in depravity is darkly comic in places and the backdrop to a tale of deceit, treachery and malice.
A host of deeply flawed characters - including some on the side of law and order - vie for pride of place as most villainous. A picture of a village steeped in depravity is darkly comic in places and the backdrop to a tale of deceit, treachery and malice.
December 2, 2021
Ending not interesting.
The characters are well written but the "who done it" in the end is disappointing. In books 1 and 2. It felt like it was thrown out as a conclusion when the protagonist could have been further developed as a possibility. Disapointed.
The characters are well written but the "who done it" in the end is disappointing. In books 1 and 2. It felt like it was thrown out as a conclusion when the protagonist could have been further developed as a possibility. Disapointed.
February 24, 2022
Good countryside thriller
Even though I wasn't familiar with the English terminology used, I really liked this book. I really like NC Lewis' writing and is another example of her expertise. And the ending!!!
Even though I wasn't familiar with the English terminology used, I really liked this book. I really like NC Lewis' writing and is another example of her expertise. And the ending!!!
February 28, 2022
Little hard to follow
Keep reading started to stop several times but if I start a book I keep on. The book when finished was surprisingly ok but seemed to me to have to many people going every which away to hold your attention have to say a hard book to stay with.
Keep reading started to stop several times but if I start a book I keep on. The book when finished was surprisingly ok but seemed to me to have to many people going every which away to hold your attention have to say a hard book to stay with.
April 4, 2022
When I started the book, I thought it was going to be a repeat of if Spoken Bone. As I continued to read I became more intrigued with the the characters of St Bees. I’m not always sure how describe Sallows finds the murderer, but she does manage to tie things together in the end.
May 19, 2022
Good story
Plenty of twists and turns to keep it interesting. I like how the author doles out information in little bits and the pieces don't all automatically make sense or fit together like it would in real life.
Plenty of twists and turns to keep it interesting. I like how the author doles out information in little bits and the pieces don't all automatically make sense or fit together like it would in real life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews