Hollowed Bones

DI Fenella Sallow #5

by N.C. Lewis

Buried secrets cannot be hidden forever…


In this exciting addition to the Fenella Sallow Crime Thrillers, Fenella must confront the darkest demons in Cumbria—and herself.

DI Fenella Sallow has retreated to her work, escaping the trauma of the last case, when a strange man is found dead in the ruins of an ancient castle. There are no clues, the police investigation stalled, and Fenella is reluctant to take on a case which will toss her into dark memories she'd rather forget.

She soon finds herself in conflict with the locals and is stunned by the ripples of shock spreading outward from the ancient past to the killer's front door.

Worse, it becomes clear she is dealing with a killer who will push her to the limits, both professionally and personally, as never before. A killer who will force her to contend with her own demons to get the truth. A killer who will stop at nothing to ensure buried secrets never see the light of day.

Set against the backdrop of beautiful coastal Cumbria, an ancient land of legend, folklore and myth, these detective books are page-turning crime thrillers that will keep you hooked until the very end.

If you like detective mysteries with psychologically complex characters and shocking twists, then you’ll love this English police procedural books . Perfect for fans of J M Dalgliesh, Ann Cleeves, Ryhs Dylan and TG Reid.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2023

Reviews

[Bill Pentland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another DI Fanella mystery in the books, another good one. This time Fanella and her team had to crack a series of "suicides" committed in the ruins of an abandoned castle on a small island of the Cumbrian coast of Scotland. The story involves drug running, corruption, and ill-fated love. And, like other N.C. Lewis stories misdirection and surprises.

[Paul Womack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not figure this one. I would be a terrible detective but this one did not keep my interest. Maybe Christmas got in the way.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok. This is my fifth Fenella Sallow read, and I still couldn’t figure out “who done it.” The books are deceptively easy to read—although the character names are hard to keep straight as to who is who—yet I have been flabbergasted when the TRUTH IS REVEALED. I like these primarily because the unexpected comes up and keeps me guessing. I’m adding a star on this one because I’m finally admitting that the deception is part of NC Lewis’s game. 😉

[Bradley-Goodman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Huh!

Lewis continues to create multiple suspect scenarios and then pull a completely unexpected solution at the end without any hint of evidence. There is a major error in this book at the end where they refer to the wrong character when discussing a bank payment. He also identifies one character as another’s step father and later has that character describe a different way they met. I am dropping this series.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again we don't know

How Fenella decided who the killer was. Followed Lewis's usual pattern of throwing in a red herring or two, then miraculously settling on the killer, who wasn't even interviewed during the investigation. And it ends with another cliffhanger. The writer has no clue how to have Frenella work things out before the reveal. Lazy plotting.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this series is the author’s best work to date. DI Fenella Sallow finds herself reliving an unhappy scene from her childhood when she is called to investigate an island death. There are no clear cut suspects, but a plethora of possibilities. The plot is complex and multi layered, with many twists and turns. The characters are vivid and well drawn and the brilliant storytelling kept the pages turning well past my bedtime. I was certain I knew the identity of the culprits, but I was wrong. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

[Aloma Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story like the four others that i’ve read are fantastic.

Some stories are good and then there are some that send chills down your spine, this one has chills. All the books I have read in this series are so interesting and actually fun to read. The characters are great. I feel this book is the best one though. It has mysteries and murders and ghost stories and an old castle. If you like mysteries that really keep the pages turning so fast you can hardly read the words then grab all of these books but especially Hallowed Bones.

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is every bit as good as the preceding books. The plot is fresh and the characters are more developed. New characters added enhance the plot which has many twists and turns. The author leads you down several paths while making the case for a suspect but seems to find clues that the real suspect lies in another direction. The author is a master at not revealing the suspect until close to then end and it is always someone who wasn't on the radar. Once you start a book and this series, very hard to stop.

[Meryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took a bit to get into the story. I have read this Sallow series in order. But a thing that got me was that there were passages of words repeated in every book. Might be a good idea to start your books with a glossary of the ongoing characters that go in each book for those who haven’t read in order. Examples are: “Shoulder length grey hair”, “I’m good at waiting” and “scrubbed pine table “. To name a few. There are many other examples like this that appear to be copy pasted.
Otherwise a good read

[Paula Corregan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book. DI Fenella Sallow and her team are investigating the deaths of two men who were found hanging in the ruins of a castle on Piel Island. The deaths are not as straightforward as they seem. Some of the characters are not as they seem, either. If you like suspense, complex characters and surprise endings, you'll like this book. I highly recommend it to other police procedural readers. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

[Michael Cordery · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea how I came to read 5 books in this series. I think it was in the hope that the ridiculous Superintendant Jeffrey would be one of the victims. What the point of this character is I do not know. In fact other than DI Sallow and her team most of the characters are ridiculous too. I'm sorry but I find these poorly written books. Why they have been so heavily promoted on FB is beyond me. If you are interested in the weather, over rated cafes, tea and custard creams and very creepy pathologists then these books are for you. If not stay well away.

[Emme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. There are always so many twists and turns. They remind me so much of the British series Vera. Fanella is such an interesting character.

Received an advanced copy; however, my review is my own opinion.

[Marilyn Linnegar · Rating 5 out of 5]

always enjoyable

I enjoy all the author’s characters & her descriptions of the scenes are pure pleasure. I keep thinking DI Sallow would make a wonderful TV series now that Vera is retiring.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read.

My fifth in the series and the characters continue to grow and fill the storyline. Enjoy the landscape and the complicated thread of the story with the red herrings all over the place. Fun to read.

[Lisa Kidder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there a treasure to be found on the island or is it a legend from days of old?

Again, there are many scenarios that are conceived in the opening chapters. Which one does one follow as primary and which ones are there for color.

[Arlene Kyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

mystery

The story keeping us guessing till the end. We think we are on the right line than gives more tips and look at something else. Even on the end we didn’t guess before they gave the end

[Mrs I Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of the series so far, book 5

I'd read the first 4 books of this series & only downloaded book 5 after a long gap. It's a good read with an unexpected twist at the end. It's well written & held my attention all the way through.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

I absolutely Love the Fenalla Sallow crime thriller series. Looking forward to the next one. I highly recommend this series!

[Lynn Leach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as enthralling for me as the previous books but still a good read and quite a twist in the end. Looking forward to the next book. Too bad it won't come out until December!

[Leorah · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Sallow is a complex, intelligent, and compelling character. I've followed her investigations over the course of 5 novels, and I look forward to reading the 6th.

[Dee Sciaraffa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stuck on the series. Two more to go.

[Wands Schneiter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but long

I like the books N.C.Lewis writes. Interesting
most of the time , but it did drag on until I just wanted to be done with it.
I do enjoy the characters, very real like.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindle

[Dean Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting!

This book is hard to put down, once you’ve started it, so pick it up when you have an abundance of time, and then enjoy

[Carolyn Kelliher · Rating 5 out of 5]

best one so far

I am enjoying the Fenella Sallow mystery series. I thought this was the best one in the series so far.

[Sienna S'Zell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The clearest plot of the 5 books so far, even though there continue to be vague mental issues with most of the side characters, and an out-of-the-blue solution to the main problem.

[Rodney H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

keeps me awake

I did not intend to read more then one and now am starting number 6 … enough said. I love them.

[Marg goby · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read

Brilliant book from start to finish so many twist and turns to the end , u think u know who’s done murders then it’s some one completely different brilliant writer

[Patricia Lilly-Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of things going on in this one. Twists turns and I seem to never get the culprit right at the twist in the end.

[Bonnie Ladd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still good

Yes, I'm still enjoying the series. Love the British slang and description of the weather and I was surprised by who done it!