Bones to Pick

Mysteries of Aspen Falls #6

by Johnnie Alexander

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, budding lovebirds Dr. Ashley Hart and U.S. Forest Ranger Cole Hawke eagerly anticipate their first date, but an avalanche outside Aspen Falls, Colorado, delays their Friday night plans. Not letting the interruption ruffle her feathers, Ashley opens her veterinary clinic after hours to treat a dog and a falcon for hypothermia after they spent several freezing hours trapped in an icy cave with their caretaker, local historian Jedidiah Stone. She expects the animals to make a full recovery—what she doesn’t expect is to learn that Jedidiah discovered a human skeleton during his harrowing experience and the police suspect foul play. Although Jedidiah seems innocent, Ashley senses he knows more about the bones than he lets on. Unable to determine whether Jedidiah’s secrets are sinister or not, Ashley decides she’d better watch the young man like a hawk as he draws her into a tangled web of half-truths and misdirection. Before long, identifying the bones becomes about much more than laying an unfortunate victim of the elements to rest—it turns into a murder investigation and Jedidiah is the main person of interest. Can Ashley decode the clues that will uncover a killer before her greatest fears are realized? If not, she might become the next person in Aspen Falls to fall prey to a cold-blooded murderer.

Genres: Mystery

Hardcover

About the author

Johnnie Alexander, author of over forty works of fiction, writes award-winning stories (and a couple bestsellers!) of enduring love and quiet courage. Her historical and contemporary novels weave together unforgettable romance, compelling characters, and a touch of mystery. Readers discover glimpses of grace and timeless truth in her stories.

She is both traditionally and indie-published; serves as board secretary for the Mosaic Collection LLC and faculty chair for the Mid-South Christian Writers Conference; and is a member of the Word-Weavers Brevard (Florida) chapter.

A sometime hermit and occasional vagabond who most often kicks off her Skechers in Florida, Johnnie cherishes cozy family times and is a fan of classic movies, road trips, and quiet adventures. Her grands call her “The Shadow” and dutifully follow this unbreakable rule ~ only she is allowed to open a new bag of Classic Lay’s potato chips.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky, but fun

[Victoria Marie Lees · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bones to Pick by Johnnie Alexander is part of the Aspen Falls Mystery series. The characters are unique and real. And the chemistry between them is satisfying. This helps the reader care about the characters, and even their pets.

Veterinarian Ashley Hart is the amateur sleuth in this novel. With the help of her handsome beau U.S. Park Ranger Cole Hawke, Dr. Hart tries to solve the mystery of whose bones are found in the abandoned silver mine in Colorado near Rocky Mountain National Park.

The interesting thing about the Aspen Falls Mystery series is how the author connects the mystery with animals and pets and involves the veterinarian. The mystery is a plausible and interconnected story. The clues are laid out to give the reader a chance to solve the cerebral puzzle. This is why I love cozies. Everything is tied up in the end. Life isn’t always so organized.

If you’re looking for a good cozy to read this summer, then Bones to Pick by Johnnie Alexander is the mystery for you. Enjoy!

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this Second Book in the Mysteries of Aspen Falls. My husband is a bird watcher so i was especially interested in the section on the "hawk" that Dr. Ashley Hart treated. the section on Ashley and Cole trying for their "First" date was well done.

[f_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lovvveeedddd this one!!!! Cole is a very large, very green flag and he’s so fun and sweet. So is Ashley, I love them together:) The action, mystery, and intrigue in this one kept me on the edge of my seat, intermixed with the cute Valentines romance… *grins in bookworm glee* Yes it’s kinda cheesy but I’m so invested in this series, and it’s just so COZY and lighthearted and exciting!

[Kamila Mullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, honestly nothing special for a cozy mystery, but it did the job of making me feel cozy with the setting of the book.

[Jeanie Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series so much! The characters are amazing and fun and the mysteries are complex but reasonable.