Silver's Bones

by Midge Bubany

Seventeen-year-old Silver Rae Dawson vanished while babysitting for her neighbors. Fifteen years later a landscaping crew, hired by Adriana Valero, Deputy Investigator Cal Sheehan’s ex-girlfriend, uncovers her shallow grave. With little new evidence and suspects who seem to have solid alibis, it isn’t going to be easy for a fairly inexperienced investigator to solve a homicide gone cold. But what Cal lacks in experience he makes up in determination as he relentlessly pursues the truth and uncovers shocking secrets and brilliantly conceived lies.

Genres: Mystery

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

Midge is the author of the Cal Sheehan mysteries published by North Star Press of St. Cloud: The Equalizer, (2014), Silver's Bones (2015), and Crow Wing Dead (2016) Love 'Em or Leave 'Em Dead (2017)). She has short stories in two anthologies: Dark Side of the Loon - Where History Meets Mystery and Cooked to Death -Hell for the Holidays. She has a BS degree in education from Minnesota State University and a social science major from the University of California, Irvine. She has taught in Minnesota and California. Midge continues to study writing with the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis and has educated herself in police proceedures through several resources including attending the eight week Orono Citizens Police Academy and the six weeks Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Citizens' Academy. Midge lives with her husband in the Minneapolis Metro area.

Reviews

[Jeff DeZellar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Silver's Bones" is about a cold murder case in outstate Minnesota, and the young detective (Cal Sheehan) who tries to solve it after 15 years. Like her first murder mystery, "The Equalizer", author Midge Bubany weaves a complex but interesting story and cast of characters that kept me guessing "whodunit" until the last few pages. It didn't take me long to get there, as it was a page-turner from the get-go.

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fine, well-put-together story. It is second in what may become a long-running series of detective novels. Chief among the many excellent characters is young county investigator, Cal Sheehan. He’s still finding his way as a member of the county sheriff enforcement unit. His fellow investigator is a cranky and older experienced cop who has just lost the election for sheriff to a woman, Patrice Clinton.
That’s only part of the complex social net the author weaves around the investigator in this sequel to her first novel, “The Equalizer.” Sheehan is now married to a cop, a widow who comes with two young boys. The book opens with Cal Sheehan just back on duty after his honeymoon when he gets a call from an ex-girlfriend. A skeleton has been unearthed on her property.
The story quickly devolves into a turbulent bog of detection and vandalism, domestic abuse, internal competition and other developing relationships. Cal has to somehow tread a narrow path between rising jealousy on the part of his new wife and proving his abilities as an ace investigator. Throw in some dysfunctional family members, a fifteen-year-old disappearance and you realize it takes a careful hand to sort it all out in logical and realistic fashion. That Bubany is able to accomplish these tasks with efficiency, dispatch and all while entertaining and keeping readers attached is a tribute. She’s a good writer and we quickly attach to some of the characters.
As readers of this review will already realize, I liked this novel a lot although I’m not happy with the title. It has a few small editing problems, but nothing that is deeply disturbing. I was presented with a copy of the novel by the author in exchange for nothing. I should also call attention to the fact that the publisher of Silver’s Bones is also my publisher. Make of that what you will.

[Hadley Barrows · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to see book number two in the mystery series by Midge Bubany – and it did not disappoint. I thought this story had even more momentum than the first – the kind of steady momentum that hooks you in early on and keeps you there until you finally get to some answers. Like her first, this book keeps a steady stream of useful clues coming, without ever being obvious. A fun, fast read!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved watching Cal Sheehan change in his new role as a husband and dad. The plot had me guessing and turning pages way into the night to see how it turned out. Totally engrossing read!

[ELDEE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book of Cal Sheehan. He is a likeable character and one can identify with his issues.
Another plot with a complex list of characters. I found them hard to remember when the conclusion
was reached. The author needs to high light personalities better?

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silver’s Bones was a well written book. The author told the main character’s story with the great introspection through out mystery.