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The Bones of You cover art

The Bones of You

By: Debbie Howells
Narrated by: Charlie Sanderson, Jenny Funnell
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Summary

"I have a gardener's inherent belief in the natural order of things. Soft-petalled flowers that go to seed. The resolute passage of the seasons. Swallows that fly thousands of miles to follow the eternal summer.

Children who don't die before their parents."

A community in shock

When eighteen-year-old Rosie Anderson disappears, the idyllic village where she lived will never be the same again. Local gardener Kate is struck with guilt. She'd come to know Rosie well, and thought she understood her - perhaps better even than Rosie's own mother.

A family torn apart

Rosie was beautiful, kind and gentle. She came from a loving family and she had her whole life ahead of her. Who could possibly want to harm her? And why?

A keeper of secrets

Kate is convinced the police are missing something. She's certain that someone in the village knows more than they're letting on. As the investigation deepens, so does Kate's obsession with solving the mystery of what happened to Rosie.

©2015 Debbie Howells (P)2015 Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Critic reviews

"This is a book about secrets and deception, the story told from alternating points of view and time frames, with Rosie’s voice coming through in her own dedicated chapters. A debut psychological thriller that’s intricately plotted, from a writer with a promising feature." (Choice Magazine)
"This is not a fast-paced, edge-of-the-seat crime story but a psychological thriller about the dark side of suburban England where finely pruned rose bushes hide what lies beneath." (The Daily Express)
"Thrilling reads you can’t resist." (The Daily Express)
"On the Bookshelf." (Choice Magazine)

What listeners say about The Bones of You

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very good

Great story although child voice quite irritating at times strange diction. Dark but written with good awareness

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Perfect

Gripping and amazing. Kept me on the edge of my seat. One to re-read.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Something to pass the time No great story

"The Bones Of You“ is the first book I have read by this author chosen as it was a recommendation of Richard and Judy bookclub. I would say it was written well with some dark moments.
The narrative was ok
A small Sussex time sees the disappearance of Rosie. Kate knew her as she helped out with her horses and her daughter Grace was approximately the same age. Kate tries to help Rosie’s mother Joanna who seemingly has the world at her feet. Her husband is a famous TV journalist. She has two perfect daughters with money and a big home.
Rosie is one of the book narrators seeing the ‘movie of her life’, she tells the reader the reality of living in her family.
Revelations are slowly drip fed to the reader with Kate and Rosie alternating chapters.
I guessed quite quickly where this was ultimately going. I soon realised that with this character anything was possible.
However the most important thing I wanted to know was “What was the story of the horse”? That would have been important to be explained instead of all the padding with Kate’s husband having his own sideline plot of total irrelevance to the story and the reader.
There are so many characters which in my opinion did not endear themselves to the reader in any way. Kate was such a wet dishcloth. She says Jo is her best friend yet Jo is so mentally ill she is unable to be anything to anyone. Kate is supposedly an experienced Landscape Gardener yet there is this apple tree in Jo’s garden acting very suspiciously and Kate the expert gardener does not suspect anything!
There are some quiet unbelievable things for example a man is arrested for Rosie’s mother and no-one bothers to check his home. In fact his wife goes straight ahead and redecorates it?
Overall it is an ok read and I would recommend it as something to pass the time.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Slow-burner

The Bones of You was slow to get started but once I got used to the pace of the story I was hooked. I enjoyed Rosie's narration the most which allowed the story to slowly unravel, exposing the truth.

I'm not sure why the horse had to die, it seemed unnecessary! Also the police involvement was minimal which seemed unbelievable at times.

Overall I enjoyed this novel and would recommend to others.

I give this book 3 stars.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing second book

It was ok. Not a patch on the first book sadly. Rather predictable and blandly performed

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Compelling

I placed this book on my wish list after reading a recommendation in a magazine. So glad I did throughly enjoyed the story the characters and the use of Rosie dictation.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Terrible narration

From the horrendous child voice, to the awful Scottish accent and nail grating voice of the women, it was unbearable to listen to. Story good so a shame.

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