When Mackenzie opened the door to the kitchen, she froze. Her father lay on his stomach, blood pooling around his head. She lurched forward to touch him, but her mother held her back. Mackenzie felt like bursting. Her twelve-year-old heart couldn’t handle the grief. She would never forget that night, nor what her mother asked her to do… Mackenzie Price is back in Lakemore, a town where the woods hide the darkest of crimes. Determined to atone for the sins of the past, she is unstoppable in her quest for justice.
When eighteen-year-old Abigail goes missing, Mack is sure the case is linked to that of Erica Perez, who vanished one year before. Mack’s co-workers believe Abby is just another runaway, but Mack isn’t convinced. Abby and Erica were friends, and when Mack finds Abby’s diary, she begins to suspect Abby knew something about Erica’s disappearance. Something that put her in danger.
Then a body is discovered in the woods and the race to bring Abby back alive becomes even more urgent. As Mack fights to keep her in the spotlight, she discovers a shocking secret that goes back decades. But that is not the only secret lurking beneath the surface, as Mack knows only too well.
The first book in the Detective Mackenzie Price series, Our Daughter’s Bones is a haunting and utterly unputdownable crime thriller, perfect for fans of Lisa Regan, Angela Marsons and Karin Slaughter.
Previously published as Hidden Lake.
What readers are saying about Our Daughter’s Bones:
“Oh my WOW!… Ruhi Choudhary knocks it out of the park… Full of intrigue, suspense, and stunning twists. I honestly didn’t see that conclusion coming. I will definitely be reading the next book.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“What a thrill ride of a book. Had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put it down. Just when I thought I had everything figured out I was proven wrong.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wow, Wow just WOW!!!… Completely left me speechless and sitting there with my mouth hanging open… if you are looking for a heart-racing, page-turning psychological crime that will leave you shocked and demanding more this is the book for you.” Bookworm86 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Astoundingly, jaw-droppingly brilliant… The twists kept on coming, one after the other; the pace never lets up and as a reader you are on tenterhooks, frantically turning the pages while at the same time not wanting the book to end because it’s just SO good.” Renita D’Silva ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘What a page-turner! It’s my first book by Ruhi Choudhary, but it won’t be my last! A town filled with secrets, and quirky people. What’s not to like? I had to finish it in one go.’ The World is Ours to Read ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I finished this book in 2 days. I couldn’t put it down… reminded me a lot of the Josie Quinn Series and Tracy Crosswhite series. Oh, and the last page is a cliffhanger!!! Can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Great debut.” Goodreads Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘A great start for a new series that made me turn pages as fast as I could…
It’s a complex, gripping and highly entertaining thriller with plenty of red herring, twists and turns.’ Scrapping and Playing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Gripping and brilliantly written… The eventual breakthrough, which sees the case solved, delivers a twist I honestly didn’t see coming… I eagerly await the next outing with Mackenzie Price and her team. A brilliant debut!” Netgalley Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Addictive… Not only has Ruhi Choudhary created a great character she has created a great scene… Without doubt she is now one of my must-read authors, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.” Nigel Adams Bookworm ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐more
With her own dark secret to hide, Mackenzie Price (Detective Mack Price), struggles to keep up the façade of being a strong, fierce policewoman who is unfazed by anything. She’s also obsessive in her behaviour – following a rigid routine in her investigations and being a neat freak.
Faced with having to solve the case of a missing young girl, whose rich friend went missing exactly a year before, Mack tries to keep it all together. Memories from her childhood, her teetering relationship with her husband and the betrayal from her closest friend and colleague only add to the pressure of making sure that young Abigail is found alive.
I would be giving away too much if I went into the story. Suffice to say it kept me absolutely riveted as the plot unfolded so dramatically. There was so much at play in this story – small town politics, power play, blackmail, young romance gone bad, the gap between rich and poor, possibilities of corruption within the police department – and yet it was woven together so seamlessly!
There were so many characters in the story, all of them believable. Mack’s character despite her flaws and vulnerabilities is quite remarkable. The by play of the relationship between her, her husband, Sterling, and her friend and colleague Nick is pretty riveting too and makes me want to know how that turned out.
Nothing prepared me for the end! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
A great debut novel!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book which I received from the publisher, Bookouture via NetGalley.
I am happy to have found another strong female detective to follow! Detective Mackenzie Price has quite a family history. I thought that the author astutely tackled Mackenzie’s memories and the influence that the event had on her. Not only does the author drop hints about the case itself, there are also glimpses of potential relationship issues, both personal and work-related for “Mad Mack” (as her co-workers call her). I was definitely intrigued and drawn in by the style and the plot. I look forward to more of her cases. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for a digital ARC of the book.
Mackenzie Price had a difficult childhood, afraid to come home as she never knew what the situation between her parents would be. Now returning home, as a Detective with the Lakemore P.D., the memory of her last night at home still haunts her. A teenage girl has been missing for exactly one year when another girl goes missing. Meanwhile, Mack is questioning her marriage, but there is no time right now for her personal life as she needs to find the girls before it is too late, or is already too late? An absorbing police procedural with a strong female lead doing the best in her job while showing the personal side of a cop’s life. An interesting last-minute ending which makes me eager for the next book. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
Erica Perez, a 17 year old from Lakemore, WA (dubbed the Princess of Lakemore) goes missing. One year to the day, her best friend Abby Correia disappears. Detective Mackenzie Price and the Special Investigations team work on solving these cases. Lakemore is a small town where money, politics and high school football came before everything else. The team finds out that Abby was looking into Erica’s abduction on her own. But as time goes by, Mack is hit with roadblocks from the chain of command.
First of all, Mackenzie is a strong female detective. She had a difficult childhood, which you learn all about in the prologue, and it does remain (in memories and dreams) throughout the book. This has shaped her into the person she is today. I finished this book in 2 days. I couldn’t put it down. Mackenzie Price reminded me a lot of the Josie Quinn Series and Tracy Crosswhite series. Oh, and the last page is a cliffhanger!!! Can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Great debut.
Thank you Ruhi Choudhary, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book and was actually surprised at the ending/wrap up which is hard to do because so many mysteries are just kind of run of the mill. I definitely would recommend and can’t wait for book 3!!!