A serial killer is on the loose in Sacramento River Delta.When Sara Mason returns to her hometown to start a new life, she learns that a murderer is terrorizing its residents. Despite battling difficult childhood memories, Sara is determined to make peace with her past.But she soon learns that the elusive psychopath is now stalking her. Sara’s attempt to rebuild her life is hindered even more by … life is hindered even more by the discovery of skeletal remains on her property. As the investigation focuses on several suspects, Sara discovers critical clues and bravely volunteers to be a decoy for the sheriff’s department.
Sara’s destiny has brought her back home, but will her decision lead her down a path lined with danger… and straight into the arms of a madman?
Praise for River Bones:
★★★★★“Will keep the reader on their toes till the very end. ” – Ken Farmer, bestselling author
★★★★★”A thrilling mystery.” – Barbara Deming, The US Review
★★★★★”Enthralling.” – Readers’ Favorite
more
Author Mary Deal is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. River Bones is the third book I’ve read of hers, and it proves why she’s such a reachable and readable writer. As the first book in her Sara Mason series, River Bones is a fantastic debut offering strong characters, dastardly plots, beautiful scenery, and tangible imagery.
Somewhere between a thriller and a classic murder mystery, it offers all the suspenseful and horrible actions of a twisted serial killer without a focus on detailed gore. There’s a fine balance in her words conjuring up just enough gruesome thoughts without actually reading about all the blood and torture. Don’t get me wrong… I love a good horror thriller, but if you’re looking for something in between, this is a great option.
Sara’s come home for the first time in about 25 years. Her family was killed in an awful car accident / drowning when she was a young girl. Raised by a distant relative or sorts, she stuck around long enough to grow up but then left the country. She’s called back for a few reasons and buys a large Victorian supposedly haunted. She meets a previous owner, connects with former classmates and begins to re-build a life. Then she starts finding the bodies. Each one is buried with a pet. What’s the significance? A serial killer’s past life seems to come spiraling back to town, but they’re all old murders. Until a new one occurs. Why? What has Sara unearthed and why is she his/her next victim?
What I like most about Deal’s work is how easy-to-read yet complex her novels are. The language and writing style is perfect, not simple but not overly flowery or excessive. She describes the scenes and characters with out to give you a good image, then moves on. Sometimes you learn about the town or the person’s past even though it’s not part of the actual mystery, but it adds to the creation of ambiance and setting without misguiding or boring you. It’s always a wonderful balance of drama and good story, dialog and narration, history and thought.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this novel was the character struck by lightning. He died for a minute but came back to life years ago. Something’s just still a little off with him. Enough to be the killer or a shining knight? I definitely recommend picking up any of the books I’ve read Deal has written, but I’ll be tackling a few more in the next couple of months, too. She’s been a great find and I look forward to hearing all about her next novel.
River Bones is very enjoyable cosy murder mystery which also includes interesting characters, deep friendships, descriptive narrative, suspense and twists. It brims with the unique atmosphere of the Delta area…and it even has romance! In this story, Sara Mason returns to her hometown, to lay to rest memories of the death of her younger sister, and her alcoholic parents. She is ready to start a new life, but a serial killer seems to have other plans for her. River Bones is a good start to the Sara Mason Mysteries series.
What a ride this is! The author sets the scene perfectly: a young woman returning to her hometown, family ghosts in the guise of her lost family & successful enough to buy the mansion of her dreams. However, there is so much more beneath the surface. As Sara Mason settles into her new home, she begins to wonder if someone is watching & waiting, but then sinister discoveries cause her to turn detective in order to both solve a historical mystery & save her own skin. Beautifully told & with plenty of cliffhangers, this was a thriller that I simply couldn’t put down & unreservedly recommend.
Sara Mason moves back to her home town as a successful businesswoman to find that she has unwillingly placed herself in the middle of a serial killer investigation. When she appears to be the killers intended next victim, she and the police need to unravel the mystery behind the strange deaths before it´s too late.
As Sara re-associates herself with the occupants of her hometown, there are several odd candidates who could quite easily be the killer. The subtle clues and the build-up of possible motives for the killings leave the reader constantly trying to guess who the killer could be.
This is a good read, the characters are believable, and the two, endearing pit bull puppies added an extra tension to the storyline, as I feared for their safety .
Highly recommended.
If you are looking for a suspense filled tale, this author does not disappoint. You begin to wonder what is happening when a successful woman returns to her hometown to eradicate the sorrow and scorn the place had for her and her family while growing up. She buys a huge house to renovate. The man of the couple that owned is thought to have been murdered by a serial killer and his ghost inhabits the house. She visits the wife of the man and two, then three creepy individuals are introduced. She reconnects with an artistic friend from high school days and hears more about the discovery of human bones and dog bones over the years. She is even plagued with recurring dream of a man in the shadows pointing at something. A river excursion with another high school friend who had a near death experience finds them discovering more human bones on a sand bar. The man who experienced near death has written about it and is on many meds. She shows him her house and the remodel dreams while she pours then juice from her fridge. She wakes hours later with a pounding headache and can barely move. She finally finds her friend downstairs just off the kitchen. He isn’t moving. The police arrive. The man has another near death experience and people begin to suspect him as he had a different drug in his system than she did. The police try to determine who did the drugging and find evidence that someone has been entering her house. Those footsteps and noises she has heard weren’t from the old house creaking. Her artist friend does a painting as she describes the man in her dream. It is the former owner of the house. His bones and those of another dog are buried beneath the workshop she had the remodel crew remove. How did he get there? She begins to suspect everyone, including the man she has fallen for and leaves him. Later she realizes she has panicked, but it is too late. What if she wasn’t wrong? Then she sees all the photos of the found bones including those under the workshop she had removed and realizes who and how to prove it. The police agree to use her plan to catch the serial killer who has been operating for years. The story becomes a page turning suspense. Will the killer outsmart her and the police? There is always that chance and she will never reconnect with the man she loves; or will she?
If you like mystery thrillers, you should enjoy this book. At one point, I felt goose bumps as Ms. Deal brought the reader into the mind of a serial killer. I liked the fact that her protagonist, Sara, had figured out who the murderer was but didn’t reveal it until the story’s climax. This had me sitting on edge. I also liked the romance subplot between Sara and Huxley. I found the ending satisfying and well executed. I also enjoyed learning about the Sacramento Delta area of which I was unfamiliar. I will definitely read more books by this talented author and highly recommend this one.
I truly enjoyed this book. The author created a story that showed the main character’s strengths and vulnerabilities.
Sara Mason has already had a tough time in life. Her parents and sister died years ago. Sara had to move on with her life and has done well. Now, she is heading back to her home. Sara already knows about the serial killer in the Sacramento River Delta, but she had no idea that she would find herself in the middle of murder and mystery upon her return home. This is a good story of how the past touches the present and the author has written an intriguing tale that should satisfy mystery, suspense and thriller readers.
Intriguing story with a haunting atmosphere and wonderfully written, multi-faceted characters. This is a great book any time of year, but especially October. Better yet, make it into a movie with a Halloween release date one year.