After long years of being away from the A to Z Blogging Challenge, I’m going to write about thrillers of all stripes, mysteries, and crime novels for 26 days in April, based on the letters of the alphabet. All posts will be linked here.
Since I’m writing up thriller and crime novel recommendations, I’m also giving away a 50 USD Amazon Gift card, to support reading, and to help my next novel THE BLUE BAR along on its journey.
Entries involve:
GET CURATED PUBLISHING RESOURCES ADD ON GOODREADS FOLLOW ON BOOKBUB
After Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter, I bring you Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh.
Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh : Book Description
My mother vanished ten years ago.
So did a quarter of a million dollars in cash.
Thief. Bitch. Criminal.
Now, she’s back.
Her bones clothed in scarlet silk.
When socialite Nina Rai disappeared without a trace, everyone wrote it off as another trophy wife tired of her wealthy husband. But now her bones have turned up in the shadowed green of the forest that surrounds her elite neighborhood, a haven of privilege and secrets that’s housed the same influential families for decades.
The rich live here, along with those whose job it is to make their lives easier. And somebody knows what happened to Nina one rainy night ten years ago. Her son Aarav heard a chilling scream that night, and he’s determined to uncover the ugly truth that lives beneath the moneyed elegance…but no one is ready for the murderous secrets about to crawl out of the dark.
Even the dead aren’t allowed to break the rules in this cul-de-sac.
Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh : Excerpt
My hands tightened on the steering wheel as my father got into the passenger seat.
We didn’t speak, my eyes on the unmarked police vehicle up ahead. Driven by Constable Neri, it led
us out of the leafy gilded surrounds of the Cul-de-Sac and onto a long and winding road bordered by the dense forests of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park, with only small hamlets of habitation along the way—and glimpses of breathtaking vistas where the foliage opened up.
Scenic Drive lived up to its name. But only if you weren’t expecting pretty and safe.
All that rich green turned parts of the road claustrophobic. It was never searing hot here, not in the
cool darkness of the shadows cast by the forest giants. This was a quiet place, a place that whispered that humanity was an intrusion that would be swiftly forgotten once we were gone.
An unexpected flash of white, a large sign at the entrance to a trail, warning that the area was under a
rāhui because of kauri dieback disease. No one was permitted to go on those trails, because the disease
spread through the forest on the soles of human shoes, bringing a slow death to trees meant to grow far older than my mother would ever be.
I followed the police car knowing that if it stopped anywhere on this road, it’d be a spot I’d driven past
hundreds of times.
Passing my mother’s grave over and over again.
About the author, Nalini Singh
Why pick up Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh
Nalini Singh writes fantasy, so it is no surprise that the setting of this novel is vivid, creepy, delicious. The natural beauty of New Zealand came alive for me, and I loved the South Asian nuances and references throughout.
This is a missing person’s case that turns out to be a murder, and the narrative is a slow peel of many layers of secrets kept over years.
The cast of characters is wide. Personally, I thought the victim Nina Rai and the narrator, the victim’s son Aarav, make the most impact. Aarav is a bestselling author–and Singh has used that to great effect. The mystery deepens each time you think you have solved it, and leads to a rather dramatic, but satisfactory conclusion.
This is a long-ish book and not a break-neck-paced thriller, but I was caught up in the story late into the night. Didn’t regret the panda eyes next morning one bit. Pick this up if you like dense, atmospheric tales that would keep you enthralled, page after page.
Have you read the book Quiet in Her Bones by Nalini Singh? If yes, what did you think of it? What crime novels have you read lately?
Through the month of April, to celebrate the challenge and get some support for THE BLUE BAR, I’m holding this giveaway:
Enter to WIN a 50 USD Amazon gift card for this
RAFFLECOPTER giveaway.
Entries are simple: click the RAFFLECOPTER link above, and follow the instructions. It calls for a Goodreads add, a subscription request, and a follow on Instagram.
If you enjoyed the post, click on any or all of the following to stay updated:
I’m good at Panda eyes so will have to give this a try plus I like the NZ connection.
Oh my goodness, you had my attention right from the title of this book!
A creepy yet poetic title, for sure.
I am currently reading a book by Nalini Singh in her fantasy series. I like her style.
Yes, she’s an accomplished writer at the sentence level.
Mmm… I was interested… but your comments clinched it. On the TBR (sigh).
I know the tale of the tottering TBR. Well, we at least we read some of them.
Sounds intriguing — and sometimes you need a “slower” read 🙂
Ronel visiting for the A-Z Challenge My Languishing TBR: Q
I definitely do. And some of them are incredibly popular.
This one gets your attention with the title itself. Intriguing.
Yes, the title captures the book quite well.
I’ve read done if Nalini Singh’s other books, so I was intrigued. This sounds good; I’ll check to see if it’s on Audible, too. Thanks for the recommendation!
Yes, this is a different genre, but I think she does a great job.
As always. Thank you. Drat you.
I wait for your comments, Sue. As always, I stand dratted!
A fantasy writer probably also means the story excels in world-building.
Yes, precisely.
I absolutely love your reviews. This one makes me want to read the book at the earliest!
Hoping I can extend and publish my fiction that I am writing on momandideas.com for the A-Z challenge.
These are hardly reviews, but I’m glad they make you want to read the books. All the best with your AZ!
Interesting story! Thanks for introducing it.
Very atmospheric. You will like it, I think.