Caffeinated Reviewer

Today I am back with the next two novellas in the Widow’s Island series by Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. Grab a cup of coffee and check out this romantic suspense series set on Widow’s Island off the west coast.

A former FBI special agent must come out of retirement to solve a murder in the fifth novella in the Widow’s Island series from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Kendra Elliot.

Former FBI special agent Cate Wilde is a new bakery and bookstore owner—and retirement is now complete with a doctor boyfriend. Although she struggles with PTSD, the sweet life she’s living is a far cry from the gruesome work she left behind six months ago.

But when skeletal remains turn up on Widow’s Island—and the MO of the killer is too familiar to Cate—the dream comes to an abrupt end. What if the case she solved eight years ago isn’t as closed as she thought? Her hometown needs her, and despite her mental health and her boyfriend’s protests, she has no choice but to return to her dangerous past life.

Soon Cate is in a desperate race to stop a cold-blooded murderer from killing again, once and for all…only this time, she’ll have so much more to lose.

In Below the Bones, we are back with former FBI special agent Cate Wilde. She has left the bureau, although it’s listed as a sabbatical, and opened a bakery/bookshop on the island. While she still suffers from PTSD, life is good with Henry, her boyfriend and the local doctor.

She still misses the thrill of working a case, especially when bodies are discovered and the burial resembles a serial killer case she helped solve. To complicate things, the agent in charge is an old boyfriend. Can you say awkward? 

It was fun seeing Henry deal with an old flame. The case was interesting and one that helped Cate permanently decide her future. It brought suspense and twists as they hunted for the killer. The mysteries are light and will appeal to the masses.

The story left me craving a more meaty serial killer tale, but I love this series. The stories while short are the perfect one sitting tale.

Because the previous book closed the series arc, you can read this as a standalone.

The mysterious death of a local teen leads to a hunt for a killer in the sixth Widow’s Island novella by #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh.

On Widow’s Island, the secrets are dark…and everybody has one. So when Deputy Tessa Black responds to a call about an explosion in a quiet neighborhood, she gets more than she bargained for: the body of a teen who went missing weeks ago.

Until recently, Gavin was living in a reputable foster home. But now that he is found dead—Tessa can’t help but wonder if sinister forces are at play. Who would want to hurt him, and why?

With the help of her partner, Park Ranger Logan Wilde, Tessa tries desperately to decipher what happened to Gavin before another life is cut short. Someone on Widow’s Island knows the explosive truth. Will Tessa find the answers she needs before someone else turns up dead?

It’s another beautiful day on the island until Deputy Tessa Black responds to a call about an explosion in A Broken Bone by Melinda Leigh. This is the sixth novel in the romantic suspense novella series Widow’s Island.

Tessa finds a dead body in an abandoned home. It turns out to be the body of a missing teen. Tessa’s boyfriend Park Ranger Logan Wilde aids her as they investigate.

What an interesting case. The young teen was suspected of running away from his foster family. When witnesses place him on the ferry, Tessa dismissed the case. Determined to set thing right, she investigates and uncovers something sinister.

Leigh combines suspense with island life as Tessa deals with her ailing mother, the chickens and one hot park ranger.

Suspense and a picturesque island with quirky characters held me captive. I recommend reading the previous novellas since the relationship began in early ones. Tessa is a strong character who has come a long way, and I enjoyed developments.

The Widow’s Island series offers perfect one evening reads, but I must warn you, you’ll want to devour them all. I am excited to see what comes next in Burned Bones and the Lost Bones coming this fall.

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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