Small Bones by Kerry Buchanan is the second audiobook in the Harvey and Birch Irish crime thriller series. The cover boasts that it’s utterly addictive and I would have to agree. Narrated by Esther Wane, I could not set this one down….
by Kerry Buchanan
Narrator: Esther Wane
Length: 9 hours and 32 minutes
Genres: Crime Fiction, Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.4x
If you can't trust your father and you can't trust the police, who can you trust?
Sue Hearn is planting a herb garden on the site of her grandfather's old greenhouse. She's spent the morning digging up all sorts of odds and ends already. But she doesn't expect this grisly find.
A skull.
Could it be the remains of her mother, Monica, who went missing thirty years ago?
Sue's father, in hospital with dementia, insinuates that a police officer was involved in her mother's disappearance. But can he be trusted?
So now Detectives Asha Harvey and Aaron Birch might be looking for a bent copper.
As they dig deeper into the past, Sue and Asha find secrets so dangerous it will put all their lives in danger.
We are back with Acting Detective Inspector Asha Harvey and Detective Constable Aaron Birch. The tale is set in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It begins with an intriguing prologue set in 1992, before we fast forward to the backyard of Sue Hearn, well technically her father’s backyard, but he is suffering from dementia and the land has been in the family for generations. She is overturning the earth to put in an herb garden when she makes a discovery. The tale that unfolds was gripping with plenty of twists and surprises to keep the listener guessing.
I am really enjoying this crime thriller series. Asha is now the Acting Inspector, and the case before them is more complicated than bones in a garden. Buchanan does a stellar job of building the case, giving us the backstory and sending our detectives on a merry hunt.
The tale can get dark and gritty, but the author keeps it grounded and realistic. When Sue mentions that her mother went missing in 1992, the detectives search for a link between the bones and Monica Hearn. Things are complicated because Sue’s father suffers from dementia. He keeps telling Sue it’s all his fault… but for what? Was he involved in the murder?
Suspense, twists and danger build as it looks more and more like someone from the department may be involved. I loved the tension. I admit I was pretty confident in my suspect, but enjoyed seeing the detectives provide proof. Fans of crime thrillers will want to grab Small Bones and the other titles in the Harvey & Birch series.
I highly recommend listening. Esther Wane brings the characters and stories to life from her accent to tones. The story itself lends perfectly to audio.
*Available in kindleunlimited/whispersynced.
About Kerry Buchanan
Kerry Buchanan is a retired veterinary surgeon who lives with her family and a menagerie of animals on a farm in County Down. There are inspiring views of hills and lakes from every window. Kerry began writing fiction in 2014 and hasn’t stopped since. She writes fantasy, science fiction and crime. Her Harvey and Birch crime thriller series, set in Northern Ireland, is published by Joffe Books.
About Esther Wane
Esther Wane is a British actor and voice-over artist. After a career in finance Esther fulfilled a childhood dream of going to drama school in London, and her life as an actor began at age forty. She has a lifelong passion for literature and can often be found browsing bookshops at any spare moment. She owes her career in audiobooks to her impression of Joanna Lumley and has since narrated books in many genres, including memoir, politics, romantic fiction, and children's literature. She enjoys taking her listeners on a journey in time and space and bringing the characters on the page to life in their imagination. She lives with her family and collection of books in Hertfordshire, just outside London, where she has built a professional voice studio in the bottom of her garden.
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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
Katherine
Adding the audio to my Audible account. This sounds fantastic and just the kind of mystery that sucks me in.
Kimberly
I would love to hear your thoughts, Katherine.
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
Oh, I like the sound of this one! Nice to know it’s an KU. I think I’ll look into the first book in the series.
Kimberly
Yes, that is a nice bonus.
Wendy
I’ll have to check out this series. I’m enjoying crime stories more and more lately
Kimberly
Me too 🙂 Thank you Wendy.
Laurel-Rain Snow
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Kimberly
Thanks for stopping by Laurel.
Nadene
Adding this to my reading list. Great review, Kim.
Kimberly
I look forward to your thoughts.
Mary Kirkland
I love a good twist. This sounds great.
Kimberly
Me too. Thank you Mary.
Anne – Books of My Heart
I liked the first one but didn’t feel the detectives were completely competent. But I love this genre and certainly am likely to also listen to this one.
Kimberly
That is a shame. I think fault lies with their superior, for not telling them everything. I hope you try it as I quite enjoyed it.