Winner, 2015 Inspy Award for best suspense/mystery/thriller!
The Bones Will Speak
A forensic artist becomes the target of a serial killer who believes he’s God’s anointed executioner.
In present day Copper Creek, Montana, Gwen Marcey is struggling to put together her life after cancer and divorce. When her dog retrieves a skull of a murder victim and leads her to the victim’s grave, Gwen has a chance to use her forensic art ability to identify a serial killer. She is horrified to discover all the victims look like her fourteen-year-old daughter.
What she soon learns is the murderer is a 'lone wolf,' a member of the terrorist group Phineas Priesthood—and he has a score to settle with her. Unraveling the tangled Christian Identity movement, where race, not grace, provides salvation, Gwen is in a frantic rush against time. She must use all her skills to uncover the killer before he can carry out his threat to destroy herself and everyone she loves.
In present day Copper Creek, Montana, Gwen Marcey is struggling to put together her life after cancer and divorce. When her dog retrieves a skull of a murder victim and leads her to the victim’s grave, Gwen has a chance to use her forensic art ability to identify a serial killer. She is horrified to discover all the victims look like her fourteen-year-old daughter.
What she soon learns is the murderer is a 'lone wolf,' a member of the terrorist group Phineas Priesthood—and he has a score to settle with her. Unraveling the tangled Christian Identity movement, where race, not grace, provides salvation, Gwen is in a frantic rush against time. She must use all her skills to uncover the killer before he can carry out his threat to destroy herself and everyone she loves.
What People are Saying
4 1/2 Stars!
Once again, Parks has written a top notch forensic thriller. Gwen Marcey is a lovable character. Though readers will sometimes shake their heads at her decisions, her motives are understandable and relatable. The details are rich but not overpowering, and Parks writes with an excellent balance of science, forensics, action and comfort. This second Gwen Marcey novel will create a following for Parks, with readers anxiously awaiting the next installment.
Carrie Stuart Parks’ second Gwen Marcey novel, The Bones Will Speak, offers quite an exhilarating read. A forensic artist, Gwen Marcey stumbles into a case with victims looking strikingly like her daughter and a serial killer focused on her for an unknown reason. As she works to discover the identity of the serial killer and protect her family, the case takes many twists and turns - with plenty of unexpected surprises and revelations. Well-paced and full of action, The Bones Will Speak kept me thoroughly intrigued and guessing from start to finish - even though I didn’t read the previous novel, A Cry from the Dust. This novel is still an excellent read on its own and is the perfect choice for readers looking for a suspenseful thriller. I highly recommend it.
I completely enjoyed this book. Gwen's dog brings up a skull and that leads to a race against time. She realizes that the victim looks a lot like her daughter and that there is a link to a past case. Everything starts making a terrifying kind of sense and Gwen realizes it isn't just her in danger.
Wow. I am going to try not to give away any spoilers at all because this is a book you will really get into. There is plenty of suspense. As a mother, this book had an added element for me. I really liked Gwen and how she uses her abilities to 'get the bad guy'. This book was fast paced and didn't slow down from beginning to end!
This is going on my keeper shelf with a 5/5 rating!
Wow. I am going to try not to give away any spoilers at all because this is a book you will really get into. There is plenty of suspense. As a mother, this book had an added element for me. I really liked Gwen and how she uses her abilities to 'get the bad guy'. This book was fast paced and didn't slow down from beginning to end!
This is going on my keeper shelf with a 5/5 rating!
I love books that have a synopsis that mentions a serial killer. I know that sounds morbid, but that means that the body count will be high and that there should be plenty of action written in the story to capture my attention. Carrie Stuart Parks’ second novel, The Bones Will Speak, delivered exactly what I wanted. She is a great fit for the suspense genre.Since Gwen Marcey is a forensics expert who reconstructs faces from the victim’s memory or from a skull, the story gripped my attention from the first chapter. I liked how Gwen’s dog found the skull and brought it home to her. This sparked Gwen’s thirst for a mystery. And mine. I couldn’t wait to turn the pages and find out who the killer was and who the skull belonged to. The story never lagged. Parks did a great job at keeping my attention, even though I did figure out who the killer was pretty early on. I still kept flipping the pages, glued to the action to prove that I was right or wrong.
The writing is written with close attention to the colors and details of the surroundings. Parks does a good job at allowing the readers to follow the first person point of view of an artist. I really enjoyed how Parks invites the reader into Gwen’s stream of conscience to solve the murders. I understood every move that Gwen made and followed closely, wanting to be proved that the killer was who I thought it was.
Another aspect was Parks’ research into the Phineas Priesthood. It enhanced the story, not detract from it. I really enjoyed reading and learning about the inner workings and beliefs of this Priesthood, but I did not feel like I was reading it from a textbook. It was enjoyable. Parks’ voice floated from the page, creating an enthralling tale of history mixed with suspense, not taking away from the movement of the plot. The tension of the serial killer filled the pages. The whole story centered on Gwen and the serial killer who is targeting her with the victims who look like her fourteen-year-old daughter. Every time I thought Parks would slow down the action, it would escalate and make me want to read faster to keep up with Gwen as she ran for her life, protecting her daughter.
Parks really did not mention God a lot. There were references to Bible verses and how Jezebel died, but nothing that would overwhelm fans of the ABA market. On the same vein, there really was no questionable content to flinch from. As an avid reader of suspense, thrillers, and mysteries, it holds about the same amount of violence, but nothing cringeful or distasteful. The Bones Will Speak is an original story with a predictable villain, at least for me, but I truly enjoyed the twists and turns.
Fans of Steven James, Terri Blackstock, Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason would love the story. I truly loved The Bones will Speak and can’t wait to see what else Carrie Stuart Parks puts out next.The Bones Will Speak will grip readers with a relatable heroine who struggles with her daily life, and the non-stop action will keep readers glued to the page, begging for another book from Parks
The writing is written with close attention to the colors and details of the surroundings. Parks does a good job at allowing the readers to follow the first person point of view of an artist. I really enjoyed how Parks invites the reader into Gwen’s stream of conscience to solve the murders. I understood every move that Gwen made and followed closely, wanting to be proved that the killer was who I thought it was.
Another aspect was Parks’ research into the Phineas Priesthood. It enhanced the story, not detract from it. I really enjoyed reading and learning about the inner workings and beliefs of this Priesthood, but I did not feel like I was reading it from a textbook. It was enjoyable. Parks’ voice floated from the page, creating an enthralling tale of history mixed with suspense, not taking away from the movement of the plot. The tension of the serial killer filled the pages. The whole story centered on Gwen and the serial killer who is targeting her with the victims who look like her fourteen-year-old daughter. Every time I thought Parks would slow down the action, it would escalate and make me want to read faster to keep up with Gwen as she ran for her life, protecting her daughter.
Parks really did not mention God a lot. There were references to Bible verses and how Jezebel died, but nothing that would overwhelm fans of the ABA market. On the same vein, there really was no questionable content to flinch from. As an avid reader of suspense, thrillers, and mysteries, it holds about the same amount of violence, but nothing cringeful or distasteful. The Bones Will Speak is an original story with a predictable villain, at least for me, but I truly enjoyed the twists and turns.
Fans of Steven James, Terri Blackstock, Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Lynette Eason would love the story. I truly loved The Bones will Speak and can’t wait to see what else Carrie Stuart Parks puts out next.The Bones Will Speak will grip readers with a relatable heroine who struggles with her daily life, and the non-stop action will keep readers glued to the page, begging for another book from Parks
Carrie gives us a vulnerable woman in Gwen who fights bitterness over her divorce, works hard to continually prove herself, bravely tackles impossible circumstances to protect and rescue her daughter, and endures humiliation to accomplish hard goals while struggling with her faith. Her life isn't easy and frustration follows her around, but her strong will enables her to persevere and regain those things which are most important in her life.
If you enjoy the mysteries of forensics, out of the ordinary storylines with mysterious villains, you'll certainly enjoy Carrie Stuart Park's two novels A Cry from The Dustand The Bones Will Speak. There's a wealth of unique information in them and building suspense that turns to intense action toward the end.
Father, please continue to provide for Carrie's every need while blessing her body, soul, and spirit. Inspire her, assist her in her storytelling, and may she feel your pleasure as she writes in obedience to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
If you enjoy the mysteries of forensics, out of the ordinary storylines with mysterious villains, you'll certainly enjoy Carrie Stuart Park's two novels A Cry from The Dustand The Bones Will Speak. There's a wealth of unique information in them and building suspense that turns to intense action toward the end.
Father, please continue to provide for Carrie's every need while blessing her body, soul, and spirit. Inspire her, assist her in her storytelling, and may she feel your pleasure as she writes in obedience to you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Reviewed by Audrey Lawrence
Posted January 12, 2016
Inspirational Fiction Mystery
Gwen Marcey couldn't help noticing how pretty the hayfield meadow by the abandoned farm next to her place in Copper Creek, Montana looked with its white daisies and purple lupines in bloom. She had almost forgotten she had painted a watercolour of that scene for an art show nearly two years earlier. Then, reality hits her again.
Gwen isn't here to admire the scenery but to find the place where Winston, her Great Pyrenees dog, had uncovered what looked to be a young woman's skull. Checking by the creek, she finds human remains partially wrapped in tattered plastic. Forcing her training as a forensic artist to kick in, Gwen is even more disturbed by Winston's latest find, and it is fresh. Suddenly, things shift quickly. Is the killer nearby? Why does the girl look so much like her teenage daughter? Is she being targeted? Why?
THE BONES WILL SPEAK is one of the most exciting and page turning mystery novels I have read this year, and that is saying a lot! I can vouch that THE BONES WILL SPEAK is a great stand alone mystery. It is the first novel I have read by Carrie Stuart Parks, yet I definitely plan to read more. I am positive existing fans of the first book in the Gwen Marcey series, A CRY FROM THE DUST, will be thrilled with this subsequent novel featuring Gwen as the feisty and determined protagonist.
In THE BONES WILL SPEAK, Gwen, a divorced, breast cancer survivor, is struggling economically due to her divorce and only getting part time contracts for work as a forensic artist. Her fourteen-year-old daughter Aynslee is being homeschooled. She is a great kid, but in a bit of a rebellious phase which makes her a little unpredictable.
Parks's gift as an author certainly shine in her ability to create authentic characters that spring to life as well as being a very suspenseful storyteller who lets them move the story along in such a riveting page turning manner. Parks's own extensive background in fine arts, forensic artistry, and law enforcement (not to mention her own beloved Great Pyrenees dogs) brings in pertinent details and information, which make THE BONES WILL SPEAK so authentic and engrossing. I particularly like how she juxtaposed the hatred and bigotry coming from neo-Nazis, white supremacist and Christian Identity gatherings and their followers with the true kindness and caring support from her own Christian friends and upbringing.
If you are looking for a great mystery, look no further than this latest suspense thriller by Carrie Stuart Parks! A very difficult whodunit to figure out. You will be surprised! But truly... THE BONES WILL SPEAK!
Posted January 12, 2016
Inspirational Fiction Mystery
Gwen Marcey couldn't help noticing how pretty the hayfield meadow by the abandoned farm next to her place in Copper Creek, Montana looked with its white daisies and purple lupines in bloom. She had almost forgotten she had painted a watercolour of that scene for an art show nearly two years earlier. Then, reality hits her again.
Gwen isn't here to admire the scenery but to find the place where Winston, her Great Pyrenees dog, had uncovered what looked to be a young woman's skull. Checking by the creek, she finds human remains partially wrapped in tattered plastic. Forcing her training as a forensic artist to kick in, Gwen is even more disturbed by Winston's latest find, and it is fresh. Suddenly, things shift quickly. Is the killer nearby? Why does the girl look so much like her teenage daughter? Is she being targeted? Why?
THE BONES WILL SPEAK is one of the most exciting and page turning mystery novels I have read this year, and that is saying a lot! I can vouch that THE BONES WILL SPEAK is a great stand alone mystery. It is the first novel I have read by Carrie Stuart Parks, yet I definitely plan to read more. I am positive existing fans of the first book in the Gwen Marcey series, A CRY FROM THE DUST, will be thrilled with this subsequent novel featuring Gwen as the feisty and determined protagonist.
In THE BONES WILL SPEAK, Gwen, a divorced, breast cancer survivor, is struggling economically due to her divorce and only getting part time contracts for work as a forensic artist. Her fourteen-year-old daughter Aynslee is being homeschooled. She is a great kid, but in a bit of a rebellious phase which makes her a little unpredictable.
Parks's gift as an author certainly shine in her ability to create authentic characters that spring to life as well as being a very suspenseful storyteller who lets them move the story along in such a riveting page turning manner. Parks's own extensive background in fine arts, forensic artistry, and law enforcement (not to mention her own beloved Great Pyrenees dogs) brings in pertinent details and information, which make THE BONES WILL SPEAK so authentic and engrossing. I particularly like how she juxtaposed the hatred and bigotry coming from neo-Nazis, white supremacist and Christian Identity gatherings and their followers with the true kindness and caring support from her own Christian friends and upbringing.
If you are looking for a great mystery, look no further than this latest suspense thriller by Carrie Stuart Parks! A very difficult whodunit to figure out. You will be surprised! But truly... THE BONES WILL SPEAK!