Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliott have written a second great book in this series. It is a fast and really good book. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

This book follows on the heels of Close to the Bone and really shouldn't be read unless you've read that book. However, my biggest complaint about this story is that the ending was entirely too abrupt! It just felt like the story was going along, the investigation was only just beginning, then BAM! We've suddenly got this bad guy coming out of nowhere setting a fire and just revealing themselves so that there's practically no suspense or mystery angle to the story! There also seemed to be very little romance between Logan and Tessa, though I did like the snippets of info that we got on Cate's romance. While I liked that this was part of a larger series, and am eagerly awaiting the next installments of the books, this wasn't one I was impressed with overall.

I really enjoyed this fun novella; good mystery, quick pace, compelling characters. I read the first two in this series and I'm hoping for more. In the mean time, I've downloaded several other of Leigh's books because I enjoy her style and settings.

This is the second novella in the Widow’s Island Novella series. This book follows Tessa Black, Deputy of Widow’s Island. She came back to the island a few years ago to take care of her sick mom, and to escape the crime in big cities. When she finds a man harpooned to a sign on a beach, she realizes she needs to some help from her friend Cate, and Logan, the local park ranger.

This book is pretty good, it’s fast paced (which is has to be since it is a novella) but even though it’s not a full length novel, I don’t feel anything was missing. I like that there is a “mini” mystery throughout the story but then a longer mystery that will be carried on throughout the whole series. Tessa and Cate’s friend Samantha disappeared when they were fourteen. Now that both Tessa and Cate are in the professions they are, they have access and the knowledge to take a fresh look at her disappearance and try to figure out what happened to Samantha.


** I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for an unbiased review**

I like Melinda's books very much and was intrigued by this novella.
I think that I will enjoy this series, I can see where its going and I am happy to follow the story.

Thanks to Netgalley, Melinda Leigh and Montlake for the opportunity to read and review this book.

In this second novella in the Widow's Island series murder once again unfolds to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page is turned. If you enjoy a great murder mystery mixed in with a little romance then Melinda Leigh is the author for you! She never fails to deliver-keep the books coming!!

On the heels of the first book, Close to the Bone, I couldn’t wait to start A Bone to Pick. This book picks up after the first and follows a similar format. Straight into the mystery and suspense.
This book is the story of Tessa and Cate’s brother Logan who is a park ranger on the island. Beginning instantly with a complaint of screaming, the story quickly picks up and doesn’t let up until the very end. We learn why Tessa left Seattle and came home and why life is difficult for her at this time with the introduction of her mother and sister. Definitely relatable for people who want to do and be all to everyone in their lives. We learn more about Logan and why he has returned to the island. He seems really rough around the edges through most of the story but you can tell there is more to his story and that this is not who he is but how he protects himself. I think the romance is more present in this book than the first but not in a bad way. I was really rooting for this from the first book and glad to see it in this book. There is more depth in these characters stories and you can really get invested in their story. What I really like about both books is they are stand alones. The story is short and wraps up at the end, so no cliffhangers. I am looking forward to more from this series.

A Bone to Pick is quick read novella that is so well-developed that it feels like a full novel. This story focuses on Tessa, who left her career as a detective to go back home to take care of her mother. The first big mystery she gets is a man who is harpooned.
Logan and Tessa are also in this book. It's a gem!

Brilliant read yet again. Really good follow on from the first one.Hope this is a huge series and success for the authors. Thank you for the chance to read this series Netgalley

Tessa came back to the island to heal. This does not come easy as she is brought into an investigation that will open old wounds. She has to solve this to be at peace with herself.

This book keeps you on the edge of your seat.


** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review**

A Bone to Pick is a Great Short Story that packs the punch of a full length novel.
Detective Tessa Black is back in the second book in the romantic suspense Widow's Island series and investigating a local man that was harpooned to a sign.
There are secretes and mysteries surrounding the victim.

A great read with lots of suspense!

I enjoyed this one, especially right on the heals of the first story in the novella series (by Kendra Leigh). Didn't find the writing quite as on-point as previous work by this author, but I did like the characters and touch of romance amidst major suspense

A Bone to Pick by Melinda Leigh is the second book in the romantic suspense Widow’s Island series. The second novella in this series spotlights Deputy Tessa Black, who grew up with FBI agent Cate Wilde (introduced in Close to the Bone).

Tessa returned to Widow's island from Seattle, where she worked for the Seattle P.D. Her mother had been diagnosed with alzheimers and she was needed to care for her. Tessa receives an unexpected call that a man has been killed in the local forest with a harpoon. She stops and gets the park ranger, Logan Wilde to accompany her to the gruesome scene. This call sets off an investigation that involves several suspects, Tessa putting herself in danger, and some puzzle solving to find the culprit. The romance in this story is not blatant, but it is easy to see that there is something developing between Tessa and Logan. I also like that the story of Tessa and Cate's relationship is mending and they are dealing with the loss they suffered as teenagers.

Once again, Melinda Leigh has penned a novella that reads like a full length story. I love how she gets me to connect with the characters and get sucked into the story, even though it is only novella length. I will definitely be checking out the next two books in this series.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Deputy Tessa Black is back in the second installment from Widows Island. A great read

Seeing that author Melinda Leigh had a new book coming out I immediately jumped on it. Unfortunately, I thought it was part of her other series. Oops! No matter. I like her characters and storytelling so even though I haven’t read the first book in the Widow’s Island series, I knew I was going to be entertained.

Tessa gave up her career as a detective and returned back to her roots to take care of her ailing mother. Now a deputy on an island, things are relatively quiet. That is until she responds to a call and discovers a dead man, harpooned to a sign. Together park ranger Logan they set out to solve the murder before anyone else turns up dead…including them.

Wow! I know that A Bone to Pick was supposed to be a novella but honestly it was so well fleshed out and written, you could have fooled me that this was supposed to be a short read. Tessa and Logan, you certainly could feel of something between them, and we did get a little bit of heat from them. Unfortunately, it’s just a teasing amount because let’s get real, there’s a murder that needs solving. As for the murder, that dead guy really must have pissed someone off because death by harpoon…YIKES! As we find out more about him and his secrets, it’s not a wonder someone killed him.

I really enjoyed the layers to the story, as each as peeled back leaving the reader guessing. Who’s the killer? What were their motives? Really, considering the dead guy’s secrets, I’m more surprised there wasn’t a line of people harpoon in hand! The Widow’s Island series is co-written by Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. The former I have read and enjoyed, the latter I have yet to discover and will be soon. From what I have read, this is a good series for those who enjoy a taste of romance with their mystery.


I received this book from The JeepDiva with the express purpose of an honest review. The opinions, contents, and rating of this review are solely mine

reviewed by Jac

This is the second novella in the Widow's Island series by Melinda leigh and Kendra Elliot .


Sheriff's Deputy Tessa Black receives a call out ………… a resident has reported hearing screams . Having no one else on call she asks her best friends brother , Logan Wilde a Park Ranger , to accompany her .
They find a local artist with a harpoon through his chest …………… who was he ? why was he killed ?
Balancing her mother's dementia care , along with her growing feelings for Logan it takes all Tessa's courage to find the killer .

This Novella took me by surprise , in that I was expecting the investigation into Samantha's disappearance to be central …… this was not the case . Perhaps the ongoing series will a slow burn building to a final resolution of what really happened to Samantha ===== I am certainly hooked .

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tessa gave a promising career up as a detective with the Seattle police department. To come back and look after her mother. One evening on a call out, a resident hears a scream. Checking out the neighbor. She comes across a man harpooned to a sign. As the investigation unfolds secrets are found out, and local residents are in for a shock. I am really enjoying this series and look forward to the rest of it.
Melinda Leigh keeps you engaged with the characters and story right to the end. Highly recommended for fans of romantic suspense. Requested ARC from net galley. This is my voluntary review.

Read Kendra Elliot's "Close to the Bone" before this one. It will give you some perspective on the characters in this short novel. Tessa is a sheriff's deputy on a small island in Puget Sound. On a call to investigate reports of screaming, she teams up with Logan, a park ranger, and finds a body with a harpoon sticking out of it. Investigation of this murder is intertwined with Tessa's family issues--caring for a mother with dementia. It very accurately and compassionately depicts the angst and logistical issues that arise from the latter. Tessa also finds herself attracted to Logan, the brother of her childhood best friend and someone she's known all her life. A great combination of mystery, action, and romance.

Because this is a shorter novel, there's not a lot of time to add depth to characters. Still, the story line was very interesting and managed to have some twists. In particular, the author is able to capture the sense of isolation and the unique nature of island-dwellers. I also live on an island near Puget Sound, so feel qualified to comment on that aspect. This looks like it could be a new series.

The second book in the Widow's Island series. This first book, Close to the bone, by Kendra Elliott, focused on FBI agent, Cate Wilde. This second book, by Melinda Leigh, focuses on Cate's friend, Deputy Tessa Black who is trying to solve the murder of a man found dead in the state park while simultaneously caring for her mom who is dealing with signs of dementia. Once again, this was a fast-paced and suspenseful read with plenty of action. I look forward to the next book in this exciting new series!

I absolutely loved this book it was intriguing and suspenseful and a fabulous read and I recommend giving it a try