Book 2 in the Rockwell and Decker series . A good read though a lot of the book is based on what happened in book one , so I would recommend reading that first ! Due to half of the book being taken up with a storyline from book 1 , the storyline in this book was quite weak .

When a young girl's body is found hidden in a barrel, the local police are baffled. The only lead they have is an old camera found looped around her neck. Criminal Psychologist Olivia Rockwell is stunned when she recognizes a picture of a rag doll.

Olivia used to have a doll just like that ... given to her by her father ... himself a deadly killer.

Intense suspense from start to finish, this is a well-written page turner littered with twists and turns that lead to a surprising conclusion. The characters are solidly drawn. As the author herself is a forensic psychologist, I expected a great deal of realism, credibility. I was not disappointed. Although this is 2nd in the series, it is easily read as a stand alone. I would definitely recommend reading in order, as this is a riveting series.

Many thanks to the author / Bookouture / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

I couldnt put this book down. I connected with the characters , it had me guessing right to the end. There is alot going on to keep you on your toes.

This is the second installment in the Rockwell and Decker series. It begins with an intriguing prologue and a chilling first chapter when the body of a young woman is found in an old house stuffed in a barrel. The mystery in this book was quite captivating. I thought an unresolved case from the first book will take prominence in this one. It didn’t. However, the angle taken and focus on Olivia’s dad was just as interesting.

I am not a fan of Rockwell and Decker’s relationship especially in this installment. At some point, it was becoming annoying as the two danced around each other acting okay with their platonic relationship but yearning for more. This still didn’t take away my enjoyment of the book though. Another great installment for what is shaping up to be a great series!

I haven't yet the first book in this series but it can certainly be read as a standalone as there is alot of background story. To be honest when I went into reading it I didn't realise it was the second book in the series. I will definitely go back and read the first one after reading this one!

This is a fast police procedural that will keep you awake late into the night because you simply can't put it down! A wild ride full of gruesome crime scene, twists and turns and a bit of humour and a budding romance thrown in too!

I can't wait to read more from this author!

A body found in a barrel called Will Decker and his partner to the investigation. Olivia the criminal psychologist was called in to help these cops. The story had many subplots along with hints of romance. but this was essentially a police procedural where the investigation took some twists along the way. Here the characters were well developed and it was fun to get to know them. This was book 2, but having read a lot of police procedurals, and I meant a lot... I didn't recollect book 1. An entertaining read where the cops had to go through a lot of clues to get to the truth.

Another visit with Rockwell & Decker. This was fast paced and very twisty. I began to see towards the end where it was going. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. And I hope soon for them to show their true feelings.

A crime that is decades old. Unseen and unsolved until the evidence - a body in a barrel of sand- is stumbled upon.
So many twists and turns, and eventually justice is served. Rockwell and Decker series is one to look out for as it has interesting thread running through it.

I loved the first book in this series and loved this one.
I was happy to catch up with the fleshed out character (Olivia above all) and loved to get to know them bettter.
It's a gritty, gripping and highly entertaining story that kept me hooked.
It's a complex story, full of twist and turns, and it kept me on the edge.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Her Perfect Bones is the second book in the Rockwell and Decker series by Ellery A. Kane. All I can say is… WOW! This series is just getting better with each story (in my humble opinion). I did not want to put this book down! It captured my interest from the prologue and kept my interest until the final word in the epilogue. A psychological mystery thriller worth picking up!

The main characters: Olivia Rockwell is a criminal psychologist working at Crescent Bay State Prison. At this time – her father is up for parole after a lifetime of prison. Detective Will Decker is a transplant from San Francisco. He has moved mainly as a result of his being a witness in the trial of a woman’s death (by his cop brother Ben).

Found – a corpse and her unborn baby in a barrel filled with sand in the basement of a home that had not been inhabited in quite a while. Who is the deceased, when did she die and who would do this to her! That is what Detective Will Decker must find out… when, why and by whom. A tall order given how long ago the murder was – approximately 35 years ago!

A tangled web is weaved, involving many characters and even more homicides to come. While I am not excited by the sheer number of deaths in this book – it certainly created a compelling, can’t put down read. Delving into the past of various characters (for example – Olivia’s dad – known as Mad Dog) heightened the level of depth of the characters above what I expected. I was also pleasantly surprised in that I was not able to pin down 100% who the killer of Shelby was until quite late in the story telling. As for the murderer of the other homicides – that was a definite surprise to me ☺

One aspect I did find a bit off-putting was just the sheer number of storylines being told. At times it was a bit confusing. However, once I created a diagram outlining the relationships between everyone, it seemed to flow better. But in my humble opinion – fewer characters and fewer storylines would have enhanced the main story.

There is humor within the confines of this book cover as well – for example – when Will was cleaning out his yard:

“He grimaced as he tossed the remains of a gray squirrel into a trash bag.

“Cy, Not again, dude.”

The prime suspect in the homicide – Will’s one-eyed cat, Cyclops – stretched in the sun, gloating like a true psychopath. At least he hadn’t deposited his victim on Will’s tailgate this time.

The relationship between Will and his partner JB was reminiscent of many TV crime partners (for example: The Andy Griffith Show: Andy Taylor and Barney Fife or Blue Bloods: Danny Reagan and Maria Baez or even Law & Order: Lennie Briscoe and Mike Logan). JB’s growth did grow on me – you could see that there might be substance underneath his wisecracking. And I think he may be as good a cop as he thinks he is – but his high opinion of himself definitely made me chuckle many times throughout the story. No ego problem there!

Another character worth noting is Grimaldi. He may be old and appear doddering – but I think it is all an act. I quite enjoyed the good cop/bad cop play between Grimaldi and Will and JB.

We also get a wee bit more of the romance between Rockwell and Decker – and by a wee bit – I truly mean that. In this book – they seem to be perpetually mad at each other. I suspect much of that has to do with their individual prior baggage, but also for the feelings they have for each other but are fighting hard against. And when it looks like they are getting close (emotionally as well as physically -> the phone rings – of course). I cannot wait to see how this relationship develops over (I hope) future books in this series.

I must say – I love the cover art – both for this book and the previous one in the series – a bit creepy. I also found it a bit haunting to have the book’s prologue and epilogue center on Shelby (the victim). It just seemed fitting actually – a rounding out of Shelby’s story from September 1985 to March 1986.

If you like thriller’s that leave you wondering if you should leave the light on after reading – then I suggest Her Perfect Bones. I cannot wait to see what a new addition to the Rockwell and Decker series will bring.

The second installment in the series following Detective Will Decker and Dr. Olivia Rockwell. Although I did not read the first book, there was plenty of background to not feel lost in the story. Her Perfect Bones has a bit of everything in it with great characters, mystery, and twists that make it a good read.

I always struggle to rate this series because it’s always a great gritty case that sucks me in but they’re long winded and I find my attention wavering. This one also has so much going on that it distracts from the main case. Both Olivia and Decks pasts and personal lives get involved which take up a lot of the focus.

However, I do really like the main characters and I love the chemistry/friendship between JB and Deck. Their banter adds some much needed humour. There’s the usual will they won’t they between the main characters who suck at communicating but it doesn’t take anything away from the story. With regards to the main case, I had no idea who the bad guy was or where the case was going to take them.

Overall this is a good series. You don’t need to have read book 1 first but it does help with the character development. I was hoping to get the cliffhanger of the last book tied up but it’s a completely different case.

I just wish there was less focus on the many side plots and we got more of the main case with less confusing jumping around. That being said I will definitely be reading the next book in the series because I need to know what happens with the main characters I have grown attached to.

This is book 2 in the series and it is fantastic. The story is well written and had me hooked from the start. I look forward to reading more in this series

Her Perfect Bones, the second book in the Rockwell and Decker series was a perfect way to end an intense week. The book was riveting both in characters & the plot. I couldn't stop turning the pages of this book that opened with a creepy & sinister prologue that had me hooked right from the start! The story of Shelby & her stolen future elicited some rather strong emotions. But the thrill of the chase had me reading the book well into the night. I find the plot & themes addressed in this book to be unique yet thrilling! More than Olivia & Deck, I am a sucker for the JB & Deck scenes! Their dialogues leave me amused & provide a comical aspect in an otherwise serious book. I highly appreciate & welcome that balance. As they go through each case its fascinating to see Decker & Rockwell reveal some nuances about what shapes them as a person. I can't wait to read what the two get up to next.

Thank you, NetGalley, Bookouture & Ellery Kane for an arc!

I enjoyed this one a lot. It was a relatively quick read that kept me turning the pages. I haven't read the first book in this series, so there was some background information that I was missing, but I think the book holds up well as a standalone. The characters were all quite likable. The plot, although a little convoluted at times, kept me guessing until the end. I'll definitely keep my eyes peeled for the next book!

Detective Will Decker and his partner investigate one of the most bizarre cases of their career. A unique mystery when a woman and her camera are found entombed in a barrel and it appears that she has been there for years. As they attempt to find out who she was and what happened, they come across characters from the past who all have a story to tell, but are they telling the truth? In a story woven through Decker’s case, Criminal Psychologist Olivia Rockwell has been trying to get her father paroled, but at the latest hearing he is once again denied. When she is shown pictures taken from the dead woman’s camera, she instantly recognizes a homemade ragdoll. She owned a doll exactly like that one which sets her on the path to reconnect with her past and the woman who made the dolls. The story was a bit confusing (to me) as the author moved between the past and present as well as Decker and Olivia and their family issues. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

The mummified body of a pregnant teen is found in a barrel. Olivia Rockwell's father fails to make parole and is found hanging moments later. Detective Will Decker's brother is in danger in prison. What connects these three plot strands?
Her Perfect Bones is the second book to feature Rockwell and Decker but I have not read the first. There are references to the first book but no spoilers that would prevent me going back and enjoying it in the future. The book did not draw on details from the last book so works perfectly well as a stand alone novel.
The murder case is muddied by the intensely personal subplots for both Olivia and Will as both have family members involved. There is also a frisson of romantic tension between Olivia and Will which adds an extra dimension to their interactions. Both of the main characters are strong willed and determined to protect their family as well as solve the case. I also enjoyed the comradely relationship between Will and his colleague JB: their interactions added a little light relief to counter the grisly murder and violence.
There is a grittiness to the prison life and crimes described. The inclusion of a murdered pregnant teen is highly emotive and I was anxious that she should get justice. The combination of the historic case as well as the present day family concerns mantain the momentum of the plot and ensure the reader stays involved with the events.
Her Perfect Bones was an enjoyable mix of crime thriller with a fine dose of family drama and a healthy spark of attraction between the lead characters.

The second instalment in the series following detective Will Decker and Dr Olivia Rockwell. After reading the first book, I found myself wanting more of Will and Olivias story. Will is a detective forced to leave SF after helping put his brother, a fellow cop, in jail for manslaughter. Olivia is a psychologist working with the police to solve crimes, as is the daughter of a murderer and gang leader.

I found that this book had a bit too much going on. The back story from Will in regards to his brother in jail, his unforgiving father, and his missing mother, and Olivia and her father trying to get parole, his connections to his gang and past. Plus there was a complex story of a 30 plus year old murder, leading to more trouble. I feel like the complexities of Olivia and wills stories are too much to have a secondary current murder story going along with it. At times I felt the focus was too much on the backstories instead of the current crime, and vice versa.

Overall, if the books just followed one, maybe two story lines I would like them more.

I advise you read the first book first, as a lot from the back stories will not make sense to you.

When the body of a pregnant young woman is discovered in a barrel of sand that’s been stored in an abandoned cabin for over 30 years, Detective Will Decker wonders if there is any hope of solving a case this cold. Criminal psychologist Olivia Rockwell might be able to help out, but when she sees the image of a doll she knows must have been made by someone she knew in her childhood, she realises her judgement may be compromised.

There are an awful lot of side stories going on here; we first meet Olivia at her father’s bail hearing, as he tries to get out of prison after serving 27 years for murder. Within hours he’s dead of an apparent suicide, which Olivia just doesn’t buy, and the twists keep coming as she discovers he was working as an informant for the police. While the ‘current’ crime (even though it’s a very cold victim) does tie back to Olivia’s childhood, the link is actually fairly tenuous and I started feeling like all the stuff going on with her family was just a distraction.

This is the second in series (I haven’t read the first) and though I followed along pretty well, I do feel like I may have missed out on a lot of character building from the first book, because there’s not much of it here. We don’t get to know either Decker or Olivia all that well. There’s an enormous Chekov’s Gun that never goes off, as we are told early on about a serial killer who escaped and will apparently be after Olivia… and then never shows up. Then there’s yet another side plot going on with Will’s convict brother, and more with his ex - multiple exes of Olivia’s show up - and frankly, there are just too many parallel threads here, most of which aren’t connected to the central story here other than tangentially. I couldn’t keep track of all the side characters introduced, and every one of them was a distraction from the main characters I was supposed to care about.

There’s a good story in here - I cared about Shelby, the victim - and I was intrigued by the slow unravelling of her story, but there’s just way too much ‘noise’ going on with all the other side stories. Overall, I’ll give it three stars.

Rockwell and Decker return in the second book in this series that doesn’t disappoint. I definitely recommend it as a fun, quick thriller.

When the mummified body of a teenage girl is found entombed in a barrel of sand in the basement of an abandoned cabin, clutching an old handmade ragdoll, Olivia Rockwell is horrified, especially because she recognizes the doll… she had one just like it when she grew up. Yet again, she’s worried the murder is connected to her father and his gang, and she’s going to have to delve deep into her past to help Detective Will Decker (“Deck”) and his partner solve the crime.

They often say that second books are a lot harder to write than first books and aren't usually as good, but this one definitely still hooked me. While it failed to answer any questions about the missing serial killer Drake Devere -- the cliffhanger from book one -- that makes it easier for readers coming in new to the series to jump in and get caught up enough to really enjoy this one. (And since that usually describes my reading pattern, I always appreciate it when I don't feel completely lost later in the series.)

I still liked the building tension between Rockwell and Decker, but I also appreciate that is keeps building and keeps the reader guessing will they or won't' they. (Those of you who watched Law and Order SVU in the early years will completely understand.) And JB, Deck’s partner, still might be my favorite character in the series.

My biggest complaint about this book, though, is that it really seems like Olivia’s actual job disappeared here. From the first book, we know that she's so well educated, so successful in her field, really good at what she does, and in this one, it's hard to tell that she's actually employed full-time. With this crime taking place outside the prison where she works -- unlike the first book -- there was definitely less opportunity to show her at work while moving the story forward, but for the first half of the book, I was wondering if she was still employed or just hanging around still recovering from the shock of the ending of the first book. 

I’m definitely sticking with this series -- already ready for book three to be released -- but I really hope we get back to the Drake Devere plot line soon… if it takes years to wrap up, I’m not going to remember the beginning!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for my honest review. It has not influenced my opinion.