I would like to thank Netgalley and HarperCollins, HarperFiction for a review copy of Sawbones, a novella set in the American Midwest.

A serial killer, nicknamed Sawbones, is kidnapping young women and leaving their mutilated limbs to be found. He picked the wrong family when he kidnapped 16 year old Laura Jones, because her father is a crime boss and knows just who to send to capture him.

I thoroughly enjoyed Sawbones which is a short, sharp tale of murder and mayhem. Yes, it’s violent and the language coarse, but it’s funny and engaging and held my attention throughout for its too short duration.

It is told from the viewpoint of the driver of the gang chasing Sawbones, so not only do we get a sense of the mission but also of the petty squabbles in the team. These are funny and give an idea of their priorities.

I’m not a great short story reader but then it’s Stuart MacBride so I was in. This is honestly one of the best I’ve read. It has excitement, wit, action and a little bit of characterisation all crammed in to a short format, and, yet, it doesn’t seem rushed or forced. I’m impressed with what he has done within the confines of the format.

Sawbones is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Gritty and raw are the words I would use to describe this read. A must for all those that love a true gangster story!

Stuart Macbride is miles from his natural habitat, taking his characters on a 1,000-mile-journey across America, looking for a brown Winnebago, a missing mobster's daughter and a serial killer. The location may have changed but there's still as many maimings, shootings and slayings as you would expect in Aberdeen on a wet Sunday afternoon.
From Illinois to Iowa, this is a road trip with a difference. This is Stuart Macbride meets The Hills Have Eyes.
Black humour? It doesn't get much blacker!

I have never read any books by this author and given the quality of this story I won’t be reading any more in the future

What a brilliant read! I'm not a fan of novellas they go too quickly and lack a proper storyline but this 1 was an exception! The only problem I have with this novella is that I want more! This will make an awesome book (nudge nudge Mr Macbride!)

It's dark and twisted and gory! You cannot ask for more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sawbones is a fast-paced, addictive little novella. If you're looking for a quick, dark read, this is one not to be missed.

I had a lot of fun reading this novella.It's gruesome, ultraviolent but also full of dark humour and I laughed and loved it.
It's a fast read, gripping and highly entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I am a big MacBride fan so I jumped at the chance of reading the re-release of his novella 'Sawbones'.

'Sawbones', the serial killer has been kidnapping young girls and cutting off their legs and arms while still alive but this time, hes made a big mistake. Laura is the daughter of mobster, Mr Jones. Mr Jones has set his gangsters loose to find Sawbones before the cops do!

This is around 70 pages long but it really packs a punch. This is a gruesome read, even for MacBride but its bloody brilliant!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Sawbones is a novella from Stuart MacBride which isn’t set in his normal Scotland but in the USA but don’t panic none of the usual chaos, violence and the odd swear word are missing in what is a very good “long” short story

Recommended

Three assorted ne’er do wells plus one unfortunate young man are chasing serial killer ‘Sawbones’ on behalf of mobster Mr Jones whose daughter Laura has been taken two days previously. The chase takes them from Illinois into Iowa.

It’s amazing how much you can pack into a novella of approximately 70 pages! This is a violent, gritty, raw, darkly exciting and action packed hunt that makes you gasp from time to time. Don’t expect pretty or polite language but do expect dark black humour and a bold, gutsy, brave and unpredictable character in Laura. What a good ending ..... and overall, it’s a rollercoaster ride from start to finish. I doubt I’ll forget this one in a hurry!

This is a republication.

With thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins, Harper Fiction for the copy in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this. I don’t normally read short stories but this was fast paced and kept me hooked.

Structurally, I struggled with the first two chapters (probably tired) but the plot pace picked up quickly and we are along for the ride for this bizarre serial killer.

I enjoyed the different narrative perspectives too.

Thanks NetGalley!

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this short story

never a big fan of short stories but this one was something else

sawbones is a killer, not only that but he mutilates his victims by sawing off body parts whilst they are still alive

but hes made a mistake with one of his victims..hes only kidnapped a gangsters daughter, and he has sent his men on his trail...

will the fbi find him before the gangsters men find him

wow this is how short stories should be, short horrific and down right upputdownable...

I have not read anything by Stuart MacBride for a while now - not sure why not. This being a novella and short I thought I would see if it was as good as I remember his books being. I was not disappointed this is an excellent read and speeds along at an amazing pace. there is not a page wasted and I hope he writes more novellas as this is a fantastic read.
It is gritty and brutal and not for the fainthearted but the phrase page turned was invented for this novella.

I have always enjoyed the Logan Macrae series by this author so when I saw this book jumped at the chance of reading it. I didn’t realise initially that it was a novella and was a little disappointed as I am not that keen on short stories but was pleasantly surprised. The 68 pages are crammed full of action and detail and it made enjoyable reading. Originally published ten years ago so not really sure why it is being re released now but a decent read.

This is probably a little more gruesome than the usual Stuart MacBride stories and the is no lack of mutilated bodies.

This is the story of a serial killer who is cutting off the limbs of young women while they are still alive and leaving them to suffer for what remains of their lives. But maybe he makes a big mistake when he kidnaps the daughter of a gangster who is determined to do all he can to get her back alive. With men at his disposal the gangster knows they will stop at nothing to get his daughter back alive.

Good quick read with plenty of action.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

'Sawbones' is a standalone novella from Stuart MacBride. The book is part of a series of novellas published by Barrington Stoke, and is aimed at readers who are struggling to enjoy reading due to dyslexia, and other problems with reading. As a result, the story aims to catch the readers attention from the opening page and the story is plot rather than character driven so not much time is taken up with introductions etc.
MacBride is no stranger to writing gruesome and violent novels, however his excellent Logan McRae or Ash Henderson series are known for their dark vein of humour. There is little potential for the same level of humour to appear in this story. But as the tale moves at a cracking pace that is not as issue as the reader does not have a moment to become bored at all.
Not a story for the faint-hearted due to the high level of violence and swearing but a strong and enjoyable tale none the less.

I'm fairly new to MacBride,and have a lot of catching up to do with his books.
This was a short ,sharp,brutal one to tick off the list.
I've enjoyed the few books I have read,they're littered with not very likeable characters,that you sort of do like,swear words every other second,and gore.
All helped along by humour.
This follows that format.
I found myself alternating between wincing and smiling...
Very enjoyable.

Stuart Macbride always delivers and this one is no exception

I know that whenever I pick up one of his books, I will enjoy it. So glad I got to read this

Saw bones by Stuart Macbride
I give this book 4 stars

They call him Sawbones: a serial killer touring America kidnapping young women.
The latest victim is 15 year old Laura Jones,daughter of one of New York’s most notorious gangsters. Laura’s Dad doesn’t care about the law, he wants revenge. And he knows just the guys to get it.
This time, Sawbones picked on the wrong family…

A stand-alone novella, with a plot that packs a punch incorporating violence and swearing.A slightly grisly but enjoyable read littered with dark humour. l sped through it way too quickly and that ending left me wanting more!
With thanks to Netgalley,Stuart Macbride and Harper Collins UK for my chance to read and review this book

'Since amputation did not become a surgeon's job until the mid-19th century, so bone saws are one of the most commonly used tools for surgeons'

This was a nice short read to see me through my morning coffee ☕

Witty & gory aren't two words you'd usually see in the same sentence, but this book was extremely entertaining!

A very well written novella & a new author who's books I need to hunt down (adds to ever-growing TBR)

Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review