Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC. This book had a very promising synopsis and I was excited to start this one. However, due to the multiple viewpoints that we end up reading from as well as the jump between past and present, the story ended up getting lost between all the jumping around. Also, because of the multiple viewpoints, I feel like there was a lot of parts of this book that just didn’t contribute to the overall plot or things that were mentioned and then never were brought back up and we as the reader were just left to wonder about. There was also quite a bit of vulgar language (which doesn’t bother me at all) but was out of place in this novel. It just didn’t fit with the rest of the writing and was very jarring. If that was the author’s intent, then he nailed it, but it didn’t feel purposeful.

Overall, the story started off slow, picked up towards the middle, but I saw the plot twist coming before we got there as I thought it was pretty obvious. It was an average book and wouldn’t necessarily recommend this one to others.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Unfortunately, I got as far as 35% of the before I decided to yield. I could not vibe with the characters, I couldn't find them compelling nor was the story able to keep my focus, which is a shame because first of all as a thriller that is not a good thing, and the premise seemed to be right up my alley.

Honestly not a good experience.

The premise of this book really had me excited to read this story however I just didn't vibe with the characters and I found the plot to be long winded.

Dnf at 20%. This was difficult to read, and I couldn’t gel with the story or the characters. There was a lot of crassness and mediocrity that made the writing unlikeable. This book wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced readers copy.

All the Silent Bones – by Gregory Funaro

Brief overview of the Premise

When an accident on Blackmore Pond, Bobby, Eddie, Matt and Ray’s life changed. Bobby falling through the ice caused ripples through themselves and their friendship. 40 years later, joining back together for the funeral of a family member of Matt’s, the now men are forced to face the demons of their past.

Rating overall

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Themes – Childhood trauma, Mental illness, Paranormal, Morally complex characters, Abuse, Manipulation, Revenge

Genre

1. Horror - 🎈🎈🎈.5 - 3.5 red balloons out of 5 – This was very much on the boarder for me when it came to the horror aspects of the story. I would not really classify this under horror. I did not get horror vibes when I read it, but I can kind of see where the author was trying to go with horror. Again, I would not classify this as a horror novel, in my opinion. I will explain more later.

2. Thriller - 🫣🫣🫣🫣 - 4 I can’t watch faces out of 5 - This genre choice I can get behind. This very much strikes me as a psychological thriller. The Paranormal bits of the story fell stale for me with the development of the character that was experiencing the phenomena. It did have me on the edge of my seat. It had me in a tizzy the whole way.

Characters

⭐⭐ ⭐⭐ - All the characters were so well drawn out. Their complexity was so well crafted that the reader does not feel bombarded or that anything is lacking. They are fully formed. Why not 5 stars... Well, there is one character that I cannot completely wrap my head around and that has to do with the paranormal aspects of the story. They were presented in a way that I think the author wanted their experiences to be viewed a certain light, but I didn’t buy it. That is all I will say 😁.

Worldbuilding

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Wonderfully done. Very immersive and it played its role very well throughout the story.

Story

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐- I was hooked. Slightly bothered by the end as it seemed to come out of nowhere, however, I really enjoyed this story. It was gripping. I was biting my nails the whole way through. Superb thriller.



Final Comments: I really enjoyed this novel. It was imaginative and well written. It is the whole package. I had some minor issues with it but I willing to cough that that up to interpretation issues on my part. I would pick this book up again in the future.

Who would I recommend to: If you are looking for a good, creative thriller, then give this a go.



I would like to thank NetGalley, the author and publisher for allowing me to have ARC access to this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

All the Silent Bones is unlike many books I’ve read before. While the mystery is compelling, it’s the characters that kept me reading. I wanted to know more about them, and what made them tick. I really enjoyed Furnaro’s world building, and the way he got into their heads, both as children and adults.

Thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

It took a lot to get into this story. I kept waiting for something to happen and for it to pick up speed. When it finally got to some good parts, it was just meh.

#NetGalley #AlltheSilentBones

A dark, suspenseful book about four men and the secrets of their childhoods that come back to haunt them when they're all back together in their hometown.

I was hooked from the first page. This was extremely creepy. Great build-up of horror. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Four young boys share a childhood trauma that changes them and stay with them into their adulthood. Forty years later after reuniting, one of them is found dead with a message only the remaining friends would recognise.

I read 25% of this book and I think for the time being, it is a "not right now" for me.

There is a good hook in the prologue and some good and intriguing parts throughout what I read, but it is a slow burn up to that point that is very character heavy, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the characters are all morally grey and complex, so there is a lot of building and exploration and their past to be explained before we get into any tense/thrilling parts.

When the story alluded to the murder that is about to happen, I was like okay yes, we're getting somewhere now... and then the next chapter was another character back story when I was looking forward to a horrible murder, so that is where I decided to call it quits as I felt like I was waiting for something that I wasn't going to get just yet.

But like I say, I think that's just for now, I think I will potentially pick this book up again to explore it further.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this eARC of All the Silent bones by Gregory Funaro.

I got this book under the Read Now Section and this was not what I was expecting. There were lots of plot twists and...it did not dissappoint. Again, another author that NetGalley has introduced to me where I have become interested in checking out this author's other novels.

There were some part of the story that probably could've been left off or cut short but it picks up here and there. I did have to reread some parts but it was worth the read. Thanks!

DNF 20%
I liked the concept and there were some good moments, but the lack of momentum and prologued interior monologues by multiple characters became tedious. I wanted more of the story I expected from the description instead of mundane details and reminiscences about various relatives of each character. When I reached the announcement of a 'preview' about an ex-wife, I lost interest.
The lake incident and the dark had so much promise. I liked the setting. Unfortunately, this book wasn't a fit for me. No doubt it will find its audience.
Thanks for the eARC for consideration. These are soley my own opinions.

All the Silent Bones is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of childhood trauma and its long-lasting effects on adult relationships. The story revolves around four childhood friends—Ray, Eddie, Matthew, and Bobby—whose bond was shattered years ago after a traumatic incident at Blackamore Pond. Now, decades later, Matthew is found murdered, and a chilling message at the crime scene suggests that the killer is someone from their past.

What Works
Atmospheric Setting: The novel's setting in a small, secluded town adds to the tension and mystery, creating an environment where secrets are hard to keep.

Character Depth: Funaro skillfully develops each character, making their motivations and backstories compelling and integral to the unfolding mystery.

Narrative Structure: The alternating perspectives provide a multifaceted view of events, keeping readers engaged and invested in uncovering the truth.

What Could Improve
Pacing: At times, the narrative slows down, which might cause some readers to lose momentum.

Predictability: While the twists are well-executed, some may find certain developments foreseeable.

Final Thoughts
All the Silent Bones is a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers that explore deep emotional and moral complexities. Gregory Funaro crafts a story that is both engaging and thought-provoking, making it a worthwhile addition to the genre.

Wow super fast paced....no slow burn in this one. Characters are interesting and their bond is deep. One of the boys fell through the ice on a frozen pond and that changed everything. This book is very twisty and I could not put it down. This is my first book from this author but it will not be my last. I can't recommend this book enough.

Thank you to Netgalley & BooksGoSocial for allowing me to read this ARC.

A frequent theme in popular literature is that of a group of pre-teens who bond together over a shared childhood experience that later affects them in their adult lives. Stephen King has employed variations of the theme in his novella, “The Body” (filmed as “Stand by Me”), and the epic novel, “It.” Author Gregory Funaro isn’t as well known as King, but he makes good use of a childhood bonding experience in his new novel, “All the Silent Bones.” Funaro’s story doesn’t have supernatural clowns or dead bodies found in the woods, but it’s got something King’s stories don’t… a good mystery.

“All the Silent Bones” begins chronologically in 1979, when four sixth-grade classmates in Cranston, Rhode Island, have a life-changing experience one winter day. Bobby Bonetti, one of the boys, falls through thin ice at a local pond into the freezing water. The other three boys form a human chain to pull Bobby to safety. Later, the local newspaper publicizes the story, and the boys become local heroes for a while.

Fast forward to the present day, and the boys (now men in their 50s) have drifted apart. Ray Dawley is a failed actor on his third marriage who has moved back into his childhood home. Eddie Sayers is a local cop. Matt Kauffman is a successful business executive in New York. Bobby, who suffered from abuse as a child besides his adventure in the icy pond, has had the most interesting “career path.” He’s now a psychotic serial killer, murdering people who have a “bad aura” around them. That’s no spoiler; the author details Bobby’s most recent killing in the prologue.

Bobby’s three classmates reunite at the funeral of Matt’s brother (Bobby doesn’t attend) and agree to get together that night at Ray’s house to eat, drink, play video games, and rehash old times. The reunion doesn’t quite go as planned. Ray and Eddie pass out and wake up the next morning, claiming not to know anything that occurred since they passed out. Matt is gone, but he turns up hours later in his car, strangled to death and dumped in the same pond Bobby fell into as a child.

The first half of “All the Silent Bones,” until Matt’s murder, is primarily a character study of the four boyhood friends. The author shifts the point of view from chapter to chapter among the characters, allowing their life stories over the intervening 40 years to unfold in non-chronological bits and pieces. These results can be challenging to follow at times, especially for readers trying to keep track of all the spouses, former spouses, children, and other relatives of the main characters. Furthermore, the author presents some chapters from the perspectives of secondary and even tertiary characters, each with their own set of acquaintances. While Bobby’s character arc is easy to follow (especially since the author includes some records of Bobby’s therapy sessions), the other three former chums come across as far more ordinary men with a laundry list of typical middle-age problems. None of their stories were compelling, and as a result, I found it difficult for the book to hold my attention.

The book’s pace changed dramatically, and my interest was piqued after Matt’s murder. The rest of “All the Silent Bones” became an excellent dual mystery in which police try to solve the murders of Matt and the man Bobby killed in the book’s prologue. That victim was a small-time hood who abused his girlfriend, who was Matt’s niece. So, the question arose whether the two murders were connected. Bobby is the most obvious suspect in Matt’s murder (at least for readers), but evidence arises that casts some doubt on that theory.

“All the Silent Bones” is a classic fair play mystery in the best tradition of authors like Agatha Christie, but with a contemporary feel because of the nature of the characters and the author’s style. Funaro reveals all the clues along the way readers will need to figure out who killed Matt. However, the author’s insistence on fair play explains the book’s complexity. Some clues are carefully concealed in what would otherwise seem to be throwaway bits of information. But if the author didn’t hide those clues among other throwaway bits of information that ultimately went nowhere, the mystery would be easy to solve. Gregory Funaro isn’t at Agatha Christie’s level of maintaining reader interest while dispensing multiple red herrings. However, once I realized what the author had done, I was far more understanding and forgiving of the relatively slow-moving first half. The ultimate payoff came about 50 pages from the book’s end when the author completely stunned me with an unexpected revelation.

Besides the mystery aspects of the book, the characters themselves became more interesting. The murders and subsequent investigation became cathartic events for the surviving innocent characters, and I was pleased that the author provided some details about their eventual fates. They became quite likable by the end of the book. I also felt the author (a Rhode Island native) provided an excellent overview of life in a lower-middle-class neighborhood in Cranston (a Providence suburb that’s the second largest city in RI). While I’ve read plenty of novels set in Boston and its Massachusetts environs, well-written stories set in Rhode Island are relatively few and quite welcome.

“All the Silent Bones” requires patience by readers who may get bored or confused by the book’s first half. The ultimate payoff is worth it. The second half could use a bit of tighter editing as well. (Funaro suffers from the Dr. Evil syndrome of having the villain explain every detail of their actions.) The book proves to be one of the best mysteries I’ve read for a while and, ultimately, a good character study as well. I won’t remain silent; I recommend “All the Silent Bones.”

NOTE: The publisher graciously provided me with a copy of this book through NetGalley. However, the decision to review the book and the contents of this review are entirely my own.

This was a read that I wish to read again. I highly recommend this book. It's thrilling, scary, well-paced and written like a dream.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this phenomenal book!

This story pulled me in from the very first page and never let go. Gregory Funaro’s writing is so immersive and vivid—I felt like I was right there beside the characters, experiencing every twist, emotion, and eerie moment with them. The pacing was spot-on, the atmosphere was rich, and the characters were deeply real. I absolutely loved this book and will be recommending it to every thriller lover I know.

Ray, Matt, Eddie and Bobby were childhood friends until the day one of them nearly drowned. What should have brought them closer together drove an unspoken wedge between them. Fast-forward 40 years to a reunion, to which only three of them are invited - the night ends in murder and a message linked to their past. Who is next, and why?
I found this book very difficult to get into as there was so much swearing in the opening pages that I found it off-putting. I am glad I persevered as this book delivered. It explored the complex relationships between the four men, haunted by the occurrences that took place on one fateful day. An addictive page-turner with an explosive twist.

Not only is this my favorite NetGalley read, not only my favorite 2025 read, but my new all time favorite book!
As a true crime, whodunnit, mental health struggles, childhood-to-adulthood story loving Italian whose Italian grandfather grew up on a farm in Rhode Island (and whose family grew up very near [proximity] to some key “family” back in the day), I cannot gush enough over how much I LOVE this book.

this book is a brilliant tale of how something that happens to us can ripple effect either so much or all of what comes next for us and who we become.
does that purely depend on the act? does it depend on your other life surrounding the event? does it depend on who you have around you to be there, shape or support you after the fact? this book goes one step further in the unease factor though.
i think many of us have something in our lives where we think what if it had been different, not happened, told someone etc.
this story tells us the tale of how a group of friends are involved and then changed by an event. but as is like most things such secrets as this never stay secret. not when there is consequences that have and will continue to occur.
all our group are flawed. or maybe we should just call them human. but a little more weight is carried around by all these men. and it was interesting to see just how differently the man grew up and how the event effected them.
and with the added depth of darkness in this one it truly is a truama you are watching evolve into something that never goes away and instead might linger and change and evolve into something much worse.