Review: Walking the Bones by Randall Silvis

Title: Walking the Bones

Author: Randall Silvis

Series: Ryan DeMarco Mystery, #2

Published: January 2018, Sourcebooks Landmark

Format: ARC E-book, 464 pages

Source: Netgalley

Summary: 

When long-buried secrets come back to the surface…

The bones of seven young girls, picked clean and carefully preserved, discovered years ago… that’s all Sergeant Ryan DeMarco knows about the unsolved crime he has unwittingly been roped into investigating during what is supposed to be a healing road trip with his new love, Jayme.

DeMarco is still reeling from the case that led to death of his best friend months ago and wants nothing more than to lay low. Unfortunately, the small southern town of Jayme’s idyllic youth is not exactly a place that lets strangers go unnoticed–especially strangers who have a history of solving violent crimes. And if there’s anything DeMarco knows, it’s that a killer always leaves clues behind, just waiting for the right person to come along and put all the pieces together…

Walking the Bones is a story about things buried–memories, regrets, secrets, and bodies. Acclaimed author Randall Silvis delivers another heart-stopping investigation as DeMarco finds himself once again drawn into a case that will demand more of himself than he may be willing to give.

My thoughts: This is the second book in Randall Silvis’ Ryan DeMarco Mystery series and I have to say, I am hooked on this series! It’s different and unique…and I am loving that! I read a lot of series and so I find it a breath of fresh air when I stumble upon a series that goes in a different direction and that’s what I find here. Yes, this is still classified as a mystery and yes there is suspense, but the writing is fresh and so far, both books have been quite different.

I would say this latest installment is more of a character study than anything else. There is still a mystery to be solved for sure, but I think there was almost more time devoted to delving into just who Sergeant Ryan DeMarco is and how is past has made him who he is today. And, just a note – I would strongly suggest reading the previous book, Two Days Gone, before jumping into this one…a lot of references to that case are made. Plus, part of what DeMarco is struggling with has to do with that case. 

We also get a lot of insight into DeMarco’s new relationship…again, a lot of character development here. I liked this. I felt that there was a lot to explore in both DeMarco and Jayme and loved that the story would move back and forth in time, helping to give us a better picture of who both these characters are and what they are made of. Neither one of them had great childhoods and some of that has stayed with them – how could it not? 

The case they end up working on is not without its challenges and was quite interesting. It brought them in contact with quite a contrary bunch of characters. It is filled with twists and turns and kept me engaged throughout.

This story is about all things buried – bodies, secrets, regrets, and memories. While not necessarily a fast-paced book, it will consume you once you start reading, getting under your skin until you reach the final page. I have enjoyed both books in this series so far and look forward to seeing where it goes next.

Books in this series:

1. Two Days Gone
2. Walking the Bones