Tall Bones is set in a place that epitomises the unpleasant side of small town America. There are all kinds of prejudices festering. An outwardly respectable mill owner who is desperate for his son to win a sports scholarship to college, and who has a penchant for teenage girls. A Vietnam war veteran, greatly troubled by what he witnessed there, now beating his children into a fear of God. A Mexican family, minus the father who was driven from the town in a racist attack a few years back. And the local drug dealer – a Romanian gypsy (who doesn’t exactly fit in…) and lives in a trailer park. When a teenage girl goes missing in the woods after a party – and is presumed dead – there is thus no shortage of suspects. What follows is a great psychological thriller as false trails are laid and fear and suspicion take over the town. An evening curfew on the children is imposed. Mob rule takes over (aided by a pretty complacent police department). Acts of violence are committed against those who turn out to be innocent. Slowly the story unfolds, one clue at a time, until the murderer is exposed. Tall Bones is a quite scary book. It’s easy to see how rumours and suspicions circulate in a small and frightened community. Old angers and mistrust come again to the fore. The town will never be the same again. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy a good psychological thriller.

A very atmospheric description of a small town where everybody knows everybody. You never really know what your neighbours are really dealing with and the saying "turn a blind eye" seems to ring very true here. Enjoyed the story, I wouldn't say it is much of a who dunnit but there are definitely some surprises along the way.

I am so impressed with the narrative, setting descriptions and the characters of this book that I had to start this review by praising it! The characters are so well described and relatable. The setting is so detailed and perfect. I felt I was in the story and that I knew the characters myself. With secrets galore this book was really entertaining and although it is a bit different than my normal crime books, it was a really great read. It did have mystery and it was thrilling but I was more absorbed by the great narrative and the fantastic descriptions. I look forward to reading more books by Anna Bailey and can’t wait to see what she has prepared for us next. I would like to thank Netgalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and Doubleday for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tall Bones by Anna Bailey. Pub Date 1 Apr 2021 When seventeen-year-old Emma leaves her best friend Abigail at a party in the woods, she thinks that their lives are just beginning like most girls her age. Many things will happen that night, but Emma will never see her friend again. Abi's disappearance cracks open the façade of the small town of Whistling Ridge, its intimate history of long-held grudges and resentment. In this pleasing, solid and well-written debut novel by Anna Bailey, we meet many well-portrayed characters that I enjoyed getting to know. Hard-hitting themes are touched on, including domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, homophobia, closeted sexuality and racism—all well researched and expertly entwined throughout the story. Well done, Anna Bailey. I look forward to reading more from you. A highly recommend read. I want to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and author Anna Bailey for a pre-publication copy to review.

A haunting psychological thriller that will have you fully immersed. After reading the synopsis I must admit it reminded me of Pretty Little Liars which was the main reason it intrigued me but it felt different. There wasn't so many twists and turns although the way it was all wrapped up at the end did leave me shocked. But this book was so much more than that, it was atmospheric. Set in a small town riddled with secrets and prejudices and where everyone knew everyone and the church seemed to dominate all. Bailey perfectly captured the feeling of being in an oppressive town where many are stuck in their views and there's some who just want to escape. None of the characters were really likeable and some had me internally screaming at my kindle but I think that's what I liked most, they were all so well developed and the dynamics between them all. It felt real. A brilliant debut book, I'd definitely reccomend for fans of Girl on the Train and if you're looking for a well written atmospheric psychological thriller. Thankyou so much @netgalley for the arc #TallBones #NetGalley