Backyard Bones
Book Review Site

Regan McHenry loves her job. She loves meeting new people and finding them just the right home for their families. What she doesn't love is finding a dead body in the backyard of her newest clients. And what she really doesn't love is finding a dead body in the backyard of her newest clients - twice.

The first time around an excavation team is sent in to identify the remains of what appears to be an ancient Ohlone woman. The second time around, Regan has to call the county coroner's office. The second body is that of a young woman known throughout Regan's community.

Regan feels she has a small responsibility in bringing the murder to justice, so she begins an "on-the-side" investigation of her own while the police are conducting a formal one. She manages to uncover quite a few facts while also making suspects of almost everyone who knew the murdered girl.

Will Regan solve this mystery before it fatally affects her own life?

Backyard Bones: Opinion

The idea of a "real estate mystery" was interesting and new for me. I love looking at houses so I enjoyed hearing about the various features of each client's home. I find it believable that a person could uncover bones in their backyard which drew me in further.

I don't want to give much away because this is a true whodunit. I kept thinking, "I know who did it!" only to be proven wrong after digesting a few more pages. For me this is thrilling! It's fun to solve the mystery, but more fun when you think you've solved it and the author really throws you off.

Regan is a likeable heroine who genuinely loves her job, her friends, and her family. In future Regan stories, I'd like to hear about a little more drama in her own life. That would really spice things up!

Backyard Bones: Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Regan feels the need to get involved in an official investigation when it doesn't relate directly to her life?
2. Is the Reverend Simon's relationships with his "kids" abnormal? Why or why not?
3. Did you figure out the whodunit before Regan? How?

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