The first Bell Elkins novel I’ve read but it won’t be the last

Bone on Bone: A Bell Elkins Novel (Bell Elkins Novels)

By: Julia Keller

Rating: 5 of 5

This is the eighth book in the Bell Elkins mystery series though it is the first one I’ve read. I was able to easily pick up the thread of the plot, understand the characters and get a sense of their past interactions. The book is easily read as a stand-alone but has convinced me to go back and read the series. I want to know how things got to this point and how the characters evolved over time.

This story picks up when Bell Elkins is released from prison. She is no longer able to practice law and has found a cause to champion. It seems Bell is the type of person who is driven and, since she is no longer a lawyer who can bring suit against wrongdoers, she is looking for another way.

The drug trade has grown in her small town during the three years she has been away. There is a murder that seems connected to the trade and the now sheriff and prosector are busy trying to solve the crime.

Deputy Jake Owens, formerly known as, is now a paraplegic after being shot three years before. He’s trying to adjust to life and not doing so well. When Bell approaches him about assisting her, he’s pretty sarcastic about what she is doing and can’t see how or why he should help her.

These three plot lines merge into one as facts appear. Bell, Jake, and Rhonda (the new prosecutor) start working together and then the entire story starts to snowball.

My attention was caught and I had problems putting the book down. I’ll certainly also be looking for new books by this author in the future.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.