What do you think?
Rate this book
A Hondo and Magnolia Mystery #1
All the Bones in Brooks County, Texas
Every victim has a name. So do their killers .
True Detective meets Dublin Murder Squad in this story born from the seeds of true Southern Border reports.
A pair of skeletons are discovered in the endless hinterlands of the South Texas plains--a mother and child and a small handcrafted stuffed animal. Deputy Hondo Velazquez is first on the scene and the only person with the inescapable flutter-feeling of foul-play. His own buried trauma drives him to a crucial decision Hondo commandeers the bones, smuggling them to Magnolia Moss, an embittered and battered forensic anthropologist at Baylor University. She confirms Hondo's the victims were murdered by the same ammunition used on countless other migrants whose bones Magnolia keeps in a special box in her lab She has long-suspected a serial killer in the bone-pit of Brooks County and now she has an ally. Hondo and Magnolia's mutual drive for justice takes them across the border and back again, down a twisting rabbit hole of killers, cowards, and the corrupt. Together, the two must race to unmask those behind the mounting deaths before they find themselves, too, thrown limp upon the pile in a bone-filled den of darkness
All the Bones in Brooks County, Texas , blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction, painting a gripping narrative that echoes with chilling authenticity. Prepare to be captivated by this pulse-pounding thriller – a gripping testament to the resilience of those who seek truth in the shadows.
True Detective meets Dublin Murder Squad in this story born from the seeds of true Southern Border reports.
A pair of skeletons are discovered in the endless hinterlands of the South Texas plains--a mother and child and a small handcrafted stuffed animal. Deputy Hondo Velazquez is first on the scene and the only person with the inescapable flutter-feeling of foul-play. His own buried trauma drives him to a crucial decision Hondo commandeers the bones, smuggling them to Magnolia Moss, an embittered and battered forensic anthropologist at Baylor University. She confirms Hondo's the victims were murdered by the same ammunition used on countless other migrants whose bones Magnolia keeps in a special box in her lab She has long-suspected a serial killer in the bone-pit of Brooks County and now she has an ally. Hondo and Magnolia's mutual drive for justice takes them across the border and back again, down a twisting rabbit hole of killers, cowards, and the corrupt. Together, the two must race to unmask those behind the mounting deaths before they find themselves, too, thrown limp upon the pile in a bone-filled den of darkness
All the Bones in Brooks County, Texas , blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction, painting a gripping narrative that echoes with chilling authenticity. Prepare to be captivated by this pulse-pounding thriller – a gripping testament to the resilience of those who seek truth in the shadows.
- GenresMystery ThrillerFiction
398 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2023
1678 people are currently reading
478 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 29, 2023
There is so much happening at the border area of south Texas but after I finished reading I saw these are based on true reports?? Hindi suspecting it’s not cut clean and has an ally at Baylor, Magnolia who believes there is a serial killer of migrants. This story takes turns and had me on edge. It’s hard for Hondo to trust anyone except Magnolia because she is the only one who knows the truth. I got criminal minds vibes when Hotch has to ‘follow protocol’ but has the team dive into every other possibility. Wow does Hondo and Magnolia literally face a clock and truly find the corruption.. this was a GREAT read. I could see this being a movie honestly!
I received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are completely my own.
I received this ARC for an honest review, all thoughts/opinions above are completely my own.
October 19, 2023
Thought provoking mystery. Intriguing realistic storyline with unexpected plot twists. The characters are fantastic. This is the first book I've read by the author. I like his writing style.
December 19, 2024
Rating: 4 stars
This is the first of 3 novels although a short story (Darkness in the Valley) is Book 0.5. The third book is listed with a June 2025 publication date. This is more than a police procedural that takes place near the Texas border with Mexico. The story is filled with cruelty, murder, betrayal and grief.
SUMMARY: Hondo Velazquez was once a decorated Marine corporal, recognized for spearheading the capture of a killer in the poppy fields of Afghanistan. But now, having returned stateside to civilian life, he's taken a lowly job as a new deputy in Brooks County, Texas––a place where the border crisis has everyone on edge. For Hondo, it feels like a demotion, but when the bones of a mother and her child are unearthed on a remote oil ranch, Hondo is dragged back into a world he thought he left behind. Violence, death, pain. For a boy who grew up on the border, with blood mixed from both sides of the line, he feels a tribal drum-beat-calling to do what any dog does best: dig. For answers, for truth, for justice. Alone in this pursuit and ostracized from his fellow lawmen, Hondo must dig deep within himself to face a killer so close to home that it threatens to shake the foundations of everything he thinks he knows. And when he finally unearths the truth, he'll wish he never started digging in the first place.
This is the first of 3 novels although a short story (Darkness in the Valley) is Book 0.5. The third book is listed with a June 2025 publication date. This is more than a police procedural that takes place near the Texas border with Mexico. The story is filled with cruelty, murder, betrayal and grief.
SUMMARY: Hondo Velazquez was once a decorated Marine corporal, recognized for spearheading the capture of a killer in the poppy fields of Afghanistan. But now, having returned stateside to civilian life, he's taken a lowly job as a new deputy in Brooks County, Texas––a place where the border crisis has everyone on edge. For Hondo, it feels like a demotion, but when the bones of a mother and her child are unearthed on a remote oil ranch, Hondo is dragged back into a world he thought he left behind. Violence, death, pain. For a boy who grew up on the border, with blood mixed from both sides of the line, he feels a tribal drum-beat-calling to do what any dog does best: dig. For answers, for truth, for justice. Alone in this pursuit and ostracized from his fellow lawmen, Hondo must dig deep within himself to face a killer so close to home that it threatens to shake the foundations of everything he thinks he knows. And when he finally unearths the truth, he'll wish he never started digging in the first place.
October 14, 2023
The author did a great job building the characters and establishing the scene. I especially liked how he used setting as a character in the story. It played an important part in the plot. The first line grabbed my attention and immediately put me into the story. The intriguing mystery and non-stop action kept the pages turning. I was really surprised at all the twists and turns. Unfortunately, I’m a slow reader and the considerable use of slang and Spanish took me out of the story from time to time. I liked the use of colloquialisms and the immersion into culture and family, which made the main characters even more appealing. This story helped me become alert to the hidden dangers of the migrant crisis on our southern border. I look forward to the release of the author’s next book and will recommend this series to family and friends.
February 14, 2025
Very good debut novel.
The title of this book grabbed my interest, so I borrowed a copy using Kindle Unlimited. This was one of the best decisions I’ve made this year. From the first sentence to the last I was hooked on the story. Right off I found Hondo much like the guy across the street, immediately likeable and a bit damaged by his life journeys.
The story and its subject matter are something that needs to be told in the right way and Adam Taylor Barker does an excellent job bringing all the aspects of the story across without becoming overbearing.
With Magnolia introduced into the story the richness and depth of the story nearly doubled. Once again, a damaged character with enough gumption to move past her damage helped move the story in ways that were so believable and engaging.
I’ve already borrowed and loaded All the Bones They Left Behind, the second Hondo & Magnolia, in my kindle as my reading for the next couple of days.
The title of this book grabbed my interest, so I borrowed a copy using Kindle Unlimited. This was one of the best decisions I’ve made this year. From the first sentence to the last I was hooked on the story. Right off I found Hondo much like the guy across the street, immediately likeable and a bit damaged by his life journeys.
The story and its subject matter are something that needs to be told in the right way and Adam Taylor Barker does an excellent job bringing all the aspects of the story across without becoming overbearing.
With Magnolia introduced into the story the richness and depth of the story nearly doubled. Once again, a damaged character with enough gumption to move past her damage helped move the story in ways that were so believable and engaging.
I’ve already borrowed and loaded All the Bones They Left Behind, the second Hondo & Magnolia, in my kindle as my reading for the next couple of days.
November 29, 2023
I don't think I have read a book in recent memory that has affected me as much as this one has. I read this weeks ago and yet I cannot stop thinking about it. The characters come to life in such a way that I remember them like real people - like friends who I miss.
Hondo and Magnolia are such vividly depicted individuals that I found myself longing to speak to them. I wish I could ask them questions and even give them a hug.
There was a point in the story when I had to put it down and walk away and brew a cup of tea. I was so scared, not for myself or in the way a thriller or horror story scares you... I was scared FOR THEM. I wanted them to be okay, in the way one might wish for their child to be safe.
I have always loved mysteries, but the ones I love the most are the one that give me a real person to spend time with, to get to know, and to yearn to know more about. This is my favorite mystery since Bosch! I loved Harry Bosch and his relationships with the people in his life, and I love Hondo Valezquez and his relationship with Magnolia and with others in his past and present.
This is was, quite frankly, EVERYTHING I want in a mystery novel and SO MUCH MORE. I would give it 100 stars, if I could. It affected me that greatly.
These are what real heroes are made of - flesh and bone and raw scars that never quite heal.
Do yourself the biggest favor and read this novel. Tell me you put it down and weren't magnetically drawn to pick it back up, because if so... I imagine you have no heart. I can't wait for the next book, and for the others after it. I truly believe this will be the next great mystery series.
It's like a lovely cake made with a cup of Bosch, a spattering of the Dragon Tattoo series, a sprinkle of Attica Locke's Bluebird Bluebird, and a heavy splash of Tana French's Dublin Mystery oeuvre.
Like a parasite of the mind, this book will never, ever leave you!
Hondo and Magnolia are such vividly depicted individuals that I found myself longing to speak to them. I wish I could ask them questions and even give them a hug.
There was a point in the story when I had to put it down and walk away and brew a cup of tea. I was so scared, not for myself or in the way a thriller or horror story scares you... I was scared FOR THEM. I wanted them to be okay, in the way one might wish for their child to be safe.
I have always loved mysteries, but the ones I love the most are the one that give me a real person to spend time with, to get to know, and to yearn to know more about. This is my favorite mystery since Bosch! I loved Harry Bosch and his relationships with the people in his life, and I love Hondo Valezquez and his relationship with Magnolia and with others in his past and present.
This is was, quite frankly, EVERYTHING I want in a mystery novel and SO MUCH MORE. I would give it 100 stars, if I could. It affected me that greatly.
These are what real heroes are made of - flesh and bone and raw scars that never quite heal.
Do yourself the biggest favor and read this novel. Tell me you put it down and weren't magnetically drawn to pick it back up, because if so... I imagine you have no heart. I can't wait for the next book, and for the others after it. I truly believe this will be the next great mystery series.
It's like a lovely cake made with a cup of Bosch, a spattering of the Dragon Tattoo series, a sprinkle of Attica Locke's Bluebird Bluebird, and a heavy splash of Tana French's Dublin Mystery oeuvre.
Like a parasite of the mind, this book will never, ever leave you!
January 1, 2026
This book was hard for me to get into in the beginning, the writing did not flow easily. It did get better the longer I read. One of my pet peeves of this book would be the conversations that take place in Spanish and there is no translation in the book, so there are small conversations that you have no idea what is being said (I am not a Spanish speaker). The content of the book is very difficult at times, the story of the migrant plight and the people who take advantage of it. One hopes that this story is fictional in all violent and murderous aspects, if not, it is a sad statement of humanity.
February 4, 2024
There was a good story here but the development of/issues with the characters and significant issues with the plot derailed the story significantly. Seemed way more like a slightly fleshed out screen play for a TV episode that a novel. I try not to be too picky but dang some of the actions by the main characters were so out of line with their back story that is laughed out loud during VERY unfunny parts of the book. Won't get into the other plot issues.
I would only recommend as a beach/long flight read as it is a short book.
I would only recommend as a beach/long flight read as it is a short book.
January 12, 2025
I fully expect that with the author's ties to screen writing and the industry that this will eventually be a movie or series. As I think it should. It is riveting to read about the callousness of incidents that must in fact occur. Not that I think there are any easy solutions. Because I don't. But it does put a lot of it front and center. Not being a prude here, but sometimes the easy, casual, almost immediate sexual interactions are distracting and often not there for anything to do with the story... I do have book two on my read list. I do think the author is talented and here to stay.
February 16, 2024
A Disturbing and Compelling Read...
I wish I could say that the conclusion was a satisfying one (it was an incredible finish) but there was so much sadness in the interwoven threads of the story it would be difficult to conclude that any aspect of it was satisfying. Nonetheless, it was a thoughtful and absorbing book. The descriptions could make the reader's skin crawl, it was so thick with atmosphere. Not a book for the faint of heart, but well worth reading.
I wish I could say that the conclusion was a satisfying one (it was an incredible finish) but there was so much sadness in the interwoven threads of the story it would be difficult to conclude that any aspect of it was satisfying. Nonetheless, it was a thoughtful and absorbing book. The descriptions could make the reader's skin crawl, it was so thick with atmosphere. Not a book for the faint of heart, but well worth reading.
July 16, 2025
Reality of Life Then and Now
The book starts slowly, identifying characters, locales and the drive of one man who could not let go. The world of Hondo is dark and filled with raw emotions. At times it is hard to continue reading but I could not stop. Like Hondo I had to know. The book is very well written, descriptions are such that you feel you are there...I did. Cannot wait to read book two.
The book starts slowly, identifying characters, locales and the drive of one man who could not let go. The world of Hondo is dark and filled with raw emotions. At times it is hard to continue reading but I could not stop. Like Hondo I had to know. The book is very well written, descriptions are such that you feel you are there...I did. Cannot wait to read book two.
September 4, 2024
This book was intriguing to me because part of it takes place in Falfurrias, TX. My father graduated from high school there. It is not unlike my usual genre but a little different. The author makes good use of a plethora of descriptive words without screaming adjectives at you. The topic is certainly timely as it involves border security in Texas. It's one of those books that make you think.
February 6, 2026
DNF. Quit on page 112. Not a “thriller” in any way. This book is a glum, morbid and preachy commentary on the border tragedy. It also has violent and off putting sexual references and descriptions of mastubation (plural). You may like it…I didn’t. Wasted most of an evening and $5 in Amazon charges.
September 23, 2023
Liked it. Sort of like Humphrey Bogart’s detectives. It’s not just a mystery. It’s a little bit more. This book has depth and will leave you thinking long after you’ve finished.
If you like dark, twisty mysteries that really have something to say… don’t miss this one.
If you like dark, twisty mysteries that really have something to say… don’t miss this one.
January 22, 2024
Don’t know why I didn’t read this sooner!
I thought the book started slow. But the more I read the better it got. There is really three stories in the book the bones, then his story and then her story. Won’t forget this one!
I thought the book started slow. But the more I read the better it got. There is really three stories in the book the bones, then his story and then her story. Won’t forget this one!
May 12, 2024
I throughly enjoyed reading this book! About Texas Border Patrol and County Sheriffs department in South Texas! Cartel also involved. Missing persons everywhere Texas and Mexico! Great plot, characters believable to me! Already got the 2 edition on my Kindle! 💕📖💕
July 28, 2024
Enjoyable
Certainly a page turning story. The characters are well developed and continue to develop throughout the story. It also opens one's eyes about the tragic parts of illegal immigration. Storyline was well thought out.
Certainly a page turning story. The characters are well developed and continue to develop throughout the story. It also opens one's eyes about the tragic parts of illegal immigration. Storyline was well thought out.
September 12, 2024
Good story on the issues and crimes on the Texas border involving immigration, cartels and murder. The book was well written with moments of Hondo and Magnolia attraction but sometimes seemed a little too much when going into the thought process and philosophical ideas of Hondo.
February 24, 2025
This really did nothing for me, I did struggle to the end hoping it would get better but it never did. The writing style seemed choppy and wandered around. The plot could have made for and interesting book, but it just didn't deliver.
April 3, 2025
Wow! A must read. Fast paced, twists and turns, felt like I was there! Read in one sitting, could not put down except to make a cup of tea. Reading prequel #1 now. Love Mr Broker's style of writing. ALL of his books are on my Must Read list.
May 21, 2025
Naming the Nameless
Didn't like it at first. Just too brutal, but timely. The border between humanity and insanity is thin. They are not illegals they are humans. Very thought provoking.
Didn't like it at first. Just too brutal, but timely. The border between humanity and insanity is thin. They are not illegals they are humans. Very thought provoking.
July 7, 2025
All the Bones in Brooks County TX
This book was a page turner, always wanting to know what would happen next while making me think about all the souls that continue to try cross our borders and never make it.
This book was a page turner, always wanting to know what would happen next while making me think about all the souls that continue to try cross our borders and never make it.
September 22, 2025
Good read
This book started a little slow but once it picked up I hated putting it down. It's got a great storyline that makes you think of the hardship of others and what they may face in life.
This book started a little slow but once it picked up I hated putting it down. It's got a great storyline that makes you think of the hardship of others and what they may face in life.
September 2, 2023
must read
it was such a great book I couldn’t put it down. Had some good turns that had me on edge. It was kind of like a criminal minds vibe. Loved it definitely recommend
it was such a great book I couldn’t put it down. Had some good turns that had me on edge. It was kind of like a criminal minds vibe. Loved it definitely recommend
September 28, 2023
Very great book
Very good book I enjoyed this book. A lot of twists I didn't see coming. I'd recommend this to anyone.
Very good book I enjoyed this book. A lot of twists I didn't see coming. I'd recommend this to anyone.
November 6, 2023
Can't wait for the sequel!
February 17, 2024
Too dark, dreary, and depressing for me, and the author reminds you of the darkness, dreariness, and depression every step of the way……
March 24, 2024
Hondo is the real deal
Started a little slow excellent description of characters picked up towards the middle and finish came out of nowhere ...suspenseful
Started a little slow excellent description of characters picked up towards the middle and finish came out of nowhere ...suspenseful
August 30, 2024
scary, but well written
It was a gripping story-certainly based on very unfortunate events that are still going on every day. I would recommend this book
It was a gripping story-certainly based on very unfortunate events that are still going on every day. I would recommend this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews