What do you think?
Rate this book
What the Bones Know
A child's bones, a lost girl, a mind adrift - sometimes what is lost comes back to haunt you...from an award-winning author comes a contemporary gothic tale of guilt, grief and redemption.
In the village of Kiln Creek in the Victorian Highlands, a ghost gum falls in a storm. Tangled in its roots are the bones of a small child and the tattered remains of her clothing, including a pair of bright red sneakers.
Single mum Jude Mees is in her early forties and struggling to get her business off the ground while raising her ten-year-old daughter Katie, and managing a fractious relationship with her controlling ex-husband. But when Jude learns that her mother, Nance, who still lives alone on the family property in Kiln Creek, is showing troubling signs of dementia she has no option other than to return and check on her. And indeed, all is not well at the farm. Nance is slowly drifting off into her own world, and there are other disturbing occurrences. Strange smells, inexplicably wet footprints, a voice in the night. As her daughter starts to sleepwalk and Jude's nightmares begin to take over her days, she begins to wonder whether her imagination is out of control or if something more sinister is happening...
A taut, claustrophobic exploration of what it means to be haunted - by our past, by fractured relationships, by a place we thought we knew and by our own unreliable memories.
In the village of Kiln Creek in the Victorian Highlands, a ghost gum falls in a storm. Tangled in its roots are the bones of a small child and the tattered remains of her clothing, including a pair of bright red sneakers.
Single mum Jude Mees is in her early forties and struggling to get her business off the ground while raising her ten-year-old daughter Katie, and managing a fractious relationship with her controlling ex-husband. But when Jude learns that her mother, Nance, who still lives alone on the family property in Kiln Creek, is showing troubling signs of dementia she has no option other than to return and check on her. And indeed, all is not well at the farm. Nance is slowly drifting off into her own world, and there are other disturbing occurrences. Strange smells, inexplicably wet footprints, a voice in the night. As her daughter starts to sleepwalk and Jude's nightmares begin to take over her days, she begins to wonder whether her imagination is out of control or if something more sinister is happening...
A taut, claustrophobic exploration of what it means to be haunted - by our past, by fractured relationships, by a place we thought we knew and by our own unreliable memories.
307 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2026
21 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Kirstyn McDermott
51 books97 followersKirstyn McDermott is an Australian author of two award-winning novels, Madigan Mine and Perfections, as well as a collection of short fiction, Caution: Contains Small Parts. Until recently, she produced and co-hosted a literary discussion podcast, The Writer and the Critic, and is currently undertaking a creative PhD at Federation University with a research focus on retold fairy tales.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
February 28, 2026
I must admit to almost putting What the Bones Know by Kirstyn McDermott aside. There's a haunting / mystical element to it and I hate books that dip into the supernatural as logic tends to go out the window which was slightly the case here. However there was enough of the 'tangible' elements of mystery/suspense to keep me contented, allowing me to skim the more fantastic elements. It was also interesting to be jolted back to the days of COVID-19 with its masks and lockdowns which - though incredibly disruptive at the time - feel like a lifetime ago, and another world entirely.
This opens with a prologue and the discovery of old bones but we're kept in the dark for much of the book, eventually learning whose bones and suspected cause of death. McDermott paces the reveal well, as events also unfold in the present and past perfectly timed, for us to piece together the puzzle.
McDermott gives us some complex and multi-tiered characters here in Jude and her mother. I had a real sense of who Jude was and the balance she's trying to maintain in her life. Jude is joined in her narration by a blonde girl, an eight year old who is accustomed to running around her family property - climbing trees and swimming in the river - and who comes across an English girl holidaying nearby with her family. The English girl jokes about running away (albeit temporarily) and the blonde challenges her new friend, who she likens to a princess, to join her in her usual exploits.... which she does, before things go tragically wrong.
I struggled here with the more supernatural elements but managed to skim those and read this as a straight mystery. A whodunnit. Or a whodunwhat? And in that sense I enjoyed unpicking the bittersweet mystery lurking in the dark until being recently unearthed. Literally.
3.5 stars
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
This opens with a prologue and the discovery of old bones but we're kept in the dark for much of the book, eventually learning whose bones and suspected cause of death. McDermott paces the reveal well, as events also unfold in the present and past perfectly timed, for us to piece together the puzzle.
McDermott gives us some complex and multi-tiered characters here in Jude and her mother. I had a real sense of who Jude was and the balance she's trying to maintain in her life. Jude is joined in her narration by a blonde girl, an eight year old who is accustomed to running around her family property - climbing trees and swimming in the river - and who comes across an English girl holidaying nearby with her family. The English girl jokes about running away (albeit temporarily) and the blonde challenges her new friend, who she likens to a princess, to join her in her usual exploits.... which she does, before things go tragically wrong.
I struggled here with the more supernatural elements but managed to skim those and read this as a straight mystery. A whodunnit. Or a whodunwhat? And in that sense I enjoyed unpicking the bittersweet mystery lurking in the dark until being recently unearthed. Literally.
3.5 stars
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
February 25, 2026
This book is set in the early stages of the COVID pandemic in small town Kiln Creek outside of Melbourne. Jude grew up on a farm there, and returns home to check in with her mum Nance who seems to be slipping into dementia. Jude is juggling tying to stay afloat as she can’t do her job as a cleaner under lockdown conditions, and she’s trying to be a good mother to ten year old Katie while navigating co-parenting with her ex husband. Nance and Jude have a somewhat fractured relationship, and as Jude spends more time at home she realises something odd is happening in her mums house. Is something supernatural at play? Or are things that refuse to stay buried just manifesting in guilty minds?
This was a slow starter, and I wasn’t sure where it was heading, but it was a good read in the end. I would classify this as a contemporary thriller, but it’s a slow and claustrophobic read rather than a pacy twisty one. It centres around themes of grief, secrets, and memories, and how they can reverberate through generations. Buried trauma is always interesting to read about, and I thought the supernatural element used to explore this was quite unique. I don’t think I’ve read a story quite like this, and I would recommend it for fans of character driven mysteries.
This was a slow starter, and I wasn’t sure where it was heading, but it was a good read in the end. I would classify this as a contemporary thriller, but it’s a slow and claustrophobic read rather than a pacy twisty one. It centres around themes of grief, secrets, and memories, and how they can reverberate through generations. Buried trauma is always interesting to read about, and I thought the supernatural element used to explore this was quite unique. I don’t think I’ve read a story quite like this, and I would recommend it for fans of character driven mysteries.
February 22, 2026
Thankyou so much for Harlequin for the ARC of What the bones know and it was fun!
I enjoyed the Australian references and the twists and turns the story took.
It was a little slow at times but over all was a very interesting read!
I enjoyed the Australian references and the twists and turns the story took.
It was a little slow at times but over all was a very interesting read!
January 16, 2026
What the Bones Know is a quietly unsettling read — part contemporary gothic, part psychological mystery — set in the remote town of Kiln Creek during the first COVID lockdown. With bones unearthed beneath a ghost gum and memories slipping like fog through the minds of its characters, Kirstyn McDermott crafts a story about grief, generational silence, and the truths we try to bury.
Jude Mees, a single mother in her forties, returns to the family farm with her ten-year-old daughter when her estranged mother, Nance, begins showing signs of dementia. The reunion is strained: their shared trauma runs deep, and Nance is no longer the woman Jude remembers. The house is chaotic — full of strange smells, muddy footprints, and whispers in the night. Jude wants to help — but she also wants to flee.
McDermott threads the narrative across two timelines, with chapters from the past unspooling toward an event we sense coming, but dread nonetheless. The supernatural elements are subtle, sinister, and deeply atmospheric — enhancing the tension rather than overshadowing the human story at its core.
The novel’s strength lies in its exploration of memory and buried trauma. As Jude struggles to make sense of her mother’s behaviour — and her own repressed past — she’s forced to confront long-held questions she may not be ready to answer. The discovery of a child’s bones, tangled in the roots of a fallen tree, only deepens the feeling that something once silenced is clawing its way back.
Also: full marks for Thomas the cat, and for McDermott’s portrayal of one of the most exasperating — and quietly coercive — fictional ex-husbands I’ve encountered in a while. His needling presence adds a realistic thread of tension that’s all too recognisable.
This isn’t a pacey thriller — it’s a slow, claustrophobic descent into the past, layered with dread and sorrow. A strong four stars from me. Unnerving, atmospheric, and quietly heartbreaking.
Published 24 February 2026. With thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia (HQ) for the eARC in exchange for a review.
Jude Mees, a single mother in her forties, returns to the family farm with her ten-year-old daughter when her estranged mother, Nance, begins showing signs of dementia. The reunion is strained: their shared trauma runs deep, and Nance is no longer the woman Jude remembers. The house is chaotic — full of strange smells, muddy footprints, and whispers in the night. Jude wants to help — but she also wants to flee.
McDermott threads the narrative across two timelines, with chapters from the past unspooling toward an event we sense coming, but dread nonetheless. The supernatural elements are subtle, sinister, and deeply atmospheric — enhancing the tension rather than overshadowing the human story at its core.
The novel’s strength lies in its exploration of memory and buried trauma. As Jude struggles to make sense of her mother’s behaviour — and her own repressed past — she’s forced to confront long-held questions she may not be ready to answer. The discovery of a child’s bones, tangled in the roots of a fallen tree, only deepens the feeling that something once silenced is clawing its way back.
Also: full marks for Thomas the cat, and for McDermott’s portrayal of one of the most exasperating — and quietly coercive — fictional ex-husbands I’ve encountered in a while. His needling presence adds a realistic thread of tension that’s all too recognisable.
This isn’t a pacey thriller — it’s a slow, claustrophobic descent into the past, layered with dread and sorrow. A strong four stars from me. Unnerving, atmospheric, and quietly heartbreaking.
Published 24 February 2026. With thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia (HQ) for the eARC in exchange for a review.
March 12, 2026
What the Bones Know is an eerie and unsettling read that explores what it means to be haunted - by our past, by fractured relationships, by a place we thought we knew and by our own unreliable memories.
This was a book that starts off slow and then builds with the introduction of a second earlier narrative. The setting was vivid and the use of supernatural elements were intriguing. It was however tricky to distinguish between reality and supernatural in places which, for me, made the story a little disjointed, but not enough for my interest to wain…I still wanted to know how it ended.
What the Bones Know isn’t a fast-paced thriller, it’s heavy and layered with complex characters and fractured family dynamics. If you’re after an atmospheric and thought provoking read, this could be for you.
✨Thank you to @harlequinaus for a copy to read.
This was a book that starts off slow and then builds with the introduction of a second earlier narrative. The setting was vivid and the use of supernatural elements were intriguing. It was however tricky to distinguish between reality and supernatural in places which, for me, made the story a little disjointed, but not enough for my interest to wain…I still wanted to know how it ended.
What the Bones Know isn’t a fast-paced thriller, it’s heavy and layered with complex characters and fractured family dynamics. If you’re after an atmospheric and thought provoking read, this could be for you.
✨Thank you to @harlequinaus for a copy to read.
March 9, 2026
In Kiln Creek, a fallen ghost gum reveals something no one was meant to find — the bones of a child tangled in its roots beside a pair of bright-red sneakers. When Jude Mees returns to the family farm to care for her mother, she expects difficult memories, not unexplained footsteps in the night, strange smells in empty rooms, and a growing sense that the past is far from finished. Some places hold secrets for decades… but eventually, they demand to be heard.
Read my full review over on hundredacreofbooks.com https://hundredacreofbooks.com/index....
Read my full review over on hundredacreofbooks.com https://hundredacreofbooks.com/index....
March 1, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, unexpected reading. Kept me thinking about the two girls right from the start of the book and looking forward to how they link into the story, so well written and I liked the typeface changed when talking about them in the past. We can all relate to being haunted by our relationships or as in this case, family. Would highly recommend this book to all. Thank you HQ for giving me the opportunity to review this book.
February 26, 2026
Now this was a wonderful book sent from HQ Insiders.
Cast your mind back to Dan Andrew’s and the Victorian Lockdowns when a house cleaner needs work but her mother Nance needs her more. Jude Mees travels out to Kiln Creek where more than her mother and cognitive decline can take her.
Add some bones of a cold case and memories to haunt Jude this takes you along a story many have since taken to the grave. One it clicks your hooked in.
A great story with mystery and intrigue that not only highlights how lockdown highlighted cognitive declines but had many searching for more.
Cast your mind back to Dan Andrew’s and the Victorian Lockdowns when a house cleaner needs work but her mother Nance needs her more. Jude Mees travels out to Kiln Creek where more than her mother and cognitive decline can take her.
Add some bones of a cold case and memories to haunt Jude this takes you along a story many have since taken to the grave. One it clicks your hooked in.
A great story with mystery and intrigue that not only highlights how lockdown highlighted cognitive declines but had many searching for more.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What The Bones Know, starts by throwing us into a fast paced, predicament, as the prologue closes, you just know, this is going to be a creative and interesting read.
This book is unsettling. Kirstyn McDermott seems to have captured the very thing that we find haunting. The unknown. Being alone in an isolated area, feeling like you're being watched. Just uncanny moments, mundane items appearing sinister. This book is consistently unsettling, it is hard to know who or what to trust.
The story itself is complex. There are so many facets and elements that help make it what it is. From divorce and custody issues, growing up in rural areas with old fashioned parents, ghost-like encounters, Covid 19, and unfortunate, accidental deaths. This book feels like it has everything.
What The Bones Know is psychologically chilling. The reader is trapped in a state of unease and distrust. The Australian bush setting made it feel so familiar and I think that added to the overall feel of this novel.
The paranormal twist is both unsettling and comforting, Kirstyn McDermott has written it so well. It all blends with her story of growing up, of adult life. This novel is easy to read, fast paced and the setting feels familiar. A great summer tale.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending a review copy of this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book is unsettling. Kirstyn McDermott seems to have captured the very thing that we find haunting. The unknown. Being alone in an isolated area, feeling like you're being watched. Just uncanny moments, mundane items appearing sinister. This book is consistently unsettling, it is hard to know who or what to trust.
The story itself is complex. There are so many facets and elements that help make it what it is. From divorce and custody issues, growing up in rural areas with old fashioned parents, ghost-like encounters, Covid 19, and unfortunate, accidental deaths. This book feels like it has everything.
What The Bones Know is psychologically chilling. The reader is trapped in a state of unease and distrust. The Australian bush setting made it feel so familiar and I think that added to the overall feel of this novel.
The paranormal twist is both unsettling and comforting, Kirstyn McDermott has written it so well. It all blends with her story of growing up, of adult life. This novel is easy to read, fast paced and the setting feels familiar. A great summer tale.
Thank you to Harlequin Australia for sending a review copy of this title. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is my first Kristyn McDermott book and WOW! Words almost fail me! From the opening pages this book grabbed my attention and I couldn’t put it down. First the body of a child is discovered when a tree comes down in a huge storm in Kiln Creek. Fast forward 40 odd years later to Jude, a single mum to Katie, who is working hard to establish her own business and save for a house for them. Getting a call that her mother is acting strangely, Jude, an only child, sets out for Kiln Creek. Once there, things start to spiral especially when her daughter turns up unexpectedly. Her mum is acting weirdly, has early onset dementia and has become a hoarder as well as a collector of others castoffs. Katie has begun sleep walking again, unusual in itself, but for Jude horror and the unexplained disturb her days and nights. Strange rank odours, stagnant water and muddy, wet footprints appear and disappear. For Jude either her imagination is in overdrive or there is something menacing happening. This gothic psychological thriller explores what it is to be haunted, not only by the past but also the unexplained present. This tightly written, compelling, atmospheric book moves seamlessly from the past to the present and back again. The twist is jaw dropping unexpected and sets this book apart from other thrillers I’ve read. I could understand coping with someone with dementia and I could relate to having things in the past I wish I could change, but nothing even remotely close to Jude’s situation. Then there is Thomas the cat, intuitive and typical of a cat choosing one particular person to devote themselves to, in this case Katie, like many cats I’ve had. I loved this book! Five well deserved stars from me. Thank you to Harper Collin’s HQ Insiders for the ARC. 🌸
February 15, 2026
I really enjoyed this one. It starts off a little slow, but it still had me hooked and eager to keep reading. Set during the COVID lockdowns in Victoria, the story follows single mum Jude as she tries to keep her cleaning business afloat while raising her ten year old daughter, Katie. She’s also navigating co parenting with her ex husband and returning to her childhood farm to help her mother, who is struggling with early onset dementia and hoarding. Jude’s mum isn’t particularly kind to her, which made my heart ache, especially when all Jude wants to do is help. Interwoven throughout the novel are chapters following two eight year old girls, the brunette girl and the blonde girl, on what begins as an innocent adventure that turns tragic. These sections added an extra layer of intrigue and unease. When the eerie elements start creeping in, I genuinely had goosebumps. The suspense builds in bursts, which kept me on edge, though at times it felt slightly drawn out. I found myself constantly questioning whether what was happening was supernatural or psychological, which added to the tension. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was also lovely to see a little mention of my hometown, Ballarat, which made the reading experience feel even more personal.
February 11, 2026
What The Bones Know is an atmospheric domestic thriller with a small town setting. Set in Victoria just before the Covid Lockdowns, McDermott captures the unsettled and anxious feel of early pandemic times well. The story unfolds over a dual timeline, alternating between the story of Jude, a single mother who has gone back to the farm where she grew up to help her mother who is showing early signs of dementia. A ghost gum is uprooted during a storm and reveals a child’s bones, tattered clothes and a pair of red sneakers. The second timeline tells the story of two girls, enjoying their summer break. I did find that it took me a bit longer to warm to the second storyline, I was a lot more engaged with Jude’s story. However, there was a point it all just clicked for me and you could see pieces falling into place and I ended up really enjoying the two stories.
The small village of Kiln Creek and its farming felt both reassuring and claustrophobic at the same time. Kristyn’s description of the farm house and Nance’s hoarding were so vivid I felt like I was there. The descriptions of her dementia, daughter Katie’s sleep walking and Jude’s dreams just added to the unease. I enjoyed the mother- daughter relationships and repressed memories. Michael, Jude’s ex-husband was unlikeable with his lack of support and gaslighting and you really felt glad that Jude had moved on from him. The village residents and Constable Thea and their support really added to the storylines. For fans of Jane Harper, Chris Hammer and Margaret Hickey.
The small village of Kiln Creek and its farming felt both reassuring and claustrophobic at the same time. Kristyn’s description of the farm house and Nance’s hoarding were so vivid I felt like I was there. The descriptions of her dementia, daughter Katie’s sleep walking and Jude’s dreams just added to the unease. I enjoyed the mother- daughter relationships and repressed memories. Michael, Jude’s ex-husband was unlikeable with his lack of support and gaslighting and you really felt glad that Jude had moved on from him. The village residents and Constable Thea and their support really added to the storylines. For fans of Jane Harper, Chris Hammer and Margaret Hickey.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to HQ Insiders for the chance to read and review this ARC of What the Bones Know by Kirstyn McDermott, a new to me author.
Even though this book starts off at a slow burn, it had me right from the very start. Set in the period of early COVID lockdown in Victoria, the main character Jude is so relatable - the constant struggle for your sanity, for toilet paper and for just your basic survival - is still such a raw topic for so many people.
Throughout the novel, as we learn more about Jude there is growing sense of uneasiness, like something just isn't quite right .. culminating in an ending that I certainly didn't see coming!
McDermott reminds us that every family has secrets and sometimes those secrets make their way to the surface .... no matter how deeply they're buried.
Even though this book starts off at a slow burn, it had me right from the very start. Set in the period of early COVID lockdown in Victoria, the main character Jude is so relatable - the constant struggle for your sanity, for toilet paper and for just your basic survival - is still such a raw topic for so many people.
Throughout the novel, as we learn more about Jude there is growing sense of uneasiness, like something just isn't quite right .. culminating in an ending that I certainly didn't see coming!
McDermott reminds us that every family has secrets and sometimes those secrets make their way to the surface .... no matter how deeply they're buried.
March 3, 2026
EXCERPT: It's not clear what it is at first, the small sphere suspended on one of the roots that hangs low over the cavity, its rounded surface mud-streaked and stained the colour of long-curdled coffee. Not until Gordon gets closer and sees the rest of the pieces, all that same sickly brown, a marked contrast to the blue fabric they're tangled up in. Where the rain is washing off the dirt, the colour looks near to new but the condition is far from it, shredded by the insistent, invasive growth of the tree above. A person might be forgiven for thinking them merely sticks, pieces of snapped-off root maybe, even though they're too straight for that. But there's no mistaking the little toffee-apple red sneaker, its rubber sole patterned with a scattering of five-pointed stars.
ABOUT 'WHAT THE BONES KNOW': In the village of Kiln Creek in the Victorian Highlands, a ghost gum falls in a storm. Tangled in its roots are the bones of a small child and the tattered remains of her clothing, including a pair of bright red sneakers.
Single mum Jude Mees is in her early forties and struggling to get her business off the ground while raising her ten-year-old daughter Katie, and managing a fractious relationship with her controlling ex-husband. But when Jude learns that her mother, Nance, who still lives alone on the family property in Kiln Creek, is showing troubling signs of dementia she has no option other than to return and check on her. And indeed, all is not well at the farm. Nance is slowly drifting off into her own world, and there are other disturbing occurrences. Strange smells, inexplicably wet footprints, a voice in the night. As her daughter starts to sleepwalk and Jude's nightmares begin to take over her days, she begins to wonder whether her imagination is out of control or if something more sinister is happening...
MY THOUGHTS: Several days on from finishing What the Bones Know, I am still at a loss to describe how I feel about this book.
I was not expecting a haunting read, a tale of the supernatural, whether it be real or brought about by unassuaged guilt. What the Bones Know is a slow burn; a tale of complicated and fractured family relationships and of long-buried trauma. It doesn't help that Jude's mother Nance is traveling the long one-way tunnel of dementia - are her ramblings borne of that terrible disease or are the things she is saying she has seen real? And why is she blaming this presence on her daughter?
What the Bones Know is a disturbing read on many levels. Nance is a real piece of work. At times she appears to hate her daughter. She can be emotionally vicious towards Jude and demanding, yet she clearly adores her granddaughter, Katie.
Jude is damaged by the past - even if she can't remember it. Her dreams are confused and terrifying, even more so when they occur during the day. She thinks she's going mad and clutches at the offered friendship of a local policewoman, a relationship that never felt quite true to me. All this is set against the backdrop of the early days of the Covid lockdown which only adds to the claustrophobic feeling.
There is a lot of good writing in here, but the pacing is uneven and Jude, at times, came across as far too unhinged to be entirely credible. At other times I admired her strength and courage.
A compelling blend of horror and family drama which might have been an even better read with a little judicious editing.
⭐⭐⭐.6
#WhatTheBonesKnow #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: KIRSTYN MCDERMOTT has been working in the darker alleyways of speculative fiction for much of her career. She also holds a PhD in creative writing with a research focus on re-visioned fairy tales and for many years produced and co-hosted a literary discussion podcast.
Kirstyn lives in Ballarat, Australia, with fellow writer Jason Nahrung and two distinctly non-literary felines. (SOURCE: https://brainjarpress.com/kirstyn-mcd... abridged)
ABOUT 'WHAT THE BONES KNOW': In the village of Kiln Creek in the Victorian Highlands, a ghost gum falls in a storm. Tangled in its roots are the bones of a small child and the tattered remains of her clothing, including a pair of bright red sneakers.
Single mum Jude Mees is in her early forties and struggling to get her business off the ground while raising her ten-year-old daughter Katie, and managing a fractious relationship with her controlling ex-husband. But when Jude learns that her mother, Nance, who still lives alone on the family property in Kiln Creek, is showing troubling signs of dementia she has no option other than to return and check on her. And indeed, all is not well at the farm. Nance is slowly drifting off into her own world, and there are other disturbing occurrences. Strange smells, inexplicably wet footprints, a voice in the night. As her daughter starts to sleepwalk and Jude's nightmares begin to take over her days, she begins to wonder whether her imagination is out of control or if something more sinister is happening...
MY THOUGHTS: Several days on from finishing What the Bones Know, I am still at a loss to describe how I feel about this book.
I was not expecting a haunting read, a tale of the supernatural, whether it be real or brought about by unassuaged guilt. What the Bones Know is a slow burn; a tale of complicated and fractured family relationships and of long-buried trauma. It doesn't help that Jude's mother Nance is traveling the long one-way tunnel of dementia - are her ramblings borne of that terrible disease or are the things she is saying she has seen real? And why is she blaming this presence on her daughter?
What the Bones Know is a disturbing read on many levels. Nance is a real piece of work. At times she appears to hate her daughter. She can be emotionally vicious towards Jude and demanding, yet she clearly adores her granddaughter, Katie.
Jude is damaged by the past - even if she can't remember it. Her dreams are confused and terrifying, even more so when they occur during the day. She thinks she's going mad and clutches at the offered friendship of a local policewoman, a relationship that never felt quite true to me. All this is set against the backdrop of the early days of the Covid lockdown which only adds to the claustrophobic feeling.
There is a lot of good writing in here, but the pacing is uneven and Jude, at times, came across as far too unhinged to be entirely credible. At other times I admired her strength and courage.
A compelling blend of horror and family drama which might have been an even better read with a little judicious editing.
⭐⭐⭐.6
#WhatTheBonesKnow #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: KIRSTYN MCDERMOTT has been working in the darker alleyways of speculative fiction for much of her career. She also holds a PhD in creative writing with a research focus on re-visioned fairy tales and for many years produced and co-hosted a literary discussion podcast.
Kirstyn lives in Ballarat, Australia, with fellow writer Jason Nahrung and two distinctly non-literary felines. (SOURCE: https://brainjarpress.com/kirstyn-mcd... abridged)
March 17, 2026
I am a wuss. I do not enjoy being frightened. As a consequence, I rarely read books that are explicitly marketed as horror, and don't particularly love books that have horror elements.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule; sometimes I have read a book without realising it had horror elements and I've really enjoyed it! But I am wary.
All of this is to say, I haven't read much of Kirstyn's work, despite her being a friend.
However. I should start a "books I read in one sitting" tag in Goodreads. This book would go on that shelf. Because, yes, I did. I started it in the afternoon, read through dinner, and finished it before bed. Note: I did not read this while alone in the house. Because I am not that silly.
There are three sets of horror / disturbing elements playing in this novel. One: it's set in 2020, and it starts in Melbourne. The main character then goes back to her family farm, so she's not in the city for the entire period of the world's longest sets of lockdown, but nevertheless: the panic buying and the lack of certainty and... yes. Well. If you were there, you know. Kirstyn captures it beautifully. It all felt very real - the not knowing in March, the waiting for the Premier Dan pressers... no, I didn't quite have flashbacks, but I could visualise it all very easily.
Two: Jude, the main character, goes back to the farm because she fears her mother's mind is wandering. Hands up those of us in that situation or about to be? Yeh. I don't like it. Again, Kirstyn writes it perfectly: the snapping in and out of focus, the tightrope-walking of whether to challenge a sentence here or there, the fear of whether she's a danger or herself or others. Being bewildered at suddenly being the responsible one.
Three: there's a ghost. Maybe? The gradual revelation of what's going on with that is truly masterful. And I won't say any more about that because it's the unravelling that makes it worthwhile. Trust me, though, it is worthwhile.
Oh, there's also a recently ex-husband who's a complete arse, so that's like point 3.5.
What the Bones Know has a tiny cast of characters, all of them excruciatingly well-observed - and being so tightly bound to just a few people (particularly when it's daughter, mother, grandmother) really adds to a sense of claustrophobia - despite it being set on a farm. It has a spectacularly Australian tone (tits on a bull!) - and if you've driven around Myrtleford, in Victoria, you will instantly recognise the area. And, as witnessed by my need to read the damned thing so quickly, it's very compelling.
Just read it.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule; sometimes I have read a book without realising it had horror elements and I've really enjoyed it! But I am wary.
All of this is to say, I haven't read much of Kirstyn's work, despite her being a friend.
However. I should start a "books I read in one sitting" tag in Goodreads. This book would go on that shelf. Because, yes, I did. I started it in the afternoon, read through dinner, and finished it before bed. Note: I did not read this while alone in the house. Because I am not that silly.
There are three sets of horror / disturbing elements playing in this novel. One: it's set in 2020, and it starts in Melbourne. The main character then goes back to her family farm, so she's not in the city for the entire period of the world's longest sets of lockdown, but nevertheless: the panic buying and the lack of certainty and... yes. Well. If you were there, you know. Kirstyn captures it beautifully. It all felt very real - the not knowing in March, the waiting for the Premier Dan pressers... no, I didn't quite have flashbacks, but I could visualise it all very easily.
Two: Jude, the main character, goes back to the farm because she fears her mother's mind is wandering. Hands up those of us in that situation or about to be? Yeh. I don't like it. Again, Kirstyn writes it perfectly: the snapping in and out of focus, the tightrope-walking of whether to challenge a sentence here or there, the fear of whether she's a danger or herself or others. Being bewildered at suddenly being the responsible one.
Three: there's a ghost. Maybe? The gradual revelation of what's going on with that is truly masterful. And I won't say any more about that because it's the unravelling that makes it worthwhile. Trust me, though, it is worthwhile.
Oh, there's also a recently ex-husband who's a complete arse, so that's like point 3.5.
What the Bones Know has a tiny cast of characters, all of them excruciatingly well-observed - and being so tightly bound to just a few people (particularly when it's daughter, mother, grandmother) really adds to a sense of claustrophobia - despite it being set on a farm. It has a spectacularly Australian tone (tits on a bull!) - and if you've driven around Myrtleford, in Victoria, you will instantly recognise the area. And, as witnessed by my need to read the damned thing so quickly, it's very compelling.
Just read it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What the Bones Know by Kirstyn McDermott explores heavy themes of death, guilt, and dementia through a crime-focused narrative that attempts to blend emotional depth with mystery. While the subject matter is compelling and layered with psychological weight, the execution felt uneven.
The novel centres on the impact of death and the lingering guilt that attaches itself to those left behind. Dementia plays a significant role in shaping both the emotional stakes and the unfolding mystery, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and fragility. The concept of memory—what is remembered, what is forgotten, and what is distorted—adds an interesting thematic layer. In theory, this should create tension and poignancy.
However, the pacing was slow and often struggled to maintain momentum. Rather than building suspense steadily, the narrative felt scattered, moving between emotional reflection and investigation without a clear rhythm. This made it difficult to fully engage with the story or feel invested in the outcome. When the ending arrived, it felt rushed in comparison to the slower build-up, as though major developments were compressed rather than fully explored.
Character relationships were another area that felt underdeveloped. The dynamic between the main character and the police officer lacked convincing chemistry and emotional grounding. Their interactions seemed more functional than meaningful, which made it hard to believe in the depth of their connection. Additionally, the portrayal of the daughter—who is meant to be ten years old—came across as significantly younger in both behaviour and attitude. This inconsistency made her character feel less authentic and at times distracting.
Overall, What the Bones Know presents powerful themes and emotional subject matter, but the slow pacing, scattered structure, and uneven characterisation made it difficult to fully connect with the story. While readers who appreciate introspective, theme-driven narratives may find value in its exploration of grief and memory, it ultimately lacked the narrative cohesion and emotional resonance needed to leave a lasting impact.
The novel centres on the impact of death and the lingering guilt that attaches itself to those left behind. Dementia plays a significant role in shaping both the emotional stakes and the unfolding mystery, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and fragility. The concept of memory—what is remembered, what is forgotten, and what is distorted—adds an interesting thematic layer. In theory, this should create tension and poignancy.
However, the pacing was slow and often struggled to maintain momentum. Rather than building suspense steadily, the narrative felt scattered, moving between emotional reflection and investigation without a clear rhythm. This made it difficult to fully engage with the story or feel invested in the outcome. When the ending arrived, it felt rushed in comparison to the slower build-up, as though major developments were compressed rather than fully explored.
Character relationships were another area that felt underdeveloped. The dynamic between the main character and the police officer lacked convincing chemistry and emotional grounding. Their interactions seemed more functional than meaningful, which made it hard to believe in the depth of their connection. Additionally, the portrayal of the daughter—who is meant to be ten years old—came across as significantly younger in both behaviour and attitude. This inconsistency made her character feel less authentic and at times distracting.
Overall, What the Bones Know presents powerful themes and emotional subject matter, but the slow pacing, scattered structure, and uneven characterisation made it difficult to fully connect with the story. While readers who appreciate introspective, theme-driven narratives may find value in its exploration of grief and memory, it ultimately lacked the narrative cohesion and emotional resonance needed to leave a lasting impact.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
(3.5 stars)
"The older Jude gets, the more often she catches sight of her mother in her own reflection. It's not a resemblance she cares for, but there it is regardless". What the Bones Know is set outside of Melbourne in a small town called Kiln Creek during the first lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lead protagonist, Jude Mees, is a cleaner, wondering how she'll support herself and her daughter, Katie, when she gets a call from the post office saying her mother, Nancy, isn't quite right. Through their fractured relationship, and the onset of Nancy's dementia, the novel takes you toward what caused the rift. The 'twist' is telegraphed pretty hard with "the blonde girl" chapters interspersed with Jude's present day.
In the style of Aussie noir, the ominous rural landscape is well developed in this novel: "the quiet, the nature-swollen hush of the place, sinks into her bones like a tonic." What I liked about this book was the way it depicts family secrets as poisonous to all parties, and shows the ripples it made in the present-day Jude and Nancy: "But it never truly goes away, the dread that she's forgotten something crucial, forgotten, misplaced or disregarded." I wasn't quite as convinced by the inclusion of supernatural elements. However this novel moves along, the writing is decent, the characters believable, and the decision not to date a police officer quite sensible, all things considered: "But there's too much she won't ever be able to share with someone who wears a police uniform, and it wouldn't be fair on Thea for Jude to keep that part of her locked away, the key tucked under her tongue, rendering her forever mute."
One mistake that jumped out at me was a character claiming pear cider is "not so sugary as apple" when pears contain more sorbitol (a sweet-tasting sugar alcohol that fermentation won't break down), whereas apple ciders depending on type vary between sweet and dry.
With thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia (HQ) for sending me a copy to read.
"The older Jude gets, the more often she catches sight of her mother in her own reflection. It's not a resemblance she cares for, but there it is regardless". What the Bones Know is set outside of Melbourne in a small town called Kiln Creek during the first lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lead protagonist, Jude Mees, is a cleaner, wondering how she'll support herself and her daughter, Katie, when she gets a call from the post office saying her mother, Nancy, isn't quite right. Through their fractured relationship, and the onset of Nancy's dementia, the novel takes you toward what caused the rift. The 'twist' is telegraphed pretty hard with "the blonde girl" chapters interspersed with Jude's present day.
In the style of Aussie noir, the ominous rural landscape is well developed in this novel: "the quiet, the nature-swollen hush of the place, sinks into her bones like a tonic." What I liked about this book was the way it depicts family secrets as poisonous to all parties, and shows the ripples it made in the present-day Jude and Nancy: "But it never truly goes away, the dread that she's forgotten something crucial, forgotten, misplaced or disregarded." I wasn't quite as convinced by the inclusion of supernatural elements. However this novel moves along, the writing is decent, the characters believable, and the decision not to date a police officer quite sensible, all things considered: "But there's too much she won't ever be able to share with someone who wears a police uniform, and it wouldn't be fair on Thea for Jude to keep that part of her locked away, the key tucked under her tongue, rendering her forever mute."
One mistake that jumped out at me was a character claiming pear cider is "not so sugary as apple" when pears contain more sorbitol (a sweet-tasting sugar alcohol that fermentation won't break down), whereas apple ciders depending on type vary between sweet and dry.
With thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia (HQ) for sending me a copy to read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Unsettling - that's the word that kept popping up when reading this. A cleverly crafted work that weaves the story of the relationship between daughters and mothers, and how decisions can change the trajectory of someone's life.
Jude is a single mum raising ten-year-old Katie when COVID hits at exactly the time Jude is trying to get her domestic cleaning business up and running. Then she receives a phone call from the post office in Kiln Creek, a small village in the Victorian Highlands. The call is disturbing, it seems her mother Nance's, health is in question so Jude packs herself and Katie up to head out and see what is actually going on. Then lockdown hits.
What she finds is a woman in the early stages of dementia with all of the difficulties, mood swings, memory loss and confusion this brings. Nance and Jude have not had the closest of relationships, so this reunion of sorts is tense and at times combative. Aside from trying to sort out Nance's situation and put some order into her life, she has to deal with Katie who is not so impressed with being stuck out at Kiln Creek, and an ex-husband who is trying as hard as possible to be as difficult as possible.
It is taking all of Jude's energy to juggle her responsibilities. Then a few strange things start occurring, a glimpse of a figure, a voice, wet footprints inside the house. Jude is questioning her own state of mind. What is actually going on in this house and why?
Woven through the novel is another story. One about two young girls, exploring the landscape, playing, imagining, but what really happened between them on that summer day years back.
The discovery of a child's bones buried underneath a tree on a nearby farm bring back memories that Nance wants to ignore - past actions and secrets that should be kept hidden.
Great read.
Thanks to HQ Insiders for providing a copy of the book for an objective and honest review.
Jude is a single mum raising ten-year-old Katie when COVID hits at exactly the time Jude is trying to get her domestic cleaning business up and running. Then she receives a phone call from the post office in Kiln Creek, a small village in the Victorian Highlands. The call is disturbing, it seems her mother Nance's, health is in question so Jude packs herself and Katie up to head out and see what is actually going on. Then lockdown hits.
What she finds is a woman in the early stages of dementia with all of the difficulties, mood swings, memory loss and confusion this brings. Nance and Jude have not had the closest of relationships, so this reunion of sorts is tense and at times combative. Aside from trying to sort out Nance's situation and put some order into her life, she has to deal with Katie who is not so impressed with being stuck out at Kiln Creek, and an ex-husband who is trying as hard as possible to be as difficult as possible.
It is taking all of Jude's energy to juggle her responsibilities. Then a few strange things start occurring, a glimpse of a figure, a voice, wet footprints inside the house. Jude is questioning her own state of mind. What is actually going on in this house and why?
Woven through the novel is another story. One about two young girls, exploring the landscape, playing, imagining, but what really happened between them on that summer day years back.
The discovery of a child's bones buried underneath a tree on a nearby farm bring back memories that Nance wants to ignore - past actions and secrets that should be kept hidden.
Great read.
Thanks to HQ Insiders for providing a copy of the book for an objective and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What the Bones Know is quite a disturbing story that begins really strongly but loses its pace at times as the book progresses. It wasn't quite four stars for me because I wasn't always completely able to piece aspects of the story together but the overall premise of the book was really great.
It is the time of covid lockdowns and Judy, a divorced mother with one child and an independent cleaning business, finds herself heading bush to help her mother, Nance, who appears to be in the early stages of dementia. Arriving at the family farm in country Victoria, Judy finds herself facing not only her mother's hoarding chaos, but also other disturbing phenomenons that appear to be somewhat supernatural in origin. Descending into nightmares, Judy realises that there is something from her childhood that is impacting her present.
The setting was very atmospheric and certainly there were a number of moments when you could feel the eeriness of what was occurring around Judy. The aspects of the book that emerged from Judy's childhood were really intriguing and you definitely felt that the adults in her life had let her down in some way. The relationships Judy has with her mother as well as her daugher, Katie were so believable - you could feel the love and protectiveness that Judy felt for Katie and the almost disregard that Nance had for her own daughter. I wasn't quite sure that the policewoman, Thea, who helps Judy several times throughout the novel was utilised as well as she could have been - I would have liked to have seen her role develop further.
I do think it was an engaging read that did make me take a breath at times and prepare myself to keep reading forward. I definitely needed the light on and to check over my shoulder that I didn't have any unexpected company. There are definitely consequences to actions and sometimes debts must be paid.
Thank you to Harper Collin’s HQ Insiders for the ARC.
It is the time of covid lockdowns and Judy, a divorced mother with one child and an independent cleaning business, finds herself heading bush to help her mother, Nance, who appears to be in the early stages of dementia. Arriving at the family farm in country Victoria, Judy finds herself facing not only her mother's hoarding chaos, but also other disturbing phenomenons that appear to be somewhat supernatural in origin. Descending into nightmares, Judy realises that there is something from her childhood that is impacting her present.
The setting was very atmospheric and certainly there were a number of moments when you could feel the eeriness of what was occurring around Judy. The aspects of the book that emerged from Judy's childhood were really intriguing and you definitely felt that the adults in her life had let her down in some way. The relationships Judy has with her mother as well as her daugher, Katie were so believable - you could feel the love and protectiveness that Judy felt for Katie and the almost disregard that Nance had for her own daughter. I wasn't quite sure that the policewoman, Thea, who helps Judy several times throughout the novel was utilised as well as she could have been - I would have liked to have seen her role develop further.
I do think it was an engaging read that did make me take a breath at times and prepare myself to keep reading forward. I definitely needed the light on and to check over my shoulder that I didn't have any unexpected company. There are definitely consequences to actions and sometimes debts must be paid.
Thank you to Harper Collin’s HQ Insiders for the ARC.
Review of advance copy
A buried secret, decades old is unearthing memories.
Jude Mees has alot on her plate. Self employed cleaner, with a 10yr old daughter Katie and a (still) domineering ex-husband. Out of the blue, she receives a phone call, concerning her widowed mum Nancy.
Clearing her schedule, turning an overnight stay into a week-long sleepover for Katie at her Dad's, she makes the trip from Melboune out to the family farm in Kiln Creek, country Victoria.
Upon arriving she discovers is that her formidable mother is slowly getting lost in the past.
Referring to her late husband, in the present tense, talking of a mysterious little girl that visits and hoarding a multitude of items: receipts, magazines and unfamiliar furniture and clothing.
Setting a time frame of five days to declutter house as best she can, with the hope it will alleviate some of Nancy's bouts of confusion.
In the midst of it all Katie shows up unannounced, and Covid lockdowns tentatively begin. Jude's five day missi9n is extending beyond her control. The strain of the two adult women being under the one roof hits boiling point more than once. An eerie prescence is also making itself known quietly throughout the house. The smells, dampness and chills in the air and unexplained events have Jude questioning the her memories. Especially when Nancy talks of events that don't make sense.
My takeaway on the book: The adults wanted the child to forget, while they themselves could not. What they believed to have happened, compared to what actually happened.
It also poses the questions of "what ifs" and "what would you do" by the end of the story.
I struggled in parts with the story. It felt a little disjointed in places, with having to refer to earlier pages a few times to find what I thought I missed.
** I received this copy courtesy of HQ Insiders in return for my honest review
Jude Mees has alot on her plate. Self employed cleaner, with a 10yr old daughter Katie and a (still) domineering ex-husband. Out of the blue, she receives a phone call, concerning her widowed mum Nancy.
Clearing her schedule, turning an overnight stay into a week-long sleepover for Katie at her Dad's, she makes the trip from Melboune out to the family farm in Kiln Creek, country Victoria.
Upon arriving she discovers is that her formidable mother is slowly getting lost in the past.
Referring to her late husband, in the present tense, talking of a mysterious little girl that visits and hoarding a multitude of items: receipts, magazines and unfamiliar furniture and clothing.
Setting a time frame of five days to declutter house as best she can, with the hope it will alleviate some of Nancy's bouts of confusion.
In the midst of it all Katie shows up unannounced, and Covid lockdowns tentatively begin. Jude's five day missi9n is extending beyond her control. The strain of the two adult women being under the one roof hits boiling point more than once. An eerie prescence is also making itself known quietly throughout the house. The smells, dampness and chills in the air and unexplained events have Jude questioning the her memories. Especially when Nancy talks of events that don't make sense.
My takeaway on the book: The adults wanted the child to forget, while they themselves could not. What they believed to have happened, compared to what actually happened.
It also poses the questions of "what ifs" and "what would you do" by the end of the story.
I struggled in parts with the story. It felt a little disjointed in places, with having to refer to earlier pages a few times to find what I thought I missed.
** I received this copy courtesy of HQ Insiders in return for my honest review
March 9, 2026
McDermott opens this tale with the discovery of a small child's body when a large tree is uprooted in a storm in an Australian rural setting in Victoria. Instantly you are left intrigued as to who is the girl and what happened to her. So you read on.
We are then introduced to Jude, a single mum with a developing cleaning business and a 10 year old daughter, Katie and it's the start of COVID. Jude receives a call from one of her mum's neighbours who is worried about Jude's mum (Nance) and her deteriorating mental state.
Upon arriving back at the family home and familiar rural setting of her past, Jude starts having bad dreams that seem so real, or are they memories, she really can't tell. Nance is relentlessly giving Jude a hard time, as was the case when she was younger but it's now more confronting when Nance keeps referring to her dad in the present tense, when he has been dead for some time. Coupled with these happenings, Jude befriends a local police officer, Thea who is friendly and helpful to Jude, and a confidante. But can she confide fully to Thea?
It felt odd to be revisiting a story with COVID in it, when it seems so far in the past (which it really isn't) and at times the storylines feel a little jumbled, but I do feel that is intentional as it gives the sense of the tumultuous journey that Jude is on. From about half way through this book, I simply couldn't put it down as I just had to know where the story would lead.
McDermott takes you on a twisted journey where you want Jude and her daughter to both be well again and for their relationship to grow strong but there are times, where she leaves you delightfully hanging on every word and wanting to know more. The hallmarks of a great storyteller.
I enjoyed reading this book and found it compelling and intriguing. Thank you to HQ Insiders for an advance reader copy to read and review.
We are then introduced to Jude, a single mum with a developing cleaning business and a 10 year old daughter, Katie and it's the start of COVID. Jude receives a call from one of her mum's neighbours who is worried about Jude's mum (Nance) and her deteriorating mental state.
Upon arriving back at the family home and familiar rural setting of her past, Jude starts having bad dreams that seem so real, or are they memories, she really can't tell. Nance is relentlessly giving Jude a hard time, as was the case when she was younger but it's now more confronting when Nance keeps referring to her dad in the present tense, when he has been dead for some time. Coupled with these happenings, Jude befriends a local police officer, Thea who is friendly and helpful to Jude, and a confidante. But can she confide fully to Thea?
It felt odd to be revisiting a story with COVID in it, when it seems so far in the past (which it really isn't) and at times the storylines feel a little jumbled, but I do feel that is intentional as it gives the sense of the tumultuous journey that Jude is on. From about half way through this book, I simply couldn't put it down as I just had to know where the story would lead.
McDermott takes you on a twisted journey where you want Jude and her daughter to both be well again and for their relationship to grow strong but there are times, where she leaves you delightfully hanging on every word and wanting to know more. The hallmarks of a great storyteller.
I enjoyed reading this book and found it compelling and intriguing. Thank you to HQ Insiders for an advance reader copy to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
From the first chapter of the Prologue, I had trepidations on what this book was going to be about. My mind was already racing on what this novel would reveal.
Interesting to live through the lockdowns of Covid 19 with this storyline. I knew how Jude Mees felt when she couldn't find any toilet paper as everyone was buying whatever they could. A time we would all rather forget.
We follow the story of Jude Mees who is separated from her overbearing husband and has a daughter Katie 10 years old and they share custody of her. Jude gets a message re her mum who lives in a place called Kiln Creek which is inland from Melbourne, Victoria.
Her mum is showing early signs of dementia, and her property is littered with so many odd things from her past. She is always mentioning her husband as if he is still alive which he isn't. She also sees this figure of a girl through the window of the house.
Among the pages, we see another story of two 8-year-old girls, one has blonde hair and the other is brown haired. Whilst reading, I had no idea of how they were connected to the storyline but knew it would be something unbelievably haunting.
I did find myself wanting to just keep reading on how all this came together but it was also a psychological spine-chilling mystery which had me on tenterhooks on what would happen.
The whole storyline is very interesting to us the reader and definitely I could not put this book down.
Not sure if this is the cover that will stay for this book but I think it should as it depicts the storyline and the story perfectly.
Thank you to @harlequinaustralia for sending me this uncorrected proof copy to read and give my honest opinion.
Interesting to live through the lockdowns of Covid 19 with this storyline. I knew how Jude Mees felt when she couldn't find any toilet paper as everyone was buying whatever they could. A time we would all rather forget.
We follow the story of Jude Mees who is separated from her overbearing husband and has a daughter Katie 10 years old and they share custody of her. Jude gets a message re her mum who lives in a place called Kiln Creek which is inland from Melbourne, Victoria.
Her mum is showing early signs of dementia, and her property is littered with so many odd things from her past. She is always mentioning her husband as if he is still alive which he isn't. She also sees this figure of a girl through the window of the house.
Among the pages, we see another story of two 8-year-old girls, one has blonde hair and the other is brown haired. Whilst reading, I had no idea of how they were connected to the storyline but knew it would be something unbelievably haunting.
I did find myself wanting to just keep reading on how all this came together but it was also a psychological spine-chilling mystery which had me on tenterhooks on what would happen.
The whole storyline is very interesting to us the reader and definitely I could not put this book down.
Not sure if this is the cover that will stay for this book but I think it should as it depicts the storyline and the story perfectly.
Thank you to @harlequinaustralia for sending me this uncorrected proof copy to read and give my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March, 2020. Single mum Jude Mees is struggling to get her cleaning business off the ground and while dealing with her difficult ex-husband Michael. Her mum Nance still lives on the family farm in the Victoria Highlands and at Kiln Creek, when Jude gets a phone call and they inform her she's acting strange.
The schools have closed early and due to the outbreak of a new virus and Michael’s working from home and too busy? Jude has no choice but to leave Melbourne and take Katie her daughter, she's shocked when she arrives at her mum’s house, Nance is in a world of her own, and she’s turned into a hoarder and showing signs of dementia. The place smells odd, and Jude notices wet footprints in the hall way, and hears voices in the night. Katie starts to sleepwalk and Jude's stuck and wants to get help for her mum and get rid of the piles of rubbish.
A haunting narrative that explores repressed memories, complicated relationships, motherhood, guilt, grief, the past and is Jude the main character experiencing flashbacks or having bad dreams because prior to her arriving in Kiln Creek; the bones of a small girl and what's left of her clothing, are found after a storm beneath the roots of a ghost gum.
I received a copy of What The Bones Know by Kirstyn McDermott from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an unbiased review. A contemporary gothic thriller which is set during the outbreak of Covid, a strange time and it adds to the eerie feeling of the story.
Four stars from me, something very different to what I normally read and it's full of twists, turns, odd things happening, it even has a feral cat called Thomas and I highly recommend.
The schools have closed early and due to the outbreak of a new virus and Michael’s working from home and too busy? Jude has no choice but to leave Melbourne and take Katie her daughter, she's shocked when she arrives at her mum’s house, Nance is in a world of her own, and she’s turned into a hoarder and showing signs of dementia. The place smells odd, and Jude notices wet footprints in the hall way, and hears voices in the night. Katie starts to sleepwalk and Jude's stuck and wants to get help for her mum and get rid of the piles of rubbish.
A haunting narrative that explores repressed memories, complicated relationships, motherhood, guilt, grief, the past and is Jude the main character experiencing flashbacks or having bad dreams because prior to her arriving in Kiln Creek; the bones of a small girl and what's left of her clothing, are found after a storm beneath the roots of a ghost gum.
I received a copy of What The Bones Know by Kirstyn McDermott from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an unbiased review. A contemporary gothic thriller which is set during the outbreak of Covid, a strange time and it adds to the eerie feeling of the story.
Four stars from me, something very different to what I normally read and it's full of twists, turns, odd things happening, it even has a feral cat called Thomas and I highly recommend.
Read
February 20, 2026Thank you Harlequin Australia for the gifted copy of What The Bones Know by Kirstyn McDermott, and for having me as a HQ Insider for this book. This review can also be found on my bookstagram.
A gothic psychological thriller with a slice of crime this is a read that blended these genres, in a way that had me hooked and engaged as a reader. Told through two timelines one historical and one modern day, following different characters.
The narrative is heavily held and influenced by the psychological thriller elements, yet it's these narrative influences on the characters that created such a engaging read. However in saying this it is a darker haunting style of narrative and, this influence is seen throughout the whole narrative.
I personally appreciated how the psychological aspects of the narrative, allowed for all the different aspects of memory to be explored. Particularly as the themes of gulit, ones past, and secrets were such prominent aspects of this narrative. Seeing all these themes connected together, worked brilliantly with the haunting aspects of this read.
I'll admit that there were some moments in the flow of the narrative, where it did not all seem to connect and or flow neatly. However despite this overall I did find this to be a engaging read.
Overall for a crime novel with a dark ghostly twist, despite it's flaws I can say it was a interesting and engaging read. For me personally I still did enjoy this read as it kept me, hooked in and wanting to know more.
If your a reader of Jo Nesbo and or Riley Sager, or your looking for a dark psychological thriller I'd recommend adding this to your TBR and or shelves.
A gothic psychological thriller with a slice of crime this is a read that blended these genres, in a way that had me hooked and engaged as a reader. Told through two timelines one historical and one modern day, following different characters.
The narrative is heavily held and influenced by the psychological thriller elements, yet it's these narrative influences on the characters that created such a engaging read. However in saying this it is a darker haunting style of narrative and, this influence is seen throughout the whole narrative.
I personally appreciated how the psychological aspects of the narrative, allowed for all the different aspects of memory to be explored. Particularly as the themes of gulit, ones past, and secrets were such prominent aspects of this narrative. Seeing all these themes connected together, worked brilliantly with the haunting aspects of this read.
I'll admit that there were some moments in the flow of the narrative, where it did not all seem to connect and or flow neatly. However despite this overall I did find this to be a engaging read.
Overall for a crime novel with a dark ghostly twist, despite it's flaws I can say it was a interesting and engaging read. For me personally I still did enjoy this read as it kept me, hooked in and wanting to know more.
If your a reader of Jo Nesbo and or Riley Sager, or your looking for a dark psychological thriller I'd recommend adding this to your TBR and or shelves.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you so much, Harlequin Australia, for providing me with this ARC.
This book falls outside my usual genre, but I was interested because it introduced a paranormal aspect in the blurb. I got lost in this fast-paced story that was a throwback to the pandemic times in Australia, when uncertainty affected so many people in different ways.
Jude Mees is a single mum, she struggles to keep her cleaner job, look after her wonderful ten-year-old daughter Katie, mend a friendly relationship with her ex-husband and somehow sort it all out. On top of her problems, Jude receives a distress call from a barely known lady, who tells her some disturbing news about Jude’s mother. Jude needs to drop everything and rush to her family farm to find out what’s going on. At the same time, something strange happened in the village where the farm is: a ghost gum tree fell after the storm, and something terrible was revealed in the damaged roots. Bones of a child dressed in bright red shoes...
It was a dark, heartbreaking story, full of grief, depression and some sort of desperation. All of these things were presented in abundance in this book, and yet, I couldn’t put it down for hours. I was hoping for some justice or at least a closure at the end, but it didn’t happen, and that was disappointing. I feel there was more left to tell, and the person who committed the crime was yet to pay for it. However, their grief and the deepest feeling of guilt made me almost feel sorry for them, but nothing else.
Overall, it was an interesting book. Not something I usually read, and I will never forget this story for its vivid atmosphere and well-presented characters.
This book falls outside my usual genre, but I was interested because it introduced a paranormal aspect in the blurb. I got lost in this fast-paced story that was a throwback to the pandemic times in Australia, when uncertainty affected so many people in different ways.
Jude Mees is a single mum, she struggles to keep her cleaner job, look after her wonderful ten-year-old daughter Katie, mend a friendly relationship with her ex-husband and somehow sort it all out. On top of her problems, Jude receives a distress call from a barely known lady, who tells her some disturbing news about Jude’s mother. Jude needs to drop everything and rush to her family farm to find out what’s going on. At the same time, something strange happened in the village where the farm is: a ghost gum tree fell after the storm, and something terrible was revealed in the damaged roots. Bones of a child dressed in bright red shoes...
It was a dark, heartbreaking story, full of grief, depression and some sort of desperation. All of these things were presented in abundance in this book, and yet, I couldn’t put it down for hours. I was hoping for some justice or at least a closure at the end, but it didn’t happen, and that was disappointing. I feel there was more left to tell, and the person who committed the crime was yet to pay for it. However, their grief and the deepest feeling of guilt made me almost feel sorry for them, but nothing else.
Overall, it was an interesting book. Not something I usually read, and I will never forget this story for its vivid atmosphere and well-presented characters.
February 24, 2026
‘What the bones know’ is a haunting new release for author Kirstyn McDermott.
It’s most definitely in the supernatural thriller category so don’t be expecting an ultra realistic crime procedural.
It begins with the discovery of a child’s skeleton when a large gum is felled in a storm.
Set in the midst of the initial covid panic and Victoria’s decline into multiple lockdowns.
Jude and her daughter Katie are riding out the pandemic in the country town of Kiln Creek, assisting her mother Nancy who’s behaving erratically, hoarding and showing signs of dementia.
Being back in her childhood home starts to bring back some unreliable memories for Jude too. Unusual smells, frightening dreams and suddenly Judes’ past is coming back to haunt her. Quite literally.
This book bought back so many of the feels of the Covid lockdowns. The confusion and the slowly shrinking world.
The pace was a little on the slower side and lost momentum focusing on side plots unrelated to the main narrative (just fill in the jobseeker application Jude 🤯).
This unfortunately kept any tension at bay for me and impacted on the emotional punch. Little moments that should have been downright terrifying didn’t hit for me; or for Jude really who seemed fairly blasé about her overflowing baths.
I can’t wreck the ending but would say I felt sad that there was a family left without any answers. That felt unnecessarily harsh.
Otherwise a quick thriller with a clever twist. I’d love to hear what other readers throught?
Thanks to the brilliant team at HQ Insiders @harlequinaus for sending out an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
It’s most definitely in the supernatural thriller category so don’t be expecting an ultra realistic crime procedural.
It begins with the discovery of a child’s skeleton when a large gum is felled in a storm.
Set in the midst of the initial covid panic and Victoria’s decline into multiple lockdowns.
Jude and her daughter Katie are riding out the pandemic in the country town of Kiln Creek, assisting her mother Nancy who’s behaving erratically, hoarding and showing signs of dementia.
Being back in her childhood home starts to bring back some unreliable memories for Jude too. Unusual smells, frightening dreams and suddenly Judes’ past is coming back to haunt her. Quite literally.
This book bought back so many of the feels of the Covid lockdowns. The confusion and the slowly shrinking world.
The pace was a little on the slower side and lost momentum focusing on side plots unrelated to the main narrative (just fill in the jobseeker application Jude 🤯).
This unfortunately kept any tension at bay for me and impacted on the emotional punch. Little moments that should have been downright terrifying didn’t hit for me; or for Jude really who seemed fairly blasé about her overflowing baths.
I can’t wreck the ending but would say I felt sad that there was a family left without any answers. That felt unnecessarily harsh.
Otherwise a quick thriller with a clever twist. I’d love to hear what other readers throught?
Thanks to the brilliant team at HQ Insiders @harlequinaus for sending out an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This genre crossing novel opens like a crime novel, but then veers into something closer to a ghost story. I found it more moving than most ghost stories, absorbing, and somewhat unexpected despite familiar tropes.
While some of the tropes will feel familiar, they go in unexpected directions. This is not a novel about jump scares; it’s a novel about deep emotional wounds and how we deal with them when they’re exposed. Many of the revelations are surprising, but they feel very right within the story.
I found that I was uneasy rather than frightened, and similarly found the ending uncomfortable. Yet it was satisfying; again it felt right within the story, and resolved many of the questions raised. I think I just had the icks and wouldn’t have wanted to do that myself.
This is a novel which is challenging without being overwhelming. There’s a lot to think about here, beyond the surface story. The background of the Covid pandemic beginning adds to the sense of uneasiness and uncertainty, while also grounding the story and making it feel quite personal for the reader.
I enjoyed this, despite the discomfort – it was great to read a novel which provoked a real reaction in me, even if it was a bit of a disconcerting one. The characters are strong, the setting rings true, and the eerie story worked its’ way into my emotions.
Well worth reading, though probably more for those readers who enjoy speculative fiction than crime readers, despite that opening.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
While some of the tropes will feel familiar, they go in unexpected directions. This is not a novel about jump scares; it’s a novel about deep emotional wounds and how we deal with them when they’re exposed. Many of the revelations are surprising, but they feel very right within the story.
I found that I was uneasy rather than frightened, and similarly found the ending uncomfortable. Yet it was satisfying; again it felt right within the story, and resolved many of the questions raised. I think I just had the icks and wouldn’t have wanted to do that myself.
This is a novel which is challenging without being overwhelming. There’s a lot to think about here, beyond the surface story. The background of the Covid pandemic beginning adds to the sense of uneasiness and uncertainty, while also grounding the story and making it feel quite personal for the reader.
I enjoyed this, despite the discomfort – it was great to read a novel which provoked a real reaction in me, even if it was a bit of a disconcerting one. The characters are strong, the setting rings true, and the eerie story worked its’ way into my emotions.
Well worth reading, though probably more for those readers who enjoy speculative fiction than crime readers, despite that opening.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to the publishers for a advanced copy to read and review 🎉
A child's bones, a lost girl, a mind adrift - sometimes what is lost comes back to haunt you..winning author comes a contemporary gothic tale of guilt, grief and redemption.
In the village of Kiln Creek in the Victorian Highlands, a ghost gum falls in a storm. Tangled in its roots are the bones of a small child and the tattered remains of her clothing, including a pair of bright red sneakers.
Single mum Jude Mees is in her early forties and struggling to get her business off the ground while raising her ten year old daughter Katie and managing a fractious relationship with her controlling ex-husband. But when Jude learns that her mother, Nance, who still lives alone on the family property in Kiln Creek, is showing troubling signs of dementia she has no option other than to return and check on her. And indeed, all is not well at the farm. Nance is slowly drifting off into her own world, and there are other disturbing occurrences. Strange smells, inexplicably wet footprints, a voice in the night. As her daughter starts to sleepwalk and Jude's nightmares begin to take over her days, she begins to wonder whether her imagination is out of control or if something more sinister is happening.
This book is well written, page turning rollercoaster ride one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Towards to end of the book, I thought I was reading a ghost story one that was very real in my mind. Well done Kirstyn McDermott 🎉🎉
A child's bones, a lost girl, a mind adrift - sometimes what is lost comes back to haunt you..winning author comes a contemporary gothic tale of guilt, grief and redemption.
In the village of Kiln Creek in the Victorian Highlands, a ghost gum falls in a storm. Tangled in its roots are the bones of a small child and the tattered remains of her clothing, including a pair of bright red sneakers.
Single mum Jude Mees is in her early forties and struggling to get her business off the ground while raising her ten year old daughter Katie and managing a fractious relationship with her controlling ex-husband. But when Jude learns that her mother, Nance, who still lives alone on the family property in Kiln Creek, is showing troubling signs of dementia she has no option other than to return and check on her. And indeed, all is not well at the farm. Nance is slowly drifting off into her own world, and there are other disturbing occurrences. Strange smells, inexplicably wet footprints, a voice in the night. As her daughter starts to sleepwalk and Jude's nightmares begin to take over her days, she begins to wonder whether her imagination is out of control or if something more sinister is happening.
This book is well written, page turning rollercoaster ride one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Towards to end of the book, I thought I was reading a ghost story one that was very real in my mind. Well done Kirstyn McDermott 🎉🎉
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Single mum Jude is struggling with making ends meet trying to get her business off the ground while raising her 10 year old daughter part time shared with her ex husband.
When she has to return back to the country house she grew up in as her mum is not going to well and she’s sees herself something is not right there.
Then COVID hits and she and her daughter are stuck at the farmhouse with her deteriorating mum.
But something else is also there at the farmhouse with her. Terrifying dreams turn into daymares and memories of back when she was 10 start to resurface.
As lockdowns roll on things get progressively worse with the damp dank smell and the shadowy figure looking at the house each night.
Has the past come back to haunt Jude but in the day as well as the night and what does it want?
Thank you @harlequinaus for the ARC of the Kristyn McDermott - What the bones know - latest book.
Not having read anything from Kristyn before I didn’t know what to expect - but I ended up reading it in 24 hours. I’m a scaredy cat at the best of times and this book gave me the chills! But at the same time on the edge of the seat to find out what happened and what was going to happen. If you like a lot of intrigue, family secrets and a bit of a scare you’ll love this book.
When she has to return back to the country house she grew up in as her mum is not going to well and she’s sees herself something is not right there.
Then COVID hits and she and her daughter are stuck at the farmhouse with her deteriorating mum.
But something else is also there at the farmhouse with her. Terrifying dreams turn into daymares and memories of back when she was 10 start to resurface.
As lockdowns roll on things get progressively worse with the damp dank smell and the shadowy figure looking at the house each night.
Has the past come back to haunt Jude but in the day as well as the night and what does it want?
Thank you @harlequinaus for the ARC of the Kristyn McDermott - What the bones know - latest book.
Not having read anything from Kristyn before I didn’t know what to expect - but I ended up reading it in 24 hours. I’m a scaredy cat at the best of times and this book gave me the chills! But at the same time on the edge of the seat to find out what happened and what was going to happen. If you like a lot of intrigue, family secrets and a bit of a scare you’ll love this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews