Tracing the Bones: A Novel

by Elise Miller

Cynical housewife Eve Myer has two kids, chronic back pain, and a decaying writing career―as well as a stagnant marriage haunted by her husband’s long ago affair. When a new family moves in next door, Eve becomes consumed with curiosity about beautiful life coach Anna, and with powerful lust for Billy, a sexy alternative healer with a troubled, mysterious past. As Eve begins healing sessions with Billy, an unthinkable tragedy strikes Anna and her small son. Eve's obsession invites even more suspicion and mistrust into her marriage and as her life unravels, her sessions with Billy intensify, culminating in an alternative, experimental trip deep into the woods―a freezing winter’s journey that threatens the remaining bonds of Eve’s marriage and finally uncovers the reason for Anna’s death.

Genres: Mystery

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2016

Reviews

[Tara Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still trying to process how Elise Miller was able to cover such a vast scope of topics, situations, and emotions into the most enjoyable, easy, and quick read I've had in quite some time. Elise does an incredible job of seamlessly weaving in between an array of emotions; heavy, dark, light, funny, painful, sexy.. and with descriptions of such depth and richness. She tackles the complexities and challenges that arise in every day suburban life with a strong dose of sarcastic humor and barebone honesty that is relatable, hysterical, and refreshing. It's an absolute literary delight that you will look forward to reading until its end.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't comparable to Gone Girl of Girl On The Train in terms of suspense and thrill, but it was a fast-moving plot that went in a direction I did not expect.

Tracing The Bones explores lust, curiosity, and mystery while still being light in its writing with believable characters.

There were bits that were a little exaggerated and the ending was a little ~boring~ but I gobbled up the story up in a few short days.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a light thrill, some heavy romance, and a journey of self-discovery.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. All the characters were flawed. I loved Anna being able to read minds (I don’t think this is a spoiler) and auras! It was hard for me to connect with Eve being obsessed with Billy on the level that she was. The ending was definitely a surprise and I won’t include a spoiler.

[Braden Hiltzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing and the main character was witty and funny. The ending was fine but not very satisfying as murder mysteries go.

[Lolly K Dandeneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Neil and I slept in separate rooms for the first six months. Now we sleep in the same bed, but in separate universes."

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This story is a taste of the paranormal with a stinging cynical tongue. This isn't what I would call a romance, it is darker and just the right side of meaty. And the cover, something about it beckons. Eve Myer doesn't just have back pain, she has chronic being alive pain with alternating moments of being underwhelmed by the monotony of daily life and overwhelmed by family demands. Her husband is flawed, and we learn early on why she is exasperated with him and 'sleeping in a separate universe'. Her new neighbors Billy and Anna bring a a spark to her daily boredom. It isn't long before she is fascinated and envious of gorgeous Anna and lusting after healer Billy. Who wouldn't grab the chance to heal their chronic back pain, there isn't anything suspicious of that? Not her fault Billy oozes sexuality. But something isn't right and Eve is getting a little too close to the family. Why is she having strange experiences induced by Anna's presence? When Anna dies a tragic, suspicious death people on the outside begin to judge Eve's choices and it isn't long before secrets rise to the surface.
What I really enjoyed about this novel is that the ending was not what I expected at all. The cynicism is far more believable in Eve than the usual 'everything is bright and wonderful and I have no complaints' characters we usually get. You can love your children 'And there are times when I well up with a love so vast and fathomless that I could eat them.' and still be exhausted by the demands of mothering. I love when her son, her brilliant boy is looking for his bionicle. That is how real children behave, one track minds and rudely disruptive, not like the mannered little robots that are as interesting as wallpaper. You can feel envious and snarky about women like Anna who have perfect bodies and homes and still be a good person. Does she make the best choices? Of course not, but no one does really. Her mother and sister are wonderful characters too. This novel begs the question, is it realistic to have a life with a man that consumes you? Now it's time for some 'noxious woolgathering', as Eve calls it.

[Zoë · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I didn't really know what to expect when I started this, I quickly looked over the synopsis and thought that it might be entertaining enough, and I was right. It is, first and foremost, a really strange book. I mean it. The first part of the book, I had no idea what I was reading. We had a cynical, jealous, angry woman to read about, but nothing more. All the ramblings of her neighbour, her jealousy, her anger, and Eve's strange life and connections. I was thinking the book was going to be an awfully long read, and then Anna turned out to be more than just a pretty face to be envious of, and when she released those visions to Eve, I knew that there was suddenly this crazy potential I had not even contemplated exploring yet, and the book picked up. Another thing to get out of the way right off the bat is that Tracing the Bones is an extremely sexual book - I mean it. Eve is constantly thinking about sex, or lusting after Billy, or sating herself, which can be really uncomfortable at the best of times. It doesn't come up once or twice, know, the undertone and the meaning is constant and never masked, and I understand that sex was a driving force behind all that was happening, but there were times where it just felt like too much. However, there are other times where you realise how deliberate and bold it is, and how is somehow fits with this strange book. Me? I could definitely have done with less of it, but that's just me. Tracing the Bones is a compelling read though, and it keeps you interested, whatever may be said about it. I have to say, the characters are not exactly what I would call likable, which is usually a killer in a book for me, but it somehow worked here, as this book has this feeling of detachment at times (and no, not from the author, just the general vibe you pick up from Eve). The book is dark, and has a paranormal/supernatural element to it, one that is never really glossed over, but also never the focal point of the book, which makes it all the more fascinating. The mystery surrounding Anna's death, too, is constantly there, as well as Eve's unhappy marriage and her indecent obsession with Billy. This is a quick read that flows quite well, is definitely weird, and is worth checking out.

[CeeMarie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was an odd one. I feel like it was trying to be another Girl on the Train type mystery/thriller. I like a good mystery or thriller and I really like supernatural aspects added to the story, but this book was odd. All around odd. I didn't like ANY of the characters. I didn't care about the mystery. I didn't like the relationships. I really did not like the wrap up of the mystery and the ending. After reading this, it left me feeling "ugh". Just ugh.

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren Zahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the description, this book sounds like a paranormal thriller. But the paranormal part doesn't last very long and it's not much of a thriller. Instead of being involved and trying to solve the murder, the characters just sit tight while the main character builds a relationship with everyone's primary suspect. Instead of an action-packed page turner, it's more of a weird, dark love story. That might be for some people, but it's not what I was hoping to get out of this book.

[Rachel Odland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a non-reader before I decided to read "Tracing the Bones" and I can honestly say it made me want to become an avid reader. I absolutely loved the book and never wanted to put it down. In my opinion, the story would make an amazing movie!!