Boneyard

Kelly Jones #2

by Michelle Gagnon

On the trail of a serial killer, the path splits in two...

FBI special agent Kelly Jones has worked on many disturbing cases in her career, but nothing like this. A mass grave site unearthed on the Appalachian Trail puts Kelly at the head of an investigation that crosses the line--from Massachusetts to Vermont, from wealthy vacationers to poor transients, from a serial killer to a copycat nemesis.

Assisted by law enforcement from both states and a forensic anthropologist, Kelly searches for the killers. But as darkness falls, another victim is taken. Kelly must race to save him before he joins the rest...in the boneyard.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Serial Killer

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Michelle Gagnon is a former modern dancer, bartender, dog walker, model, personal trainer, and Russian supper club performer. Her bestselling adult thrillers THE TUNNELS, BONEYARD, THE GATEKEEPER, and KIDNAP & RANSOM have been published in North America, France, Denmark, Spain, Argentina, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Australia. BONEYARD was a finalist for a 2009 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense.

The first book in her Young Adult PERSEFONE trilogy, DON'T TURN AROUND, was selected as one of the best books of 2012 by the American Library Association, Entertainment Weekly Magazine, and Kirkus. It was nominated for an ITW Thriller award, and was a Junior Library Guild and Indienext pick. Along with DON'T LOOK NOW and DON'T LET GO, the entire series received multiple starred reviews and state library awards.

UNEARTHLY THINGS is a modernized, deconstructed version of Jane Eyre set in the world of San Francisco high society. (SoHo Teen, 2017)

Her latest adult novel, KILLING ME, is a neo-noir thriller about unlikely heroines who hunt serial killers.

Michelle lives in Los Angeles, where she is currently attaining a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology.

Follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MichelleGagno...
or Twitter: @Michelle_Gagnon

Reviews

[Jeanne Adamek · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is very much a ME problem. I have come to realized that I really do not enjoy reading about unpleasent characters (I found this to be almost all of the ones in this story) and I absolutely hate to be in a murders head.

The story was well written. But because of what I mentioned, the whole story was definitely not a pleasent or enjoyable reading experience for me.

[Ladyslott · Rating 3 out of 5]

FBI Special Agent Kelly Jones survived her last case involving a serial killer. Now working in the Behavioral Sciences Unit she is called in to work another case after a Boneyard is found- a grave site with multiple victims. Heading to The Berkshires Kelly learns the bones have been found across state lines and must now supervise the investigation in both Massachusetts and Vermont with Detective Bill Doyle and Investigator Monica Lauer, who have nothing but disdain for each other. Soon it becomes clear that there is probably a second killer on the loose, a copy cat murderer. In addition Detective Doyle seems determined to thwart the investigation at every turn. As more bodies are found an intricate cat and mouse game begins, involving both killers and the police.

I have been reading a lot of historical fiction lately and just needed a break; I enjoyed The Tunnels, the first book in this series, so I picked up Boneyard. It did a good job of keeping me interested in a moderately entertaining serial killer mystery. The characters were pretty standard good guys versus really bad guys, but with the exception of the main characters Kelly Jones and Jake Riley most of the other characters don’t have much depth. The dialogue in general was often stilted and plot lines are dropped without resolutions; one involving a young boy who we become attached to is left unanswered and I found that very annoying. There was quite a bit of graphic violence, not to be unexpected when dealing with this genre of books and there didn’t seem to be much explanation of motives but the storyline was creepy enough to keep me interested and so I will be moving on to book 3, The Gatekeeper.

Overall this was a good but not great entry in this series.

[Danie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like forensic mysteries, especially ones that contain bones. Not sure why, and I don't mind the more gory mysteries either, but bones, how the scientists pry the truth from them, and what they can tell a forensic anthropologist about a person is extremely interesting.

This is a bone mystery. Takes place in Vermont, Massachusetts, and a little bit in New York state. That's one of the parts I didn't totally love about the novel. How some of the Massachusetts government was portrayed. Yes, I am aware that the Mass. government can suck sometimes, that the forensic labs in the state haven't always been the best managed, but it's not like the Mass. lab is the only one in the country that is totally and utterly behind in processing DNA. But, maybe I'm just being too sensitive since it seems to me that Boston and Massachusetts sometimes gets a short shrift compared to the mighty, mighty New York, New York, or the glitzy LA.

But, back to the book. Agent Kelly Jones walks into a struggle of wills between Vermont and Massachusetts and gets to deal with that along with trying to solve the mystery of these bones that have been found.

The mystery itself is good, not surprising in some ways, but it has a few twists I didn't see coming, a very solidly written and plotted story for sure.

A definite read for mystery readers of all sort. There's even a bit of romance, that doesn't take over the mystery, a definite plus if you like that. (I love it. I get tired of Romance novels that are stuffed into the mystery genre when they shouldn't be, this one has just enough Romance to be fun, but the author doesn't go overboard).

[Marlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some time ago, Michelle Gagnon offered free downloads of this book from her website, and I took her up on it. I was finally able to get to it (library books come first), and it was great.

In this second book in the Kelly Jones series, some hikers come across what turns out to be a mass grave in the woods. Because of the proximity to the Massachusetts-Vermont border, the FBI is called in to advise. The FBI is in the person of agent Kelly Jones, who is forced to postpone a long-awaited vacation to help on this case.

Someone appears to have been targeting young gay men who are drifters, and therefore not missed when they disappear. Or is it two someones? The investigators are led to two bodies placed together, but they've definitely been killed by two different people. Is it a copycat, or two killers working together?

Kelly is forced to deal with squabbling local police including uncooperative Massachusetts State Trooper Bill Doyle and eager-to-learn Vermont homicide detective Monica Lauer, as well as here own insecurities in order to discover the truth, which turns out to be even more disturbing than the investigators imagined.

There are some graphic descriptions of torture, which I found difficult to read, but they are few and brief, and only used to advance the story. I skimmed them, not just because of their disturbing nature, but because I really wanted to know what happened.

I'm definitely going to read Tunnels, the first in the series, and The Gatekeeper (the third).

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Boneyard by Michelle Gagnon
Book #2 in the Kelly Jones series
3 stars

Synopsis:
Following the discovery of a mass grave, FBI Agent Kelly Jones is on the trail of two separate killers and at the same time must cope with jurisdictional issues, rival police officers and a suspicious cover-up. To top it all off, she is in a race against time to save the life of the latest victim.

Review:
Following my enjoyment of the first book in the series, I had built up certain expectations with regard to this installment but was severely disappointed. The plot fails to live up to its potential and there is one thread that remains unresolved at the rather lackadaisical conclusion.

The character development is virtually non-existent, aside from Jack and Kelly, who have gone from mere acquaintances to a fully-fledged couple with absolutely no buildup of their relationship, the other characters are completely one dimensional. The identity of the primary killer is obvious from the very beginning due to an insufficient suspect pool and an excessive number of details provided regarding his personal life. Moreover, there is no explanation for the motivation behind his crimes.

The writing flows smoothly but lacks the background detail and descriptions that made the first book so engrossing. Hopefully the next one will be better.

[Mia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can honestly say I was extremely disappointed reading this. My library suggested it, and I read the prologue and thought wow, they're killing off men instead of women?! This I've got to read! With all the crime novels I've read, it's always women, and some have crossed that ugly line into children. Those I skip. One has to be really messed up in the head to enjoy reading that. So it was refreshing to finally see a crime novel where the men are the ones to bite the dust for once. NOPE- this author had to make it about gay men. Why? Why do stereotypes continue? Why can't someone else be a victim for once? Done. Didn't even finish it.

[Mim-Is-Reading · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose it was an okay book but what bothered me was the switch in the prose: whose-eyes-are-we-seeing-the-world-through-now?
I know it wasn't written in first person but it felt like a chunk of the book expressed things through Kelly's eyes, the killer's and the stalker's....the important people. And then the author gave us a glimpse into Monica's mind, who I really didn't care that much about. There was a whole sort of merry-go-round narrration going on that messed up everything for me. I guess I should find a review with spoilers that will tell me how the story went down....

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This lady can write, no doubt about it. But there was a "clue" about 150 pages in that gave everything away. I kept on reading thinking that maybe it was just a deliberate trick, but there were several other way too obvious hints and it just really ruined it for me. I'm not the smartest reader: I can usually lose myself in the book and not figure things out so I can be surprised, so I know when I figure it out, it's all over.

Just disappointing.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like spunky female investigators and savvy serial killers. This book didn't have either. After almost 400 pages, I didn't really care if the killer(s) got caught or whether the heroine gave up her job at the FBI and entered private security. Does everyone want to be in Blackwater?

[Saadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty chilly serial killer suspense book. One enjoys the characters in the book, young people with their own world. Good clean writing... A good read!

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple writing. Average story. Good afternoon's read.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Story line of this book really drew me in since I had never read a book in the setting of the Appalachian Trail. Started out good, but quickly went downhill from there. Another politically correct victim story line. This is okay once and awhile but it is a repetitive theme with many of these FBI and investigation of murder stories. I disliked every character and even though there are books I can still enjoy greatly with characters I do not care for this one could not make the grade. I like forensics and bone anthropology, but this seemed amateur as far as this goes. The writing also seemed out of joint and cumbersome. I was not interested at all about 1/2 way through and would have given up on it if not needed for a challenge I am somewhat behind on. I will avoid this author in the future. I only gave it a 2 for the setting. Actually 1.5 is a better rating.

[Vivien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate dirty cops, people who use their position and money to get away with criminal activities. They should all be executed so all the good people in the world can live in peace without the fear of someone going to kill, steal or just make their lives miserable because they enjoy other people's pain.

[Xyenhao · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was a bummer how easy it was to identify the first killer as the way he was described earlier on the story points to him as a killer. there were no surprise factor either. the only thing I’m surprised about is that i was able to finish the book despite wanting to drop it.

[Ron Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second in the series and a good continuation of Agent Kelly Jones story. It was very interesting with several good twists and turns. I am looking forward to the next book!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy suspense and solid characters!

[Nizan Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book dragged so bad. It started out good but half way through slowed way down. It was more about drama between the characters than the plotline. Didn't even finish it.

[bokmal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ingen bok som fängslade mig precis utan som gick väldigt trögt att läsa.

[Tasula · Rating 2 out of 5]

The mystery itself was not bad, but the writing was tedious, way too much time spent on the killers' thoughts (and the investigators' thoughts).

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the read. First book I have read of Michelle Gagnon and plan to read more.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok story about an FBI agent leading a task force looking for a serial killer. Not my favorite.

[Summer Leblanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put the book down.

[Lorne Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have to say that Boneyard by Michelle Gagnon was one of the best books I read in 2012.

A mass grave site is unearthed on part of the Appalachian trail along the border of two states putting FBI Special Agent Kelly Jones at the head of the investigation. :She has to juggle the clashing personalities of two police forces while trying to steer things in the right direction. One serial killer becomes two, relationships blossom, secrets that challenge everything are kept, and rivalries spark. More bodies show up and the hunt is on – for more than one person.

I was looking through the shelves of a used bookstore and saw the title, BONEYARD, in white/grey letters, looking like they were cut from bone, on a red background. I pulled it out and flipped to the back. There were cigarette burn marks on the back that I, at first, thought they may have been there on purpose. I figured they must have been there by accident, but after reading the torture inside the pages I am not so sure. I ought it, took it home, and put it on my shelf. For a couple of months I kept looking at that title every time I walked by, Boneyard. I picked it up, flipped to the prologue, and was totally thrown into a twist right there in the first 6 pages.

The book bounces around from the point of view of agent Jones to Lt. Boyd who has his own skeletons in his closet, to the serial killer who’s been killing for over a decade, to Dwight who you aren’t sure whether he envies the killer or is out to get him, but this is done almost seamlessly. It has a smooth progression with enough clues for the reader to figure things out and a lot of surprises.

The ending for me is the final judgement. Michelle Gagnon ends her novel with enough to make you feel satisfied, but it also makes you long to come back for more.

I would gladly read Boneyard again.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a hiker along the Appalachian Trial is approached by a brown bear he is terrified but even more shocking is the stick the bear drops. The stick turns out to be a bone. The authorities are called in and a search is begun.

After five bodies have been discovered, FBI Special Agent Kelly Jones is assigned to go to the Berkshire’s and cover the case. Kelly is to take along a forensic anthropologist, Dr. Stuart, to take part in the task force of officers from Massachusetts and Vermont. Detective Lt. Doyle of Massachusetts and Lt. Monica Lauer of Vermont comprise the rest of the task force.

Kelly has her hands full just keeping peace between Doyle and Lauer. Lauer is very cooperative and has a pleasant personality. Doyle drags his feet every step of the way. Doyle resents the task force and does his best to slow down lab results and keep information to himself.

As the search progresses more skeletal remains are found. When the task force finally begins to identify the remains they discover that the victims are homosexual young men with no close family ties.

It begins to appear that there is more than one murderer on the loose in the community. One is the original killer and one is the copycat.

The reader is able to peek into the minds of both the killer and the copycat as the suspense builds and the task force gets closer. But as the end draws near even the task force and their loved ones are in danger. An exciting book with a breathtaking conclusion.

[D.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somewhere along the Appalachian Trail hikers discover human remains dug up by animals. This leads to a massive search for more bodies through several states. FBI Special Agent Kelly Jones, who was on her way on a much needed vacation, was asked to delay her plans and to coordinate a special task force consisting of law enforcement officers from Vermont and Massachusetts. During the investigation it becomes clear that there are two serial killers, one whose murderous skills are fine-tuned, while the other is an inexperienced copycat.

All the victims are young men and drifters—people that would not be missed. As the investigation continues, Jones finds that these killings have been going on far longer than anyone ever expected. Jones is teamed with Massachusetts State Trooper Bill Doyle who has little admiration for her and even less regards to the necessity of the task force, making Jones’ work that much more complicated. Jones has an ally in Vermont’s homicide investigator Monica Lauer, though this too becomes problematic as Lauer’s rapport with Doyle has the two constantly at each other’s throats.

Bone Yard was an excellent read--I had a hard time putting the book down. The action is high pace, the suspense gripping and there are plenty of twists-and-turns. Bone Yard is author Michelle Gagnon’s second novel featuring Special Agent Kelly Jones, the first being The Tunnel. I guarantee that after you read Bone Yard you’ll immediately go in search of Gagnon’s previous novel. I highly recommend this book.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love explosive thrillers, you'll love the second installment in the Kelly Jones series, Boneyard. In this novel, Kelly Jones is assigned to a disturbing case of bones found at a local national park, right before she leaves for her overdue vacation. She's assigned to Massachussetts, when they uncover a boneyard of dead bodies. What they don't know was the killer was someone they might know in the distance, someone who doesn't like male gay hustlers. It hits close to home for Kelly's task force, especially when dead bodies are found in New York and also in Massachusetts. What's worse was there was a copycat out there, who has revenge for his own. When her boyfriend Jake Riley pops up, he helps out in the case, and has a proposal for Kelly of his own, before it might be too late for Kelly and her task force. What a thrill ride!

[Wagrobanite · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, is the second book in the series but it's not necessary to read the first book to read this one. There are a couple of complaints that I have about this book. The first is that the killer is not really developed on the good side (as he's head of the search and rescue). There are only a handful of scenes where he interacts with Kelly and that's it. The second is that some of the torture scenes are just horrific and this is coming from somebody who has read lots of horror, war crimes, and genocide things.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kelly Jones, FBI agent, must forgo her vacation and spend time on the border of Vermont and Massachusetts investigating recently unearthed and old remains. At first it's thought they might be lost hikers, but it soon becomes apparent that it's the work of a serial killer targeting young gay prostitutes. It's a small town and although the writer lets us see into the minds of the killer, of a second killer, giving us hints, it doesn't all come together until toward the end, which is just the way I like it.

[Kat_merle · Rating 4 out of 5]

New author for me. This is the second book of hers I have read and though I am reading them out of order I am really enjoying them. The first book I found was The Gatekeeper and this gave a bit of the backstory between Jake and Kelly which was fun for me to learn. I find Gagnon has a very interesting view into the criminal mind and the workings of police and FBI agencies. I will certainly continue to read her books as they are the kind of gritty crime drama I can get into and characters that you care about.

[The Listmaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent suspense thriller marred only by what I thought was a rather lackadaisical ending.

The killer is fairly simple to determine if the reader pays attention. I would have liked for them to have gotten a better comeuppance in the end. I invested time in this story and the ending just came up short for me.

It's a good read though, good enough that I'll look for more books by this author.