Five stars!
Alexa Glock is a forensic odontologist who’s requested to accompany a dig within a small old mining town in New Zealand, paid for by an ancestor in China looking to bring the “hungry bones” of her ancestor home. Alexa’s main goal is to examine the teeth of the deceased, determine the DNA match and help them back to their rightful home.

During the dig, things change dramatically when there is another skeleton found nearby…with evidence of a very traumatic death, around the same time frame as the bones she is examining. Alexa takes this information to the police station, hoping to open a cold case and gain further knowledge of whose bones lie in the woods. At the station though, she learns that the school principal in town has been just been reported missing…at the same time as a popular named Murderer in town being released from prison,

Under the dangerous circumstances, Alexa is recruited to assist with the search for the missing principal, slowly uncovering many similarities between the recently MIA Principal and the unknown skeleton from many moons ago. This zeros in on the danger Alexa now faces very quickly, causing her to flip between the need of fighting for the others’ lives in their passing…and maybe even her own.

~I was completely unaware until the very last page that this is a 5th installment in a series, so needless to say, it reads perfectly fine as a standalone without confusion! I absolutely loved the forensic aspects of this novel, along with the character development throughout of the main character. We love a lead lady who can still make mistakes! Overall, this whole novel is a total whirlwind, and I was so sad realizing when I hit the last page that it was over. (Except for the other books in the series I now must go buy!?)
Great characters, great story, great details. Love.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for granting me the opportunity of reading an arc in exchange for an honest review!1 Annarella13.2k 144

Alexa Glock's mysteries never disappoints and this one was twisty, fast paced, and highly entertaining.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mineedelweiss mystery1 J Kromrie1,037 16

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Trigger warning: factual but dauntingly depressing historical racism regarding those who came to the US from another country to attempt to help their families during the Gold Rush.

The Hungry Bones by Sara E. Johnson is a riveting addition to the Alexa Glock Forensics Mysteries series, taking readers on a suspenseful journey through the picturesque landscapes of New Zealand and the dark alleys of unsolved crimes.

In this fifth installment, forensic odontologist Alexa Glock finds herself entangled in a web of mysteries that span over a century. The narrative cleverly intertwines the past and present, as Alexa is called upon to examine the exhumed remains of a miner from the late-19th-century gold rush era. The discovery of a hole in the skull sets off a chain of events that leads to the reopening of cold cases and the disappearance of a beloved school principal.

Sara E. Johnson's storytelling is masterful, weaving intricate plot lines with rich character development. Alexa's personal struggles, including her tumultuous relationship and professional uncertainties, add depth to the narrative, making her a relatable and compelling protagonist. The setting of New Zealand, with its unique history and cultural backdrop, provides a fresh and intriguing canvas for the unfolding drama.

The novel's strength lies in its attention to forensic detail and the methodical unraveling of each layer of the mystery. Johnson's expertise in the genre shines through, as she balances the technical aspects of forensic science with the human elements of the story. The suspense is palpable, and the pacing is just right, keeping readers hooked.

"The Hungry Bones" is a testament to Johnson's ability to craft a complex, engaging mystery that not only entertains but also educates. It's a must-read for fans of the series and newcomers a, promising a journey full of twists, turns, and revelations that will leave you hungry for more.

"The Hungry Bones" is a well-crafted mystery that delivers on all fronts – from its well-researched forensic science to its emotionally charged character arcs. Sara E. Johnson has once again proven her mettle as a storyteller, and this book is a worthy addition to any mystery lover's collection.
Kathleen908 26

“The Chinese believe that after death, the soul hovers over the grave until he is home. Those buried far from home are hungry ghosts.”

Alexa Glock, a forensic odontologist, is asked to identify the remains of a long buried Chinese gold miner, the work funded by a wealthy defendant in China. The grave is in a small town in New Zealand the country where Alexa has lived for the past year. What seems to be a simple request quickly grows more complicated. Another skeleton, a victim of a vicious murder, is located in the same area. When a local woman goes missing, Alexa is asked to help the small town police force. The case is eerily similar to a kidnapping and murder that happened twenty five years earlier. That killer was recently released from prison and is now missing and assumed to be in the area.

The Hungry Bones is my first mystery by Sara E. Johnson and it will definitely not be the last. The tragic history of Chinese gold miners blends seamlessly with a modern day police procedural and lessons in forensic sciences. All is fascinating. The racism and prejudice of the past is revealed in police reports and a man’s letters home to his mother. Johnson’s skill in characterization brings Wing Lun to life by his written words. The plot is complex and moves slowly, weaving the subplots together. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Sara E. Johnson for this ARC. Allison10

4.5/5 stars This book was so close to being 5 stars for me and would have been if not for it starting off pretty slowly before finally picking up steam about a third of the way into it. Once the pace picked up, I really enjoyed it. Alexa Glock is working to identify the remains of a Chinese miner for his ancestors so that they can send his remains back to China but when they unearth the skeleton they discover a hole in the back of it. Nearby they also discover another skeleton that appears to have had a violent death as well. While at the police station to inquire about opening a cold case for the 2 skeletons, the ex-husband of the local elementary school principal reports her missing. Alexa is then brought into work that case as well and the story starts to really pick up the pace at this point. And just when I thought I had predicted the ending for both cases early, there were plot twists that I definitely didn't see coming. I really enjoyed Alexa's character and will be going back to read the other four books that came before this one that I didn't know about. With that being said, the book worked perfectly fine as a standalone book and I didn't feel I was missing anything by not having read the prior ones.
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy to review and give feedback on! Justine1,700 72

I saw this book on Netgalley and thought it sounded interesting and I love most everything that Poisoned Pen Press puts out there.
Now that I finally came onto Goodreads to write my review I learned that this was the 5 book in the series which I had no previous knowledge of and didn’t read lol. So as for that I’m going to assume you can read these books not in order. I really enjoyed this story. I found the content so interesting. My brother and sister in law are archeologists, so not the same but close enough that I could draw some comparisons. Also I used to look after. Residents whose daughter was a forensic archeologist so again maybe similar. Anyways, I thought it was super cool and interesting and gave great details. I d learning about things I hadn’t previously known. I d that there were 3 murders going on at the same time that all ended up kind of connecting.
I enjoyed the characters and learning. More about the ones that were no longer living. It’s sad that such racism ever existed and unfortunately still exists. I’d definitely check out the whole series to see what else is going on in Alexa’s story. I just can’t believe the reasons the murders took place, people are wild.
I’d recommend this read. I’d even buy the whole series for myself.

Thanks you to both Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the copy. Christa Johnson41 1 follower

Alexa Glock is a forensic expect specializing in forensic odontology. Originally from North Carolina, she has moved to New Zealand where she travels around the country consulting with police departments who request her help. A skeleton has been found in a former gold rush town that had attracted thousands of Chinese miners back in the 1800's A benefactor believes that the remains belong to her ancestor and she wants to repatriate his "hungry ghost" to China. Alexa is called in to examine the teeth and determine the origins of the skeleton. While working at the grave site near an old cemetery, another skeleton is found that clearly died violently as well. Alexa is working with the police to discover if the skeletons are connected when a local woman goes missing and she is recruited to help with that case as well. This novel is full of interesting background on the history of New Zealand's gold mining era, Chinese funerary practices, local police procedure, and tons of forensic details. All of this is woven into a page turning mystery as Alexa manages to unearth details tying together all of the cases in an unexpected way. #NetGalley #TheHungryBones Andy N520 27

Great story with good twists and memorable characters.

I had no idea this was the 5th book of a series but I read it pretty well as a standalone.

I read this in a day. It’s fast-paced and the story really pulled me in, I really want to read the other instalments and meet these characters from the very beginning. One of the main things I enjoyed in this novel is the forensic bits, well explained but not boring. I even learned a thing or two since I never actually read a mystery book where the main character is an odontologist.

Alexa is a great character and her development throughout the story also very nicely thought of. She makes mistakes, she has her personal struggles and doubts about her professional life. It adds depth to the character, making her more likable and relatable.

The storytelling is fantastic. The plot is complex and the writing made me fall into the story completely. I love that its set in New Zealand, making it a nice break from all the mysteries that happen in the US and in the UK.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC! Lori254 5

I was delighted to get the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book, since I loved the previous books in this series. This one is wonderful, too. The main character, Alexa Glock, an American forensic odontologist, is at a crossroads in her life both personally and professionally as she continues to work in New Zealand. I love the exotic locale, which makes me want to travel to New Zealand. In this 5th book in the series, she works on multiple cases involving both current and newly discovered mysteries. I appreciate that Alexa is a flawed character, getting in trouble for overstepping her professional assignments and having great difficulty with her romantic, professional and family relationships. She is very relatable, and I look forward to seeing what she does next. The mysteries are complex, suspenseful and intriguing. I highly recommend this book and the series, which has become one of my recent favorites. Tripip749 4

I was intrigued by the premise because of my Asian heritage. While I knew about the head tax in Canada, I did not realize other countries also had this egregious immigration policy.

I d how the author intertwined the historical crime with the contemporary mysteries. The author added scientific background to the methodologies used by the characters which was interesting but, I felt, sometimes cumbersome. The mysteries themselves were twisty and suspenseful.

The only thing I had difficulty with was the writing style. I found it to be disjointed - not a smooth read. There was also one slip with the use of imperial measurement. All the other times measurements were used, the metric system was utilized because New Zealand is a metric country.

I received a free copy from Netgalley. this is my unbiased review. Elizabeth Norman86 3

Really enjoyed Hungry Bones by Sara E. Johnson. Alexa Glock's character is both fierce and loveable, and the book includes historical and contemporary mysteries that are suspenseful and have scientific interest. The prominence of forensic science was educational and compelling. I appreciated the setting in New Zealand and learning about the history of Chinese miners there. I plan to read other books in the Alexa Glock series. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for the eARC. Lisa Diaz166 2

There was so much to this story and a bit of a story inside a story, there is a lot of CSI vibes to this story so I really enjoyed it. We have a benefactor who wants to prove that the bones found were their family. They then find some issues with the body and another body near, that is where everything kicks off and even the danger begins. Shelby Carpenter11

Loved learning about the Chinese miners history, mixed with some mysteries in Arrowtown. I didn't realize this was a part of a series (#5) but you can definitely read this alone without feeling you're missing out. Now I need to get my hands on the rest! Marcia Whoolery191 10

There are a number of mysteries simultaneously. I enjoyed the history of the gold rush in New Zealand. Racism as in America. Not the most detailed forensic explanations but believable. I enjoyed it and will ly read more in this series. Jessica Hembree165 2

This was a good story. I thought that I would enjoy it more, based on the description. I really enjoyed the ending, but the majority of the book just seemed either bland or choppy with the action. I didn’t really get into it until 3/4 of the way through. Still a decent read though. Alyssa Grimes404 3

This was a wildly interesting CSI style mystery that really hooked me! I def guessed the culprit of whodunnit early on but even still, with two separate cases of Alexa’s weaving together and both being equally fascinating, I really enjoyed it! M.A. MonninAuthor 7 books22

With a murderer on the loose, a missing woman, and historic skeletons to identify, Sara Johnson’s The Hungry Bones is a tension-filled thrilling mystery that keeps you reading late into the night. Lauren Vick98 5

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