Spotlight: All the Silent Bones by Gregory Funaro

When they were boys, Ray Dawley, Eddie Sayers, and Matthew Kauffman were the best of friends. Then new kid Bobby “Bones” Bonetti fell through the ice at Blackamore Pond. The other boys saved Bobby from drowning, but something else came out of the water that day, something dangerous that would tear their friendship apart and set one of them on a dark path.

Forty years after the incident on the ice, Ray, a retired college professor, has moved back into his childhood home. Eddie is a retired homicide detective, and Matthew is a successful investment banker. Bobby, who is on disability from his job as a corrections officer at a juvenile detention center, has a secret: the darkness that found him under the ice when he was a kid has made him do terrible things.

Following a reunion at Ray’s house, Matthew is found murdered in his car beside the old pond. The killer includes a chilling message that only the three remaining friends would recognize. Could one of their own be a murderer?

All the Silent Bones, a tense and disturbing thriller told from alternating perspectives of morally complex characters, explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma and its influence on adult relationships.

Excerpt

Ronnie Matarese felt a darkness descend upon him, even as he understood that it had always been there, pouring out from those eyes behind the sunglasses and into his apartment. A darkness as indifferent and as cold as the one that had greeted him when he’d returned home. A darkness that feared no light and could not be reasoned with. A darkness that was neither happy nor sad but just was.

Bobby “The Machete” Bonetti had not visited Ronnie to warn him or give him a beating. He had come to kill him. Ronnie suddenly knew this as surely as he was sitting there, and he was both terrified and furious that he hadn’t realized it sooner, when he still might have had a chance to escape. More than anything, though, Ronnie was sad. He wasn’t ready to die—he wasn’t even thirty—but there was no turning back from the elves at the bottom of these stairs. That was what this crazy SOB was trying to tell him.

Ronnie began to cry, softly at first then harder as Bobby finished his story.

“So my mother, she lets me go, but I just held on to the door- frame and didn’t dare look back. She was still there. I could hear her breathing. And in my mind, I watched her, mouth open and eyes blinking as she looked around like she usually did when she came out of one of her episodes. A minute later, I hear the sofa springs in the parlor. She’d been sleeping in there for weeks because the elves hid under her bed, she sometimes thought. But still, I didn’t move. I just stood there, staring down at the darkness in silence.”

Ronnie searched Bobby Bonetti’s sunglasses but saw only murder in the smudge of his reflection, light and shadows on a face that looked like a skull. This was not the way he was supposed to go out, sniveling on his bed like a pussy and not knowing why. And thatwas the hardest part. Not knowing why. Not knowing what he had done—no, not had done but would do. And just as quickly as the darkness had descended, Ronnie saw a light. It was faint at first but coming fast, like when he was speeding through the cross-harbor tunnel up in Boston.

“You said you were here because of something I would do,” Ron- nie said, making no attempt to hide the desperate, trembling hope in his voice. “Not because of something I did but because of something I would do. That’s what you said, right? What is it? Tell me what you think I’m gonna do, and I swear on the souls of my dead parents that I won’t do it. Please, I’m begging you, Mr. Bonetti. You have my word.”

“I would give anything to have that kind of silence again,” Bobby said. “A silence so precious that, when it’s broken, it stings you like a box of bees.”

Then Bobby shot him.

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About the Author

Gregory Funaro is the NY Times best selling author of Disney-Hyperion's ALISTAIR GRIM'S ODDITORIUM (an Amazon Best Book of the Month for January, 2015) and ALISTAIR GRIM'S ODD AQUATICUM (2016), which received a Kirkus starred review. WATCH HOLLOW (HarperCollins, 2019) received starred reviews from School Library Journal and ALA Booklist, and was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. The exciting sequel, WATCH HOLLOW: THE ALCHEMIST'S SHADOW, was published in February of 2020. He has also written two thrillers, THE SCULPTOR and THE IMPALER, for Kensington/Pinnacle. Gregory is a professor emeritus and lives with his family in Rhode Island, where he is busy working on his next novel. Please visit his official web site at www.gregoryfunaro.com.

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Spotlight: Unearthed: The Lies We Carry & The Truths They Bury by Chanchal Garg

In this searing memoir, Chanchal Garg reveals the spiritual and sexual abuse that shattered her sense of self and forced her to question a life defined by duty and sacrifice. Raised as a devoted Indian daughter, she was taught never to question authority-until a transformative moment during a yoga class, while pregnant with her daughter, awakened a truth she could no longer ignore.

That realization set her on a solitary journey, as she lost her faith, community, and the life she had always known. Without the support she had once relied on, she had to learn to trust herself, reclaim her bicultural identity, and redefine what it meant to be both Indian and American-on her own terms.

Unearthed is a powerful call to every woman who has ever felt silenced-an invitation to trust your inner voice, reclaim your story, and return to yourself.

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About the Author

Chanchal Garg is a speaker, author, executive coach, and conscious leadership facilitator. She transforms lives by helping clients break through limiting beliefs and build authentic, liberatory connections. Drawing on her MBA and her lived experiences, she addresses difficult truths directly while fostering environments of openness and collaboration.

For over eight years, Chanchal has facilitated Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business’s most popular elective course on interpersonal dynamics, impacting over 500 future business leaders. She is also the founder of Real Space, a thriving coaching practice, where she guides leaders to transcend cultural and societal constraints, harnessing their personal power in both work and life.

Chanchal wrote Unearthed: The Lies We Carry and the Truths They Bury as a deeply personal reclamation—and as an offering. Her voice has been featured at events like Lululemon’s International Women’s Day gathering and on podcasts such as She Has the Mic and I Don’t Give a Should.

Spotlight: The Light Runner by Ally Walker

Things aren't as they appear to be at Bainbridge Psychiatric Hospital. Decorated war hero and politician Captain Oliver Haskell has voluntarily committed himself following the murder of his wife, scientist Hannah Haskell, in the parking lot of her workplace, Wellglad Pharmaceuticals. His case is assigned to Dr. Ella Kramer, a young psychiatrist just out of her residency with a troubled past of her own. After interviewing the captain, Ella starts to listen to her other patients at Bainbridge, who seem to be operating in another reality altogether. But it is when their reality bleeds into Captain Haskell's that Ella is forced to choose between the two worlds and learns to trust her gut about what really happened to Hannah Haskell that night. Detective Paul Moran who is investigating the murder smells a rat-or, perhaps, in this case, a rabbit-as he attempts to unravel what has taken place and its strange connection to the hospital's patients.

The Light Runner, the first installment in the Realities series from debut author Ally Walker, is an edge-of-your-seat metaphysical thriller that will mesmerize and haunt you from the first page to its shocking end.

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About the Author

Ally Walker is a noted television and film actress, screenwriter, and director who made her television debut in the NBC daytime soap opera Santa Barbara before landing films such as While You Were Sleeping, Universal Soldier, and Happy Texas. She played the leading role of Doctor Samantha Waters in the NBC crime drama series Profiler, for which she received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Actress. She later portrayed villainous Agent June Stahl in the FX crime drama, Sons of Anarchy; starred in USA Network’s sci-fi thriller Colony; had a recurring role in A&E’s Longmire; and worked alongside Adam Scott in the Fox comedy Ghosted. She also produced and directed the award-winning documentary For Norman…wherever you are that shined a light on LA County’s foster care system. This was followed by her independent film, Far More, which she penned and directed. Far More won Best Screenplay at the Milan International Film Festival. The Light Runner is her first novel

Spotlight: Three Dogs, Two Murders, and a Cat by Rodney Strong

Nicolette Briggs Mystery Book 1 

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Nicolette Briggs doesn’t do humans.

As Wellington’s premier, and possibly only, animal detective, Nicolette mostly investigates missing pets and cases of animal cruelty. So when her latest client asks her to investigate a case of a poisoned cat, it seems right up her alley. Until a body shows up, then another, and suddenly despite her resolve to not get involved, Nicolette is right in the middle two murder investigations. Or is it just one killer?

When someone breaks into her house and one of her dogs is injured, Nicolette’s reluctance turns to determination to not only solve this thing before the police, but show up her stubborn police detective brother in the process.

Along the way she has to navigate a daughter about to turn 15, a dwindling bank account, and a dysfunctional family that seems determined to fix her. Not to mention a killer who’s turned their sights her way.

No wonder she doesn’t do humans.

Three Dogs, Two Murders, and a Cat is the first book in the clean, cozy mystery series. Gilmore Girls meets Nancy Drew, with a touch of dysfunctional families, a touch of humour, and a touch of caring.

Excerpt

‘I don’t do humans.’ 

Nicolette waited for the inevitable questions, what do you mean you don’t do humans, who hurt you, you shouldn’t be afraid to let people in. It was ridiculous because Nicolette wasn’t afraid of anything – for herself. 

‘Fair enough,’ the woman responded. 

Nicolette couldn’t conceal her surprise. Perhaps this old lady was different from everyone else who looked at her in confusion when she made that statement, before deciding there was something wrong with her. Like she was a broken watch. But Nicolette wasn’t broken, she just told time differently. 

Nicolette looked down at the tabby cat lying on the charcoal-coloured carpet. Now, cats she did, and dogs, and occasionally farm animals (although there wasn’t much need for that in downtown Wellington city). 

She caught the woman watching her and returned the stare, which was rewarded with a grin. Alice Atkinson certainly seemed different than most elderly ladies Nicolette met.

‘I can’t imagine there are many others in your line of work,’ Alice said. 

Nicolette tensed for a second, then forced herself to relax. ‘I’m the only one that I’m aware of.’ 

‘Good,’ replied Alice. ‘Being unique is important.’

‘Wish it paid the bills more,’ Nicolette muttered, bending to scratch the cat behind the ear, immediately earning her a faint purr. She gauged the tabby to be about eight years old, lean but with an air of domestication. She was way too relaxed to be feral. 

‘She’s not mine,’ Alice said from her position on the couch. ‘Silvermoon has a no pet policy, but that doesn’t stop half the residents feeding her.’ 

Nicolette straightened up to look out the window of the second-floor apartment. Residents of the Silvermoon Retirement Village were walking and chatting, enjoying the sun, while others sat in the middle of a small rose garden opposite the apartment building. Past the fence line there were glimpses of the Wellington harbour lying below the suburb of Wadestown. It was like something out of a promotional video. She wouldn’t have been surprised to find that they were all paid actors. 

Nicolette eased herself onto the floor and leaned against the wall. ‘When did you first notice she wasn’t well?’ 

 Thin, small and wrinkled, Alice was easily the oldest person Nicolette had ever met, but she was no one’s vision of a friendly grandmother. 

Her eyes were steely as she replied, ‘Four days ago. She was all floppy. Vanessa insisted she be taken to a vet.’

‘Vanessa?’ Nicolette asked. 

‘She’s my… employee, I suppose you could say.’ 

‘What was the vet’s diagnosis?’ 

‘That Maddy had been poisoned. They kept her for a few days because… well.’

‘They weren’t sure she’d survive,’ Nicolette finished. 

‘But this morning they said she was doing better so Vanessa brought her home and now I’m playing nurse maid.’ 

The cat eyed Nicolette without lifting her head from the carpet. Her breathing was shallow but regular. Nicolette had completed a year of veterinary training before an incident involving a professor had forced her to leave. In a way it had been the best thing that might have happened to her. She was bright enough to be a vet, but her temper and lack of tact would have made her a public relations nightmare for any veterinary clinic. 

‘Why did you call me?’ 

‘It was my friend Freda’s suggestion. You did some work for her granddaughter and came highly recommended.’

Nicolette looked up at the tone in Alice’s words. ‘But you don’t see any merit in me being here.’ 

Alice held her gaze. ‘I didn’t. A detective who specialises in animal cases seems highly improbable.’

Nicolette shrugged. She’d heard it before. ‘You didn’t?’

Alice nodded and leaned forward in her chair. ‘That’s right. Because I do do humans. In fact, there have been several times when my life depended on my ability to read people. And I have a good feeling about you Nicolette Briggs.’

‘A good feeling,’ Nicolette repeated.

‘Alright then, more specifically, you’ve barely looked around since you entered. Your focus has been on Maddy. Your tone with me is brusque at best, but when you’re talking to the cat your voice is soft, even if your words aren’t. And when I said she’d been poisoned, you clenched your right hand, like you wanted to hit someone.’ 

Nicolette looked down and was surprised to find her hand was still curled in a fist. She forced her fingers to relax. 

‘Alright, my turn,’ said Nicolette. ‘You’re tough, but some of that bluster is to hide that you care about this cat. You say she isn’t yours, yet you agreed to look after her, despite telling me that half the residents feed her. Presumably, anyone could have done this, but here you are. That tells me that you’re used to getting your own way. You probably paid the vet bill as well.’

‘What if I told you I don’t care for her at all. I just don’t like seeing animals abused.’

‘I would point out that we’re on the second floor.’ 

Alice cocked her head to the side with a curious expression. 

Nicolette pointed to the front door of the apartment. ‘No cat flap.’ 

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About the Author

Rodney Strong quit a 9-5 job in 2016 to finally pursue his life long dream of becoming a writer (he still has the very first play he wrote at age 6). He lives in Porirua, New Zealand, with his wife, two children, and two cats. When he's not writing he attempts to stay away from chocolate, runs (sometimes), reads, and enjoys spending time with his young children (who contribute a lot to the running and craving for chocolate).

He always has a couple of projects on the go, but for now is focusing on his series of cozy mysteries.

One of his cats likes to help with the process by sitting on the laptop, while the other likes nesting on his shoulders (which was cute when he was a kitten, but now the cat is 11 years old, is less so).

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Spotlight: The Feast by Alycia Two Bears

Alycia Two Bears invites you to The Feast. 

Love, life, motherhood, and grief–Alycia Two Bears sinks her teeth into the uncomfortable, exploring Indigenous identities and their intersections with womanhood in this urgent poetry collection. The collection is split into four rounds, representing the rounds of the Sweat Lodge Ceremony and its associated feast foods. Each round focuses on a theme, finishing with the “ceremony behind it all,” that ties her personhood together.

A Two Spirit, mixed-blood Iskwew from Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation, Two Bears weaves traditional teachings into her poetry, using her words as both reflection and resistance–challenging patriarchy and the inequalities that thrive in its shadow. 

As a mother, land-based yoga practitioner, activist, and aspiring midwife, Two Bears write with a voice that demands to be heard. An award-winning poet, writer, and community leader, she beckons you to her table. 

With verse as sweet as honey and as sharp as vinegar, The Feast will unsettle, provoke, and linger–its poems finding a permanent home deep within your bones.

Excerpt

Loving The Mother of Storms

First you hear the winds

Howling In the fields

The city

Your ears

Bare skin

Exposed

Senses heightened

You witness the dark purple

Opaque clouds full of power

Her children, bold thunder

Demand to be heard

Never to be outdone

by their boisterous brothers

The sisters, touch down

Wreaking havoc, splitting trees

Causing wildfires

Soon to be directly overhead

Rolling over the dark greys

Gaining momentum

You cannot lie

How much you love the beauty in her destruction

Of everything that surrounds you

Your skin is not raised because you are wet

Chilled to the bone by the pouring rains

No

You are smiling

Excited

To be so loved by the Mother of Storms

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About the Author

Alycia Two Bears, a mixed-blood iskwew from Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation, calls Mohkinstsis home. Alycia holds degrees in General Studies and Education from the University of Calgary and combines her expertise as a certified yoga instructor with Traditional 2 Spirit Metis-Cree teachings in her Land-Based Yoga practice. A mother of five, she is a passionate advocate for birth sovereignty and aspires to be a midwife. She practices birth as Ceremony, supporting pregnant and birthing bodies and working to ensure accessible, dignified care. She has also co-created the Moon Time Bag initiative to redistribute donated menstrual health products to both houseless and housed kin. Alycia has contributed to publications such as Red Rising Magazine, MBC Magazine, and New Tribe Magazine. Her work often centres on decolonization, mental health, and Two Spirit advocacy. For her work she has received The Advocate for Equality Award from the Calgary Single Mother’s Society, and the USAY Change Makers Award.

Spotlight: Bald-Faced Liar by Victoria Helen Stone

Living a lie becomes a matter of life and death for a woman hiding from her past in a novel of mounting psychological suspense.

Traveling nurse Elizabeth May has a promising new home in Santa Cruz. And another new identity. It’s a pattern of reinvention for a woman escaping a traumatic childhood—and hiding from the decades of notoriety and destruction that followed. Invisibility has kept Elizabeth safe. Until now. After all these years, someone sees her for who she is.

Threat by threat, a vengeful stalker is dismantling Elizabeth’s carefully constructed lifetime of lies. And no one in her temporary circle can be trusted. Not her fleeting new love interest. Not the supportive friend she knows only from online forums. And certainly not the police. They’ve never been there for her.

As dread sharpens to fear, Elizabeth soon discovers something about her past that even she didn’t know. The revelation could finally set her on a path of healing and redemption. Or, now alone in the dark, it could be Elizabeth’s worst nightmare.

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About the Author

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Victoria Helen Stone, author of the runaway hit Jane Doe, writes critically acclaimed novels of dark intrigue and emotional suspense. Her work includes Follow Her Down, At the Quiet Edge, The Last One Home, Problem Child, Half Past, The Hook, and the chart-toppers False Step and Evelyn, After.

Victoria writes in her home office high in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, far from her origins in the flattest plains of Minnesota, Texas, and Oklahoma. She enjoys gorgeous summer trail hikes in the mountains almost as much as she enjoys staying inside by the fire during winter. Victoria is passionate about dessert, true crime, and her terror of mosquitoes, which have targeted her in a diabolical conspiracy to hunt her down no matter the season.

Connect:
Official Website: VictoriaHelenStone.com
Instagram: @victoriahelenstone