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Near the Bone

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Near the Bone

By: Christina Henry
Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan
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About this listen

A woman trapped on a mountain attempts to survive more than one kind of monster, in a dread-inducing horror novel from the national best-selling author Christina Henry.

Mattie can't remember a time before she and William lived alone on a mountain together. She must never make him upset. But when Mattie discovers the mutilated body of a fox in the woods, she realizes that they’re not alone after all.

There’s something in the woods that wasn’t there before, something that makes strange cries in the night, something with sharp teeth and claws.

When three strangers appear on the mountaintop looking for the creature in the woods, Mattie knows their presence will anger William. Terrible things happen when William is angry.

©2021 Christina Henry (P)2021 Penguin Audio Dark Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Suspense Thriller & Suspense Paranormal

Critic Reviews

"It's full of magic and passion and courage, set against a convincing historical backdrop.... Henry's spare, muscular prose is a delight. I loved this novel." (Louisa Morgan, author of A Secret History of Witches)

"Multiple twists keep the reader guessing, and the fluid writing is enthralling.... This is a fine addition to the shelves of any fan of children's classics and their modern subversions." (Publishers Weekly)

"This wild, unrelenting tale, full to the brim with the freedom and violence of young boys who never want to grow up, will appeal to fans of dark fantasy." (Booklist)

“Near the Bone features compelling and creative characters, descriptions of snow so realistic that they'll make you reach for a blanket and a monster so terrifying that it is sure to haunt the dreams of even the most stoic reader.... Near the Bone is a terror-ridden yet poetic hike that will leave your nerves frazzled and heart.” (BookPage)
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I need to preface this review by saying that more books need TW^ moving below as a bit spoilery and well triggery.

In saying that I so thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the way they developed and the monster stalking them. Reading it in winter I felt the cold and the chill amplified as from time to time as I was listening to it in closed off parts of the house and it really bought the story to life.

The descriptions and way the author writes Mattie is absolutely amazing. You will really root for this character the whole book. I will listen to this one again and i will look for other stories by this author I was really blown away by how good it all was.

^TW - This book features sexual assault, kidnapping, rape, murder, child abuse, abduction other very heavy crimes and I think if I knew the extent of the content I might not have gone into the book in winter when I struggle the most with my own memories of abuse. This story cut EXTREMELY close to the bone for me bringing a lot of things up from my own personal story.

Absolutely amazing but not for the faint of heart

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This is a great book. Engaging characters and storyline. Had me hooked from beginning to end

Great read

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As an avid fan of thriller/suspense stories, I really enjoyed this book, in particular, the twists, the character development, the parallel storylines, and the nail-biting moments. The story held my interest from beginning to end. Sometimes it was hard to keep listening to the child abuse and the verbal and physical abuse, but overall I loved this book and will highly recommend it. The author has done an excellent job!

Loved it

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Absolutely loved it, still in shock! I hope there's a sequel...Non stop from beginning to end.

WOW!!!

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this book had me from the first page! it had me holding my breath and wanting, no, NEEDING to know what happened next!
10/10

gripping

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Christina Henry never fails to amaze me, and this was the 1st audiobook of hers I have listened to! I loved the thrill in this, and the plot. It ticked all the right boxes for all the right feelings and emotions you get while listening! will be reccomending to people I know that love a good Thriller / Mystery book!

Easy 5 stars!

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If a book is for 12 year olds it should say so in the criteria or description, this one doesn’t, but that’s who it’s written for.

This book is for 12 year olds

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.