Review of “A Skeleton in Bone Creek” by Baer Charlton

Score: 89/100 (8.9 out of 10)

Baer Charlton’s A Skeleton in Bone Creek introduces Nash Running Bear, a highly skilled FBI agent who finds herself entangled in a case that is as personal as it is professional. Set in the rural Harkin County, California, the novel begins with the discovery of a skeleton in Bone Creek, an ominous location with a reputation for hiding secrets.

While the premise offers potential for a gripping crime mystery, the execution arguably falters due to uneven pacing, inconsistent tone, and underdeveloped themes.

The story centers on Nash, a Native American FBI agent and former Marine, returning to her insular hometown to investigate a skeleton found in Bone Creek. The creek, with its peculiar lime and alkali-rich waters, not only preserves bones but also serves as a symbol of the town’s hidden darkness. What initially appears to be a single case of accidental death spirals into the revelation of multiple skeletons, suggesting a serial killer operating in the area.

While the narrative hints at larger conspiracies and buried secrets, the pacing feels sluggish, particularly in the first half. Lengthy descriptions and unnecessary diversions bog down the story, making it difficult to maintain focus on the central mystery. The constant shift between Nash’s investigation and her personal struggles often feels disjointed, leaving the reader unsure of the story’s true focus.

Charlton attempts to explore weighty themes such as identity, justice, and belonging, but these are often overshadowed by the book’s tonal inconsistencies. Nash’s return to Harkin County should have been a rich exploration of her Native American heritage and her status as an outsider in a conservative community. Instead, these themes are treated with a surface-level approach that fails to fully integrate them into the narrative.

The book’s tone fluctuates awkwardly between grim crime investigation and lighthearted banter. Characters like Cindy Lou Brady, a talkative and overly quirky deputy, and Powder, an eccentric working dog, add humor but detract from the gravity of the serial crimes at the story’s core. This tonal imbalance undermines the book’s ability to deliver the tension and seriousness expected from a crime mystery.

Nash Running Bear is a competent and intriguing protagonist, but her characterization often leans into improbability. She is portrayed as almost infallible, always anticipating the next twist or unraveling clues with ease. This perfection makes her less relatable and undermines the tension of her challenges.

Her personal struggles, such as her strained marriage to Mina, who is battling a brain tumor, add depth but feel underutilized. Mina’s role is reduced to brief, emotionally distant phone calls that fail to resonate or connect to the main story. Similarly, Nash’s interactions with her sister Daisy and her uncle hint at potential character development but remain shallow, leaving these relationships feeling incomplete.

Sheriff Thomas Brady, a key character from Nash’s past, offers some complexity, but his interactions with Nash feel repetitive and lack the depth needed to make their shared history compelling. Cindy Lou Brady, despite her charm, feels more like a caricature than a fully realized character.

The book’s strongest element is its setting. Bone Creek is vividly described, and its strange ecosystem is an effective metaphor for the town’s secrets. The forensic details of the investigation are well-researched, adding a layer of authenticity to the story. Charlton’s efforts to include Native American and LGBTQ+ representation are commendable, even if they fall short in execution.

The slow pacing and overuse of descriptive passages hinder the narrative’s momentum. The tonal inconsistencies—veering from grim to comical—make it difficult to take the story seriously, especially given its subject matter of serial crimes. While Nash’s identity as a Native American lesbian is central to her character, the exploration of these aspects often feels forced and performative rather than organic.

The portrayal of supporting characters is similarly uneven. Cindy Lou and Powder feel like they belong in a different story altogether, while the dynamics between Nash and her family lack the emotional weight to leave a lasting impression. Furthermore, the book’s attempt to blend cultural representation with a crime mystery feels superficial, leaving neither element fully realized.

Now, you could argue that Powder supplies some cuteness and animal charm to the book. At the same time, that compounds the issues we had with tone. Usually, you wouldn't want a story about such grim and disturbing circumstances to be “cute” or funny.

A Skeleton in Bone Creek has an intriguing premise and a protagonist with great potential, but it is really rough around the edges. The story is bogged down by uneven pacing, tonal inconsistencies, and underdeveloped themes. While there are moments of brilliance, such as the evocative description of Bone Creek and the forensic intricacies of the investigation, these are overshadowed by the book’s structural and narrative shortcomings.

A Skeleton in Bone Creek is an intriguing detective story that balances procedural investigation with themes of identity and redemption. Nash Running Bear is a compelling protagonist, and the mystery surrounding Bone Creek keeps readers engaged. However, the book’s tonal inconsistencies and occasional character flaws may detract from the overall experience.

Despite its imperfections, the novel offers a fresh perspective on the detective genre, intertwining cultural representation and crime drama. Readers looking for a story that blends forensic science with personal and social complexities may appreciate in Baer Charlton’s work.

Check it out on Amazon!