Overview

The Bone Shrine has been praised as both intimate and universal--a peek into the raw struggles of teen pregnancy and addiction, injustice and forgiveness. The gripping crime drama sings with the spirit of Mary. Her teen sweetheart, Joe, longs for her, the girl he's accused of drowning. Joe Gardner--a bright and promising kid--was a solid baseball prospect and involved with his town's big new museum. After a serious injury, the teen slipped into the vortex of opioid and heroin addiction. On their star-crossed night by the Bone Shrine, Joe stumbles on a stash of China White and, inadvertently, causes a major drug deal to go sideways. The moment he tries to sample the heroin, Mary Quinn's water breaks. When the healthy baby arrives, Joe sees that the newborn couldn't be his.

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9781736857014

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A heart-pounding, page-turning story... MacFarlane transports the reader to a world steeped in mystery and intrigue as eighteen-year-old Joe struggles to prove himself innocent of his teen sweetheart's murder. When Joe was released from juvie, all of his friends shunned him except for the lovely Mary who stood like a rock with him. But now Mary is dead, and Joe is behind bars, waiting for the trial for Mary's murder. What lies in store for Joe who has done nothing but destroy his life until now? MacFarlane's writing is fluid, drawing the reader further and further into Joe's world. Equal parts intriguing and suspenseful, the plot unfolds gradually, with constant tension at the back, merging real-life trivialities with supernatural elements. MacFarlane vividly brings his characters to life while conveying the underlying themes of love, teenage drama, fear, trauma, grief, family, and the real transformation of the human heart with utter conviction and thoughtfulness. A clever, smart, and utterly engrossing novel that fans of sophisticated crime fiction won't want to miss. --The Prairies Book Review What a fabulous and beautiful story that is both intimate and universal--a peek into the raw struggles of teen pregnancy and addiction, injustice and forgiveness. The author's love for these characters and the places they go is impressive and inspiring. --Dr. Carolyn Wortham, Public Health Darkness, mystery, intrigue, and murder fill the pages of MacFarlane's page-turning crime drama. Troubled and lost, eighteen-year-old Joe finds himself into the middle of a murder investigation after his teen sweetheart Mary dies of drowning. While Joe is adamant he has nothing to do with Mary's death, the first responder police officer Deputy Zach Riggleman has another idea. Joe's past juvenile record and his drug habits further add to the police's conviction. But Rochelle, Joe's mother, is determined to get him out. MacFarlane's authoritative prose stretches out with rich imagination, and his characterization shines. The troubled Joe is endearing with his incredibly flawed personality. Readers will find it easy to sympathize with him and identify with his all-too-young adult fragilities. The driven, sympathetic Rochelle is an absolute darling. Between Joe's coming-of-age journey and the hard-hitting crime drama, A sense of mystery and doom prevails throughout the narrative. MacFarlane skillfully incorporates elements of horror and young adult drama to craft an inspiring tale. With its engrossing storyline, morally ambiguous theme, and convincing, real-life characters, fans of dark crime fiction will have plenty to enjoy. This is an inspired effort from a very talented author. --Bookview Review (Gold Medallion award) This novel should be a movie, or even a mini-series. --Nicholas Mattson, Baker River Hotshots

What a fabulous and beautiful story that is both intimate and universal--a peek into the raw struggles of teen pregnancy and addiction, injustice and forgiveness. The author's love for these characters and the places they go is impressive and inspiring. --Dr. Carolyn Wortham, Public Health This novel should be a movie, or even a mini-series. --Nicholas Mattson, Baker River Hotshots

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