Book Review: The Secrets of Bones by Kylie Logan

The Secrets of Bones (Jazz Ramsey #2). Kylie Logan. Minotaur Books (2020). 336 pages. Genre:  Cozy Mystery.

First Line: "Wally the puppy was a nineteen-pound ball of boundless energy with more sass than a three-year-old kid, and more common sense than one, too."

Summary:  Jazz Ramsey is in the process of training her new puppy, Wally.  She has only had him for a few months, but is looking forward to the day she can certify him as a Human Remains Detection dog. However, things are busy at work right now so Wally is not getting the attention he needs.  Jazz works as an Administrative Assistant at St. Catherine's Girls' School.  The end of the school year is rapidly approaching and she has been busy setting things up for Assembly Day.

When the day finally arrives, everything is in order until one of the presenters is unable to keep her commitment.  The school's principal, Eileen, asks Jazz to step in and take her place by doing a dog demonstration with Wally.  Since Wally is not well-trained enough to do a dog demonstration she borrows a friend's dog who is.  Eileen opens up the fourth floor to give Jazz enough room for the demonstration.  Jazz chose two spots to hide the bait she had brought along for the dog.  The dog locates the first bait easily.  The girls are impressed and have lots of questions.  Finally, Jazz gives the dog the okay to search again, but the dog is doing a lot of sniffing in an area not near the second bait.  When the dog alerts, Jazz becomes concerned.  Is the dog confused or has he discovered human remains?

Before opening the small door the dog indicated, Jazz has Eileen take all of the girls out of the room.  It was a good thing she did.  When Jazz opens the door she discovers a human skeleton.  This skeleton is wearing a large cross that Jazz immediately recognizes as one worn by a former staff-member at St. Catherine's. Bernadette Quinn left St. Catherine's three years ago.  However, no one has heard from her since.  Has her body been in this closet for three years?  How did it get up there?  She wasn't well liked, but did someone dislike her enough to kill her?

My thoughts:  I really like Jazz Ramsey.  She is a down-to-earth person with a heart for others.  Even when someone is difficult to deal with she does her best to be patient and try to help them.  That was definitely the case with Bernadette Quinn.

This story is unique in that the murder took place several years ago.  In the process of trying to solve the murder, the author gives the reader details by having the characters recall incidents that happened previously.  This was handled well and it wasn't hard to follow. We are given the full picture of what was happening with Bernadette up until the time she left the school.  But it was revealed bit by bit as things came up in present time and lent an air of suspense to the story.

The mystery itself was good.  There were lots of clues and plenty of red herrings to throw the reader off.  There were a few twists and surprises as well.  I had an inkling as to what had happened, but pieces were missing.  Eventually those pieces fell into place and the mystery was solved.  It turned out I was partly right.  

The supporting characters are also great. Jazz's relationship with Detective Nick progresses a little as well.  They are learning to become friends again and I enjoyed this.  I appreciate the relationship Jazz has with her boss, Eileen and her best friend, Sarah.  Both of these women care for Jazz and encourage her.  They add depth to the story.  Unfortunately, the dogs didn't play much of a role this time. I am hopeful they will have more involvement in the future.  

Kylie Logan's writing style pulls me right in and I have a hard time putting the book down.  This second book was a great addition to the series.