Looking for another eerie mystery set in beautiful Scotland? I’ve got you covered! The Liars Bones by Morag Pringle is the first book in the Rachel McKenzie series, and it kicks off on a remote island along the stunning coast of the Outer Hebrides. With an engaging plot, poetic yet sharp writing, and some truly compelling characters, The Liars Bones is a solid pick for anyone who loves atmospheric crime fiction with a twist.

So here it is, my humble The Liars Bones Review.

Spoiler-Free Zone
This review is completely spoiler-free, no twists revealed, no key plot points given away. It’s safe to keep reading, even if you haven’t started the book yet.

The Liars Bones Review – Book Synopsis

The Liars Bones by Morag Pringle

Published February 29, 2024

When the body of Ellen Hargreaves washes up on the rocky shore of a remote Scottish island, most locals are quick to call it a tragic accident. But investigator Rachel McKenzie, already carrying the weight of her own dark past, isn’t so sure. Drawn back to the island where her estranged family lives, Rachel begins to dig into Ellen’s final days and learns that the quiet newcomer was more than just a nature lover, she had discovered a human bone and was keeping notes that have now mysteriously disappeared.

As Rachel questions the locals, many of whom are secretive and far from welcoming, she becomes convinced that Ellen found something dangerous.

Rachel is determined to find the truth. But then a teenage girl goes missing shortly after talking to her, and Rachel realises that she has exposed an innocent girl to a twisted killer. Heart pounding and wracked with guilt, Rachel works around the clock to find the vanished girl. But will she get there in time?

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Goodreads Rating

Rating: 4 out of 5.

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Book Info

Title	The Liar’s Bones – Rachel McKenzie #1
Author	Morag Pringle
Genre	Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction
Format	336 pages, Paperback
Published	February 29, 2024 by Storm Publishing
ISBN	9781805083146 (ISBN10: 1805083147)
ASIN	1805083147
Language	English

Author’s Bio – Morag Pringle

Morag Pringle is an experienced author who has written nineteen medical romances and four historical novels, but The Liars Bones marks her debut in crime fiction, something she’s always wanted to write. Drawing inspiration from her own life, Morag weaves real places, jobs, and passing encounters into her stories, though the heart of her work is pure imagination. She lives in Glasgow with her husband.

Morag has a fascinating background. She went to school in South Africa and speaks Afrikaans, spent time in the frozen north of Canada, and grew up with parents who were native Gaelic speakers, her father a nuclear scientist and her mother a midwife known locally as a “Green Lady.” Her family even lived alone on a remote Scottish island for four years, and her first job involved designing information boards for archaeological sites in the Outer Hebrides.

Check Morag’s Official Instagram: morag_pringle_author

Consider adding The Liar’s Bones to your TBR list on Goodreads.

The Liars Bones Review – Quick Summary

The Liars Bones Review – Trigger Warnings, Sensitive Topics and Age Rating

Before we go any further, I always like to include a quick note on sensitive content. Every reader is different, and some themes in this book might be difficult for certain people.

If you prefer to check content warnings before reading, just click below to reveal the list of trigger warnings, sensitive topics and age ratting.

My Thoughts

The Liars Bones by Morag Pringle is the first book in the Rachel McKenzie Mystery series, and it’s a strong start.

Rachel is a lawyer sent to find out if Ellen Hargreaves’ death was really an accident or if something more was going on. She’s smart, determined, and carrying some pretty heavy stuff from her past, which makes her feel real and easy to connect with. She’s also stubborn, which, honestly, I love. She doesn’t always stick to the rules and sometimes relies more on gut feelings than hard evidence.

Along the way, she crosses paths with a whole cast of islanders, and that’s where things really get interesting. There’s no shortage of side characters, and honestly, they’re all a little off in a way you can’t quite put your finger on. Their quiet, guarded behaviour makes the island feel even more dangerous and loaded with secrets.

The Liars Bones is a solid start to a new series, perfect if you’re into slow, moody crime stories with a strong atmosphere. If you like authors like Ann Cleeves or Peter May, you’ll probably feel right at home here. Morag Pringle’s writing is gripping, immersive, and even poetic at times. I especially loved the way she describes the island, you can almost feel the wind, hear the waves, fear the crows, and see the fog rolling in.

Yes, it’s a bit too slow in places, and there are a few plot points that feel like a stretch, but honestly, the setting and characters make up for it. The book does a great job showing what it feels like to be isolated, not just on some faraway island, but also emotionally.

If you like mysteries where the setting matters just as much as the crime, this one’s a great pick. The mix of haunting atmosphere, slow-burning tension, and layered secrets gives you that perfectly creepy, don’t-trust-anybody, rainy-day read feeling.

What I Loved

One of the things I really loved about this book is how much the setting actually matters. The Outer Hebrides isn’t just a pretty backdrop, it’s wild, remote, and honestly super creepy. The stormy weather, the closed-off locals, the whole atmosphere gives you that constant feeling that something’s not right. It’s like the island itself is keeping secrets, and poor Rachel is just trying to make sense of it all while no one’s making it easy for her.

The island itself feels like a giant puzzle. Rachel has to go from place to place, picking up little pieces of information, trying to figure out the bigger picture, but no one is actually helpful. Every single character feels a bit off. Even the ones who seem innocent, or the ones who are supposed to be helping, give off this vibe of “don’t say more than you have to,” and it keeps you guessing what they’re hiding the whole time.

Now, I’ll be honest, some readers might find parts of the story a bit slow or repetitive, like it’s going in circles, especially since the mystery doesn’t really start to come together until the last third of the book. But honestly, I think that’s kind of the point. This is a tight, closed-off community where everyone knows each other, and Rachel is very clearly seen as the outsider. No one’s in a rush to help her, and that “keep your mouth shut” vibe hangs over every conversation. It might take a while to get there, but the slow burn really fits the mood of the story.

What Surprised Me

One thing I didn’t expect was how much the island feels like a character in the story. It’s not just a setting, it feels alive, like it’s watching everything and playing its own part in the mystery. And not a gentle one either, it’s wild, cold, and definitely not welcoming. But at the same time, it’s described so beautifully. You can almost feel the chill in the air and the danger in the silence. I loved all the island lore and buried (literally) secrets. Morag shows the kind of beauty that draws people in, even when they probably shouldn’t go near it.

Vibe Check

The vibe of The Liars Bones is super atmospheric. It feels cold, windy, and eerie from the very beginning. There’s this constant tension in the air, like something is off but no one is allowed to say it out loud. The characters make it even stronger, they’re rude, quiet, reserved, and never fully open. You can really feel the lack of willingness to help, and how dismissive they are toward Rachel.

This can be a bit frustrating for some readers, it happened to me too. At one point, I started thinking, is there seriously not one decent soul on this island who’s willing to help Rachel? She’s not asking for much, just trying to do her job. Everyone is so grumpy, guarded, or downright unhelpful, it really starts to wear you down as a reader… just like it does for her.

But, I have to admit, I loved hating everyone on that island. For real, I judged every single one of them. What an awful little community, full of secrets, side-eyes, and bitter, miserable people. Honestly, just the worst.

About The Plot Twist

The plot twist was somewhat expected. I didn’t figure out everything, but I had a good idea of where things were going pretty early on. The good thing is that the author leaves small hints along the way, which helps everything make sense by the end. The twists feel natural and totally believable.

There are still a few secrets about Rachel’s life that don’t get fully explained, but that makes sense since this is the first book in a series. We’ll definitely see more of her story unfold in the next two. And honestly? I can’t wait. I’m really curious to see where things go, and since all the books are set in Scotland, we’re guaranteed more beautiful (and probably very moody) settings to get lost in.

Some Book Quotes

“The sea kept its secrets, just like the people who lived beside it.”

‘Have you heard of a crow’s parliament?’ Michelle asked.
Rachel raised a questioning eyebrow. ‘Can’t say I have.’
‘Apparently sometimes crows get together to judge another crow. According to legend they surround the accused crow in a circle. Then they seem to confer or something, because after a while they either fly away with the accused or,’ – she grimaced – ‘they decide that the bird is guilty and peck it to death.’”

“She trusted her instincts—not because they were always right, but because they were the only thing that had never lied to her.”

Let’s Chat!

And that’s my take on The Liars Bones by Morag Pringle.

Have you read The Liars Bones? Did the slow build work for you? Were you as wrapped up in the setting and atmosphere as I was? And if you haven’t read it yet, I totally recommend giving it a try, especially if you enjoy moody mysteries set in beautiful, haunting places.

Drop your thoughts in the comments, I’d love to chat!

The Liars Bones by Morag Pringle would actually make a great book club pick.
There’s so much to talk about, secrets, setting, characters you’ll love to side-eye, and that slow-burn tension.

If you’re reading it with a group, I’ve got you covered. I put together a full post with book club questions and some fun printables to go along with it.
Go check it out!

Book Club Questions for The Liars Bones by Morag Pringle

A new Alice Feeney book? Yes, please! Beautiful Ugly came out back in January, and of course, I bought it right away (because I’m always here for the plot twists!). But like so many others, it ended up sitting quietly on my digital TBR for a little while.

If you’ve been here for a bit, you already know how much I love Rock Paper Scissors, so I had high hopes for this one.

In this Beautiful Ugly review, I’m sharing all my thoughts, what worked, what didn’t, and why I still couldn’t put it down.

Spoiler-Free Zone
This review is completely spoiler-free, no twists revealed, no key plot points given away. You’re safe to read on, even if you haven’t cracked open the book yet.

Beautiful Ugly Review – Book Synopsis

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

Published January 1, 2024

A gripping and deliciously dark thriller about marriage. . .
. . . and revenge.

Author Grady Green is having the worst best day of his life.

Grady calls his wife to share some exciting news as she is driving home. He hears Abby slam on the brakes, get out of the car, then nothing. When he eventually finds her car by the cliff edge the headlights are on, the driver door is open, her phone is still there. . . but his wife has disappeared.

A year later, Grady is still overcome with grief and desperate to know what happened to Abby. He can’t sleep, and he can’t write, so he travels to a tiny Scottish island to try to get his life back on track. Then he sees the impossible — a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.

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Goodreads Rating |

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

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Book Info

Title	Beautiful Ugly
Author	Alice Feeney
Genre	Psychological Thriller, Mystery
Format	306 pages, Hardcover
Published	January 14, 2025 by Flatiron Books
ISBN	9781250337788 (ISBN10: 125033778X)
ASIN	125033778X
Language	English

Author’s Bio

Alice Feeney is a New York Times million-copy bestselling author of novels including His & Hers, Sometimes I Lie, Rock Paper Scissors and Daisy Darker. Her books have been translated into over thirty-five languages, and have been optioned for major screen adaptations, with His & Hers currently in production for Netflix, produced by Jessica Chastain, and starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal.

Alice was a BBC journalist for fifteen years. Her seventh novel, Beautiful Ugly, will be published around the world in January 2025.

Check Alice’s Official Website: www.alicefeeney.com

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney is set to be adapted into a film. Hidden Pictures, the production company founded by Todd Lieberman, acquired the rights to the book in early 2025 and plans to develop a film adaptation of the psychological thriller.

Beautiful Ugly Review – Quick Summary

Beautiful Ugly Review – Trigger Warnings, Sensitive Topics and Age Rating

Before we go any further, I always like to include a quick note on sensitive content. Every reader is different, and some themes in this book might be difficult for certain people.

If you prefer to check content warnings before reading, just click below to reveal the list of trigger warnings, sensitive topics and age ratting.

My Thoughts

I know Beautiful Ugly got some mixed reactions online, some readers found parts of it far-fetched or said it felt a bit repetitive. But honestly? I really liked it. The setting, the tension, the way the story slowly unfolded, it all kept me fully engaged. I didn’t find it boring at all. I was invested from the start and kept guessing right up to the end. My all-time favourite from Alice is still Rock Paper Scissors, but in my humble opinion Beautiful Ugly is a really solid, slow-burn thriller.

What I Loved

One of my favourite things about Beautiful Ugly was discovering the island. The Isle of Amberly felt like its own little world, quiet, cut off, and full of strange little corners I wanted to explore. Bit by bit, we learn its secrets, and that mix of old stories and eerie folklore gave the whole book a slightly spooky, almost a magical feel.

What Surprised Me

Without giving anything away, Beautiful Ugly slowly reveals that there’s more going on than just one broken marriage or a missing person. As the story unfolds, it touches on deeper struggles and quiet truths that often go unspoken. The island, with all its beauty, strange details, and that unsettling cult vibe, starts to feel like more than just a setting. It becomes part of the message.

What Didn’t Work for Me

Now, let’s talk about what made me give only 3/5 stars to Beautiful Ugly.

Early in the book, you get a full sense of how the island works. I loved the setting: moody, strange, and full of tension. But some things just didn’t add up for me. The island felt a little too cut off to be believable. No phone signal, no internet, and a ferry that barely shows up? I kept wondering how people actually lived there. How do they get supplies? What happens in an emergency? It all worked really well to build the atmosphere, but a few of those details made me stop and think, “Wait… how is this even possible?

Another thing was the people on the island, they had a lot of potential. They seemed interesting and definitely added a good mix of tension and strangeness to the story, but unfortunately, most of them weren’t very well developed. I would’ve loved to learn more about who they really were.

This also happens with Abby, the wife. I never really felt connected to her, or to any other character in particular. Abby had so much potential, but her character wasn’t fully developed. I think if we’d gotten to know her better, the big reveal at the end would’ve landed with more impact. It still worked, but it didn’t hit as hard emotionally as it could have.

Vibe Check

Amberly doesn’t just set the scene, it is part of the story. Like I said before, the island feels cold, quiet, and stuck in time. It’s beautiful, but something always feels just a little off, like there’s a secret hiding beneath the surface. The people are strange and hard to read, and it’s never clear what they’re really thinking.

As the story goes on, there’s a tense, almost paranoid feeling that grows. Sometimes, the island even gives off a weird, cult-like vibe. It feels like both the island and its people are hiding something, from Grady, and from you.

About The Plot Twist

I had a theory in mind while I was reading, I thought I’d figured out where the story was going. I’m usually pretty good at predicting twists, but this one still managed to surprise me. Alice Feeney pulled it off in such a subtle way that when the reveal came, it genuinely caught me off guard. I loved that moment of “wait, what?!”, and it definitely made me want to flip back and spot all the little clues I missed.

Now I have to be honest, the main plot twist had me thinking, “Hmm… really?” It didn’t fully land for me, mostly because some of the details didn’t quite add up. But by then, I was already so into the story that I just went with it. Even if the twist didn’t make perfect sense, I was hooked and still really enjoyed the ride.

Maybe some of the revelations after the big plot twist were meant to be that way, but I’ll be honest, I felt a little lost when the big moment happened. I even flipped back a few pages to see if I’d missed something. Maybe that was Alice’s intention all along, or maybe I just didn’t catch it right away. I liked the idea behind it, but I think some readers might feel the same way, needing a moment to catch up.

Conclusion

I really enjoyed the island setting and the overall mood of Beautiful Ugly. The tension, the mystery, and the atmosphere pulled me in right away. But I do wish we’d spent more time with the other characters. Most of the focus is on Grady and his paranoia, and while that worked in some ways, it meant that Abby and the others stayed a bit in the background. There was so much potential there that just wasn’t fully explored.

Because the characters weren’t fully developed, it was hard to really care about some of the deeper themes that show up near the end. Without getting to know the others better, those moments didn’t hit as hard as they could have. And some of the biggest characters from the beginning just kind of disappear by the end, which left things feeling a bit unfinished.

Still, the book kept me hooked. I like Alice Feeney’s writing style, the short chapters, the tension, the way she always makes you want to read just one more page. Even when some parts felt a little stretched or certain characters could’ve used more depth, I couldn’t stop reading. It’s the kind of story that keeps you guessing, and I’m really glad I finally picked it up.

Add Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney to your Goodreads TBR!

Favourite Quotes

“Sometimes things have to get really dark for us to see what we have. The world always looks more beautiful at night, when the darkness hides everything that is ugly.”

“Life is beautiful and life is ugly and we have to learn to live with both sides of that same coin and see the light in the darkness.”

“No man is an island, but a woman can be if she needs to be.”

Let’s Chat!

Have you read Beautiful Ugly yet? If so, I’d love to know what you thought , did the island get under your skin too? And if it’s still on your TBR, I say go for it! Come back and tell me what you think, I’m always up for chatting about a good twisty read!

Did you know Alice Feeney has three of her books being adapted into TV series — and Beautiful Ugly is already confirmed as a movie? If you’re curious about all four upcoming adaptations, check out my post where I break them down one by one!
Alice Feeney Book Adaptations: A Guide to Movies & TV Series

I’m always drawn to books set in Scotland, so when I first heard about Crow Moon while listening to Suzy Aspley on the BBC Loose Ends Podcast, I was instantly curious. I didn’t know much about the book at the time, but the way she described the setting, the mood, and the inspiration behind the story completely hooked me. So I did what any curious reader would do, I added it to my TBR, and now here we are, with my humble Crow Moon spoiler free review.

Spoiler-Free Zone
This review is completely spoiler-free, no twists revealed, no key plot points given away. You’re safe to read on, even if you haven’t cracked open the book yet.

Crow Moon Review – Book Synopsis

Crow Moon by Suzy Aspley

Published January 1, 2024

Set in the fictional village of Strathbran (Glen of Ravens) in Stirlingshire, Scotland, a place full of folklore and wrapped in thick, impenetrable mist , Crow Moon introduces us to Martha Strangeways, a former journalist whose life fell apart after tragedy struck.

Martha gave up her career when her young twins died in a house fire. Struggling with guilt for not being there to save them, she now carries their ashes in a matchbox and drifts through life without direction, until one day, she discovers the body of a teenage boy hanging from a tree, with a poem about crows inked on his back.

Soon, Martha finds herself drawn into the investigation, teaming up with DI Derek Summers, especially when another teen goes missing in the same remote landscape.
With each chapter, the story grows darker, more intense, and increasingly gripping. Crow Moon isn’t just a tense mystery — it’s also a moving story about grief, loss, and the deep scars left behind.

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Goodreads Rating |

Rating: 4 out of 5.

buy on amazon

Book Info

Title	Crow Moon
Author	Suzy Aspley
Genre	Psychological Crime Thriller, Scottish Noir, Mystery
Format	300 pages, Paperback
Published	January 1, 2024 by Orenda Books
ISBN	9781914585500
ASIN	191458550X
Language	English

Author’s Bio

Suzy Aspley is a former journalist from South Shields who began writing her debut novel, Crow Moon, after a writing retreat in the Scottish Highlands sparked a powerful memory from her reporting days. Her work quickly gained attention, winning Bloody Scotland’s Pitch Perfect in 2019 and earning recognition from the DHH Literary Agency and Capital Crime Festival.

She later received a mentorship through Hachette’s Future Bookshelf Initiative, working on her manuscript with Hodder’s Jo Dickinson. Crow Moon was longlisted for the Caledonia Novel Award and published by Orenda Books in 2023.

Suzy now lives in Scotland with her family, and when she’s not writing, you’ll likely find her walking in the woods with her kids, dogs, and horses.

Check Suzy’s Official Website: suzyaspleywriter.com

Crow Moon by Suzy Aspley has received notable recognition in the literary community. The novel was shortlisted for the inaugural McDermid Debut Award, which honors outstanding new voices in crime fiction . Additionally, it was shortlisted for the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize, celebrating exceptional debut crime novels.

Crow Moon Review – Quick Summary

Crow Moon Review – Trigger Warnings, Sensitive Topics and Age Rating

Before we go any further, I always like to include a quick note on sensitive content. Every reader is different, and some themes in this book might be difficult for certain people.

If you prefer to check content warnings before reading, just click below to reveal the list of trigger warnings, sensitive topics and age ratting.

My Thoughts

I chose Crow Moon expecting a slow, suspenseful mystery with a Scottish setting, and it delivered that and more. The atmosphere is heavy with unease: foggy, quiet, and slightly eerie. From the first chapter, Martha’s sorrow is evident, adding a deep, emotional layer that really makes the book stand out.

What I Loved

The story shifts between Martha’s perspective, brief glimpses into the minds of the killer and victims, and even moments from a very old past , all of it working together to build suspense while keeping the emotional core intact. Suzy Aspley blends the darker elements, crime, fear, and that lingering sense of gloom, with quiet, human moments. Martha’s grief feels real but never overwhelming, which makes her easy to connect with from the start.

What Surprised Me

I was struck by how personal this crime novel felt. It’s not just about solving a mystery; it’s about navigating the pieces of a shattered life and finding a way to move forward.

Vibe Check

Crow Moon feels damp, cold, and just a little too still, like Strathbran is hiding something. The village’s quiet, unspoken truths add to the tension, and the silence starts to feel like its own character. The slow pace gives the mood time to settle in, and even though I had a feeling where it was going, the atmosphere kept me fully hooked. It’s not about big twists, it’s about that quiet, creeping unease that builds with every page.

About The Plot Twist

I saw some of the twists in Crow Moon coming, but that didn’t take away from the experience at all. If anything, guessing them made me feel even more pulled in. What really worked for me wasn’t just the surprises, it was how all came together. The whole story kept me fully engaged from start to finish.

Conclusion

Crow Moon is Suzy Aspley’s debut, and honestly, it’s such an impressive first novel. She’s created a suspenseful, atmospheric story that really stays with you after you finish. The mix of mystery, emotion, and a touch of folklore works so well, and the setting in Strathbran, along with the characters, felt so real.

And if you’re excited for more, good news! Suzy Aspley’s next book in the series, The Bone Mother, is coming in October 2025.

Add Crow Moon by Suzy Aspley to your Goodreads TBR!

Favourite Quotes

“Places like this don’t forget. They hold onto things — secrets, stories, people.”

“It’s not the loud moments that stay with you. It’s the quiet ones — the stillness after something breaks, the pause between one breath and the next. That’s when it really sinks in. That’s when the truth starts to settle.”

“Some places feel heavy the moment you arrive, like they’ve been waiting too long to be seen. Strathbran is like that. It watches. It remembers. And no matter how far you try to run, it pulls you back to what you tried to leave behind.”

Let’s Chat!

Had you heard of Suzy Aspley before Crow Moon? If you’ve read the book, I’d love to know what stuck with you most, the atmosphere, the characters, the mystery? Drop a comment below and let’s talk about it!