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.
The Liars Bones Review – Book Synopsis
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Title |
The Liar’s Bones – Rachel McKenzie #1 |
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Author |
Morag Pringle |
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Genre |
Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction |
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Format |
336 pages, Paperback |
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Pubished |
February 29, 2024 by Storm Publishing |
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ISBN |
9781805083146 (ISBN10: 1805083147) |
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ASIN |
1805083147 |
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Language |
English |
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
I have to say, some of it was kind of expected. I didn’t figure out everything, but I got about half of it. The author drops small hints from the beginning, which helps things come together in a way that feels right. There are also a few other reveals that are handled in a simple but effective way. The twists feel natural, coming from the characters, their hidden connections, and the tense, stormy setting.
There are still a few secrets about Rachel’s life that don’t get fully explained, but I’m guessing that’s because this is the first book in a series. I have a feeling we’ll see more of her story unfold in the next two. And honestly? I’m totally up for it. I’m curious to see where things go, and since all the books are set in Scotland, we’re guaranteed more beautiful (and probably 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!
