#salt bones

Rating: 4/5

Book Blurb:

Three women in one twisted family race for answers in this "stunning" mystery set in the Mexicali borderlands that "breathes new life into the myth of Persephone and Demeter" (Ana Reyes, author of The House in the Pines).  "Beautifully explores the dark complexities of mother-daughter relationships." —Erin E. Adams, author of Jackal “An irresistible world of secrets, grief, and horror.” —Tananarive Due, author of The Reformatory “Will absolutely mesmerize you.” —Cosmo At the edge of the Salton Sea, in the blistering borderlands, something is out hunting. . .

Malamar Veracruz has never left the dust-choked town of El Valle. Here, Mal has done her best to build a good life: She’s raised two children, worked hard, and tried to forget the painful, unexplained disappearance of her sister, Elena. When another local girl goes missing, Mal plunges into a fresh yet familiar nightmare. As a desperate Mal hunts for answers, her search becomes increasingly tangled with inscrutable visions of a horse-headed woman, a local legend who Mal feels compelled to follow. Mal’s perspective is joined by the voices of her two daughters, all three of whom must work to uncover the truth about the missing girls in their community before it's too late.

Combining elements of Latina and Indigenous culture, family drama, mystery, horror, and magical realism in a spellbinding mix, Salt Bones lays bare the realities of environmental catastrophe, family secrets, and the unrelenting bond between mothers and daughters. “Taut with a mother’s fierce love and the corrosive power of secrets . . . this is storytelling at its most urgent and haunting.” —Morgan Talty, author of Night of the Living Rez “A novel of visceral and celestial storytelling power, where the grieving land holds as many secrets as the characters.” —Kali Fajardo-Anstine, author of Sabrina & Corina

Review:

Three women, a twisted family secret, and the missing girls that heart of this story. The story follows Malamar Veracruz, a woman who's done her best with her life in the small town of El Valle, raising her children the best she can after the painful disappearance of her sister Elena... but when another local girl goes missing Mal finds herself plunged back into her sister's disappearance... but things only get worse when Mal becomes haunted by visions of a horse-headed woman, a local legend... and when Mal's own daughter goes missing... dark family secrets will unravel everything. This was such an interesting exploration on generational trauma, on the relationship between mother and daughter, and on how far our love can go, both for good and bad. I love the way the mystery is so layered and how all the women in this story are so distinct and unique. The mystery was intriguing and the whole paranormal/ghost visions was also fantastic. It's a great mystery read that has you hooked until the end.

Release Date: July 22, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

Ever stand at a fire and think of Sam & Dean burning a body...burning Bobby.. and realize what a mark that event leaves on their souls.

and the thing is!! this a #OwnVoices 💖✌️ story!!! the author is Indigenous + Mexican! and is doing this to HER OWN IDENTITY!!