It had been a while since I’d read a Jodi Picoult novel. Hollow Bones reminded me how good she is at what she does – pulling you into emotionally complex stories with fully fleshed out characters who live in the grey areas of life. This is her 30th book and it shows, in the best way possible.
I can’t detail the plot too much without spoiling things, but on the surface it’s about Molly, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Emergency Preparedness, who as an infant lost her mother in the 9/11 attacks. It also features characters from Picoult’s earlier novel My Sister’s Keeper and contains spoilers for that book, so bear that in mind if you haven’t read it and think you might want to.
I was turning pages the whole time. The plot twist at the end of Part One had me literally gasping. I read all 464 pages in one afternoon on the beach, which tells you everything you need to know.
I will say that there were perhaps one too many twists. The final one just felt unnecessary. But that’s my only complaint.
Massive trigger warnings for postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis, and for 9/11 content. I cannot emphasize that enough. If, for example, the Lindsay Clancy trial has put you in a bad headspace, give this book a pass for now.
Anyway, highly recommend, but read My Sister’s Keeper first if you haven’t.
PS: Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing me with an Advanced Reading Copy.
