Step into the misty, suspense-filled world of Widow’s Island, where secrets lurk beneath the Pacific Northwest’s rugged cliffs and crashing waves! The Widow’s Island series, a gripping collection of ten novellas co-authored by Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot, blends heart-pounding romantic suspense with the haunting allure of a remote island. Centered on FBI Special Agent Cate Wilde and Deputy Tessa Black, this series hooks readers with its taut mysteries and the lingering shadow of a decades-old disappearance.
Perfect for fans of quick, atmospheric reads, Widow’s Island delivers complex characters, chilling crimes, and a setting so vivid you’ll feel the ocean spray. Ready to unravel the island’s dark secrets? Let’s dive in!
How Widow’s Island Began
Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot, both Wall Street Journal bestselling authors, teamed up to create Widow’s Island after their successful collaboration on the Rogue River novellas. Inspired by the moody, isolated landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, they envisioned a series of short, suspenseful stories that could captivate readers in a single sitting. Launched in 2018 with Close to the Bone, the series was designed to weave standalone mysteries with an overarching narrative, drawing readers back to the island’s tight-knit community and its hidden truths.
The Heart of Widow’s Island
The series kicks off with Close to the Bone by Kendra Elliot, where Cate Wilde, recovering from a gunshot wound, is drawn into a chilling case when a teenager’s skeletal remains are found on a nearby island. Teaming up with her childhood friend, Deputy Tessa Black, Cate uncovers eerie links to their friend Samantha’s disappearance 20 years ago. In A Bone to Pick by Melinda Leigh, Tessa takes the lead, investigating a newcomer’s murder alongside park ranger Logan Wilde, all while Samantha’s mystery looms.
Later novellas like Bone Deep and The Wrong Bones deepen the stakes. In Bone Deep, Cate races to save her fiancé, Dr. Henry Powers, from kidnappers, while The Wrong Bones sees Tessa chasing a grave robber, revealing a missing teen’s fate. Themes of loyalty, resilience, and confronting the past pulse through the series, with the island’s stormy weather and close-knit community amplifying the suspense. The alternating perspectives—Leigh’s focus on Tessa and Elliot’s on Cate—create a dynamic rhythm, blending police procedural precision with emotional depth.
The Pacific Northwest setting is a character in itself, with its fog-drenched forests and treacherous tides mirroring the characters’ inner turmoil. Fans praise the series for its concise yet immersive storytelling, packing mystery, romance, and small-town charm into novella-length tales.
Why Widow’s Island Resonates
Widow’s Island has carved a niche in romantic suspense, offering bite-sized thrills that don’t skimp on character or plot. Its blend of standalone cases and a lingering cold case keeps readers hooked, while the strong female leads—Cate’s sharp instincts and Tessa’s steadfast courage—resonate with fans of empowered heroines. The series’ audio versions, narrated by talents like Jane Oppenheimer, have also won praise for bringing the island’s eerie vibe to life.
With over 10 million books sold collectively by Leigh and Elliot, Widow’s Island underscores their knack for crafting addictive mysteries. Its compact format appeals to busy readers, and its evocative setting makes it a standout in the genre, inviting fans to return to the island’s shores with each new release.
- Publication Years: 2018–2021
- Number of Books: 10 novellas
- Genres: Romantic suspense, mystery
- Authors: Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot
Grab Close to the Bone and dive into Widow’s Island’s shadowy world of suspense and secrets—you won’t want to leave!