Description
“STICKS AND STONES WILL BREAK YOUR BONES
IF YOU MAKE ME HURT YOU.”
Some truths are better left buried, but Jace Walker is determined to unearth the skeletons in her family’s closet. Leverage is all she needs to keep her brother alive, and she’s willing to risk everything to save him.
Even her life.
But is she willing to risk the lives of her friends?
Holly and Jordan take on the case, but what should be a simple investigation takes a deadly turn when they stumble onto a murder. Family secrets are the least of their concerns as their path intertwines with a killer intent on remaining hidden.
He doesn’t want to be found.
He doesn’t want to be known.
And anyone who threatens his anonymity dies.
At this time, I can only ship within the US
Jaime Dunn –
Cannot wait to read the highly anticipated next Holly book🙌
JeepgirlDee (verified owner) –
Writing a review for a C.C. Warrens’ Holly Novel is like trying to describe riding a roller coaster, there’s just no way to adequately put into words the highs and lows, twists and turns, fear and exhilaration you will feel as she takes you for a ride deep into the world of Holly! This series will wreck you and strengthen you, have you laughing one moment and turning all the lights in the house on a minute later. This story will keep you reading late into the night while also wanting to slow down to savor it. Because you know when the book is over, you’re going to want to be back inside Holly’s world for longer. Because the characters aren’t just your friends, they’re your found family. Yes, Crossbones is as amazing as the rest of the series! You will not be disappointed. If you haven’t read the entire series, I highly, highly recommend starting with Criss Cross and reading the books in order. If I could give this book 10 stars I would. I read an advanced readers copy of the book and I have a physical copy already on preorder. All thoughts and opinions in this review are honest and original to me.
Jennifer Hicks –
This book was easily my favorite in the entire series. It had the perfect balance of humor and heartfelt moments, making it such an enjoyable and meaningful read. The story itself was incredibly well done, and I found myself completely pulled in from start to finish. One of my favorite parts was watching Jordan and Holly’s relationship develop—it felt genuine, emotional, and really added depth to the story. I highly recommend this book!
Charity Henico (verified owner) –
Oh my goodness. How do I put this review into words? I didn’t know how badly I needed another Holly novel.
C.C. Warrens has this way of making you laugh, cry, fear, and love with her writing.
Laugh-the banter and wit this group of friends has with each other.
Cry-the raw emotions that her characters have that you can feel with them.
Fear-um, it’s a thriller, so there’s that…
Love-this group of found family is so special and heart-warming. Marx and his “baby”, therefore making her friends his joys as well.
This book. This series. Is unparalleled.
~I was given a complimentary copy of this book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.~
Anna Krug (verified owner) –
As Jordan and Holly are in the midst of their investigation, Mr.Wells, Holly’s former foster father tries to contact her. Holly avoids communication until he shows up while she is at friends’ home. What does he want, and is Holly in danger from him?
C.C. Warrens is a master at using humor to cut tension. Her characters are well rounded. Most of the characters are Christian, and there are Christian themes. Be aware that there are some dangerous events, and some disturbing themes (such as abuse), but the book is clean.
It is recommended that you read the previous books.
Reading the books in order will help you know the characters, but also see their development.
Gina Francis –
C.C. Has done it again!!! This is a tense at times, funny at times, sweet at times scary at times story! Know clue how she keeps coming up with these all-nighters! You will NIT regret picking this up unless you don’t like staying all night to see what comes next!!
Mary Gjondla –
Another awesome Book by CC Warrens. Holly’s journey with Jordan by her side, and Marx her protector, is a fantastic read!! I highly recommend it!!
Reading books is like taking a walk through an imaginary life.. one filled with aspirations, regrets, actions, reactions, thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams! Challenges that present opportunities for good or evil to co exist in time and space. Our lives are beautifully and wonderfully made by God our Father and creator! Built into our lives are all these complexities and God in His graciousness walks along side us at every step and turn in the road of our lives! Holly is a representation of His loving kindness!! Her intelligence inspires us to think and act on our own, despite the risks.. doing what she feels is right and true to her calling to love one another! She is a truth-seeker, defending her and the rights of others, to step out and risk in search of the truth she is defending!! She is a Warrior and a friend!! She tries to shine light in the darkest corners! Her redemptive style reaches even the hardened critics in this beautiful book full of hope and suspense!!! Woven through the pages of this book, Author CC Warrens continues to draw us into the beauty and fragility of life for her characters! This book has many beautiful twists and turns ending in the most beautiful explosion of love and devotion on many levels! I could not put this book down and I highly recommend its beautiful and complex story of the balancing act between good and evil! This book teaches us not to judge any person by first impressions! Yes, I believe CC Warrens gifts us life lessons through her beautiful books to show us how to love, respect and cherish one another… even those who have gone astray and need Gods forgiving grace and love! This is such a wonderful book!! I have enjoyed every book by CC Warrens and I highly recommend them All!!
Stella Potts –
How do I put it in words that will convey how I feel about this latest Holly novel? It will keep you enthralled until the end as Holly gets into one scrape after another and keeps Jordan busy rescuing her. You don’t want to miss this one. I highly recommend this book and give it five stars.
Christine Revlett –
If you like to read Christian Suspense, this is an author/series you should look into.
I was provided the opportunity to be on the ARC team for the newest one. It had me falling in love with her writing style all over again. She really knows how to write it so I can visualize the scene and become emotionally involved with the characters and storyline. Crossbones isn’t as intense as previous books in the series, but still follows the Holly dynamic and is a great read.
Kay Wright –
CC Warrens does it again! The book held my attention until the end, and what an ending it was! I hope this isn’t the end of the Holly novels! There is so much more of the story to be told. I received this book as an advanced reader copy, but the review is my own and not influenced in any way by the author.
Marylin Furumasu –
When you find an author and book series that grabs you and doesn’t let you go, that’s a treasure!
Well, this book and series written by CC Warrens is just that kind of book!
I feel I’ve been friends with the characters in this series, and whenever there is a new book that comes out, I HAVE to get it!
In this book, we get to see more of Jace and some of her story. We also get to experience more of Holly’s never-ending encounters with life-threatening consequences. I am baffled by how one person can end up in dramatic situations, even when they are just trying to do the right thing. Holly is like a magnet for danger.
There were so many moments of time holding my breath to see what would happen. But also, times of sweet lightheartedness, spunk, and funny relationships. The author does this all in such a way that you, as a reader, are drawn in and can’t let go until the end. She can truly capture her readers’ attention and keep them reading until they finish.
I have added CC Warrens to the list of authors who put their characters through so much!
I’m not sure I would EVER want to be one of this author’s characters because they go through so much, and yet, they come out stronger in the end!
CC Warrens is a gifted author. One of the things I appreciate about her writing is that she’s not afraid to speak the truth. She wove moments of hope and life lessons throughout this book. Lessons like reaching out to God when things feel out of our control. God has got it all in His hands and timing. When it feels darkest, He’s still there with us!
If you love books that will keep you spellbound until the very end, then this is one for you!
I highly recommend you pick this book up and read it.
Holly Minton (verified owner) –
ARC Review: Crossbones by C.C. Warrens
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of Crossbones, and wow, this book absolutely blew me away. If you’re already a fan of the Holly series, prepare yourself, because this might be the most intense and emotionally gripping installment yet.
From the very first chapter, I was hooked. What starts as a seemingly straightforward case quickly spirals into something much darker, pulling Holly and her people into a web of secrets, danger, and deeply personal stakes.  The pacing is relentless in the best way—every chapter left me saying “just one more,” and suddenly it was 2 a.m. I devoured it in a night.
One of my favorite things about C.C. Warrens’ writing is how perfectly she balances suspense with heart, and Crossbones delivers on both. The tension is high, the twists are genuinely surprising, and yet the relationships are what truly shine. Holly continues to be such a compelling, relatable character—strong, determined, and all while carrying her scars in a way that feels so real. Watching her navigate both the case and her personal connections added so much emotional depth.
This story also leans heavily into themes of family, secrets, and how far someone will go to protect the people they love. The stakes feel higher than ever, especially as buried truths begin to surface and threaten everything.  It’s the kind of book that keeps your heart racing while also hitting you emotionally in ways you don’t expect.
And can we talk about the writing style? It’s everything I love—fast-paced like Criminal Minds or SVU, but with humor, warmth, and character-driven moments that make you care deeply about everyone involved. That combination is exactly what keeps me coming back to this series again and again.
Overall, Crossbones is a must-read. It’s suspenseful, emotional, and completely addictive. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering the Holly series, this book will pull you in and refuse to let go.
(I would encourage those that are just discovering the Holly series to start with Criss Cross and follow the recommended reading list for the best experience!)
Cindy’s Book Corner (verified owner) –
Do not start this series on this book, or even in the middle of the series. Do yourself a favor and start at the beginning of the series. This book and your overall experience of the series will be so much richer for it.
Every time an author I love writes a new book in a series, I worry. I worry I won’t like the book as much as the previous books, or I won’t like the book at all. I worry I won’t like the book as much as the previous ones, or I won’t like it at all. Thankfully, my fears were put to rest almost immediately, even though this book starts slower than the other novels in the series.
What I love about this series is that it continues to follow the same group of people from the very first book. They are getting older, entering new stages of life, and even Holly is maturing more. Yet, she still manages to land herself in a big heap of trouble. It doesn’t even take much effort. It is a talent.
There were several surprises in this book, and it brought out a lot of emotions. The deeper the story went, the more invested I was. I had a hard time putting it down, and it more than made up for the slower beginning. There were times I simply could not believe what Holly had walked herself into. In some ways, I am like, will she ever learn? Yet again, it’s a talent of hers to get herself into those sticky situations, not thinking about consequences, but simply trying to do something good.
This book seemed to be a bit gorier than previous books, or that simply could have been my mood. The story is sticking with me, and I find myself thinking about certain situations at random times. I love this series. I love the found family, and I love that we continue to see the characters grow, and I can’t wait to see what is next for them.
Renee –
Wow, what a story! When I read a book written by C.C. Warrens, I feel like I am back amongst friends. I love her characters! Her books always contain many unexpected twists and turns. I highly recommend this book!
Virginia (verified owner) –
This may be my favorite installment of the series so far! I was immediately pulled in from the first page and did not want to come up for air until the end. The banter, suspense, faith content, and character relationship building were all on point, far exceeding any high expectations I had for this anticipated release.
I appreciate the author does not shy away from hard topics, but presents them honestly without graphic detail. The investigation was cleverly detailed, keeping me speculating and shocked by surprise twists. Numerous times I wondered how the characters would possibly escape a situation. Once, I was truly fearful a favorite character would not make it. I cannot wait to see where the series takes my favorite found family cast.
I highly recommend this story and series to anyone who enjoys fast-paced, chilling suspense with no spice, humor, and heart.
Love my autographed copy!
MGreer –
Another great success for C C Warrens and the Holly series! The continuing storyline is so well woven it’s hard to believe these characters are just characters on a page. Their depth and realism is impactful from the first book until now. The book will keep the reader glued to it and hungry for more as it ends. I highly recommend this series and this book! Can’t wait for the next one…
Faith (verified owner) –
“Sticks and stones will break your bones if you make me hurt you.”
….. And bones will be broken …..
C.C Warrens does it again!! This book is 5 star suspense at its finest. Get ready for marshmallows, laughs, and chills. Just when you think you’ve figured out where things are going – C.C delivers a twist that has you recalculating. This book will have even the skilled reader sleuth gripped until the end!
It’s been almost 2 years since Crossroads was released, and the long-awaited Holly Novel #6 is as great as anticipated. Per usual for a C.C Warrens book, I found myself laughing out loud, holding my breath, and gasping.
Holly and the crew are the same lovable bunch as I remember, and it was like visiting with dear friends that I missed.
In Crossbones we really get to see JGH Investigations take center stage as Holly and Jordan dive deep into a case that hits close to home. It was so enjoyable to watch their dynamic grow and bloom in more ways than one.
Will they find answers for Jace?
Exactly how deep do the Walker family secrets go?
And how many bodies will be left in the wake of this killer?
There’s only one way to find out…