I fell in love with CJ Lyons when I read Snake Skin and fell deeper in love when I read Blind Faith. This, the third book in the Caitlyn Tierney series grabbed my attention even faster than the first two, which were excellent.. I read the book in less than a day & it would have been quicker but life & work keep getting in the way! Grittier than the Lucy Guardino character, Hollow Bones is an action packed thriller that leaves you wanting more. C.J. Lyons goes back to her medical roots in this book, penning a story that is a must read! Can't wait to read the next Caitlyn Tierney book, OH that's right C.J. Lyons has gone on to other things, leaving perhaps her best character with stories yet to be told. I for one plead for another Caitlyn Tierney book.

This is my first introduction to Caitlyn. I have not read the prior two books. Yet, this book can be read as a stand alone novel. In fact, the only thing that readers would miss by not having read the prior novels are Caitlyn and Jake's relationship. Which was not overpowering in this book. Still, I felt their connection and easily was convinced of their love for each other. Additionally, they were perfectly matched.

Right from the beginning this story took off with action. It stayed and therefore the pacing was good. I was able to keep reading with no down time. I liked the location for this story as well. This book had some of the medical background that I have gotten to know from this author with her Angels of Mercy series. Plus, I was happy to see a little battle between the bad guys, Caitlyn, and Jake. After having an enjoyable time reading this book, I plan to go back and check out the prior novels. ( )

HOLLOW BONES
By CJ Lyons
Maria Alvarado is excited. At just eighteen years old, she’s on her way to an archaeological dig and a major discovery of a Mayan temple in Guatemala. But she has to lie to her parents to get there. But the temple isn’t a discovery and the dig never happens. What does, will blow your mind.
Maria is caught up in a web of murder, treachery, lies, and fatal danger in the jungles of Guatemala. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Caitlyn Tierney is brought into the case when Hector, Maria’s father, contacts the FBI regarding his missing daughter. When he finds out who has his daughter, he attempts to leave Caitlyn in the dust and handle the matter himself. But she isn’t shaken off so easy and is quickly on his tail.
FBI forensic accountant and Special Agent Jake Carver is Caitlyn’s on-again, off-again lover. Both of them profess to love the lonely life, but can’t seem to stay away from each other. He too is brought into the case and goes to Guatemala in search of answers that may bring down BioRegen, a company partially owned by Hector, for allegedly causing the deaths of others.
Caitlyn and Jake work together to save Maria and to put a halt to Hector and Carrera’s—Hector’s business partner in Guatemala—reign of terror. Carrera wants to use Maria’s heart to save his son Michael because she’s a match to Michael, which leads to other questions. Hector is trying to cover up the mass of dead bodies hidden in the jungle to save his own skin. And truths come out about Maria’s parents and their alleged business with BioRegen that leave her speechless. Could Hector be responsible for the murder of thousands of people? Will he ultimately be the cause of her death?
A great story that will have you turning the pages as quick as you can. It’s hard to put down and I recommend this one.
Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” ( )

HOLLOW BONES
By CJ Lyons
Maria Alvarado is excited. At just eighteen years old, she’s on her way to an archaeological dig and a major discovery of a Mayan temple in Guatemala. But she has to lie to her parents to get there. But the temple isn’t a discovery and the dig never happens. What does, will blow your mind.
Maria is caught up in a web of murder, treachery, lies, and fatal danger in the jungles of Guatemala. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Caitlyn Tierney is brought into the case when Hector, Maria’s father, contacts the FBI regarding his missing daughter. When he finds out who has his daughter, he attempts to leave Caitlyn in the dust and handle the matter himself. But she isn’t shaken off so easy and is quickly on his tail.
FBI forensic accountant and Special Agent Jake Carver is Caitlyn’s on-again, off-again lover. Both of them profess to love the lonely life, but can’t seem to stay away from each other. He too is brought into the case and goes to Guatemala in search of answers that may bring down BioRegen, a company partially owned by Hector, for allegedly causing the deaths of others.
Caitlyn and Jake work together to save Maria and to put a halt to Hector and Carrera’s—Hector’s business partner in Guatemala—reign of terror. Carrera wants to use Maria’s heart to save his son Michael because she’s a match to Michael, which leads to other questions. Hector is trying to cover up the mass of dead bodies hidden in the jungle to save his own skin. And truths come out about Maria’s parents and their alleged business with BioRegen that leave her speechless. Could Hector be responsible for the murder of thousands of people? Will he ultimately be the cause of her death?
A great story that will have you turning the pages as quick as you can. It’s hard to put down and I recommend this one.
Reviewed by Starr Gardinier Reina, author of “The Other Side: Melinda’s Story” ( )

Maria, a college student; while cruising with friends gets the opportunity to participate in a dig in Guatemala with a well-known archeologist. When her parents don’t hear from her, FBI agent Caitlyn Tierney is asked to investigate. This leads her into the depths of the jungle and the world of human tissue harvesting.

Interesting concept and although part of a series, it stands well alone. Except that the beginning is slow and one could lose interest with the medical terms and such. But then the action picks up and the story moves well. But the characters could have been developed more and one can guess the outcome. Good read for a long plane ride or rainy day though. ( )