Title:
Bad Bones (Red Eye)
Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781847154545
Overview:
Bad Bones (Red Eye) drops readers into a taut, high-stakes YA thriller set on the sun-scorched edges of Los Angeles. Gabe is navigating a double blow: his familys money troubles are squeezing the household, and the distance between him and his father has grown so wide that quiet, private space feels like a lifeline. To escape the pressure, he heads into the hills that ring the city, seeking clarity away from adults and obligations. There, a grim discovery changes everything: a shallow grave and, buried with it, a gold bracelet that gleams with possibility and danger. Gabe pockets the bracelet, chasing a sense of relief or reward, yet the act seems to awaken something ominousskeletal hands, a presence from the past, and consequences that wont stay buried. The story unfolds with lean, cinematic pacing, pulling the reader into Gabes struggle between impulse and responsibility. Its a compact, gripping meditation on choice, risk, and the price of secrets, all told with a sharp YA voice that mirrors the heat and grit of its landscape.
What Makes This Book Stand Out:
Bad Bones stands out in the YA thriller shelf for its spare, effective setup and a prowling sense of danger that never feels gratuitous. The premisea teen discovers a hidden grave and cant resist the lure of a mysterious braceletleans into universal tensions: the lure of quick wealth, the pull of risky curiosity, and the fallout when family strain meets mortal consequences. The LA hillside setting isnt mere backdrop; it becomes a tense, almost claustrophobic stage where every rustle in the brush or distant sound feels like a threat. Graham Marks channels a compact, direct prose style that keeps chapters short and stakes high, making it ideal for reluctant readers who crave momentum and authentic teen voice, while offering enough mood and mystery to satisfy seasoned mystery fans.
Who This Book Is Perfect For:
This book is ideal for YA readers who enjoy suspenseful, tightly wound mysteries with a comingofage pulse. It will appeal to fans of crime thrillers that focus on character and consequence as much as plot. Perfect for teens who like a brisk, cinematic read with a strong sense of place, as well as gift buyers seeking a tense, standalone title thats accessible and engaging. Teachers and parents looking for a fast, conversation-provoking novel about guilt, decision-making, and resilience will also find it a strong addition to classroom or home reading lists.
Key Highlights:
- Gripping, fast-paced YA thriller with a high-stakes premise
- Vivid, sun-drenched LA hillside setting that doubles as mood and tension
- Relatable teen protagonist facing family pressures and risky choices
- Propulsive plotting that rewards close reading and theory-testing
- Clear, economical prose that keeps momentum without sacrificing atmosphere
- Standalone story with a complete, satisfying arc
About the Author:
Graham Marks has spent his whole career in childrens publishing, firstly as a Creative Director and latterly as a journalist and award-winning author. His first published work was a book of poetry, which came out while he was studying Graphics at Harrow School of Art. He has also worked for Marvel Comics writing scripts and in advertising as a copywriter.
Why Youll Love This Book:
Bad Bones delivers a crisp, immersive reading experience that rewards attention and patience in equal measure. It blends a tense mystery with a heartfelt, recognisable portrait of a teen grappling with money worries, family tension, and the moral weight of choices. If you crave suspense that feels earned rather than manufactured, with a setting that crackles with heat and danger, this is the book for you. Its a compact, highly satisfying read that can be devoured in a weekend and easily revisited for discussion or bookclub talk.
Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.
