Where the Bones Lie : A Novel

Centred around the small California town of San Douglas, Where the Bones Lie is an electrifying new mystery noir novel, perfect for fans of Jordan Harper.

“WHERE THE BONES LIE is a road trip into California’s gleaming, seething underbelly. Movie stars, mobsters, wildfires—buckle up and hold on for a heady ride.”
– Meg Gardiner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“WHERE THE BONES LIE isn’t just Nick Kolakowski’s strongest novel yet, it’s a helluva page-turner, loaded with sinister humor, a twisty plot, and the kind of complicated characters readers deserve. Don’t miss this one.”
– Alex Segura, author of Secret Identity and Alter Ego

“Nick Kolakowski is a noir voice for the 21st century.”
– Steven Powell, Edgar-winning author of Love Me Fierce in Danger: The Life of James Ellroy

“Nick Kolakowski’s WHERE THE BONES LIE starts off in fifth gear and never slows down. This is the best detective novel I’ve read in years.”
– Steve Weddle, author of The County Line


For Dash Fuller, Hollywood’s underbelly is home. He’s spent years making the film industry’s worst secrets disappear, and it’s left him a cynical burnout with a taste for bourbon and self-loathing.

But when a young woman comes to him with a peculiar quest, Dash sees a chance at redemption. Madeline Ironwood is the daughter of Ken Ironwood, a notorious smuggler and murderer who disappeared 20 years ago. Ken’s skeleton has just been discovered in a barrel at the bottom of a dried-up lake, and Madeline wants to know who killed him.

Dash agrees to help, and as this desperate daughter and jaded cynic claw their way through a world of sun-bleached secrets, crooked cops, and Hollywood thugs, they soon uncover a conspiracy involving some of LA’s most powerful people.

Get ready for a fast-paced, darkly funny thriller with a twist you won’t see coming.