The Bones Beneath My Skin

The sweetness of found family and the suspense of a secret government weapons project war for attention in this fun if somewhat clunky sci-fi thriller from bestseller Klune (The House in the Cerulean Sea). Journalist Nate Cartwright, 27, has nothing left to lose—no job, family, or friends—when he heads to his newly inherited Oregon cabin. Unfortunately, ex-Marine Alex Weir, 40, is already there, squatting on the property with a little girl calling herself Artemis Darth Vader. He takes Nate hostage, kicking off an uneasy domestic arrangement as Nate gradually bonds with them while remaining suspicious about why the pair is on the run. When Alex and Artemis’s pursuers close in and they’re forced to flee, Nate agrees to go with them. Along the way, the truth of who Artemis really is surpasses his wildest imaginings. Now the men work together to protect Artemis from government agents who will stop at nothing to capture her. Against this high-stakes backdrop, the men also, somewhat improbably, find time to begin a relationship. The plot and tone waver between emotional extremes throughout, which can feel jarring, but the three protagonists are easy to root for, and Klune sticks the landing with a surprisingly optimistic ending. It’s worth a look. (Feb.)