Customer Reviews

Bone Hunter (Em Hansen Mysteries)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

BOOKLIST, 8/99 The latest Em Hansen mystery is by far the best yet, combining genuine suspense and a tantalizing puzzle. Hansen, a forensic geologist (in her spare time she helps police solve crimes), has been invited to speak at a paleontology conference. But things go spectacularly wrong when her host, an eccentric dinosaur expert, is murdered, and Em seems to be the most likely suspect. Andrews makes the most of her paleontological background. She clearly knows her subject--she's a geologist by trade--and, unlike many crime writers, she does not use the surroundings merely as window dressing. The novel is, in addition to a fine mystery, a lively exploration of the high-stakes world of dinosaur research and a perceptive rumination on the debate between science and creationism. This could be Andrews "crossover" book: it will appeal not only to fans of the Hansen series but also to readers of such mainstream novels as Crichton's JURASSIC PARK. Readers of dinosaur-related nonfiction, too, should find the book a delight. (YA--there are multiple hooks for teens here, with dinosaurs leading the parade.)

PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY, 8/2/99 (Starred Review) BONE HUNTER Sarah Andrews. St. Martin's, (320 p) ISBN 0-312-20381-0 Science and detective work should go together naturally. After all, they're both about the pursuit of truth. But aside from medical thrillers, not many writers nowadays embark upon the scientific mystery. Of those who do, Andrews, whose novels feature forensic geologist Em Hansen, has become a leading light. The fifth entry in Andrews's series (after Only Flesh and Bones) rivets both as a crime story and as a discussion of the relationship between science and religion. Em is working as a petroleum geologist when George Dishey, a famous paleontologist, invites her to speak at a conference in Salt Lake City. Flattered, she accepts, although she knows little about his specialty: dinosaurs. Andrews provides absorbing discussions of creationism, fossil excavation and the scientific method. Her novel is a suspenseful mystery spiked with dinosaurs, science and religion: what more could readers ask for?

Having an interest in paleontology and geology, I was hoping for a mystery that would offer a plot set against a backdrop of scientists actually working in the field on a dinousaur/fossil dig puzzle of some sort. However, most of the emphasis in this book is placed on presenting painstaking details of characters' personal lives, backgrounds and thought processes in terms of how they approach their science scholastically. While the clashes among scientists, Mormons and Creationists were interesting, I kept longing for some real armchair-gripping suspense and action, which didn't make its appearance until the final two chapters of the book. The romance between Em and Ray was strained (not to mention strange) and, in the end, predictable. For me, this was a slow read; however, the story line does raise some provocative philosophical/religious questions and it was interesting to see them presented in a very creative way.

Internationally renowned paleontologist Dr. George Dishey invites Em Hansen to speak at the annual Society of Vertebrate Paleontology conference in Utah. Though not an expert on dinosaurs, Em accepts seeing this as a learning experience. Rather than reside at the Snowbird Resort where everyone else takes temporary lodging, Em stays at George's Salt Lake City home. However, her sojourn grimly ends when someone brutally murders her host and the police feel Em is the prime suspect.

Not one to sit idly back, Em begins to make her own inquiries. Only police officer Thomas Raymond reluctantly helps her because he finds himself attracted to the number one suspect. Em also likes Ray, but worries about their religious differences. As she digs deeper into the case, an unknown assailant threatens her life.

The fifth Em Hansen novel is a fabulous blending of science and sleuthing that readers will fully relish. The story line focuses on Em's investigation, but several subplots enrich the overall tale. Fans will find the science Vs religion debate very absorbing, entertaining, and educational. Em's enthusiasm for learning continues to hook the audience to want to gain knowledge even as readers enjoy a wonderful mystery. Sarah Andrews may be writing the best scientific mysteries this side of the medical thriller.

Harriet Klausner

If you like mysteries, pass this by because there's only a little suspense. Although the author tries hard to mislead you it's pretty clear early on who the villain is. Andrews waxes poetical about dinosaurs and rock strata, and personal approaches to religion and science, without bogging down the story-in fact that IS the story here. So if you like geological landscape, discussion of science and religion, spiritual quests, or Mormonism, this is an excellent book. It has some of the clearest direct writing on these topics I've ever seen.

Sarah Andrews takes her geologist sleuth, Em Hansen, in a new direction here. For the first time Em is dealing with biology (dinosaur bones), and must face questions of evolution. Em self-consciously struggles to articulate and resolve religion and her science, while falling in love with the handsome Mormon policeman who suspects her of murdering a notorious paleontologist at a conference in Utah. You have to wade through Em's usual spunky "attitude" and a string of sharply drawn "characters" (suspects) for a few chapters before finding the new Em. In a candid Author's Note Andrews explains the fascinating gestation of this book. It is an exploration of how a life in science differs from an ordinary, particularly religious, life.

This book is a cross between a cozy mystery with a romantic element and a way too tedious reflection on questions of faith mixed with A LOT of palentology lessons. I was a little embarassed for the main character Em, who seemed to have no sense of what sort of man was appropriate for her - first she though George was the man, then Ray, and she was briefly swayed by the strange character "Earthworm." Seemed pretty pitiful for a grown woman. Overall, I found that I cared very little for the characters, and about page 290, I was ready to stop reading, even though I was only 40 pages from the end. The exact person who had done the murder was still unknown to me, but I'd figured out the plot, and, unlike the police, I don't have to have every shred of evidence accounted for before I can finger the murderer. I did finish it, but I was speed reading toward the end.

I plowed through Bone Hunter in just a few days--uncommon for me. I made time to get to the end because I was so entirely fascinated by the story line, the characters, and the tidbits I was picking up about geology and paleontology. Andrews just seems to get better and better and her Em Hansen more and more interesting as a character. The supporting cast is excellent in this book and they are people you like and want to know about. I highly recommend it for an interesting read that assumes you know a little about a lot of things. Andrews never talks down to her readers but imparts lots of information through her narrative. Looking forward to the next one!

What the book really needed was editing -- about 30-40 pages needed to be taken out to tighten up the plotting and remove the long irrelevant discussions that bogged down the book. Maybe others will enjoy these discussions of religion vs. science, creationism vs. evolution, Mormons vs. agnostics, and maybe others will like to learn more about the geology of Utah, but I personally did not find that they held my attention. I found myself wanting the author to get back to the story again.

The plot of the mystery was pretty good, underneath the periodic lectures. Em Hansen, the geologist-detective, has been invited -- she thinks -- to speak at a conference of paleontologists being held in Salt Lake City. She will be staying with the paleontologist (George) who invited her (to save money), even though she's never actually met him. Not long after she arrives in town, however, George is found dead. Since the police have already found her trying to break into George's house (she locked herself out), she's their number one suspect at first. A good-looking Mormon policeman, Ray (who found her trying to break in), is given the task of babysitting her, and there's really chemistry between the two despite very different lifestyles and world views. Em realizes that she had better find the killer before he finds her and so that she can leave town and return to her job in Denver. Using her ability as a geologist, she is able to help the police...

With fewer digressions into creationism and geology, I would have liked the book better and given it four stars. I will continue reading Sarah Andrews' books -- she's talented and her detective Em is quite likeable and engaging.

Very predictable plot. The relationships between all the characters seemed forced. The issue of scientific inquiry and its relationship to religion was interesting, but as a mystery it was dull.