Bones [Paperback]

Jan Burke (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster, New York, NY, U.S.A.; Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) edition (1999)
• ASIN: B000H8AYJC
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,625,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm the author of crime fiction novels and short stories. You can find out more about my writing on my Web site.

I'm also the founder of The Crime Lab Project, which works to increase awareness of the problems facing public forensic science labs in the U.S.

I live in Southern California with my husband, Tim, and our two dogs, Cappy (in the photo above) and Britches.

I want my epitaph to read, "Had a great time, thanks for inviting me." I hope not to be in need of that any time soon.

Oh yeah -- I'm a lifelong night owl. As another night owl once said, don't go to bed on the same day you've awakened.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bones by Jan Burke, June 21, 2000

By 

Ms. Nancy F. Jones (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bones: An Irene Kelly Mystery (Hardcover)

I just recently discovered the Irene Kelly series, and am quickly becoming one of Jan Burke's devoted fans. This book is a suspense filled, spine-tingling read. Just don't read it late at night when you're home alone. Ms. Burke has created a memorable, charismatic serial killer in Nick Parrish, who is as devoted to his work as Hannibal Lecter. Irene Kelly becomes the focus of his attentions after he engineers a horrific escape from his captors in a scene of unbelievable carnage. Kelly is a reporter married to a cop, which causes many complications in her life. She's a remarkably likable, well rounded protagonist who has a strong marriage, good friends and lovable pets. Burke's portrayal of the cadaver locating dog, Bingle, is worth the price of the book. She's a fine writer who has created believable characters and has made me care about them.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, If you Like This Kind of Book, January 25, 2004

By 

Born to Read (East Coast) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bones (Paperback)

I have read the whole series and watched Ms. Burke's writing become stronger and more enticing. This one was almost a bit too much for me. People have said cruel things such as the only interesting character is a dog, too many characters, killer not developed, etc. I can't agree with any of that. This book is superb. Complex, compassionate, interesting, surprising, capitivating. I wanted to put it down because it was making me scared. This killer became too real and she went too far into his personality for my comfort, but the book was so good I couldn't stop. Yes, something startling happens in the beginning of the book, and I wonder what would happen next because there was so much book left. Burke gives us our money's worth to the VERY END, and it's a long book. My only complaint, is that she brought me a little too close to the motivations and pleasures of the killer for my comfort. Where did she learn to do that? Too much information for my enjoyment, but it's a talent I have to admire. I fear now she won't be able to go back. All of the books will be this scary. Yes, it did seem odd that Jan Burke would create such a perfect killer and then work the night shift in a dark, deserted building, but her Irene Kelly is an independent cuss. She deserves a break of good luck in the next book. My favorite one of the series was HOCUS. Burke matured from the earlier books, developed her characters, and her story line, and didn't scare the BEJESUS out of the reader the way she did with BONES. I hope she'll go back to the intelligent book that's not so scary. This killer really gets it though. Perfect punishment. Perfect book. Too perfect. :) I'm still scared.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Good, Make No Bones About It, June 1, 2000

By 

Tim Smith - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bones: An Irene Kelly Mystery (Hardcover)

Irene Kelly, newspaper reporter, is invited on a search for the mountain grave of a woman killed by convicted sadist Nick Parrish. Surprising and unexpected events leads Kelly down a road of psychological torment and self doubt. She experiences survivor guilt and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress as she attempts to heal herself and avoid being found by Parrish and victimized in a more brutal and tortuous way. The story actually had two seperate climaxes both of which were realistic. There was enough well-modulated suspense to move the story at a brisk pace. The ending was a surprise but at the same time believable. The value of reading the book reviews of editors and the readers' comments at the Amazon website has once again been fruitful. Having seen titles by Jan Burke but never having read one of her books I decided to after seeing all the 5's put up by the readers. I can now add my 5 to the rest. In fact, this story was good enough to pique my interest and persuades me to read another Irene Kelly Mystery.