Burnt Bones [Paperback]

Michael Slade (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

With over two million copies in print, the bestselling author of Headhunter presents his most terrifying, and twisted, villain ever. Meet Mephisto...

He buries his victim alive, just for the fun of it. No real harm...yet. He's waiting for the two detectives who are on his trail. Waiting for the real fun to begin...

"Top-Drawer Suspense."--Booklist

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A cross-border investigation brings together Canadian Mountie Robert DeClerq and American detective Jenna Bond. They're searching for a madman calling himself Mephisto who has abducted and tortured two men in his search for an ancient treasure--a silver Druid medallion that is reported to reveal the secrets of Stonehenge. Mephisto lives on a remote island between Seattle and Vancouver with his sexy consort, Donella Grant, and three henchmen, known as the Druids, who rape, torture, kidnap and murder for Mephisto. Impatient with searching for the treasure by himself, Mephisto lures DeClerq and Bond into the hunt by kidnapping Nick Craven, a fellow Mountie and close friend of DeClerq. Slade (Primal Scream) intersperses the contemporary thriller with accounts of Roman gladiators, battles between Picts and Romans in ancient Britain and clan fighting in 17th-century Scotland to trace the history of the medallion. Overly didactic asides often interrupt the flow of the narrative--everything from the story of the Mounted Police to the history of doo-wop music is covered. The graphic descriptions of rape and torture will turn many stomachs, and the plot is more gruesome than scary or suspenseful. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Signet (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451199693
• ISBN-13: 978-0451199690
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #425,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A compelling thriller with a vicious villain, March 1, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Burnt Bones (Paperback)

Even as a child he accompanied his father on trips that enabled him to see many of the wonders that spice up the mundane world. He has been to Stonehenge, Salisbury, and other centers of power throughout the British Isles. He believed his father when he was told residents of Atlantis who had colonized much of their current world built these monuments. He also listened to his father who told him about the Hoard, a key that opens up the secrets that the Ancient Ones built into these artifacts. When they reach Hadrian's Wall, the boy learns finds out that the Hoard is the silver skull of a Roman soldier with a Druid medallion inside his forehead.

The boy grew into a ruthless cruel psychopath named Mephisto. His only desire is to find the Hoard in order to uncover the secrets of the Ancients. Mephisto has traced the Hoard to the Campbell clan living on San Juan Island. He abducts the members and tortures them in order to reveal their information. Though that plan fails, the clever Mephisto continues his onslaught by obtaining, through a diabolical and deadly plan, the services of the Canadian and American police forces.

Michael Slade has written an exciting, enthralling, and eerie chiller that is not for the faint of heart since it contains graphic violence. Readers who liked Harris' Silence of the Lambs will enjoy this work. The fast-paced story line is filled with descriptive details and complex heroes and villains. BURNT BONES is a complicated thriller that provides insight into Scottish and Roman history, a situation that though rare for this sub-genre, triumphantly works.

Harriet Klausner

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Slade delivers another unique reading experience., April 9, 2000

By 

P. Legerski (Corona, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Burnt Bones (Paperback)

I don't understand buying books by an author knowing it is gonna be rich in historical background. The readers who say it's bogged down apparently haven't read his other books...they are all like this. This one is great becuse of the historical teachings of Roman, Druidism, Stonehenge and Celtic myths and legends. To be able to tie that aincient history into what is going on in the present is a talent most can't pull off...but Slade does. It's got gore but more importantly the characters are real, the situations are realistic and the conclusion reached, while not 100% completed, makes sense. Slade's Special X series is one of the best out there. I mean, you ever hear of the new science called geoprofiling? I hadn't but now will be looking to study up on it. If yu like serial killer books with an intelligent twist, Slade is for you. I recommend reading all the other Slade books first to understand, more fully, the history of the Specail X division and its players. You can, however, read this book asd a stand alone and not miss anything too integral. A great novel and I look forward to the next one.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Burnt Bones... A leaner, more detailed Slade, March 10, 2000

By 

Kevin J. Giltrud - See all my reviews

This review is from: Burnt Bones (Paperback)

If you are a fan of Michael Slade and his expertise in procedurals and the macabre, you will enjoy 'Burnt Bones'. Much more streamlined in characters, Slade's latest outing focuses on Robert DeClerq and is almost void of the Special X jargon, claustrophobia, and cadre of Constables and Forensic Technicians who have developed, fleshed out and grown over the years. 'Burnt Bones' is a much straighter line story steeped with Druidic history that gives many insights into the mind of a spectacularly evil villain named Mephisto. Plus a femme fatale who could give Linda Fiorentino; in her most wicked B-movie best, a run for her money. 'Burnt Bones' has the feel of a transitional story, as well. With DeClerq still in charge, but moving to the background and his charge, Katt donning the scarlet serge and moving up the ranks. That remains to be seen. Though not as gripping, grisly, and obliquely humorous as 'Ghoul' or 'Headhunter' Slade's best in this reader's humble opinion. 'Burnt Bones' will keep you up late at night turning pages.