Carved in Bone: A Body Farm Novel (Body Farm Novels) [Hardcover]

Dr. Bill Bass (Author), Jon Jefferson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Body Farm Novels | Publication Date: January 24, 2006

On the campus of the University of Tennessee lies a patch of ground unlike any in the world. The "Body Farm" is a place where human corpses are left to the elements, and every manner of decay is fully explored -- for the sake of science and the cause of justice. The scientist who created the Body Farm has broken cold cases and revolutionized forensics, and now, in this heart-stopping novel, he spins an astonishing tale inspired by his own experiences.

A woman's corpse lies hidden in a cave in the mountains of East Tennessee. Undiscovered for thirty years, her body has been transformed by the cave's chemistry into a near-perfect mummy -- one that discloses an explosive secret to renowned anthropologist Bill Brockton. Dr. Brockton has spent his career surrounded by death and decay at the Body Farm, but even he is baffled by this case unfolding in a unique environment where nothing is quite what it seems.

The surreal setting is Cooke County, a remote mountain community that's clannish, insular, and distrustful of outsiders. The heartbreaking discovery of the young woman's corpse reopens old wounds and rekindles feuds dating back decades. The county's powerful and uncooperative sheriff and his inept deputy threaten to derail Brockton's investigation altogether. So do Brockton's other nemeses: his lingering guilt over the death of his wife, and the fury of a medical examiner whom Brockton dares to oppose in court.

Carved in Bone is a richly atmospheric, superbly suspenseful, and magnificently rendered trip into the world of forensic science, the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, and the dark passageways of the human psyche. Full of vivid characters and startling twists and turns, this thrilling novel heralds the debut of a major new voice in crime fiction -- and an unforgettable work from the hand of a scientific legend.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The pseudonymous Bass makes a successful first foray into fiction. The author is actually the writing team of Dr. Bill Bass, the forensic anthropologist who founded the legendary Body Farm (Tennessee's experimental laboratory devoted to the study of the way human corpses decompose), and Jon Jefferson, a journalist and filmmaker. Their new sleuth, Dr. Bill Brockton, is obviously based on Dr. Bass, sharing his first name, initials and his status as founder of the Body Farm. (The two coauthored Death's Acre, a nonfiction account of that macabre if scientifically valuable facility.) Still recovering from the emotional devastation of his wife's death, Dr. Brockton stumbles across a mummified female body, and his passion for the truth enmeshes him in a probe that verifies rumors of local corruption. His particular skills are vital to identifying the corpse as well as those who might have been motivated to kill the victim decades earlier. The pacing and action bode well for this crime series, though mystery fans who enjoy whodunits might hope that subsequent books pose more of a puzzle.
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Review

“Fantastic forensic detail and an engaging hero … an authoritative, compelling new voice to the forensic mystery.” (Jeff Abbott, USA Today bestselling author of PANIC )

“[A] knockout...full of rich and sometimes stomach-turning forensic detail.” (Lansing State Journal )

“Southern-fried forensics. Nothing too fancy, but it does taste good going down.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“[A] unique corpse, solid science, quirky humor and a lovable protagonist.” (USA Today )

“[F]ascinating...a delightful course in “how to examine a skeleton,” and the intrigues of the Tennessee moonshine backwoods!” (Michael M. Baden, M.D., author of Remains Silent and former Chief Medical Examiner, New York City )

“A superb mystery—well-plotted, filled with memorable characters, based on accurate forensic science.” (Houston Chronicle )

“CARVED IN BONE brims with terrific forensic detail...the real deal.” (Kathy Reichs, New York Times bestselling author )

“A gripping murder mystery.” (Emily A. Craig, Ph.D., Kentucky State Forensic Anthropologist and author of TEASING SECRETS FROM THE DEAD )

“Offers terrific forensic details and the science of solving cold cases. It is electrifying, provocative and full of surprises.” (Dr. Henry Lee, forensic criminologist and author of CRACKING CASES and HENRY LEE'S CRIME SCENE HANDBOOK )

“CARVED IN BONE introduces a captivating protagonist and is full of obscure, fascinating forensics. [A] fine new talent.” (Stephen White, New York Times bestselling author of MISSING PERSONS )

“Move over, Kathy Reichs. The Sherlock Holmes for bones has arrived.” (Katherine Ramsland, Author of The Forensic Science of C.S.I. )

“Percolates with wit, gentility, and scientific savoir-faire ... alive with verve and charm...engrossingly entertaining.” (James Starrs, Attorney and Author, A VOICE FOR THE DEAD )

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; First Edition edition (January 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006075981X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060759810
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #557,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jefferson Bass is the writing team of Dr. Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson. Together, they wrote Death's Acre, a nonfiction account of the Body Farm, before embarking on a forensic fiction writing career as Jefferson Bass. Their debut novel, Carved in Bone, reached no. 25 on The New York Times Best Seller list and was followed by a series of bestselling crime novels, as well as a second nonfiction title (Beyond the Body Farm). Their sixth and newest Body Farm novel is The Bone Yard.

Bios of Dr. Bill Bass & Jon Jefferson

Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Bill Bass is a legend in forensic circles. In 1980 Dr. Bass created the world's first laboratory devoted to human decomposition: the University of Tennessee's "Body Farm." Dr. Bass has written or coauthored more than 200 scientific publications, many of them based either on the research facility's work or on murders and other mysteries he's helped to prosecute or solve. During half a century in the classroom, Dr. Bass has taught tens of thousands of students, including many of the foremost forensic anthropologists practicing in the United States today. He's been featured on numerous network television news programs, as well as in documentaries for National Geographic and the BBC. CBS was not exaggerating when it called Dr. Bass "America 's top forensic scientist."

Jon Jefferson is a veteran journalist, science writer, and documentary filmmaker. His journalism credits include work for The New York Times, National Public Radio, Newsweek, and USA Today. Jefferson learned the art of combining scientific material with compelling human stories during a decade as a science writer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In the 1990s he began writing and producing documentaries for the History Channel and the Arts and Entertainment network, covering topics ranging from Vatican treasures to World War II fighter planes. An aviation buff, Jefferson owns and flies an experimental airplane. As a volunteer with a search-and-rescue team, Jefferson trained his Australian shepherd, Chief, to work as a cadaver dog.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outshines any early Scarpetta books, April 21, 2006

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ellen "ellen in atlanta" (Atlanta, Georgia USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Carved in Bone: A Body Farm Novel (Body Farm Novels) (Hardcover)

Patricia Cornwell made us aware of The Body Farm, and this book is dedicated to her. But Dr. Bill Blass, the person who created the real Body Farm in Tennessee, has written a wonderful book about the real deal. His hero, Dr. Bill Brockton, who I think is loosely based on Bass, is a brilliant forensic anthropologist professor who also teaches at University of Tennessee. A mummified body is found in a cave that begins the body of the book's plot, and it is a great ride. Brockton's friend Art helps him in the field work and his character is also sound and is a friend who you would like to watch your back on top of being a brilliant professional. We also meet several back woods characters that figure in and are also great.
This book sets itself up for sequels, and I cannot wait for the next - a digruntled ex-medical examiner is trying to get even after Brockton finds he botched an autopsy and there is unfinished business between them.
Fans of the Scarpetta books will not be upset at the descriptions of various states of body decomposition, autopsies, and other situations. Maybe someone who has not become familiar might. BUT this is a book to read and I almost finished it in 1 reading, so that tells you something. Excellent characters, sound plot, intruiging scenes put you in the book. Really wonderful.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars FEUDIN', FIGHTIN', AND FORENSIC DETAIL, January 27, 2006

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Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Carved in Bone: A Body Farm Novel (Body Farm Novels) (Hardcover)

Actually, the name of the site at the University of Tennessee is the Anthropology Research Facility, but it's known to the world as "Body Farm," a nickname chosen by a Tennessee FBI agent and made famous by Patricia Cornwell's popular crime novel. The facility, a three acre site devoted to postmortem-decay research, was founded some 25 years ago by Dr. Bill Bass, renowned for his expertise in forensic anthropology. Now, in addition to his studies and the assistance he gives to law enforcement officials, Dr. Bass has teamed with journalist/filmmaker Jon Jefferson to pen a novel so loaded with forensic detail that some may decide to sleep with the lights on.

This writing team wastes no time in snagging readers with a prologue detailing protagonist Bill Brockton's probing of a corpse with a hunting knife. After locating a space just behind the heart's lower chambers, "...I set the tip of the hunting knife there-it snagged in the soft flesh-then leaned in and began to push. It took more force than I'd expected......As my victim jerked and skidded from the force, a rib broke with the sound of a green tree branch splintering."

Definitely not a story for the squeamish or weak of heart. The graphic prologue is fair warning of descriptions to come as Brockton is called upon by Cooke County's sheriff Tom Kitchings to accompany him to a remote cave hidden in the Appalachian Mountains. This is a trip fraught with peril for Brockton as he suffers from vertigo and motion sickness. Nonetheless, his malaise is forgotten when he enters the cave and finds a mummified body on a rock ledge.

Of course, there are many questions: is it a male or female? How long has the body been there and how did he/she die? Those familiar with forensic science will find much in Brockton's descriptions of adipocere (grave wax) which, evidently, leaves a corpse resembling a wax museum figure. The body is returned to the Body Farm, and the research begins. It's a challenge that both intrigues and baffles Brockton as even with his wide experience he has never seen anything like this before.

Both affable and curious Brockton enjoys a challenge, but his investigation into this person's death is not all welcome among the residents of Appalachia, plus a jealous medical examiner throws roadblocks at every turn. In addition, Sheriff Kitchings, the all-powerful, chooses not to cooperate. Eventually, we learn of a long ago but not forgotten feud among the mountain people, but what really sets the narrative apart is copious forensic detail. Fans of this genre of crime fiction won't want to miss a word; others may shiver and shudder a bit.

- Gail Cooke

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A well-plotted and enjoyable mystery perfect for fans of forensic crime drama, February 16, 2006

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Bookreporter (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carved in Bone: A Body Farm Novel (Body Farm Novels) (Hardcover)

Did you read and love DEATH'S ACRE, the nonfiction account of the forensic anthropology research center known as the Body Farm? Are you a diehard "CSI" fan? If you can't get enough forensic crime drama but want the realism of nonfiction, then I have the book for you.

Dr. Bill Bass, the brains behind the real life Body Farm and a celebrity in the world of forensic anthropology, has teamed up again with his DEATH'S ACRE writing partner, Jon Jefferson. As Jefferson Bass they have written CARVED IN BONE, the first in what may be a series featuring Dr. Bill Brockton (a very, very thinly veiled Bill Bass).

In CARVED IN BONE we follow Dr. Brockton from his basement offices under the stadium at the University of Tennessee out into the wild Tennessee hills as he works with law enforcement, and even those on the other side of the law, to solve a case involving a mummy found in a cave.

The remains of a pregnant female were left in a cave many years ago and naturally mummified. Recently discovered, the mummy is brought to Dr. Brockton and he and his team begin trying to identify the body. It soon becomes clear that the death of this young woman and the discovery of her body (not to mention the evidence of her pregnancy) will be traumatic for the small Cooke County community where she had lived. Once she is identified, her former boyfriend, as well as the relatives who had taken her in over thirty years ago, all become involved in the case. The case is complicated by the interest of both local and federal officials and by dark family secrets, but with the help of colleagues and students Dr. Brockton acts as the voice of the young woman murdered decades ago and hopes to bring her killer to justice.

The forensic details are the heart of this novel. The science is fascinating and written in a way easy for readers to understand, even for those not familiar with things like adipocere, zygomatic arches and gracile skulls. The chapters are short and the action moves quickly. The "Jefferson Bass" writing team has even thrown in some sexual tension to spice up the clinical (for lack of a better term) aspects of the story. The good guys and bad guys are pretty obvious, and the outcome and resolution of the plot is not quite unpredictable, but for a first foray into fiction Jefferson Bass gets a lot right.

If you have read DEATH'S ACRE lately, much of CARVED IN BONE will be very familiar. The voice of Bill Bass, the research he does, the atmosphere he works in, and even many of his explanations and jokes are the same --- only here they belong to Dr. Brockton. So much will seem like a re-read, but the actual case and the drama itself is fresh.

This is a well-plotted mystery with plenty of highbrow gore. It is an enjoyable, not to mention educational, read. The forensic accuracy and attention to detail are much appreciated, and Dr. Bill Brockton is a likable character. Although the pace is not always consistent and the tale is a bit repetitious in parts, CARVED IN BONE remains high on my recommendation list.

--- Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman