Island of Bones [Large Print] [Hardcover]

P. J. Parrish (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 10, 2004

A New York Times Bestselling Author

In the wake of a hurricane, a tiny bleached skull washes up in front of Detective Louis Kincaid's cottage. Days later, the bullet-ridden body of a woman surfaces on a nearby beach. She has no identification. . . except for a unique ring on her finger, carved out of bone. Sensing a connection between the dead woman and the skull he's found, Louis starts investigating.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Set in the late 1980s, the newest addition to Parrish's Louis Kincaid mystery series (Thicker Than Water) lures readers in from the outset when a young woman's bullet-ridden corpse is found tangled in mangrove roots on Florida's beautiful, tropical seacoast. Kincaid, a former cop turned private investigator, is hired by a woman who fears that her father, Frank Woods, a middle-aged, nondescript librarian with murky connections to several missing women dating back as far as 35 years, may be the killer. Although all signs point to Woods's guilt, his confession and apparent suicide never sit well with Kincaid. He reluctantly teams up with Mel Landeta, a gruff but ultimately likable local police officer who's losing his eyesight, and they return to the last place Woods visited-the Island of Bones. The tension builds to a near palpable level as the pair uncover secrets that are as dark and warped as the primal landscape Parrish vividly describes. World-weary, contemplative Landeta is the perfect foil for Kincaid, a true man of action. Their camaraderie and unspoken understanding, combined with Parrish's crisp dialogue and skill at stringing out the suspense, are what make this carefully constructed mystery so absorbing.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–After a hurricane whips into Florida, Private Investigator Louis Kincaid finds a baby's skull on the debris-filled beach. Deeply disturbed by his discovery, he begins research into identifying the child. He is also hired by a local woman to watch her father, whose behavior has been peculiar, and the police force has already taken Kincaid on to help solve a murder. Eventually, the plots converge, and the ending has surprises right up to the last page. Although the fifth in the series, this novel stands on its own. Set in the islands west of Fort Myers, it brings the heat, humidity, and insect life of the sand-and-shell environment to life. Although it deals with events dating to the early days of the Spanish settlement of Florida, the story takes place in 1987. Kincaid continues his efforts at self-definition even as he buries himself in his work. A complex person–young, African American, bright, and good at his job–he is haunted by an event in his past. Mel Landeta, his police partner, is experienced, white, and losing his eyesight. He provides the expertise Kincaid needs to refine his investigating skills, and, after much bickering, they become a working team. Full of twists, turns, and mangrove swamps, the mystery offers readers all sorts of incentives to keep the pages turning.–Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 630 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; 1 edition (June 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786265124
• ISBN-13: 978-0786265121
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,863,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

P.J. Parrish is actually two sisters, Kristy Montee and Kelly Nichols. Their books have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today best seller lists. The series has garnered 11 major crime-fiction awards, and an Edgar® nomination. Parrish has won two Shamus awards, one Anthony and one International Thriller competition. Her books have been published throughout Europe and Asia. Parrish's short stories have also appeared in many anthologies, including two published by Mystery Writers of America, edited by Harlan Coben and the late Stuart Kaminsky. Their stories have also appeared in Akashic Books acclaimed Detroit Noir, and in Ellery Queen Magazine. Most recently, they contributed an essay to a special edition of Edgar Allan Poe's works edited by Michael Connelly.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended!, January 11, 2004

By 

nobizinfla "nobizinfla" (Windermere, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Island of Bones (Louis Kincaid Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

While there is plenty of mystery, page-turning suspense and all the thriller aspects---more than anything, P.J. Parrish's "Island of Bones" is a marvelously intriguing tale peopled with powerfully motivated characters.

A hurricane deposits a baby's scull at PI, Louis Kincaid's beach bungalow. Days later, a woman's body washes up nearby. Are these two related to the disappearances of seven young women from the area over a thirty-five year period?

Ft. Myers Police Chief Al Horton feels Louis can be useful on the high profile case by "baby-sitting" his Chief of Detectives (Mel Landeta), who appears to be a serious burnout case.

Louis's client fears her father (librarian Frank Woods) is somehow involved with the missing women. Newspaper clippings she finds in his possession and his flight appear to confirm her worries. Is he a serial killer, where are the bodies and where is Frank?

Adroitly plotted, richly textured, a strong sense of place and smartly written, "Island of Bones" seizes the reader and keeps you immersed.

The ending is a shocker as the past melds into the present. The journey is irresistible, compelling and rings true.

Louis is a resourceful, self-reliant, persuasive lead character. As he doggedly follows the trail and clues, he learns not everyone is what they appear to be and surprising allegiances are formed.

"This place is built on skeletons, young man. Millions of humans, millions of sea animals, dead and gone. Florida is just one long island of bones."

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book of the Year!, December 27, 2003

By 

Brenda (Farmington Hills, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Island of Bones (Louis Kincaid Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

I have had the pleasure of reading this book before it was available and I was blown away. From page one this book grabs you and will not let you go until the final page. The opening scene of a young woman fleeing an unknown but utterly terrifying pursuer gave me chills. I actually felt her fear and when she was shot, heard the bullet, saw her stumble and felt the rain as it dripped off her lifeless body. It just gets better from there. I actually hated the new boy on the block, Mel Landata, when he was introduced to Louis. What a pompous, self-involved idiot! Definitely hoped he would meet a very messy end. Boy was I wrong! After finding out what makes Mel tick, he became one of my favorites. Perfectly suited to be a close friend of Louis.

The perilous journey to discover who the victim was brings to light numerous similiar incidents of young women who disappear -- where they are found and their ultimate condition is both a shock and a surprise. The plotting and character development is superb. The red herrings and subterfuge so convincingly laid out you don't see the trap until it's sprang. Nobody is who you think they are -- the real evil is hidden from sight until the final and explosive end.

If I could give this book more then 5 stars I would. I can not recommend this book more highly nor state with more passion my belief it is a MUST for any fan of mystery/suspense novels. Keep them coming PJ! Journeys with Kincaid are always an exciting ride.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read, March 12, 2006

By 

C. Drakulic "smce15" (Monroeville, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Island of Bones (Louis Kincaid Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the second book I have read by this author..It's definitely a must read! Louis Kincaid reminds me of James Patterson's character, Alex Cross..When you read the description on the back of a P.J.Parrish book, you think " this sounds really good", but after reading the book it's way better than how you thought could even be. All of the characters are richly detailed and so are the story lines, they keep you reading to find out more. When you think you have figured it out, think again! Parrish is defintely a new author on my favorites list.. Check this book out, and also Unquiet Graves..You won't be disappointed!!