Customer Reviews

Make No Bones

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

 

 

I adore mysteries where a man has to figure out what happened with his head rather than his fists. Elkins is a remarkably talented and intelligent individual, and his books about the "Skeleton Dectetive" are charming and fascinating. A lot like how Sherlock Holmes or a Magician, Oliver seems able to pull amazing facts off of skeletons - and even after he explains how it's done, it's still pretty amazing. With Gideon, John, and Julie - who have become some of my favorite characters - there's more of the action for everyone. An Elkins mystery is always perfect for a rainy day.

Gideon Oliver's wife Julie takes a more active role in this story set mostly in rural Oregon. The story has elements of a good Elkins book with another lesson in forensic anthropology. At times it is very funny and in spots is quite morbid. Although the proposed motive for the killings is unconvincing, Julie's enhanced role makes the reading worthwhile.

This novel is one of the most entertaining novels I have ever read. It keeps you guessing until the last page. Some knowledge in forensic anthropology is helpful but not necessary. Well-written, characters are very well-done. The setting adds to the excitement. Great book

I've had enough of Julie for awhile. Oh she solves it again, isn't she wonderful!? Not. And oh he loves her so much, isn't that wonderful?! Not. She so much smarter somehow than her highly-educated anthropologist husband and his experienced FBI agent friend?! Not.

This Gideon Oliver mystery installment was wonderful in its idea of an anthropologists' convention, and that the anthropologists would have such vast knowledge, and such. And the bones turning out to be whose they were was a great treat too.

But overall where was the mystery? There was no satisfaction as to the motive, no satisfaction for the reader as to the old murders themselves. The book just sort of ends quickly wrapping it all up in this lame excuse of a motive. This was probably my least favorite Aaron Elkins yet.

A country western setting with real cowboys and hay wagon rides reveal the truth behind an identified burned body in a fiery bus crash, but who is the unearthed skeleton? As always, Gideon Oliver is up to his elbows in another mystery that only he can unravel with the assistance of his beautiful wife, Julie, and his best FBI friend, John Lau.

After, the plot took shape, it was exciting and thrilling. There were interesting facts and good anthropological references.

Crappy mystery novel about a forensic anthropologist convention. Very poorly written. Uninteresting plot, not well constructed, full of characters that never felt real or were cared about. Completely not worth the time I put into it. One or two interesting points, and the fact that it wasn't actually offensive, are all that save this book from being awarded the lowest grade. Must remind myself not to spend time with books like this in the future.