The Prayer of the Bone [Import] [Paperback]

Paul Bryers (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: New York, Bloombury Publishing,1999; New Ed edition (1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747543003
• ISBN-13: 978-0747543008
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 4.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent NewEngland Historical & Cultural Mystery!, September 13, 2004

By 

S. Henkels (Devon, Pa United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Prayer of the Bone (Paperback)

PRAYER OF THE BONE is a really fine, well done book with a lot more thoughtfulness than your average mystery. When the body of an anthropologist is found near the remote Maine coast, we're off to find the killer. Along the way, there are nice detours through local colonial and Indian history going back to the early 1600's,vanished old settlements and very old bones, some interesting locals, all in today's world of casinos and longtime family grudges. The writing here is near perfect, as we glide through this tale. My only complaint is that I figured out the killer early in the book, and the resolution did seem a little far fetched, but that's a minor comment in a most excellent mystery, far above most in this crowded field.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It was ok, but that the author isn't from around here showed, February 18, 2003

By 

elfkin4772 "elfkin4772" (NH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prayer of the Bone (Hardcover)

It was fairly interesting, and I liked it despite its portrayal of Maine (the state closest to here) being deep in the dark woods, buffeted by the harsh sea; Maine is actually fairly civilized, but you wouldn't know that if this book was your only window into the state. A lot of authors have oddly romanticized views of life in northern New England, so I guess if you have to forgive one, you have to forgive them all.

What's harder to overlook was the strange reference to one of the protagonists and a friend - both Maine natives- cooking grits over an open flame. Since it was presented in a matter of fact, people there do it every day, tone it makes me wonder if the London born author learned about the US from watching westerns.

Anyway, the story is about a murdered woman, her sister and daughter, and the state cop investigating it. It's also about bears, the Souriquois, and settlers who have been dead for 300 years. It didn't have as much to do with the supernatural as the book jacket would have you believe, but it was a solid story that integrates the varying themes quite well.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Prayer of the Bone-Almost, but not quite!, December 7, 1999

By 

"wingdalereader" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Prayer of the Bone (Hardcover)

The Prayer of the Bone has a similar feel to "Snow Falling on Cedars" and also to Tony Hillerman's books. It captures your interest and maintains it, but, regretably, fails on delivering the total suspense that it merely suggests instead. The potential for a truly outstanding book are all here. I wish that someone would have proofread this and given some comments for improving a brilliant idea and very interesting possibilities. The characterizations tend to be somewhat weak at times or become entangled in a plot that perhaps was a little too overly intricate on a superficial level and not truly used to engender a real sense of dread and terror. The historical information while essential and fascinating, tended to be handled too much like a lecture. There are other ways that it could have been presented. Calhoun never fully emerged as a substantial character and the musings of all the characters sometimes seemed in the wrong place at the wrong moment! Don't misinterpret- I really enjoyed this book and read it non stop- but it could have been a top entry in the class that "Snow Falling on Cedars" occupies. Close to the feel of Hillerman's books, it lacks a depth of knowledge about the Native spirit. Occasionally, a real "Britishism" sneaks in which is jarring when not thought by the English character! BUT, It is certainly worth the read! Actually, it would be one of my top choices in books I would like to rewrite!