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Gideon Oliver #11
Good Blood
What was supposed to be an Italian vacation for forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver and his wife turns into a busman's holiday when their hosts' only child goes missing--and nearby construction workers unearth human bones. The family awaits Oliver's conclusions with both dread and cautious hope. But along the way, he'll expose some extraordinary deceptions that lay bare the long-hidden secrets at the dark heart of a highborn family.
316 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2004
97 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Aaron Elkins
55 books338 followersAaron J. Elkins, AKA Aaron Elkins (born Brooklyn July 24, 1935) is an American mystery writer. He is best known for his series of novels featuring forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver—the 'skeleton detective'. The fourth Oliver book, Old Bones, received the 1988 Edgar Award for Best Novel. As Oliver is a world-renowned authority, he travels around the world and each book is set in a different and often exotic locale.
In another series, the protagonist is museum curator Chris Norgren, an expert in Northern Renaissance art.
One of his stand-alone thrillers, Loot deals with art stolen by the Nazis and introduces protagonist Dr. Benjamin Revere.
With his wife, Charlotte Elkins, he has also co-written a series of golf mysteries about LPGA member Lee Ofsted. They shared an Agatha Award for their short story "Nice Gorilla".
Aaron and Charlotte live on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.
Japanese: アーロン エルキンズ
Series:
* Lee Ofsted (with Charlotte Elkins)
Series contributed to:
* Malice Domestic
In another series, the protagonist is museum curator Chris Norgren, an expert in Northern Renaissance art.
One of his stand-alone thrillers, Loot deals with art stolen by the Nazis and introduces protagonist Dr. Benjamin Revere.
With his wife, Charlotte Elkins, he has also co-written a series of golf mysteries about LPGA member Lee Ofsted. They shared an Agatha Award for their short story "Nice Gorilla".
Aaron and Charlotte live on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.
Japanese: アーロン エルキンズ
Series:
* Lee Ofsted (with Charlotte Elkins)
Series contributed to:
* Malice Domestic
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 15, 2020
I have not been reading these books in order and just very recently read another of his centered in Italy, but in Florence. This Italian holiday is centered in Stresa, a resort town on a lake where I have never been. There is some unusual family history that starts the tale, foreshadowing the action Gideon and Julie will arrive in time to observe and help unwind for their friend.
It's something of an Italian soap opera with plenty of action including a kidnapping, and I really did not enjoy this book as much as the others from the series I have been devouring recently.
Loan from Friend (thank you!)
It's something of an Italian soap opera with plenty of action including a kidnapping, and I really did not enjoy this book as much as the others from the series I have been devouring recently.
Loan from Friend (thank you!)
April 30, 2024
In Italy, Gideon and Julie are relaxing and helping out their friend Phil who is a travel writer and tour guide for On the Cheap tours. Phil is mixing business with pleasure, taking the opportunity to visit with his family, the de Grazia family. They arrive at a critical time. The youngest de Grazia has been kidnapped. While trying to resolve the kidnapping, the de Grazia's construction firm discovers a set of old bones and Gideon is tasked with figuring out who it was and how he/she died. It all gets very complicated before Gideon is able to figure out exactly what happened. The local policeman in charge is an interesting character and after getting over his distrust of Gideon, they worked together perfectly.
Another fun visit with the Skeleton Detective.
Another fun visit with the Skeleton Detective.
April 25, 2019
"Gideon Oliver, renowned professor of forensic anthropology, prefers old bones to new. But his brilliance, vital to forensic police forces the world over, has made him known as the Skeleton Detective.
"It was supposed to be a much needed Italian holiday from grueling academia for Gideon Oliver. True, his wife, Julie, is there to help their friend Phil run a guided tour, but Gideon himself is looking forward to a few days R and R. So when Phil invites the couple to his wealthy family's idyllic island in Lake Maggiore, the Olivers accept with enthusiasm. But the breathtaking view and sumptuous food come at a price.
"The family padrone's only child, Achille, has been kidnapped. Soon after, nearby construction workers unearth some bones, which Colonel Caravale of the local carabinieri calls on Gideon to identify. Chilled by the thought that the bones might be Achille's, the family anticipates the result with a mixture of dread and cautious hope. Accepting the task is the only gracious thing to do and, besides, Gideon finds that being on his own while Julie is working is less than satisfying. So he sets out to identify the bones -- and along the way, exposes some extraordinary deceptions that lay bare the malignant, long-hidden secrets at the dark heart of a highborn family."
~~front flap
Again, a wonderful plot with a surprise ending, complete with lovely assorted characters and lots of skullduggery. As usual, Mr. Elkins limns the enchanting landscape and the stately old buildings with affection and accuracy, describes the many meals of Italian gastronomy and gives the many characters a depth of detail that allows the reader to feel as though they're there ... an unnoticed spectator as everything unfolds. What's not to like?
"It was supposed to be a much needed Italian holiday from grueling academia for Gideon Oliver. True, his wife, Julie, is there to help their friend Phil run a guided tour, but Gideon himself is looking forward to a few days R and R. So when Phil invites the couple to his wealthy family's idyllic island in Lake Maggiore, the Olivers accept with enthusiasm. But the breathtaking view and sumptuous food come at a price.
"The family padrone's only child, Achille, has been kidnapped. Soon after, nearby construction workers unearth some bones, which Colonel Caravale of the local carabinieri calls on Gideon to identify. Chilled by the thought that the bones might be Achille's, the family anticipates the result with a mixture of dread and cautious hope. Accepting the task is the only gracious thing to do and, besides, Gideon finds that being on his own while Julie is working is less than satisfying. So he sets out to identify the bones -- and along the way, exposes some extraordinary deceptions that lay bare the malignant, long-hidden secrets at the dark heart of a highborn family."
~~front flap
Again, a wonderful plot with a surprise ending, complete with lovely assorted characters and lots of skullduggery. As usual, Mr. Elkins limns the enchanting landscape and the stately old buildings with affection and accuracy, describes the many meals of Italian gastronomy and gives the many characters a depth of detail that allows the reader to feel as though they're there ... an unnoticed spectator as everything unfolds. What's not to like?
October 13, 2020
By far the weakest Gideon Oliver book I have read. (I generally enjoy the series!)
The characters were somehow both extremely disagreeable and extraordinarily dull. To the end I had no idea which ineffectual-but-luckily-rich brother/sister/stepsister/husband/wife was which at any given point in time and had no desire to learn. The police detective followed what I now recognize is a bit of an Elkins blueprint — bureaucratic, "official", a little long in the tooth, easily offended, but ultimately a good person who comes around.
The mystery wasn't much of one at all. (No actual spoilers follow, but if you want to go in blind, don't read.)
The characters were somehow both extremely disagreeable and extraordinarily dull. To the end I had no idea which ineffectual-but-luckily-rich brother/sister/stepsister/husband/wife was which at any given point in time and had no desire to learn. The police detective followed what I now recognize is a bit of an Elkins blueprint — bureaucratic, "official", a little long in the tooth, easily offended, but ultimately a good person who comes around.
The mystery wasn't much of one at all. (No actual spoilers follow, but if you want to go in blind, don't read.)
June 19, 2021
This almost seemed like two different books., like the author had two ideas but neither was long enough to make a full book so he mashed them together. There was the plot about the boy being kidnapped and the plot about the man being killed but they didn't seem to have much to do with each other, other than the guilty party. Since they dealt with the kidnapping plot first, and it had little to do with Gideon, he wasn't really present in the first third of the book. Since the main reason I read this series is because I'm interested in forensic anthropology I had to really push to keep reading.
March 29, 2020
On a trip to Italy with their friend Phil, Gideon and Julie are surprised to learn that Phil is a member of a noble Italian family — and his given name is actually Filiberto. And then his family is suddenly enmeshed in mysteries, when first his teen-age nephew is kidnapped, and then a skeleton is found on property owned by a family company. Naturally Gideon is enlisted to examine the skeleton, and becomes involved in the convoluted case. Very fast paced and hard to put down. Highly recommended.
August 24, 2018
This was an OK book. I didn’t like it as much as the other books in the Gideon Oliver series. I guess that’s because this one was a lot about weird Italian family situations and not so much about solving a crime with the bones. The story was mildly amusing but somewhat boring in spots. Another factor might be that I had to read this book in spurts and that I think takes away from the enjoyment of a novel.
April 30, 2019
Gideon and Julie are vacationing in Italy as part of a group led by their good friend Phil. Before the group assembles, Phil takes Gideon and Julie to meet family. Bad timing, as the son of the patrone has been kidnapped. Then bones turn up on land being developed by the family's construction company, and Gideon is asked to lend his expertise to identifying the skeleton and pinpointing the means of murder.
July 3, 2023
It had been a few years since I binge-read several of Aaron Elkins’ mysteries featuring Gideon Oliver, the “skeleton detective.” Recently, I came upon a copy of another of the books about the professor of forensic anthropology. It takes a while for a victim’s old bones to turn up in Good Blood, after a present-day crime occurs. I struggled and had to take notes to keep the members of an Italian family straight, but the struggle paid off by the time I reached the clever, satisfying ending.
May 26, 2018
Great as ever! ; a foreign setting is always a plus. The relationship plot points were sometimes obscure, but a very readable & entertaining plot in an interesting setting.
Would recommend this book to readers who prefer interesting to malevolent in their reads and who enjoy literacy wherever it is found.
Would recommend this book to readers who prefer interesting to malevolent in their reads and who enjoy literacy wherever it is found.
November 20, 2021
You know from the “prologue” that the plot will revolve around a case of identity. The murder has already occurred, but as usual with the Gideon Oliver series, the solve rests less on clever policing than on the professorial Skeleton Detective’s skill in plucking inferences from examining human anatomy. That aspect of the series not only gives it a refreshing uniqueness, but also often embeds a mini-mystery, as does this one, in the method of execution. Elkins always likes to throw in a few toad- or ferret-faced, block-headed thugs, and there is no lack of those here, and as usual, the peripatetic professor just happens to be in an interesting place where one would want to be for confronting someone else’s dilemma. One can just imagine Elkins kicking back in a lounge chair on the shores of "Lake Maggiore", jotting notes and thinking up clever twists for the narrative!
June 10, 2018
I enjoyed this book as much as the other two I’ve now read. This time, I didn’t guess whodunnit or why so I was pleasantly surprised. I find Gideon and Julie Oliver to be interesting characters and the plots Elkins comes up with are varied and complex enough and hold together well.
September 23, 2021
Again Excellence!
Aaron Elkins has an amazing travel repertoire or reads voraciously. I always feel like I’m on the road with him, tasting the wondrous food and drink. But the convolutions of his stories, especially this one, are truly fabulous!
Aaron Elkins has an amazing travel repertoire or reads voraciously. I always feel like I’m on the road with him, tasting the wondrous food and drink. But the convolutions of his stories, especially this one, are truly fabulous!
October 9, 2018
Great Series
Been following this series, author for a long time. The stories just keep getting better and better. Don't miss any of them.
Been following this series, author for a long time. The stories just keep getting better and better. Don't miss any of them.
January 7, 2019
Another good one!
The places Gideon goes, the people Gideon meets, the things Gideon sees! Always interesting, never disappointing, these books are a real pleasure to read.
The places Gideon goes, the people Gideon meets, the things Gideon sees! Always interesting, never disappointing, these books are a real pleasure to read.
February 11, 2019
Never underestimate the lengths an old, titled family will go to in order to "keep the bloodline going".
November 28, 2019
Not quite up to the standards of the other books in this series. The start was a little slow and the mystery predictable. Still enjoyed spending time with Gideon Oliver.
September 11, 2020
Nice puzzle. I'm re-reading and enjoyed this one set in the Lake district of Italy.
January 2, 2022
A really good atmospheric setup and a cast of characters to fit around the usual deductions.
February 7, 2022
Normally I like Gideon Oliver mysteries but this one had interchangeable, unpleasant characters whose names I couldn't keep track of and it was predictable.
June 15, 2022
Good book but it got confusing at times.
June 19, 2023
This is a review of the entire Gideon Oliver mystery series.
Good Blood is the eleventh of an eighteen-book mystery series with forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver, Ph.D. as the protagonist. I started with Dead Men’s Hearts (#8 in the series) and liked it enough I started collecting individual books as they came on sale, saving them until I could read the entire series in one fell swoop. The day came when I had almost the entire series, so I bought the last two and settled in for two weeks of reading. Roughly 250 pages each, they are quick reads; some days I could get through two.
Elkins is an anthropologist, and his knowledge of the human body is apparent. As a physician, I enjoyed the science and the anatomy of Gideon’s forensic work with the police and FBI. He visits several foreign countries as well as some of the United States, and these locales seem accurately depicted to this world traveler. There is some romance, rather old-fashioned and staid, but Gideon is that kind of guy. He marries the woman in question and they remain happily married through the series.
Some books, of course, were better than others (I thought Dying on the Vine set in Tuscany, was probably the weakest), but overall, the series rates a solid four stars and are a predictably fast, interesting read with widely varied locales and plots.
Good Blood is the eleventh of an eighteen-book mystery series with forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver, Ph.D. as the protagonist. I started with Dead Men’s Hearts (#8 in the series) and liked it enough I started collecting individual books as they came on sale, saving them until I could read the entire series in one fell swoop. The day came when I had almost the entire series, so I bought the last two and settled in for two weeks of reading. Roughly 250 pages each, they are quick reads; some days I could get through two.
Elkins is an anthropologist, and his knowledge of the human body is apparent. As a physician, I enjoyed the science and the anatomy of Gideon’s forensic work with the police and FBI. He visits several foreign countries as well as some of the United States, and these locales seem accurately depicted to this world traveler. There is some romance, rather old-fashioned and staid, but Gideon is that kind of guy. He marries the woman in question and they remain happily married through the series.
Some books, of course, were better than others (I thought Dying on the Vine set in Tuscany, was probably the weakest), but overall, the series rates a solid four stars and are a predictably fast, interesting read with widely varied locales and plots.
Read
August 10, 2023I thought it started slow. Very interesting conclusion.
April 5, 2024
I have great enjoyed this series. It seems like the skeleton detective can be called into action anywhere in the world and in this case it is northern Italy
May 24, 2016
Good Blood by Aaron Elkins is the eleventh book to feature the "Skeleton Detective," Gideon Oliver. This time Oliver and his wife, Julie, are headed to Italy for a bit of R&R. Gideon plans to stay in the nicely civilized hotels while Julie joins their friend Phil Boyajian on one of his "On the Cheap" tours which involves far too many primitive stays in tents for Gideon's tastes. Phil also uses the time in Italy to drop in on his relatives--which he does once or twice a year (more than enough for him). His cousin just happens to be the Padrone Vincenzo de Grazia, latest heir in a long aristocratic lineage. Just prior to their arrival, the Padrone's only son is kidnapped in a violent undertaking that leaves the family's chauffeur and one of the kidnappers dead.
Phil recommends his friend Oliver to the local police official, Colonnello Tullio Caravale, but the policeman isn't too eager for outside help. At least not until the skeletal remains show up on a building site owned by de Grazia's company--then Gideon's expertise is welcomed. Welcomed by almost everyone. When the bones are identified as Dominico de Grazia, Vincenzo's father who was believed drowned in a boating accident, someone doesn't want Oliver to spend much time looking over the remains. An attempt is made to steal the bones and when that goes awry, Oliver himself is attacked. But when Oliver finally gets a chance to examine the bones closely he can't understand what all the fuss was about--there's nothing out of the ordinary beyond the evidence of damage to Dominico's femur (but everyone knew he limped and used a cane--so what good is that?) and that the family's patriarch was murdered by a kitchen knife. These facts doesn't seem to point towards anyone in particular. Oliver feels sure that he's missed something--but what? In the meantime, a ransom is paid, the kidnapped boy is returned, and there are clues that seem to lead to someone close to the de Grazia family. There are also pointers to a deep secret in the family's past--Caravale's detective work and Oliver's bone study come together for a surprise ending to this tale of murder and deception among Italy's upper-class.
Aaron Elkins is an author that I discovered back in the 80s when he debuted his "Skeleton Detective" series. I enjoyed the first several, but, as is the way of things, I soon got distracted by other books and other authors. Gideon Oliver is a very interesting detective--and the first forensic anthropologist that I met in fiction. Elkins is very adept at bringing in the technical terminology without overwhelming the reader and I come away feeling like I know a little bit more than I did when I started. I was also quite pleased that (due to a very personal experience *see below for explanation--but be warned, there may be a spoiler) I was able to identify the key bit of skeletal evidence before Oliver was allowed to recognize its significance. Go me!
The setting is ideal and Elkins describes it perfectly. He also provides a cast of interesting characters--though I must say that I agree with Phil that his relatives would probably get on my nerves if I had to visit them for any length of time. Lots of tensions and reasons for murder. My only complaint lies in the fair play aspect--while the clue in the skeleton is clear for anyone with a bit of previous knowledge, there really aren't sufficient clues to determine the culprit definitely. One might have suspicions, but (unless I missed them) there aren't enough definite clues to back it up. Overall, a very enjoyable read--with interesting characters and plot and a good setting. This one earns a bit extra in the star department for that personal link I mentioned above. ★★★★
*
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Phil recommends his friend Oliver to the local police official, Colonnello Tullio Caravale, but the policeman isn't too eager for outside help. At least not until the skeletal remains show up on a building site owned by de Grazia's company--then Gideon's expertise is welcomed. Welcomed by almost everyone. When the bones are identified as Dominico de Grazia, Vincenzo's father who was believed drowned in a boating accident, someone doesn't want Oliver to spend much time looking over the remains. An attempt is made to steal the bones and when that goes awry, Oliver himself is attacked. But when Oliver finally gets a chance to examine the bones closely he can't understand what all the fuss was about--there's nothing out of the ordinary beyond the evidence of damage to Dominico's femur (but everyone knew he limped and used a cane--so what good is that?) and that the family's patriarch was murdered by a kitchen knife. These facts doesn't seem to point towards anyone in particular. Oliver feels sure that he's missed something--but what? In the meantime, a ransom is paid, the kidnapped boy is returned, and there are clues that seem to lead to someone close to the de Grazia family. There are also pointers to a deep secret in the family's past--Caravale's detective work and Oliver's bone study come together for a surprise ending to this tale of murder and deception among Italy's upper-class.
Aaron Elkins is an author that I discovered back in the 80s when he debuted his "Skeleton Detective" series. I enjoyed the first several, but, as is the way of things, I soon got distracted by other books and other authors. Gideon Oliver is a very interesting detective--and the first forensic anthropologist that I met in fiction. Elkins is very adept at bringing in the technical terminology without overwhelming the reader and I come away feeling like I know a little bit more than I did when I started. I was also quite pleased that (due to a very personal experience *see below for explanation--but be warned, there may be a spoiler) I was able to identify the key bit of skeletal evidence before Oliver was allowed to recognize its significance. Go me!
The setting is ideal and Elkins describes it perfectly. He also provides a cast of interesting characters--though I must say that I agree with Phil that his relatives would probably get on my nerves if I had to visit them for any length of time. Lots of tensions and reasons for murder. My only complaint lies in the fair play aspect--while the clue in the skeleton is clear for anyone with a bit of previous knowledge, there really aren't sufficient clues to determine the culprit definitely. One might have suspicions, but (unless I missed them) there aren't enough definite clues to back it up. Overall, a very enjoyable read--with interesting characters and plot and a good setting. This one earns a bit extra in the star department for that personal link I mentioned above. ★★★★
*
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
January 26, 2014
Elkins sends his crime-solving couple to Italy to tour the countryside with their mutual friend, Phil. When asked to take a detour to visit with Phil’s family, things begin to heat up. The trio walks into the middle of a family meeting surrounding the recent kidnapping of Phil’s teenage relative, whose life is being held for ransom. Gideon and Julie steer clear of the family drama, until a set of bones turn up, unearthed by a construction firm in a nearby town. Gideon uses his expertise and academic background to help crack open the case, but the murderer remains at large, even when the skeleton is identified. Even after the kidnapping is resolved, questions surrounding both crimes lead Gideon to ponder the possibilities. When family’s involved, the list of suspects appears exponential, as Gideon soon learns, and motives exceed alibis, by far!
Elkins returns to the theme of murder on the family property with many a suspect to be had. The new and engaging twists keep the story fresh and the ideas plentiful. As always, the reader will surely enjoy the novel and its teachable moments, peppered with great humour and cheesy one-liners. An attentive reader will sift through the back story, which presents itself in the opening chapters and returns in the latter four, making more sense and adding new twists.
Kudos, Dr. Elkins. You keep the reader’s attention so effortlessly and make me want to reach for the next novel as soon as THE END appears.
Elkins returns to the theme of murder on the family property with many a suspect to be had. The new and engaging twists keep the story fresh and the ideas plentiful. As always, the reader will surely enjoy the novel and its teachable moments, peppered with great humour and cheesy one-liners. An attentive reader will sift through the back story, which presents itself in the opening chapters and returns in the latter four, making more sense and adding new twists.
Kudos, Dr. Elkins. You keep the reader’s attention so effortlessly and make me want to reach for the next novel as soon as THE END appears.
March 4, 2015
Good Blood by Aaron Elkins.
Julie, Gideon Oliver's wife, is on a Peddle & Paddle on the cheap in Italy. Gideon, on the other hand, wants a rest and relaxation vacation with modern conveniences. So although the two of them are in Italy...they are not together. Gideon runs into an old friend, Phil, who just so happens to be on the way for a rare visit to his family home. Phil's home turns out to be an estate for the De Grazia family.
No sooner do Phil & Gideon arrive when the padrone's only child is kidnapped. shortly thereafter, skeleton is found buried. Colonel Caravale requests the expertise of the skeleton detective to inspect the bones.
Good Blood lived up to the Gideon Oliver series as another excellent and intelligent story. I especially appreciated the usage of the Italian language with interpretation, the Italian restaurants frequented by Gideon with menu interpretations as well as the flavor of the Italian people. So well done and true to the locale.
Julie, Gideon Oliver's wife, is on a Peddle & Paddle on the cheap in Italy. Gideon, on the other hand, wants a rest and relaxation vacation with modern conveniences. So although the two of them are in Italy...they are not together. Gideon runs into an old friend, Phil, who just so happens to be on the way for a rare visit to his family home. Phil's home turns out to be an estate for the De Grazia family.
No sooner do Phil & Gideon arrive when the padrone's only child is kidnapped. shortly thereafter, skeleton is found buried. Colonel Caravale requests the expertise of the skeleton detective to inspect the bones.
Good Blood lived up to the Gideon Oliver series as another excellent and intelligent story. I especially appreciated the usage of the Italian language with interpretation, the Italian restaurants frequented by Gideon with menu interpretations as well as the flavor of the Italian people. So well done and true to the locale.
January 18, 2016
Gideon Oliver is traveling with his wife Julie to Italy. There Julie is helping a friend that conducts "cheap" tours to ferry a group around. Gideon plans to travel with a bit more luxury, but their friend's cousin is kidnapped because the family turns out to be an old, titled family with quite a bit of money. Surprise to Gideon and Julie.
Gideon gets drawn in when an old skeleton is found and winds up being the patriarch of the family who had disappeared in a boating accident many years ago.
Winds up that Gideon's friend Phil is the true heir due to a switch at birth and his aunt doesn't want to upset the $$ apple cart with a switch in heirs all those years ago. She is also behind the kidnapping because she knows the family won't be out of the money but the insurance company will be.
Gideon gets drawn in when an old skeleton is found and winds up being the patriarch of the family who had disappeared in a boating accident many years ago.
Winds up that Gideon's friend Phil is the true heir due to a switch at birth and his aunt doesn't want to upset the $$ apple cart with a switch in heirs all those years ago. She is also behind the kidnapping because she knows the family won't be out of the money but the insurance company will be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2010
This series is one of the more worthwhile in the recent spate of books featuring forensic anthropologists. Part travelogue, the story is set on the Italian side of Lake Maggiore, where Gideon Oliver and his forest ranger wife Julie are helping out their friend Phil who is leading a camping and cycling tour of the lake. Phil’s bratty cousin is kidnapped and his dysfunctional family, former aristicorats that take their “good blood” seriously, look like promising suspects. In the meantime, the police ask for Gideon’s help when they discover a set of old bones. Very deft plotting that actually pivots on the forensic insight of the “skeleton doctor.”
June 25, 2010
I was jazzed to read this book since I really liked Loot by Elkins, but this was pretty contrived. Phil is leading an adventure course in Italy’s lake district and Julie, the park ranger is helping, while her husband Gideon, the forensic anthropologist is a long for the ride. It turns out Phil is related to the wealthiest family of the city, the youngest member is kidnapped and a body is found for Gideon to jam on. The history of Italian aristocracy is interesting, and liked the blue collar cop, Caravale, and the twist at the end of mixed babies is a surprise, but in general character development was superficial, and the forensic bone stuff seemed forced.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews