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Louis Kincaid #8
A Thousand Bones
A woman cop.
A haunting memory....
The only female detective in the Miami PD's Homicide division, Joe Frye has memories that haunt her, and a past that not even her lover, detective Louis Kincaid, truly knows. It began when Joe was an ambitious rookie cop in a small Michigan town called Echo Bay....
The bones found in the woods were the first clue in a string of unimaginably brutal murders of young women. Plunged into a heated investigation -- and caught between the dictates of a reluctant local sheriff and the state police -- Joe soon uncovers the chilling truth: In the dead of winter in the Michigan woods, she must face down a predator who has chosen her as a worthy opponent -- or become his next victim.
470 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
23 people are currently reading
572 people want to read
About the author
P.J. Parrish
26 books270 followersP.J. Parrish is the New York Times bestselling author of ten Louis Kincaid and Joe Frye thrillers. The author 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.
P.J. Parrish as children
Before turning to writing full time, Kristy Montee was a newspaper editor and dance critic for the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale. Nichols previously was a blackjack dealer and then a human resources specialist in the casino industry. Kris in Tallahassee FL and Traverse City MI and Kelly resides in Traverse City as well.
The sisters were writers as kids, albeit with different styles: Kelly's first attempt at fiction at age 11 was titled The Kill. Kristy's at 13 was The Cat Who Understood. Not much has changed: Kelly now tends to handle the gory stuff and Kristy the character development. But the collaboration is a smooth one, thanks to lots of ego suppression, good wine, and marathon phone calls via Skype.
The first eleven books in the series, in order, are: Dark of the Moon, Dead of Winter, Paint it Black, Thicker than Water, Island of Bones, A Killing Rain, An Unquiet Grave, A Thousand Bones, South of Hell, The Little Death and Heart of Ice. They also wrote three stand-alone thrillers: A Thousand Bones, The Killing Song and She's Not There.
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.
P.J. Parrish as children
Before turning to writing full time, Kristy Montee was a newspaper editor and dance critic for the Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale. Nichols previously was a blackjack dealer and then a human resources specialist in the casino industry. Kris in Tallahassee FL and Traverse City MI and Kelly resides in Traverse City as well.
The sisters were writers as kids, albeit with different styles: Kelly's first attempt at fiction at age 11 was titled The Kill. Kristy's at 13 was The Cat Who Understood. Not much has changed: Kelly now tends to handle the gory stuff and Kristy the character development. But the collaboration is a smooth one, thanks to lots of ego suppression, good wine, and marathon phone calls via Skype.
The first eleven books in the series, in order, are: Dark of the Moon, Dead of Winter, Paint it Black, Thicker than Water, Island of Bones, A Killing Rain, An Unquiet Grave, A Thousand Bones, South of Hell, The Little Death and Heart of Ice. They also wrote three stand-alone thrillers: A Thousand Bones, The Killing Song and She's Not There.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
September 7, 2008
Excellent thriller and I could not put this book down. This is the first book I read by P.J. Parrish (two sisters that write under one name) and looks to be part of series based on a police officer named Louis Kincaid. In this book, Louis was in the prologue and epilogue only as Joe Frye told her story to him of horrific events that she was involved in while new to her police career in Michigan--thirteen years earlier (1975).
I laughed at some of the writing, i.e., leaf peepers. Cried when "things" started wrapping up at the end and how some of the horrors unfolded for families. The suspense was excellent, writing was awesome! No kidding. One of the best written books I've read in a very long time.
There are some horrible events that happen in this book, so not for the faint of heart. This book involves young girls (late teens through early 20's) being abducted by a serial killer over a long period of time. The authors divided the book into three sections: Somebody's Daughter, A Walk in the Woods, Hunger Moon.
Though the authors wrote this one in 2007, it is written in 1975 time period and reading about products used, musicians, lack of cell phones and forensic capabilities (or lack thereof) was refreshing.
I laughed at some of the writing, i.e., leaf peepers. Cried when "things" started wrapping up at the end and how some of the horrors unfolded for families. The suspense was excellent, writing was awesome! No kidding. One of the best written books I've read in a very long time.
There are some horrible events that happen in this book, so not for the faint of heart. This book involves young girls (late teens through early 20's) being abducted by a serial killer over a long period of time. The authors divided the book into three sections: Somebody's Daughter, A Walk in the Woods, Hunger Moon.
Though the authors wrote this one in 2007, it is written in 1975 time period and reading about products used, musicians, lack of cell phones and forensic capabilities (or lack thereof) was refreshing.
October 13, 2018
In this book from 2007, Joe Frye is a rookie cop in small town Echo Lake, Michigan. The prologue leads readers into this story as Joe tells her lover Louis Kincaid that she must tell him something she has kept hidden for thirteen years. Joe loves her job as deputy, even when bones of multiple women are found.
I love crime books, especially with serial killers. I've never read any in this Louis Kincaid series, even though this is #8. This particular story is 100% Joe Frye so I still don't know anything about Kincaid but I would love to find others in this series. Onward to more book sales!
I love crime books, especially with serial killers. I've never read any in this Louis Kincaid series, even though this is #8. This particular story is 100% Joe Frye so I still don't know anything about Kincaid but I would love to find others in this series. Onward to more book sales!
April 12, 2018
An excellent read that keeps you on the edge of your seat. You do not see the plot twists coming and will not be able to put it down.
October 20, 2011
I could not stop reading this book - I've recently been in a reading slump, and have been spending months on the same book, but I read this in two days. There were some small issues I had with it, but overall it was a captivating story that I loved. Not to mention the surprise I got when I read the inside of the back cover and discovered P.J. Parrish is actually two sisters! I never would have guessed it was co-written, and I'm amazed at how well the sisters pooled their talents.
The premise of the book is that Joe Frye, the only female deputy in a small town, gets wrapped up in a homicide/missing persons case when her department finds several bones in the park. It immediately grabbed my attention - I've always preferred missing persons stories to homicide ones. Missing persons cases have that strange combination of loss and hope, and I feel like they're even more suspenseful because you're waiting to see if the person is alive, or what has happened to them. It's scarier, to me, to hear about a girl who vanished on her walk home from school than it is to hear about a murdered jogger found in the woods. Although in this story we already know the girls are dead, as the plot revolves around their bones, some suspense is added by the many mothers who come to find their missing daughters.
The glitches I came across were small - I found Joe's attitude toward the end to be extremely victimized, especially considering the way she chooses to finish the case. Yeah, she went through a lot, but if there's something I can't stand, it's characters that wallow in self-pity. Joe was completely unsympathetic toward the killer, and even though he was a horrible human being, I felt like on some level she needed to pity his horrible childhood. It felt like she wanted him to have a horrible childhood, to pay for the things he had done in adulthood, but that felt backwards to me, as his childhood was so obviously the cause of his psychosis. It's one thing when the killer was a privileged child with a picturesque childhood - it's quite another when he was physically and mentally abused. Joe, who seemed to have an excellent childhood, came off as preachy about a hurt she couldn't even begin to understand.
That being said, the aspects I disliked felt very minor compared to the excellent plot, pacing, and prose. I loved the loyalty between the brothers - it really did come down to how far you would go for family. The biggest twist came about halfway through the book, rather than at the end, and this really helped keep my attention. I don't like it as much when the books drag on and on with a thousand unimportant leads before finally discovering the truth. Joe was pretty likable as the main character, and the more minor characters were even better. Mack, Mike, and Holt had really different personalities, and I loved how they weren't cookie-cutter. The authors did a good job of showing the negative aspects of everyone's personalities, which I find some authors don't do. You had a reason to like and dislike each character and, just like in real life, you had accept both the good and bad parts of everyone. The story itself was magnificent. I really loved the way the authors wrote the killer, the subtle things they added to increase the mystery, things where you could later look back and say, "Oh! So that's why!" There was something fishy about each person they questioned, and the way it all pieced together was splendid.
Overall, it was an extremely interesting book with only minor flaws (and what book doesn't have them?), and it contains the strangest psychological aspects that really move the story along. I loved this book, and immediately after I finished it I requested every other book by P.J. Parrish that exists in my library's catalogue.
The premise of the book is that Joe Frye, the only female deputy in a small town, gets wrapped up in a homicide/missing persons case when her department finds several bones in the park. It immediately grabbed my attention - I've always preferred missing persons stories to homicide ones. Missing persons cases have that strange combination of loss and hope, and I feel like they're even more suspenseful because you're waiting to see if the person is alive, or what has happened to them. It's scarier, to me, to hear about a girl who vanished on her walk home from school than it is to hear about a murdered jogger found in the woods. Although in this story we already know the girls are dead, as the plot revolves around their bones, some suspense is added by the many mothers who come to find their missing daughters.
The glitches I came across were small - I found Joe's attitude toward the end to be extremely victimized, especially considering the way she chooses to finish the case. Yeah, she went through a lot, but if there's something I can't stand, it's characters that wallow in self-pity. Joe was completely unsympathetic toward the killer, and even though he was a horrible human being, I felt like on some level she needed to pity his horrible childhood. It felt like she wanted him to have a horrible childhood, to pay for the things he had done in adulthood, but that felt backwards to me, as his childhood was so obviously the cause of his psychosis. It's one thing when the killer was a privileged child with a picturesque childhood - it's quite another when he was physically and mentally abused. Joe, who seemed to have an excellent childhood, came off as preachy about a hurt she couldn't even begin to understand.
That being said, the aspects I disliked felt very minor compared to the excellent plot, pacing, and prose. I loved the loyalty between the brothers - it really did come down to how far you would go for family. The biggest twist came about halfway through the book, rather than at the end, and this really helped keep my attention. I don't like it as much when the books drag on and on with a thousand unimportant leads before finally discovering the truth. Joe was pretty likable as the main character, and the more minor characters were even better. Mack, Mike, and Holt had really different personalities, and I loved how they weren't cookie-cutter. The authors did a good job of showing the negative aspects of everyone's personalities, which I find some authors don't do. You had a reason to like and dislike each character and, just like in real life, you had accept both the good and bad parts of everyone. The story itself was magnificent. I really loved the way the authors wrote the killer, the subtle things they added to increase the mystery, things where you could later look back and say, "Oh! So that's why!" There was something fishy about each person they questioned, and the way it all pieced together was splendid.
Overall, it was an extremely interesting book with only minor flaws (and what book doesn't have them?), and it contains the strangest psychological aspects that really move the story along. I loved this book, and immediately after I finished it I requested every other book by P.J. Parrish that exists in my library's catalogue.
September 27, 2018
A fast paced mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Takes place in a small town in MI.
July 16, 2020
great spinoff to the Louis Kincaid series; love rookie Sheriff deputy Joe (Joette) Frye, and the setting in Michigan 1975 was a reminder of how difficult a female officer had it, with limited 1975 technology but could still find clues and solve a difficult case
reread this in 2020 and loved the charm bracelet from tourist stops, the many references to areas in Michigan & Indian lore
reread this in 2020 and loved the charm bracelet from tourist stops, the many references to areas in Michigan & Indian lore
November 25, 2020
First time reading a book by this author and can't wait to read another
April 10, 2021
The writing's exquisite. The characters are wonderfully done. But the plot caught me off guard, going from mystery mode to thriller to I'm not sure. The author broke the usual mystery modes and told a great story, but I have to admit, I like the standard tropes, and I missed them. STill, just on writing alone, I'd give this 4.5 if I could. Even the killer felt inconsistent to me, though. He broke his standard m.o. when he kidnapped the redheaded girl, and I never understood why. The story's from Joe's POV, and it was nice getting to know her better, but the ending--for me--was a bit depressing.
June 19, 2012
Up until I read this book I had never heard of P.J. Parrish. I don't even know how this book made its way to me in the first place. What shocked me is that when I read the information regarding the author I realised that there were two of them. The two authors are sisters, Kristy Montee and Kelly Nichols. Their books have appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists. They have created a series of books based in a series featuring Louis Kincaid and Joe Frye. The tenth book they have published in the series (The Little Death) is released February 2010.
Joe Frye is the only female detective in the Miami PD. She has kept secrets hidden from her partner Louis Kincaid, but before long the memories keep coming back. It started when she was a rookie based in a small town called Echo Bay. Working at a small town Police Department has never been that exciting and is usually the run-of-the-mill calls for animals escaping, road traffic accidents or domestic call outs. When the department gets a call and bones are discovered in the woods, their small town department has to take on the case. With that case comes multiple bones, meaning possible multiple murders. As Joe desperately tries to involve herself in the case, she doesn't realise that not only is she fighting for recognition within her department, she is putting herself in the firing line for the brutal killer. Joe soon realises that she is next on the killers list and she has to do anything she can to avoid becoming a victim.
I had never heard of the author(s) and therefore had no expectations when I picked the book up. The jacket info made the story seem very readable and I was looking forward to getting stuck into a new book.
The first 10 chapters were hard going. I won't lie, it was very slow on the uptake and nothing was grabbing me. As it's a rarity for me to give up on a book, I figured if the story hadn't picked up in another 10 chapters then I would try it another time. Sometimes if something isn't holding my interest it's easier to walk away and try another day. Luckily for me, another ten chapters in and there was no way I was putting it down.
The prologue is a mere 5 pages, introducing Louis Kincaid and Joe Frye. It's 1988 and as we meet Joe and Louis we realise that Joe has finally realised she cannot keep her secrets from Louis anymore. Chapter one takes us back to the beginning in 1975 when Joe first started her work as a Rookie in Echo Bay. Initially, it took a bit of time to get into because I think the authors wanted to explain the story in great depth. I realised as time went on that maybe this is more to do with the fact that this is a series of books and although they can be read as a stand alone, it is probably serving the purpose of filling in gaps for readers of previous books as to Joe's past. Once the story was established we see Joe pushing her way from small town rookie to the new detective helping with a big murder case.
I have read no previous books by P.J. Parrish so had no prior knowledge of Joe or Louis her lover. I can also tell you that the Epilogue is only 6 pages, so any mention of Louis cannot be made as I don't think 11 pages warrants me as having any knowledge of the character.
Joe as a character was pretty good. I like the way the authors made her a feisty character with real heart and passion for her job but without making her too over the top. The actual murders are described reasonably well with not too much lingering over death scenes, which to be honest I don't think would have fitted with this type of book. We see the small town face struggles with the outsiders and bigger states that want to get involved when they realise they have a serial killer on their hands.
We meet some nice and not so nice characters along the way and one of my favourites was Rafferty. He was a State Investigator drafted in to help the town with the murder case. He is shrewd and intelligent without being too pushy and he and Joe end up making a good partnership when they work the case together.
If I am honest this book is what I would describe as a slow burner. It was hard to get my teeth into but once I did and established characters and storyline, I enjoyed it. It wasn't one of the best books I have ever read, but I get the feeling if I stick with this series of books I will come to love them. I am a fan of crime books with recurring characters as you feel like you know them. That is why I don't want to be too harsh when reviewing this book. I found it hard to rate because I had mixed feelings about it. I felt the writing lacked punch when written from the killers perspective and didn't really think too much thought went into some of the other characters such as the other local police officers. I think somehow though, fans of these books will forgive that kind of thing because the series seems like it has a steady footing already.
It was a slow starter, building on characters and story, eventually leading to a very good finale and a pretty gripping finish. I think that unless you start at the beginning of the series and work your way through it is hard to be objective about the development of characters. As a stand alone I would rate it as 3.5 out of 5 and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Joe Frye is the only female detective in the Miami PD. She has kept secrets hidden from her partner Louis Kincaid, but before long the memories keep coming back. It started when she was a rookie based in a small town called Echo Bay. Working at a small town Police Department has never been that exciting and is usually the run-of-the-mill calls for animals escaping, road traffic accidents or domestic call outs. When the department gets a call and bones are discovered in the woods, their small town department has to take on the case. With that case comes multiple bones, meaning possible multiple murders. As Joe desperately tries to involve herself in the case, she doesn't realise that not only is she fighting for recognition within her department, she is putting herself in the firing line for the brutal killer. Joe soon realises that she is next on the killers list and she has to do anything she can to avoid becoming a victim.
I had never heard of the author(s) and therefore had no expectations when I picked the book up. The jacket info made the story seem very readable and I was looking forward to getting stuck into a new book.
The first 10 chapters were hard going. I won't lie, it was very slow on the uptake and nothing was grabbing me. As it's a rarity for me to give up on a book, I figured if the story hadn't picked up in another 10 chapters then I would try it another time. Sometimes if something isn't holding my interest it's easier to walk away and try another day. Luckily for me, another ten chapters in and there was no way I was putting it down.
The prologue is a mere 5 pages, introducing Louis Kincaid and Joe Frye. It's 1988 and as we meet Joe and Louis we realise that Joe has finally realised she cannot keep her secrets from Louis anymore. Chapter one takes us back to the beginning in 1975 when Joe first started her work as a Rookie in Echo Bay. Initially, it took a bit of time to get into because I think the authors wanted to explain the story in great depth. I realised as time went on that maybe this is more to do with the fact that this is a series of books and although they can be read as a stand alone, it is probably serving the purpose of filling in gaps for readers of previous books as to Joe's past. Once the story was established we see Joe pushing her way from small town rookie to the new detective helping with a big murder case.
I have read no previous books by P.J. Parrish so had no prior knowledge of Joe or Louis her lover. I can also tell you that the Epilogue is only 6 pages, so any mention of Louis cannot be made as I don't think 11 pages warrants me as having any knowledge of the character.
Joe as a character was pretty good. I like the way the authors made her a feisty character with real heart and passion for her job but without making her too over the top. The actual murders are described reasonably well with not too much lingering over death scenes, which to be honest I don't think would have fitted with this type of book. We see the small town face struggles with the outsiders and bigger states that want to get involved when they realise they have a serial killer on their hands.
We meet some nice and not so nice characters along the way and one of my favourites was Rafferty. He was a State Investigator drafted in to help the town with the murder case. He is shrewd and intelligent without being too pushy and he and Joe end up making a good partnership when they work the case together.
If I am honest this book is what I would describe as a slow burner. It was hard to get my teeth into but once I did and established characters and storyline, I enjoyed it. It wasn't one of the best books I have ever read, but I get the feeling if I stick with this series of books I will come to love them. I am a fan of crime books with recurring characters as you feel like you know them. That is why I don't want to be too harsh when reviewing this book. I found it hard to rate because I had mixed feelings about it. I felt the writing lacked punch when written from the killers perspective and didn't really think too much thought went into some of the other characters such as the other local police officers. I think somehow though, fans of these books will forgive that kind of thing because the series seems like it has a steady footing already.
It was a slow starter, building on characters and story, eventually leading to a very good finale and a pretty gripping finish. I think that unless you start at the beginning of the series and work your way through it is hard to be objective about the development of characters. As a stand alone I would rate it as 3.5 out of 5 and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 5, 2014
Joe Frye, the only femaile deteective in the Miami PD's Homicide Division, has a secret. Not even her lover, Detective louis Kincaid, knows of the events in Joes past which still haunt her to this day. It all began eleven years ago when Joe was an ambitious rookie cop in a small Michigan town called Echo Bay...
The bones found in the woods of Echo Bay were the first clue to a sting of unimaginably brutal murders of young women. Plunged into a heated inquiry to find a dangerous predator, and caught between a reluctant sheriff and the state police, Joe finds herself battling both the killer and beaurocracy suffocating the investigation.
But the clues she uncovers indicate that the murderer has a mind more twisted than any of them could have imagined. Worse still, his sights are now firmly fixed on Joe and she must hunt him down in order to avoid becoming his next victim.
This book tends to have really good reviews, but I am afraid I am going to damn by faint praise.
It had plenty of flat spots. I found Joe irritating and at times unrealistic.
However there were some good spots on the book.....their unusual solution to the capture of the murderer was the high point of the book and quite thought provoking.
However I did not enjoy it enough to rush out and read any more by the same authors (2 sisters). I might possibly read another one if desperate for something to read.
The bones found in the woods of Echo Bay were the first clue to a sting of unimaginably brutal murders of young women. Plunged into a heated inquiry to find a dangerous predator, and caught between a reluctant sheriff and the state police, Joe finds herself battling both the killer and beaurocracy suffocating the investigation.
But the clues she uncovers indicate that the murderer has a mind more twisted than any of them could have imagined. Worse still, his sights are now firmly fixed on Joe and she must hunt him down in order to avoid becoming his next victim.
This book tends to have really good reviews, but I am afraid I am going to damn by faint praise.
It had plenty of flat spots. I found Joe irritating and at times unrealistic.
However there were some good spots on the book.....their unusual solution to the capture of the murderer was the high point of the book and quite thought provoking.
However I did not enjoy it enough to rush out and read any more by the same authors (2 sisters). I might possibly read another one if desperate for something to read.
January 8, 2018
Another excellent read in this series, these books just get better and better. This book picks up right where number 7 left off with Louis back home in Florida and Joe coming from Miami to see him. This is a complete story about her beginnings in law enforcement back in Echo Bay, Michigan 13 years ago. This story was almost the beginning of the end of her career and had a focus on her personal life too with her fiancé and mother. On to the next one!
August 30, 2009
My first and certainly not last book of the series. Very good mystery.
June 3, 2013
This is about the first female deputy in a small town, trying to solve multipal gruesome murders cases. This is a very good book, I would recommend it to people who like a good murder mistery.
December 7, 2025
Bei der Menge an Krimis ist es schwer, einen zu schreiben, der bei den Leuten hängen bleibt. Man hat das Gefühl, dass mittlerweile jede Todesart, jeder Mörder- und Ermittlertyp schon einmal eine Rolle in einem Krimi gespielt haben. Notfalls fängt man eben wieder von vorne an.
"Das Gebeinhaus" bietet leider in dieser Hinsicht auch nicht viel Neues, auch wenn das Autorinnenduo viel richtig macht.
Die Handlung in das Jahr 1975 zu verlegen ist so eine Sache. Es gibt noch Telekopierer (was auch immer das ist), analoge Telefone und viel Frauenfeindlichkeit in der Polizei (hat sich das zwischenzeitlich wirklich gebessert?), aber ansonsten merkt man kaum, dass die Geschichte zu einer Zeit spielt, als das Leben noch langsamer und analoger war. Sie könnte genauso gut in der Gegenwart spielen.
Die beiden Autorinnen haben eine junge Frau, Joe, zur Protagonistin gemacht, die in einem kleinem, ländlichen Revier Dienst als Deputy tut. Joe hat es dort mit Misogynie zu tun, ist stur und ermittelt auf eigene Faust. Vieles, was den erfahrenen männlichen Polizisten bisher nicht aufgefallen ist, entdeckt natürlich sie, und sie macht sich hartnäckig auf die Suche nach einem gemeingefährlichen Serienmörder, obwohl sie mehrmals ermahnt wird, ihre Ermittlungen einzustellen. Gegen Ende muss sie es in einer direkten Konfrontation mit dem Mörder aufnehmen und wird dabei mehrfach so schwer verletzt, dass es für mehrere Tode reicht. Das Autorenduo arbeitet also mit allerhand Klischees, die man zu genüge schon aus anderen Krimis kennt. Genau das stört mich mittlerweile enorm. Warum wirken sämtliche Ermittle wie mit einer Schablone gezeichnet? Wieso versucht man nicht mal etwas Neues? Ich kann mir nicht vorstellen, dass es im Interesse der Leserinnen und Leser ist, immer wieder dasselbe zu reproduzieren.
Die Handlung an sich ist gar nicht mal so schlecht. Zwar kennt man den Täter schon recht bald, jedoch entspinnt sich eine mehr oder weniger spannende Jagd nach ihm, die sich gegen Ende allerdings ziemlich zieht. Man wünscht sich, das Elend würde endlich beendet und der Täter zur Strecke gebracht werden. Klar, die über 570 Seiten wollen ja auch irgendwie gefüllt werden. Weniger wäre aber mal wieder mehr gewesen, sonst verliert man die Leser-
Im Großen und Ganzen beschreiten P.J. Parrish mit "Das Gebeinhaus" keine neuen Wege, jedoch ist das Buch auch kein ganz übler Vertreter des Genres. Da gibt es Schlimmeres. Ich würde es Leuten empfehlen, die noch nicht so viele Ermittlerkrimis gelesen haben und sich von den üblichen Klischees noch nicht so abschrecken lassen.
"Das Gebeinhaus" bietet leider in dieser Hinsicht auch nicht viel Neues, auch wenn das Autorinnenduo viel richtig macht.
Die Handlung in das Jahr 1975 zu verlegen ist so eine Sache. Es gibt noch Telekopierer (was auch immer das ist), analoge Telefone und viel Frauenfeindlichkeit in der Polizei (hat sich das zwischenzeitlich wirklich gebessert?), aber ansonsten merkt man kaum, dass die Geschichte zu einer Zeit spielt, als das Leben noch langsamer und analoger war. Sie könnte genauso gut in der Gegenwart spielen.
Die beiden Autorinnen haben eine junge Frau, Joe, zur Protagonistin gemacht, die in einem kleinem, ländlichen Revier Dienst als Deputy tut. Joe hat es dort mit Misogynie zu tun, ist stur und ermittelt auf eigene Faust. Vieles, was den erfahrenen männlichen Polizisten bisher nicht aufgefallen ist, entdeckt natürlich sie, und sie macht sich hartnäckig auf die Suche nach einem gemeingefährlichen Serienmörder, obwohl sie mehrmals ermahnt wird, ihre Ermittlungen einzustellen. Gegen Ende muss sie es in einer direkten Konfrontation mit dem Mörder aufnehmen und wird dabei mehrfach so schwer verletzt, dass es für mehrere Tode reicht. Das Autorenduo arbeitet also mit allerhand Klischees, die man zu genüge schon aus anderen Krimis kennt. Genau das stört mich mittlerweile enorm. Warum wirken sämtliche Ermittle wie mit einer Schablone gezeichnet? Wieso versucht man nicht mal etwas Neues? Ich kann mir nicht vorstellen, dass es im Interesse der Leserinnen und Leser ist, immer wieder dasselbe zu reproduzieren.
Die Handlung an sich ist gar nicht mal so schlecht. Zwar kennt man den Täter schon recht bald, jedoch entspinnt sich eine mehr oder weniger spannende Jagd nach ihm, die sich gegen Ende allerdings ziemlich zieht. Man wünscht sich, das Elend würde endlich beendet und der Täter zur Strecke gebracht werden. Klar, die über 570 Seiten wollen ja auch irgendwie gefüllt werden. Weniger wäre aber mal wieder mehr gewesen, sonst verliert man die Leser-
Im Großen und Ganzen beschreiten P.J. Parrish mit "Das Gebeinhaus" keine neuen Wege, jedoch ist das Buch auch kein ganz übler Vertreter des Genres. Da gibt es Schlimmeres. Ich würde es Leuten empfehlen, die noch nicht so viele Ermittlerkrimis gelesen haben und sich von den üblichen Klischees noch nicht so abschrecken lassen.
February 10, 2021
A gripping murder mystery and decently written. I was not sure what to expect but I was satisfied. I have never read any books by these writers but it may be worth seeking some out.
This book is set in 1975 in rural Northern Michigan involving a small-town sheriff’s department and a series of old murders after bones start showing up in the woods. So no cellphones, DNA testing, technology, or even fax machines.
But what it does even more is shows how different the world was between 1975 and the 21st Century. He we have Joe Frye, the first ever female deputy sheriff who is normally relegated to background and tedious jobs in an all male law enforcement department. I guess I had to keep trying to put myself in a 1970’s mindset when things were far more unequal between males and females than they are now. It is hard to think about this using a 21st Century magnifying glass. But much of these attitudes were really true even though by this point in time the push for Women's Liberation was going full steam.
The mystery of all the dead female bones was quite good and it was essentially solved about two-thirds of the way through the book, which then started a whole new secondary story leading up to the finale. It was tough seeing Joe try to make herself relevant when nearly all the men around her simply wanted to protect her or ignore her. Even her boyfriend was not as supportive as he might have been by today’s standards. There were some who gave her the benefit of the doubt but was always tempered with protection and "let the men do this."
I have to say that the way it all ended once they captured the murderer bothered me. But again – the 1970’s were a different world. I had no sympathy for the murderer but I think it could have happened differently. Despite that, I’m giving this the highest rating because so much of the rest of the book just grabbed me and kept me intrigued.
This book is set in 1975 in rural Northern Michigan involving a small-town sheriff’s department and a series of old murders after bones start showing up in the woods. So no cellphones, DNA testing, technology, or even fax machines.
But what it does even more is shows how different the world was between 1975 and the 21st Century. He we have Joe Frye, the first ever female deputy sheriff who is normally relegated to background and tedious jobs in an all male law enforcement department. I guess I had to keep trying to put myself in a 1970’s mindset when things were far more unequal between males and females than they are now. It is hard to think about this using a 21st Century magnifying glass. But much of these attitudes were really true even though by this point in time the push for Women's Liberation was going full steam.
The mystery of all the dead female bones was quite good and it was essentially solved about two-thirds of the way through the book, which then started a whole new secondary story leading up to the finale. It was tough seeing Joe try to make herself relevant when nearly all the men around her simply wanted to protect her or ignore her. Even her boyfriend was not as supportive as he might have been by today’s standards. There were some who gave her the benefit of the doubt but was always tempered with protection and "let the men do this."
I have to say that the way it all ended once they captured the murderer bothered me. But again – the 1970’s were a different world. I had no sympathy for the murderer but I think it could have happened differently. Despite that, I’m giving this the highest rating because so much of the rest of the book just grabbed me and kept me intrigued.
August 12, 2024
"A Thousand Bones" by PJ Parrish is a masterfully crafted thriller that grips you from the first page and doesn't let go until the very end. The novel skillfully blends elements of suspense, mystery, and psychological intrigue, creating an intense and atmospheric reading experience.
Parrish’s storytelling shines through in the richly detailed setting and the development of Detective Joe Frye, a strong, complex protagonist who brings authenticity to the narrative. The plot is intricately woven with unexpected twists, keeping readers on edge as the tension escalates. Each character is vividly portrayed, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story.
What sets this book apart is its exploration of human nature and the darkness that can lurk within, making it not just a page-turner but also a thought-provoking read. Parrish’s prose is sharp, engaging, and beautifully paced, making "A Thousand Bones" a must-read for fans of crime fiction. This is a novel that lingers long after the final page is turned, earning it a well-deserved five-star rating.
Parrish’s storytelling shines through in the richly detailed setting and the development of Detective Joe Frye, a strong, complex protagonist who brings authenticity to the narrative. The plot is intricately woven with unexpected twists, keeping readers on edge as the tension escalates. Each character is vividly portrayed, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story.
What sets this book apart is its exploration of human nature and the darkness that can lurk within, making it not just a page-turner but also a thought-provoking read. Parrish’s prose is sharp, engaging, and beautifully paced, making "A Thousand Bones" a must-read for fans of crime fiction. This is a novel that lingers long after the final page is turned, earning it a well-deserved five-star rating.
March 25, 2021
The story opened with cop Joe Frye telling her boyfriend, cop Louis Kincaid, that she had to tell him about her past. I had no idea this was part of a series, and when i found this out I paused on reading it. However, it is a stand alone novel, with the story focusing on Louis Kincaid's girlfriend Joe and her job as a rookie cop in a small town in north Michigan. It is set in 1975, and it was a fascinating setting with her being one of the first females in a male profession back in the days. Equally fascinating was the slow discovery of human bones in Echo Bay. Joe is the cop who figures out there is more to the bones than a lost hiker, and persists in her pursuit of her hunches and ideas despite skepticism and condescension from her fellow officers. Slowly, more bones are found and she realizes they have a serial killer. This was an addicting read - I literally couldn't put it down. Lots of deduction and detective work pre computers and technology, a common sense woman trying to prove she is as good as the male detectives, a creepy and traumatic event 3/4 through the book, and an ending that really lingers on my mind still... loved this novel.
March 5, 2021
For most of the book, the plot was interesting and kept my attention. However, I was disappointed in this novel in the Louis Kincaid series. For being listed as part of that series, 95% or more of the book has nothing to do with that character. Also, while the prologue and epilogue do include Louis Kincaid, they seem like only a small way to force fit the novel into the series and will probably make no sense to any reader who has not read any of the other books.
December 29, 2021
This book is a murder/thriller. It's a tale/genre/style similar to that of J Kellerman, Baldacci, and Grisham to name a few. Reminds me most of "Gone Girl" by Gidean Flynn. If you enjoyed these authors, no doubt you'll go for this book. It does require a bit of suspended belief. I gave it a 3 as I'm more into the quality of writing than the particular story/plot.
March 7, 2025
I don't usually start in the middle of a series, but in this case, I don't think it made much difference. The main character relates the story of finding a serial killer in her previous job. There are some very graphic scenes involving the murders. I didn't find the plot or characters compelling enough to want to read any more in the series.
February 17, 2024
Very well-written. I love descriptive writers without being over-the-top and PJ Parrish is a goddamn (pardon the language) great writer. What a ride. Did not need for the killer to be revealed in the end for this to be a great thriller.
February 12, 2019
Excellent. It captured my interest from start to finish. Even though Echo Bay is a fictional Michigan town, the surrounding area is very familiar. A great read especially for a Michigander!
May 3, 2019
I fell into this book hard and can't wait to read more from this author!
February 19, 2020
The story takes place in northern Michigan and is one of their best!
April 21, 2020
I enjoyed this book very much. Did not expect the ending.
May 29, 2020
I especially enjoyed this book because it had less to do with Kincaid but was attached to him. And the end of the book kept us hanging so ... on to his next book South of Hell.
July 2, 2020
Fab whodunnit. Really enjoyed this murder mystery tale with old bones, 3 possible murderers, and a woman cop that earned more than her badge in the end. Great read
July 15, 2020
Very enjoyable.
January 21, 2021
The writing was addictive but I personally didn't like how the story ended.
August 28, 2021
A good mystery made more enjoyable by the fact that it takes place not far from where I live.
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