What do you think?
Rate this book
E.L. Pender #3
27 Kemik
KEMİKLERİNİZE KADAR İŞLEYECEK SOLUK KESİCİ BİR GERİLİME HAZIR OLUN!
St. Luke adasında her birinin sağ eli bileklerinden kesilmiş üç ceset bulunmuştur. Adanın tek gelir kaynağı olan turistleri kaçırmak istemeyen St. Luke polis şefi, katil bir daha harekete geçmeden önce onu yakalamak için eski dostu emekli ajan Pender’ın yardımını ister.
Kariyeri boyunca Pender birçok tehlikeli ve sapık suçluyla karşılaşmıştır. Ancak cinayetlerin arkasındaki gerçekler Pender’ın şimdiye dek gördüğü her şeyden çok daha korkunç ve gariptir.
“Jonathan Nasaw tüylerinizi diken diken edecek.”
-Big Issue
“İyi yazılmış, sürükleyici bir aksiyon. Daha ne isteyebilirsiniz ki?”
-The Guardian
“Gerilim yüklü.”
-Library Journal
“FBI ajanı E.L. Pender’ın seri katil yakalamaktaki becerisi mükemmel… Nasaw öyle zeki bir yazar ki… Fazlasıyla gerilim uyandırıyor.”
-Publishers Weekly
“Psikolojik gerilim yazarları arasında ağır sıklet bir dövüşçü.”
-Toronto Sun
“Çok renkli… Keskin bir gözlem… Şimdiye kadar yazdıklarının en iyisi.”
-Kirkus Reviews
St. Luke adasında her birinin sağ eli bileklerinden kesilmiş üç ceset bulunmuştur. Adanın tek gelir kaynağı olan turistleri kaçırmak istemeyen St. Luke polis şefi, katil bir daha harekete geçmeden önce onu yakalamak için eski dostu emekli ajan Pender’ın yardımını ister.
Kariyeri boyunca Pender birçok tehlikeli ve sapık suçluyla karşılaşmıştır. Ancak cinayetlerin arkasındaki gerçekler Pender’ın şimdiye dek gördüğü her şeyden çok daha korkunç ve gariptir.
“Jonathan Nasaw tüylerinizi diken diken edecek.”
-Big Issue
“İyi yazılmış, sürükleyici bir aksiyon. Daha ne isteyebilirsiniz ki?”
-The Guardian
“Gerilim yüklü.”
-Library Journal
“FBI ajanı E.L. Pender’ın seri katil yakalamaktaki becerisi mükemmel… Nasaw öyle zeki bir yazar ki… Fazlasıyla gerilim uyandırıyor.”
-Publishers Weekly
“Psikolojik gerilim yazarları arasında ağır sıklet bir dövüşçü.”
-Toronto Sun
“Çok renkli… Keskin bir gözlem… Şimdiye kadar yazdıklarının en iyisi.”
-Kirkus Reviews
464 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2004
35 people are currently reading
635 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Nasaw
11 books147 followersJonathan Nasaw is the acclaimed author of Fear Itself and The Girls He Adored, both Literary Guild Selections. He lives in Pacific Grove, California.
Series:
* E.L. Pender
* James Whistler
Series:
* E.L. Pender
* James Whistler
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
April 21, 2008
First, thank you, Jocelynn (Coles) for recommending this one. It wasn't a bad book!
Although I found the action and thinking scenes well done, I sort of felt ... well, detached (for lack of a better word), as I read it. Okay, the plot I think, isn't terribly original, but the way it came about was.
But none, and I mean none, of the characters jumped out at me or stayed with me once I finished the book, and that includes the main character, Edgar Lee Pender. I didn't feel any of them are worth remembering. No profound, deep-seeded feelings, only logical thinking. For me, it wasn't enough.
I didn't know this was the third book in a series until I looked the author up on Fantastic Fiction. I didn't get that 'lost' feeling when I started the book. Now I have read some series of books where, after you pass the second or third book, they become less interesting. Could be that maybe this series is the same? The praise for the first two books has me thinking I may give them a try.
It wasn't a bad book, or a waste of time, but it's not one worth remembering.
Although I found the action and thinking scenes well done, I sort of felt ... well, detached (for lack of a better word), as I read it. Okay, the plot I think, isn't terribly original, but the way it came about was.
But none, and I mean none, of the characters jumped out at me or stayed with me once I finished the book, and that includes the main character, Edgar Lee Pender. I didn't feel any of them are worth remembering. No profound, deep-seeded feelings, only logical thinking. For me, it wasn't enough.
I didn't know this was the third book in a series until I looked the author up on Fantastic Fiction. I didn't get that 'lost' feeling when I started the book. Now I have read some series of books where, after you pass the second or third book, they become less interesting. Could be that maybe this series is the same? The praise for the first two books has me thinking I may give them a try.
It wasn't a bad book, or a waste of time, but it's not one worth remembering.
February 9, 2015
This has to be one of the best books I have ever read......Chilling, gripping, well written. Add it to your list.
July 24, 2018
Retired FBI agent E.L. Pender goes to the Caribbean island of St. Luke to help his colleague Julian Coffee hunt for a serial killer. Bodies are washing up ashore missing their right hands.
From the beginning, readers know people are being murdered by a husband and wife team of anthropologists who believe a person's dying breath contains their soul and can stop the aging process. The author has created two psychopaths who are sexually deviant. Having read other Nasaw books, I've noticed he doesn't spend the majority of his books on the main protagonist character, but gives a lot of action to the killer and other characters. Nasaw's killers are usually brutal with different sexual tastes. This book runs true to form.
Although I'm fine with knowing who the killer is up front in a book, I prefer to guess from the clues throughout the book. I enjoy books more that follow that whodunit pattern. I still haven't learned as much about Pender as I would like so I may need to read another one in this series.
From the beginning, readers know people are being murdered by a husband and wife team of anthropologists who believe a person's dying breath contains their soul and can stop the aging process. The author has created two psychopaths who are sexually deviant. Having read other Nasaw books, I've noticed he doesn't spend the majority of his books on the main protagonist character, but gives a lot of action to the killer and other characters. Nasaw's killers are usually brutal with different sexual tastes. This book runs true to form.
Although I'm fine with knowing who the killer is up front in a book, I prefer to guess from the clues throughout the book. I enjoy books more that follow that whodunit pattern. I still haven't learned as much about Pender as I would like so I may need to read another one in this series.
July 7, 2017
Have I Read a different book from everyone else?
Having just finished 27 Bones, my first thought was " Theres been a mistake in the downloading process and I have got the wrong book". Unfortunately the download was correct, so I can only think that I am becoming a little jaded.
Terrifying it wasn't. Creepy it wasn't. In fact the books tagline was totally misleading and if the Guardian critic found it creepy, then they need to get out more.
What it was though, was a highly entertaining read, highly original plotline, great setting, interesting characters and run through with a highly ironic sense of humour.
As other readers have pointed out, you know from the outset who the villains are and probably what the outcome will be, but for all that, my interest was held until the very end.
My main disappointment was that you got to know very little about the main investigator, the ex FBI man Pender. I appreciate that this book is part of a series featuring him but a little more background would have been good. Apart from that, a decent read.
Do not be put off by the tag line, the book is a light hearted crime story, original and funny. Even the sex is erotica lite.
Having just finished 27 Bones, my first thought was " Theres been a mistake in the downloading process and I have got the wrong book". Unfortunately the download was correct, so I can only think that I am becoming a little jaded.
Terrifying it wasn't. Creepy it wasn't. In fact the books tagline was totally misleading and if the Guardian critic found it creepy, then they need to get out more.
What it was though, was a highly entertaining read, highly original plotline, great setting, interesting characters and run through with a highly ironic sense of humour.
As other readers have pointed out, you know from the outset who the villains are and probably what the outcome will be, but for all that, my interest was held until the very end.
My main disappointment was that you got to know very little about the main investigator, the ex FBI man Pender. I appreciate that this book is part of a series featuring him but a little more background would have been good. Apart from that, a decent read.
Do not be put off by the tag line, the book is a light hearted crime story, original and funny. Even the sex is erotica lite.
November 20, 2015
I gave this book 5 stars because I couldn't find anything I didn't like about it. The plot was interesting and different. The characters were lovable, even the bad guys, except for Phil. I don't think I liked him that much. And of course, being from St. Thomas, I loved reading the accent and the ways of the people. Reminded me of home. I could eat some conch right now. Also, it's been a long time since I heard the word "bumsie " :)
I'm gonna have to find some more books from this author.
I'm gonna have to find some more books from this author.
July 30, 2019
TWENTY-SEVEN BONES By Jonathan Nasaw (E.L. Pender Series Book 3)
MY REVIEW 3.5 STARS****
I finished reading this third installment of the E.L. Pender's Series on the 29th of last month. I started reading Book 4 (THE BOYS FROM SANTA CRUZ) the very next night. I wasn't quite ready to tackle the task of writing a review of the former, and thought that delving right into the next book of the series might convey some perspective and clear my head.
Not so much. Book 4 not only didn't "clear my head", it only left me befuddled. I will leave it there since that is a topic for review of THE BOYS FROM SANTA CRUZ.
I became an enthusiastic fan of Jonathan Nasaw after reading WHEN SHE WAS BAD, which I simply loved. I finally bought THE GIRLS HE ADORED which had been loitering on my WISH LIST for quite awhile. I knew that this book was "the one", so to speak, that Nasaw will always be remembered for, and like I do on most everything, I made a conscious decision to read it LAST in the exploits of E.L. Pender. The final installment is likely to be Book 5 (THE BOYS FROM SANTA CRUZ) published in 2010. I eagerly digested FEAR ITSELF, loved it, and was yearning for more of the same with TWENTY SEVEN BONES.
This third installment featuring the colorful Columbo-like detective Pender (2004) had a lot going for it right out of the gate. The book begins with a fascinating account of a husband and wife team of anthropologists recording the deathbed oration of a dying chief and the ritual of succession and inheritance in what was believed to be the last traditional-culture village in the North Sumatra province of Indonesia. The method used to determine the successor to the patriarch, the heir to his earthly possessions, and the deserved recipient of his "eheha" (spirit or immortal soul) was shockingly unique and frankly unforgettable.
The story is then narrated in present day, with retired FBI Special Agent Ed Pender presenting an interesting course on a favorite topic ("The Affective Interview") at the National Academy training course at Quantico. It is serendipity that Pender connects with an acquaintance from his past, who currently resides on the Caribbean island paradise of St. Luke. He is informed that there is serial killer running rampant on the island, and that a press blackout is in effect. Will Pender help the authorities out? His area of expertise is tracking down and ending the reign of serial murderers. We are privy to a snapshot of Pender's life as a retiree and it is a "no brainer" that he will be packing some light weight clothing for a trip to the tropics! Thus we have an intriguing teaser in the beginning of the novel, and then quickly learn that the ambience of the book promises to be exciting as well.
True to form, we learn the identities of our serial killers in the very beginning, and naturally are provided with carte blanche insight into the mind(s) of all members of our murder team. This includes a somewhat surprising (but hardly shocking) cohort who becomes an enthusiastic recruit after his first taste of killing.
Similarly, the author provides a number of sympathetic protagonists that most readers are simply guaranteed to love. It is safe to say that at the very least the kind-hearted and selfless Holly (and her adopted niece and nephew) will elicit strong emotional investments from all readers alike and a genuine interest in their safety from getting anywhere close to the "bad guys".
That said, there's really a number of things to like about this book. Pender is in top form despite a few missteps on his part that were costly. The US Virgin Islands leant an exotic feel to the story's backdrop. There was more romance for the homely yet lovable Pender in this installment. He does seem to always get a girl, doesn't he? Having a face that only a mother could love, a wardrobe that no self-respecting Salvation Army would accept as a donation, and never hitting the gym has somehow been a winning formula for the big guy. But more about things to like---this was a fast-paced psychological thriller with ample pulse-racing suspense, memorable and brave characters on the island who interact with Pender. There is the young woman who left a career in the big city to devote her future to caring for her dying sister, and then stepping in to the role of mother for her mixed-race niece and nephew (the latter born without arms). I don't want to leave out the magnanimous and beautiful "hippie" who lives off the island's natural resources to eat and to eke out just enough money to rent a shack over her head as she keeps isolated and away from the authorities---until Pender. This novel has an incredibly original plot, not to mention "plots within plots" with literally a quartet of serial killers motivated by their own respective agendas.
The ostensible reasoning behind the ritual murders is not a secret to the reader since the book's description virtually discloses it. It is an unusual interpretation of Ponce De Leon's "fountain of youth" to be sure---that is to literally capture the "dying breath" of their victims and thereby inhaling the very "eheha" (spirit or immortal soul). The original trio of serial killers (the married couple of archeologists) and their "Bennie" (with them since their attempt to film and document the death and dying of Bennie's father so long ago), are downright chilling to behold. Nasaw has outdone himself this time around. We have encountered a number of unbelievably diabolical and sinister characters in his prior novels, but this pair are simply evil incarnate. The fourth antagonist who joins the team is more a garden variety narcissistic sociopath who murders for money and position, then finds that he enjoys the "rush" of taking a human life.
The husband and wife are both sexual predators and the "devoted" Bennie is not far behind them in this regard. They are cold remorseless psychopaths with sex drives of energizer bunnies. The sexual ravaging of their targets, (men, women, a 12-year old girl and a planned 6-year old girl) appeared more prominent or vital in their experiences and in the re-telling of the murders. The actual killing or coup de grace [amputation right hands courtesy of Bennie's machete] with resultant exsanguinations, of course, came across to me as secondary (but for the capturing of that "last breath" needless to say).
Therein lies my problem with the book. The sexually explicit barrage of graphic details about this group of fiends was simply sickening after a point. I am not a prude and many of my favorite books are quite dark with the descriptions of the exploits of a serial killer not infrequently graphic in the extreme. However, this installment of Nasaw's tales of E.L. Pender's cases crossed a line with me. There was just enough good in this novel to counterbalance the pornography to yield a reluctant rating of 3.5. It is not one of his novels that I would recommend to a friend, at least not without a lengthy caveat.
MY REVIEW 3.5 STARS****
I finished reading this third installment of the E.L. Pender's Series on the 29th of last month. I started reading Book 4 (THE BOYS FROM SANTA CRUZ) the very next night. I wasn't quite ready to tackle the task of writing a review of the former, and thought that delving right into the next book of the series might convey some perspective and clear my head.
Not so much. Book 4 not only didn't "clear my head", it only left me befuddled. I will leave it there since that is a topic for review of THE BOYS FROM SANTA CRUZ.
I became an enthusiastic fan of Jonathan Nasaw after reading WHEN SHE WAS BAD, which I simply loved. I finally bought THE GIRLS HE ADORED which had been loitering on my WISH LIST for quite awhile. I knew that this book was "the one", so to speak, that Nasaw will always be remembered for, and like I do on most everything, I made a conscious decision to read it LAST in the exploits of E.L. Pender. The final installment is likely to be Book 5 (THE BOYS FROM SANTA CRUZ) published in 2010. I eagerly digested FEAR ITSELF, loved it, and was yearning for more of the same with TWENTY SEVEN BONES.
This third installment featuring the colorful Columbo-like detective Pender (2004) had a lot going for it right out of the gate. The book begins with a fascinating account of a husband and wife team of anthropologists recording the deathbed oration of a dying chief and the ritual of succession and inheritance in what was believed to be the last traditional-culture village in the North Sumatra province of Indonesia. The method used to determine the successor to the patriarch, the heir to his earthly possessions, and the deserved recipient of his "eheha" (spirit or immortal soul) was shockingly unique and frankly unforgettable.
The story is then narrated in present day, with retired FBI Special Agent Ed Pender presenting an interesting course on a favorite topic ("The Affective Interview") at the National Academy training course at Quantico. It is serendipity that Pender connects with an acquaintance from his past, who currently resides on the Caribbean island paradise of St. Luke. He is informed that there is serial killer running rampant on the island, and that a press blackout is in effect. Will Pender help the authorities out? His area of expertise is tracking down and ending the reign of serial murderers. We are privy to a snapshot of Pender's life as a retiree and it is a "no brainer" that he will be packing some light weight clothing for a trip to the tropics! Thus we have an intriguing teaser in the beginning of the novel, and then quickly learn that the ambience of the book promises to be exciting as well.
True to form, we learn the identities of our serial killers in the very beginning, and naturally are provided with carte blanche insight into the mind(s) of all members of our murder team. This includes a somewhat surprising (but hardly shocking) cohort who becomes an enthusiastic recruit after his first taste of killing.
Similarly, the author provides a number of sympathetic protagonists that most readers are simply guaranteed to love. It is safe to say that at the very least the kind-hearted and selfless Holly (and her adopted niece and nephew) will elicit strong emotional investments from all readers alike and a genuine interest in their safety from getting anywhere close to the "bad guys".
That said, there's really a number of things to like about this book. Pender is in top form despite a few missteps on his part that were costly. The US Virgin Islands leant an exotic feel to the story's backdrop. There was more romance for the homely yet lovable Pender in this installment. He does seem to always get a girl, doesn't he? Having a face that only a mother could love, a wardrobe that no self-respecting Salvation Army would accept as a donation, and never hitting the gym has somehow been a winning formula for the big guy. But more about things to like---this was a fast-paced psychological thriller with ample pulse-racing suspense, memorable and brave characters on the island who interact with Pender. There is the young woman who left a career in the big city to devote her future to caring for her dying sister, and then stepping in to the role of mother for her mixed-race niece and nephew (the latter born without arms). I don't want to leave out the magnanimous and beautiful "hippie" who lives off the island's natural resources to eat and to eke out just enough money to rent a shack over her head as she keeps isolated and away from the authorities---until Pender. This novel has an incredibly original plot, not to mention "plots within plots" with literally a quartet of serial killers motivated by their own respective agendas.
The ostensible reasoning behind the ritual murders is not a secret to the reader since the book's description virtually discloses it. It is an unusual interpretation of Ponce De Leon's "fountain of youth" to be sure---that is to literally capture the "dying breath" of their victims and thereby inhaling the very "eheha" (spirit or immortal soul). The original trio of serial killers (the married couple of archeologists) and their "Bennie" (with them since their attempt to film and document the death and dying of Bennie's father so long ago), are downright chilling to behold. Nasaw has outdone himself this time around. We have encountered a number of unbelievably diabolical and sinister characters in his prior novels, but this pair are simply evil incarnate. The fourth antagonist who joins the team is more a garden variety narcissistic sociopath who murders for money and position, then finds that he enjoys the "rush" of taking a human life.
The husband and wife are both sexual predators and the "devoted" Bennie is not far behind them in this regard. They are cold remorseless psychopaths with sex drives of energizer bunnies. The sexual ravaging of their targets, (men, women, a 12-year old girl and a planned 6-year old girl) appeared more prominent or vital in their experiences and in the re-telling of the murders. The actual killing or coup de grace [amputation right hands courtesy of Bennie's machete] with resultant exsanguinations, of course, came across to me as secondary (but for the capturing of that "last breath" needless to say).
Therein lies my problem with the book. The sexually explicit barrage of graphic details about this group of fiends was simply sickening after a point. I am not a prude and many of my favorite books are quite dark with the descriptions of the exploits of a serial killer not infrequently graphic in the extreme. However, this installment of Nasaw's tales of E.L. Pender's cases crossed a line with me. There was just enough good in this novel to counterbalance the pornography to yield a reluctant rating of 3.5. It is not one of his novels that I would recommend to a friend, at least not without a lengthy caveat.
July 19, 2024
I’ve never been a huge fan of detective novels but the storyline had me intrigued so I gave it a go expecting to be a little bored. However, this book kept me curious and wanting to know more. It focused just as much on the killers as the detective and didn’t have any dull slow moving parts. It was not written from the detective’s perspective which I appreciated.
April 13, 2009
Jonathan Nasaw’s psychological thriller ‘27 Bones’ is the third novel to involve the FBI agent and authority on serial killers, E. L. Pender (the other two being ‘The Girls He Adored’ and ‘Fear Itself’).
The novel is situated on the island of Saint Luke, which is a fictional composite of three U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. From the very beginning of the novel, the reader is informed who the killers are and their particular motivation for their dreadful atrocities. Drawing similar comparisons to the real life serial killers Fred and Rose West, Nasaw’s murdering couple, the Epp’s, take part in some very unusual sexual practices. Nasaw’s characterization of these killers is superb, showing the motivation and reasons for their actions from their own viewpoint.
As the novel progresses, the situation becomes more complex as a forth party to the murders (the Epps already have a helper named Benny) joins in on the bloody action to further his financial success. With the community and the police all thinking the murders are performed by a lone killer, dubbed the “Machete Man”, ex-agent Pender has to use all of his skills and knowledge to the limit to identify and catch the real killers.
The novel is fast-paced, with plenty of involved characterization throughout that creates an interesting and sometimes disturbing read. The sexual side to the psychotic killers can at times be seen as shocking, but this is very necessary for the development and understanding of the characters. Nasaw’s uses layers of intertwining subplots that build up the structure for the tale from very early on in the story.
With the tension building towards the dramatic conclusion, the small twists in the plot and unexpected turns of event help keep the tale alive and exciting for the reader till the very end.
The novel is situated on the island of Saint Luke, which is a fictional composite of three U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. From the very beginning of the novel, the reader is informed who the killers are and their particular motivation for their dreadful atrocities. Drawing similar comparisons to the real life serial killers Fred and Rose West, Nasaw’s murdering couple, the Epp’s, take part in some very unusual sexual practices. Nasaw’s characterization of these killers is superb, showing the motivation and reasons for their actions from their own viewpoint.
As the novel progresses, the situation becomes more complex as a forth party to the murders (the Epps already have a helper named Benny) joins in on the bloody action to further his financial success. With the community and the police all thinking the murders are performed by a lone killer, dubbed the “Machete Man”, ex-agent Pender has to use all of his skills and knowledge to the limit to identify and catch the real killers.
The novel is fast-paced, with plenty of involved characterization throughout that creates an interesting and sometimes disturbing read. The sexual side to the psychotic killers can at times be seen as shocking, but this is very necessary for the development and understanding of the characters. Nasaw’s uses layers of intertwining subplots that build up the structure for the tale from very early on in the story.
With the tension building towards the dramatic conclusion, the small twists in the plot and unexpected turns of event help keep the tale alive and exciting for the reader till the very end.
May 28, 2018
I needed a change of pace and this has been on my shelf for a long while, so it was time to get it read. Although this is the third book in a series it can be read as a standalone, I have not read teh other two and I had no trouble at all with following it.
I enjoyed this. It’s dark and gritty, set on the fictional Carib isle of St.Luke, and brought to life by excellent story telling. This is a dark one, though and is not for everyone. The cover says it is creepy, but I didn’t think so at all. I did find the story engrossing. Maybe that makes me creepy too. (haha!)
Three corpses have been found, and they are linked because they have had their right hand severed at the wrist. The characters are interesting and diverse. The retired FBI agent who comes to help. The woman who gives up her life to raise the kids of her dead sister, the woman in hiding, the delusional anthropologists and the selfish rich kid who wants what he wants when he wants it.
This is not a book that makes you fall in love with characters, well except for Holly, the lesbian who is looking after her sisters kids, and Marley, one of the kids in question.
For a thriller, not only do they catch the bad guy, the baddies get their comeuppance and much happily-ever-after ensues.
I enjoyed this. It’s dark and gritty, set on the fictional Carib isle of St.Luke, and brought to life by excellent story telling. This is a dark one, though and is not for everyone. The cover says it is creepy, but I didn’t think so at all. I did find the story engrossing. Maybe that makes me creepy too. (haha!)
Three corpses have been found, and they are linked because they have had their right hand severed at the wrist. The characters are interesting and diverse. The retired FBI agent who comes to help. The woman who gives up her life to raise the kids of her dead sister, the woman in hiding, the delusional anthropologists and the selfish rich kid who wants what he wants when he wants it.
This is not a book that makes you fall in love with characters, well except for Holly, the lesbian who is looking after her sisters kids, and Marley, one of the kids in question.
For a thriller, not only do they catch the bad guy, the baddies get their comeuppance and much happily-ever-after ensues.
June 23, 2020
Edgar Pender has spent all of his life looking forward to retirement. Being a special agent with the FBI can be demanding but he's beginning to find out with his abundance of free time...he's quite dull. Luckily his friend down in the Virgin Islands calls in a special favor. They are trying to keep news of a serial killer off the radar and need his help. The only thing they know is that the killer takes the right hand of each victim, and they don't know why. A free trip to paradise and a case to keep him busy? Not like Pender can claim he has any other plans.
Don't let the description fool you, this story doesn't just follow Edgar's point of view. Jonathan does a masterful job changing from one character's perspective to another. The character themselves are so diverse. Physically, emotionally, and mentally. If you are new to detective thrillers and want a more laid back one to start off, I highly recommend this book. It is not too gory, but definitely has the psycho thriller elements to keep you hooked. There's also an abundance of character relationship building that breaks up the constant case investigation.
Don't let the description fool you, this story doesn't just follow Edgar's point of view. Jonathan does a masterful job changing from one character's perspective to another. The character themselves are so diverse. Physically, emotionally, and mentally. If you are new to detective thrillers and want a more laid back one to start off, I highly recommend this book. It is not too gory, but definitely has the psycho thriller elements to keep you hooked. There's also an abundance of character relationship building that breaks up the constant case investigation.
January 2, 2025
This book is definitely pulp fiction but it is also entertaining. When I read the prologue I was thinking this one would be too much blood and guts for me but it is actually kind of a pirates life for me thing where the violence is kind of overlooked by the pace of the story and the adventure rather than dwelling on what the killers actually do. Think Pirates of the Caribbean or the second Indianna Jones film rather than Kathy Reiches or Jefferson Bass. Is it a good mystery? not so much but the characters are engaging and the story is actually a lot of fun for all that it is about people having their hands cut off.
March 31, 2021
Bodies turning up with right hands missing. Husband and wife team are murders who believe a dying breath contains the victim's soul and can be inhaled to prolong their life. Retired agent, Pender, joins Julian Coffee on the island of St Luke, Caribbean to solve the mystery. Very detailed, interesting, intriguing, but definitely r rated.
June 16, 2022
I just could not get into this book. The opening was violent. And my eyes kept glazing over. We get rape & human sacrifices. No thanks
https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...
https://theworldisabookandiamitsreade...
May 29, 2018
After reading 'The Girls He Adored' which is still one of my favourite books....I thought this book was very disappointing. It was far too predictable down to the prosthetic arms at the end!
Read
June 24, 2019interesting and keeps you wanting to know more
it is impossible to quit when you start it
i recommend this one truly!
it is impossible to quit when you start it
i recommend this one truly!
October 16, 2019
Interesting concept, easy read.
August 10, 2020
Una serie di omicidi avvengono a Saint Luke e I cadaveri hanno tutti la mano destra mozzata. Chi si nasconde dietro? Toccherà al detective in pensione Pender scoprirlo!
September 10, 2020
It's a quick audiobook to listen to, and fits the prompt for #42. A book with 20 or "twenty" in the title.
October 4, 2020
I'm glad I pick this book up it was really enjoyable a great paced read with a really satisfying ending. Looking forward to my next Johnathan Nasaw novel.
March 30, 2021
Not my normal type of book but once I got into it, it was quiet enjoyable
October 29, 2021
Eerie and disturbing, yet sprinkled with little nuances of dark humour, this was definitely a nice read.
April 7, 2022
Also take a shot everytime he says « bosoms »
May 7, 2022
Einfach nur krank und verstörend. Aber dennoch fesselnd. Man schwankt die ganze Zeit zwischen weglegen und gefühlt veralbert werden. 3 Sterne, weil ich sowas noch nie gelesen habe.
May 13, 2022
3.75 stars rounded up to 4. It would definitely get 4 full ones if his Max books weren't so so much better.
June 12, 2022
Read in 2004. A provocative and chilling tale.
January 19, 2023
das krankeste buch was es gibt, ich konnte es nicht fertig lesen - und ich habe ein problem, dass ich alles beenden muss was ich anfange. aber dieses buch ist zu eklig.
September 9, 2025
Good story a little long and complicated
January 10, 2026
Bruh... More like Twenty-Seven Boners. It was a quick read. If you like stuff like CSI & Criminal Minds you'll enjoy this.
January 23, 2026
The last 3rd of the book was interesting the rest eh it was awful but it wasnt great either.
November 20, 2013
being retired doesn't stop FBI former agent Pender to stop jumping at the chance to help solve a gruesome series of murders. it was no ordinary murder, because the victims' right hand were missing. the local police tried to keep the existence of the serial killer under the radar, with the hope of solving the crime before the media came in. Pender was convinced that the killer was Apgard, the husband of the last victim, however he had yet seen the connection between Apgard and his neighbor. the Epps were a husband-and-wife team of archaeologists, often followed closely behind was Bennie, their Indonesian assistant. they believed that if they breathed in their victim's last breath, their life could be extended.
Twenty Seven Bones (2004) were absolutely fast paced, with the involvement of plenty characters from the neighborhood, which at first was confusing but soon became so intense and disturbing as it was so difficult to identify the killer when it could be anyone from the neighborhood. the tension continued to build itself towards the dramatic end, and the unexpected twists of events kept the tale exciting and alive until the very end. Apgard managed to turn from a nobody to a distasteful character in a short amount of time. he was the rich brat who often get what he wanted and later tried to get rid of what gave him the disadvantage.
my review: here
Twenty Seven Bones (2004) were absolutely fast paced, with the involvement of plenty characters from the neighborhood, which at first was confusing but soon became so intense and disturbing as it was so difficult to identify the killer when it could be anyone from the neighborhood. the tension continued to build itself towards the dramatic end, and the unexpected twists of events kept the tale exciting and alive until the very end. Apgard managed to turn from a nobody to a distasteful character in a short amount of time. he was the rich brat who often get what he wanted and later tried to get rid of what gave him the disadvantage.
my review: here
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews