The Skeleton's Knee

Joe Gunther #4

by Archer Mayor

When a reclusive market gardener's death proves to stem from a 20 year-old bullet wound, Lt. Joe Gunther is presented with a very cold homicide to solve. But who was the victim exactly? A deeply private man eking out an ascetic existence from a hardscrabble mountain field, Abraham Fuller was virtually unknown to his neighbors, in the manner of someone pursuing more than mere solitude. The discovery of a duffle of unmarked bills and a body buried in the garden patch suggests that Fuller had motives beyond misanthropy. Nor is it such a cold case either, as someone seems willing to kill to ensure that old secrets remain buried.

The fourth Joe Gunther mystery, The Skeleton's Knee sends Lt. Gunther on an investigation spanning thousands of miles and reaching back decades, to solve a crime whose deepest roots seem to lie in Chicago's troubled summer of 1968. It's easy to see why the New York Times bestselling Mayor has been described as producing "the best police-procedural series being written in America."

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Audiobook, Detective, Procedural, Thriller

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1993

About the author

Over the years, Archer Mayor has been photographer, teacher, historian, scholarly editor, feature writer, travel writer, lab technician, political advance man, medical illustrator, newspaper writer, history researcher, publications consultant, constable, and EMT/firefighter. He is also half Argentine, speaks two languages, and has lived in several countries on two continents.

All of which makes makes him restless, curious, unemployable, or all three. Whatever he is, it’s clearly not cured, since he’s currently a novelist, a death investigator for Vermont’s medical examiner, and a police officer.

Archer has been producing the Joe Gunther novels since 1988, some of which have made the “ten best” or “most notable” lists of the Los Angeles and the New York Times. In 2004 Mayor received the New England Booksellers Association book award for fiction.

Intriguing plots, complex characters, and a vivid landscape are the foundation of Archer Mayor's award-winning New England thrillers.

Reviews

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an early and very strong entry into the series of police procedurals featuring Joe Gunther. The story begins with Gunther receiving a call from the medical examiner informing him that the ultimate cause of death of a recently deceased man was a bullet wound received many years before. The mysteries proliferate. The victim, who lived like a hermit, had first resisted treatment by emergency personnel, but then had let himself be taken to a hospital where he paid for his treatment in cash before dying. What begins as an intriguing cold case, heats up in the course of an interesting, complex investigation. Later, there is a unfortunate bit of the more or less mandatory criminal as superman, but otherwise this is fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable mystery.

[audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

*sambas through your timeline in Lake Monsters baseball gear and cheerful cow-based Vermont shirt*

This plot makes no sense! (ah!)
This plot makes no sense! (*clapclap*)
This plot makes no sense! (ah!)
This plot makes no sense! (*clapclap*)

Dig up a dude! (okay)
Let another one go (what)
Make lots of guesses (huh)
Then take it on the road! (whee)
Get people killed! (oops)
Consequences? No! (oh for f--)
Tangle with the mob (yikes)
Then head back home! (sure)
Done with the killing? (please)
Heck not, let's go! (oh come on)
Random logic! (tombstones?)
Rules the day! (sure why not)
Charge around Vermont! (DEFYING THE ACTUAL ABILITY OF THOSE PARTICULAR ROADS TO GET YOU FROM POINT A TO B IN THE TIME SPECIFIED, JUST SAYING)
Your neighbors rue the day! (the ones that don't get killed or beat up, that is)

This plot makes no sense! (ah!)
This plot makes no sense! (*clapclap*)

*shimmies over to the edge of Lake Champlain, continues sambaing down to the bottom of the lake*

[Harry Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Police procedural. Another very fine entry in the Joe Gunther series. This story is action driven and centered on Gunther. The Chicago scenes are about as gritty as the city, while Vermont is its usual beautiful self. My only criticism is that it is really unlikely that all of the pieces to work the puzzle would be available twenty years after the fact. A very good read anyway.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A change in location adds interest to this series, as a skeleton found in Vermont leads Joe Gunter to Chicago to run down a cold case. He gets some help from a Chicago police man and they have some wild adventures in the big city. I enjoyed this and look forward future books in this series.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good solid entry in this long running police procedural series. More action than I expected but I enjoyed Joe's trip out of Vermont to big city Chicago on the trail for clues.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3 and a half. Fourth in the series. Better than the third. Mayor does a great job writing the procedural parts. They are always interesting, informative and well plotted. His action scenes are a little clunky and unexciting. And I don't usually like his ending gs. But the journeys are fun.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Brattleboro, Vermont, a reclusive man is brought to the hospital by ambulance. The hermit pays in advance for his care with cash from an envelope stuffed with money. An aneurysm ultimately kills the man but during autopsy it is found that the damage was caused by a gunshot wound, a wound that is at least 20 years old. Lt. Joe Gunther is called on to investigate the death and when he and his team dig through the dead man's hideaway, they literally dig up a skeleton that has been buried on the property for at least 2 decades. The skeleton sports a shiny artificial knee which at least gives Gunther a place to start on identifying the remains. Joe's investigation leads him to Chicago where he confronts an old radicalized hippie culture and the mob. Both groups are keenly interested in Joe's findings and when he returns to Vermont he is tailed by at least one, and possibly two, killers.

This is book #4 in the Joe Gunther series. I love the setting - beautiful Brattleboro and its surroundings, and I really like Joe. This is a series I will most definitely be continuing.

[Jerry B · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Skeleton” is an exciting fourth entry in Mayor’s lengthening 29-book Joe Gunther series. Our Vermont-based detective spends most of the tale in Chicago, paired with a veteran cop nearing retirement as they try to identify, let alone explain, a skeleton found after probably 20 years in a grave – an artificial metal knee the best clue available. Moreover, another unidentified body has turned up at the home morgue dead of a bullet wound that caused an aneurysm two decades after the gunshot!

As you might infer, the rather complicated plot takes a lot of skill, detailed forensics, and intuitive deduction to figure everything out, not without some dangerous scenes along the way. The twisty ending capped an entertaining tale that was difficult to put down – and to say the least encourages us onward in this clever police procedural set. Well done!

[Jennifer M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a twisted investigation Gunther was part of in this book. A man unexpectedly dies and the autopsy reveals an old bullet wound. Gunther finds money and a skeleton buried on the man’s property. He has no idea what’s going on but follows a lead to Chicago. Unfortunately he steps in a lot of things without intending to that sets off a very nasty guy who hurts several people. We finally get the whole story about things that happened 20 years ago. Talk about a cold case that led to several current murders. Very intricate and interesting.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of Mayor's earlier stories. Very good murder mystery set primarily in Brattleboro, Vermont, a town in S.E. Vermont on the Connecticut River. Joe Gunther, veteran policeman, is called in to investigate the curious death of a recluse living off a back road in W. Brattleboro. During the course of the search of the recluse's property, a body is found buried with one significant clue, an artificial knee. So begins an investigation into a 20 year old murder set back to the "hippie" days (which in Brattleboro I believe is still going on!). The knee and skeleton it is attached to draws Gunther's investigation to Chicago and the victim's ties to the Black Panther's, Chicago Seven, and Chicago mafia, then back to Vermont to tie up the clues and solve the mystery in a climatic gunfire exchange in the Northeast Kingdom. Mayor's description of the town of Brattleboro brings me home, being familiar with the town having lived a short distance north of there for half of my life. And when Gunther, the small town policeman, lands in Chicago, his investigation brings the right mix of awe for the size of the city and it's PD, naive confidence, veteran cop experience and cynicism, and blind luck that makes the story line honest and believable.

I enjoyed all the twists and turns of the story,and am impressed with the excitement brought into these mysteries -- I do not remember the Vermont I grew up in being so exciting. A good mystery and a fun read!

[Ensiform · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth Joe Gunther novel, this opens with the death from natural causes of a hermit with a very suspicious case history. Checking out his shack, the police discover a skeleton with an artificial knee dating back to the ‘60s. Gunther goes to Chicago to find the man who implanted the knee and encounters an aging radical turned ruthless killer. The plot involves a loose cannon boss’ nephew from “the Outfit” (a new name for the mob), a missing woman, the Chicago Eight, some stolen money, and a lot of secrets.

Indeed, the plot’s so tortuous, I’m not sure who the money belonged to – did the killer steal it from the Chicago Eight, or the Outfit? And did the killer kill the mob boss’ nephew, and why? I’m sure a closer reading would have answered these questions, but I don’t read this stuff to study it, I want to be entertained and not have to think too much, dammit. Anyway, this book was, obviously, fast-paced and full of twists. It contains Mayor’s trademarks: thoroughly detailed explanations for plot points (geography of Chicago, how artificial joints are used, astrological readings), Gunther going alone after a killer in a confusing series of rooms or alleys and getting ambushed, last minute rescues, etc. Good fun pulp, anyway.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second pleasurable tour with Detective Joe Gunther in a series of police procedurals set in the rural environs of Vermont. This time around he has advanced to a statewide division of investigation. The review of a case of the death of a hermit from natural causes reveals his demise was precipitated by an old bullet in his body. But soon Gunther is put onto the trail of a cold case when a quantity of moldy money is found on the premises and a skeleton is dug up from his yard. And cold becomes hot when the mortuary van hauling the remains away comes under machine gun fire. I love how step by step Gunther's investigation keeps expanding, starting with the simple clue of the skeleton's possession of an unusual artificial knee. Ultimately, the trail leads him to Chicago as the likely site of the surgery deaceds before, and it's fun to see how a rural detective negotiates his way among dangerous forces in the big city. His character is nicely drawn. Gunther is no cynical tough guy with superhuman skills, but instead just a conscientious, persistent policeman with a lot of courage when it counts.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dependably good. The Joe Gunther series takes place in Battleboro Vermont. Joe Gunther is head detective for the PD. he spends a week investigating in Chicago, and although his descriptions don't quite sync up with the way I see Chicago, I still enjoyed them.

[krin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this mystery featuring Vermont detective Joe Gunther and his experiences in Chicago. I liked how he noticed discrepancies in the crime scenes and how he worked on identifying all the players in the murder.

[Christine Heng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great crime mystery. I felt this one had a little overkill in details that didn't necessarily have to do with the crime. I was also a little disappointed in the ending but still a good book. Had you wondering until the end.

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

Narrator Tom Taylorson made this tolerable. This rural setting was interesting the first three books; but, this plot was a loser.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this author only this year and enjoyed his work so much that I'm going back to read his older novels too. Author is detailed, deep-thinking philosopher with multiple interests.
JOE GUNTHER can be excruciatingly detailed about his observations of his surroundings everywhere he looks. It can be enjoyable if you don’t know the area (his and Chicago this time). This gives us a clear view of his talents for observation and detail, plus his innately driven curiosity in his personal life as well as profession. He’s a dedicated man with an even temperament and even a sense humor.
Chief of Detectives in small-town Brattleboro, VT, Joe is baffled by the 49-year old secretive, educated, vegetarian hermit, who pays his hospital bill in ($100 bills!) -- then dies. Abraham Fuller’s death was as an exceptionnally healthy orthopedic patient who died in the hospital of an aneurysm caused by an old bullet. Gunther’s even more flummoxed with finding a skeleton of a murder with an artificial knee on Fuller’s cabin property. Then a machine gun sniper takes shots at the hearse with the skeleton in it.
He learns something of archeology and anthropology plus learns why professional criminals launder their ill-gotten cash!

The second half of the novel follows Gunther through Chicago in search of answers that lead to him to meet with a big crime boss and as well as old "friends" of Fuller’s. “The plot thickens” with almost constant action, twists and turns in the narrative. Such is the the allure of Mayor's writing.

I have to say that I would think the bank cash would be enough to have to turn the case over to the Feds, while at the same time saving their ever-limited manpower and budget. But then where would the story be? Joe’s curiosity was contagious with his team and his community. They, too, wanted answers to their only exciting mystery.

[Andy Klein · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strange to enjoy a book but give it 2 stars, but here you are. The plot was so ludicrous l, I had no choice. Where to begin? First of all, the main villain was a cross between Jason Bourne and Hercule Poirot at age 60. He was a lethal assassin and the world’s greatest investigator, finding hidden fugitives, tailing police without detection repeatedly, torturing and murdering people causally, even heading to a new location (Vermont from Chicago) and immediately knowing the geography and local players. Second, Gunther has to be the dumbest cop ever. How many times does he blunder and get people killed? 3-4 on this book alone. Then there was the astrology angle which didn’t turn out to be much, but was taken too seriously. Next, he gets shot and seriously injured too much. Finally, he just lets a murderer and a guy who shot a local hearse driver go because he liked her. Ridiculous. Man, I hope the next one returns to earlier form.

[Kimberly Morehouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was certainly an exciting one. First a dead man who dies, but no one knows who he is. Then while finding more about him and his shady existence, they find a skeleton on his property. This leads Joe to Chicago where he engages with the mafia, the black panthers and the local PD. Bodies begin to pile up, Joe is running out of time to save the next targets, one of which is his own girlfriend. Yikes! It was full of action, fast moving adventure and danger lurking everywhere. I love Joe Gunther! Narrator did a wonderful job!

[Judith von Kirchbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great police procedural

In this fourth installment to the Joe Gunther Series Detective Joe Gunther gets to try his hand at the Chicago Mob and it’s relation to a hermit in Vermont. It is a lot of fun to be along for the ride, another great police procedural.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely a 5 star murder mystery!!! Amazing twisted plot! I love the main character Lt. Joe Gunther. I will go back now and read the entire Joe Gunther series—not sure how I missed this great author!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced book split into 3 parts. I enjoyed the Chicago scenes and how the author developed and brought the story together.

[Karen Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it had an odd story line.

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vermont detective Joe Gunther has to go to Chicago for much of this fourth book in a good series, as he tracks down the identity of a body buried for 20 years

[Wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good police procedural. When a man dies it is first thought there was nothing suspicious but then they find he has an old gunshot wound and Joe Gunther starts investigating. He finds the grave of another person on the property and then really starts investigating especially when the hearse with the remains is shot at. The trails takes him all the way to Chicago were he encounters a helpful cop who is close to retirement, the mob, and a man who is hiding his activities from 20 years prior. The original dead guy had a stash of money and it seems to be at the root of everything. No one is sure where it came from. As Joe digs deeper he is a bit out of his element in a strange city and is aided by the Chicago cop and they both end up in a bit of trouble. He eventually draws a killer back to Vermont with him.
Whatever crime had occurred took place 20 years earlier and it takes awhile for all the pieces to fall into place and there is a lot of looking through old records and trying to piece different things together. Some things are hiding in plain sight. Gunther is a dogged investigator and won't let things drop, he wants to get to the bottom of everything. He is also a considerate person and wants to protect those close to him. Enjoy this series.

[Richard Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It looks like I read this book before I started using Goodreads.com to record my reading habits; I created a record for it but with no review or date finished.

A reclusive mystery man dies of what seems to be a heart attack but the autopsy reveals damage to the heart and a scar caused by the a bullet wound... now Joe Gunther has a twenty-year old murder on his hands. Little is known about the victim, but in following up on the sparse clues they have Gunter's team findings the body of a man with an artificial knee buried in victim's garden. Eventually Joe ends up following the trail to Chicago.

I read THE SKELETON'S KNEE aloud to Maggee and Lutrecia this time around finishing with a marathon final 60 pages set in Glover, Vermont at the Puppet and Bread Circus. (We looked it up on YouTube... a real thing, but it seems to be significantly more modest than the celebration described in the book.) A little Energizer Bunny in parts, but a good read.

This was book #14 on our 2022 Read-alouds List and book #12 in our 2022 Read-alouds With Lutrecia List.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE SKELETON'S KNEE - VG
Mayor, Archer - 4th in series

Vermont hermit Abraham Fuller kept mum on his gunshot wound. When it finally causes a fatal aneurysm some twenty years later, Detective Joe Gunther decides to investigate—and, for the first time, must leave his rustic Brattleboro beat.

The trouble starts in Fuller's garden where Gunther's crew digs up an artificial knee joint... attached to a very real human skeleton. Worse yet, the victim had been murdered. When a sniper machine-guns the hearse bringing the skeleton to the morgue, Gunther's first step is clear: find the manufacturer of the steel knee. It will mean trading Vermont for Chicago, where big city cops snub small-town gumshoes, too many people are hiding dark pasts,.and a deadly trail could lead to a fresh new corpse—Gunther's

I really like Mayor's writing. This was exciting and, for me, the best so far of the series.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this as I have all of the books in series so far. In some of the reviews people didn't enjoy the Chicago setting, but as a Chicago native it was really interesting for me to read the way someone who doesn't live here describe the setting, so that was especially enjoyable. Love this series! It is very obvious that this author really does his research in all areas which is what makes his books so interesting and enjoyable.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#4 in the Joe Gunther series. Series features Joe Gunther, Brattleboro, VT detective Lt.

Joe Gunther discovers a buried skeleton with a metal replacement knee while searching for a gun. Identifying the skeleton takes him to Chicago and interaction with an aging 60s radical and the mob, both of whom want to locate the skeleton's accomplices and a million dollar haul. Good action but the astrology aspects were not credible.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lieutenant Joe Gunther starts with a baffling case of a man who dies of a gunshot wound that is 25 years old. While searching for a weapon, his team uncovers a skeleton of yet another murder victim, this time one with an artificial knee. The quest to put a name to the bones and a connection to the first murder sends Joe to Chicago, back to Brattleboro, and on to the Northeast Kingdom. This mystery kept me captivated and guessing right up to the end, just the way I like it!