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Bones of Coral
"Brilliantly suspenseful...Hall raises mystery writing to its rightful place of honor alongside the best of American fiction."--San Francisco Chronicle A Key West thriller featuring the creepiest, funniest bad guy ever. Dougie Barnes has no pain threshold and he loves a good rhyme. Paramedic Shaw Chandler knows Miami's nitty-gritty all too well. But when a routine suicide call uncovers his long-lost father, it's anything but routine-and it appears it's anything but suicide. Then Shaw's mother falls victim to financial fraud, leaving Shaw with no choice but to return home to Key West-and into the arms of his old flame soap opera actress Trula Montoya. Trula's got her own skeletons and reasons for returning to Key West. Rekindling her relationship to Shaw can only complicate her life. But Trula and Shaw are about to learn that they can no longer run from their secrets or the past as they discover a lethal conspiracy and science run amok. And when a psychotic, rhyming killer is added to the mix, they must stop an evil that could spell doom to all.Based on startling and true revelations of U.S. Military misconduct and the resulting harm done to longtime residents of Key West, Bones of Coral, was optioned by MGM with an Academy Award winning director attached to the project. The novel became a national bestseller.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1991
289 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
About the author
James W. Hall
89 books487 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
James W. Hall is an Edgar and Shamus Award-winning author whose books have been translated into a dozen languages. He has written twenty-one novels, four books of poetry, two collections of short stories, and two works of non-fiction. He also won a John D. MacDonald Award for Excellence in Florida Fiction, presented by the JDM Bibliophile.
He has a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and a doctorate in literature from the University of Utah. He was a professor of literature and creative writing at Florida International University for 40 years where he taught such writers as Vicky Hendricks, Christine Kling, Barbara Parker and Dennis Lehane.
James W. Hall is an Edgar and Shamus Award-winning author whose books have been translated into a dozen languages. He has written twenty-one novels, four books of poetry, two collections of short stories, and two works of non-fiction. He also won a John D. MacDonald Award for Excellence in Florida Fiction, presented by the JDM Bibliophile.
He has a master’s degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and a doctorate in literature from the University of Utah. He was a professor of literature and creative writing at Florida International University for 40 years where he taught such writers as Vicky Hendricks, Christine Kling, Barbara Parker and Dennis Lehane.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
October 24, 2018
South Florida novel about a paramedic whose father commits suicide, and leaves him with a Macguffin that a conspiracy wants.
Not bad, but not really crazy enough for a good florida novel.
Not bad, but not really crazy enough for a good florida novel.
March 31, 2019
Well, that was weird
June 5, 2017
I found this book mentioned in a work by Jim Harrison, so I sought it out. Set in Key West, a native son returns seeking information from his own past. He finds more than he bargains for while renewing relationships, both good and bad. Eloquent prose, at times. I'm reading the rest of his work. We'll see how it goes. I did have to keep reminding myself that this was written in 1991 and not yesterday.
January 18, 2025
I picked up this book because it’s set in the Florida keys, but I was excited to find that the plot for the murder mystery was actually really interesting! That was, however, the only good thing about this book. The writing is terrible, it’s so hard to follow the actual plot with the way things are described. It’s so obvious this was written by a white man because there’s 3 female characters in this book and in 95% of their dialogue there’s always a comment made about their body or general allure of men. Such a disappointment for a book that had a good outline. Don’t even get me started on the scapegoating and tokenism of people with mental illness/disabilities that’s all over the place in this book.
November 9, 2024
Very weird and quirky crime novel that I loved on a second reading. In other words, vintage James W. Hall. It engaged me all the way through with two memorable villains/killers, Douglas and Dougie Barnes, and Shaw Chandler with his lifelong love affair with multiple sclerosis victim Trula Montoya. Great, deeply drawn characters and an intriguing plot involving murders at a Key West garbage dump (Mount Trashmore) in an attempt to cover up a biochemical mishap by the U.S. Navy. Hall’s prose is so accessible and descriptive, painting word pictures of time and place that drops the reader right in the middle of it. James Hall remains one of my all-time favorite crime thriller novelists.
January 19, 2023
Keeps you interested!!
Very good read, keeps your interest and the characters are well built. Wouldn't be surprised if based on real people or at least some of them. Key West is like a whole other country (like Texas!) with lots of quirky characters. Love that about it. Action packed, Shaw very cool and Montoya. Then there's the military presence in Key West. Wouldn't be surprised if based on true story, not saying it is, but who knows?? Read to find out what's at the heart of the story!!! Can't give it away😉
Very good read, keeps your interest and the characters are well built. Wouldn't be surprised if based on real people or at least some of them. Key West is like a whole other country (like Texas!) with lots of quirky characters. Love that about it. Action packed, Shaw very cool and Montoya. Then there's the military presence in Key West. Wouldn't be surprised if based on true story, not saying it is, but who knows?? Read to find out what's at the heart of the story!!! Can't give it away😉
January 5, 2023
Engrssig
What a peculiar set of circumstances enacted throughout a truly weird storyline. The mind blowing scenarios throughout bring it to a cringe factor of enormous proportions. A egotistical ex naval commander who masterminds a deadly wave of disaster, of plaque proportions, whilst bringing it a son of intellectuall obscurity, causing death and mayhem and murder to abound. Definitely a novel for the none squeamish r.eader
What a peculiar set of circumstances enacted throughout a truly weird storyline. The mind blowing scenarios throughout bring it to a cringe factor of enormous proportions. A egotistical ex naval commander who masterminds a deadly wave of disaster, of plaque proportions, whilst bringing it a son of intellectuall obscurity, causing death and mayhem and murder to abound. Definitely a novel for the none squeamish r.eader
January 7, 2023
Good thriller plot . I was able to connect with characters Shaw ( fondly)
and Douglas Barnes ( disgusting)
however I was confused by similar names like son Dougie and fathers Douglas and Shaw’s father . Story seemed far too long due to weird Dougie’s adventures a distraction in Shaw finding the clues to the riddle facing Shaw over his fathers demise. Enjoyable however on balance too long due to largely irrelevant issues .
and Douglas Barnes ( disgusting)
however I was confused by similar names like son Dougie and fathers Douglas and Shaw’s father . Story seemed far too long due to weird Dougie’s adventures a distraction in Shaw finding the clues to the riddle facing Shaw over his fathers demise. Enjoyable however on balance too long due to largely irrelevant issues .
April 13, 2025
It was weird but wonderful. Strange and eerie
A first read of a thriller that I was lent by my Nan’s partner - I didn’t think I’d enjoyed it, but I couldn’t put it down! The storyline was predictable in certain parts, but this was negated by the suspense and twists, and the way James Hall wrote the novel.
Most important thing was remembering the time it was written (1991) that did reflect some of the sexism, racism and homophobia in the writing
A first read of a thriller that I was lent by my Nan’s partner - I didn’t think I’d enjoyed it, but I couldn’t put it down! The storyline was predictable in certain parts, but this was negated by the suspense and twists, and the way James Hall wrote the novel.
Most important thing was remembering the time it was written (1991) that did reflect some of the sexism, racism and homophobia in the writing
March 22, 2023
Another awesome book from one of my new favorite authors! The story moved at a quick pace and kept me so interested that I did not want to put it down! I would have gotten it done in a day or two but went camping with friends and I did not want to be rude and ignore them and read the whole time!! I highly suggest this!
April 14, 2023
Well done
Start to finish, this book will entertain you. It’s put together so well and completely that you won’t be scratching your head at the end trying to figure out the loose ends because there aren’t any. And this is one book that you won’t have to mentally edit for spelling and grammar, which is so very refreshing today. Give it a go. It’s a fun ride.
Start to finish, this book will entertain you. It’s put together so well and completely that you won’t be scratching your head at the end trying to figure out the loose ends because there aren’t any. And this is one book that you won’t have to mentally edit for spelling and grammar, which is so very refreshing today. Give it a go. It’s a fun ride.
January 9, 2023
Loved It ~
This was a perfect read as I sat beside the pool while on vacation in Key Largo, looking forward to a return trip to Key West next weekend. Well done, James W. Hall! You’ve captured the essence of The Keys perfectly.
This was a perfect read as I sat beside the pool while on vacation in Key Largo, looking forward to a return trip to Key West next weekend. Well done, James W. Hall! You’ve captured the essence of The Keys perfectly.
January 18, 2023
Bodies Everywhere
Plot was interesting and probably closer to the truth than fiction. However, a lot of the killing and torture seemed gratuitous, Dougie and Elvira too extreme. And Shaw seemed to overreact, go foggy or weak just so the scene could drag on.
Plot was interesting and probably closer to the truth than fiction. However, a lot of the killing and torture seemed gratuitous, Dougie and Elvira too extreme. And Shaw seemed to overreact, go foggy or weak just so the scene could drag on.
March 16, 2023
Scary Good
It will hold your attention all the way through the 267 pages.
When you think deeply about it, it's quite sad for most of the people involved. Just don't think too deeply.
It will hold your attention all the way through the 267 pages.
When you think deeply about it, it's quite sad for most of the people involved. Just don't think too deeply.
March 22, 2023
suspenseful ride!
I really liked this book! Hard to put down!! James Hall has become one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint. The characters in the story and the way each storyline connected was intriguing and made for a super read!
I really liked this book! Hard to put down!! James Hall has become one of my favorite authors and this book did not disappoint. The characters in the story and the way each storyline connected was intriguing and made for a super read!
December 19, 2019
Jim Harrison, the writer, recommended this POS. Terrible.
September 27, 2020
terrible tale of very sick minds and unreasonable violence/thumbs down
June 14, 2022
Average in every way
January 5, 2023
Mayhem in Key West. Excellent
January 11, 2023
Very readable story
January 18, 2023
Key West Thriller
Wonderfully written story with many twists. It's adventurous with murders and a love story. The characters are believable. I highly recommend it.
Wonderfully written story with many twists. It's adventurous with murders and a love story. The characters are believable. I highly recommend it.
January 26, 2023
great read
I highly recommend this story. Interesting and well written with some humor, action, intrigue and bloodshed. A little bit of everything
Try it… you’ll like it
I highly recommend this story. Interesting and well written with some humor, action, intrigue and bloodshed. A little bit of everything
Try it… you’ll like it
March 11, 2023
Top notch
This is one of the best murder mysteries I have ever read. And I’ve read a lot of them. Read it .
This is one of the best murder mysteries I have ever read. And I’ve read a lot of them. Read it .
April 14, 2023
Turned out to be not my kind of story.
January 4, 2024
Violent
Didn't like the language, the violence, or the plot. That's just me, others undoubtedly do since this author has written so many novels that are favored by his fans.
Didn't like the language, the violence, or the plot. That's just me, others undoubtedly do since this author has written so many novels that are favored by his fans.
February 15, 2024
Awesome Book
5 stars! Loved the entire book.... plot, characters, beginning, and ending. Edge of your seat crazy pace! Recommend you putting it on your to read list.
5 stars! Loved the entire book.... plot, characters, beginning, and ending. Edge of your seat crazy pace! Recommend you putting it on your to read list.
May 30, 2024
I don't think he's a bad author but I don't think he's a stellar one
December 30, 2022
great story. stayed up half the night reading to the finish
March 6, 2023
almost Florida noir
(2 1/2). This is a very interesting little read. It really stands out because the two best characters are the bad guys. The protagonist doesn’t make the cut in this book. I have read several other of his stories and this one is certainly different, but equally as entertaining. Pretty good stuff.
(2 1/2). This is a very interesting little read. It really stands out because the two best characters are the bad guys. The protagonist doesn’t make the cut in this book. I have read several other of his stories and this one is certainly different, but equally as entertaining. Pretty good stuff.
September 29, 2024
Okay yeah it was weird but I had a good time
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews