The forensic anthropologist wonders who would steal the bones of a deceased colleague—and “A likable, down-to-earth, cerebral sleuth.” —Chicago Tribune There is not much left of the irascible Albert Evan Jasper, “dean of American forensic anthropologists,” after his demise in a fiery car crash. But in accord with his wishes, his remains—a few charred bits of bone—are installed in an Oregon museum to create a fascinating if macabre exhibit. All agree that it is a fitting end for a great forensic scientist—until what is left of him disappears in the midst of the biannual meeting (a.k.a., the “bone bash and weenie roast”) of the august WAFA—the Western Association of Forensic Anthropologists—in nearby Bend, Oregon. Like his fellow attendees, Gideon Oliver—the Skeleton Detective—is baffled. Only the WAFA attendees could possibly have made off with the remains, but who in the world would steal something like that? And why? All had an opportunity, but who had a motive? Soon enough, the discovery of another body in a nearby shallow grave will bring to the fore a deeper, more urgent mystery, and when one of the current attendees is found dead in his cabin, all hell breaks loose. Gideon Oliver is now faced with the most difficult challenge of his career—unmasking a dangerous, brilliant killer who knows every bit as much about forensic science as he does. Or almost. Make No Bones is the 7th book in the Gideon Oliver Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
Aaron J. Elkins, AKA Aaron Elkins (born Brooklyn July 24, 1935) is an American mystery writer. He is best known for his series of novels featuring forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver—the 'skeleton detective'. The fourth Oliver book, Old Bones, received the 1988 Edgar Award for Best Novel. As Oliver is a world-renowned authority, he travels around the world and each book is set in a different and often exotic locale.
In another series, the protagonist is museum curator Chris Norgren, an expert in Northern Renaissance art.
One of his stand-alone thrillers, Loot deals with art stolen by the Nazis and introduces protagonist Dr. Benjamin Revere.
With his wife, Charlotte Elkins, he has also co-written a series of golf mysteries about LPGA member Lee Ofsted. They shared an Agatha Award for their short story "Nice Gorilla".
Aaron and Charlotte live on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.
I do like this series, but this book had some moments I did not embrace. We do get Julie agreeing to take some time off work to join Gideon at a conference in Oregon of forensic anthropologists. They do have a nice drive down to the area. Of course Gideon is not there very long before he happens to step in area that gives way and soon revealed the burial of a body. And here the plan had been to enjoy the countryside and horseback riding whilst convening in groups to further their knowledge of the forensics field. Well...there's that. Another opportunity to exercise that knowledge. There are secrets being held by more than one of these scientists and things get a tad dangerous before resolution.
I finished around 3/4 of this book this afternoon, once it got going I couldn't put it down.
I've been steadily reading my way through this series and although a bit formulaic, each plot is always a fresh idea and so full of twists that I've long since given up trying to solve before Gideon does. And although I had a few ideas who was behind the crimes, so I did love the long windup to the payoff. But what I liked best was that Gideon was matching wits with a killer just as knowledgeable about bones as he was.
And as I already said, I seem to forget that these books were written back in the late 80s/early 90s (well, the early books of the series I'm reading now, anyway) when cell phones, DNA testing and the internet was in its infancy, used by very few if used at all. Being a Gen X'er, I remember that period of time when "going online" wasn't even close to what it was today (Anyone remember Compuserve? We had that and a 300 baud modem, go look that up, you'll see what I mean) and that makes me really respect the challenges that anthropologists, pathologists, law enforcement and forensic technicians had back then and yet still solve murders and although this is a work of fiction, the author has obviously done his research thoroughly on all aspects of the subject.
I enjoyed this one thoroughly and although some of the books in the series have been hit or miss, this one was definitely a hit.
"The irascible Albert Evan Jasper, 'dean of American forensic anthropologists,' is a man who lives up to his eccentric reputation well beyond the grave: he has willed his skeleton to science. For ten years the famous man's bones have lain in a drawer while his fellow scholars have argued about what to do with them.
"The problem is solved with the opening of an exhibition at the Museum of Natural History in Bend, Oregon: as part of a forensic anthropologists' conference. Jasper's remains are installed in a permanent display. In attendance at the conference is Gideon Oliver, looking forward to a stimulating and education week in the fragrant pine country of central Oregon.
"The stimulation begins in earnest when Jasper's bones are stolen from their case. More sinister events quickly pile up: the body of a murdered man is discovered in a shallow grave on the grounds of the scenic but decaying resort where the conference is taking place. While this is being investigated by local police, there is another killing -- of a scientist connected with the conference. Gideon, forced to the unwelcome conclusion that the murderer must be one of his own colleagues, narrowly escapes an attempt on his own life,
"Aided by wife, Julie, and old friend John Lau of the FBI, Gideon is faced with his most difficult challenge to date -- unmasking a clever, dangerous killer ... who knows every bit as much about forensic anthropology as he does." ~~front flap
Oh I do love these books! The author sets his novels either in places I'd like to go to or in places I've already been and loved. The latter is the case with this book: I attended a lithics class at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, which is 117 miles west of Bend Oregon, which is the setting for this book.
It's also one of my favorites because I actually noticed a clue, and so I knew how the murder was set up as an alibi for the murderer. (Did I remember that from when I read this book before? I don't think so because I didn't remember anything else about the plot. So I'll just take credit this once, since I miss so many of them.)
A very clever plot and various characters that certainly would fit right into any anthropological conference I've ever been to. Mr. Elkins certainly has a gift for creating characters who seem genuine, and runs the gamut doing so. As usual, his description of the location is appreciative and detailed, allowing the reader to slip more easily into the book and feel as through they're part of the cadre of bystanders trying to sort out the murderer from the cast of suspects. Thoroughly well done!
Based on the reviews of the Gideon Oliver books here on Goodreads, I picked one up at my local used bookstore. I am pleasantly surprised and relieved - the community here has, indeed, helped me find a book I want to read.
What sticks out in my mind most after having finished reading Make No Bones is that Aaron Elkins has Agatha Christie's talent for creating warm, pleasantly rounded characters, especially middle-aged and older ones. He also has the same knack for making his characters distinctive enough from each other that he can gather a large group and not confuse readers. If I were rating on character alone, I would give this book 5 stars.
The mystery is a solid 3.5-4 star mystery, complex enough to hold my attention and not seem childish, simple enough for me to follow and understand why people are interested in answering the questions they're interested in, and with a solid twist at the climax of the story. I can't give 5 stars because the resolution was rushed and under-explained.
Yes, it was possible, and no, I wasn't shocked in the sense of too many clues pointing a different way. I believed the solution that was set out. I simply didn't fully understand it, and it lacked a gravitas I'm accustomed to enjoying in a murder mystery conclusion. Agatha Christie and Rex Stout both have the knack of creating a solution in which the reader can see and feel in retrospect there was no other way for the characters' lives to go: the murder was inevitable, inescapable. Aaron Elkins, at least in this book, doesn't capture that feeling.
Besides a few stylistic hiccups, like putting too many qualifications/job titles/physical description details in one sentence, I enjoyed Elkins' writing.
Overall, a solid 4 stars, and I will definitely read another Gideon Oliver book.
Elkins impresses readers with another North American locale case, full of anthropological tidbits and forensic treats. While attending a biannual anthropology convention, Dr. Oliver and Julie discover that the mentor to many of the original attendees in 1981 was not killed in a bus crash, as they were led to believe, but actually murdered. A body found buried at the convention site (same as the inaugural one a decade before) leads to more questions and has Oliver showing some of his skills to a bunch of his colleagues. After one of the anthropologists is murdered in his cottage, it`s clear that the murderer is on site and one of the academics. Will Oliver and his trusty FBI friend Agent Lau be able to point the finger at the correct suspect before more bodies pile up? Elkins keeps the reader waiting until the very end to find out.
Elkins paints quite the picture in this installment of the series, using Oliver’s skills and those of the other anthropologists to deduce what might have happened. Keeping the story fresh and interesting, Oliver remains the bumbling academic, but in this novel he has much company to help mute his skills. Elkins surely draws on some of his past academic experiences to narrate the tale and sells its authenticity throughout. Well done and thoroughly entertaining for a series regular reader, but also the one-off novel experimenter whose interest would surely be piqued with all found herein.
Kudos, Dr. Elkins on this highly entertaining piece of fiction.
Another crime solving adventure for Gideon Oliver, aided and abetted by his wife and a police friend. The plot unravels quite nicely but I found the bonhomie of the forensic anthropologists a bit irritating and unconvincing. It seems unlikely such a gathering would leave the thinking to so few, and remain content with cook-outs and conference sessions. The forensic details are of interest, but the crime is solved by a light bulb moment of association rather than thorough investigation. I did, nevertheless, want to know the outcome. About 3.6 stars
Aaron Elkins' 7th Gideon Olivery mystery, this one set in Bend, Oregon. Who can resist the thrall of this high desert retreat, the academic intrigue and the bodies - old and new- just waiting for what The Skeleton Detective can evoke. Aaron Elkins, on tour in Salem, Eugene, Roseburg, Klamath Falls and Ashland, Oregon beginning in Salem, Oregon on Wednesday Aug 11, 2010. http://www.ashlandmystery.com
Gideon and his wife Julie, together with their FBI friend John, attend a conference of a forensic anthropological association at a remote lodge. Ten years previously, the founding group of anthropologists had held their first conference at the same lodge, an affair that ended sadly with two of the attendees killed in a firey bus crash on the way to the airport.
A feature of the conference is to be the installation of the bones recovered from the crash at the new museum, but the bones go missing. Then a skeleton is found. Soon Gideon, Julie and John are faced with ferreting out just what happened at that first meeting and, for Gideon, deciding which of his colleagues, and friends, might be a murderer.
Going to be honest, I picked this book up for 50 cents. I figured, I liked the Temperance Brennan series and this one seemed similar, and the price was right! Who can beat that price for a cool book that had a pretty good Goodreads rating?
I did enjoy this book but I think to get the full impact I would have needed to read the first six books in the series. I didn't understand the relationships or why certain parts of the stories had a bigger effect than I would have given them. But, that's my own fault! Reading #7 in a series... The book did it's best to fill me in, but it still didn't help as much as reading the whole series would have.
Overall, nice crime read. I wasn't glued to it but I wanted to dip my toes into a different type of book and it worked.
Elkins's Gideon Oliver mysteries are always reliable, cozy, forensic, non-gory fun. This one is no exception. If you like Kathy Reichs, but prefer a little less blood-and-stress, this is a great series. Oliver is pleasantly non-neurotic for a sleuth, has a loving relationship with his intelligent wife, and loves to teach. That positive approach gives us a fast-moving story that never gets bogged down in angst, quick and clever dialogue, and fascinating lessons about forensic anthropology.
I didn't really think much about this book at first, it wasn't much different from the others in this series. However, I found the ending thoroughly enjoyable. The only note I had for this book was from about 15 minutes in after the scene at the department meeting when they were talking about whether or not to fail the student. I made a note saying "hopefully Callie will be one of the victims". I can't stand people who constantly talk psycho-babble or think that everyone needs to be wrapped in cotton batting and coddled. (I mean really, if a student doesn't even bother to try on a midterm exam, they deserve to fail.) It was much more satisfying to have her be the murderer and to have faked her dissertation too! I think John said it best: "Lady, you're a phony, right down to your socks."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was a quick, enjoyable read. Gideon and Julie escape the spring rains on the Olympic Peninsula for an anthropology conference in Bend, Oregon. Their friend, FBI agent John Lau is also present to present a lecture of his own. Ten years earlier, at the first meeting of what is now known as the WAFA, also held in Bend, their leader Albert Evan Jasper died in a bus crash — his remains, such as they were, were identified by his colleagues. So when Gideon discovers a grave, who was buried there? What else happened at that first meeting — before Gideon joined the group? When Gideon undertakes to do a facial reconstruction, using the skull found in the newly-discovered grave, the results are a complete surprise — and Gideon's own life is place in danger. Recomended.
Once again, I can wholeheartedly recommend a book from the pen of Aaron Elkins. His work invariably offers a solid mix of chuckles and chills, with the addition of many well-written twists. I am a mystery fan mostly because I love trying to solve the puzzle(s) created by the author. Elkins never plagues the reader with red herrings, but he ensures that information about the mystery reaches the reader only when it reaches the investigators. This ensures that the path to what actually happened winds in, around, and over itself....ensuring that each novel brings interesting puzzles just waiting to be solved ... and RE-solved!
It seems that Gideon isn't the only clue solver in the family! When Julie accompanies the Doc on his "cases", she's seems to have a clearer insight into what's going on right in front of him. Her suggestions in the previous book, " Curses", also bore fruit. Even tho this was written in the '90's, I still feel that her opinion is undervalued by the "men", and by her own lack of confidence as written. Aaron Elkins was in his 50's when he wrote this book, and is in his mid-80's now. But still.. Happy reading!
Make No Bones – Gideon Oliver Series – Published 1991 - *** - United States anthropologist police procedural murder investigation. It is a conference of American forensic anthropologists and there is dodgy work afoot. Gideon with the help of his wife track down the culprit)s) in the WAFA – the Western Association of Forensic Anthropologists in Bend Oregon. The book is a little dated but still comes across well. The pace was slower than my preference and affected my star rating dropping the book down from a four to a three. I may read some more Elkins on a slow rainy weekend.
Another one of my favorite series narrated by Joel Richards who does and excellent job with the story about Albert Evan Jasper, Dean of American Forensic Anthropologist who was in a car crash that only left charred bits of his bones. Jasper's bones was sent to the Oregon Museum on exhibit.
Gideon Oliver went to the museum but he wasn't satisfied with the exhibit and even more when a body was found in a shallow grave while he was there. As usual, Gideon goes around studying everything to unmask what really happen.
This series is an older one..this book is not the first, but was written in the early 90s. It is intellectually stimulating, a good read, never predictable, and when I finished this, I was glad I had the next installment ready and waiting! Anthropology is very interesting. Forensic anthropology is totally fascinating. Gideon Oliver is the precursor to "Bones" much like "Quincy" was the forerunner of Gil Grissom and the CSI franchise.
I like this series. It’s always a tricky enough puzzle, and I find Gideon and Julie and their friend John appealing as a sleuth-team. I’ve had a bit much of Julie getting shot down for being not-an-expert when she makes a suggestion that later turns out to be on the money but every time there’s that rueful moment of reckoning that sort of makes it okay.... hoping that little schtick goes away though.
I enjoyed this book in Elkins series more for the humor and forensic info than for the mystery. Also, it takes place in Bend OR which my husband and I visited 2-3 years ago. PS, whil3 an anthropology major at OSU, I was fortunate to attend a lecture and Q&A by Clyde Snow,, preeminent forensic anthropologist. I thought I wanted to be one until viewing slides of the gooey part of the job.
An OK mystery. I thought there was a little too much of one character explaining his reasoning to another character when it seemed that the second character was plenty smart enough to follow the reasoning on his own. I know I was.
Only three stars this time, but the book was still a fun, fast read. I missed Abe, however. This one seemed a bit more contrived than the others, almost a tad forced , thus the three stars. I will still continue to read this series!
A little lighter, a little more locked room (you’ll see if you read it), and as in every GO book, shenanigans galore. This time, with a bunch of sharp eyed (?) doctors just like Gideon.
Elkins specializes in wonderful dialogue and interesting settings, as well as forensic challenges. This has a pretty boring setting, and the characters are rather thin. Just not as much fun as most.
This is usually a four-star series for me - meaning I would like to read the book again. This particular installment, however, has a very lackluster, unsatisfying ending. It almost felt like the author ran out of time and just wrapped things up quickly.