Questionable Remains

Lindsay Chamberlain #2

by Beverly Connor

Man's eternal quest for gold proves as enduring as it is fatal when forensic archaeologist Lindsay Chamberlain unearths a four-hundred-year-old mystery -- and a modern-day murder. Vacationing in Tennessee, Lindsay studies the bones of a centuries-old corpse hiding a fascinating secret. She's also asked to look into the suspicious deaths of two adventurous cavers whose fatal foray into Hell's Slide Cave spells murder for one family member.

But bones don't lie, and before long, Lindsay knows she's digging up trouble. Someone wants the case to remain closed -- and the mounting threats tell her she's getting closer to the truth. But as murder old and new come together in shocking ways, Lindsay finds herself digging for her life -- to survive the clever trap of a killer.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Archaeology, Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Murder Mystery

390 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

I'm Beverly Connor and I love archaeology. I worked in Georgia and South Carolina as an archaeologist doing both fieldwork and analyzing artifacts. I also love mysteries. I combined these two loves and now write mysteries in which I weave my professional experience as an archaeologist into stories of murder and intrigue in both my Diane Fallon Forensic Investigation series and Lindsay Chamberlain Archaeology Mystery Series.

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has 2 parallel stories, one takes place about 400 years ago, the other in present day (or rather early 1990's would be my guess).

I didn't pay as much attention to the older story, it just didn't work for me. The latter story was full of suspense and lots of detail to archaeology finds and how they find the relicts. The only part that got a bit drawn out was towards the end - I'm not going to spoil it for anyone saying what was going on through that part. A bit more of woowoo in this one - doesn't work for me, but understandable why it is there I guess.

So a thumbs up and 3.5 stars for this one - wish I could rate it higher, but not this time.

[Jan C · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. This might really have been 3 1/2 stars.

She alternates life with Lindsay with tales from the past when the French and Spanish were fighting over what is now the SE US and the natives were a mere incidental, frequently used as slaves. These tales had important information for what was happening with Lindsay. But I found them a little disconcerting.

They did have a purpose.

Interesting caving story and brings in the dispute between archaeology and native peoples - who have the impression that the archaeologists are little better than thieves.

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book for the most part, but not as crazy about the side story that took place in the past with the conquistadors and the Native Americans. It paralleled the present day mystery that was going on, but it was distracting for me.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questionable Remains by Beverly Connor is the second book of the Lindsay Chamberlain mystery series set in the contemporary Southeastern US. Professional archaeologist Dr. Lindsay Chamberlain specializes in forensic analysis of bones. As an expert eyewitness to murder, Lindsay positively identifies the killer, Denny Ferguson, in his trial.

Lindsay's summer vacation plan is to visit fellow archaeologists and friends at their current digs: Brian at Royce site, Jane and Alan at Rock Shelter Site, and finally, her boyfriend Derrick at Cold River Site. She's ready to leave when called to Miles Lambert's farm by a sheriff. Bones are found in a field, would she identify them as animal or human?

She identifies and dates the bones as European in origin, likely from an expedition of conquistadores over 400 years ago. However the skeleton wears a copper earspool worn by Mississippians (not residents of the modern state of Mississippi, but a native tribe 500 years ago).

So begins a parallel timeline: Lindsay's summer vacation/sleuthing trip vs. Roberto Raphael Lacayo on the same route over 400 years ago. He's on foot with native Americans, fighting off Spaniards. Conquistador Calderon is greedy for treasure. Hearing a native legend of a cave that glitters, Calderon expects to find diamonds. After his wife and children are slaughtered by Calderon, warrior chief Piaquay tracks Calderon for revenge. So does Roberto. His cousins had abandoned Roberto on a previous expedition, so Calderon could marry Roberto's sweetheart Cristina on his return to Spain.

Miles Lambert's wife Grace begs Lindsay to investigate her brother's death. Ken disappeared one night, found dead two years later in a cave with two caver friends, apparently due to a cave-in. But Grace suspects Ken's wife Jennifer was responsible. Lindsay expects to examine records, then comfort Grace the evidence shows Ken died by accident. She agrees to take a look at official records during her trip.

Lindsay's next stop is Royce Site. Lindsay analyzes battle wounds on skeletons recently discovered by her colleague Brian. The dig is interrupted by the arrival of Native Americans (George, John and Emily West) protesting the dig, and the property owner (Royce) who wants everyone to clear out, researchers included. Emily negotiates a compromise, so the dig can continue.

Checking in at her home with house-sitter/horse-sitter friend Susan, Lindsay learns the assistant defense attorney from the murder trial (Kelley Banks) started a smear campaign in the media, making false allegations against Lindsay. An extreme reaction for a new lawyer losing a case.

Driving along the highway to her next stop, Rock Shelter Site, Lindsay's tire suddenly blows out. She almost has a head-on collision; she almost goes over the embankment. Luckily for her, John West pulls up behind her. He changes her tire and tows her back onto the road. They may be enemies regarding archaeological research, but he's a good man.

At Rock Shelter Site, Lindsay is warmly welcomed by her friends, enjoys a wonderful evening in their mountain forest camp. They study a map showing the trail followed by Spanish conquistadors in 1567. The bones uncovered at this site are likely from that expedition. Lindsay shares with them the recent discoveries at Royce Site, which link the sites. Their joy is short lived; by morning a researcher is dead.

Lindsay goes to view official records of Ken Darnell's death. Coroner Tucker Prescott is defensive and hostile, claims a renowned expert examined the bodies. Lindsay asks the expert (Nigel); he didn't. The photographs of the bodies in situ raise significant questions. Lindsay's meeting with Jennifer Darnell is tense, unsatisfying. Next day, Lindsay has to fight for her life, kidnapped and abandoned in a cave.

The parallel plots dovetail nicely as the story unfolds. Forensic archaeological details are interesting and well explained in understandable context. The lively pace keeps the reader turning pages. I look forward to the next book in the series, Dressed to Die.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book begins with Lindsay Chamberlain testifying in court. Her way of recognizing the murderer is through his mouth and teeth. The defense attorney is going on and on about how ridiculous it is identifying his client just through his teeth and the jury is skeptical, too, until Lindsay tells the defense attorney about his teeth and their history; the dropped jaw surprise on his face convinces the jury. Then Lindsay is going on vacation, but first she is asked to identify some bones found in a farmer’s field. Then the farmer’s wife, Grace Lambert, asks Lindsay to look into her brother’s death, which Grace believes was murder. And off Lindsay goes on her vacation - visiting dig sites of friends, having her tire blow, having another murder at the first site she visits, and attacks on her reputation because the guy, Dennis Ferguson, was convicted because of her testimony.

[Wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story that switches back and forth between the past and present. The bones of a long dead man are found and Lindsay is asked to look at them. She discovers a bit of a mystery with them and is very curious. While talking to the family who found the bones she is asked to look into the death of the woman's brother in a caving accident. This leads to her life being put in danger and several murders. She is supposed to be on vacation and is visiting several other "digs" while looking into the deaths. The author describes archeological digs very well and the caves where the deaths occurred.

[Lucy Takeda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lindsay is a bone expert who seems to keep getting dragged into murder investigations. This time she’s on vacation, visiting friends’ sites, when a family asks her to check on a brother who was killed in a cave spelunking incident. Her expertise in observation and intelligence are impressive, but she makes some really foolish choices. The novel includes a vindictive rather dumb man convicted because of her testimony, a very angry woman who insists Lindsay testimony on a trial isn’t reasonable, and police officers and coroners making some questionable reports.
It’s an acceptable mystery, but there are an awful lot of plot lines being juggled about.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty solid overall. I can’t quite tell If the heroine’s talent for bone identification is complete hooey or not. I’ll confess, I took a big break in the middle of this and had kind of lost the plot by the time I picked it back up. But I think the plot was pretty good, parts of it were really suspenseful. I think the Native American characters were a little cringe. I also found the interludes from the past not very exciting. So solidly middle. I have the rest of the series checked out and need to make progress on them before they all get overdue (again).

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lindsay pursues explanations for the deaths of three people in a Tennessee cave which gets her into the same trouble that Nevada Barr's Blind Descent did for Anna Pigeon. Breathtakingly frightening!! At the same time as a counterpoint story, were the travels and trials of a small band of Spanish conquistadores searching in all the wrong places for gold and wealth (which does have some archeological trails).

[Noelani · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. I think this one was a meh to okay read. There are 2 story lines happening simultaneously: the modern day mystery Lindsay is investigating, and a storyline involving the Mississippians and the Spanish conquistadores.

While interesting, I found myself frustrated that I had to leave one storyline because it was interrupted by the other. The pacing kept getting interrupted.

All in all an okay read. But will read the next one before I decide to keep reading or not.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A merging of the past and the present. Follow a forensic archaeologist on vacation, get shot at, threatened and buried alive in a cave. People are trying to stop her from discovering the truth but how does it relate to her current events? Join her on a traumatic journey to the truth. Beverly Connor crafts a good story, solid 3.5. Some of the story is slow but needed for the narrative. Looking forward to Dr. Chamberlain's next adventure.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting archaeological mystery, although with too many flashbacks to Native Americans vs. conquistadores for comfortable forward momentum. The last third of the book livens up considerably when Lindsay is abducted and trapped in a cave. That was pretty tense, even knowing she had to survive since there are further books in the series.

[Jane Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder, Mayhem, and Darkness

Lindsey Chamberlain plans to visit the excavation sites of some of her friends and co-workers on her vacation, after testifying in a murder case. Instead she finds herself in a mystery involving another family, a thrilling and suspenseful read.

[Morag Riddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good mystery with lots of twists and turns. Everything logically connects in the end and it is a satisfying read to get there. I really enjoyed the incorporation of a historical tale into the present day mystery.

[Marie Collins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stories intertwined, I was only interested in one

Such I bought book for the modern crime novel, I skipped the early story it might have been good, I'll never know.

[Johnna · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the story!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

very well written.

[Gale Penton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very good series. A interesting way to look at mystery. I enjoyed this book very much.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good.

[maria helena · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok read

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mystery within a mystery within a mystery. I could have done without the additional story but it all came together in the end.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Athens, Georgia author Connor serves up another gripping tale in the second installment of the Lindsay Chamberlain mystery series. Still nursing an emotional scar or two following the events in A Rumor of Bones, Lindsay, a top forensic archaeologist, is asked to investigate the mysterious deaths of three adventurous cavers whose skeletal remains are found deep in the bowels of a Tennessee cave called, appropriately enough, Hell's Slide. How Lindsay is offered the mystery is in itself a fascinating story that presents a story within the story, that of a centuries-dead conquistador who aids the area Native Americans in a vendetta against their pillaging, gold-greedy enemies.

Lindsay's keen eye for finding the truth among the bones correctly identifies the late Spaniard, though her investigation into the deaths of the cavers proves to be more dangerous. As I had mentioned in my review of Rumor, I became acquainted with Beverly Connor when I lived in Athens and can vouch for the quality of suspense and writing. Unfortunately for us cheapskates, her novels (four so far) are not yet available in paperback, but believe me anyway, the stories are worth the price in hardcover.

[Klaus Yde · Rating 4 out of 5]

The part in the cave way to long. And the historical part also to long and not necessary for the plot.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I stumbled upon this book many years ago, but never had the time to read it. I wish I had. This was a great mystery about a forensic archaeologist. It reminds me of the Bones series. The story jumps between events during the Spanish exploration of the Americas and a modern day mystery. In many ways, the author takes three different mysteries and beautifully ties them together. Our hero, Lindsay Chamberlain, is on vacation following giving testimony in a controversial case. The murderer escapes custody and is he trying to kill Lindsay or is something more sinister going on?

Lindsay visits various sites where students and coworkers are doing summer work. We are allowed to know through the historical parts of the book that all the sites are connected by the same story. It is a fascinating way to write a book. If you like mystery and history, you'll love this book. Now I have to start the series from the beginning and start a collection!

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this second novel in the Lindsay Chamberalin series, the forensic anthropologist professor is called to examine some bones in a farmer's field. She identifies the as a 500 year old European who appeared to be living as a native. Intrigued, she and her students beging to excavate the site.

The wife of the farmer asks Lindsay to look at the bones of her brother's grave to prove, as the sister suspected, that he was murdered. As a favor to the family, she begins to investigate assuming that she will verify that he was killed in an accident. What follows is a mystery with well-laid clues and a tense and suspensful ending. Intertwined with the modern story is the story of the bones. Excellent mystery, well-told, and sometimes downright scary. Likeable characters, interesting facts and profession, and a first rate plot.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

after having read many of her newer works, reading this one constantly threw me. It was just minor little things, the car phone, and the motel phone. My first thought was, " who uses motel phones?" Compared to the others I have read this book is written very similar and mentions several of the things the characters in her Diane Fallon series like to do. I was a nice contrast to see this character struggling with knowledge about caves, whereas Diane Fallon is an avid caver. Overall I think John, is my favorite for this specific book, and hope he is a continuing character. Talking about the similarities, the "dramatic" parts, while reading I kept mentally noting the other books with those scenarios. But i like those scenarios, and in this type of genre they have to be pretty common, its like the easiest situation to end up in when playing "detective."

[Sherry Salfai · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to have discovered Lindsey Chamberlain.

I have been a huge fan of the Gideon Oliver series by Aaron Elkins for years, however I read each new installment in the series too quickly and then have to wait so long before Mr. Elkins finishes the next.
Lindsay Chamberlain is a different character than Gideon Oliver but the forensic anthropology is similar. Lindsay gets herself into more trouble than Gideon and she does more historical archeology so they are of a similar genre but very different characters. It's wonderful to have another series of this kind to enjoy.
The plots are well crafted and keep me guessing throughout. I look forward to reading the rest of this series!

[Debra Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindsey got involved in a mystery just by testifying in a murder case. At least that is where it starts. The person is found guilty then escapes from prison. While Lindsey goes on vacation she helps a family that has an old body in there field and tells them she'll look into a missing person/ accidental death case which gets her in more trouble than she believes is possible. Can she figure out why people want her off the case and find out what is going on? Very good story.

[Raji · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the second book even better than the first. That always augurs well for the series. Connor has got me interested in archaeology, a field I never dreamed would appeal to me. The parallel stories in this book were interesting although I think the imagining of the older story was a little too long. However, I liked how it was woven into the end. I am also growing fonder of Dr Lindsay Chamberlain by the 'book-hour'.

[Phillipa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, I'm still enjoying this series. However I am now a little over the author's apparent obsession with caves. I mean making Diane Fallon a caver in the previous series I read was one thing. But now to have the next character embroiled in more (albeit inadvertent) caving. It's a little tedious.

Also, I was disappointed in the end to read that the Indian back-story was entirely made up :(