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Jane Hawk #0.5

The Bone Farm

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An audio original novella featuring bestselling author Dean Koontz's compelling new heroine, Jane Hawk. From the case files of the former FBI agent before she became the nation's most wanted fugitive - The Bone Farm details a desperate man-hunt for a serial killer before he murders again.

Katherine Haskell, a young college co-ed is on her way back to school, but she never makes it there. Instead, she becomes the latest prey of the rapist and murderer dubbed by the tabloids the "Mother Hater." He is a twisted soul who kidnaps young girls for pleasure then discards them.

Katherine is missing, but she's not yet dead. FBI agents Jane Hawk and her partner Gary Burkett must descend into the hell of this killer's mind to solve the case before it is too late. The question is - will they both get out alive?

Listening Length: 2 hours and 1 minute

50 pages, Audible Audio

First published April 25, 2018

57 people are currently reading
3210 people want to read

About the author

Dean Koontz

905 books39.6k followers
Acknowledged as "America's most popular suspense novelist" (Rolling Stone) and as one of today's most celebrated and successful writers, Dean Ray Koontz has earned the devotion of millions of readers around the world and the praise of critics everywhere for tales of character, mystery, and adventure that strike to the core of what it means to be human.

Dean, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives in Southern California with his wife, Gerda, their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens, Trixie and Anna.

Facebook: Facebook.com/DeanKoontzOfficial
Twitter: @DeanKoontz
Website: DeanKoontz.com

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5 stars
726 (15%)
4 stars
1,444 (30%)
3 stars
1,831 (38%)
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1 star
170 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 425 reviews
Profile Image for Tim.
2,497 reviews330 followers
September 10, 2020
Good action for a short novella. Still, doesn't quite explain Jane's intelligence and how she gets to be the woman she is. Likely, a full story required to do that. 7 of 10 stars
Profile Image for Jim C.
1,779 reviews35 followers
June 23, 2018
This is a prequel to the Jane Hawk series. One does not need to read any of the Jane Hawk novels to understand the events in this short story. In this one, Jane and her partner are investigating a serial killer case where the killer is named the "Mother Hater".

I believe this is only available as an audiobook. It doesn't add anything to the Jane Hawk series and truthfully, the protagonist could have been any federal agent and it would have been the same exact story. This story is told thru two different time settings. We get Jane in the present and we also get the past and see how the serial killer comes to be. I have always liked this kind of storytelling as it seems like it is two different stories. The story itself is serviceable and it is a quick listen. There is some offensive language so be weary of that.

This story story doesn't add anything new to this genre. I wouldn't be surprised if the twist has been done before. And it definitely doesn't add to the character of Jane Hawk as this is just one of her cases as a FBI agent. If a reader skips this story they would not miss anything added to the overall series.
Profile Image for Sarah.
3,358 reviews1,236 followers
November 12, 2018
I've been a Dean Koontz fan for years now and I'm really enjoying the Jane Hawk series so I was looking forward to reading The Bone Farm even though I don't often listen to audiobooks. As far as the audio goes I thought this story was read well and the narrators, Elisabeth Rogers & James Anderson Foster, did a good job with it but unfortunately I just didn't enjoy the actual story.

This is a prequel to the Jane Hawk series so it's back in the days before she was suspended from the FBI and Jane is working a missing persons case alongside her partner Gary. They know they're dealing with a serial killer but he keeps his victims alive for a long time before killing them so they're desperately trying to find him before he can murder the latest young woman he has abducted.

I think one of my biggest issues with the story was the amount of time we spend inside the killer's head, his thoughts were creepy and disturbing and I REALLY didn't want to hear so many of them. I also found that the story didn't have the amount of tension I'd expect from Dean Koontz because as a reader we know who the killer is from the beginning since much of the story is from his point of view. It's hard to build the suspense when you know who the bad guy is so yes we're watching Jane try to figure it out but she's always one step behind us which is a little frustrating.

To be honest I don't think this story really added anything worth knowing to the Jane Hawk series, it doesn't touch on anything that is happening in the full length books so it's only  aboutone random case Jane worked before she was suspended. Since I didn't find it very enjoyable and I don't think it really had any impact on the rest of the series I'd have a hard time recommending it to people but as always these things are down to personal taste and you may end up loving it so it wouldn't hurt to at least listen to a free sample before making up your mind.
Profile Image for Merry .
879 reviews293 followers
September 19, 2021
An author that has been writing for years and I have never gotten around to reading his books. This short story is not the one to start with as it is rather a pointless story about a creepy sexual serial killer. The series that were written before this have good reviews so I thought I would start them in order of timeline rather than order they were written. It is on the free side of audible and it does not do the series any favors. I may read the series, unsure at this time as the writing kept me interested but it felt more like an episode on a TV series Profiler.
Profile Image for Asheley T..
1,566 reviews124 followers
October 19, 2019
4.5/5

At the time of my review, this is available only as an audio-only novella, a prequel to the Jane Hawk Series. This is also my first experience with Dean Koontz and I have to say that absolutely enjoyed this it. There are alternating POV's with nice short chapters, which is my favorite way to structure a story. In this case, it really worked to increase the suspense as the story progressed. I like Jane Hawk; I think she did a great job working this completely-nuts case and I'm glad to be getting to know her better as this series progresses. The villain is perfectly disturbing and creepy, especially with James Anderson Foster's narration. Outstanding performances by both narrators.

I bought this audiobook outright since the regular price was far, far less than the price of a credit. (I paid $1.39, which was and still is the price of the audiobook on Audible at the time of this review and that is a steal, you guys. Just be aware that the price can change at any time.) It was well worth what I paid and I highly recommend this one to other listeners.

Dean Koontz was one of the authors that my Dad always used to enjoy reading so it makes me feel good somehow to start with his stories, like I'm a little bit closer to my Dad or something.

Audiobook Notes:
Title: The Bone Farm by Dean Koontz
Series: Jane Hawk #0.5
Narrated by: Elisabeth Rodgers, James Anderson Foster
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Length: 2 hours, 1 minute, Unabridged
Profile Image for Tiffany PSquared.
504 reviews82 followers
May 9, 2019
This book kept me sufficiently distracted from my horrible commute to and from work today.
It's short, but definitely not sweet. Koontz knows how to write disturbed characters, and this one - Mercer - is no exception.
It was good to have another Jane Hawk adventure while we're waiting a few more days for The Night Window.
Profile Image for Nica's Musings.
166 reviews9 followers
October 16, 2020
The performance of both narrators is splendid!

YES!!! Another gripping listen from Dean Koontz. The author never lets me down. I chose this audiobook without even reading the description. I just trusted that I will enjoy this audiobook because it is written by the author. What a smashing listen!

First of all, thank you for having two narrators for this story. Without even knowing how the book's style, once I've finished listening, it does call for two narrators—one female to read Jane Hawk's voice and one male to read the unsub's point of view. I also liked that there is an audio description telling listeners that the narration is for two people and told from a third-person point of view. Unique style.

I'm so glad that the audiobook had two narrators. Because if not, I would've removed one star from my review. If you are a mystery, thriller, suspense listener like me, you will understand the difference two narrators make, especially when the story requires it.

Their performance? Very compelling. Especially  Elisabeth Rodgers's delivery towards the end when she's the one narrating the ending. The harshness in the delivery makes her a credible narrator for the unsubs. Again, glad to have two narrators in this audiobook. I couldn't stress it more. The arrogance of the unsub's voice, as well as the dubiousness of the other character by James Anderson Foster, gave me a real-life listening experience. Like the characters are going to come out of my earphones and appear on the foot of my bed.

Lastly, how could I not enjoy this audiobook when, for the first time in my listening years, I've heard my name spoken, albeit in a sinister tone. Hearing my name made me jump out of my skin. To give you a better picture, I am listening with my earphones on, in the quiet of the night, all lights off, relaxing in my bed trying to fall asleep. I should've known there will be no sleeping for me until I finished the book. I was startled awake when I heard my name mentioned over and over again—Danica.

Warning: You are not going to stop listening to this book until the very end. Sorry to burst your bubbles.

Highly recommended for a mystery, thriller, and suspense listen!

This audiobook is included in the Audible Plus Catalog. Happy listening!

You will find more reviews on my blog.

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Profile Image for Jennifer.
895 reviews54 followers
February 1, 2021
If I could I would say 3.5 stars. It was very fast paced at the end. Even though I was listening to it while driving in a crazy snow storm I was still riveted. It was a good novella to introduce Jane Hawk. I’m looking forward to getting to know her better. So nothing amazing but it was short and entertaining and I needed that after the last book I finished!!
Profile Image for Kristie.
1,034 reviews428 followers
September 1, 2020
I've been wanting to read this for a while now and I'm glad I finally got around to it.

This is a short story about a case that Jane solved when she was an FBI agent before she became the fugitive from the series. I thought it was good for a short story, but would have been better as a full length story so it was fleshed out more. Specifically, I would have liked to have read more about how the agents were brought to the door of the criminal. I would also have liked it if the relationships in the story had more depth, but that is a typical pitfall of short stories. However, I do think that there were some aspects of the story that may have benefitted from having less detail as some scenes would be hard to read if they became too graphic.
Profile Image for Nina (ninjasbooks).
1,589 reviews1,661 followers
January 16, 2022
This was so dark and disturbing that I had to read it in between more cheerful books. Reflecting upon it now, I realize that making me feel this scared and disgusted, means the author managed to portray convincingly how twisted minds work.
Profile Image for Andrew “The Weirdling” Glos.
275 reviews75 followers
December 19, 2019
Beautiful and well written. It’s only flaw is that it is clearly just the last act of a novel that never got written. It’s a bit like tuning in for the last half hour of Silence of the Lambs. All the work that led you to the end sequence is missing and you can’t help but feel robbed.
Profile Image for Tracey Devlyn.
Author 45 books397 followers
January 8, 2022
Dean Koontz never fails to stir an odd mix of emotions—horror at the depravity of humankind, awe at his masterful writing, and appreciation for a heroic ending.
Profile Image for Karen’s Library.
1,294 reviews203 followers
September 3, 2020
This is a prequel to the Jane Hawk series and is only available on Audible. It’s the story of one of Jane’s FBI serial killer cases and really has no bearing on what happens in the books.
Profile Image for Brianna Klopf.
55 reviews2 followers
May 6, 2018
2 hour audiobook that felt just like I was watching a movie while I walked my dogs, gotta love that!
Profile Image for Seth.
125 reviews18 followers
August 11, 2021
Reminded me of one of those throwaway X-Files episodes where Mulder and Scully investigate a case not central to the main plot whatsoever. The consequences are seemingly irrelevant to the overarching narrative and the development of the characters, forcing the watcher/reader to enjoy the action in what feels like inconsequential isolation.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,277 reviews18 followers
September 5, 2020
I am a big Dean Koontz fan. I understand this story is a prequel to the Jane Hawk series. It is a stand alone story too. I liked the killer's theory about the clocks running backwards. Very twisted and demented minds as is the case with many serial killers. A good story and narrated well.
Profile Image for Lisa.
1,473 reviews20 followers
September 28, 2022
This is a nasty little story and a must read for Dean Koontz fans! I love the story telling even though it's very dark and psychologically disturbing!
Profile Image for T.L. Bahr.
219 reviews4 followers
January 31, 2019
Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!

The crime thriller has always been a favorite genre of mine. I love to pick up a suspenseful novel and settle into the experience and drama of a good cop novel. While I was searching for a new book to round out my reading to ten books for January, I noticed that Dean Koontz was featuring a short work with his character Jane Hawk for free on audio book. I could not resist. And I am happy that I read this exciting case file.

The Bone Farm is written by Dean Koontz, and acts as a prelude to his Jane Hawk series of books. It is presented on audio book by Brilliance Audio, and is read by Elisabeth Rodgers and James Anderson Foster. In it we go back in time two years to Jane Hawk's earlier days in the Federal Bureau of Investigation. She and her partner, Gary Burkett, are on the trail of a serial killer known as the Mother Hater. With each abduction of women the Mother Hater sends photos of the kidnapped victims to their mothers in various stages of life and then finally death. Twenty-one women taken and murdered. Now a new victim, missing for six days, is in a race against time to save her life.

The two FBI agents, having interviewed the family of the latest kidnapped girl, Katherine Haskell, are en route to the Gossage Farm in rural Pennsylvania. Their latest interview is with Mercer Gossage, Haskell's relative and former politician. But what seems as a routine interview is anything but. Because Jane and her partner know that they are possibly entering the home of the Mother Hater.

The Bone Farm was a rip-roaring ride of adrenaline and suspense that left me wanting more of Jane Hawk. Koontz has definitely solidified himself in the genre of crime fiction with his Jane Hawk series. As the story unfolded and I was led to believe one thing, Koontz quietly turned the tables and had me facing a truth that was chilling. Hawk is a clever and formidable heroine who is one step ahead of her adversaries. I marveled at her survival as she realized who the Mother Hater was. And by the surprising finale I was ready to start the first novel in the series, the Silent Corner.

Elisabeth Rodgers and James Anderson Foster handled their parts very well as they presented the narrative with flawless precision. Rodgers goes on to read the entire Jane Hawk series, which made her reading of Jane's part of the book very fitting. Excellent performances.

I gave The Bone Farm five stars. It is an jolting and furious-paced thriller that left me exhausted by the end. I cannot wait to delve into the remaining books in the Jane Hawk series. If you like short novels that deliver a huge pay-off at the end, this one is for you.

Have fun reading this week. Let me know in the comments below what you are reading.

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All written content (c) Copyright 2019 by Thomas Bahr II





Profile Image for Alan (on December semi-hiatus) Teder.
2,705 reviews251 followers
October 29, 2020
Disturbing
Review of the Brilliance Audio audiobook edition (2018), listened via Audible Plus

This was too close to a disturbing real life Canadian serial killer story to be at all enjoyable for me. It is listed as a prequel to the Jane Hawk FBI agent series and it certainly sets her up as a strong protagonist. The narration by the double team of readers was well done.

I've scaled back on my Audible listening with the advent of the Audible Plus program as I have found that the app freezes at times, especially during longer audiobooks. That wasn't a problem with this 2 hour audiobook though.
Profile Image for Chandra Claypool (WhereTheReaderGrows).
1,787 reviews367 followers
January 31, 2021
I do love me some Jane Hawk! And I couldn't pass up seeing her in action prior to becoming a wanted fugitive. And despite this being a part of the series, it can absolutely be read as a standlone. I wish I couldn't learned a little more about her but the chase after the "Mother Hater" was fun to read... despite the terrible nickname for a serial killer. If he writes it, I'll read it!
Profile Image for Jammin Jenny.
1,533 reviews218 followers
November 4, 2020
I enjoyed this quick little short story in the Jane Hawk universe. I'm getting ready to read book #1 in the series so this was a nice "heads up" into her world.
Profile Image for Angel (Bookn.All.Night).
1,681 reviews44 followers
June 3, 2021
Fun way to spend my morning working. Murder. Blood. Twin killers 😂😂

I'm finally starting to get the hand of audiobooks. It actually does help the day go by better.
Profile Image for Kaitlin G.
49 reviews4 followers
June 26, 2018
For a short novella, it was pretty good. I have never read a book in the Jane Hawk series, but I might think about starting at the beginning now. I think the only thing I would have wanted added in this story was how they got there. I don't know to say to much for any spoilers, but that is the only thing I feel was shortened and I don't know if it was meant to be that way. Good book and characters. Happy Reading!
Profile Image for MissSusie.
1,515 reviews265 followers
May 4, 2018
This was a pretty good little story. I haven't read Dean Koontz in a long time and now I may go read this series so thanks Amazon for the freebie!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 425 reviews

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