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Emma Fielding Mystery #5
More Bitter than Death
In an historic, if isolated, New England hotel, some of the most respected names in archaeology are coming together to celebrate the work of Julius Garrison, a legend in the field. It's a conference Emma Fielding is determined to attend -- braving a furious winter storm to get there -- even though Garrison is no friend to her or her family. An when the honoree's lifeless body is discovered outside the snowbound inn, Emma suddenly finds she is a murder suspect, along with a surprising number of the other guests. The bitterness widely spread by a cantankerous old man has had fatal consequences, forcing Emma fielding to put her archaeological skills to forensic use to uncover the truth. But a strange series of thefts and attacks -- and eerie rumors about a ghostly prowler -- suggest that truth may be more deadly than Emma imagines.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
62 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Dana Cameron
49 books110 followers[From the author's own website]
I was born and raised in New England and I live in Massachusetts now, with my husband and benevolent feline overlords. Mine is a quiet, fairly ordinary life. I love that because it's what saves me from an overdeveloped sense of paranoia and a tendency to expect the worst. Combined with an eye for detail and a quirky take on life, these traits give me a vivid internal life, one that's sometimes a little nerve-wracking, but very useful for writing mystery and suspense.
My interest in archaeology stems from childhood, where my interest in books and the opportunities I had to travel made me begin to think about cultural differences. The thing I like best about this work is that it is a real opportunity to try and resurrect individuals from the monolith of history. I've worked on prehistoric and historical sites in the U.S. and in Europe, and like to teach, in the field, in museums, in the classroom, and through writing.
In my first book, Site Unseen, my protagonist Emma Fielding discovers that archaeologists are trained to ask the same questions that detectives ask: who, what, where, when, how, and why. When I started on these books, I realized that archaeology is also good training for writing because research, logic, and persistence are so important to both endeavors.
Naturally, that training worked with the archaeology mysteries--and it also helped with my first short story, "The Lords of Misrule," a historical mystery which appeared in the anthology, Sugarplums and Scandal. But how has it worked when I've tackled subjects as seemingly diverse as werewolves ("The Night Things Changed" in Wolfsbane and Mistletoe and "Swing Shift" in Crimes By Moonlight) and noir ("Femme Sole," in Boston Noir)? Easy: it's all about getting into someone else's shoes and walking around for a while. Preferably, getting into (fictional) trouble while you do it. Asking "what if?" and thinking about how culture and subcultures--in addition to personality--shape behavior.
I was born and raised in New England and I live in Massachusetts now, with my husband and benevolent feline overlords. Mine is a quiet, fairly ordinary life. I love that because it's what saves me from an overdeveloped sense of paranoia and a tendency to expect the worst. Combined with an eye for detail and a quirky take on life, these traits give me a vivid internal life, one that's sometimes a little nerve-wracking, but very useful for writing mystery and suspense.
My interest in archaeology stems from childhood, where my interest in books and the opportunities I had to travel made me begin to think about cultural differences. The thing I like best about this work is that it is a real opportunity to try and resurrect individuals from the monolith of history. I've worked on prehistoric and historical sites in the U.S. and in Europe, and like to teach, in the field, in museums, in the classroom, and through writing.
In my first book, Site Unseen, my protagonist Emma Fielding discovers that archaeologists are trained to ask the same questions that detectives ask: who, what, where, when, how, and why. When I started on these books, I realized that archaeology is also good training for writing because research, logic, and persistence are so important to both endeavors.
Naturally, that training worked with the archaeology mysteries--and it also helped with my first short story, "The Lords of Misrule," a historical mystery which appeared in the anthology, Sugarplums and Scandal. But how has it worked when I've tackled subjects as seemingly diverse as werewolves ("The Night Things Changed" in Wolfsbane and Mistletoe and "Swing Shift" in Crimes By Moonlight) and noir ("Femme Sole," in Boston Noir)? Easy: it's all about getting into someone else's shoes and walking around for a while. Preferably, getting into (fictional) trouble while you do it. Asking "what if?" and thinking about how culture and subcultures--in addition to personality--shape behavior.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 31, 2017
Book Description
It's a deadly winter for archaeologist Emma Fielding as she tracks a killer in an old New Hampshire hotel, in this fifth mystery from real-life archaeologist Dana Cameron.
Archaeologist Emma Fielding should be on top of the world. Her teaching job secure and home life stable, she arrives at an archaeological conference at a famous old New Hampshire hotel, having outrun the winter storm that's paralyzing the East Coast. A rising star in the field, she's in the midst of friends she's known all her life, celebrating the work of Professor Garrison, a venerable legend in the field.
When Garrison is found dead on the iced-over lake outside the snow-bound hotel, however, Emma realizes that everyone has something to hide, including herself. While the police determine whether Garrison's death was an accident, suicide, or murder, Emma's intimate knowledge of her colleagues hasn't prepared her for what they're concealing, even from themselves. Emma is also forced to face the fact that the dead man was no friend of hers (or her grandfather Oscar) and that everyone-colleagues, police, and herself included-wonders why her view of him is so very different.
The presence of Emma's old flame Duncan brings up bitter memories she'd rather were left buried deep in the past: Duncan wants something from her and Emma can't tell whether it is an opportunity to rekindle their relationship or a way to ensure her silence permanently. Professional jealousies and infighting would be enough added to Garrison's mysterious death, but a series of thefts and attacks in the isolated hotel make the stranded archaeologists ask whether a vengeful ghost has returned, practiced criminals are targeting the conference, or one of their own number has finally succumbed to an array of deadly temptations.
My Review
I really enjoyed the first four books of this series. I would have to say that this one is a mis-step and not as interesting as the others. I believe the problem is that Emma is at an archaeology conference instead of her usual digging site where most of her mysteries happen. There is a murder at the conference but not very many clues are given. Too much information about what is going on at the conference and a lot of reference to past happenings which are not explained. If you haven't read the other books, you are left feeling clueless. There really wasn't much of a plot and therefore ended up lacking in the development of the mystery of who killed Mr. Garrison. The ending did sum up what happened but I think the book was a bit boring and may have lost some readers by the ending. I will, however, read the last book of the series and hopefully Dana Cameron will redeem herself. I would recommend this book to archaeologists who enjoy conferences and those who are not archaeologists should read the first four books of the series but skip this one.
It's a deadly winter for archaeologist Emma Fielding as she tracks a killer in an old New Hampshire hotel, in this fifth mystery from real-life archaeologist Dana Cameron.
Archaeologist Emma Fielding should be on top of the world. Her teaching job secure and home life stable, she arrives at an archaeological conference at a famous old New Hampshire hotel, having outrun the winter storm that's paralyzing the East Coast. A rising star in the field, she's in the midst of friends she's known all her life, celebrating the work of Professor Garrison, a venerable legend in the field.
When Garrison is found dead on the iced-over lake outside the snow-bound hotel, however, Emma realizes that everyone has something to hide, including herself. While the police determine whether Garrison's death was an accident, suicide, or murder, Emma's intimate knowledge of her colleagues hasn't prepared her for what they're concealing, even from themselves. Emma is also forced to face the fact that the dead man was no friend of hers (or her grandfather Oscar) and that everyone-colleagues, police, and herself included-wonders why her view of him is so very different.
The presence of Emma's old flame Duncan brings up bitter memories she'd rather were left buried deep in the past: Duncan wants something from her and Emma can't tell whether it is an opportunity to rekindle their relationship or a way to ensure her silence permanently. Professional jealousies and infighting would be enough added to Garrison's mysterious death, but a series of thefts and attacks in the isolated hotel make the stranded archaeologists ask whether a vengeful ghost has returned, practiced criminals are targeting the conference, or one of their own number has finally succumbed to an array of deadly temptations.
My Review
I really enjoyed the first four books of this series. I would have to say that this one is a mis-step and not as interesting as the others. I believe the problem is that Emma is at an archaeology conference instead of her usual digging site where most of her mysteries happen. There is a murder at the conference but not very many clues are given. Too much information about what is going on at the conference and a lot of reference to past happenings which are not explained. If you haven't read the other books, you are left feeling clueless. There really wasn't much of a plot and therefore ended up lacking in the development of the mystery of who killed Mr. Garrison. The ending did sum up what happened but I think the book was a bit boring and may have lost some readers by the ending. I will, however, read the last book of the series and hopefully Dana Cameron will redeem herself. I would recommend this book to archaeologists who enjoy conferences and those who are not archaeologists should read the first four books of the series but skip this one.
October 30, 2015
As much as a like the protagonist - This one didn't hold my interest the way the previous two in the series did. Waaay too much sitting around talking at a conference, yawn.
November 20, 2018
While in the main this was a pretty good story, fairly well told, it did move a bit slowly at times. Hence the 3-star rating. In this episode, Emma has finally gotten tenure and has gone to an archaelolgy conference. The conference is honoring one of its most famous members but when he is late for a speech, it turns out that he has died. While his death at first glance appears to have come from a fall on the ice, of course it turns out that he was murdered. Of course, Emma winds up in the middle of things, etc. etc.
November 1, 2017
Interesting, but not not as inter3sting as her others where she is out on a dig. We all do conferences so the site is not as interesting. But academic rivalaries, old boyfriends, an unliked but revered old professor all add to the mix and give the story its share of conflicts.
June 4, 2017
More Bitter Than Death
Well written as always. Characters are well developed and are well used in the story line. I always enjoy her books.
Well written as always. Characters are well developed and are well used in the story line. I always enjoy her books.
August 11, 2017
Liked the book
February 21, 2019
Good book. Not too “deep” but with a couple of good mystery storylines
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
July 29, 2022
A bit wordy, though I've enjoyed her other books. Good story, though.
June 15, 2023
really liked this book , will continue to read the series
July 31, 2019
I didn't like the protagonist mentioning over and over (and over) her Krav Maga training...
May 13, 2008
I am currently reading More Bitter Than Death by Dana Cameron.
More Bitter Than Death
Dana Cameron
Mystery
318 pages
It's a deadly winter for archaeologist Emma Fielding as she tracks a killer in an old New Hampshire hotel, in this fifth mystery from real-life archaeologist Dana Cameron.
Archaeologist Emma Fielding should be on top of the world. Her teaching job secure and home life stable, she arrives at an archaeological conference at a famous old New Hampshire hotel, having outrun the winter storm that's paralysing the East Coast. A rising star in the field, she's in the midst of friends she's known all her life, celebrating the work of Professor Garrison, a venerable legend in the field.
When Garrison is found dead on the iced-over lake outside the snow-bound hotel, however, Emma realizes that everyone has something to hide, including herself. While the police determine whether Garrison's death was an accident, suicide, or murder, Emma's intimate knowledge of her colleagues hasn't prepared her for what they're concealing, even from themselves. Emma is also forced to face the fact that the dead man was no friend of hers (or her grandfather Oscar) and that everyone-colleagues, police, and herself included-wonders why her view of him is so very different.
The presence of Emma's old flame Duncan brings up bitter memories she'd rather were left buried deep in the past: Duncan wants something from her and Emma can't tell whether it is an opportunity to rekindle their relationship or a way to ensure her silence permanently. Professional jealousies and infighting would be enough added to Garrison's mysterious death, but a series of thefts and attacks in the isolated hotel make the stranded archaeologists ask whether a vengeful ghost has returned, practiced criminals aretargeting the conference, or one of their own number has finally succumbed to an array of deadly temptations.
More Bitter Than Death
Dana Cameron
Mystery
318 pages
It's a deadly winter for archaeologist Emma Fielding as she tracks a killer in an old New Hampshire hotel, in this fifth mystery from real-life archaeologist Dana Cameron.
Archaeologist Emma Fielding should be on top of the world. Her teaching job secure and home life stable, she arrives at an archaeological conference at a famous old New Hampshire hotel, having outrun the winter storm that's paralysing the East Coast. A rising star in the field, she's in the midst of friends she's known all her life, celebrating the work of Professor Garrison, a venerable legend in the field.
When Garrison is found dead on the iced-over lake outside the snow-bound hotel, however, Emma realizes that everyone has something to hide, including herself. While the police determine whether Garrison's death was an accident, suicide, or murder, Emma's intimate knowledge of her colleagues hasn't prepared her for what they're concealing, even from themselves. Emma is also forced to face the fact that the dead man was no friend of hers (or her grandfather Oscar) and that everyone-colleagues, police, and herself included-wonders why her view of him is so very different.
The presence of Emma's old flame Duncan brings up bitter memories she'd rather were left buried deep in the past: Duncan wants something from her and Emma can't tell whether it is an opportunity to rekindle their relationship or a way to ensure her silence permanently. Professional jealousies and infighting would be enough added to Garrison's mysterious death, but a series of thefts and attacks in the isolated hotel make the stranded archaeologists ask whether a vengeful ghost has returned, practiced criminals aretargeting the conference, or one of their own number has finally succumbed to an array of deadly temptations.
June 8, 2010
The first of this series that I actually liked wholeheartedly. In the previous four books I was either somewhat annoyed by the protagonist or found some of the plot far-fetched (sometimes both). But here Emma Fielding and the other characters all act rationally and the plot is not too stretched. I'd start with this one and then work backwards if you're going to read this murder mystery series about an archeologist!
February 17, 2012
This is a series and the plots are getting very predictable. I usually enjoy series, as I read Louise Penny and Jacqueline Winespear, however, in my opinion, Cameron hasn't been able to keep the series as interesting as it could be nor the characters fresh. For those of you who like archelogy, try Elly Griffiths' "The Crossing Places."
February 25, 2015
More bitter than Death isn't so much a mystery about archaeology as a mystery about people at a congress about archaeology.
I like the humour in the books and the plot is less far-fetched than in some of the other episodes. That said, it also has less suspense than the other novels.
I like the humour in the books and the plot is less far-fetched than in some of the other episodes. That said, it also has less suspense than the other novels.
February 11, 2009
I enjoyed reading this book and will try to order more Emma Fielding mysteries. Good plot and a satisfying ending leaving you hungry for more.
July 20, 2009
A consistently good series.
August 25, 2009
Archeologist Emma Feilding #5
Read
February 13, 20105 of 6
December 15, 2011
A good lead-a-long, with a number of twists and a surpring ending!
February 26, 2015
The character is not as interesting when taken out of the field; too much personal turmoil going on without enough plot development.
did-not-finish
March 6, 2016too much detail about archaeology and too little mystery
September 20, 2010
Better mystery writer than many. I liked this book better than Fugitive Truth.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews