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Body Farm #2
Flesh and Bone
Flesh and A Body Farm Thriller (Body Farm Thriller 2): A Body Farm Novel (The Body Farm) Jefferson Bass
422 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
501 people are currently reading
5090 people want to read
About the author
Jefferson Bass
21 books1,168 followersJefferson Bass on FACEBOOK
http://www.facebook.com/JeffersonBass...
Jon Jefferson
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Bill Bass
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Jefferson Bass is the pen name of Jon Jefferson, writer, and Dr. Bill Bass, renowned forensic anthropologist. Jefferson and Bass have collaborated on 2 nonfiction books and 6 crime novels; their 7th novel, The Inquisitor's Key, will be published in May 2012. Dr. Bass, founder of the University of Tennessee's "Body Farm," is an author on more than 200 scientific publications. Jefferson is a veteran journalist and documentary filmmaker; his two National Geographic documentaries on the Body Farm were seen around the world.
http://www.facebook.com/JeffersonBass...
Jon Jefferson
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Bill Bass
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Jefferson Bass is the pen name of Jon Jefferson, writer, and Dr. Bill Bass, renowned forensic anthropologist. Jefferson and Bass have collaborated on 2 nonfiction books and 6 crime novels; their 7th novel, The Inquisitor's Key, will be published in May 2012. Dr. Bass, founder of the University of Tennessee's "Body Farm," is an author on more than 200 scientific publications. Jefferson is a veteran journalist and documentary filmmaker; his two National Geographic documentaries on the Body Farm were seen around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 664 reviews
August 6, 2019
Flesh and Bone is the second book in the Body Farm series and it was just as brilliant as the first one!
Dr. Bill Brockton and his college and friend, Dr. Jess Carter, are restaging the death scene of a murder victim in order to narrow down the man's time of death, thus assisting authorities in their investigations into the killing. At the renowned research facility in Knoxville Tennessee, known as the Body Farm, Bill and Jess are using a donated body fitting the victim's stats, height, weight, etc., then duplicating the victim's wounds and positioning the body the way it was found, right down to the gory details. The decomposition of the body will now be monitored and recorded to determine when the murder was most likely to have taken place, thus narrowing down the suspect pool.
Dr. Carter is also filling in as Medical Examiner as the current ME, Dr. Garland Hamilton, is under review by the board of medical examiners relating to an autopsy in which he concluded incorrectly that a man died from a stab wound to the chest, nearly sending an innocent man to life in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Now Garland Hamilton's competence and reputation as a medical examiner are being thoroughly investigated by the board. Further, it was Dr. Brockton's re-examination of the victim's body that uncovered the botched autopsy findings and incorrect conclusion that resulted in Dr. Hamilton being investigated in the first place.
As Bill and Jess continue working close together their feelings for each other begin to grow. Jess is recovering from a bitter divorce and Bill is now starting to find love for the first time since his wife died of cancer two and a half years before. Both are discovering renewed happiness a perhaps a bond that could be very good for each of them.
When Bill finds Jess dead, tied to the tree with the decomposing body of the staged murder victim, at the Body Farm he suddenly finds himself being accused of her murder. Worse still he has to hire the best defense attorney in Knoxsville, Burt DeVress. The lawyer has been nicknamed 'Grease' due to his representation of some the most unsavory criminals, often times getting them off scott free. He's been notoriously brutal during cross examinations of Dr. Brockton in many a trial and he's left a bad taste in Bill's mouth on numerous occasions. Still, if he is to avoid being found guilty and spending the rest of his life behind bars or on death row he needs the best defense lawyer available. And that's Grease.
Now, charged with murder, he's been asked to take a leave of absence from his anthropology class at Tennessee University, his two grandson's ages five and seven are terrified of him, and he can't go home as reporters are camped on his lawn.
But the biggest questions remain.
Who would want Jess dead? And why?
This is one of my favorite series and I'm enjoying them even more the second time around. If you love forensic detail there is no better place to find it. The characters are vivid, genuine, and authentic and I became attached to them very early on. The groundbreaking forensic science is fascinating, detailed, and is definitely capable of giving you the willies! Which is a good thing! There are numerous twists that caught me by unsuspecting! All the intensity is tempered just a bit by the close friendship and easy joking banter among the characters that occurs throughout the book which I find fresh and original.
The anticipation is relentless from beginning to end and the pages practically turn themselves! The end of the story comes complete with a surprising twist and a shocking conclusion.
It's easy to read in one sitting.
I highly recommend the Body Farm series!
*Most enjoyable when read in order.
Dr. Bill Brockton and his college and friend, Dr. Jess Carter, are restaging the death scene of a murder victim in order to narrow down the man's time of death, thus assisting authorities in their investigations into the killing. At the renowned research facility in Knoxville Tennessee, known as the Body Farm, Bill and Jess are using a donated body fitting the victim's stats, height, weight, etc., then duplicating the victim's wounds and positioning the body the way it was found, right down to the gory details. The decomposition of the body will now be monitored and recorded to determine when the murder was most likely to have taken place, thus narrowing down the suspect pool.
Dr. Carter is also filling in as Medical Examiner as the current ME, Dr. Garland Hamilton, is under review by the board of medical examiners relating to an autopsy in which he concluded incorrectly that a man died from a stab wound to the chest, nearly sending an innocent man to life in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Now Garland Hamilton's competence and reputation as a medical examiner are being thoroughly investigated by the board. Further, it was Dr. Brockton's re-examination of the victim's body that uncovered the botched autopsy findings and incorrect conclusion that resulted in Dr. Hamilton being investigated in the first place.
As Bill and Jess continue working close together their feelings for each other begin to grow. Jess is recovering from a bitter divorce and Bill is now starting to find love for the first time since his wife died of cancer two and a half years before. Both are discovering renewed happiness a perhaps a bond that could be very good for each of them.
When Bill finds Jess dead, tied to the tree with the decomposing body of the staged murder victim, at the Body Farm he suddenly finds himself being accused of her murder. Worse still he has to hire the best defense attorney in Knoxsville, Burt DeVress. The lawyer has been nicknamed 'Grease' due to his representation of some the most unsavory criminals, often times getting them off scott free. He's been notoriously brutal during cross examinations of Dr. Brockton in many a trial and he's left a bad taste in Bill's mouth on numerous occasions. Still, if he is to avoid being found guilty and spending the rest of his life behind bars or on death row he needs the best defense lawyer available. And that's Grease.
Now, charged with murder, he's been asked to take a leave of absence from his anthropology class at Tennessee University, his two grandson's ages five and seven are terrified of him, and he can't go home as reporters are camped on his lawn.
But the biggest questions remain.
Who would want Jess dead? And why?
This is one of my favorite series and I'm enjoying them even more the second time around. If you love forensic detail there is no better place to find it. The characters are vivid, genuine, and authentic and I became attached to them very early on. The groundbreaking forensic science is fascinating, detailed, and is definitely capable of giving you the willies! Which is a good thing! There are numerous twists that caught me by unsuspecting! All the intensity is tempered just a bit by the close friendship and easy joking banter among the characters that occurs throughout the book which I find fresh and original.
The anticipation is relentless from beginning to end and the pages practically turn themselves! The end of the story comes complete with a surprising twist and a shocking conclusion.
It's easy to read in one sitting.
I highly recommend the Body Farm series!
*Most enjoyable when read in order.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2024
Real forensic science trumps CSI any day!
In FLESH AND BONE, forensic anthropologist Bill Brockton obviously is the fictionalized version of his creator, Dr Bill Bass, the founder of the real-life Body Farm, a research facility that he runs in Knoxville, Tennessee. Although THE BODY FARM and DEATH'S ACRE were both exceptionally well written and compelling non-fiction books that provided clear, graphic, easily understood explanations of the exciting, innovative, pioneering research conducted on THE BODY FARM, many readers will still find a non-fiction approach just a little too cut and dry for their tastes. You'll pardon the joke if I suggest that FLESH AND BONE, puts flesh on those real-life bones and converts the story of this research into a novel that manages to convey considerable scientific information in the format of an exciting, if somewhat predictable, thriller.
Solid, well-explained and credible forensic science; a brutal murder that, to all appearances, is a homosexual hate crime; a controversial and most diverting side plot in which Brockton finds himself sued by a young creationist for belittling his religious views in a public forum; a little romantic byplay; some exciting behind the scenes courtroom drama from the point of view of the defense; and a scenario in which the hero, Bill Brockton, finds himself under investigation as the most likely suspect in the murder. Presto, you have a wonderfully enjoyable novel that knocks the stuffings out of the over-the-top and sadly unrealistic imaginings of the CSI screenplay writers.
Well done, Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson. I was a fan of the non-fiction material and now I intend to seek out the rest of the fiction series as well.
Paul Weiss
In FLESH AND BONE, forensic anthropologist Bill Brockton obviously is the fictionalized version of his creator, Dr Bill Bass, the founder of the real-life Body Farm, a research facility that he runs in Knoxville, Tennessee. Although THE BODY FARM and DEATH'S ACRE were both exceptionally well written and compelling non-fiction books that provided clear, graphic, easily understood explanations of the exciting, innovative, pioneering research conducted on THE BODY FARM, many readers will still find a non-fiction approach just a little too cut and dry for their tastes. You'll pardon the joke if I suggest that FLESH AND BONE, puts flesh on those real-life bones and converts the story of this research into a novel that manages to convey considerable scientific information in the format of an exciting, if somewhat predictable, thriller.
Solid, well-explained and credible forensic science; a brutal murder that, to all appearances, is a homosexual hate crime; a controversial and most diverting side plot in which Brockton finds himself sued by a young creationist for belittling his religious views in a public forum; a little romantic byplay; some exciting behind the scenes courtroom drama from the point of view of the defense; and a scenario in which the hero, Bill Brockton, finds himself under investigation as the most likely suspect in the murder. Presto, you have a wonderfully enjoyable novel that knocks the stuffings out of the over-the-top and sadly unrealistic imaginings of the CSI screenplay writers.
Well done, Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson. I was a fan of the non-fiction material and now I intend to seek out the rest of the fiction series as well.
Paul Weiss
October 26, 2022
Dr. Bill Brockton en Dr. Jess Carter werken aan een moordzaak. Het lijk van een man in vrouwenkleren was gevonden vastgebonden aan een boom. Op de bodyfarm proberen ze de situatie te reconstrueren om te weten te komen hoe lang de man al overleden was.
Bill en Jess zijn behalve collega's ook vrienden, en het lijkt wel meer te worden.
Maar dan wordt Jess vermoord, en ook vastgebonden aan een boom teruggevonden op de bodyfarm.
Bill wordt beschuldigd van de moord, maar dank zij een goede advocaat vrijgelaten op borg.
Samen met deze advocaat en enkele vrienden proberen ze te achterhalen wie de moordenaar is, en ook nog wie de moordenaar is van het eerste lijk dat gevonden werd.
Heel spannend verhaal, en de personages zijn goed beschreven, ik kon echt met hen meeleven.
Bill en Jess zijn behalve collega's ook vrienden, en het lijkt wel meer te worden.
Maar dan wordt Jess vermoord, en ook vastgebonden aan een boom teruggevonden op de bodyfarm.
Bill wordt beschuldigd van de moord, maar dank zij een goede advocaat vrijgelaten op borg.
Samen met deze advocaat en enkele vrienden proberen ze te achterhalen wie de moordenaar is, en ook nog wie de moordenaar is van het eerste lijk dat gevonden werd.
Heel spannend verhaal, en de personages zijn goed beschreven, ik kon echt met hen meeleven.
February 3, 2011
Anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton, founder of Tennessee's world-famous Body Farm for forensic studies, is accused of murder.
I enjoyed this story.
I took off one star because the author engaged in one of the things I find most irritating in a work of entertainment, he got on his soapbox and ridiculed other people's cherished beliefs.
In here there is a scene where Dr. Brockton lectures his college class on how ridiculous it is to believe in creation, and that all the evidence points to evolution. He picks on two "poorly designed" biological characteristics of the human body, too many teeth for our small mouths and weak abdominal wall at the belly button resulting in hernias, as evidence of evolution not design.
My understanding is that a person starts with an underlying BELIEF about whether supernatural phenomenon such as Biblical miracles like creation, a worldwide flood, or resurrection from the dead are real and true or not. If you do not believe that these supernatural events are possible then you must interpret the evidence you find in science by naturalistic methods such as evolution. But, if you believe in these supernatural events then you have no problem with the Biblical record of events and may interpret the evidence in that light. So, as an example, where Dr. Brockton interprets too many teeth for our too small mouths through his naturalistic filter he sees it as evidence that we evolved. A person who interprets the same evidence through a supernatural filter and matches is against the Biblical record will see evidence that the Bible is correct that man was created perfect and then degenerated (same explanation for the weak abdominal wall). So in effect each of these two would be INTERPRETING the same evidence in a different way according to their underlying belief system, and the logic of each would be internally consistent with their own beliefs. So, in effect both are being logical and I don't see that there is any reason for either of them to ridicule the other as being stupid or illogical.
And that is way too much thinking for a book that is supposed to be entertainment.
I enjoyed this story.
I took off one star because the author engaged in one of the things I find most irritating in a work of entertainment, he got on his soapbox and ridiculed other people's cherished beliefs.
In here there is a scene where Dr. Brockton lectures his college class on how ridiculous it is to believe in creation, and that all the evidence points to evolution. He picks on two "poorly designed" biological characteristics of the human body, too many teeth for our small mouths and weak abdominal wall at the belly button resulting in hernias, as evidence of evolution not design.
My understanding is that a person starts with an underlying BELIEF about whether supernatural phenomenon such as Biblical miracles like creation, a worldwide flood, or resurrection from the dead are real and true or not. If you do not believe that these supernatural events are possible then you must interpret the evidence you find in science by naturalistic methods such as evolution. But, if you believe in these supernatural events then you have no problem with the Biblical record of events and may interpret the evidence in that light. So, as an example, where Dr. Brockton interprets too many teeth for our too small mouths through his naturalistic filter he sees it as evidence that we evolved. A person who interprets the same evidence through a supernatural filter and matches is against the Biblical record will see evidence that the Bible is correct that man was created perfect and then degenerated (same explanation for the weak abdominal wall). So in effect each of these two would be INTERPRETING the same evidence in a different way according to their underlying belief system, and the logic of each would be internally consistent with their own beliefs. So, in effect both are being logical and I don't see that there is any reason for either of them to ridicule the other as being stupid or illogical.
And that is way too much thinking for a book that is supposed to be entertainment.
April 3, 2024
There is a patch of ground in Tennessee dedicated to the science of death, where human remains lie exposed to be studied for their secrets. The real-life scientist who founded the "Body Farm" has broken cold cases and revolutionized forensics . . . and now he spins an astonishing tale inspired by his own experiences.
Jefferson Bass returns with a second explosive novel, equally as exciting as the debut, just as full of of teaching moments, as well as a well-laid plot and great character advancement. Not only is the reader treated to a great mystery (or two), but they learn a great deal more about physical anthropology and the environs of Eastern Tennessee. Although the book can get a little technical, it is not above the threshold of most readers and does entertain some interesting ideas/debates that remain prevalent in society. While the end does tie up a little too nicely in a few pages, the entertainment value and fluidity of the story should make it an instant success.
Popular anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton has been surrounded by death for much of his academic life, especially after creating the Body Farm on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. After learning of a disturbing crime in nearby Chattanooga, Dr. Brockton heeds the call of Jess Carter — a rising star amongst the state's medical examiners and someone of interest to him personally — to help explore the puzzle of a man dressed in women’s clothing and with his penis severred. Creating the crime scene at the Body Farm to determine what happened, Dr. Brockton thinks that he may be making some headway, only to have his work and his personal life turned upside down when a second body appears there early one morning.
When he is accused of the crime, Dr. Bill Brockton not only loses his professional standing at the university, but must show that he is anything but jealous and crime driven. He will need to use all his powers of forensic anthropology to explain the crime and how he could not be involved. While this might appear easy for a man who has all the tools at his disposal, when he is banished to his home and the thoughts he creates on his own, innocence seems a little more problematic. A chilling second novel in a series I am pleased to be re-reading all these years later.
My enjoyment for this series has not dissipated over the years. I devoured yet another book in the series and hunger for more. Bass explains scientific procedures and ideas effectively while using great skills to move the narrative forward. Bass keeps characters developing, the setting realistic, and the plot from going stale throughout the reading experience. The fact that Bass uses real-life experiences managing the actual Body Farm helps add a flavouring to the story that few other authors could effectively deliver and kept me hooked on every descriptor.
With some experience reading this genre (a strong admirer of Kathy Reichs), I can draw some parallels to the presentation of forensic anthropologists as main characters. Bass does, as Reichs is known to do, present not only the facts, but some of the interesting back story, letting the reader learn as they read. This includes strong plot points and twists in the larger narrative. Some may prefer to divorce learning from their fiction reading but it is not an inculcation of a point of view, but rather a means of permitting the layperson to better understand what is going on. It is never a bad thing to leave a book with a little more knowledge of the subject is it? I have the next book ready to go and am eager to see how things develop in this series that has my full attention.
Kudos Mr. Bass for a great novel that had me hooked!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Jefferson Bass returns with a second explosive novel, equally as exciting as the debut, just as full of of teaching moments, as well as a well-laid plot and great character advancement. Not only is the reader treated to a great mystery (or two), but they learn a great deal more about physical anthropology and the environs of Eastern Tennessee. Although the book can get a little technical, it is not above the threshold of most readers and does entertain some interesting ideas/debates that remain prevalent in society. While the end does tie up a little too nicely in a few pages, the entertainment value and fluidity of the story should make it an instant success.
Popular anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton has been surrounded by death for much of his academic life, especially after creating the Body Farm on the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. After learning of a disturbing crime in nearby Chattanooga, Dr. Brockton heeds the call of Jess Carter — a rising star amongst the state's medical examiners and someone of interest to him personally — to help explore the puzzle of a man dressed in women’s clothing and with his penis severred. Creating the crime scene at the Body Farm to determine what happened, Dr. Brockton thinks that he may be making some headway, only to have his work and his personal life turned upside down when a second body appears there early one morning.
When he is accused of the crime, Dr. Bill Brockton not only loses his professional standing at the university, but must show that he is anything but jealous and crime driven. He will need to use all his powers of forensic anthropology to explain the crime and how he could not be involved. While this might appear easy for a man who has all the tools at his disposal, when he is banished to his home and the thoughts he creates on his own, innocence seems a little more problematic. A chilling second novel in a series I am pleased to be re-reading all these years later.
My enjoyment for this series has not dissipated over the years. I devoured yet another book in the series and hunger for more. Bass explains scientific procedures and ideas effectively while using great skills to move the narrative forward. Bass keeps characters developing, the setting realistic, and the plot from going stale throughout the reading experience. The fact that Bass uses real-life experiences managing the actual Body Farm helps add a flavouring to the story that few other authors could effectively deliver and kept me hooked on every descriptor.
With some experience reading this genre (a strong admirer of Kathy Reichs), I can draw some parallels to the presentation of forensic anthropologists as main characters. Bass does, as Reichs is known to do, present not only the facts, but some of the interesting back story, letting the reader learn as they read. This includes strong plot points and twists in the larger narrative. Some may prefer to divorce learning from their fiction reading but it is not an inculcation of a point of view, but rather a means of permitting the layperson to better understand what is going on. It is never a bad thing to leave a book with a little more knowledge of the subject is it? I have the next book ready to go and am eager to see how things develop in this series that has my full attention.
Kudos Mr. Bass for a great novel that had me hooked!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
February 19, 2014
A step down from the first with a meandering plot that went nowhere fast.
What annoyed me into a review is that halfway into the book, there's a heavy handed creationism vs. evolution debate. I'm as atheist as any other atheist, I reckon, but I found it tasteless - with the creationists being portrayed as morons and the MC representing the Voice of Evolution. Whether this - the fact that creationists are generally morons - is true or not, it's still very obviously inserted into a plot that has no place for it. Suffice to say that if I wanted a hearty brouhaha at the creationists' expense, I would go to Dawkins, not a mystery novel.
Then there's the transgender character, written as such a stereotype that stereotypes worldwide are cringing, as well as the uncomfortable suggestion of a connection between being gay and being a pedophile and well...
A bad book just got seriously bad.
What annoyed me into a review is that halfway into the book, there's a heavy handed creationism vs. evolution debate. I'm as atheist as any other atheist, I reckon, but I found it tasteless - with the creationists being portrayed as morons and the MC representing the Voice of Evolution. Whether this - the fact that creationists are generally morons - is true or not, it's still very obviously inserted into a plot that has no place for it. Suffice to say that if I wanted a hearty brouhaha at the creationists' expense, I would go to Dawkins, not a mystery novel.
Then there's the transgender character, written as such a stereotype that stereotypes worldwide are cringing, as well as the uncomfortable suggestion of a connection between being gay and being a pedophile and well...
A bad book just got seriously bad.
December 25, 2022
I found this very entertaining but also a little traumatizing. The lead character, Dr Bill Brockton, went through some horrific experiences in this one. Nothing like starting to open your heart only to have it ripped out and torn apart right in front of you. Being a medical technologist, I enjoy the science. I am sure this one won’t be for everyone but I will definitely continue the series.
June 1, 2011
The forensic anthropology was more interesting than the character. I ran out of patience with the clumsily-devised protagonist. The ineptness of the 60-ish fellow, thrown into dating by the death of his wife, is not cute, just tiresome. His grandchildren run screaming when he knocks on the door because they saw on the news that he was a murderer. I mean, really. And there is some silliness about his being trans-phobic, and then inexplicably Miss Georgia Youngblood becomes his bosom buddy. Character development and interpersonal relationship description is just not subtle or nuanced.
June 14, 2018
Number 2 in the Body farm series.
I really enjoyed this book, finding it hard to put down.
The amazing thing about this series is that Body Farm is very real. They do place cadavers into certain situations and watch, very closely, the rotting process. It seems that this helps greatly with the police forensic investigation.
Dr. Bill Brockton, the man who's brain child the body farm and is, is currently re-staging the brutal murder of a young male. This re-staging is at the behest of the local M.E., Dr. Jess Carter.
For sometime now Bill and Jess have been forming a relationship that is a bit more than just professional. Just when their relationship seems to be taking off, tragedy strikes. When one morning Bill turns up to work to find Jess's mutilated corpse attached, in a grotesque parody of the sex act, to the cadaver that they have been working with. The police are informed and much to Bills shock and disbelief he becomes their number one suspect.
Bill is formally charged with murder but is released on bale whilst awaiting his trial.
As the police believe they have their man no one is looking for the real killer. Bill has no other recourse but to find the killer himself.
This is a tense, at times, dark, fast paced thriller. On top of all that it's also very informative, albeit somewhat gruesome.
I wanted to give this book 5 stars but opted for 4 as I thought the end was a bit too contrived.
Highly recommended.
I really enjoyed this book, finding it hard to put down.
The amazing thing about this series is that Body Farm is very real. They do place cadavers into certain situations and watch, very closely, the rotting process. It seems that this helps greatly with the police forensic investigation.
Dr. Bill Brockton, the man who's brain child the body farm and is, is currently re-staging the brutal murder of a young male. This re-staging is at the behest of the local M.E., Dr. Jess Carter.
For sometime now Bill and Jess have been forming a relationship that is a bit more than just professional. Just when their relationship seems to be taking off, tragedy strikes. When one morning Bill turns up to work to find Jess's mutilated corpse attached, in a grotesque parody of the sex act, to the cadaver that they have been working with. The police are informed and much to Bills shock and disbelief he becomes their number one suspect.
Bill is formally charged with murder but is released on bale whilst awaiting his trial.
As the police believe they have their man no one is looking for the real killer. Bill has no other recourse but to find the killer himself.
This is a tense, at times, dark, fast paced thriller. On top of all that it's also very informative, albeit somewhat gruesome.
I wanted to give this book 5 stars but opted for 4 as I thought the end was a bit too contrived.
Highly recommended.
November 2, 2017
The body farm is easy to imagine because I watch Bones, the TV show.
I love Jessamine Carter, the ME for Chattanooga, currently filling in for Knoxville as well. She drives a red Carrera, that fits her personality and allows her to cut travel time off her commute.
“Do men really believe that’s what six inches looks like? Try three and a half.”
Humor and death do go hand in hand, don’t they?
Dr. Brockton, is a forensic anthropologist and professor at the University of Tennessee and stages bodies at the body farm for research. I found myself chuckling at the writing even though the scenes were gruesome.
Jess and the doc are an item. She takes charge of that too. The banter between them is is humorous, snarky and fun, the teasing laced with sexual innuendo. They are complex characters and Jefferson Bass does a great job of bringing them to life. I must warn you though, he isn’t afraid to kill off his characters, so be careful who you become attached to.
Oops…didn’t see that coming. Now the real investigation begins. The details of deciphering clues, step by step, are stories I love to read about.
The writing is not as heavy and dark as some of the thrillers I have read, but it does raise a serious question for me. Why do we feel that by refusing to talk to the police, without a lawyer present, automatically makes us guilty. Just because you’re innocent, doesn’t mean the justice system will find that. Sometimes, instead of using clues to find the answer, they assume the answer and look for clues to make the pieces fit. I watch enough True Crime, and the crime TV shows to know this. That makes it easy for me to relate to what is coming down and it truly pisses me off.
Tragedy, love, sacrifice, revenge, anger and rage. Complex and fully developed characters allow me to sympathize and empathize with them, hoping they will find the answers they are looking for.
I didn’t see the ending happening the way it did, but I loved the dramatic flourish. Full of all the details for a great murder mystery with some thrills and suspense thrown in, along with characters to die for.
Talk about being close to your work, be sure and check out the bio of this fantastic writing duo.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Flesh and Bone by Jefferson Bass.
I love Jessamine Carter, the ME for Chattanooga, currently filling in for Knoxville as well. She drives a red Carrera, that fits her personality and allows her to cut travel time off her commute.
“Do men really believe that’s what six inches looks like? Try three and a half.”
Humor and death do go hand in hand, don’t they?
Dr. Brockton, is a forensic anthropologist and professor at the University of Tennessee and stages bodies at the body farm for research. I found myself chuckling at the writing even though the scenes were gruesome.
Jess and the doc are an item. She takes charge of that too. The banter between them is is humorous, snarky and fun, the teasing laced with sexual innuendo. They are complex characters and Jefferson Bass does a great job of bringing them to life. I must warn you though, he isn’t afraid to kill off his characters, so be careful who you become attached to.
Oops…didn’t see that coming. Now the real investigation begins. The details of deciphering clues, step by step, are stories I love to read about.
The writing is not as heavy and dark as some of the thrillers I have read, but it does raise a serious question for me. Why do we feel that by refusing to talk to the police, without a lawyer present, automatically makes us guilty. Just because you’re innocent, doesn’t mean the justice system will find that. Sometimes, instead of using clues to find the answer, they assume the answer and look for clues to make the pieces fit. I watch enough True Crime, and the crime TV shows to know this. That makes it easy for me to relate to what is coming down and it truly pisses me off.
Tragedy, love, sacrifice, revenge, anger and rage. Complex and fully developed characters allow me to sympathize and empathize with them, hoping they will find the answers they are looking for.
I didn’t see the ending happening the way it did, but I loved the dramatic flourish. Full of all the details for a great murder mystery with some thrills and suspense thrown in, along with characters to die for.
Talk about being close to your work, be sure and check out the bio of this fantastic writing duo.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Flesh and Bone by Jefferson Bass.
February 3, 2022
Another missing review. How does save not work?
May 16, 2013
I never read the back of a book before I start the book itself. This is one time that I wish I would have. After finishing the book I was so sorry to tell the characters goodbye that I went on to read 'About the Author' and learned that Jefferson Bass is actually a writing team. The 'Jefferson' of the team is Jon Jefferson, a journalist who also wrote and produced National Geographic's documentaries on the Body Farm. The 'Bass' of the team is Dr. Bill Bass, the University of Tennessee's professor and world-renowned forensic anthropologist that founded the Body Farm and is the inspiration for the main character, Dr. Bill Brockton. I love their collaborative writing style and the fact that these characters are really walking around UT campus and the Body Farm makes me love this all the more! Great mystery.
September 27, 2012
The mystery part of this book was excellent. The science was interesting and a bit gross (much takes place at the Body Farm), it followed a good progression and didn't make any fantastical leaps. But there was an agenda in this book that made it feel preachy.
There is a whole subplot regarding creation/evolution that has nothing to do with the mystery. This would be fine except that the way it is presented is highly insulting and disrespectful. Every time this issue is brought up in the book it is presented in a "you must be the dumbest, most uneducated individual in the world to possibly believe in creation" kind of way. My experience has been that there are some brilliant scientists that believe in creation. I have also asked a respected science professor point-blank, "if all evidence pointed to a creator, would science then determine that creation occured?" His reply was that they would keep looking. That may not represent all scientists but it is certainly what was portrayed in this novel.
As far as the writing, the dialogue was wierd to me. I know writing as people actually talk is challenging and that was certainly the case in the dialogue of Flesh and Bone. Whenever there was an exchange it made me uncomfortable because of the awkwardness of it.
There is a whole subplot regarding creation/evolution that has nothing to do with the mystery. This would be fine except that the way it is presented is highly insulting and disrespectful. Every time this issue is brought up in the book it is presented in a "you must be the dumbest, most uneducated individual in the world to possibly believe in creation" kind of way. My experience has been that there are some brilliant scientists that believe in creation. I have also asked a respected science professor point-blank, "if all evidence pointed to a creator, would science then determine that creation occured?" His reply was that they would keep looking. That may not represent all scientists but it is certainly what was portrayed in this novel.
As far as the writing, the dialogue was wierd to me. I know writing as people actually talk is challenging and that was certainly the case in the dialogue of Flesh and Bone. Whenever there was an exchange it made me uncomfortable because of the awkwardness of it.
April 26, 2017
Flesh and Bone by Jefferson Bass.
This is the 2nd in the body farm mystery series and my 9th. Unfortunately I didn't read this series in order. Please don't make that same mistake.
Dr. Bill Brockton is working with Jess Carter the state's ME on establishing the identity of a murder victim found tied to a tree. The shocking display of the victim has everyone on the case working long and exhausting hours. The toll becomes apparent on Jess who is fast becoming Dr. Bill's paramour.
Then the unthinkable occurs and the bottom empties out of bill Brockton's life. The few friends staying by his side he can count on one hand if that.
This was an excellent read/mystery. The beginning of the relationship between Dr. Bill and Jess had me a bit frustrated but then the story goes in a completely unthought of direction. Don't miss out on this exciting and educational series.
This is the 2nd in the body farm mystery series and my 9th. Unfortunately I didn't read this series in order. Please don't make that same mistake.
Dr. Bill Brockton is working with Jess Carter the state's ME on establishing the identity of a murder victim found tied to a tree. The shocking display of the victim has everyone on the case working long and exhausting hours. The toll becomes apparent on Jess who is fast becoming Dr. Bill's paramour.
Then the unthinkable occurs and the bottom empties out of bill Brockton's life. The few friends staying by his side he can count on one hand if that.
This was an excellent read/mystery. The beginning of the relationship between Dr. Bill and Jess had me a bit frustrated but then the story goes in a completely unthought of direction. Don't miss out on this exciting and educational series.
February 6, 2020
3 stars
A few months ago I was taxed with reading a book by a pseudonymous author. So I choose Jefferson Bass - the combination of Jon Jefferson, writer, and Dr. Bill Bass, renowned forensic anthropologist. At that time I read the first book of the Body Farm series. This is book number two.
This book delved a bit deeper into Anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton's life. It was Brockton who founded Tennessee's world-famous Body Farm—a small piece of land where corpses are left to decay in order to gain important forensic information. And it was just this Body Farm that pushed Brockton and Jess Carter, Medical Examiner, together and started their love affair.
But when Brockton is accused of a murder, everything changes. This book is devoted to how Brockton gets out of that scrape with the law.
It is interesting to read about some of the forensic applications that are used to solve a crime. Those details are wrapped in within the story, so it is not a scientific piece and also not a love story, but a moving eco-drama, a mystery combination of both.
On to book number three - The Devil's Bones.
A few months ago I was taxed with reading a book by a pseudonymous author. So I choose Jefferson Bass - the combination of Jon Jefferson, writer, and Dr. Bill Bass, renowned forensic anthropologist. At that time I read the first book of the Body Farm series. This is book number two.
This book delved a bit deeper into Anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton's life. It was Brockton who founded Tennessee's world-famous Body Farm—a small piece of land where corpses are left to decay in order to gain important forensic information. And it was just this Body Farm that pushed Brockton and Jess Carter, Medical Examiner, together and started their love affair.
But when Brockton is accused of a murder, everything changes. This book is devoted to how Brockton gets out of that scrape with the law.
It is interesting to read about some of the forensic applications that are used to solve a crime. Those details are wrapped in within the story, so it is not a scientific piece and also not a love story, but a moving eco-drama, a mystery combination of both.
On to book number three - The Devil's Bones.
March 6, 2022
This is my second from this author. I found this one to be much more engaging. It didn't feel as technical as the first book felt. The writing hooked me with the characters to the level so intense I was riding a Rollercoaster of emotions. Well done. I cared and felt and invested. I will read more Mr. BASS!
July 31, 2020
There were so many things wrong with this book. The mystery part was terrible. Bill is supposed to be so smart, but he was acting like a bumbling fool. No one is this naive. The detective was drawn as stupid. Yes I am this super smart guy, but I am going to not only put a body where I work every day and could come up with a thousand other ways to hide a body where it would never be found, I am going to call 911 and tell you about it. Then later on when I find a bunch of the victims blood in my bed and her underwear, again I am going to call 911 and tell them because I am guilty and stupid. It just made no sense for a character who is supposedly really smart, but evidently clueless on how to get away with murder. It wasn't consistence with what conclusions should have been drawn versus what was written. Don't even get me started on the creation versus science debacle shoe horned in and the phobias with cross dressers. The scene with the grand-kids run away screaming, huh??? Again made no sense to leave that scene like that.
September 1, 2009
#2 in the Body Farm mysteries featuring Dr. Bill Brockton, founder of the research institute dedicated to learning more about how we decompose. In the first book, I enjoyed the forensic parts but was not crazy about the main character, and that trend continued in this book. For all that Dr. Bill Brockton is the consummate “nice guy,” I just can’t get attached to him, nor do I really care much about him—even when he’s suspected of murder. He’s just boring milquetoast for me. But I *did* enjoy the forensic aspect of the book a lot—if not for that, it’s doubtful I would have continued reading it. Lots of gory details, so if you’re squeamish, I wouldn’t read this book.
Bill gets embroiled in the creationism/intelligent design vs. evolution debate in this book as well as working on the murder of a guy dressed in women’s clothes that appears to be a hate crime. When a colleague of Bill’s—whom he just happens to have slept with also—ends up murdered and displayed in his own Body Farm on top of the body they’re using to research that hate crime murder, he is a strong suspect in the case. Can’t see why, when ‘whodunit’ was as plain as the nose on your face, at least to me.
I’m debating whether to continue on in this series or not. The whole package just seems really uninspired, great forensic details or no. One of those, “It wasn’t really bad...it was okay, BUT”...kind of books.
Bill gets embroiled in the creationism/intelligent design vs. evolution debate in this book as well as working on the murder of a guy dressed in women’s clothes that appears to be a hate crime. When a colleague of Bill’s—whom he just happens to have slept with also—ends up murdered and displayed in his own Body Farm on top of the body they’re using to research that hate crime murder, he is a strong suspect in the case. Can’t see why, when ‘whodunit’ was as plain as the nose on your face, at least to me.
I’m debating whether to continue on in this series or not. The whole package just seems really uninspired, great forensic details or no. One of those, “It wasn’t really bad...it was okay, BUT”...kind of books.
December 23, 2020
The Body Farm is a place where CSI types study how bodies decompose under certain conditions. When an apparent drag queen is killed in a grotesque fashion, The Body Farm owner and his police detective sort of significant other investigate. The owner is framed!
I didn't like any of the characters.
I didn't like any of the characters.
October 3, 2019
I am so enjoying this series! It's less serious than the books I normally read, and I love the entertainment factor. Well, that and the forensics, of course. In Flesh and Bone we get our interesting cast of characters back, along with a new character: Miss Georgia Youngblood. I loved Miss Georgia and I hope she shows up in future books.
Flesh and Bone has been getting beat up because of the storyline that pertained to evolution vs creationism. I get that. But keeping an open mind and being willing to see both sides of an issue is a good thing.
This book contains love, loss, anger, and revenge. (Are you rolling your eyes and thinking: "Wait. She said this series is entertaining and less serious than what she usually reads." I know, I know.) There were two somewhat minor things bothered me: 1) The driving directions! All of the "Turn left on this street, and then right on that street, followed by another right on this street," etc, etc, drove me bonkers! 2) When Dr. Brockton was thinking about who the "bad guy" might be, he kept failing to consider the person I felt was a huge suspect, haha. All in all, however, a great read! I'm eager to read the next one!
Flesh and Bone has been getting beat up because of the storyline that pertained to evolution vs creationism. I get that. But keeping an open mind and being willing to see both sides of an issue is a good thing.
This book contains love, loss, anger, and revenge. (Are you rolling your eyes and thinking: "Wait. She said this series is entertaining and less serious than what she usually reads." I know, I know.) There were two somewhat minor things bothered me: 1) The driving directions! All of the "Turn left on this street, and then right on that street, followed by another right on this street," etc, etc, drove me bonkers! 2) When Dr. Brockton was thinking about who the "bad guy" might be, he kept failing to consider the person I felt was a huge suspect, haha. All in all, however, a great read! I'm eager to read the next one!
January 26, 2017
4 Stars
Started off with a simple murder, and it quickly became something else entirely. A twist that I did not see coming, ugh! :(
Started off with a simple murder, and it quickly became something else entirely. A twist that I did not see coming, ugh! :(
February 1, 2011
So far, and admittedly, I am only about 5 chapters in, this is about 180 degrees in term of gore that the first of the series. I don't know if the editors patted the authors on the heads and said, "Nice first book, but you know what sells? EXTREME GORE." The first book focused on science, and on suspense and atmosphere. This second book is so disgusting that I might not be able to finish it. If we don't get past the preliminary scene of crime parts pretty soon, I'm moving on.
Edit: Man, this book was... grim. Not for me. I got through half, and am counting it "read," but moving on to the next in the series, which hopefully will be less gratuitously gory.
My other complaints about this book mirror those of other reviewers. The evolution vs. creationism theme that runs through it is immensely heavy-handed and downright condescending in places, almost sneering at the reader. I found that device to be unnecessary and annoying. The rest of the subject matter, namely dealing with gender and transvestite issues, was handled clumsily, and made me cringe.
I liked the first book in this series so much that I have high hopes for the third book.
Edit: Man, this book was... grim. Not for me. I got through half, and am counting it "read," but moving on to the next in the series, which hopefully will be less gratuitously gory.
My other complaints about this book mirror those of other reviewers. The evolution vs. creationism theme that runs through it is immensely heavy-handed and downright condescending in places, almost sneering at the reader. I found that device to be unnecessary and annoying. The rest of the subject matter, namely dealing with gender and transvestite issues, was handled clumsily, and made me cringe.
I liked the first book in this series so much that I have high hopes for the third book.
August 2, 2009
I felt that this book was better than the first one. I found it hard to put down even though I had a pretty good idea who the murderer was. It was a little harder to figure out who was framing Bill Brockton. The forensic details are a little gruesome, but the are handled pretty well.
This would be an excellent book if it wasn't for the diatribe against anyone who believes in creationism or intelligent design. I found it to be an intolerant and even bigoted. There are noted scientist who believe in intelligent design and to characterize anyone who doesn't believe what these authors believes as being delusional is uncalled for in a work of fiction. Actually, it is uncalled for in any venue. Unfortunately, this really spoiled the book for me. I, however, did not pitch the book in the trash unfinished...being more tolerant of someone who has a different opinion from mine than the authors.
I thought the characters were more developed, especially DeVries. The plot was pretty good if a little predictable. There were, however, several twists I didn't see coming.
This would be an excellent book if it wasn't for the diatribe against anyone who believes in creationism or intelligent design. I found it to be an intolerant and even bigoted. There are noted scientist who believe in intelligent design and to characterize anyone who doesn't believe what these authors believes as being delusional is uncalled for in a work of fiction. Actually, it is uncalled for in any venue. Unfortunately, this really spoiled the book for me. I, however, did not pitch the book in the trash unfinished...being more tolerant of someone who has a different opinion from mine than the authors.
I thought the characters were more developed, especially DeVries. The plot was pretty good if a little predictable. There were, however, several twists I didn't see coming.
August 28, 2013
I thought I had written a review of this one. Apparently my mind is playing tricks on me.
This was the second Jefferson Bass book that I've read, and I really enjoyed it. The reveal at the end came as a surprise to me (although it probably shouldn't have done.) But the characters were interesting, and well-fleshed-out, the story was engrossing, and I think I might have even stayed up way too late one night finishing it.
I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
This was the second Jefferson Bass book that I've read, and I really enjoyed it. The reveal at the end came as a surprise to me (although it probably shouldn't have done.) But the characters were interesting, and well-fleshed-out, the story was engrossing, and I think I might have even stayed up way too late one night finishing it.
I'm looking forward to reading the next one.
April 9, 2009
A good read! I could put it down for the first half, but accidentally got sucked into reading the rest of it, instead of sleeping! Liked how there was a lot going on before the extra body showed up! I wished there was more loose-ends tied up, though, before the end. I also enjoyed how you could see "brockton's gang" at the end. I thought the lawyer was an interesting character, too.
November 13, 2021
I discovered this book on my Nook right after moving to Knoxville, and decided to read it for the local connection. While I enjoyed the local color, I found the mystery itself pretty generic and the random intelligent design subplot quite distracting. Probably won’t read any more by this author.
December 5, 2010
MY INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHORS:
Writing crime-thriller series to a deadline
Co-authors Jon Jefferson and Bill Bass insist it’s most important, writes Nicolette Scrooby
THE Daily Dispatch chatted to American crime writers Jon Jefferson who is a journalist, writer and documentary film maker, and Dr Bill Bass, a forensic anthropologist who founded the Body Farm over 25 years ago, ahead of the South African release of their third book in the Body Farm series, The Devil’s Bones, out this month. The Body Farm is a a research facility at the University of Tennessee where dead bodies are left to decompose in various settings and the information gathered is used in crime scenes.
Q: Bill, Is the Body Farm series based on some of your experiences as a forensic anthropologist?
My students had been urging me for many years to write a book about my career and experiences, but although I’ve written a lot of scholarly articles, I’m not good at writing for a lay audience. Jon and I first worked together in 2001, when he was writing and producing two documentaries about the Body Farm for National Geographic. Jon and I hit it off well, and he’s a good writer, so we decided to collaborate on Death’s Acre, a memoir about my career. Then Jon suggested we try a fiction series, the Body Farm novels. The main character in the novels, a forensic anthropologist we call Dr Bill Brockton, is based fairly closely on me, but with some key differences – he’s not married, for instance, so he’s able to have romantic adventures that my wife, Carol, would not want me to have in real life! The cases in the novels are often modelled on real cases from my work; in some instances, a fictional case corresponds quite closely to a single actual case, but in other instances, the fictional case is an amalgam of three or four cases.
Q: The Devil’s Bones is the third novel in the Body Farm series. Are there going to be more?
In February, we published the fourth novel in the Body Farm series, Bones of Betrayal. It’s set in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which was a top-secret military installation during the World War 2 race to create the atomic bomb. Bones of Betrayal is a more complex book than the first three novels in the series, because it includes stories within the story, and is told from two points of view: in addition to Dr Brockton, we hear stories from an elderly woman who worked on the atomic bomb during the 1940s. We’re now working on the fifth novel in the series, and are contracted to do two more after that. So we’re keeping busy and having fun!
Q: Did you encounter any difficulties while writing?
Sure. We both tend to lead active, busy lives, and it’s difficult to carve out the time to write a book. The year we wrote The Devil’s Bones, we also wrote and published a second non-fiction book, Beyond the Body Farm, and we were racing to finish The Devil’s Bones during the six weeks that we were on book tour promoting that non-fiction book. That was gruelling.
Q: Is it easy or difficult to co-write a book?
We have a division of labour that makes it pretty easy: Jon comes up with the stories – the plot and characters – and Bill makes sure the forensic science is authentic. So we start by bouncing story ideas around, then Jon starts to write a draft, and will interview Bill extensively about the forensic details. Then, once he’s got a draft, we’ll read and discuss and revise the story and the science as needed.
Q: I like Art Bohanan’s character, which is based on the real life fingerprint expert Art Bohanan. Explain your decision to base this character on the actual person.
We wanted a police presence in the books – after all, a forensic anthropologist doesn’t carry a gun and can’t arrest anybody – and we didn’t think we could invent a character as interesting and funny as the real-life Art Bohanan. When we asked Art if we could base a character on him, he agreed, on two conditions: “As long as ‘Art’ doesn’t curse,” he said, “and as long as he doesn’t do anything illegal.” Those were easy conditions to accept for the sake of such a delightful character.
Q: Is there any other interesting information about some of the other characters?
It’s interesting to see how readers (including the two of us) bond with these fictional characters. We’ve had people get quite upset with us over killing off a character (Jon’s daughter actually said, “I’m not speaking to you right now” after one character’s death), and people urging us to let Dr Brockton get together romantically with his smart, sassy assistant, Miranda. Creating a fictional character is a little like becoming a parent: there’s a certain responsibility that goes along with that, and you have to think about their future. It’s surprisingly sad to see the characters you like undergo distress or tragedy.
Q: How do you relax?
Bill: Read. Play with the dog, or take her for walks. I used to love camping, but I’m at an age now (80) where that’s getting difficult.
Jon: Take my dog for a long run in the woods. Read. Talk with Jane, the woman I love.
Q: Is there anything you’d change about yourself?
Bill: About the only thing I regret is that I didn’t take military officer’s training at the University of Virginia, so I could have been an officer in the US Army.
Jon: I’d love to change my tendency to get distracted and to procrastinate – except, of course, when I get distracted by something really fascinating or fun.
Q: What is your favourite book/s?
Bill: Ours! Actually, I really loved The Island at the Centre of the World, a history of the Dutch creation of New York City, by Russell Shorto. I’ve read it and listened to the audio version of it several times. In general, my favourite books are non-fiction and history.
Jon: The plays of William Shakespeare (not books, exactly, but close enough). The crime fiction of Robert B Parker, Michael Connelly and Dennis Lehane. The dark, literary novels of Cormac McCarthy. The poetry of Billy Collins.
Q: What book/s are you currently reading?
Bill: I just finished reading City of Thieves by David Benioff, and am about to start a David Baldacci novel, The Simple Truth. Mostly, though, I read court (legal) depositions.
Jon: Novels by two friends of mine – The Madam by Juliana Baggott, and Everyone She Loved by Sheila Curran
Q: Where do you write?
Bill: Generally in my study in my home in Knoxville (Tennessee).
Jon: Anywhere! Right now, the living-room sofa in Tallahassee, where I’m in the process of moving (to live with my new love); sometimes in coffee shops.
Q: Best time to write?
Early morning.
Q: What’s the one thing you must have to write?
A deadline!
Q: When do you find time to write?
When the deadline looms large enough to fill the windscreen!
(Published on May 16, 2009)
REVIEW:
Flesh and Bone
By Jefferson Bass
(Quercus)
THE novel has a rather gruesome start when a male corpse, dressed in fishnet stockings, stiletto heels, a blonde wig and wearing make-up is found tied to a tree – with, ahem ... his member cut off and inserted in his mouth.
At the University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Facility, more commonly known as the Body Farm, Dr Bill Brockton is replicating the murder scene to determine the victim’s time of death.
The novel delves into Brockton’s thought processes when gathering clues, which is really great because you are easily able to understand and follow the forensic process.
Just as Brockton, with the help of his good friend and fingerprint expert Art Bohanan, is making strides in discovering the identity of the deceased victim he discovers another gruesome scene. A colleague is found dead tied to the tree and body at the Body Farm, where they were replicating the original scene.
Suspected of murder Brockton has to prove he’s innocent.
This is the second instalment from the hugely popular Body Farm series. While Flesh and Bone really only has the two very gruesome death scenes, it’s a good, interesting and at times laugh-out-loud read. Get your hands on the first book in the series, Carved in Bone, because the third book, is titled The Devil’s Bones and I suspect there will be many more. — Nicolette Scrooby
(Published on May 16, 2009)
Writing crime-thriller series to a deadline
Co-authors Jon Jefferson and Bill Bass insist it’s most important, writes Nicolette Scrooby
THE Daily Dispatch chatted to American crime writers Jon Jefferson who is a journalist, writer and documentary film maker, and Dr Bill Bass, a forensic anthropologist who founded the Body Farm over 25 years ago, ahead of the South African release of their third book in the Body Farm series, The Devil’s Bones, out this month. The Body Farm is a a research facility at the University of Tennessee where dead bodies are left to decompose in various settings and the information gathered is used in crime scenes.
Q: Bill, Is the Body Farm series based on some of your experiences as a forensic anthropologist?
My students had been urging me for many years to write a book about my career and experiences, but although I’ve written a lot of scholarly articles, I’m not good at writing for a lay audience. Jon and I first worked together in 2001, when he was writing and producing two documentaries about the Body Farm for National Geographic. Jon and I hit it off well, and he’s a good writer, so we decided to collaborate on Death’s Acre, a memoir about my career. Then Jon suggested we try a fiction series, the Body Farm novels. The main character in the novels, a forensic anthropologist we call Dr Bill Brockton, is based fairly closely on me, but with some key differences – he’s not married, for instance, so he’s able to have romantic adventures that my wife, Carol, would not want me to have in real life! The cases in the novels are often modelled on real cases from my work; in some instances, a fictional case corresponds quite closely to a single actual case, but in other instances, the fictional case is an amalgam of three or four cases.
Q: The Devil’s Bones is the third novel in the Body Farm series. Are there going to be more?
In February, we published the fourth novel in the Body Farm series, Bones of Betrayal. It’s set in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which was a top-secret military installation during the World War 2 race to create the atomic bomb. Bones of Betrayal is a more complex book than the first three novels in the series, because it includes stories within the story, and is told from two points of view: in addition to Dr Brockton, we hear stories from an elderly woman who worked on the atomic bomb during the 1940s. We’re now working on the fifth novel in the series, and are contracted to do two more after that. So we’re keeping busy and having fun!
Q: Did you encounter any difficulties while writing?
Sure. We both tend to lead active, busy lives, and it’s difficult to carve out the time to write a book. The year we wrote The Devil’s Bones, we also wrote and published a second non-fiction book, Beyond the Body Farm, and we were racing to finish The Devil’s Bones during the six weeks that we were on book tour promoting that non-fiction book. That was gruelling.
Q: Is it easy or difficult to co-write a book?
We have a division of labour that makes it pretty easy: Jon comes up with the stories – the plot and characters – and Bill makes sure the forensic science is authentic. So we start by bouncing story ideas around, then Jon starts to write a draft, and will interview Bill extensively about the forensic details. Then, once he’s got a draft, we’ll read and discuss and revise the story and the science as needed.
Q: I like Art Bohanan’s character, which is based on the real life fingerprint expert Art Bohanan. Explain your decision to base this character on the actual person.
We wanted a police presence in the books – after all, a forensic anthropologist doesn’t carry a gun and can’t arrest anybody – and we didn’t think we could invent a character as interesting and funny as the real-life Art Bohanan. When we asked Art if we could base a character on him, he agreed, on two conditions: “As long as ‘Art’ doesn’t curse,” he said, “and as long as he doesn’t do anything illegal.” Those were easy conditions to accept for the sake of such a delightful character.
Q: Is there any other interesting information about some of the other characters?
It’s interesting to see how readers (including the two of us) bond with these fictional characters. We’ve had people get quite upset with us over killing off a character (Jon’s daughter actually said, “I’m not speaking to you right now” after one character’s death), and people urging us to let Dr Brockton get together romantically with his smart, sassy assistant, Miranda. Creating a fictional character is a little like becoming a parent: there’s a certain responsibility that goes along with that, and you have to think about their future. It’s surprisingly sad to see the characters you like undergo distress or tragedy.
Q: How do you relax?
Bill: Read. Play with the dog, or take her for walks. I used to love camping, but I’m at an age now (80) where that’s getting difficult.
Jon: Take my dog for a long run in the woods. Read. Talk with Jane, the woman I love.
Q: Is there anything you’d change about yourself?
Bill: About the only thing I regret is that I didn’t take military officer’s training at the University of Virginia, so I could have been an officer in the US Army.
Jon: I’d love to change my tendency to get distracted and to procrastinate – except, of course, when I get distracted by something really fascinating or fun.
Q: What is your favourite book/s?
Bill: Ours! Actually, I really loved The Island at the Centre of the World, a history of the Dutch creation of New York City, by Russell Shorto. I’ve read it and listened to the audio version of it several times. In general, my favourite books are non-fiction and history.
Jon: The plays of William Shakespeare (not books, exactly, but close enough). The crime fiction of Robert B Parker, Michael Connelly and Dennis Lehane. The dark, literary novels of Cormac McCarthy. The poetry of Billy Collins.
Q: What book/s are you currently reading?
Bill: I just finished reading City of Thieves by David Benioff, and am about to start a David Baldacci novel, The Simple Truth. Mostly, though, I read court (legal) depositions.
Jon: Novels by two friends of mine – The Madam by Juliana Baggott, and Everyone She Loved by Sheila Curran
Q: Where do you write?
Bill: Generally in my study in my home in Knoxville (Tennessee).
Jon: Anywhere! Right now, the living-room sofa in Tallahassee, where I’m in the process of moving (to live with my new love); sometimes in coffee shops.
Q: Best time to write?
Early morning.
Q: What’s the one thing you must have to write?
A deadline!
Q: When do you find time to write?
When the deadline looms large enough to fill the windscreen!
(Published on May 16, 2009)
REVIEW:
Flesh and Bone
By Jefferson Bass
(Quercus)
THE novel has a rather gruesome start when a male corpse, dressed in fishnet stockings, stiletto heels, a blonde wig and wearing make-up is found tied to a tree – with, ahem ... his member cut off and inserted in his mouth.
At the University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Facility, more commonly known as the Body Farm, Dr Bill Brockton is replicating the murder scene to determine the victim’s time of death.
The novel delves into Brockton’s thought processes when gathering clues, which is really great because you are easily able to understand and follow the forensic process.
Just as Brockton, with the help of his good friend and fingerprint expert Art Bohanan, is making strides in discovering the identity of the deceased victim he discovers another gruesome scene. A colleague is found dead tied to the tree and body at the Body Farm, where they were replicating the original scene.
Suspected of murder Brockton has to prove he’s innocent.
This is the second instalment from the hugely popular Body Farm series. While Flesh and Bone really only has the two very gruesome death scenes, it’s a good, interesting and at times laugh-out-loud read. Get your hands on the first book in the series, Carved in Bone, because the third book, is titled The Devil’s Bones and I suspect there will be many more. — Nicolette Scrooby
(Published on May 16, 2009)
January 27, 2023
Dr. Bill Brockton, founder of Tennessee’s Body Farm in Knoxville, TN, finds himself in hot water when an unexpected corpse shows up on a re-created scene for an investigation out of Chattanooga, TN.
This is a very interesting, informative book. The author (actually there are 2) goes into great detail explaining how everything happens when a body decomposes. The descriptions go so far as to tell the reader the life span of a blowfly and how to tell the time of death using them. If you are squeamish, this is probably not the book for you. I personally found it fascinating.
My favorite character in the book is Ms. Georgia Youngblood. She is feisty and very helpful to Dr. Brockton and medical examiner Jess Carter. She bringing a bit of humor to the case and lightens the mood for Bill many times. She also helps him see things from another perspective, and Ms. Georgia definitely has a different perspective on things than most people.
The unexpected corpse is someone the reader meets in the book (not going to spoil it) and I was deeply upset by it. I know authors usually have a reason for killing people off, but I don’t have to like it. The mystery and research into finding out who did it is challenging and surprising. Bill teams up with a lawyer, he calls him Grease, that he never thought he would ever associate with and “Grease” ends up being a pretty decent person by the end. I think the case changed him a bit and I hope to see him in future books. There were many great characters throughout the book that I hope to see again.
The thing I liked best about the book was the location. I live in TN and have been to Knoxville. It was fun seeing places I know in a book and it mentioned places that actually exist, so now I have new places to see and eat at the next time I’m in Knoxville.
This is a very interesting, informative book. The author (actually there are 2) goes into great detail explaining how everything happens when a body decomposes. The descriptions go so far as to tell the reader the life span of a blowfly and how to tell the time of death using them. If you are squeamish, this is probably not the book for you. I personally found it fascinating.
My favorite character in the book is Ms. Georgia Youngblood. She is feisty and very helpful to Dr. Brockton and medical examiner Jess Carter. She bringing a bit of humor to the case and lightens the mood for Bill many times. She also helps him see things from another perspective, and Ms. Georgia definitely has a different perspective on things than most people.
The unexpected corpse is someone the reader meets in the book (not going to spoil it) and I was deeply upset by it. I know authors usually have a reason for killing people off, but I don’t have to like it. The mystery and research into finding out who did it is challenging and surprising. Bill teams up with a lawyer, he calls him Grease, that he never thought he would ever associate with and “Grease” ends up being a pretty decent person by the end. I think the case changed him a bit and I hope to see him in future books. There were many great characters throughout the book that I hope to see again.
The thing I liked best about the book was the location. I live in TN and have been to Knoxville. It was fun seeing places I know in a book and it mentioned places that actually exist, so now I have new places to see and eat at the next time I’m in Knoxville.
April 8, 2025
I really liked this book. The writing is pretty solid and the characters are terrific. This book emotionally wrecked me. Because of course they had to kill off a loved main character. And of course Bill got arrested for it. I wanted to rate this four stars, and I would have, minus one hugely glaring plot hole. In the beginning of the book, Bill and Miranda are talking about the camera set up to track animal movement around their corpses on the body farm. But then when a body is left there and staged....no pictures? Where the fuck did the camera go? All this shit Bill went through should NEVER have happened because according to the beginning of the book, they had a fucking camera. I'm forgiving this egregious error this one time, because I am rather fond of the characters and think the info about the body farm is completely fascinating. But Jefferson Bass is on probation.
Quote:
I’d come close to cutting down the tree, knowing I would never be able to look at it without remembering the sight of Jess’s body, without feeling the loss of her. “You should remember her,” Miranda had said when I told her of my plan to fell the tree and chainsaw the memory into two-foot lengths. “I know it hurts right now, and maybe it always will. But she deserves to be remembered, and not just the easy parts. Her life intersected with the Body Farm. So did her death. Don’t try to erase that. Find a way to honor it.”
Quote:
I’d come close to cutting down the tree, knowing I would never be able to look at it without remembering the sight of Jess’s body, without feeling the loss of her. “You should remember her,” Miranda had said when I told her of my plan to fell the tree and chainsaw the memory into two-foot lengths. “I know it hurts right now, and maybe it always will. But she deserves to be remembered, and not just the easy parts. Her life intersected with the Body Farm. So did her death. Don’t try to erase that. Find a way to honor it.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2017
Anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton founded Tennessee's world famous Body Farm where bodies are left to decay in order to gain forensic information. While helping Dr. Jess Carter, a state medical examiner, friend and hopefully girlfriend, recreate a death scene, Brockton finds his career, reputation and life in jeopardy. This story moves at a quick pace and is chock full of facts about bugs, decay, forensics, etc. which keep a body interested.
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