Fatal Remains

Marti MacAlister #11

by Eleanor Taylor Bland

When Marti MacAlister and her partner Matthew "Vik" Jessenovik respond to a report of skeletal remains found on a wooded piece of land, the pair has no idea it's just the first indication of a convoluted case of murder and conspiracy dating back hundreds of years. The skeleton turns out to be quite a mystery in itself, leading Native American groups and historians specializing in the Underground Railroad to flock to the site.

Unfortunately for all involved, the violence associated with the area is not confined to the distant past, and soon reports of mysterious accidents and suspicious deaths are coming in faster than Marti would like. A small contingent of locals even swears the land is haunted by a ghost intent on exacting a vicious revenge for some unknown grievance. Marti knows there must be a more traditional explanation, and it's her job to find out what it is. Eleanor Taylor Bland is at the top of her form in this taut, well-researched, suspenseful entry in her award-winning Marti MacAlister series.

Genres: Mystery

272 pages, Hardcover

First published December 12, 2003

About the author

Eleanor Taylor Bland was an African American writer of crime fiction. She was the creator of Lincoln Prairie, Illinois (based on Waukegan, Illinois) police detective Marti McAllister.

Reviews

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't really in the mood for a mystery but this kept me reading anyway. Series protagonist Marti McAlister and her partner investigate a mystery involving possible Native American remains, the Underground Railroad and a wealth family (reminiscent of Knives Out in their utter callousness) that seems to be at the center of too many "accidental deaths."

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emotional resonance: 2 / 5
Social awareness: 5 / 5
Craft (structure/style): 2 / 5
Novelty (plot/ideas): 2 / 5
Accessibility: 3 / 5

[Jeri Gabrielson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the last books written by the late great author Eleanor Taylor Bland. Vic and Marti face moneyed families and the people fighting for environmental reasons.

[Marilynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A taught mystery with archaeology and slavery and Native American history. One of the best in the series.

[colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

a marti macalister mystery. intriguing because of the multiple background stories going on. nicely wrapped up at the end. great characters.

on a negative note, this author REALLY needs a better copy editor. i have found misspelled words and typos in both of the books i have read by her.