Jefferson Bass, Flesh and Bone

Flesh and Bone

Jefferson Bass

Morrow, February 2007, $24.95

ISBN: 0060759836

Over two years ago his beloved wife of thirty years died of cancer; only recently has forensic scientist Dr. Bill Brockton, chief of the Anthology Research Faculty at the University of Tennessee, affectionately known as the Body Farm, moved on to a degree. Between his work and meeting Chattanooga medical examiner Dr. Jessamine Carter, Bill has recovered from his loss. Six months ago Jess temporally took over the ME role in Knoxville, after her predecessor Dr. Hamilton botched a murder case.

Jess asks for Bill and his assistant Miranda to help her with the homicide of a young man in Prentice Cooper State Park. They set up a corpse in similar crime scene conditions to determine what happened. However, the case takes a nasty spin when the police reluctantly bring a second victim to the Body Farm. Someone has murdered tough vivacious Jess, with the cops suspecting Bill, as the culprit knew what he was doing to rig a crime scene.

Though the romantic angle between Jess and Bill seems a bit forced, readers will enjoy this tense crime thriller, as the Body Farm doctor needs to prove he didn't kill his new squeeze. He seems the likely suspect because an insider professional had to commit the homicide. The storyline is excellent when the forensics science is at the forefront, which is thankfully frequent, as those less squeamish will appreciate what the team performs to emulate crime conditions. Though the culprit is obvious early on, readers will enjoy FLESH AND BONE, as Dr. Brockton has two strong personal reasons to motivate him into uncovering the identity of the killer.