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readerofdafuk's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It's a good book. Interesting how for a few chapters the POV were on the suspects rather than Gideon. John returns which it's fun seeing him again. He's always a fav of mine. And we get more of a focus on the bones to solve multiple murders rather than have Gideon be attacked and suspected and need to solve that attack. So it's a different story but a pretty well paced one.
psalmcat's review against another edition
4.0
Set in the neighborhood of Glacier Bay in Alaska, this book finds Gideon and Julie on a "field trip" for Julie's job. Gideon's just along for the vacation aspect. In true genre mystery fashion, however, bones are discovered and Gideon is asked to identify them. Since it is a matter of one or two bones and since they belong to members of an ill-fated expedition whose members were buried in an ice-avalanche, there's not much to say.
Except that soon the leader of that expedition--back as part of a publicity trip--is found hanged in his cabin and Gideon discovers that the old bones don't add up to what the story of the expedition has always been. The police find the suicide motive shaky and look to see who might have wanted the former expedition leader dead. Suddenly, Gideon is locked into another mental struggle with someone with a lot to lose if the truth is uncovered, which then evolves into an actual physical tussle with them over a leg bone.
Interesting. Good character development. I did have a pretty good idea where this was headed early, but I like the repeat characters, including the FBI agent who has been out of the series for a couple of books. Elkins' writing is definitely improving.
Except that soon the leader of that expedition--back as part of a publicity trip--is found hanged in his cabin and Gideon discovers that the old bones don't add up to what the story of the expedition has always been. The police find the suicide motive shaky and look to see who might have wanted the former expedition leader dead. Suddenly, Gideon is locked into another mental struggle with someone with a lot to lose if the truth is uncovered, which then evolves into an actual physical tussle with them over a leg bone.
Interesting. Good character development. I did have a pretty good idea where this was headed early, but I like the repeat characters, including the FBI agent who has been out of the series for a couple of books. Elkins' writing is definitely improving.
mystereity's review against another edition
4.0
You know what keeps this series from getting too repetitive? It's the plots and their surprising twists and turns that thwart you from guessing what happens next.
Although this one got off to a slow start, thanks to the annoying tv host/author and his group of whiners, but picked up once the murder happened. As always, I love the anthropological parts of the story and I always like seeing John Lau show up. And I did like the plot, both the avalanche investigation and the murder investigation. The only thing I don't care for is how Gideon always gets himself into a situation where he's attacked (why are there so many people attacking anthropologists?) which gets old and really, doesn't add much to the story for me. I guess I'm in it for the solution and the action is just superfluous in my mind. But overall, I did enjoy (most of) the story and as always, the conclusion was a surprise that left me reeling.
Although this one got off to a slow start, thanks to the annoying tv host/author and his group of whiners, but picked up once the murder happened. As always, I love the anthropological parts of the story and I always like seeing John Lau show up. And I did like the plot, both the avalanche investigation and the murder investigation. The only thing I don't care for is how Gideon always gets himself into a situation where he's attacked (why are there so many people attacking anthropologists?) which gets old and really, doesn't add much to the story for me. I guess I'm in it for the solution and the action is just superfluous in my mind. But overall, I did enjoy (most of) the story and as always, the conclusion was a surprise that left me reeling.
canada_matt's review against another edition
4.0
Elkins rebounds with a North American mystery, set in the glacier-rich areas of Alaska. While accompanying his wife up to the far North, D. Oliver is asked to assist with the discovery of a set of bones in a glacier field. Expected to be those of two explorers who perished 30 years before, Oliver gleefully sets out to assist, only to discover clues that lead him to believe it was not an avalanche that led to the death of the explorers. Reporting these findings, a formal investigation begins as the remaining members of the exploratory party (and family members of those who died) return to Alaska for the launch of a tell-all book. After a freak murder and further investigation into the discovered bones produces a full-on mystery, Oliver and his entourage try piecing things together. Is there a murderer in their midst and if so, whom? Elkins does a masterful job at keeping the story going and the reader guessing.
While I have come to label Dr. Gideon Oliver as not only the original book-based Skeleton Detective, he also has quite the ‘Jessica Fletcher’ to him, having murder follow him wherever he goes. Fans of the series will see that Oliver, his wife, and sometimes his FBI friend (John Lau) always end up uncovering a mystery and trying to piece it together to help the locals (even if Oliver remains academic and will only deal with bones). These highly entertaining and education-filled novels are wonderful reads and, when Elkins chooses wisely, written in such a way as to keep the reader wanting another chapter or two before putting one down. Using both the textbook and layman speak, Elkins is able to portray his protagonist in a realistic and yet stuffed shirt manner, highly appealing to the reader.
Kudos, Dr. Elkins for returning to the formula of novel success. I eagerly await getting started on the next Gideon Oliver installment.
While I have come to label Dr. Gideon Oliver as not only the original book-based Skeleton Detective, he also has quite the ‘Jessica Fletcher’ to him, having murder follow him wherever he goes. Fans of the series will see that Oliver, his wife, and sometimes his FBI friend (John Lau) always end up uncovering a mystery and trying to piece it together to help the locals (even if Oliver remains academic and will only deal with bones). These highly entertaining and education-filled novels are wonderful reads and, when Elkins chooses wisely, written in such a way as to keep the reader wanting another chapter or two before putting one down. Using both the textbook and layman speak, Elkins is able to portray his protagonist in a realistic and yet stuffed shirt manner, highly appealing to the reader.
Kudos, Dr. Elkins for returning to the formula of novel success. I eagerly await getting started on the next Gideon Oliver installment.
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