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jklbookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
It's weird to read the 14th book of a series first, but it seemed fairly self-contained. I mostly liked this as a basic mystery book, with a whiff of forensic anthropology that I really did like. Also some jungle adventure, since this takes place on the Amazon. There were also a few things that rubbed me just a little bit the wrong way - a man talking about his wife going through menopause, for example. Overall, 3 stars. I liked it, but I'm not sure if I'll read more from this series. Maybe?
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, there were lots of convenient quirks of luck, but I enjoyed it. Plus the name was intriguing
hladybug's review against another edition
3.0
A very slow, who dunnit, novel. While this novel definitely had interesting aspects, I enjoy learning about other people's knowledge specialities, it took so long for the plotline to pick up and actually start going somewhere that I almost gave up on the book. Once the story really started, about three-quarters of the way through the book, it became very interesting very fast. This was my first foray into the world of the Skeleton Doctor to be fair, so I may have enjoyed it more if I'd been involved in the series. The characters were each very unique, with a thorough back story, and distinctive mannerisms and the book read well as a standalone.
psalmcat's review
4.0
Set in Peru, this one is about headhunters, drug smuggling, greed, and boating down the Amazon. It's all good till Our Heroes get kidnapped by drug smugglers ... and then released because the leader isn't that bad of a guy after all. Or something.
Still the rest of the story is good. I like Gideon.
Still the rest of the story is good. I like Gideon.
canada_matt's review against another edition
4.0
Dr. Gideon Oliver embarks on an adventure with his good friend, FBI Agent John Lau. They head into the depths of the Amazon, aboard a boat with a handful of ethnobotanists, in search of a break from the every day. What begins as highly educational trip turns ugly as bodies begin turning up and the local drug trade heats up. Oliver and Lau use their respective skills not only to investigate, but also to help the others on the boat before they, too, become fish bait.
Elkins takes a new approach to the Dr. Oliver series, using very little anthropology throughout. Instead, the reader is treated to a wonderful collection of facts surrounding the nuances of the Amazon and its pharmaceutical capabilities. The reader will see this shift, but has no problem digesting the plot and pace of the novel, as gatherings of this sort are by no means new for Elkins and his novels. A wonderful break from the every day.
Kudos Dr. Elkins for such a wonderful book and so powerful a continuation of the series!
Elkins takes a new approach to the Dr. Oliver series, using very little anthropology throughout. Instead, the reader is treated to a wonderful collection of facts surrounding the nuances of the Amazon and its pharmaceutical capabilities. The reader will see this shift, but has no problem digesting the plot and pace of the novel, as gatherings of this sort are by no means new for Elkins and his novels. A wonderful break from the every day.
Kudos Dr. Elkins for such a wonderful book and so powerful a continuation of the series!
acmedia's review
2.0
An oddly uneven novel - scenes such as a crucial meeting with a drug lord are skipped over, whereas a pointless meal in a restaurant are dwelt over lovingly. And less a mystery novel, more like some things happen and the characters stumble over a solution.
Part of a series, and part of a series I won't be bothering about.
Part of a series, and part of a series I won't be bothering about.
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