Scan barcode
carrieclothwright's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I've read other Gideon Oliver mysteries and some of them are pretty good. Neither the anthropology nor the relationship values in this one age well. The Ishi/Yahi theme is tenuous at best, and the anthropological approach is downright cringe. I'm all for a nice cozy romance between people who aren't hormonal 20 year olds but the way Gideon (who is clearly incompetent in the rain forest) tries to lay down the law with Julie is just... no. Some of the other books are good but unless you are a devoted completionist skip this one. So much ugh. The mystery is barely there, it's mostly romance and terrible, terrible investigations that don't deserve the word ethnography.
lakecake's review against another edition
3.0
Even though not too much happens in this book, the story moves along at a really good pace, and you don't notice that not too much is happening because the suspense builds through to the end. Gideon Oliver is an interesting character, for sure--the prototype, in a way, for Kathy Reich's Temperance Brennan--and it's fun to read about this adventures. It is, however, a product of its time I think, in the sense that there are some scenes that read incredibly badly with the hindsight of what we know now. There's some "white saviorhood" in this one, and some less-than-acceptable ideas regarding "primitive cultures" that really don't stand the test of time. Gideon's ideas of romance are also really cringe-inducing to today's modern ears, but overall the plot holds up relatively well.
menfrommarrs's review against another edition
4.0
I'd read several Skeleton Detective stories, at random. I've decided to start at the beginning with those that I have missed.
This one had the necessary element of introducing an additional, to be repeated, character.
I, at first, thought that the premise of this story was a bit farfetched. To my surprise, after doing some research, I found that it is inspired by an actual incident and existing wet, wet, wet location.
This one had the necessary element of introducing an additional, to be repeated, character.
I, at first, thought that the premise of this story was a bit farfetched. To my surprise, after doing some research, I found that it is inspired by an actual incident and existing wet, wet, wet location.
adventuresinchaos's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
A crime/adventure book about killings on a hiking trail. Was it Bigfoot? A hidden tribe? Spoiler: a hidden tribe in the rainforest.
I really enjoyed this book. The romance was laughable. But the actual story plot was interesting. I just lowered the rating because the ending was so fast and rushed.
I really enjoyed this book. The romance was laughable. But the actual story plot was interesting. I just lowered the rating because the ending was so fast and rushed.
robinwalter's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
I read this second book in the series to give the lead character a second chance after being repelled by his primitive chauvinism in the first book of the series. I was young when this book was first published, but this character was a living Neanderthal, if his attitudes toward women are any guide. I have enjoyed another of the author's works, so MIGHT give Gideon a third chance, but after this drek, it is definitely going to be "three strikes you're out" if the "hero" doesn't evolve.
psalmcat's review
4.0
The second title in the "Skeleton Doctor" series--although the jacket says it's a "Professor Gideon Oliver mystery." It definitely shows its age: some of the terminology is decidedly non-PC, and the pages are turning yellow. They have that darker-on-the-edges patina that only 20-year-old acid-based paper can have.
But the story...well, it was ok. Actually, it was pretty contrived--there's an 'undiscovered' Indian tribe still living in the woods in Oregon?? The plot was quite formulaic--Gideon has to find a chick to sleep with in both books so far (to keep those romance-oriented female readers, don'tcha know).
But I like the guy. I like the rest of the characters. I like the pacing. And I like the forensics, even if CSI has completely made the whole discussion passe. I'll soldier on, because I like the nitty-gritty bone-work.
But the story...well, it was ok. Actually, it was pretty contrived--there's an 'undiscovered' Indian tribe still living in the woods in Oregon?? The plot was quite formulaic--Gideon has to find a chick to sleep with in both books so far (to keep those romance-oriented female readers, don'tcha know).
But I like the guy. I like the rest of the characters. I like the pacing. And I like the forensics, even if CSI has completely made the whole discussion passe. I'll soldier on, because I like the nitty-gritty bone-work.
mystereity's review
5.0
After the disappointment that was the first book in the series, it sure did come roaring back. This is the Gideon Oliver I love.
While on an anthropology dig in Washington State, Gideon gets called away to another scene of an ancient Native American burial ground containing several bodies buried in native baskets - and several far more recent bones. Gideon is called in to match them to several hikers that went missing in the same area in recent years. After matching the remains to the missing hikers, another hiker, a young woman goes missing and is later found dead and Gideon comes to an impossibly improbable solution that spans centuries.
I love anthropology/archaeology and this series gives me my fill. There's no way anyone could possibly have solved this unless they're psychic, so like everyone else I was along for the ride. And what a ride it was! I was glad to see the Bigfoot angle get so little page time, although it did add a touch of humor. And I loved getting to see how Gideon and Julie met and fell in love. Along with the beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery, John Lau's child-like giggle, and Gideon's fallible hero complex, it really gave me more dimension into who he is as a character and to have it all wrapped in a stunning story made for a great read. Onto the next!
While on an anthropology dig in Washington State, Gideon gets called away to another scene of an ancient Native American burial ground containing several bodies buried in native baskets - and several far more recent bones. Gideon is called in to match them to several hikers that went missing in the same area in recent years. After matching the remains to the missing hikers, another hiker, a young woman goes missing and is later found dead and Gideon comes to an impossibly improbable solution that spans centuries.
I love anthropology/archaeology and this series gives me my fill. There's no way anyone could possibly have solved this unless they're psychic, so like everyone else I was along for the ride. And what a ride it was! I was glad to see the Bigfoot angle get so little page time, although it did add a touch of humor. And I loved getting to see how Gideon and Julie met and fell in love. Along with the beautiful Pacific Northwest scenery, John Lau's child-like giggle, and Gideon's fallible hero complex, it really gave me more dimension into who he is as a character and to have it all wrapped in a stunning story made for a great read. Onto the next!
texasreadergirl's review
2.0
Cute...quick, light read. Reminds me of Bones, but less socially awkward.
ellenw's review against another edition
2.0
I read the first book in this series many years ago and recently ran across this book used. (Well, "recently" in terms of my to-read shelf could mean five years ago.) I thought I'd revisit the series. It was a bad idea.
I will tolerate a lot of nonsense for a forensic anthropology mystery, which is probably the only reason I got through it. I was making a lot of "seriously?" faces, at the character development, the cultural anthropology, and the predictable plot -- I kept inventing other endings besides the really obvious one that turned out to be true. (Of COURSE the scientist with unpopular opinions would commit murder to prove himself right! Oh -- oh wait, you're going to do that instead. FINE.)
Would not recommend, even to people who like mysteries, even to people who like forensic anthropology mysteries. At least it's short?
I will tolerate a lot of nonsense for a forensic anthropology mystery, which is probably the only reason I got through it. I was making a lot of "seriously?" faces, at the character development, the cultural anthropology, and the predictable plot -- I kept inventing other endings besides the really obvious one that turned out to be true. (Of COURSE the scientist with unpopular opinions would commit murder to prove himself right! Oh -- oh wait, you're going to do that instead. FINE.)
Would not recommend, even to people who like mysteries, even to people who like forensic anthropology mysteries. At least it's short?