Helpful Score: 6
This was an excellent forensic mystery. I did not want to stop reading. The ending was a surprise to me and the author, has his main character a forensic anthropologist, give scientific facts that are interwoven with the story, not in a textbook manner. I wish I had 10 more of his books to read. You'll be sorry if you don't read this one.
Helpful Score: 2
I remember reading The Chemistry of Death, the first installment surrounding Dr. David Hunter and that I was impressed at how good Simon Beckett researched and explained the facts he was writing about, all the while binding them easily into the books plot.
It is the same with Written In Bone. Easy understandable descriptions bound into the killings that are happening on a remote island.
Dr. David Hunter is called to the remote island of Runa, where a burnt body was found in a cabin.
Figuring the skull of the victim has been smashed, he announces the death as a murder but it is too late to call for reinforcement. The island is engulfed in a storm that eventually shuts it off from all communication to the outside world.
Bound to work with ex-cop Brody and the islands grumpy sergeant Fraser he secures what he can before the storm destroys the small cabin, not knowing that this is just a beginning of a chain reaction threatening his own life.
The stored remains of the victim, the already destroyed cabin and the only boat with a satellite phone on board are purposely destroyed. The lives of a deputy and a noisy reporter-girl taken and a murderer on the loose the rural community is in danger, not knowing what the killers goal might be. Is it "just" a random intruder or is it someone deeply bound into the community out on a killing spree for whatever reason ?
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With twists, turns and a few surprises Beckett kept me reading, enjoying his explanations in forensic anthropology. The book reminds me a bit of P. D. James' The Lighthouse without all the private stuff going on around the main character, Hunter.
Of course we hear a bit of his struggles with his girlfriend Jenny and his constant absence in their relationship but it isn't overwhelmingly boring.
I got the sense that Beckett focuses more on the forensic research instead of building the character or he does so in a slowly way not knowing yet in which way his character is going to evolve with time.
So he doesn't create a huge attachment to his character which might be a plus but also a negative for some readers. For me it was completely fine.
The next novel surrounding Dr. Hunter is announced to be published in May, 2009 under the name Whispers Of The Dead.
It is the same with Written In Bone. Easy understandable descriptions bound into the killings that are happening on a remote island.
Dr. David Hunter is called to the remote island of Runa, where a burnt body was found in a cabin.
Figuring the skull of the victim has been smashed, he announces the death as a murder but it is too late to call for reinforcement. The island is engulfed in a storm that eventually shuts it off from all communication to the outside world.
Bound to work with ex-cop Brody and the islands grumpy sergeant Fraser he secures what he can before the storm destroys the small cabin, not knowing that this is just a beginning of a chain reaction threatening his own life.
The stored remains of the victim, the already destroyed cabin and the only boat with a satellite phone on board are purposely destroyed. The lives of a deputy and a noisy reporter-girl taken and a murderer on the loose the rural community is in danger, not knowing what the killers goal might be. Is it "just" a random intruder or is it someone deeply bound into the community out on a killing spree for whatever reason ?
-
With twists, turns and a few surprises Beckett kept me reading, enjoying his explanations in forensic anthropology. The book reminds me a bit of P. D. James' The Lighthouse without all the private stuff going on around the main character, Hunter.
Of course we hear a bit of his struggles with his girlfriend Jenny and his constant absence in their relationship but it isn't overwhelmingly boring.
I got the sense that Beckett focuses more on the forensic research instead of building the character or he does so in a slowly way not knowing yet in which way his character is going to evolve with time.
So he doesn't create a huge attachment to his character which might be a plus but also a negative for some readers. For me it was completely fine.
The next novel surrounding Dr. Hunter is announced to be published in May, 2009 under the name Whispers Of The Dead.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent read! This is the 2nd in a series but you don't need to read them in order. They happen in 2 different localities and he only mentions people in the past. They aren't part of this story.
The author, Simon Beckett is British so some words were unfamiliar to me but not distracting at all. And it is nice to learn about a small remote island in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Looking forward to the next book.
The author, Simon Beckett is British so some words were unfamiliar to me but not distracting at all. And it is nice to learn about a small remote island in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Looking forward to the next book.
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of the best books I've read. Did not know who "done it" until the very end, and the ending is a real shocker! Well written, can't put down book.
Second book in the series. Dr. David Hunter is asked to look at some remains on a remote Scottish island. He is told that it is reported as being possibly suspicious circumstances and he is to go and decide if there is any need to investigate. All available police investigators are needed at a major train derailment and DS Wallace is hesitant to send anyone in case it turns out to be nothing. He tells Dr. Hunter to report his conclusions.
So he is sent with a rookie constable and an alcoholic Sergeant to an island that is accessible only by ferry. Upon arriving at the scene, Dr. Hunter finds what appears to be a body almost totally burned except for the feet and one hand. How was the body burned in a shack without the shack catching fire and who is the victim? To add to the problems, a very powerful storm hits the island knocking out the electricity as well as communications. And no one is able to sail to or from the island due to the storm. What ensues next is lots of suspicion on the close-knit island followed by more murder.
Simon Beckett's writing draws the reader in and I found it hard to put the book down. It was a fast read with a few surprises. If you read his first book, Chemistry of Death, you will not be disappointed with his sequel. I gave it four stars.
So he is sent with a rookie constable and an alcoholic Sergeant to an island that is accessible only by ferry. Upon arriving at the scene, Dr. Hunter finds what appears to be a body almost totally burned except for the feet and one hand. How was the body burned in a shack without the shack catching fire and who is the victim? To add to the problems, a very powerful storm hits the island knocking out the electricity as well as communications. And no one is able to sail to or from the island due to the storm. What ensues next is lots of suspicion on the close-knit island followed by more murder.
Simon Beckett's writing draws the reader in and I found it hard to put the book down. It was a fast read with a few surprises. If you read his first book, Chemistry of Death, you will not be disappointed with his sequel. I gave it four stars.
What I really enjoyed about this book was the location and all the unique characters. It is a very well written book with lots of twists and turns which makes it hard to put down and impossible to pin down the murderer. Looking forward to reading my next Simon Beckett book.
Dr. David Hunter is much more than just a forensic anthropologist in this exciting sequel to THE CHEMISTRY OF DEATH.A ruthless killer on a remote Scottish island in a tale of rage and revenge.
