The Barnes & Noble Review
This medical thriller from Jefferson Bass (pseudonym for the writing team of Dr. William Bass, founder of the U... read full description
This medical thriller from Jefferson Bass (pseudonym for the writing team of Dr. William Bass, founder of the U... read full description
reviews
Mar 21, 2009
Jan C
rated it: 
The first in the series written by the founder of The Body Farm at UT, Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson.
This is more about TN rural life than anything else and he goes out to Cooke County. Not sure if there is a "real" Cooke County - but there is a Cookeville - where I had to go take a test one time about 30 years ago. It's grown up some since then. At that time, it had been hard to find a place to stay or to eat. Now they have fast foods joints out the wazoo. Probably a lot of More...
This is more about TN rural life than anything else and he goes out to Cooke County. Not sure if there is a "real" Cooke County - but there is a Cookeville - where I had to go take a test one time about 30 years ago. It's grown up some since then. At that time, it had been hard to find a place to stay or to eat. Now they have fast foods joints out the wazoo. Probably a lot of More...
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Mar 31, 2011
Michelle
rated it: 
I'm really liking this series by the duo of Dr. Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson. I've been fascinated with 'the body farm' since reading about it in Patricia Cornwell's book. The fascination doesn't end with the place but extends to the people, especially, Dr. Bass who work and do research there. Maybe one day I'll be able to take a tour?
The first murder we examine in this book is certainly gruesome. As we learn more about the victim I can't help but think he might have gotten what he deserved. More...
The first murder we examine in this book is certainly gruesome. As we learn more about the victim I can't help but think he might have gotten what he deserved. More...
Feb 02, 2011
Bryan457
rated it:
Anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton, founder of Tennessee's world-famous Body Farm for forensic studies, is accused of murder.
I enjoyed this story.
I took off one star because the author engaged in one of the things I find most irritating in a work of entertainment, he got on his soapbox and ridiculed other people's cherished beliefs.
In here there is a scene where Dr. Brockton lectures his college class on how ridiculous it is to believe in creation, and that a More...
I enjoyed this story.
I took off one star because the author engaged in one of the things I find most irritating in a work of entertainment, he got on his soapbox and ridiculed other people's cherished beliefs.
In here there is a scene where Dr. Brockton lectures his college class on how ridiculous it is to believe in creation, and that a More...
Dec 05, 2010
Nicolette
rated it:
MY INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHORS:
Writing crime-thriller series to a deadline
Co-authors Jon Jefferson and Bill Bass insist it’s most important, writes Nicolette Scrooby
THE Daily Dispatch chatted to American crime writers Jon Jefferson who is a journalist, writer and documentary film maker, and Dr Bill Bass, a forensic anthropologist who founded the Body Farm over 25 years ago, ahead of the South African release of their third book in the Body Farm series, The Devil’s Bon More...
Writing crime-thriller series to a deadline
Co-authors Jon Jefferson and Bill Bass insist it’s most important, writes Nicolette Scrooby
THE Daily Dispatch chatted to American crime writers Jon Jefferson who is a journalist, writer and documentary film maker, and Dr Bill Bass, a forensic anthropologist who founded the Body Farm over 25 years ago, ahead of the South African release of their third book in the Body Farm series, The Devil’s Bon More...
Jul 09, 2010
Jennifer (JC-S)
rated it:
‘The body in the back of the truck, though, was destined to contribute more than just his skeleton.’
At the University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Facility, better known as the Body Farm, Dr Bill Brockton replicates a recent murder scene. The purpose of the experiment is to try to establish a time of death for a young man whose murder is being investigated by Dr Jess Carter. Returning to the experiment some days later, Dr Brockton walks into a living nightmare. The body of one of h More...
At the University of Tennessee’s Anthropology Facility, better known as the Body Farm, Dr Bill Brockton replicates a recent murder scene. The purpose of the experiment is to try to establish a time of death for a young man whose murder is being investigated by Dr Jess Carter. Returning to the experiment some days later, Dr Brockton walks into a living nightmare. The body of one of h More...
Jun 09, 2010
Jlaurenmc
rated it:
I always think it's amazing when I discover a whole series of mystery novels that I haven't really heard of before... That happened a few weeks ago when I found UT (that's TENNESSEE, thank you very much -- not Texas!) professor Dr. Bill Bass's books about a fictional forensic anthropologist who works at the Body Farm in Knoxville. I had previously heard Bass speak when his nonfiction part-biography, part description of the Body Farm's beginning was released several years ago. So I was aware that
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Feb 01, 2011
Kristen
rated it: 
So far, and admittedly, I am only about 5 chapters in, this is about 180 degrees in term of gore that the first of the series. I don't know if the editors patted the authors on the heads and said, "Nice first book, but you know what sells? EXTREME GORE." The first book focused on science, and on suspense and atmosphere. This second book is so disgusting that I might not be able to finish it. If we don't get past the preliminary scene of crime parts pretty soon, I'm moving on.
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Aug 18, 2009
Khaybe
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 22, 2010
Juli
rated it:
This was my first pass with Jefferson Bass and his Body Farm character. I’m surprised… after all, I’m intensely interested in Forensics and also interested in the Body Farm it’s self.
I enjoyed the book, for the most part, once I became adjusted to Bass’s writing style. I enjoyed the scientific side of the novel and felt that it was just detailed enough… explaining things by not going above your head or going too dead simple.
I had a hard time believing all of the events that were going More...
I enjoyed the book, for the most part, once I became adjusted to Bass’s writing style. I enjoyed the scientific side of the novel and felt that it was just detailed enough… explaining things by not going above your head or going too dead simple.
I had a hard time believing all of the events that were going More...
Jan 17, 2011
Bob
rated it:
Another new author and another one to be on the lookout for. Anthropologist Bill Brockman, founder of Tennessee’s Bone farm is assisting in the case of a murder victim found tied to a tree in a State Forest. Using a donated cadaver he duplicates the setting of the murder site in the Bone Farm in the attempt to determine a more accurate time of death for Jess Carter a rising State medical examiner. He has also been called to testify on the incompetency hearing of another medical examiner. Bill,
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Aug 01, 2009
Anne Hawn
rated it:
I felt that this book was better than the first one. I found it hard to put down even though I had a pretty good idea who the murderer was. It was a little harder to figure out who was framing Bill Brockton. The forensic details are a little gruesome, but the are handled pretty well.
This would be an excellent book if it wasn't for the diatribe against anyone who believes in creationism or intelligent design. I found it to be an intolerant and even bigoted. There are noted scient More...
This would be an excellent book if it wasn't for the diatribe against anyone who believes in creationism or intelligent design. I found it to be an intolerant and even bigoted. There are noted scient More...
Jul 31, 2010
Rebekkila
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jun 01, 2011
Sherry
rated it:
The forensic anthropology was more interesting than the character. I ran out of patience with the clumsily-devised protagonist. The ineptness of the 60-ish fellow, thrown into dating by the death of his wife, is not cute, just tiresome. His grandchildren run screaming when he knocks on the door because they saw on the news that he was a murderer. I mean, really. And there is some silliness about his being trans-phobic, and then inexplicably Miss Georgia Youngblood becomes his bosom buddy.
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Mar 06, 2009
Wendy
rated it:
I was sick and bored and desperately looking for something to read at my parent's house. I found this and although it is a stretch from most of the novels I like to read, I was drawn in and fully enjoyed reading through this crime drams. Dr. Bill Bass is a legend at the University of Tennessee and I regret not taking one of his classes. The book is fiction but shows great insight into the study of bones in forensic science. I have no capacity whatsoever do this type of work but it is really fasc
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Sep 27, 2009
Cryselle
rated it:
There were a lot of things I liked about this, the mystery was riveting, the developing relationship with its delicate dance, and some really interesting secondary characters. Where the book lost me was on the rather glib treatment of transgender issues, which played a pivotal role in the plot. This was treated entirely too lightly, just to get someone in the right place. There had to be a better way to handle this. The strange relationships between exes was given much better treatment.
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Sep 01, 2009
Spuddie
rated it:
#2 in the Body Farm mysteries featuring Dr. Bill Brockton, founder of the research institute dedicated to learning more about how we decompose. In the first book, I enjoyed the forensic parts but was not crazy about the main character, and that trend continued in this book. For all that Dr. Bill Brockton is the consummate “nice guy,” I just can’t get attached to him, nor do I really care much about him—even when he’s suspected of murder. He’s just boring milquetoast for me. But I *did* enjoy the
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Feb 08, 2008
Christy
rated it:
Chattanooga medical examiner Jess Carter has been acting ME for Knoxville since the suspension of Dr. Garland Hamilton based on testimony by Dr. Bill Brockton, forensic anthropologist and founder of the Body Farm. When Brockton is asked by Carter to help investigate the death of a transvestite mutilated and bound to a tree in a state park, he recreates the crime scene at the Body Farm using a cadaver similar in appearance and body. As Carter and Brockton proceed through their investigation, they
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Aug 10, 2007
LJ
rated it:
FLESH AND BONE (Suspense-Dr. Bill Brockton-Tennessee-Cont) – VG
Bass, Jefferson – 2nd in series
William Morrow, 2007, US Hardcover – ISBN: 978006075983
First Sentence: The chain-link gate yowled like an angry tomcat in the watery light of dawn.
*** Forensic anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton is helping state medical examiner, and his burgeoning love, Jess Carter with the case of a man’s body found sexually mutilated, tied to a tree, and dressed in drag. He is also dealing wi More...
Bass, Jefferson – 2nd in series
William Morrow, 2007, US Hardcover – ISBN: 978006075983
First Sentence: The chain-link gate yowled like an angry tomcat in the watery light of dawn.
*** Forensic anthropologist Dr. Bill Brockton is helping state medical examiner, and his burgeoning love, Jess Carter with the case of a man’s body found sexually mutilated, tied to a tree, and dressed in drag. He is also dealing wi More...
Nov 02, 2010
Jane
rated it:
I didn't like this one as well as the first one. The setting and characters in the first book were much more interesting to me. I was especially annoyed by the main character's evolution/anti-creationism rant and the intolerant characterization of religious characters as overzealous idiots. It is so cliche. There were several red herrings, but they were obvious and the surprise ending wasn't all that surprising. In spite of that, I'll probably read the next one in the hope that I'll like it bett
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Sep 29, 2009
Laura
rated it:
I enjoyed this, and will definitely check out the previous Body Farm novel (I don't think you lose anything by reading out of order). The authors tend to wander a bit with descriptions, but the forensics are interesting and the case is, too. There were a couple of surprising twists and turns. I didn't figure out the ending, but I think someone paying closer attention *may* have. But I don't think anyone would predict the turn half way through the book. Overall, this was a nice, easy read, a good
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Feb 16, 2008
Donna
rated it:
Stuck in a blizzard in Spokane a couple of weeks ago, I had no clue how soon I'd be able to leave town. Running low on reading material, I ducked into the Barnes and Noble in Northtown and bought the first two books I saw that looked interesting. Flesh and Bone was one of them.
The storm let up the next day, so I was able to travel, and I just got around to finishing the book. My assessment is this: it's okay if you're snowbound with nothing else to read.
There's no doubt that More...
The storm let up the next day, so I was able to travel, and I just got around to finishing the book. My assessment is this: it's okay if you're snowbound with nothing else to read.
There's no doubt that More...
Feb 02, 2012
Kay
rated it: 
I'm so proud of myself for reading these in order! Almost read this one first since the library had it and didn't the first one. However, I tracked the first one down and managed to finish it before picking up this one. Am I glad I did!!!! This book would have ruined the first one for me.
The plot is intriguing and I really like the characters. It was shocking and upsetting when one gets murdered in this book!! I'll shut up before giving away the ending.
The plot is intriguing and I really like the characters. It was shocking and upsetting when one gets murdered in this book!! I'll shut up before giving away the ending.
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Jan 01, 2012
Joy
rated it:
I'm familiar with the Body Farm, a study center for observing the effects of environmental conditions on the deteriation of dead bodies, from Patricia Cornwell novels. This was an entertaining adventure with lots of Body Farm info. Fact: the U.S. has 5% of the world's population but 25% of the world's prisoners. Analogy: "clogged as a fat man's arteries". Quote: "The horizon of my grief had broadened enough to take in others."
Jan 17, 2011
Pat
rated it:
Although this is the first Body Farm book I have read, I found it interesting, especially the second half of the book. However, it did not hold my interest enough for me to want to read other Body Farm books. I found it interesting to note that the "author" is really 2 people. Although the story generally moved along, it bogged down in places, especially during all the street direction sections. Enough with the directions!!
Apr 14, 2009
Missmath144
rated it:
Although the body farm theme appeals to me, the authors seem to repeat things from time to time, and the books are written for those who really don't know much at all about forensics (which is fine for those who don't know much about forensics). From a mystery standpoint, it is well developed. I didn't realize who the murderer was until one or two pages before it was revealed, and the clues had been there all along, so that's good.
Jul 18, 2010
Angie
rated it:
What can I say about this book?
1. The descriptions of the forensice science were great; the author knows what he is talking about.
2. I don;t know anyone who has a better ear for dialogue; these sound like people TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER.
3. This is a MYSTREY, for gosh sake. The denouement was great. The murderer made sense, but it was clever.
I am reading my way through this series; all have been very good, but this is the best yet. I am looking forward to the next.
1. The descriptions of the forensice science were great; the author knows what he is talking about.
2. I don;t know anyone who has a better ear for dialogue; these sound like people TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER.
3. This is a MYSTREY, for gosh sake. The denouement was great. The murderer made sense, but it was clever.
I am reading my way through this series; all have been very good, but this is the best yet. I am looking forward to the next.
Aug 27, 2011
Sam
rated it:
This is the second entry in the "Body Farm" series, a series written by Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson. Bass is a forensic anthropologist who actually started the real "Body Farm" in Tennessee, a facility which helps scientists study how a body decompses when exposed to the elements, among other strange occurrences, which in turns help solve crimes. The series is entertaining and very well written.
Apr 17, 2011
Susan
rated it:
If you like crime-solving books, these are extremely well-written Jefferson Bass is a pseudonym for the man who started the real Body Farm at the University of Tennessee and a journalist who team together to write the novels. Their expertise shines through these very-well-written novels. The books are fiction, but the detail and setting are nothing but exact. Pulp fiction they are not!
Apr 09, 2009
Nicole
rated it:
A good read! I could put it down for the first half, but accidentally got sucked into reading the rest of it, instead of sleeping! Liked how there was a lot going on before the extra body showed up! I wished there was more loose-ends tied up, though, before the end. I also enjoyed how you could see "brockton's gang" at the end. I thought the lawyer was an interesting character, too.
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Jan 13, 2010
Linda
rated it:
I don't usually read mystery novels, but this one was given to me and I was looking for a light read so started it. It was amazing and so drew me in that I finished it in a day. I learned alot about forensic evidence, but it didn't go into unnecessary gory details. There was enough intrigue to keep me going, none of it unrealistic. I may look for more in the series.
