Bone-chilling cases featuring the forensic anthropologist known as the Skeleton Detective, in the Edgar Award–winning series “that never disappoints” (The Philadelphia Inquirer). Edgar Award winner and former anthropologist Aaron Elkins “thoroughly understands the art of the murder mystery” (The Philadelphia Inquirer). In books five through seven from the long-running Skeleton Detective series, Elkins brings back his “likable, down-to-earth cerebral sleuth,” Professor Gideon Oliver (Chicago Tribune). Curses!: Mayan ruins in the Yucatán . . . a secret room in a tomb . . . age-old skeletons . . . Anthropologist Gideon Oliver is thrilled to join the archaeological excavation of Tlaloc—until ancient Mayan curses against desecrators of the site seem to materialize as modern murders. “Another delightful semiserious romp through science and an exotic police culture.” —Publishers Weekly Icy On a trip to Glacier Bay, Alaska, with his forest ranger wife, Julie, the Skeleton Detective pursues a coldhearted killer who buries evidence in an avalanche. “A literate, amiable story . . . a credible plot, a likable hero.” —Kirkus Reviews Make No In accordance with the wishes of Albert Evan Jasper, after his demise in a car crash, his remains—a few charred bits of bone—are installed in an Oregon museum to create a fascinating macabre exhibit. A fitting end for the “dean of American forensic anthropologists”—until what is left of him disappears during the biannual meeting—a.k.a. the “bone bash and weenie roast”—of the Western Association of Forensic Anthropologists. Gideon has one Why? “[A] seamlessly plotted corker of a mystery . . . Readers who like their humor dark and their gumshoes smart are sure to enjoy the ‘bone bash.’” —Publishers Weekly
Aaron J. Elkins, AKA Aaron Elkins (born Brooklyn July 24, 1935) is an American mystery writer. He is best known for his series of novels featuring forensic anthropologist Gideon Oliver—the 'skeleton detective'. The fourth Oliver book, Old Bones, received the 1988 Edgar Award for Best Novel. As Oliver is a world-renowned authority, he travels around the world and each book is set in a different and often exotic locale.
In another series, the protagonist is museum curator Chris Norgren, an expert in Northern Renaissance art.
One of his stand-alone thrillers, Loot deals with art stolen by the Nazis and introduces protagonist Dr. Benjamin Revere.
With his wife, Charlotte Elkins, he has also co-written a series of golf mysteries about LPGA member Lee Ofsted. They shared an Agatha Award for their short story "Nice Gorilla".
Aaron and Charlotte live on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.