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Emma Fielding Mystery #6
Ashes and Bones
Just when everything is going beautifully for archaeologist Emma Fielding-- a position at a respected university, a beautiful home in New England, and the warm love of a devoted husband-- her world starts to crumble. What begins as a series of seemingly innocent gestures-- the anonymous delivery of gifts and flowers to Emma's family and friends-- soon progresses to secret, sadistic acts designed to destroy her reputation, her character, and her career.
Someone has instituted a brilliantly insidious campaign of personal terror against Emma Fielding, and she is certain she knows who it is: a cunning and dangerous enemy whom everyone but she believes is dead. But with no proof, no clues, and no allies, Emma will have to fight alone in the dark to rescue a life being rapidly reduced to ashes... if she can survive long enough to do so.
Someone has instituted a brilliantly insidious campaign of personal terror against Emma Fielding, and she is certain she knows who it is: a cunning and dangerous enemy whom everyone but she believes is dead. But with no proof, no clues, and no allies, Emma will have to fight alone in the dark to rescue a life being rapidly reduced to ashes... if she can survive long enough to do so.
289 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 25, 2006
52 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
About the author
Dana Cameron
49 books110 followers[From the author's own website]
I was born and raised in New England and I live in Massachusetts now, with my husband and benevolent feline overlords. Mine is a quiet, fairly ordinary life. I love that because it's what saves me from an overdeveloped sense of paranoia and a tendency to expect the worst. Combined with an eye for detail and a quirky take on life, these traits give me a vivid internal life, one that's sometimes a little nerve-wracking, but very useful for writing mystery and suspense.
My interest in archaeology stems from childhood, where my interest in books and the opportunities I had to travel made me begin to think about cultural differences. The thing I like best about this work is that it is a real opportunity to try and resurrect individuals from the monolith of history. I've worked on prehistoric and historical sites in the U.S. and in Europe, and like to teach, in the field, in museums, in the classroom, and through writing.
In my first book, Site Unseen, my protagonist Emma Fielding discovers that archaeologists are trained to ask the same questions that detectives ask: who, what, where, when, how, and why. When I started on these books, I realized that archaeology is also good training for writing because research, logic, and persistence are so important to both endeavors.
Naturally, that training worked with the archaeology mysteries--and it also helped with my first short story, "The Lords of Misrule," a historical mystery which appeared in the anthology, Sugarplums and Scandal. But how has it worked when I've tackled subjects as seemingly diverse as werewolves ("The Night Things Changed" in Wolfsbane and Mistletoe and "Swing Shift" in Crimes By Moonlight) and noir ("Femme Sole," in Boston Noir)? Easy: it's all about getting into someone else's shoes and walking around for a while. Preferably, getting into (fictional) trouble while you do it. Asking "what if?" and thinking about how culture and subcultures--in addition to personality--shape behavior.
I was born and raised in New England and I live in Massachusetts now, with my husband and benevolent feline overlords. Mine is a quiet, fairly ordinary life. I love that because it's what saves me from an overdeveloped sense of paranoia and a tendency to expect the worst. Combined with an eye for detail and a quirky take on life, these traits give me a vivid internal life, one that's sometimes a little nerve-wracking, but very useful for writing mystery and suspense.
My interest in archaeology stems from childhood, where my interest in books and the opportunities I had to travel made me begin to think about cultural differences. The thing I like best about this work is that it is a real opportunity to try and resurrect individuals from the monolith of history. I've worked on prehistoric and historical sites in the U.S. and in Europe, and like to teach, in the field, in museums, in the classroom, and through writing.
In my first book, Site Unseen, my protagonist Emma Fielding discovers that archaeologists are trained to ask the same questions that detectives ask: who, what, where, when, how, and why. When I started on these books, I realized that archaeology is also good training for writing because research, logic, and persistence are so important to both endeavors.
Naturally, that training worked with the archaeology mysteries--and it also helped with my first short story, "The Lords of Misrule," a historical mystery which appeared in the anthology, Sugarplums and Scandal. But how has it worked when I've tackled subjects as seemingly diverse as werewolves ("The Night Things Changed" in Wolfsbane and Mistletoe and "Swing Shift" in Crimes By Moonlight) and noir ("Femme Sole," in Boston Noir)? Easy: it's all about getting into someone else's shoes and walking around for a while. Preferably, getting into (fictional) trouble while you do it. Asking "what if?" and thinking about how culture and subcultures--in addition to personality--shape behavior.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 3, 2017
Book Description
Just when everything is going beautifully for archaeologist Emma Fielding -- a position at a respected university, a beautiful home in New England, and the warm love of a devoted husband -- her world starts to crumble. What begins as a series of seemingly innocent gestures -- the anonymous delivery of gifts and flowers to Emma's family and friends -- soon progresses to secret, sadistic acts designed to destroy her reputation, her character, and her career.
Someone has instituted a brilliantly insidious campaign of personal terror against Emma Fielding, and she is certain she knows who it is: a cunning and dangerous enemy whom everyone but she believes is dead. But with no proof, no clues, and no allies, Emma will have to fight alone in the dark to rescue a life being rapidly reduced to ashes . . . if she can survive long enough to do so.
My Review
I like archaeology books mixed with mystery and that's why I enjoyed this series. The setting was not on an archaeology field but rather during Emma's teaching at a university. The characters were interesting and the plot was intriguing. I found the book to be a real page turner with a very exciting ending. I am sad the series is coming to an end and I look forward to reading Cameron's newer series. I would highly recommend this series to those who like murder, intrigue and forensics.
Just when everything is going beautifully for archaeologist Emma Fielding -- a position at a respected university, a beautiful home in New England, and the warm love of a devoted husband -- her world starts to crumble. What begins as a series of seemingly innocent gestures -- the anonymous delivery of gifts and flowers to Emma's family and friends -- soon progresses to secret, sadistic acts designed to destroy her reputation, her character, and her career.
Someone has instituted a brilliantly insidious campaign of personal terror against Emma Fielding, and she is certain she knows who it is: a cunning and dangerous enemy whom everyone but she believes is dead. But with no proof, no clues, and no allies, Emma will have to fight alone in the dark to rescue a life being rapidly reduced to ashes . . . if she can survive long enough to do so.
My Review
I like archaeology books mixed with mystery and that's why I enjoyed this series. The setting was not on an archaeology field but rather during Emma's teaching at a university. The characters were interesting and the plot was intriguing. I found the book to be a real page turner with a very exciting ending. I am sad the series is coming to an end and I look forward to reading Cameron's newer series. I would highly recommend this series to those who like murder, intrigue and forensics.
January 16, 2024
A lovely light book - but exactly that, a light book. Very little "meat" to the story, but so much going on behind the scenes. So much happened in this book that was not really well explained that you could potentially feel a little frustrated. If I were to be very judgmental I would say that this almost read like an unfleshed out script for a TV movie, but that would make it seem like I did not enjoy the book at all, which I did once I changed my view into "this is a summer read".
November 28, 2018
In this episode, we finally come back into contact with Tony from the first in the series. Emma starts seeing him everywhere but since he has been supposed dead for the last several years, people, even her beloved husband Brian, start questioning Emma's sanity. Things get worse when very close friends blame Emma for bad things that have been happening but of course it all works out in the end.
August 9, 2017
I've now read all six books in this series and it seems to me it got better with every book. I was lukewarm on the first one but completely enthralled by Ashes and Bones. I'm sorry the series stops here.
June 16, 2019
This was #6 and final book in the series. I have read all 6. This book was very dark, weird, creepy and unsatisfying. Not in the same style of the earlier books. Many references to the earlier books in the series that would have confused anyone who had not read the earlier books.
July 12, 2020
This was really a disappointment. As an old wannabe archaeologist I was hoping for lots of actual archaeology stories, but Ashes and Bones was all about the main character being harassed by an old, crazy colleague.
June 15, 2017
Ashes and Bones
As usual Dana Cameron a great job developing her characters and allowing them to populate her story. Well done Ms. Cameron.
As usual Dana Cameron a great job developing her characters and allowing them to populate her story. Well done Ms. Cameron.
October 29, 2017
Suspenseful but a little contrived.
July 29, 2018
OK, quick read but nothing special
August 15, 2018
More action, less science and a nice closing to the series.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
May 10, 2021
I good read, but I miss the Archaeology that has been sidelined as the series goes on.
June 17, 2021
Not so much Archaeology in this one, but solves some of the problems in Emma's ongoing career.
July 15, 2023
Exciting ending
There are lots of twists to keep you reading. The action increases with each chapter. It's hard to put down.
There are lots of twists to keep you reading. The action increases with each chapter. It's hard to put down.
July 24, 2025
Just okay.
January 28, 2018
Have previously read this author and this series. Looking for a change of pace from what I usually read. This should be it. It certainly was. Hard to get into the flow since so much of this book depended on events and characters from previous books in the series which I hadn't read. But enjoyable none the less. A good read.
May 21, 2013
This is the 6th in Dana Cameron's Emma Fielding mystery series, and the last one, I think. And unfortunately that meant the book was referring back to all kinds of events and characters that I knew nothing about. I also was expecting more about archeology, which was what led me to pick up the book from the library sale in the first place. I believe Cameron's other books have more of that in it. I felt this one had enough promise that I'll try another of her books and I suspect I'll like it more than this one, which was more of a thriller/suspense than a murder mystery with an academic/archeological setting. In this story, the villain is a crazy guy from Emma's past who is stalking her, slowly drawing the net around her with more and more scary happenings, but no one believes Emma because he was supposedly dead (which happened in a previous book). Most of the characters came with backgrounds and experiences from previous stories that I didn't know so they seemed to be overreacting to Emma and the situation. Basically, I felt like this novel was a fast-paced, suspenseful story, relying on the groundwork of character building and setting from previous novels--and since I hadn't read them, I was sort of annoyed at times. But, I am convinced to try book 1, Site Unseen, I believe it is.
January 26, 2012
"Just when everything is going beautifully for archaeologist Emma Fielding -- a position at a respected university, a beautiful home in New England, and the warm love of a devoted husband -- her world starts to crumble. What begins as a series of seemingly innocent gestures -- the anonymous delivery of gifts and flowers to Emma's family and friends -- soon progresses to secret, sadistic acts designed to destroy her reputation, her character, and her career.
"Someone has instituted a brilliantly insidious campaign of personal terror against Emma Fielding, and she is certain she knows who it is: a cunning and dangerous enemy whom everyone but she believes is dead. But with no proof, no clues, and no allies, Emma will have to fight alone in the dark to rescue a life being rapidly reduced to ashes ... if she can survive long enough to do so."
~~back cover
I always think I'll like this series, just because the heroine is an archaeologist. And then I don't. There's not enough archaeology, and WAY too much violence for my taste.
"Someone has instituted a brilliantly insidious campaign of personal terror against Emma Fielding, and she is certain she knows who it is: a cunning and dangerous enemy whom everyone but she believes is dead. But with no proof, no clues, and no allies, Emma will have to fight alone in the dark to rescue a life being rapidly reduced to ashes ... if she can survive long enough to do so."
~~back cover
I always think I'll like this series, just because the heroine is an archaeologist. And then I don't. There's not enough archaeology, and WAY too much violence for my taste.
March 20, 2008
03/19/08
TITLE/AUTHOR: ASHES AND BONES by Dana Cameron
RATING: 1/F
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Mystery/2006/289 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: #6 in Emma Fielding series
TIME/PLACE: Present/New England
CHARACTERS: Emma Fielding/archaeologist & professor
FIRST LINES: I sat on the rock by the edge of the reddish clay path, watching the Aqua Velva water churning on the toothy black rocks below.
COMMENTS: 01/16/08 got from MOTB for upcoming discussion 03/19. Only read since it was a discussion book. This book did not work for me at all. Very disjointed. Emma Fielding is an archaeologist -- but there was no archaeology in this book. Plotting was abysmal, too many references to another book w/o explanations and resolution was unsatisfactory. Protaganist was whiney and not at all likeable -- even her friends steered away from her in this book. Enough said...I truly don't have a positive thing to say about this one.
TITLE/AUTHOR: ASHES AND BONES by Dana Cameron
RATING: 1/F
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Mystery/2006/289 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: #6 in Emma Fielding series
TIME/PLACE: Present/New England
CHARACTERS: Emma Fielding/archaeologist & professor
FIRST LINES: I sat on the rock by the edge of the reddish clay path, watching the Aqua Velva water churning on the toothy black rocks below.
COMMENTS: 01/16/08 got from MOTB for upcoming discussion 03/19. Only read since it was a discussion book. This book did not work for me at all. Very disjointed. Emma Fielding is an archaeologist -- but there was no archaeology in this book. Plotting was abysmal, too many references to another book w/o explanations and resolution was unsatisfactory. Protaganist was whiney and not at all likeable -- even her friends steered away from her in this book. Enough said...I truly don't have a positive thing to say about this one.
August 24, 2009
I originally picked this up because the cover art. (Yep I’m on of those who’s attracted by clever cover art. Brings out my Kaylee type “Shiny” response.) I found this to be a little disappointing though. It might have been better had I read the previous books in the series, especially the prequel to this one in which the characters had previous experience with one another. I didn’t particularly like the main character or many of the other characters for that matter. I sure as heck wouldn’t want friends like hers. All of them came across wishy-washy to me.
Also for a mystery, you’re half way through the book before you even get the first murder and that was a very, very minor character. Yes, other events were happening, but they were just barely enough to keep me interested in finishing. I figured since I was that far along, I might as well finish it. Can’t say I’m inspired to pick up any more of the series.
Also for a mystery, you’re half way through the book before you even get the first murder and that was a very, very minor character. Yes, other events were happening, but they were just barely enough to keep me interested in finishing. I figured since I was that far along, I might as well finish it. Can’t say I’m inspired to pick up any more of the series.
November 7, 2007
What I learn from this book is that poor Emma has it all in her life a great job, a great husband. But as you know that in life when you got are happy. There is always jealousy. That's what happend to Emma she thougth that the man that she kill by accident she saw him in the airport, when she was comming back home with her husband. Then she keeps having this really bad dreams about her getting shot and loosing all of her blood, and almost dying. I really reccomended this book if you like mistery
January 21, 2015
Ashes and Bones is part of Dana Cameron's Emma Fielding Mystery series. Emma Fielding is an archaeologist. Well, she is an academic as she only goes out in the field one time in the novel. Her life tho seems to be going well until a man from her past wreaks havoc in her life and those around her causing everyone to question her. The novel - first one I read in the series - flows smoothly for the first 2/3 then it seems as tho Cameron is stretching to make the ending fit. It just seemed forced, the writing that is. It was - in the end - a disappointing read.
July 28, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I did not read any of the series before this book but I was able to piece together some of what had previously happened. I knew who was behind all the problems pretty early on since Emma was pretty much screaming his name at anyone who would listen (and they all told her she was wrong). I couldn't figure out how he was doing all of it at first but it was all revealed piece by piece. I kind of wish that the author hadn't revealed who was behind everything so quickly but the book was written well enough to make me not want to put it down until it was over.
May 21, 2008
I think if I had read the previous books in this series first I may have enjoyed it more. I didn't like how everything was so neatly tied up at the end...it just seemed like it all happend to fast, and I felt that the reason that the main villian was out to get her wasn't clear, again, if I had read the previous books maybe I would have understood it a bit better.
September 25, 2010
Just finished this book the other day. Nice end to the series. If you like cozy mysteries with a little information about Archeology on the side, then this is a nice little 6 book series. Dana Cameron is litterate and a real Archeologist. I liked learning about the profession and about early life in the colonies.
August 6, 2009
I am currently reading Ashes And Bones by Dana Cameron.
Ashes and Bones
Dana Cameron
Mystery
289 pages
Ashes and Bones
Dana Cameron
Mystery
289 pages
July 30, 2009
This is the worst book I've read in a long time. I am not even sure I'm going to finish it. I like mysteries but these characters are so cartoon-like and the situations so contrived it's laughable.
August 25, 2009
Emma Fielding #6
December 8, 2010
I think I need to take a break, a lot of angst in the last couple of books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews